About our College
The College of Osteopathic Medicine will expand UNC’s health sciences programs and help meet the growing healthcare workforce needs in our state and region. This new college will strengthen our communities and support the health and well-being of the people we serve.
Our Community, for Your Community
Medicine is personal. At UNC, so is medical education. We’ve designed a program that puts people first – from how we teach to where our graduates serve. Combining the priorities of our region with the strengths of our campus, UNC’s College of Osteopathic Medicine is a bold investment in the future of care. Our college is welcoming, supportive, and deeply attuned to the real lives of students and patients alike. It’s healthcare education built in community, for community.
Our Mission, Vision, and Values
Discover the principles that guide our purpose, shape our goals, and define how we serve our community.
To provide a transformative education in a culture that cultivates proficiency, inclusion, collaboration, mentorship and professionalism. We inspire our students to become caring physicians who embrace their identity, deliver patient-centered care, promote health equity and positively impact the patients and communities they serve.
The College of Osteopathic Medicine at UNC is committed to achieving its vision of:
- Being a national leader in promoting fairness, representation, and access in medical education.
- Positively impacting the physician workforce in Colorado, the High Plains region, and the Intermountain Regions.
- Graduating students who are highly regarded by fellow physicians, health care teams, and patients.
- Being an innovator in interprofessional medical education.
- Preparing graduates for opportunities to practice in rural and underserved communities.
- Ensuring graduates understand the critical role the primary care physician plays in patient well-being.
Osteopathic Philosophy
- We recognize that people are comprised of mind, body, and spirit and seek ways to foster wellness across this spectrum, not just for our patients but for our students, faculty, and staff.
- We integrate the tenets of osteopathic medicine within the full spectrum of the curriculum.
Richness of Perspectives and Experience
- We value and respect all perspectives as we acknowledge that these are shaped by the lived experiences that we, as individuals, hold.
- We cultivate a culture of inclusion.
- We actively seek a variety of viewpoints and advocate for fairness and social justice.
Service
- Our students, faculty, and staff serve others through participation on university and community committees, mentorship, and engagement with service projects.
- Our students, faculty, and staff serve their profession through active membership and leadership roles in professional societies.
Community
- We actively partner with our colleagues across the university to create opportunities for cross-disciplinary teaching, learning, and innovation.
- We work with our healthcare partners in ways that provide value to both our students and those engaged in clinical teaching.
- We recognize the impact of the community on individual well-being and educate our students on the principles of community-focused care.
- Our students, faculty, and staff advocate for social change that will improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve.
Lifelong Learning
- We prepare our students for a career that requires them to continually learn and apply evolving concepts and new discoveries.
- Our faculty and staff participate in learning experiences that allow them to further develop their skills and explore their career trajectory.
- We support graduate medical education (GME) programs within our community and assist in the development of new GME programs.
What is a DO?
In the United States, a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) is a fully licensed physician. DOs complete four years of medical school, followed by at least three years of specialty training. They practice in all medical specialties across all 50 states and are qualified to perform surgery and prescribe medications.
Beyond standard medical training, DOs receive specialized instruction that emphasizes a patient-centered approach. A foundational aspect of osteopathic medicine is its guiding philosophy, which is based on these four key tenets:
- The body is a unit; the person is a unity of body, mind, and spirit.
- The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing, and health maintenance.
- Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.
- Rational treatment is based on understanding and applying the first three tenets.
One of the unique aspects of osteopathic medicine is the recognition of the relationship between structure and function within the body. DOs receive over 200 hours of training in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), which involves using the hands to diagnose and treat issues within the neuromusculoskeletal system—a complex network of nerves, muscles, bones, and connective tissues. OMT uses hands-on techniques to restore movement and support the body’s natural healing.
DOs are trained to look beyond symptoms and consider other factors that may influence a patient’s health, including lifestyle, emotional well-being, and mental health. Their approach emphasizes prevention and wellness, aligning with the core philosophy of promoting the body’s inherent tendency toward health and healing.
Connect with Us
Our Students, Our Outcomes
Enrollment Demographics
Enrollment demographics will be posted here.
Residency and Match Placement Data
Residency and match placement data will be posted here
COMLEX-USA Pass Rates for Levels 1, 2, and 3
COMLEX-USA pass rates for levels 1, 2, and 3 will be posted here.
Accreditation
Accreditation updates will be posted here.
Equal Opportunity
UNC is dedicated to providing an equal opportunity climate and environment free from discrimination and harassment. In accordance with established laws, the University prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, gender, age, national origin, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military service, or political affiliation for all employees in all aspects of employment and for students in academic programs and activities.