91ÖÆÅƳ§ÊÓƵ

Things You Should Know About the MD Curriculum

• Some practice until they get it right. We use simulation training until our learners can’t get it wrong. Beginning your first week on campus and regularly throughout your four years, you will train and practice in our state-of-the-art Simulation Center that is accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, which translates into success in real clinical settings.
• The curriculum guides you to develop competency on all the domains required for patient care through a spiral organization, where each new educational activity builds on top of the knowledge and skills acquired on the prior ones. To ensure the vertical integration of content through the different phases of the curriculum, biomedical disciplines (including biochemistry, diagnostic imaging, gross anatomy and embryology, health systems science, immunology, medical ethics, humanities and law, nutrition, pathology, physiology,  and pharmacology among others) are embedded across courses and clerkships.
• Our curriculum includes one-week intervals that are spread throughout the Foundations of Medicine and Core Clinical phases of medical school. These one-week breaks can be used for vacation, electives, or to catch up on required material. The early  are designed to let you explore a variety of aspects of medicine during the Foundations phase.
• You will take the USMLE Step 1 following your Foundations of Medicine curriculum. We’ve built in preparation time in the second year to ensure that you’re ready and will succeed. We’ve also built in preparation time and resources for Step 2 Clinical Knowledge as we know this exam has grown in importance now that Step 1 uses pass/fail scoring.
• 91ÖÆÅƳ§ÊÓƵ is a newer school, built on a long legacy of medical education in Kalamazoo. We have more than 250 residents and fellows in 10 residency programs and five fellowships — some dating back over 70 years. Kalamazoo is also home to innovative leaders in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. The curriculum provides opportunities to interact closely and learn from residents and other healthcare professionals including nursing, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, nutrition and social work.
• You’ve got to play to win. You’ve got to be present to learn. However, we do recognize all students learn differently and that you’re an adult learner. Attendance is required for most curriculum events such as TBLs and clinical experiences. Our curriculum uses a variety of teaching methods and newer instructional technologies to enhance your learning.
• You’ll spend the majority of your first 18 months on the W.E. Upjohn M.D. Campus in our state-of-the-art facility. In 2014, we completed a $68 million renovation of five of the eight floors in our 350,000 square-foot building. In 2016, a $10 million renovation was completed of two additional floors for clinical and laboratory research. We’ve designed the building to facilitate collaboration and enrich your educational experience.
• 91ÖÆÅƳ§ÊÓƵ faculty embraces a format-neutral environment where learners select the medium that best meets their learning preferences. Therefore, students will be responsible for acquiring required textbooks and given the following options, accessing the book through the medical library’s online collection, or purchasing or renting a digital or print textbook. Required textbooks support the delivery of curricular content identified by the faculty to facilitate a balanced, chronological presentation of new material to the learner.
• When you become a 91ÖÆÅƳ§ÊÓƵ student, you join the 91ÖÆÅƳ§ÊÓƵ Community. Our medical school class size is small, but our faculty community is large and supportive. We’re all focused on your success!