University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine Fast Facts

School Info

Continuing the Osteopathic medicine tradition of bringing health care to where it is needed most, the UIWSOM provides a student-centered, problem-based learning environment empowering both students and faculty to recognize and address the medical needs of underserved populations, specifically those in South Texas. With a focus on primary care, UIWSOM physicians will be well prepared for the ethical, compassionate and altruistic practice of medicine. Our aim is to ensure quality, equity, relevance and effectiveness in health care delivery.

Curriculum

The UIWSOM curriculum is integrated and designed to support learners in their acquisition of knowledge, skills and competencies expected at each level of training, and to culminate with entry into graduate medical education programs with the competencies required of an entering PGY1 resident.

The integrated curriculum components and threads support the UIWSOM mission promoting the principles and practices of osteopathic primary care, social accountability and community service. The curriculum is organized by units, starting with a foundational applied biomedical science unit built around national emergency medical technician (EMT) and crisis intervention training (CIT) curricula. Year 1 students will learn the basic clinical skills of an EMT, which will enable them to contextualize biomedical sciences in an authentic patient care setting. The units which follow are organized by system in the order in which they are introduced in the Foundations/EMT/CIT unit. Learning utilizing interactive learner-centered techniques in a variety of settings will allow learners to understand and apply acquired knowledge and skills.

Several threads weave throughout all four phases of the curriculum and include, Mental Health and Wellness, Spirituality, Social Accountability, Service and Scholarship, Student Success, Mentoring and Advising, Board Preparation, and Evidence-based Medicine.

Facilities

The 155,000 square foot renovated campus includes four independent buildings housing administrative services, anatomy suite, student services, and library. Other features of the UIWSOM campus include:

• State-of-the-art anatomy lab with full functioning dissection suite
• Dissection suite has individual student stations with independent computer access
• Anatomage table (virtual anatomy)
• Small group collaboration rooms
• Interprofessional collaborative research space
• Osteopathic clinical skills learning studio