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The vision for the College of Dental Medicine is to be known and respected for service, innovation, clinical excellence and interprofessional education.
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Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine 147 Sycamore Street Pikeville, Kentucky 41501 (606) 218-5288 kycomadmissions@upike.edu
At the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine, our innovative curriculum is built around an integrated organ systems approach, designed to help students develop a deep understanding of the human body in health and disease. Our curriculum emphasizes a strong foundation in basic biomedical sciences and physical examination skills during the first year, followed by a transition to clinical medicine and disease management in the second year. Throughout the pre-clerkship years, students integrate knowledge from didactic lectures and develop their clinical reasoning skills through weekly small group evaluations of patient cases, preparing them to excel in their clinical clerkships in the third and fourth year.
In the first year, students explore the normal structure and function of the human body through an organ systems framework. Concepts in anatomy, physiology, histology, biochemistry, immunology and microbiology are integrated into comprehensive system-based courses. Students are introduced to clinical skills and osteopathic principles and practice (OPP) from the start, gaining hands-on training in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) to reinforce the body’s innate ability to heal.
Key features of the first year include:
· Systematic study of major organ systems (e.g., musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, etc)
· Integration of biomedical science disciplines with OPP and clinical correlations
· Early exposure to clinical skills, including patient communication and physical examination techniques
· Introduction to the principles of health promotion and disease prevention
The current first- and second-year curriculum can be found in the Student Catalog.
The second year focuses on the pathology of disease, diagnosis and treatment. Building upon the foundational knowledge from the first year, students study disease processes within each organ system, including pathology, pharmacology, microbiology and clinical management strategies across various medical specialties. Emphasis is placed on clinical reasoning, diagnostic skills, OMM and evidence-based treatment planning, primarily through the perspective of primary care.
Highlights of the second year include:
· In-depth exploration of pathology, microbiology and pharmacotherapeutics
· Continued application of osteopathic principles to disease management
· Development of osteopathic clinical reasoning and diagnostic skills
· Preparation for national licensing exams (COMLEX-USA Level 1)
Throughout the pre-clinical years, our integrated curriculum ensures students not only master the scientific underpinnings of medicine but also develop the clinical acumen and osteopathic approach necessary for patient-centered care.
After completing the foundational pre-clerkship curriculum, students enter their clinical years, where they apply their knowledge and skills in real-world settings across a wide range of specialties. Clinical rotations emphasize holistic patient care, interprofessional collaboration and hands-on experience in diverse healthcare environments. Required core rotations in the third year included family medicine, general internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, women’s health, psychiatry and emergency medicine. In the fourth year, students complete selective clinical rotations in clinical osteopathic medicine, rural medicine, a surgical subspecialty, a medical subspecialty and one other selective, which may include a directed study course that prepares them for the COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE examination.
This schedule includes two weeks at the end of the third year devoted to clinical skills evaluation and a mandatory class meeting, plus four weeks of winter holiday breaks (two weeks per year, per KYCOM calendar).
Resources:
Class of 2022 Clinical Rotations ManualClass of 2023 Clinical Rotations ManualClass of 2024 Clinical Rotations ManualThird/Fourth-Year Student Catalog
At a faculty meeting preceding commencement, the Promotion and Matriculation Committee certifies to the faculty the names of those students eligible for the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, contingent upon the successful completion of all academic, administrative and financial requirements of the college. The faculty will entertain a motion to approve the candidates and submit the list to the University of Pikeville Board of Trustees for approval.
A student who has fulfilled all of KYCOM’s requirements will be granted the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. The student requirements for graduation from KYCOM are as follows: