A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Region: Arizona Country: USA

About us:
The Campus
The school operates in a portion of an existing 100,000-square-foot building on the 22-acre campus of A.T. Still University in Mesa. The Campus is the anchor of the Arizona Health & Technology Park, a 132-acre education, healthcare, and technology triangle owned by ATSU and Vanguard Health Systems. The master plan for the new park includes hospitals, long-term care facilities, professional offices, and product development research facilities.

Students spend their first year on the Mesa, Arizona, Campus learning together in small groups using real-life patient interactions and simulated clinical experiences. Students education in years two through four is based at one of the 11 select community campuses across the country. The second year is spent in small group settings learning additional clinical presentations, observing patient care, and gaining an understanding of the local health system and community health practices. Third- and fourth-year students complete their clinical rotations at Community Health Center campuses and associated hospitals, as well as with healthcare providers and at select healthcare institutions. Osteopathic principles and practices are integrated throughout the curriculum, and the osteopathic manipulative treatment program is designed for primary care applications. This provides distinctive training in the value of healing touch in patient care.

In addition to the School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, ATSU's Mesa Campus is home to the Arizona School of Health Sciences and the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health.

"The Medical School of the Future"
Making the Case : Curriculum - What's Different : Community Health Centers : In the News

According to some experts, ATSU's new osteopathic medical school couldn't come at a better time - or a better place. Studies estimate a national shortage of as many as 200,000 physicians by 2020. In addition, the way healthcare is delivered in this country is rapidly changing because of increased demands for services, the economics of providing affordable healthcare, and the need to ensure quality healthcare.

As a response, ATSU formed Blue Ribbon Committees of national healthcare experts, medical educators, and technology experts to develop a new, modern, technology-driven curriculum that will serve as a model to move the osteopathic medical profession to a leadership position in medical education.

Preparing for Admission
A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona's ideal candidate for admission understands and identifies with the tenets and philosophy of osteopathic medicine and is able to demonstrate a strong and compassionate commitment to medically underserved populations in the form of volunteerism and/or work experience. An ideal candidate is well-aligned with SOMA's mission to create empathetic physicians aspiring to provide healthcare to medically underserved communities.

Candidates for admission to SOMA are strongly encouraged to spend time shadowing an osteopathic physician and obtain a letter of support from that physician. Candidates are also strongly encouraged to provide a letter of support from a supervisor of activities involving outreach to medically underserved populations.

The ideal candidate for admission to SOMA has the ability to manage a rigorous academic schedule and can demonstrate proficiency in biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, anatomy, and physiology.

To be considered for admission to SOMA applicants typically complete four years of undergraduate work culminating in a bachelor's degree. Osteopathic medical schools require one year each of biological sciences, physics, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and six semester hours of English.

Applicants are required to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). The MCAT examines knowledge and skill in areas such as biology, math, reading, and problem-solving. A pre-medical advisor can assist applicants in scheduling and preparing for this examination.

Most applicants major in the sciences, such as biology or chemistry, in their undergraduate studies. However, applicants may major in any area as long as they meet the minimum course and grade requirements and demonstrate their potential for successfully completing an osteopathic medical curriculum.

Prospective SOMA students will be evaluated in three major areas: academic accomplishment, personal characteristics of a healer, and propensity to serve the underserved. Prospective students must exhibit a genuine concern for people. Osteopathic medicine is a people-oriented profession that demands dedicated and empathetic individuals. Osteopathic colleges require a personal interview during the application procedure. The applicant is strongly encouraged to have clinical exposure in a healthcare environment.

Students will be located at the Arizona Campus during their first year. They then spend years 2 - 4 at one of ten Community Campuses across the country.

ATSU is partnering with the following Community Campuses:

Sunset Park Family Health Center, based in Brooklyn, NY, and serving urban, emigre, ethnic, HIV, older adult and homeless populations in Brooklyn.
Beaufort-Jasper-Hampton Comprehensive Health Services, based in Beaufort, SC (north of Hilton Head), and serving rural, suburban and ethnic populations in the low-country region of South Carolina.
HealthSource of Southern Ohio, based in Milford, OH (east of Cincinnati), and serving rural, farming, ethnic, religious and Appalachian communities across southern Ohio.
North Country Community Health Center, based in Flagstaff, AZ, and serving isolated and ethnic populations in rural northern and eastern Arizona.
Clinica Adelante, based in the Phoenix Arizona area, serving communities in central Arizona and the Southwest.
El Rio Health Center, based in Tucson, AZ, and serving urban, suburban, ethnic, HIV, and homeless constituents in and around Tucson.
Family HealthCare Network, based in Porterville, CA (south of Fresno) and serving suburban and farm-worker populations in the valley at the base of Yosemite national park.
NWRPCA Campus - (Northwest Regional Primary Care Association), a regional model with the classroom based in Portland, Oregon, serving rural and urban community health centers throughout Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. .
HealthPoint (formerly Community Health Centers of King County), serving urban, suburban, emigre and ethnic populations in the county east and south of Seattle, WA.
Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health, based in Waianae, HI, and serving Native Hawaiian, Asian and suburban populations in the northwest coastal section of the island.

University Mission
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences serves as a learning-centered university dedicated to preparing highly competent professionals through innovative academic programs with a commitment to continue its osteopathic heritage and focus on whole person healthcare, scholarship, community health, interprofessional education, diversity, and underserved populations.
Our Services and Promise

Abraham Maslow, a renowned humanistic psychologist, believed that people strive to reach the highest levels of their capabilities. He believed that the respectful treatment of people promotes personal growth and when physiological, safety, love and affection, esteem and self-actualization needs are met, people have the greatest opportunity to reach higher levels of learning and service. This is known as Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs theory.

In many respects, the principles and values of the Department of Student Affairs are based upon Maslow's theory. We believe that in order for students to achieve at their highest level on integrity and compassion and and be life-long learners, the services provided by the various Student Affairs offices must meet the needs of students in three areas: mind, body, and spirit.

The Admissions program must recruit, select and orientate highly-qualified applicants. They seek creative, compassionate, and motivated applicants that want to serve humanity. If an applicant is to choose ATSU, they must feel safe and be able to secure housing in peaceful and friendly neighborhoods. A student's physiological needs of food, clothing, and protection are assured only if provided with financial assistance and the skills to manage debt.

Students can escape loneliness and alienation while receiving empathy, affection, and a sense of belonging by participating in student organizations, leadership development, and volunteer experiences encouraged and sponsored by the Department of Student Affairs.

ATSU students can experience personal growth and acquire life-long skills through involvement in the Still-Well wellness program or by being a member of individual and team sports and exercise programs at the Thompson Campus Center (ATSU-Kirksville). Emotional and academic support is readily available through Counseling Services and the Learning Resources Office. The Registrar's office verifies a life-long record of course work, grades, and the granting of a diploma to recognize significant achievement.