A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
Encyclopedia
The A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (SOMA) deals exclusively with training physicians. Established in 2007 and located in Mesa Arizona, the university is intended to serve the community by training medical school students devoted to the community. As a campus of the larger A.T. Still University
network it embodies the same ideals. The school accepts approximatively 100 new students each year. SOMA is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation
(COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association
(AOA). The first class, composed of 90 students, graduated in June of 2011.
and a 32000 square feet (2,972.9 m²) East Valley Family YMCA.
. Basic sciences are coupled with clinical sciences so that the students have a more comprehensive and practical foundation for each medical discipline. The curriculum design emphasizes clinical competencies. which allows students to enter residency programs with greater experience with chronic disease than students educated in the majority of tertiary care-oriented academic health centers.
A.T. Still University
A.T. Still University is the world's first osteopathic medical school. Founded in 1892 by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still , the school is based in Kirksville, Missouri, and has other campuses in Arizona...
network it embodies the same ideals. The school accepts approximatively 100 new students each year. SOMA is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation
Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation
The American Osteopathic Association's Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation accredits schools granting the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree in the United States. The US Department of Education lists the Commission as a recognized accreditor.-External links:*...
(COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association
American Osteopathic Association
The American Osteopathic Association is the representative member organization for the over 78,000 osteopathic medical physicians in the United States...
(AOA). The first class, composed of 90 students, graduated in June of 2011.
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 its focus on whole person healthcare, scholarship, community health, interprofessional education, diversity, and underserved populations."
Campus
The campus operates in a portion of a 100,000-square-foot (9,300 m2) building on the 22 acre (89,000 m2) campus of A.T. Still University in Mesa. The Campus is the anchor of the Arizona Health & Technology Park, a 132 acre (0.53 km2) 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. The campus is also home to the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral HealthArizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health
Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health is a graduate school of dentistry located in the U.S. city of Mesa, Arizona, and affiliated with A. T. Still University....
and a 32000 square feet (2,972.9 m²) East Valley Family YMCA.
Training
SOMA uses the Clinical Presentation Educational Model which teaches that there are about 120 different ways that a patient can present themself to a physician. The teaching method was based on a method developed in 1994 by the University of CalgaryUniversity of Calgary
The University of Calgary is a public research university located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1966 the U of C is composed of 14 faculties and more than 85 research institutes and centres.More than 25,000 undergraduate and 5,500 graduate students are currently...
. Basic sciences are coupled with clinical sciences so that the students have a more comprehensive and practical foundation for each medical discipline. The curriculum design emphasizes clinical competencies. which allows students to enter residency programs with greater experience with chronic disease than students educated in the majority of tertiary care-oriented academic health centers.
Clinic Locations
SOMA is unique in that the first year is spent at the Mesa campus and the last three years at one of many community clinics. As of 2010 SOMA offers 11 community clinic opportunities in such locations as:- Alabama Medical Education Consortium – Selma, AL
- Beaufort-Jasper-Hampton Comprehensive Health Services – Ridgeland, SC
- Health Point (previously Community Health Centers of King County) – Seattle, WA
- El Rio Community Health Center – Tucson, AZ
- Family Healthcare Network – Porterville, CA
- HealthSource of Ohio – Milford, OH
- Northcountry/Canyonlands Community Health Center – Flagstaff, AZ
- Northwest Regional Healthcare – Portland, OR
- Phoenix Indian Medical Center – Phoenix, AZ
- Sunset Park Family Health Center – Brooklyn, NY
- Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center – Waianae, HI