University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

University of New England
College of Osteopathic Medicine
Motto "Lucens et Ardens"
Motto in English
 "Ardor for Light"
Established 1978[1][2]
Type Private, non-profit
President Danielle Ripich, Ph.D.[3]
Provost James J. Koelbl, D.D.S., M.S., M.J.[3]
Dean Douglas L. Wood, D.O., Ph.D.[3]
Academic staff
 250[1]
Students 500[1]
Location Biddeford, Maine, USA
Coordinates: 43°27′29″N 70°23′13″W / 43.4580°N 70.3870°W
Campus Rural, 540 acres
Nickname UNECOM
Website une.edu/com

The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM) is the only medical school in the U.S. state of Maine. The school is located in Biddeford, Maine, and grants the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. UNECOM is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) and by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.[2] The college is part of the University of New England. According to U.S. News & World Report, UNECOM graduates the 6th most physicians of any U.S. medical school that go on to practice in a primary care specialty.[4]

History

The college was founded in 1978 by the New England Osteopathic Foundation.[1] The following year, 1979, the New England College of Osteopathic Medicine merged with St. Francis College to create the University of New England.[5] The medical school was originally housed in Stella Maris Hall, but in 1996, with the opening of Harold Alfond Center for Health Sciences the majority of classwork for the first and second years were transferred to the Alfond Center while Administration and Faculty Offices continued to be housed in Stella Marris Hall.[2] In August 2013, UNECOM opened Leonard Hall, a state of the art classroom to fit an advanced and innovative medical curriculum aimed at providing first- and second-year medical students superior education and preparation.[6] The curriculum and classroom are currently far ahead in the evolution of most early medical school curriculum and it symbolizes UNECOM's determination to educate the best physicians of the future.[2]


In 1996, the University of New England merged with Westbrook College. The campus of the former Westbrook College is now known as the UNE Portland Campus, and it houses UNE's Westbrook College of Health Professions, College of Pharmacy, and College of Dental Medicine. UNE has now become one of a handful of private universities with a comprehensive health education mission including medicine, pharmacy, dental medicine, nursing and an array of allied health professions.[7][8]

Mission

To educate "health care leaders who advance patient-centered, high-quality osteopathic primary care, research and community health for the people of Maine, New England, and the nation."[2]

Academics

The curriculum focuses on primary care, osteopathic principles and practices, and geriatrics; however, graduates go on to specialize in nearly every medical specialty available.[2] The first two years consist of basic sciences, along with structured, standardized patient encounters, while the third and fourth years consist of clinical clerkships in hospitals and clinics throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic States. Students are required to complete 6-week Core Clerkships in Family Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Psychiatry, Surgery, and Pediatrics, as well as a 12 week rotation in Internal Medicine within their third year. In addition there is a 4-week Core Clerkship in Rural Health completed through Maine's AHEC program. Fourth-year has 4-week Selective requirements of Subspecialty of Internal Medicine or Pediatrics, Subspecialty of Surgery, Emergency Medicine, and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. Students are then free to complete 19 weeks of electives in any specialty they want. Students are free to do all of their fourth year rotations throughout the United States.

Osteopathic medical students at UNECOM may complete a Masters in Public Health in addition to their D.O. degree. The college also offers a fellowship in anatomy and osteopathic manipulative medicine.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "About COM". University of New England. Retrieved 2010-02-15.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine". American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. 2012. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 University of New England. "Directory of COM Administration". Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  4. ↑ "Which schools turn out the most primary care residents?". US News & World Report. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  5. ↑ University of New England. "St. Francis College History". Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  6. ↑ "University of New England - COM - Pre-Clinical Education - Curriculum Overview". Une.edu. 2010-07-08. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  7. ↑ About UNE
  8. ↑ Westbrook College History

External links