ATSU-SOMA

A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

SOMA is a small osteopathic college which is the first to introduce a new concept of medical instruction. SOMA’s focus on training physicians who will work in under-served areas has led them to develop a new method of instruction. Rather than the traditional method of medical instruction which generally includes 2 years of basic science training followed by 2 years of clinical rotations, students at SOMA will spend only 1 year at the Mesa Campus followed by a second year of coursework integrated in the community health environment. Students will remain in their selected community health environment for the roations which follow their second year.

Due to the experimental nature of this style of medical education, students interested in SOMA should be sure to discuss the impacts of this with an admissions faculty and others who are familiar with this process.

ATSU – Mesa opened its doors to the first class of students in 2007 and currently holds temporary accreditation. This fact should not discourage students interested in applying.

School Mission/Focus:

SOMA’s official purpose statement is: “To effectively prepare the highest quality osteopathic physicians, using innovative strategies, to serve the national need for community oriented health care (www.atsu.edu).”

From a recent visit to the SOMA campus in Mesa, I was able to get a bit more insight into their overall purpose for medical professionals. SOMA’s primary focus is on training primary care physicians who will work in underserved areas. This does not mean you necessarily have to want to work in a small town as a G.P for the rest of your career, but admissions will favor students who exhibit and interest in community health care.

Location:

SOMA is located in sunny Mesa, Arizona. Mesa is a large metropolitan area connected to the Phoenix Valley.

Application Requirements:

GPA (Cumulative)*: 2.5 minimum (average GPA of ‘07 matriculates was 3.36)

GPA (Science)*: 2.5 minimum (average GPA of ‘07 matriculates was 3.23)

MCAT: Required. No data is available for a minimum score required on the MCAT (average MCAT score for ‘07 matriculates was 24.37)

Student must have completed the follow undergraduate course work:

English (6 semester hours)
Biology (8 semester hours) – must include a laboratory and a basic course in General Biology or General Zoology
Physics (8 semester hours) – must include a laboratory
General or Inorganic Chemistry (8 semester hours) – must include a laboratory
Organic Chemistry (8 semester hours) – must include a laboratory

Recommended courses:

Biochemistry
Anatomy

Background check required: Yes

All students meeting the minimum application requirements will be sent a secondary application which should be returned as soon as possible. Secondary applications will require:

Letters of reference – 1 letter from a physician or employer, 1 letter from Admissions Committee Boards, Science Faculty member or pre-medical advisor
$60 application fee

Curriculum:

While most other osteopathic medical schools have very similar curriculum, SOMA is a pioneer of a new method of medical education.

From a pamphlet I received at the campus: “Students will spend their first year on the Mesa, Arizona campus learning together in small groups using real-life patient interactions and simulated clinical experiences. Students’ education in years two through four will be based at one of the 11 select Community Health Center campuses across the country. The second year is spent in learning additional clinical presentations, observing patient care, and gaining an understanding of the local health system and community health practices. Third and fourth year students will complete their rotations at a variety of Community Health Center campuses and associated hospitals, independent healthcare providers and their healthcare institutions.”

Here is a typical course schedule:

st Year (at Mesa Campus)

Principles of Healthcare
Musculoskeletal
Neurosciences and senses
Cardiopulmonary
Renal
Endocrine
Medical Skills and Evidence Based Medicine
Osteopathic Priciples and Practices
Clinical Experiences

2nd Year (at selected Community Health Center)

Reproduction/Human Development
Urology
Gastrointestinal
Skin
Blood
The Mind
Integrative I Course
Integrative II Course
Medical Skills and Evidence Based Medicine II
Osteopathic Principles and Practices II
Integrated Clinical Experiences

3rd Year Rotations (42 weeks of rotations in the following areas at selected Community Health Centers)

Surgery
Internal Medicine
Family Practice
Pediatrics
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Psychiatry
Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
4 weeks of electives

4th Year Rotations (14 weeks of required rotations, 16 weeks of selective rotations, and 12 weeks of electives at selected Community Health Centers)

Required Rotations:

4 weeks of critical care
4 weeks of cardiology
4 weeks of emergency medicine
two weeks of neurology

Selective Rotations:

4 weeks of pediatrics based
4 weeks of surgical based
8 weeks of medicine based

Elective Rotations (may include offerings such as):

Addiction Medicine
Anesthiology
Bioethics
Clinical Genetics
Clinical Immunology / Allergy
Critical Care
Cardiology
Dermatology
Endocrinology
ENT
Emergency Medicine
Family Medicine
General Surgery
Gerontology
Gastroenterology
Health Care Management and Public Health
Internal Medicine
Infectious Diseases
Interventional Radiology
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Nephrology
Neonatology
Neurology Nuclear Medicine
Ob/Gyn
Oncology/Hematology
Osteopathic Principles and Practices
Ophthalmology
Orthopedic Surgery
Pediatrics
Psychiatry
Pain Management
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Pulmonary Medicine
Pathology
Radiology
Rheumatology
Rural/Underserved Family Medicine
Sports Medicine
Toxicology
Thoracic Surgery
Transplant Medicine
Urology

The location of community health training during the last 3 years at SOMA is chosen during the admissions process. Students are able to elect their top choices for location and can generally expect to spend the remaining 3 years in that one location unless chosen electives are not available in those areas.

Community Health Center campuses are located in:

Sunset Park Family Health Center, Brooklyn, NY
Beaufort-Jasper-Hampton Comprehensive Health Services, Beaufort, SC
Alabama Medical Education Consortium, Troy, AL
Health Source of Southern Ohio, Milford, OH
North COuntry Community Health Center’s Northern Arizona Health Education Center, Flagstaff, AZ
An American Indian focused campus based in Phoenix, AZ
Family Healthcare Network, Visalia, CA
NW Consortium, Portland, OR
Community Health Centers of King Count, King County, WA
Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health, Waianae, HI

School Demographics:

Total enrollment: 107

Total male: 62

Total female: 45

First-year enrollment: 107

Cost of Attending:

uition: $35,000

Fees: unknown

Living in Mesa, AZ:

opulation: Mesa is one of the fastest growing cities in the US with an estimated population of about 460,000. It is located in the heart of the Phoenix Metropolitan area which has an estimated population of over 4 million people.

Demographics: Mesa is predominantly caucasian (about 84%) and hispanic, however, it is an extremely diverse population and warmly welcomes many cultures. Approximately 10% of the Mesa population are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons).

Housing: Mesa is not a cheap city to live in. Housing costs can be extremely expensive in the more central areas of the city. Look to suburban cities such as Gilbert for housing that is a bit cheaper (although not much). An average 2-bedroom apartment will cost about $800-$1100 to rent in Mesa while purchasing a home can range anywhere from $140,000 – $600,000.

Cost of Living:The cost of living in Mesa, AZ is slightly above the national average. As a quickly growing metropolitan area, Mesa attracts many higher income families and retirees looking fora winter escape. While living in Mesa can be expensive, careful shoppers can find good deals with a bit of legwork.

Employment Opportunities: Jobs abound in Mesa. Looking for extra works should not be difficult.

Weather: Mesa, AZ can be very warm all year round. Pack lots of shorts and bathing suits for studying by the pool. Here are average temperatures for January and July (in Fahrenheit):

anuary: High = 67, Low =41

uly: High = 106, Low = 77

Things to do:There is plenty to do for anyone living in Mesa. Museums and concerts can be found easily and are often very cheap or free. It is warm enough all year round to do plenty of outdoor activities. Every amenity that one could want is available in the area. Phoenix, AZ is rated as Forbes.com #15 “Best Cities For Singles, 2008.“

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