The Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine

The Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM) is ranked second among all D.O. and M.D. granting medical schools in the U.S. for graduates entering primary care residencies. KYCOM’s guiding principle has always been to educate physicians to serve underserved and rural areas, with an emphasis on primary care. KYCOM prides itself in being student-centered in every aspect. As a KYCOM student, dedicated and knowledgeable faculty and staff will provide you with a supportive environment to learn patient-centered care while utilizing advanced technology. Nestled in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains near a growing regional hospital, KYCOM’s graduates are well prepared to enter high-quality and rigorous graduate medical education residencies.

photo of dean kingery

Greetings from the University of Pikeville-Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM). Since the founding of our college in 1997, the KYCOM mission has been our guiding principle. Our graduates serve as proof that for more than 20 years, KYCOM has been educating primary care physicians for rural Kentucky and other Appalachian regions, helping us keep the promise made by our founders to the people and communities of the region…


KYCOM History

A group of community leaders began to investigate the possibility of establishing a medical school in Eastern Kentucky in the early 1990s. Those involved believed that the creation of an osteopathic medical school would be the best way to help alleviate the shortage of primary care physicians in rural eastern Kentucky. Support for developing an osteopathic medical school for the region arose from the fact that osteopathic physicians tend to stay in rural areas and practice primary care.


KYCOM Program Goals & Objectives

The mission of the University of Pikeville-Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM) is to provide students with an osteopathic medical education that emphasizes primary care, encourages research, promotes lifelong scholarly activity and produces graduates who are committed to serving the healthcare needs of communities in rural Kentucky and other Appalachian regions.


KYCOM Accreditation

The Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM) is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

COCA is the only accrediting agency which is recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) for accrediting institutions regarding predoctoral education of osteopathic physicians in the United States.


Resources

KYCOM is part of the University of Pikeville, which was established in 1889 as a small Presbyterian college located in Pikeville, Ky. The University of Pikeville is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, baccalaureate, masters and professional (D.O.) degrees. Any questions about the accreditation of the University of Pikeville may be directed to the Commission on Colleges at (404) 679-4500 or to 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097.

Additionally, inquiries may be made to the University of Pikeville at (606) 218-5250 or to 147 Sycamore Street, Pikeville, Kentucky 41501. Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine has been granted accreditation by the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA). This body is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the accrediting agency for colleges educating osteopathic physicians and surgeons. Further information about the COCA accreditation process can be obtained at www.aoacoca.org.

KYCOM received approval from COCA to increase class size to 135 beginning with the Class of 2016 that began July 30, 2012.