Pikeville College - School of Osteopathic Medicine

General Information

Academic and Clinical Advising

Each student is assigned an academic and clinical advisor. The student’s academic advisor will be a faculty member whose responsibility it is to help the student complete the first two years of medical didactic material. The student’s clinical advisor will be a faculty member who will help the student select and complete his/her clinical education. The Office of Student Affairs will assign the advisors.

Academic Schedules

First- and second-year didactic schedules and third- and fourth-year rotation schedules are published and distributed through the Office of Student Affairs.

Accreditation

Pikeville College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; telephone number 404-679-4501).

The Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine is fully accredited by the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation.

Admission: Recommending a Student

Persons wishing to recommend a student for admission to the School of Osteopathic Medicine should write to the Dean on behalf of the applicant. This letter will be given full consideration when the applicant’s file is evaluated.

AOA Membership

All students enrolled in the School of Osteopathic Medicine become student members of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) at no charge to the student.

KOMA and KMA Membership

All students enrolled in the School of Osteopathic Medicine become student members of the Kentucky Osteopathic Medical Association (KOMA) and Kentucky Medical Association (KMA) at no charge to the student.

Bookstore

The Pikeville College Bookstore sells new and used required texts and reference books, laboratory and clinic coats, supplies, equipment and microscopes, College clothing and gift items.

Dining Facilities

Pikeville College offers a meal plan to students. All students may participate in the meal plan. The food service management is capable of meeting most special diets prescribed by a doctor. The College Cafeteria and the Bear’s Den are located in Wickham Hall.

PCSOM Medical Library

Located in the Telemedical Building, the PCSOM Medical Library integrates traditional resources with innovative programming for osteopathic education, training and research.

Library services for students and faculty include reference, individual bibliographic instruction, computer instruction, computerized bibliographic searches using PUBMED and MDConsult, non-medical databases, interlibrary loan (document delivery) and reserve material.

The PCSOM Library maintains current monographs, audiovisual media and periodicals. The periodical core collection emphasizes Family Medicine/Primary Care.

The PCSOM Library participates in local, regional and national library cooperatives to ensure timely access to the most current literature and is staffed by an experienced Medical Librarian and support personnel.

Health Service and Insurance

A registered nurse is on duty and/or on call six hours per day, during the regular academic semesters. The nurse is available for consultation, treatment and referral. Students are not required to receive treatment from the College nurse; they are free to seek aid elsewhere at their own expense. Pikeville Medical Center, which is approximately five minutes from campus, is used for emergencies. Spouse, parents or guardians are notified in the event of a major illness.

PCSOM students must present proof of health insurance at registration. The student is solely responsible for his/her medical bills. The School assumes no responsibility to seek reductions or waivers. Students must be free from any outstanding medical debts from the College’s affiliated hospitals or clinics prior to receiving a diploma.

History of PCSOM

Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine is the 19th school of osteopathic medicine in the United States. It was founded by a group of businessmen in Eastern Kentucky in 1994. In June 1996, PCSOM was located at Pikeville College in Pikeville, Ky. Its purpose is to educate future primary care physicians to practice in Eastern Kentucky and other Appalachian regions. The total enrollment of the school is 300 students (an average of 75 students per year).

Housing

Students must secure their own housing. PCSOM will assist students in their search for appropriate, affordable housing.

The City of Pikeville

Pikeville combines city opportunities with small-town friendliness. The city has one medical center and four large hospitals within a 90-minute radius of the College where students can train. Students may schedule elective clinical rotations in other parts of the state or country or may stay in Pikeville for all of their clinical rotations.

Lost and Found

The undergraduate Student Affairs Office, located on the ground floor of the Administration Building, administers lost and found services.

NBOME COMLEX

All students are required to take Part I and Part II of COMLEX (Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination) administered by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) prior to graduation. Examination dates will be announced. Examination applications are available in the Office of Student Affairs. Completed applications must include a photograph. The applications are to be submitted to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs for certification before the applications are mailed to the NBOME. PCSOM pays the fees for each student to take Parts I and II of COMLEX one time each.

Non-Discrimination Policy

It is the policy of the College that no student shall be excluded from participating in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any program sponsored by the College because of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, color, creed, religion, handicap or national origin.

Student Government Association

The Student Government Association (SGA) is the official voice for students. SGA is open to all students in the College and welcomes proposals and participation from the entire body.

SGA is responsible for: collecting and expressing student opinion; dispersing funds for student activities; acting as liaison for the student body; promoting osteopathic medicine; supporting club and classroom activities; and working to improve the quality of life for all PCSOM students.

Policies

The PCSOM Student Handbook covers policies governing student conduct and responsibilities. The handbook is published on a yearly basis and may be amended at any time without prior notice.

Publications/Media Relations

The printing or distribution of any publication, either electronic (i.e., on the World Wide Web) or in print, or use of the College name or seal by students, faculty or staff must follow the Pikeville College Visual Identity Guidelines and have prior approval from the Office of Public Affairs. A copy of the Pikeville College Visual Identity Guidelines may be obtained from the Office of Public Affairs.

Students, faculty and staff are required to refer inquiries from the media to the Office of Public Affairs. This office will then provide information to local and national media.