MESSAGE from the DEAN
“Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine is a faith-based institution with a Christian worldview. We embrace a servant’s heart, a scientist’s curiosity, and a physician’s skill to improve the lives of patients through the practice of osteopathic medicine.”
Joseph R. Johnson, DO, FACOOG (Dist)
Dean, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
WELCOME
Liberty University started in 1971 with a simple vision to send students out into every walk of life as Champions for Christ. Now, 50 years later, our graduates stand out in medicine, law, aeronautics, engineering, the arts, and many other career fields as examples of men and women who cultivate authentic faith, exhibit Christlike character, and demonstrate professional excellence.
To us, being a champion is about healing the hurting, defying the stereotypes others place upon us, and following God’s calling wherever it may lead.
At Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM), we believe healing the hurting starts by placing the patient — not the disease — at the center of care. We believe it’s about reaching out to those with little or no access to health services. We believe it’s about humbly serving the people around us and learning that wellness and disease prevention is more than the absence of disease — it’s a working harmony of the mind, body, and spirit.
At LUCOM, you’ll gain practical experience. You’ll develop both a servant’s heart and a physician’s skills through domestic and international medical outreach events. You’ll be equipped for your role as an innovative, community-based physician, trained to meet the needs of the underserved and divergent populations around the world. You will be ready to serve — trained as a champion.
FOUNDING of OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
Dissatisfied with the ineffectiveness of 19th century medicine, Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO, chose to explore the dynamics of a healthy human system rather than study disease. He found that maintaining normality of the musculoskeletal, circulatory, and neurological systems was the key to good health.
Dr. Still introduced osteopathic medicine in 1874, recognizing the body’s God-given ability to heal itself.
DEFYING STEREOTYPES
At LUCOM, you’ll experience more than the traditional lecture and classroom demonstrations. We teach using an active learning style and incorporate team activities, interactive classroom learning, and care-based education, as well as simulation and standardized patient (trained actor) events.
Our GOAL is for you to graduate as a champion — competent and passionate about serving others and ready to specialize in any area of medicine.
Our CL A SSES
YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3 YEAR 4
Learn through standardized patients, simulation encounters, and patient-care opportunities. Your courses will take a system-based look at the normal structure and function of the human body as well as the pathological processes that affect human health. You’ll also begin cadaveric education in the lab.
Get additional clinical exposure and more opportunities to work with standardized patients under faculty supervision. You will take system-organized courses with an emphasis on pathological conditions.
Study clinical medicine in multiple specialties in 1 of 12 sites in 5 states (Illinois, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia) while working alongside talented clinical preceptors in clinics and hospitals.
Complete multiple audition clinical experiences in hospitals with residency programs and increase the competitiveness of your candidacy for entering graduate medical education following medical school.
AFFILIATES & CLINICAL ROTATIONS
Through our educational partnerships, you’ll gain the experience to become a skilled medical professional. Partners range from small family practices to regional healthcare systems to help advance our mission of preparing osteopathic physicians who will provide ethical, compassionate, competent, and patient-centered care.
Our regional clinical affiliates are in the following locations:
TEXAS
ILLINOIS
MISSISSIPPI
Mount Vernon New Albany
VIRGINIA
PENNSYLVANIA
impacting tomorrow’s world
Class of 2024 celebrates milestone — 100% MATCH RATE!
LUCOM celebrated its fourth-year studentdoctor class alongside all other medical schools nationally on Friday, March 15, 2024, during annual Match Day.
Match Day is the culmination of medical schools guiding their senior students through their four-year curriculum. This event is a significant milestone for medical students as they receive their future assignment for residency placement — often referred to as the Graduate Medical Education (GME) phase — which is the specialty training that follows medical school graduation.
According to the National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®), a total of 50,413 applicants registered in the 2024
Main Residency Match, an all-time high and increase of 2,257 or 4.7% over last year.
LUCOM achieved a 100% match rate for its Class of 2022, a 97.9% match rate for its Class of 2023, and a 100% match rate for its Class of 2024.
LUCOM held its Match Day event virtually for students and their families and friends.
The online video conference call with faculty, staff, and the graduating class recognized the countless hours the Class of 2024 spent preparing for and successfully completing the match for specialty residency programs under the guidance of staff, faculty, and LUCOM leadership.
MEDICAL OUTREACH TO THE UNDERSERVED
Service is a vital component of LUCOM’s mission. Our clinical faculty and students are engaged in a number of outreach activities in Central Virginia. Opportunities also exist for our students to work with clinical faculty domestically and internationally in providing medical services and healthcare to patients and families in need.
LUCOM students and faculty have used classroom curriculum to work together in a number of countries during breaks from school.
A CALLING FOR INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH
There are many rewards and challenges when serving the underserved. The work is never easy, but LUCOM students have dedicated themselves to pursuing excellence in the practice of osteopathic medicine through service toward their fellow man, lifelong learning, and the advancement of medical knowledge.
Through a partnership with Clinica Esperanza — located in Sandy Bay, Roatán — LUCOM students serve alongside practicing international physicians, seeing patients daily. The nonprofit clinic is the primary medical provider for hundreds of families throughout the island. Students observe and treat young children in the pediatric wing in addition to providing general medical care and women’s health services. This year, students will also have the opportunity to visit Kenya and El Salvador for outreach.
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9
MISSIONS IN AFRICA
Through a partnership with Samaritan’s Purse, LUCOM students can apply to a four-week international elective rotation serving in a country already listed as an operating site for the organization. This experience allows LUCOM student-doctors to be exposed to unique clinical settings and immersed into a missionary team focused on providing health and spiritual care for patients. They examine a multitude of patients with diverse needs, while also experiencing the culture and camaraderie of both the locals and missionaries.
Through our partnership with Samaritan’s Purse World Medical Mission, students under the guidance of LUCOM faculty and other physicians are able to engage in clinical training in mission hospitals internationally.
to serving others. “
LUCOM
has a culture of compassion, integrity, and
dedication
CLAIRE LOCKMAN Student-Doctor
IGNITING a PASSION for KNOWLEDGE
As a LUCOM student, you can volunteer to assist a researcher or gain experience as a Research Fellow. You can also enroll in the summer pre-clinical research elective program.
LUCOM faculty are currently conducting research in the following areas:
CENTRAL CARDIOVASCULAR REGULATION
led by John R. Martin, Ph.D.
CLINICAL INFORMATICS
led by Nicholas Rider, DO
FUNGAL PATHOGENESIS
led by Michael S. Price, Ph.D.
GASTROINTESTINAL PHYSIOLOGY
led by Anthony J.M. Bauer, Ph.D.
HUMAN PROVIRAL GENE EXPRESSION
led by Yingguang Liu, Ph.D.
IMMUNOLOGY, CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY, AND MAST CELL BIOLOGY
led by Christopher L. Kepley, Ph.D., FAAAAI
RENAL PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
led by Joseph C. Gigliotti, Ph.D.
REPRODUCTIVE PHYSIOLOGY
led by R. James Swanson, Ph.D.
VASCULAR PHYSIOLOGY
led by Jeffrey Jasperse, Ph.D.
CENTER for RESEARCH
The LUCOM Center for Research exists to support excellence in research and scholarship in the biomedical sciences, clinical medicine, and medical education, all toward advancing medical knowledge, improving patient care, enhancing medical student training, and celebrating the works of God’s hands.
“Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.” — Psalm 111:2
The 8,500-square-foot Center for Research features five state-of-the-art molecular and cellular labs, a large central lab, and an animal facility.
LEARN MORE ONLINE AT Liberty.edu/LUCOM/Research.
CENTER for MEDICAL and HEALTH SCIENCES
Where you study is as important as what you study. At LUCOM, you’ll use the latest medical technology, including an Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) Lab where students hone their skills to diagnose injury and illness through physical manipulation.
CENTER for STANDARDIZED PATIENTS and SIMULATION (SIM)
The SIM lab houses six high-fidelity simulation rooms — including operating and emergency rooms, an intensive care unit suite, and a birthing suite — and 16 exam/encounter rooms.
CLINICAL MEDICINE LAB
The Clinical Medicine Lab houses bedside ultrasound and equipment for diagnostic procedures, such as colposcopy, endoscopy, spinal tap, and joint injections.
ANATOMY LAB
This lab includes 28 dissection stations in an odor/chemical-free environment.
STUDENT SERVICES and ORGANIZATIONS
WHILE in MEDICAL SCHOOL,
it’s important that you keep a healthy body, mind, and spirit.
Our Office of Student Services helps you maintain balance while working hard toward your degree. In addition to scheduling “de-stress” events throughout the year, our office plans fellowship events, connects you with volunteer opportunities, and hosts weekly Convocations for spiritual growth.
ADVOCACY
LUCOM students can travel to the nation’s capital annually for active participation in supporting positive health policies that will affect their future patients.
You’ll have opportunities to join nationally recognized student organizations that represent medical disciplines and professional interests.
Visit Liberty.edu/LUCOM/StudentOrganizations for a complete list of student organizations.
OFFICE of ADMISSIONS
We want to make the application, selection, and matriculation process as simple and effortless as possible by answering your questions.
Initial application to LUCOM is made through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS). Applicants who meet the college’s criteria for admission are invited to submit a LUCOM application. The Office of Admissions and the Admissions Committee then extend an offer for an interview to those most likely to fit within LUCOM’s culture, advance the college’s mission and vision, and successfully complete the curriculum.
LUCOM utilizes a rolling admission process. After an interview and review of recommendations by the Admissions Committee, successful candidates usually receive an offer for admission within weeks of the interview date.
Offers of admission are conditional upon successful submission of all matriculation items and completion of Financial Check-In (FCI) by their respective deadline dates.
LUCOM ADMISSIONS CHECKLIST
Submit an application through the AACOMAS
Claim Liberty University ID/email
Update your contact information
Review the LUCOM Academic Catalog
Review LUCOM Institutional Agreements
Review the LUCOM Student Handbook
Submit a LUCOM Secondary Application
a. Read and sign the Technical Standards and Code of Conduct
b. Pay your application fee ($50)
c. Submit your recommendation letters
Receive an invitation to interview/ schedule an interview
Receive your admission decision
LU MED 3+1 PROGRAM
Earn your B.S. in Biomedical Sciences and start medical school one year sooner. No MCAT required!
LU MED is an exciting partnership between Liberty University (LU) and LUCOM, which offers a distinct advantage to outstanding undergraduate students who wish to become osteopathic physicians.
This 3+1 program will give you:
• Guaranteed acceptance to LUCOM after six semesters or 32 science credits at LU
• Waived MCAT requirement
• Completed B.S. in Biomedical Sciences after successful completion of LUCOM year one classes
Here’s what you need to be eligible for this program:
• Full-time enrollment in the B.S. in Biomedical Sciences at LU
• All prerequisite sciences completed residentially at LU
• No record of withdrawals from any of those prerequisite courses
• Earn and maintain a 3.7 GPA in sciences
• Completed interview with LU MED program directors
ADMISSION FAQ
Q: IS THERE A WAY FOR ME TO STRENGTHEN MY APPLICATION?
A: Yes! You can complete LUCOM CSER hours. A list of suggested LUCOM CSER activities is available on the LUCOM website. Dr. Mark Blais can provide additional information about and approval for additional CSER activities.
Q: CAN I STILL APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM IF I HAVE A 3.69 GPA IN SCIENCE?
A: No. Applicants must have a 3.7 GPA in science to be considered eligible for the program and must maintain a 3.7 GPA or higher in science until time for matriculation into year one of LUCOM.
Q: CAN I TRANSFER IN THE REQUIRED PREREQUISITE SCIENCE COURSES FROM COLLEGES OTHER THAN LIBERTY UNIVERSITY?
A: No. Applicants for this program must complete their prerequisite science courses at Liberty University. Transfer credits for other, non-science courses may be available, and applicants should consult with their academic advisor at Liberty University for more information.
Q: WHO CAN I CONTACT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?
A: For questions about undergraduate sciences courses, reach out to Dr. Blais at mblais@liberty.edu or (434) 592-4692. For LUCOM program questions or requirements, contact LUCOM Admissions at LUCOMadmissions@liberty.edu or (434) 592-7444.
OFFICE of FINANCIAL AID
To prepare for medical school, it’s best to start the financial aid process early. We are available anytime to help you navigate the financial aspects of becoming an osteopathic physician.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT
Liberty.edu/LUCOM/FinancialAid.
SERVICE AGREEMENT SCHOLARSHIPS
You may apply for federal and private service agreements in return for scholarships that will help pay for some or all of your education expenses during medical school. Service is normally fulfilled after graduation. Agreements include:
• Health Profession Scholarship Program with the Armed Forces
• National Health Service Corps
• Indian Health Service Scholarship
LOANS
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
• Up to $47,167 annually
• Requires completion of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Master Promissory Note (MPN), and Entrance Counseling
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans
• Up to annual cost of attendance minus other financial aid received
• Requires completion of FAFSA, MPN, Entrance Counseling, and Credit Application
Private Loans
• Up to annual cost of attendance minus other financial aid received
• Interest and repayment options vary by lender
• Not eligible for federal loan repayment and forgiveness programs
LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAMS
If you qualify, after graduation you can apply for loan repayment and forgiveness programs. These federal and state programs repay a portion of federal loans borrowed by qualifying doctors who work or plan to work in regions where medical shortages exist.
A few of the programs include:
• National Health Service Corps (NHSC)
• State-based loan repayment
• Private practices
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
ADDITIONAL AID OPTIONS
• Outside scholarship opportunities are often available for students who are willing to search and apply.
• Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG) is available for qualifying Virginia residents.
• Military benefits may be used by students who have served with the Armed Forces. Liberty University is proud to participate in the Yellow Ribbon program.
FOUR STEPS to FINANCIAL AID
Complete prior to your first semester
1
Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
2
Search and apply for scholarships and outside aid
3
Apply for loans
4
Complete Financial Check-In (FCI)
Our COMMUNITY
RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
As a student-doctor, you have access to all of Liberty’s recreational facilities, including the LaHaye Recreation & Fitness Center, indoor basketball courts, soccer fields, tennis courts, an Olympic-size pool, a rock climbing wall, an ice center, and cardio and weightlifting facilities. You can also enjoy year-round snowless skiing, snowboarding, and tubing at Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre and participate in one of Liberty’s many intramural sports.
If you prefer to be on the sidelines, you can cheer on our 20 NCAA Division I athletic programs and more than 40 Club Sports teams. If you’re more into the arts, you can catch the latest art gallery exhibit or enjoy a play at Tower Theater or The Black Box Theater.
EXPLORE CENTRAL VIRGINIA
Located in historic Central Virginia, Liberty is just a short drive from attractions such as Poplar Forest, Red Hill, and Monticello. The beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains surround the city of Lynchburg, and 50 miles of hiking trails are located on Liberty Mountain for you to enjoy. You can also relax at Smith Mountain Lake or fish on the James River.
NEARBY CITIES
Roanoke, Va. – 1 hour | Charlottesville, Va. – 1.5 hours
Richmond, Va. – 2 hours | Raleigh, N.C. – 2.5 hours
Washington, D.C. – 3.5 hours | Virginia Beach, Va. – 4 hours
LYNCHBURG HIGHLIGHTS
• One of the best cities to move to in the South (USA Today, 2024)
• One of the best adventure towns in the U.S. (National Geographic, 2011)
• One of the best places for business and careers (Forbes, 2019)
