DOCTOR OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine educates and trains students to become osteopathic physicians that provide research-driven quality care to the Northwest communities, particularly in rural and medically underserved populations.

Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or DOs, are fully licensed physicians who practice in all areas of medicine. Emphasizing a whole-person approach to treatment and care, DOs are trained to listen and partner with their patients to help them get healthy and stay well.

Throughout the country, DOs practise the full scope of medicine in all specialities of the medical field, from paediatrics and geriatrics to sports medicine and trauma surgery;

DOs receive the same medical training as other physicians and 200 additional hours of OMM training. OMM is a hands-on treatment used to diagnose and treat illness and injury;

OMM has been proven to be effective in treating a variety of injuries and illnesses. For example, the use of OMM in treating patients with pneumonia has been found to shorten the length of hospital stays and complications associated with pneumonia;

DOs are trained to focus on the whole person, working with patients to achieve high wellness and disease prevention levels.

PNWU-COM accepts 135 students for each new class of osteopathic medical students, which starts in the fall. PNWU-COM uses a "rolling admissions" process. Offers of admission are made following the first interview until the class is full. It is strongly recommended to apply early.

The PNWU-COM Admissions Committee will consider applications from all qualified individuals; however, to meet the College of Osteopathic Medicine mission, preference is given to Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and rural and/or medically underserved areas of the country.

The major criteria for rating applicants are academic excellence, commitment to osteopathic primary care, commitment to practice medicine in an underserved area, and personal characteristics.