TUCOM Awarded Clinical Reasoning Catalyst Grant
Touro University California partners with Sketchy to develop AI-powered osteopathic content for medical education.
Touro University California’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUCOM) has been selected to receive the Clinical Reasoning Catalyst Grant from Sketchy, a leading provider of innovative medical education tools. This grant positions TUCOM at the forefront of integrating osteopathic principles into cutting-edge virtual learning platforms.
About the Grant
The 14-month initiative will fund the development of osteopathic-specific content for Sketchy’s commercial AI-driven clinical reasoning platform, an educational resource currently used by more than 300,000 healthcare learners worldwide. TUCOM is one of only two osteopathic medical schools in the U.S. chosen to contribute to this groundbreaking project.
“This grant allows us to usher in the future of virtual simulated patient experiences,” said Dr. Alesia Wagner, one of the project leads alongside Dr. Victor Nuño and Dr. Elaine Ho from TUCOM. “We’re providing unique osteopathic content that doesn’t currently exist on any third-party platform, filling a critical gap in medical education.”
By embedding osteopathic principles into AI-powered differential diagnosis (DDx) cases, TUCOM aims to strengthen clinical reasoning skills for students during both preclinical and clinical years. These cases will offer authentic, interactive training that prepares students for rotations, residency, and ultimately, patient care.
The project is a collaborative effort involving TUCOM's Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, and Department of Academic Affairs, working closely with Sketchy and other medical education institutions. Academic and OPP fellows will also play a key role in case development.
Impact on the Profession
Currently, no third-party platform includes osteopathic-specific content for clinical reasoning. TUCOM’s contribution will not only benefit its own students but will also be shared with other osteopathic programs, expanding access to high-quality, interactive learning tools across the profession.
Looking Ahead
“This initiative provides an interactive tool for real-life applications of osteopathic clinical reasoning,” Dr. Wagner explained. “By offering more authentic training, our students will be even better prepared to serve their patients and communities as exceptional osteopathic physicians.”
The grant also opens the door for future partnerships and research opportunities with Sketchy and similar organizations, reinforcing Touro University California’s commitment to innovation in medical education.