VCOM Faculty Handbook

study and after losing his own children to meningitis, he developed a new approach and theory of medicine which he called osteopathy. He based his new approach to health care on the concepts of body unity, the body’s inherent ability to heal itself given all the optimum conditions, and on the proper alignment and function of the musculoskeletal system. Over the years, with the advancement of the use of antibiotics, surgical techniques, and the recognition of the immune system, the practice of both allopathic medicine (M.D.) and osteopathic medicine (D.O.) have evolved. Today, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) serve the public with full medical practice rights utilizing all of the modern practices science has to offer in medical and surgical care while incorporating the concept of treating the whole person, utilizing hands-on examination (palpation) in physical diagnosis, pharmacologic treatments, surgical practices, and musculoskeletal manipulation as an important additional therapeutic tool in alleviating pain, and treating illness or injury pain. VCOM's authority to operate and award degrees and its accreditation status are distinct concepts: • Accreditation is a voluntary process through which an institution or educational program undergoes external review to ensure that it meets established standards of quality and effectiveness. Accreditation serves as a mechanism for quality assurance and continuous improvement and differs from state authorization and professional licensure. o Institutional accreditation evaluates an institution as a whole, including its mission, governance, finances, academic quality, student support services, assessment processes, and overall operations. VCOM is institutionally accredited by the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), the nationally recognized accrediting agency for colleges of osteopathic medicine. Institutional accreditation signifies that an institution meets recognized standards for higher education and is authorized to participate in various federal programs and transfer-credit relationships. o Programmatic accreditation evaluates a specific academic program against standards established for a particular profession or discipline. VCOM's Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program is programmatically accredited by the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), the nationally recognized accrediting agency for colleges of osteopathic medicine. Programmatic accreditation focuses on the quality and effectiveness of the medical education program and its ability to prepare graduates for residency training and professional practice. • State authorization is separate from accreditation and refers to approval by state agencies that permits an institution to operate and confer degrees within a particular state. Authorization confirms compliance with applicable state requirements but is not equivalent to accreditation and should not be interpreted as an assessment of educational quality. VCOM maintains the authorizations, approvals, and licenses required to operate in the jurisdictions in which it conducts educational activities. Accreditation American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation VCOM is both institutionally and programmatically accredited by the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), the nationally recognized accrediting body for osteopathic medical colleges. VCOM currently holds the status of Accreditation for 10 years. VCOM’s next accreditation review will occur in academic year 2034-2035. Accreditation and State Authorization

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