Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine

Dear Students:

Welcome to Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, the founding school of osteopathic medicine! You have made a wise selection in choosing an institution with a long and proud tradition of training competent and caring physicians.

The administration, faculty, and staff of KCOM are committed to providing you the best in medical education as you undertake your learning.

This catalog will provide guidance and general information for both the biomedical sciences and doctor of osteopathic medicine programs.

I wish you all the best as you embark on this new phase of your education!

Sincerely,

Margaret Wilson, DO
Dean

About KCOM

KCOM Mission Statement

The mission of A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine is to educate and train students to become highly competent osteopathic physicians and healthcare leaders. KCOM is committed to providing a quality osteopathic medical education in a research environment that prepares students for graduate medical training and clinical service.

Osteopathic Pledge of Commitment

I pledge to:

• Provide compassionate, quality care to my patients;
• Partner with them to promote health;
• Display integrity and professionalism throughout my career;
• Advance the philosophy, practice, and science of osteopathic medicine;
• Continue lifelong learning;
• Support my profession with loyalty in action, word, and deed; and
• Live each day as an example of what an osteopathic physician should be.

Osteopathic Physician’s Oath

I do hereby affirm my loyalty to the profession I am about to enter. I will be mindful always of my great responsibility to preserve the health and the life of my patients, to retain their confidence and respect both as a physician and a friend who will guard their secrets with scrupulous honor and fidelity, to perform faithfully my professional duties, to employ only those recognized methods of treatment consistent with good judgment and with my skill and ability, keeping in mind always nature’s laws and the body’s inherent capacity for recovery.

I will be ever vigilant in aiding the general welfare of the community, sustaining its laws and institutions, not engaging in those practices which will in any way bring shame or discredit upon myself or my profession. I will give no drugs for deadly purposes to any person, though it be asked of me.

I will endeavor to work in accord with my colleagues in a spirit of progressive cooperation, and never by word or by act cast imputations upon them or their rightful practices.

I will look with respect and esteem upon all those who have taught me my art. To my college I will be loyal and strive always for its best interests and for the interests of the students who will come after me. I will be ever alert to further the application of basic biologic truths to the healing arts and to develop the principles of osteopathy which were first enunciated by Andrew Taylor Still.

Program Accreditation

The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree program is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association’s (AOA) Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), 142 East Ontario Street, Chicago, IL 60611, Phone: 800.621.1773.

KCOM Contact Information

A.T. Still University - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
800 W. Jefferson Street
Kirksville, MO 63501
www.atsu.edu/kcom

Margaret A. Wilson, DO
Dean
660.626.2354
mwilson@atsu.edu

Patricia Sexton, DHEd, FNAOME
Associate Dean for Curriculum
660.626.2294
psexton@atsu.edu

Kelly Kirkland, MBA
Executive Assistant to the Dean
660.626.2279
kkirkland@atsu.edu

Kent Campbell, DO
Associate Dean for Academic and Clinical Educational Affairs
660.626.2701
kacampbell@atsu.edu

Richard J. LaBaere, II, DO, MPH, FAODME
Associate Dean for Postgraduate Training & OPTI Academic Officer
rlabaere@atsu.edu

KCOM School Policies

The following policies or guidelines apply to all programs at KCOM.

Auditing a Course

The KCOM audit policy is reserved for students who need to review course content or are pursuing an irregular schedule. All audits are subject to approval by the Dean or their designee.

Students approved to audit a course are:

1. Allowed to sit in class and may participate in laboratory experiences only if space is available,
2. Are not charged tuition for the audited course, and
3. No record of the audit will appear on the student’s transcript.

Questions concerning the audit policy should be directed to the Associate Dean for Curriculum.

BLS and ACLS Certification

Prior to clinical rotations, KCOM students are required to obtain and maintain health provider level Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiopulmonary Life Support (ACLS) certification.

Responsibilities and Conduct

Please refer to the University Student Handbook for information related to the responsibilities and expectations of conduct for students at KCOM.

Immunizations, screenings, and certifications for DO and Biomedical Sciences programs

In order to protect students, staff, and patients, KCOM requires students to have documented (1) completion of the required KCOM immunization schedule or (2) a state of Missouri allowable immunization exemption certificate on file with the KCOM immunization coordinator. The immunization and screening requirements span the entire time of enrollment at KCOM.

1. KCOM students (medical students, fellows, and biomedical science students) must meet conditions listed above. The immunization and screening schedule spans the entire time of enrollment at KCOM. Therefore, compliance is required on a continuous basis. Students failing to meet these standards will not be allowed to have school sanctioned clinical training or graduate until requirements are met.
2. Students will be notified of impending non-compliant status. Students not in compliance with the immunization and screening requirements will be reported to the Associate Dean for Academic and Clinical Educational Affairs (DO program) or the Graduate Program Committee (Biomedical Sciences). In addition, non-compliant students will be immediately removed from clinical experience and direct patient care until compliance has been achieved.
3. Students should be aware additional immunizations or titers are required in specific regions. Likewise, specific sites may also require drug screens prior to student participation in a rotation. Regional immunization and screening requirements are subject to change. Students will be notified of these requirements.
4. Students should be aware immunization and screening standards may be different for certain clinical rotations as compared to others. It is not uncommon for infectious disease and pediatric/neonatal intensive care rotations to require further proof of immunization status than other clinical rotations. Students wishing to complete clinical training rotations in these facilities will need to comply with the facilities’ required immunization and screening policies.

Required immunizations, titers, and screenings are updated yearly and therefore subject to change. This information is included for reference only.

Required proof of the following immunizations prior to matriculation:

• Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTP) series
• Hepatitis B series and titer
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR); if documentation cannot be produced, a titer is required
• Meningococcal
• Polio Virus series; if documentation cannot be produced, a titer is required
• Tdap
• Varicella series; if documentation cannot be produced or student contracted the chickenpox, a titer is required

Required immunizations while an active student at KCOM:

• Tdap/Td Booster
• Annual Tuberculosis Skin Test (TST); if positive, further evaluation is required via physical examination, chest X-ray, or cultures
• Annual Influenza

Recommended immunizations:

• Hepatitis A series
• Pneumococcal

5. Documents related to immunizations and screenings will be maintained and monitored through the Academic and Clinical Educational Affairs department.
6. All testing is at the expense of the student. Students should be aware that good prior planning is needed to maintain compliance in the immunization program.

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Program

At the founding college of osteopathic medicine, KCOM students receive comprehensive medical education that includes access to the latest technology, including human patient simulators, simulated patient encounters, and broad educational experience. The Complete DOctor, a course specific to KCOM, incorporates early clinical experiences with didactic study in physical exam skills, cultural diversity, communication skills, spirituality in medicine, medical law, and ethics.

KCOM students spend their first two years studying the basic sciences and clinical introductions in a campus setting. In the third and fourth years, students participate in clinical rotations in one of KCOM’s national rotation regions.

KCOM graduates represent a diverse group of osteopathic physicians practicing in every state and several foreign countries. They span all medical specialties and subspecialties and comprise approximately a quarter of all practicing osteopathic physicians.

Admissions

Application process

KCOM participates with other osteopathic colleges in a centralized application processing service called the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS). This service will collate materials, compute grades, and transmit standardized information to the applicant and the colleges which the applicant designates to receive them. AACOMAS takes no part in the evaluation, selection, or rejection of applicants. Applications may be obtained at www.aacom.org or from AACOMAS at 5550 Friendship Boulevard, Suite 310, Chevy Chase, MD 20815-7231, phone: 301.968.4100.

The College will send the applicant a secondary application if general qualifications are met. A non-refundable application fee and letters of recommendation from the pre-medical committee and a physician or employer will be required at the time the secondary application is submitted.

Applications must be submitted no later than February 1 of the academic year prior to which admission is sought. Applicants are encouraged to apply far in advance of the February 1 deadline. Additional information regarding the program application deadline date, tuition and expenses, and related financial assistance can be found at www.atsu.edu, or email inquiries may be sent to admissions@atsu.edu.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission to the first-year DO class must meet the following requirements prior to matriculation.

1. The applicant must have achieved a minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA and a 2.8 science GPA (based on a 4.0 scale). Applicants seeking admission with the intention of not having a degree prior to matriculation are required to have a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA, a 3.5 science GPA, and a 504 on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
2. Applicants must have completed 90 semester hours or three-fourths of the required credit for a degree from a college or university (30 hours of which must be at a four-year, degree-granting institution) accredited by a regional educational association. Most of the candidates who are accepted for admission have earned a baccalaureate degree prior to matriculation. It is recommended that applicants complete a bachelor of art or science degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association.
3. Applicants must have completed one full academic year or the equivalent in each of the following:
   • English – 6 semester hours/9 quarter hours. The student should be fluent in the oral and written use of English.
   • Biology – 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours. Must include a laboratory and a basic course in general biology or general zoology.
   • Physics – 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours. Must include a laboratory and cover the study of mechanics, sound, heat, magnetism, electricity, and light.
   • General or Inorganic Chemistry – 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours. Must include a laboratory.
   • Organic Chemistry – 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours. Must include a laboratory.
4. Elective subjects should afford a broad educational and cultural background as encouraged by the applicant’s pre-professional adviser. Courses in molecular biology, genetics, behavioral sciences, biochemistry, human anatomy/ physiology, and humanities are encouraged.
5. Applicants are required to submit scores from the MCAT that have been taken within three years from the date of application.
6. Matriculants are required to submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended by the date of matriculation including confirmation of an undergraduate degree, unless accepted under the non-degree application requirements.
7. KCOM and many of its clinical affiliations require criminal background checks on matriculants and students to ensure the safety of patients and employees. The checks are conducted by a vendor selected by ATSU. The student will pay the cost of the criminal background check directly to the vendor. Failure to comply with this mandate will result in denial to matriculate. A matriculant with a positive criminal background screen will be reviewed.
8. Matriculants will meet the minimum technology specifications found at: http://its.atsu.edu/knowledgebase/kcom-technology-requirements/

Transfer Student Admission

Requests for transfer into the DO program at KCOM must be made to the Admissions department. Applicants must currently be enrolled in medical school and cannot previously have been rejected by KCOM.

Applicants may only transfer from medical schools and colleges accredited either by AOA COCA, or by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). When a student transfers from another college of osteopathic medicine (COM), or an LCME accredited medical school or college, the last two years of instruction must be completed at KCOM. In the case of LCME transfers, the KCOM requirements for osteopathic manipulative medicine must be completed prior to graduation.

The following documentation must be on file before being considered for admission.

1. A letter from the academic dean or designee of the current professional school indicating the student is presently in good academic standing.
2. Minimum cumulative and minimum science GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale.
3. Official transcript from the transfer school. (KCOM will review and confirm the approval of the transfer credits via a letter for the student’s file.)
   • Confirmation of a bachelor’s degree or 90 semester hours or three-fourths of the required credit for a degree from a college or university (30 hours of which must be at a four-year, degree-granting institution) accredited by a regional educational association.
     1. Submitting an AACOMAS or AMCAS application may fulfill this.
   • If accepted for admission, official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended will have to be provided prior to matriculation.
4. MCAT score(s)
5. Secondary application and secondary fee
6. Additional documents or letters of evaluation as determined by the Admissions Committee may be requested.

Following the receipt of the above credentials, if considered qualified for admission, the completed application will be reviewed and the applicant will be invited for an on-campus interview.

The applicant will have a minimum of four interviews including the Associate Dean for Academic and Clinical Educational Affairs, Vice President for Student Affairs, Assistant Vice President for Admissions, and a basic science or clinical faculty member.

Following an academic report (credit evaluation) by the Associate Dean for Academic and Clinical Educational Affairs, the Admissions Committee will determine whether the applicant will be accepted for admissions, the amount of credit allowed, and the standing of the applicant.

Transfer Credit

KCOM does not accept transfer credit for students admitted to the first-year DO class. Please see the transfer student section for information regarding how to transfer from a current medical program into the DO program.

Still Scholars Early Acceptance Program

The Still Scholars Early Acceptance Program is designed to provide admission opportunities to outstanding students who aspire to become osteopathic physicians. KCOM prides itself on developing physicians who focus on whole person healthcare and community service, and looks for students who also hold these values. KCOM’s Still Scholars Early Acceptance Program rewards highly capable students who are dedicated to the osteopathic philosophy with admittance into our institution’s founding osteopathic medical program without traditional MCAT requirements. This program encourages students to focus on developing strong academic and leadership skills, yet allows them to focus on their undergraduate experience without the additional pressures of preparing for the MCAT. In addition, Still Scholars are awarded an academic scholarship for medical school upon entry to KCOM.

Preferred admission articulation agreements are in place with various undergraduate institutions across the United States to help pre-screen qualified applicants; however, students from any four-year accredited undergraduate institution in the United States may apply. Students representing schools that have an agreement with KCOM receive priority consideration in the selection process. Applicants must qualify for selection as per the agreement established between KCOM and the specific institution.

KCOM has agreements with the following institutions:

• Avila University (Missouri)
• Brigham Young University (Utah)
• Chaminade University (Hawaii)
• Drury University (Missouri)
• Elmhurst College (Illinois)
• Greenville College (Illinois)
• Langston University (Oklahoma)
• Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences (Massachusetts)
• Midland Lutheran College (Nebraska)
• Missouri State University (Missouri)
• Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri)
• Missouri Western State University (Missouri)
• Rowan University (New Jersey)
• San Diego State University (California)
• Southeast Missouri State University (Missouri)
• Springfield College (Massachusetts)
• Truman State University (Missouri)
• William Jewell College (Missouri)
• Wilmington College (Ohio)

For more information on the Still Scholars Early Acceptance Program, please contact residential admissions at admissions@atsu.edu or by phone at 866.626.2878 ext. 2237.

Early Decision Program

The Early Decision Program is a service for highly qualified medical school applicants who have made a definite decision that KCOM is their first choice among medical schools. In order to be considered, the applicant must meet all of the following requirements and agree to apply only to KCOM until an early decision notification is made. To qualify for early decision the applicant must meet all stated admissions criteria in addition to:

1. Meet a minimum GPA of 3.5 both cumulative and in the sciences.
2. Have taken the MCAT and earned a composite score of 500 or higher.
3. Submit the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) application, MCAT scores and transcripts from all institutions attended to AACOMAS by August 1. Applications become available through AACOMAS June 1. For information contact AACOMAS 5550 Friendship Boulevard, Suite 310, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, phone: 301.968.4190, www.aacom.org
4. File all secondary materials and letter of intent with Admissions by September 1.
5. Withhold all applications to other medical schools until an early decision is made by KCOM.
6. Interviews will be conducted in early October for qualified applicants.
7. The Admissions Committee will release a decision within two weeks of the interview.
8. A $1,000 non-refundable acceptance fee will be required by December 15.

International Student Admission

Students who are non-citizens or not permanent residents of the United States are not eligible to apply for the DO program at this time.

Preferred Admission Articulation Agreements

Pre-Med/Med Accelerated Track

The Pre-Med/Med Accelerated Track program is a “3+4” program offered conjointly between Truman State University (TSU) and ATSU-KCOM. Selected students in TSU’s Bachelor of Science (BS) in Health Science or BS in Exercise Science programs will begin their first year in the KCOM DO program after completing their third year at TSU.

TSU health science or exercise science students who are interested in applying for the “3+4” program will need to meet the following requirements:

1. Maintain a GPA (cumulative/science) of 3.5 or higher (4.0 scale) within the Health Science or Exercise Science Degree Tracks.
2. Completion of all prerequisite course work by the end of the junior (3rd) year
   • Biology/Zoology- 8 hours with lab
   • General Chemistry-8 hours with lab
   • Organic Chemistry-8 hours with lab
   • Physics-8 hours with lab
   • English 6 hours
3. Display maturity and strong interpersonal communication skills
4. Be involved with extracurricular activities; gain exposure to medicine through clinical shadowing experiences, community service, volunteering and campus organizations.
5. Be a full time TSU student
6. Be a law abiding citizen
7. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
8. During the fall of the junior year, complete a verified AACOMAS application, KCOM secondary application, and provide letters of recommendation
9. Follow the Pre-Med/Med Accelerated Track three year sequence of courses at TSU
10. Satisfy all TSU requirements prior to enrollment to ATSU-KCOM

Upon successful completion of the Pre-Med/Med Accelerated Track the student will receive a Bachelor’s of Science Degree (BS) in Exercise Science or Health Science from Truman State University as well as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Degree (DO) from A.T. Still University - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Please contact the TSU or ATSU Admissions Department for more information.

Selection of Applicants

The Admissions Committee seeks those individuals who identify with the goals of ATSU’s mission statement and KCOM’s mission statement. Applicants are screened for academic achievement, clinical involvement, interpersonal relations, leadership and service, perseverance, maturity, motivation, and osteopathic awareness.

Applicants who reach the final phase of the selection process will be invited to campus for an interview. All applicants selected for admission are interviewed prior to acceptance. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to accept, reject, or defer an application.

Students sent a letter of acceptance are granted a specified time period to notify KCOM of their intention to enroll. Accepted students must submit the following to Admissions prior to matriculation.

1. Signed admission agreement,
2. Non-refundable deposits,
3. Copies of official transcripts from every institution attended
4. Immunization record
5. Criminal background check through the University approved vendor
6. Proof of health insurance form

Admission after acceptance is also subject to the satisfactory completion of all academic requirements.

Minimal Technical Standards for Admission and Matriculation

Introduction

A.T. Still University’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM) is committed to equal access for all qualified applicants and students. Minimal Technical Standards for Matriculation (the “Standards”) state expectations of KCOM students. The Standards provide sufficient information to allow the candidate to make an informed decision for application. Minimal Technical Standards for Matriculation are a guide to accommodation of students with disabilities. Academic adjustments can be made for disabilities in some instances, but a student must be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.

Statement of Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion encompass an authentic understanding and appreciation of difference and, at their core, are based upon the value each human being brings to our society and each person’s access and opportunities to contribute to our University’s cultural proficiency.

KCOM admits and matriculates qualified osteopathic medical students. A.T. Still University of Health Sciences is committed to equal access for all qualified applicants and students. Minimal Technical Standards for Matriculation (the “Standards”) state expectations of ATSU students. The Standards provide sufficient information to allow the candidate to make an informed decision for application. Minimal Technical Standards for Matriculation are a guide to accommodation of students with disabilities. Academic adjustments can be made for disabilities in some instances, but a student must be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner. Procedures to apply for academic adjustments are found at the conclusion of this policy.

In adopting these standards the College believes it must keep in mind the ultimate safety of the patients who may be involved in the course of the student’s education as well as those patients for whom its graduates will eventually care. The Standards reflect what the College believes are reasonable expectations of osteopathic medical students (and physicians) in learning and performing common osteopathic medical treatment.

Categories, Standards and Examples

A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) must have the knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and to render a wide spectrum of patient care. In order to carry out the activities described below, students must be able to consistently, quickly, and accurately integrate, analyze, and synthesize data. Students must possess, at a minimum, the following abilities and skills: observation; communication; motor; sensory; strength and mobility; intellectual, conceptual, integrative and quantitative; and, behavioral and social. These abilities and skills comprise the categories of KCOM Minimal Technical Standards for Admission and Matriculation and are defined below. The examples mentioned are not intended as a complete list of expectations, but only as samples demonstrating the associated standards.

1. Observation: Students must have sufficient vision to observe demonstrations, experiments and laboratory exercises. Students must have adequate visual capabilities for proper evaluation and treatment integration. They must be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance and up close.
2. Communication: Students should be able to hear, observe and speak to patients in order to elicit and acquire information, examine them, describe changes in mood, activity, and posture, and perceive their nonverbal communication. Students must also be able to communicate effectively in oral and written form with staff and faculty members, the patient and all members of the health care team.
3. Motor: Motor demands include reasonable endurance, strength and precision. Students should have sufficient motor function to execute movements reasonably required for general care and emergency treatment. Such movements require coordination of both gross and fine muscular activity, equilibrium, and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.
4. Sensory: Students need enhanced sensory skills including accuracy within specific tolerances and functional use for laboratory, classroom and clinical experiences. Students who are otherwise qualified but who have significant tactile sensory or proprioceptive disabilities must be evaluated medically. These disabilities include individuals who were injured by significant burns, have sensory motor deficits, cicatrix formation, or have malformations of the upper extremities.
5. Strength and mobility: Students must have sufficient posture, balance, flexibility, mobility, strength and endurance for standing, sitting and participating in the laboratory, classroom and clinical experiences.
6. Intellectual, conceptual, perceptual, integrative and quantitative: These abilities include reading, writing, measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. In addition, students should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures. Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of physicians, requires all of these intellectual abilities.
7. Behavioral and social: Students must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients, and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships. Students must be able to tolerate physically demanding workloads and to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in clinical problems of patients. Compassion, maturity, honesty, ethics, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation are all personal qualities that will be assessed during the admission and educational processes. Students shall be prepared to endure the physical and emotional demands of the medical profession.

Additional Information

Examples of associated standards are listed in some detail at the following link: http://www.atsu.edu/learning_resources/disabilities/index.htm. Categories, standards, and examples mentioned at the link serve for purposes of demonstration and are not intended as a complete list of resources.

Records and communications regarding disabilities and academic adjustments with the Director of Learning and Disability Resources have no bearing on the application process. You may contact the director at Director of Learning and Disability Resources, A. T. Still University of Health Sciences, 800 W. Jefferson Street, Kirksville, MO 63501 or by phone at 660.626.2424.

Applying for Academic Adjustments

The institution remains open to possibilities of human potential and achievement, providing support for students with disabilities. The Vice President for Student Affairs is responsible for the administration of and compliance with the Technical Standards and Academic Adjustments Policy (ATSU Policy #20-110) through the Director of Learning and Disability Resources. Please see the University Student Handbook for information on how to apply for academic adjustments.

Grading

DO students earn a percentage grade or pass/fail grade for each course. ATSU requires a percentage grade of 70 or more (or “Pass”) to achieve satisfactory completion of a course. Clinical clerkships are graded Honors, High Pass, Pass, and Fail based upon the preceptor evaluation, post-rotation exam, and other evaluations that are weighted appropriately.

Additional assessment during clinical clerkship rotations includes written case presentations, oral case presentations, quizzes, online modules, logbook entries, and journal club. These assessment tools are graded as Honors, High Pass, Pass, and Fail. Failure of any of these required activities will require remediation.

Student Promotion Board

The responsibility of the Student Promotion Board is to assess the academic progress and professionalism of all students and ensure that adequate progress is being made toward the degree doctor of osteopathic medicine. Reviewed material will include the academic record, subjective evaluations by course directors and faculty, written notes, results of performance assessments such as PA I, PA II, and PA III, as well as other material necessary to fully evaluate the student’s progress.

The Student Promotion Board is chaired by the Associate Dean for Academic and Clinical Educational Affairs and includes as voting members the Associate Dean for Curriculum, clinical department chairs, and basic science department chairs. The Chair is a voting member in the case of a tie, and decisions of the Board will be made by majority vote.

Non-voting consultants to the Student Promotion Board will be the Director of Learning Resources, the Vice President for Student Affairs, and the Learning Enrichment Advisor. In the event that a course director is also a voting member of the committee, he/she will retain voting privileges. Additional appropriate full-time faculty such as a DSME or RAD may be requested to attend the Student Promotion Board meeting without vote.

To evaluate student progress, the Student Promotion Board will be convened by the Associate Dean for Academic and Clinical Educational Affairs at the end of the academic term or on an as needed basis at any time to consider lack of professionalism or academic progress by any student. Students will be notified of the outcome in writing by the Associate Dean for Academic and Clinical Educational Affairs.

Student Promotion Board Decision Appeals

• The student must present all information relevant to academic performance to the Student Promotion Board. In the case of information of a highly sensitive nature, the student may present such information to the Associate Dean for Academic and Clinical Educational Affairs prior to the convening of the Student Promotion Board.
• The student may appeal the Student Promotion Board decision in writing to the Dean within five days of notification of the Student Promotion Board decision only if new or significant information is revealed after the Student Promotion Board decision was made or if the student believes that the Student Promotion Board process was not followed as presented in the University Catalog.
• The Dean may meet with the Chair of the Student Promotion Board to discuss the appeal and determine if the Student Promotion Board process was followed.
• The Dean has the authority to overturn or uphold the Student Promotion Board decision.

Academic Probation

Any DO student who has failed any course, rotation, or who has failed COMLEX Level 1, COMLEX Level 2 CE, or COMLEX Level 2 PE may be placed on academic probation and informed in writing by the Associate Dean for Academic and Clinical Educational Affairs. Students may also be placed on probation due to professionalism issues. The purpose of probation is to alert the student, faculty, and administration to the fact that the student has experienced difficulty. Students on probation may not serve in student office, be excused from curricular activities for professional development, or attend conferences or events sponsored by the College without explicit permission from the Associate Dean for Academic and Clinical Educational Affairs. These measures are employed to assist the student in concentrating on improvement in his or her academic and professional progress.

Once the deficiencies have been remediated by the student, the probation shall be removed by written notification from the Associate Dean for Academic and Clinical Educational Affairs or the Dean. The successful remediation of an academic course will be identified by a notation (70R) on the student’s transcript.

Class Rank

Class rank will be calculated for KCOM DO students at the end of the fall and spring term for each of the first two years of medical school. The Registrar’s Office will notify students when the ranking is available for viewing on the CampusNexus Student Portal. KCOM ranks students in quartiles.

• Quartile 1: better than approximately three-quarters of the class
• Quartile 2: better than approximately one-half of the class
• Quartile 3: better than approximately one-quarter of the class
• Quartile 4: lower than approximately three-quarters of the class

Graduation Requirements

Students in the DO program at KCOM must meet the following requirements for graduation. Each student must have:

• Been a student in an accredited osteopathic university or equivalent for at least four academic years.
• Been enrolled in KCOM during his or her final two years of education. Must complete, to the satisfaction of the faculty, prescribed courses and clinical rotations.
• Passed the NBOME COMLEX Level 1, COMLEX Level 2 CE, and COMLEX Level 2 PE prior to graduation.
• Completed all clinical requirements prior to July 1, in the year of the match to participate in graduation and ensure eligibility to begin a post-graduate program.
• Been approved by faculty vote for promotion to graduation.
• Satisfactorily discharged of all financial obligations to the University.
• Completed the KCOM Exit Questionnaire “Senior Survey.”
• Attended, in person, the commencement program at which time the degree is conferred.

Academic Standards, Guidelines, and Requirements

Attendance

Required attendance activities are denoted on the student calendar. Other activities are attendance encouraged. Please see the ATSU Policies section of this catalog for the University policy on student absences. In addition to the University policy, KCOM offers 3 personal days annually for DO students.

HIPAA Training

Health Information Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) training and certification is required for all KCOM DO students.

Personal Days

Students are allowed up to 3 personal days per academic year where scheduled required activities may be made up (if the exercise is reproducible). Personal day requests must be submitted to the office of the Associate Dean for Academic and Clinical Educational Affairs on the Non-medical/Personal Day Form. For third and fourth year students, these forms are submitted to the RAD/DSME. Each student is responsible for their own academic progress.

Examples of personal day use include:

• Religious observations
• Wellness exams
• Elective medical procedures
• ATSU/KCOM club representation at regional/national meetings
• Weddings

Personal days cannot be divided into portions. Any portion of a day requested will count as an entire day off.

Personal day use for high-stake exams (e.g., section exams, practicals, finals) will be limited and require advance approval by the Associate Dean for Academic and Clinical Educational Affairs.

Examples of absences not counted as personal days:

• Medical excused absences (with proper documentation – please use the medical excused absence form)
• Absences to attend funerals (please use the non-medical excused absence form).
• Absences for required activities as a result of school sanctioned leadership positions (e.g. SGA president, KOAA board representative, etc.)
• Absences for reasons beyond the control of students (e.g., weather, flight cancellations) will be considered. If approved, a personal day will not be used.

Clinical Rotation Conduct and Standards

In the event the RAD or DSME determines that a student may constitute a threat to the student’s personal welfare, fellow students, staff, or patients, the RAD or DSME shall have authority to initiate interim temporary suspension or immediate medical leave for KCOM students. Once suspended, the student is no longer covered by University policy (liability coverage, etc.). This notification must be in writing, and the Associate Dean for Academic and Clinical Educational Affairs must be notified immediately of such action. Possible situations where such action may be necessary include the following:

• Substance abuse (alcohol & other drugs)
• Medical or psychological illnesses
• Suspected illegal behavior
• Suspected physical, sexual, or emotional abuse

Upon notification, the Associate Dean for Academic and Clinical Educational Affairs will initiate the proper review to expedite resolution of the interim status. The action of the RAD or DSME may be made permanent, or an alternate plan of action may be made in accordance with University policy.

In accordance with policy, the RAD or DSME may initiate review for suspected violation of the academic or behavioral codes. The initial step in the process will be notification of the Associate Dean for Academic and Clinical Educational Affairs.

Additional policies and protocols affecting students in the regions are located in the Regional Procedure Manual and the Clinical Educational Rotations Manual located on the Clinical Educational Affairs web page of the ATSU portal (both manuals are updated annually).

Programs

• Osteopathic Medicine, DO

• Biomedical Sciences, MS

Courses

• SURG 5222 - Principles of Surgery
• ULTR 5231 - Clinical Ultrasound I
• ULTR 5232 - Clinical Ultrasound II
• ULTR 6233 - Clinical Ultrasound III
• ULTR 6234 - Clinical Ultrasound IV
• WOHE 6261 - Women’s Health