A.T. Still University: Arizona Programs and Osteopathic Excellence

A.T. Still University (ATSU) is a private medical school with a rich history and a forward-looking approach to health sciences education. Founded in 1892 by Andrew Taylor Still, it holds the distinction of being the world's first osteopathic medical school. ATSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and has grown to include multiple campuses and a wide array of programs. This article delves into the Arizona programs offered by ATSU, with a particular focus on the School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA).

A.T. Still University Overview

ATSU's main campus is located on 150 acres in Kirksville, Missouri. In 1995, the university established the Arizona School of Health Sciences. In 2000, a second ATSU campus opened in Mesa, which became the primary Arizona campus for ATSU. In 2003, the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health opened and began accepting students. The university also has a third campus in Santa Maria, California. ATSU currently offers 30 graduate and post-professional programs among its schools and colleges. All programs at ATSU are post-baccalaureate and focused on health sciences.

Historical Milestones

The institution's journey reflects its commitment to osteopathic medicine and expanding healthcare education. Key milestones include:

1892: Founded in Kirksville, Missouri, by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still.
1908: Established a nursing program.
1922: Renamed the "A.T. Still College of Osteopathy and Surgery."
1924: ASO merged with another osteopathic medical school (Andrew Taylor Still College of Osteopathy and Surgery), becoming the Kirksville Osteopathic College.
1925: Renamed the Kirksville College of Osteopathy and Surgery.
1949: Established the first rural clinic in Gibbs, Missouri.
1971: Renamed the "Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine."
1995: Established the Arizona School of Health Sciences.
1999: The College of Graduate Health Sciences opened (ATSU-CGHS).
2000: A second ATSU campus opened in Mesa, which became the primary Arizona campus for ATSU.
2003: The Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health opened.
2006: The School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA) opened.
2014: The Center of Advanced Oral Health opened at the Mesa campus.

Campus Locations and Facilities

ATSU operates across multiple locations, each equipped with facilities tailored to its specific programs:

Kirksville, Missouri: The main campus houses the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and includes a human patient simulation lab, study rooms for standardized patient encounters, classrooms, and labs. It also houses the Gutensohn Clinic, the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine, the A.T. Still Memorial Library, and the Northeast Missouri Area Health Education Center.
Mesa, Arizona: The Mesa campus houses the Arizona School of Health Sciences, the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health, and the School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA). ATSU provides medical, dental, balance and hearing services at the Mesa campus.
Santa Maria, California: The Santa Maria campus is a 25,000 square feet (2,300 m2) facility intended to support pre-clinical education.

Academic Programs

ATSU offers a diverse range of programs focused on health sciences, including:

Doctor of Audiology
Doctor of Dental Medicine
Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Master of Science in Athletic Training
Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences
Master of Science in Orthodontics
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Several certificate programs in various subjects, including athletic sciences, global health, education and leadership.

Research Initiatives

Through the AT Still Research Institute, the university conducts research in several areas. In cooperation with the National Center for Community Health Research, ATSU conducts research on social determinants in health, particularly in regions served by community health centers. ATSU also conducts research on assessing trainees skills in the subject of osteopathic manipulative medicine. The Center for Oral Health Research conducts research in the field of dentistry.

Student Life

Students at ATSU participate in 143 clubs and extracurricular organizations on campus. Organizations include an active student government association and the professional fraternities Sigma Sigma Phi and Delta Sigma Delta. The Still-Well Student Wellness Program is designed to encourage students' health and wellness.

ATSU-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA)

The School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA) is a vital component of A.T. Still University, located on the Mesa, Arizona campus. ATSU-SOMA is housed at the Mesa campus, which includes a 100,000-square-foot (9,300 m2) building on the 22-acre (8.9 ha) campus of ATSU in Mesa, Ariz. The campus is the anchor of the Arizona Health and Technology Park, a 132-acre (53.4 ha) education, healthcare, and technology triangle owned by ATSU and Vanguard Health Systems.

Mission and Focus

ATSU-SOMA trains osteopathic physicians who are dedicated to serving medically underserved patients and their communities. Prospective ATSU-SOMA students will be evaluated in three major areas: academic accomplishment, personal characteristics of a physician, and propensity to serve the underserved. Applicants who are community service-or public health-minded, who have a desire to serve the underserved and to practice in primary care settings are highly desirable.

Innovative Educational Approach

ATSU-SOMA's innovative approach utilizes early acquisition of clinical skills, small group case-based inquiry, augmented reality software, and personalized learning to create a truly unique and exciting medical education experience. During these two years, foundational and clinical sciences are integrated into common clinical scenarios which enhance critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills. Students learn how to organize and integrate a patient's history, social determinants of health, physical exam and laboratory findings to better understand the whole person. A variety of learning experiences are offered through self-directed and highly interactive case discussions in small-group problem-solving sessions, simulated patient experiences, hands-on osteopathic skills, and medical skills training.

Campus Facilities

ATSU-SOMA's campus in Mesa, Arizona includes carefully designed spaces for large-and small-group learning; osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) and medical skills labs with ultrasound imaging and real-time physiological measurements; digital learning resources; and HoloLens anatomy technology. Students benefit from participating in an on-campus osteopathic manipulative medicine clinic that provides osteopathic care. There is no on-campus housing.

Curriculum Overview

ATSU-SOMA's first and second years are conducted on the Mesa, Arizona campus.

Admission Requirements

Applicants meeting the 2.80 science and cumulative GPA requirement will receive a link to our secondary application within 24 hours of being verified by AACOMAS. Along with the secondary application and $70 fee, applicants will need a minimum of two letters of recommendation and official MCAT scores to be complete and ready for review. Letters of recommendation may come with the AACOMAS application or separately. Letter 1 must be from a science faculty and letter 2 must be from a physician (DO or MD). The ATSU-SOMA Admissions Committee strongly recommends completion of additional science hours beyond the prerequisite courses, such as microbiology, immunology, biochemistry, physiology, genetics, and anatomy, and a record of continuing science course hours if gap years are taken.

Key admission criteria include:

Minimum cumulative and science GPA of 2.80.
Two letters of evaluation: one from a science faculty member, and one from a physician (DO or MD; DOpreferred).
A bachelor's degree and the MCAT, preferably taken by the Fall semester, but no later than January of the application year, are required. Any undergraduate major is acceptable.
U.S. citizens or have permanent residency.
Supplemental Application Required? Partially.
The applicant is strongly encouraged to have clinical exposure in a health care environment, in either a volunteer or employment capacity.

ATSU-SOMA utilizes a rolling admissions process. Applicants who apply early in the cycle have the greatest opportunity for an available seat. ATSU-SOMA requires a personal interview during the application process. The interview format consists of interviews with faculty and/or staff, small-group activities, and student ambassador interactions.

Special Programs

Mindfulness/Compassion Training: Student well-being is important for optimum learning and having the capacity to serve others.

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