Faculty Handbook

Mission and Objectives of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

The MISSION of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) is to prepare globally minded, community-focused osteopathic physicians to meet the needs of rural and medically underserved populations and advance research to improve human health. Goal 1: Be a leader in providing education in the art and science of osteopathic medicine. Priorities • Provide education in osteopathic medicine, which prioritizes the value of a body, mind, and spirit. • Provide osteopathic medical education focused on evidence-based medicine, patient centered care, the body’s innate ability to heal, the relationship of structure to function, and the clinical application of osteopathic manipulation. • Prepare students to master the foundational osteopathic core competencies. • Prepare students to pass all levels of COMLEX USA examinations successfully. • Prepare students to match successfully into accredited residency programs. • Provide a holistic approach to student education and physician development. • Provide students, faculty, and staff with excellent physical facilities and equipment, grounds, and resources to enhance clinical, instructional, and research functions at all campuses. • Provide students, faculty, and staff with safe and state-of-the-art information technology equipment and services. • Foster a culture of faculty and staff growth and institutional educational excellence through: o CME, faculty and staff development; o Continuous examination, review, and update of the curriculum; o Recognition for excellence in teaching; o Recognition for contributions by staff to the success of the institution; o Annual review and research on new developments and technology in medical education; and o Recognition for scholarly work among faculty related to teaching and learning. • Support the osteopathic medical education continuum, through the development and support of graduate medical education programs including: o Seek to match OMS 4 students to affiliated residency programs within our target region. o Provide support to existing graduate medical education programs. o Assist newly developing graduate medical education programs to meet the requirements for accreditation. o Assist graduate medical education programs in meeting the requirements of osteopathic recognition. Goal 2: Recruit and graduate students who will address equity in healthcare. Priorities • Recruit students from, and educate students in, the socioeconomically depressed regions of the Southeast United States, including the southern Appalachia and Delta regions.

• Recruit students with a strong desire to care for medically underserved populations. • Foster medical students with a desire and demonstrated commitment to an enhanced understanding of global healthcare and care for diverse populations. • Foster primary care and healthcare for all medically underserved populations. • Foster education addressing healthcare disparities through diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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