Rocky Vista University third-year core clinical rotations are performed in civilian healthcare settings. Third year elective rotations are available in military facilities for HPSP students. During the clinical fourth year, RVU HPSP students have elective clinical “audition” rotations in both military and civilian facilities. To learn more about clinical rotations at RVU, visit: Clinical Education
Military Medicine
Preparing Students for a Career in Military Medicine
The Military Medicine Program is designed for Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM) students who are slated to enter active duty service with the United States Army, United States Navy, or the United States Air Force. The majority of students in this Program have earned a Health Professions Scholarship through their respective military branch and, as such, have acquired a military service obligation of two to four years, relative to the length of their scholarship. On occasion, other RVUCOM students who are assigned to the National Guard or Reserves, or those with prior military experience, may constitute a portion of the Program members. Regardless of their affiliated pathway, military medicine students should exhibit a high level of academic achievement and express a strong interest in becoming a military physician.
Our unique Program provides an overview and introduction to military medicine through immersion-based reality training, surgical simulation, lectures, and personal military experiences related to Medical Corps Officer obligations. Special emphasis is placed on leadership, discipline, customs and courtesies, participation in field exercises, introductions to disaster stabilization and evacuation, and hands-on triaging in simulated combat environments. The Program works in close partnership with community leaders, program managers and military officers at United States military installations, medical centers, hospitals, etc., in order to achieve the goals and objectives of this Program.
This Program spans a total of three and a half years of the students’ core educational experience at RVU, beginning in the second semester of their first year.
Intensive Surgical and Trauma Skills Course
The capstone experience of the Military Medicine Program is the Intensive Surgical and Trauma Skills Course. This course is a full immersion, hyper-realistic and experiential learning training course, employing state-of-the-art Hollywood battlefield special effects to create high-stress, high-stakes scenarios where students have the opportunity to practice lifesaving trauma skills in an operational environment similar to what they may encounter during military service.
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FAQs
Are clinical rotations conducted in military or civilian healthcare facilities?
Are there any financial aid opportunities for students in the military medicine program?
Are there any scholarship opportunities for students in the military medicine program?
As one of the most comprehensive scholarships available in the healthcare field, the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) can go a long way in helping pay for an advanced medical degree for medical students. To learn more about this scholarship program, visit: Health Professions Scholarship Program
To learn more about this scholarship program as it relates to the US Army, visit: Army Medical Scholarships | goarmy.com
To learn more about this scholarship program as it relates to the US Navy, visit: https://www.navy.com/
To learn more about this scholarship program as it relates to the US Air Force, visit: HPSP Fact Sheet
Can students in the military medicine program choose their specialty, or are they assigned to specific areas of medicine?
The military does not dictate specialty training for HPSP students. Although students are allowed to choose the specialty, the military services make strategic decisions on which specialties will be offered for training within military programs. Opportunities and competitiveness for specialty training in the military are comparable to their civilian counterparts. Although there are no guarantees, a major focus for the RVU military program is empowering students to be the most competitive applicant within their capabilities. To date, RVU’s military program has a 100% residency match.
Military residency training has higher first-time composite board certification exam pass rate (96%), which is higher than civilian composite pass rates and is only available to active duty medical officers, HPSP students, and students attending Uniformed Services University.
Can students participate in leadership development activities or training while in the military medicine program?
Rocky Vista University’s (RVU) Military Medicine Program is a special option that offers additional education opportunities not provided in RVU’s core curriculum. The Program provides an overview and introduction to 1st and 2nd year students regarding clinical scenarios commonly faced by military medical officers, preparation for military medicine residencies, and education on military lifestyle integration. Students may also have the opportunity to liaise with leaders, educators, and military officers at U.S. posts, bases, medical centers, hospitals, and other sites in order to achieve the goals and objectives of the Program.
This Program spans 3.5 years of the military student members’ educational experience at RVU, beginning in the second semester of the 1st year. This includes the three semesters of structured academics (Mil Med 5041) during the first two years, and ongoing mentoring, residency match preparation and research opportunities during the clinical years. Mil Med 5041 includes immersion-based experiential reality training, surgical simulation, information sessions, and experiences related to Medical Corps officer obligations. Focused discussions include topics such as leadership, discipline, military environments, military culture, field exercises, disaster response, and triage/evacuation in combat environments on land, sea and air. Expert guests, military officers, and appropriate civilian physicians and teachers are hosted virtually and on campuses. This Program collaborates with COM Special Tracks where synergies are evident and possible.
To learn more about student opportunities in the Program, visit: Military Students Train Olympic Ski Team Physicians
How does the military medicine curriculum differ from a traditional medical school program?
Rocky Vista University’s (RVU) Military Medicine Program is a special option that offers additional education opportunities not provided in RVU’s core curriculum. The Program provides an overview and introduction to 1st and 2nd year students regarding clinical scenarios commonly faced by military medical officers, preparation for military medicine residencies, and education on military lifestyle integration. Students may also have the opportunity to liaise with leaders, educators, and military officers at U.S. posts, bases, medical centers, hospitals, and other sites in order to achieve the goals and objectives of the Program.
This Program spans 3.5 years of the military student members’ educational experience at RVU, beginning in the second semester of the 1st year. This includes the three semesters of structured academics (Mil Med 5041) during the first two years, and ongoing mentoring, residency match preparation and research opportunities during the clinical years. Mil Med 5041 includes immersion-based experiential reality training, surgical simulation, information sessions, and experiences related to Medical Corps officer obligations. Focused discussions include topics such as leadership, discipline, military environments, military culture, field exercises, disaster response, and triage/evacuation in combat environments on land, sea and air. Expert guests, military officers, and appropriate civilian physicians and teachers are hosted virtually and on campuses. This Program collaborates with COM Special Tracks where synergies are evident and possible.
How does the military medicine program integrate military culture and values into the curriculum and training?
Expert guests, military officers, and appropriate civilian physicians and teachers are hosted virtually and on campus to share their experiences related to Medical Corps officer obligations. Their focused discussions include topics such as leadership, discipline, military environments, military culture, field exercises, disaster response, ethics, and triage/evacuation in combat environments on land, sea and air.
How does the program prepare students for the unique challenges and responsibilities of military medicine, such as combat casualty care and deployment?
Rocky Vista University’s (RVU) Military Medicine Program is a special option that offers additional education opportunities not provided in RVU’s core curriculum. The Program provides an overview and introduction to 1st and 2nd year students regarding clinical scenarios commonly faced by military medical officers, preparation for military medicine residencies, and education on military lifestyle integration. Students may also have the opportunity to liaise with leaders, educators, and military officers at U.S. posts, bases, medical centers, hospitals, and other sites in order to achieve the goals and objectives of the Program.
This Program spans 3.5 years of the military student members’ educational experience at RVU, beginning in the second semester of the 1st year. This includes the three semesters of structured academics (Mil Med 5041) during the first two years, and ongoing mentoring, residency match preparation and research opportunities during the clinical years. Mil Med 5041 includes immersion-based experiential reality training, surgical simulation, information sessions, and experiences related to Medical Corps officer obligations. Focused discussions include topics such as leadership, discipline, military environments, military culture, field exercises, disaster response, and triage/evacuation in combat environments on land, sea and air. Expert guests, military officers, and appropriate civilian physicians and teachers are hosted virtually and on campuses. This Program collaborates with COM Special Tracks where synergies are evident and possible.
To learn more about student opportunities in the Program, visit:
Military Students Participate in Intensive Trauma and Surgical Skills Course
RVU MCOM Students Plunge Into the Intersection of Military and Medicine – Rocky Vista University
What are Admission requirements for the military medicine program?
Admission requirements for the military medicine program are aligned to the minimum admission requirements of Rocky Vista University (RVU) and the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP).
To learn more about admission requirements for RVU, visit: RVUCOM Admissions
To learn more about admission requirements for HPSP, visit: Eligibility Requirements for Medicine + the Military
What are the career prospects for graduates of the military medicine program?
Outside of traditional training and medical practices, military medical officers have unique opportunities to serve as Flight Surgeons and Undersea Medical Officers. Additionally, opportunities exist to serve in the White House Medical Unit, Congress, and the Centers for Disease Control. Military medicine is also a proven pipeline for the Astronaut program. Moreover, military medical officers can be selected to serve as health advisors to various international organizations, including NATO, and as health attachés assigned to US embassies around the world.
What are the options for military service commitments after completing the military medicine program?
Minimum military service obligations are tied to the number of years students were enrolled in the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), and are based on one year for each year of scholarship participation. For instance, three-year HPSP recipients have a three-year service obligation (or four-year obligation if accepting the $20,000 signing bonus). Four-year HPSP recipients have a four-year service obligation. These are minimum service requirements and do not prohibit a military member from serving beyond their period of obligated service.
What opportunities are available for clinical rotations?
During the third and fourth years of medical school, students work on clinical clerkships under the guidance of preceptors throughout Colorado and other Mountain West states. To learn more about clinical rotations at RVU, visit: Clinical Education
What support services are available to students in the program, particularly those related to mental health and well-being?
Rocky Vista University (RVU) has a wealth of resources for its students. Utilizing these resources, students are able to schedule appointments with academic and career advisors, attend to their mental health with counselors, find tutoring resources, prepare for boards, pick student clubs and organizations to join, and much more. To learn more about support services through RVU, visit: Current Students – Rocky Vista University (rvu.edu)
Who are the Points of Contact for the Military Medicine program?
K. Dean Gubler, DO, MPH, FACS, FCCM
Director Military Medicine Program
Office: (435) 233-9505
Cell: (503) 939-0758
[email protected]
Lynne M. Yancey, MD, FACEP
Associate Professor, Military Medicine Program
(720) 795-9744
[email protected]
Tamara Campbell
Coordinator, Military Medicine Program
(435) 233-9506
[email protected]
Frank V. Fidani, CMSgt, USAF (Ret)
Coordinator, Military Medicine Program
(720) 874-2425
[email protected]
Additional Resources
Tracks & Special Programs
Tracks & Special Programs
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine has developed several specialized educational tracks and programs to further develop the education of interested students. These range from 3.5-year-long tracks to single-semester elective courses.
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Office of Research & Scholarly Activity
Office of Research & Scholarly Activity
Student research/scholarly activity is a vital part of health provider education. Research enhances critical thinking skills and increases medical knowledge, as well as preparing students for graduate medical education. Therefore, all students are encouraged to participate in research activities while at RVU.
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Clinical Education
Clinical Education
During their third and fourth years of medical school, students work on clinical clerkships, under the guidance of preceptors. RVU students have clerkships available to them through Colorado and the other Mountain West states.
Learn More