Western Atlantic University School of Medicine: Shaping Future Physicians

Western Atlantic University School of Medicine (WAUSM) is committed to providing opportunities for US, Canadian, and international candidates to become outstanding, patient-centered MDs. Led by distinguished US medical educators and administrators, WAUSM offers a unique learning environment focused on student success and community engagement.

A Commitment to Excellence

WAUSM was founded by medical education leaders with decades of experience in shaping medical practice in the US and Canada. These leaders have recruited, educated, and trained thousands of successful MDs, bringing their expertise to WAUSM's mission. The institution is dedicated to providing a medical school experience that aligns with the high ideals of students committed to serving others.

WAUSM's core values include:

Excellence in medical education and student services.
Commitment to local and global communities.
Inclusiveness encompassing all individuals.
Integrity embracing the highest standards of ethical behavior and moral character.

Innovative Curriculum and Learning Environment

WAUSM's medical school curriculum blends modern strategies with traditional teaching methods. The focus is on active, hands-on, and supportive learning to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for successful MD careers. Students are empowered to become self-taught learners, capable of continually updating their expertise.

Key features of the curriculum include:

Early clinical exposure: Students gain early exposure to clinical patients in the pre-clerkship curriculum.
Broad exposure to medical disciplines: The curriculum provides broad exposure to major medical disciplines.
Clerkship program: The clerkship portion of the curriculum offers rotations that develop clinical skills in key areas, including medical knowledge, patient care, practice-based learning, and systems-based practice.
Career advising: WAUSM starts career advising from week one of semester one to help students chart their path to match in their chosen specialty.

WAUSM prioritizes active, team-based learning in small, engaging environments. The university boasts a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring personalized instruction and support. Faculty members are dedicated to teaching and focused on student success.

State-of-the-Art Facilities

WAUSM's Freeport Campus in Grand Bahama offers modern facilities. Its proximity to South Florida makes it easily accessible from both the US and Canada, with flights from South Florida to Freeport taking just 27 minutes.

Clerkship Opportunities at US Partner Hospitals

Students complete clerkships, which constitute 50% of the curriculum, at US partner hospitals. These clerkships provide valuable clinical experience and prepare students for residency and beyond.

Flexible Start Dates

WAUSM offers three start dates each year - January, May, and September - allowing students to begin medical school when it's right for them and complete their studies without interruption.

Partnerships and Pathways

WAUSM actively collaborates with other institutions to create pathways for aspiring medical students.

Read also: CWRU Tuition and Fees

Accelerated Pathway to MD (APMD) with Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS)

WAUSM has partnered with ACPHS to offer an Accelerated Pathway to MD (APMD) program. This program provides eligible ACPHS students with a reserved seat in WAUSM’s MD Program, streamlining their journey from undergraduate studies to medical school.

ACPHS President Toyin Tofade emphasized the importance of this relationship, stating that it aligns with their strategic plan to expand through partnerships with institutions that share their mission of educating the next generation of health-care leaders. WAUSM’s provost and chief operating officer, Dr. Paula Wales, highlighted the shared commitment of both institutions to educating future leaders to improve public health. ACPHS Vice President for Academic Affairs, Sibdas Ghosh, PhD, noted that the partnership opens doors for students to pursue their medical aspirations with clarity and confidence.

Direct Admission Pathway with Goucher College

WAUSM and Goucher College have announced a new partnership that starts in Fall 2026. This collaboration creates a direct and strategic pathway to medical school for qualified Goucher students. Goucher students who complete their bachelor's degree and the premedical prerequisites are eligible for direct admission into the Doctor of Medicine program at WAUSM. An accelerated track is available for students who are exempt from studying abroad and begin their bachelor's in the summer of their first year, allowing them to earn both their bachelor's and MD degrees in as few as six years.

Student Success and Diversity

WAUSM is committed to student success and celebrates the diversity of its student body. The university has achieved a 100% pass rate on the USMLE STEP 1 and STEP 2 exams.

The story of Richard Kevin Irakiza, a first-term student born in the Democratic Republic of Congo who became a refugee in Zambia before immigrating to the US, exemplifies WAUSM's commitment to supporting students from diverse backgrounds. WAUSM is proud to be part of Richard’s journey and to support him in reaching his dream of becoming a physician.

Read also: Growth and Community at WOU

Scholarships and Support

WAUSM offers scholarships and support to deserving students. Bahamian student Xanthe Smith is pursuing her dream of becoming a physician with the support of the WAUSM Bahamian Student Scholarship, which covers 100% tuition for pre-clerkship semesters and 50% for clerkships. Canaan Cooper is the first recipient of the Dr. Pandora Johnson Memorial Scholarship.

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