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 ATSU-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

Program Accreditation and Complaints

The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree program is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association’s (AOA) Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), 142 E. Ontario Street, Chicago, IL 60611-2864, Phone: 312.202.8124.

ATSU-KCOM promotes conflict resolution using a chain of communication hierarchy. If a student has followed the chain of communication to attempt to resolve concerns without success, a complaint related to accreditation standards and procedures may be submitted to the ATSU-KCOM Dean. Upon receipt of a written complaint, the Dean or designee will review and evaluate all relevant information and documentation relating to the complaint and determine the appropriate pathway for adjudication. All student complaints will be forwarded to and logged by the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs and made available to the COCA visit committee at the next regularly scheduled COCA site visit. Log entries will include supporting documentation, actions, resolutions, and other pertinent information. If the issue is not resolved by the ATSU-KCOM Dean, the student may report the issue to the Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs. The student can seek guidance from the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs or Vice President for Student Affairs, as needed.

Anonymous Complaints

A student may file an anonymous complaint at any time via either of the following options:

• Students may at any time call the ATSU Fraud Hotline at 1.855.FRAUD.HL, or visit www.fraudhl.com/submit-a-report, company ID “ATSU”. Students may file complaints with the College or University without retaliation.
• If the student has a complaint that the school is not following the COM Continuing Accreditation Standards, the student can make a complaint to the COCA, in writing following the information found on the www.aoacoca.org website. All complaints must be signed by the complainant. Per the COCA, complaints will not be processed if submitted anonymously. The complainant must use the proper COCA complaint form to provide a narrative of allegations in relationship to the accreditation standard(s) or procedures and include any documentation that could support the allegation. Complaints made directly to the COCA will be kept anonymous to the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine.

ATSU-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. ATSU-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.

Contact ATSU-KCOM

ATSU-KCOM School Policies

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

International Student Admission

All ATSU-KCOM applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. 

Grading

ATSU-KCOM programs adhere to the University grading scale . See ‘Grading’ under the ATSU Policies section for more information. Grading of courses are outlined in syllabi. Grading of clinical courses are outlined in the Student Assessment Plan Summaries, by class.

Academic Appeals

The individual professional and graduate programs of ATSU, through their faculty and established school procedures, retain principal responsibility for assessing student performance. Disputes concerning unsatisfactory progress evaluations should be reconciled through the processes and procedures described under the DO and MS in Biomedical Sciences programs individually. Additional guidelines regarding academic appeals, including grade appeals, promotion, and/or dismissal appeals will be found within the ATSU Policies section, Academic Appeals Policy .

Auditing a Course

The ATSU-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 designee.

Students approved to audit a course are:

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

Questions concerning the audit policy should be directed to the Associate Dean of Medical Education.

BLS & ACLS Certification

ATSU-KCOM requires that all students obtain and maintain health provider level Basic Life Support (BLS) certification throughout the entire duration of enrollment. Prior to clinical rotations, ATSU-KCOM students are also required to obtain and maintain Advanced Cardiopulmonary Life Support (ACLS) certification. Non-compliance at any time during a student’s enrollment may result in removal from clinical rotations, suspension and/or dismissal. The school provides an opportunity for certification in BLS twice during the program (years 1 and 2) and ACLS once in year 2. BLS recertification will be offered at the college during the second year however, participating students are responsible for the related fees. Also, any ACLS training off campus is at the student’s expense.

Responsibilities & Conduct

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

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

Immunizations

ATSU-KCOM requires all entering students (medical students and biomedical science students) and fellows to provide proof of their immunizations to enroll in courses. This is necessary for the student’s protection as well as the protection of any individuals with whom they come in contact. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain up-to-date immunization protection throughout the entire duration of enrollment. Therefore, compliance is required on a continuous basis. Non-compliance at any time during a student’s enrollment may result in removal from clinical rotations, suspension and/or dismissal. Documents related to immunizations and screenings will be maintained and monitored by ATSU-KCOM Clinical Affairs Immunization Coordinator. All testing is at the expense of the student.

To request an immunization exemption, please complete the immunization exemption form and submit to kcomimmunizations@atsu.edu for formal review. 

Required immunizations are updated annually and therefore subject to change.

Academic Year 2023-24 Immunization Requirements

• Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTP) series; if documentation cannot be provided a Tdap will suffice
• Hepatitis B series; if documentation cannot be provided a positive titer will suffice
• Positive Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Titer (Negative result follow-up requirement listed below)
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) series; if documentation cannot be produced a positive titer will suffice (Negative titer results follow-up requirement listed below)
• Meningococcal (MenAWCY)
• Polio series; if documentation cannot be produced, a positive titer will suffice
• Tdap; Must be dated within 10 years
• Varicella series; if documentation cannot be produced a positive titer will suffice (Negative titer results follow-up requirement listed below)
• COVID-19 Vaccination/s (See additional information below)

COVID-19 Vaccination/s

• KCOM students are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The current accepted vaccinations include the following:

• Pfizer: 2 doses
• Moderna: 2 doses
• J&J: 1 dose

Bivalent booster doses are required. Due to the changing nature of COVID-19, please reference The COVID-19 Vaccine Policy for Students  found within the ATSU Policies section of this catalog for the most up-to-date information.

Negative Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Titer Follow-Up Options

• Repeat the 3 vaccination series & repeat Surface Antibody Titer 1-2 months after
• Receive 1 vaccination for booster & repeat Surface Antibody Titer 1-2 months after (if the titer is still negative, proceed with completion of the series and additional titer).

Negative Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Titer Follow-Up requirement

• 1 MMR Booster Vaccination

Negative Varicella Titer Follow-Up requirement

• 2 Varicella Vaccination (4-8 weeks apart)

Non-Responder Hepatitis B

• If you have completed the full 3 vaccination repeat series, and your repeat Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Titer is still non-immune, you are required to complete a Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Titer to test for active/chronic Hepatitis B.

Required immunizations while an active student at KCOM

• Tdap/Td Booster
• Yearly Influenza

Recommended immunizations

• Hepatitis A series
• Meningococcal-B series

Certification

Some clinical training sites require that students show proof of immunity (example: measles) before being allowed to train at the site. Therefore, it is recommended that students have this testing done in advance of the clinical training portion of their curriculum.

Screenings

Required proof of the following screenings while an active student at ATSU-KCOM:

• Two-Step Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST) or TB blood test (IGRA); must be dated within the matriculation year. TB blood tests are preferred for people who have received the TB vaccine (BCG) or if they are unable to return for the follow-up appointment for the skin test. Two-Step TB skin testing is performed by having the first test administered and returning 48-72 hours later to have the result read. Then, 7 to 21 days after the first test result is READ, have the second test administered and return 48-72 hours later for the result to be read. If the first TB skin test is positive, the second step is not required, and evaluation for active TB disease is essential. If either TB test result is positive (Two-Step skin testing or TB blood test), students must schedule and complete a visit with a healthcare provider capable of evaluating the student for signs and symptoms of TB disease, ordering follow-up testing, and providing adequate treatment for active or latent TB infection (LTBI). Documentation of the result (e.g., CXR) and plan of care must be provided to the college for ongoing participation in the ATSU-KCOM educational program.
• Drug screenings as required by regions prior to participation in rotations. Students will be notified of these requirements.
• Updated screenings may be required by specific rotation sites.
• Drug screenings may also be conducted if reasonable suspicion or fitness-for-duty concerns arise.
• Students are required to provide body substance samples to determine the use of illicit drugs. 
• The University will protect the confidentiality of all drug test results unless criminal charges are involved.
• All testing is done at the expense of the student.
• A student who tests positive may be immediately placed on suspension until further action is taken. Action will be made in accordance with University policy. The student shall not return to any clinical activities until formally approved and notified in writing. Additional requirements may be imposed.
• Failure to comply with any or all requirements may result in further disciplinary action including dismissal.
• All drug screen results must be directly sent to the Immunization Coordinator from the clinic/lab conducting the test.

Immunization Exemptions

For medical conditions or religious beliefs, a request for exemption from Risk Management requirements will be considered. However, ATSU cannot guarantee the ability to participate in patient encounters and placement in clinical rotations if this exemption is granted. Consequently, students receiving an exemption from vaccine requirements may take longer to complete the curriculum and graduate, or the student may not be able to complete the curriculum and graduate. Students seeking exemptions should submit the Request for Exemption from ATSU Vaccination Requirement form. If students are granted immunization exemptions, they must acknowledge the above risks by signing and submitting to the ATSU KCOM Immunization Coordinator an Immunization Exemption Risk Acknowledgment and Additional Disclosures and Requirements form.

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 of Clinical Affairs (DO program) or the Graduate Program Committee (Biomedical Sciences). In addition, non-compliant students may be immediately removed from clinical experience and direct patient care until compliance is achieved. Proper adherence to the requirements necessitates good advanced planning.

For any questions or concerns regarding the immunizations, certifications, and screenings required at ATSU-KCOM, please contact the Immunization Coordinator in the office of Clinical Affairs at 660.626.2513.

Programs

• Osteopathic Medicine, DO (KCOM)

• Biomedical Sciences, MS