NBOME Names Four COMs for C3DO Pilot Projects [December 16, 2022 – Parker, CO] In November of 2020, the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) temporarily suspended the administration of the COMLEX-USA Level 2-PE exam; it was permanently suspended in February of 2021. In addition to the NBOME Board of Directors conducting months of research, they convened a task force to address how to assess the fundamental clinical skills for osteopathic medical practice of graduating students in place of the obsolete Level 2-PE exam. The task force was charged with exploring ways to develop a valid and reliable assessment, administered locally at COMs throughout the United States, which can be used to assess students’ competency in fundamental osteopathic clinical skills based on a national standard. The program is known as the Core Clinical Capstone for DOs Program – or – C3DO. (You can learn more about this initiative here: https://www.nbome.org/c3do/)  The NBOME sent out a Request for Proposal (RFP) for COMs to apply to be a pilot site of the C3DO program. I am so happy to announce that out of 17 COMs who submitted their RFP, RVUCOM was chosen as 1 of the 4 to participate in this pilot […]

Billings Chamber of Commerce – Interview with Dr. David Park the Founding Dean of RVU’s Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine [July 27, 2022 – Billings, MT] In this ChamberCast episode, hosted by the Billings Chamber of Commerce, Dr. David Park, Founding Dean of RVU’s Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine, speaks about “one of the most exciting developments taking place in Billings right now.” Click here to listen to the episode.   UNIVERSITY NEWS

The Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine Receives Accreditation Approval to Recruit and Accept Students [July 26, 2022- Billings, Montana] Rocky Vista University (RVU) announced today that approval has been received from the American Osteopathic Association’s (AOA) Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), to recruit and accept students for the Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (MCOM) inaugural class entering in the Summer of 2023. MCOM plans on matriculating 80 students into its inaugural class, with a gradual ramp up to 160 students by 2025. David Park, DO, Founding Dean of MCOM, said, “We are thrilled to receive the recent approval by the COCA to move forward with recruiting, interviewing, and matriculating students at Rocky Vista University’s Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine. The process of accreditation is rigorous and requires an entire team’s knowledge, experience and expertise. I am grateful and very proud of the successful efforts of our RVU team as well as our growing local MCOM team, including several of our community members who have all helped us in achieving this important milestone.” MCOM will be the first Montana-based 4-year medical school with a dedicated campus in the state and will have a significant economic impact on the Billings Community, […]

RVU Healthcare Simulation Center Reaccredited by the American College of Surgeons [July 15, 2022 – Parker, CO] Rocky Vista University’s (RVU) Office of Simulation in Medicine and Surgery (SIMS) is pleased to announce its official reaccreditation as a Comprehensive Accredited Education Institute (AEI) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) by the Accreditation Review Committee (ARC), which occurred on June 23. According to the ACS, AEI “accreditation is a demonstration of quality and a commitment to patient safety that provides real value.” As a Comprehensive AEI, RVU has “access [to] cutting edge and contemporary simulation-based surgical education” and can “train the next generation of surgical simulation leaders through fellowship program accreditation, available exclusively to AEIs,” among other benefits. “We have been able to plan, execute, and analyze successful experiential events with varied learner types,” said Susan Carter, MD, FACOG, FACS, Director of the Office of Simulation in Medicine and Surgery, which oversees the Healthcare Simulation Center. “RVU administrative support for the SIMS Staff and the multiple simulation modalities has been key, as we are able to offer state-of-the-art, hands-on training with cutting-edge technology, which has enhanced instruction to students at all levels.” According to Dr. Carter, the Office of SIMS […]

Rocky Vista University – Colorado Celebrates Class of 2022 Graduates [May 20, 2022 – Parker, CO] On Friday, May 20, Rocky Vista University (RVU) celebrated the graduation of 158 students from its College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM) program, as well as 37 students from its Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) program. The ceremony, which took place at the Buell Theater in Denver, Colorado, began with the Posting of the Colors followed by the National Anthem, performed by Madison Propp, a first-year medical student. The commencement ceremonies for each program marked the first in-person ceremony for graduates since 2019. The RVUCOM ceremony kicked off with a welcome address from RVU President, CEO, and Provost David A. Forstein, DO, FACOOG. Karen Nichols, DO, MA, current chair of the Board of Directors of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and former Dean of Midwestern University/Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, was given an honorary degree from Rocky Vista University by Dr. Forstein and Dr. Ferrill. Afterwards, Dr. Nichols delivered the keynote address, which was centered around the importance of communication, empathy, and sincerity: “You have come through one of the most stressful situations, and you have come out the other side. […]

Rocky Vista University – Southern Utah Celebrates Class of 2022 Graduates [May 25, 2022 – Ivins, UT] On Saturday, May 14, Rocky Vista University – Southern Utah (RVU-SU) celebrated the graduation of 122 students from its College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM) program, as well as 30 students from its Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) program. The ceremony, which took place at the Dixie Convention Center in St. George, Utah, began with the Posting of the Colors followed by the National Anthem, performed by Timothy Light, a second-year medical student. The commencement ceremonies for each program marked the first in-person ceremony for graduates since 2019. The RVUCOM ceremony started with a welcome address from RVU President, CEO, and Provost David A. Forstein, DO. The keynote address was delivered by Lincoln Nadauld, MD, PhD, Chief Academic Officer of Intermountain Healthcare. Dr. Nadauld’s address emphasized the importance of the doctor-patient relationship: “You have one of the [most] unique opportunities in all of the world: the opportunity to practice medicine,” he said, addressing the graduates. “[A]s physicians, you are going to have an opportunity to do something that no one else in society gets to do. You’re going to have unique relationships […]