WMed Admissions Viewbook 2024 - Updated

TOGETHER WE LEARN

Message from the Dean

Congratulations and thank you for choosing to enter the healthcare profession. Your career path will have a profound impact on the health of individuals and the communities where you live. It is time to choose where you will spend the next four years preparing to be a physician.

Established in 2012, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, known as WMed, is a collaboration involving Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo’s two teaching hospitals, Ascension Borgess and Bronson Healthcare. WMed is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. We have talented faculty and staff, state-of-the-art facilities, a rigorous curriculum, and clinical affiliates in a community with a long history of providing high-quality medical education and training to the communities we serve.

In our mission, WMed is committed to excellence and health equity through transformative medical education, high-quality patient- and family-centered care, innovative research, and community partnerships within a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. It is this commitment to excellence and health equity by our students, our graduates, the medical school, and the Kalamazoo community that positions us to achieve our vision: Health equity for all in Southwest Michigan through innovation in the practice and study of medicine.

Our faculty have developed a modern, integrated, competency-based four-year CLEAR curriculum. Taught in a team-based approach, which mirrors the way you will practice, our curriculum will prepare you to lead strong teams. We are learner centered and community focused. Our faculty are medical educators who have devoted themselves to the art of teaching. Our curriculum, and your experiences in student interest groups and organizations, will position you as a leader with the skills and abilities to impact health equity in both the local and global communities that we serve.

At WMed, you will be welcomed, supported, and valued. We recognize the success of our medical students is the number one indicator of our success as a medical school. We are here to ensure your success. Together, we learn, heal, innovate, and serve. Join us at WMed on our journey to excellence and health equity for all.

Robert G. Sawyer, MD

The Hal B. Jenson MD Dean

Points of Pride

The W.E. Upjohn M.D. Campus in downtown Kalamazoo boasts:

• a 350,000-square-foot, state-of-theart learning environment

• a 25,000-square-foot simulation center that is one of the largest in the nation

• gross anatomy and multipurpose labs

• two 90-seat team-based learning halls

• 14 classrooms

• a fitness center

• ample study space

Our small medical school class size of 86 allows for individual attention and a highly supportive environment that is committed to student success.

Get experience in our simulation center starting your very first week on campus during the Medical First Responder certification course, which sets the stage for the hands-on learning opportunities you will continue to engage in throughout our curriculum.

WMed provides many opportunities for support and mentorship, including four student learning communities as well as peer, faculty, and community physician mentors.

WMed cultivates a culture of community engagement. Our students, faculty, and staff live out our vision of health equity in Southwest Michigan by supporting and leading outreach and service initiatives in the greater Kalamazoo community. Take a virtual tour

Our collaborative and team-oriented environment allows you to learn medicine in the same way you will practice it: working with others.

Student Life and Kalamazoo

WMed is nestled in the heart of downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan, a vibrant city that offers endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, festivals, the arts, and awardwinning restaurants. The city has a rich history of excellence in education, healthcare, research, life-science exploration, and leadership in the pharmaceutical and medical sciences. Within walking distance of campus are a thriving farmers market, local library and museum, trails and parks, community theaters, locally-owned restaurants, and art studios. Our students become integrated in the Kalamazoo community in both medical and personal capacities.

At WMed, students have ample opportunities to develop their leadership skills while making a difference. WMed hosts nearly 100 student interest groups, ranging from national organization chapters to medical specialty or special topic interest groups. WMed values your experience inside and outside the classroom, including your personal well-being. Our team provides a range of group and individual services, including academic support, career development, wellness activities, student engagement opportunities, and campus events.

to name a few…

American Medical Association – Medical Student Section · Arts in Medicine · Bioethics Interest Group · Cardiology Interest Group · Gaming Night Interest Group · Latino Medical Student Association · Medical Student Pride Alliance · Street Medicine Kalamazoo · Student National Medical Association · Surgery Interest Group · Volleyball Interest Group · Yoga and Wellness

Kalamazoo Listed in TOP 3 Cities for College Graduates

According to a SmartAsset survey, the Kalamazoo-Portage area ranked third on the list of top cities for new college graduates. The survey attributed the top ranking to the high number of young people and restaurants in the area.

Kalamazoo Named One of the TOP 10 Most Affordable Cities with High Salaries and Low Cost of Living in the Midwest

The Ascent released its list of the 10 most affordable places to live in the Midwest based on the income to expense ratio, a measurement of how a city’s median income compares to its cost of living. Kalamazoo made the list because it is the cheapest city in the Midwest and the second-cheapest nationwide, with a cost of living 22.5% less than average expenses nationwide. Housing, in particular, is very inexpensive, beating the national average by a whopping 49% and having a low median home price.

Kalamazoo is a great size, and there is a lot to do here! There are breweries, restaurants, cafes, parks, and trails. There are beach towns nearby, or Grand Rapids is just a 45-minute drive away. I have spent my weekends and green weeks exploring Michigan! The Great Lakes are beautiful; Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula are absolutely gorgeous. There is something here for everyone!”

Neya Suresh-Kumar, MD Class of 2026, San Diego, CA

Applying to WMed

The MD application process opens in May through AMCAS. Since WMed uses rolling admissions, prospective students are encouraged to apply early

Through our holistic admissions process, we are seeking well-rounded future physicians and leaders who have strengths in:

Experiences

Tell us your story. We are looking for leaders who bring pre-medical experience in:

• Healthcare

• Non-healthcare

• Teamwork

• Diversity

• Extracurricular Activities

Attributes

We are seeking students who:

• Are team players

• Can problem solve

• Show compassion and service

• Communicate well

• Make decisions with integrity

Metrics

• Minimum GPA: 3.0

• Minimum MCAT: 499

As a private, nonprofit medical school, WMed enrolls bright and talented students from throughout the U.S.

Primary Application

Supplemental Application

Experiences Review

Telephone Interview

Virtual Interview

(Includes a one-on-one Interview and group activity)

Admissions Committee Decision

Recommended Coursework

Specific prerequisite coursework is not required. To be well prepared, we recommend applicants complete a broad base of coursework in the humanities and social sciences, accompanied by coursework in:

Biochemistry • Genetics • Human Anatomy • Human Physiology • Statistics

WMed has established preferred relationships with Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, Grand Valley State University, and Albion College.

Questions? Please contact the WMed Office of Admissions at admissions @ wmed.edu or 269.337.6100

Curriculum: Foundations of Medicine

• Our innovative, contemporary 18-month preclinical phase of the curriculum integrates biomedical sciences with clinical application.

• In biomedical sciences courses, dedicated teaching faculty use interactive lectures, asynchronous learning modules, and case-based learning to promote student understanding. These courses utilize a team-oriented environment that prepares students for a successful career in medicine. The application of basic science to clinical decisions is continuously emphasized.

• At WMed, clinical experiences start with a Medical First Responder training. In addition to the highly integrated curriculum, one-week electives during the first two years allow for additional clinical experiences and exploration. WMed students are fully immersed in the clinical environment after completing 18 months of basic science coursework.

• The Disease, Disparities, and Justice course provides a broad education in the social determinants of health and positions WMed students to be future advocates and leaders.

• WMed’s decompressed curriculum runs year-round, focusing on one biomedical science course at a time and offering a one-week break following most 5- to 6-week courses. These “green weeks” can be used for electives or to recharge and focus on wellness.

• Students can participate in clinical, community-based, laboratory, and medical education research

WMed offers MD-MBA and MD-PhD dual-degree options.

Academic Distinctions

Academic Distinctions give WMed students the opportunity to pursue and be recognized for areas of interest and scholarship. Each Academic Distinction requires 30–40 hours of curriculum, which could include electives, parallel co–curricular work, and scholarship in the form of publication or project.

• Advocacy and Leadership in Patient Safety and Quality Improvement

• Clinical Informatics

• Global and Public Health

• Interprofessional Focus in Community Health

• Medical Ethics, Humanities, and Law

• Promoting Excellence in Medical Education

• Well-Being in Medicine

Curriculum: Clinical Applications

Core Clinical

Core clerkships are traditionally considered to be one of the most clinically transformative periods in a physician’s career. Core clerkships begin in January of Year Two and are organized into seven blocks—six clinical rotations plus a block dedicated to clinical reasoning for USMLE Step preparations. Rotations occur in Southwest Michigan.

Core Clerkships

• Family and Community Medicine

• Medicine

• Obstetrics and Gynecology

• Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine

• Psychiatry

• Surgery

Advanced Clinical

Advanced clerkships and selectives continue to build clinical skills and allow students to explore and finalize their desired area of practice. The transition into advanced clerkships and selectives begins with ACLS certification.

4-week Required Advanced Clerkships and Selectives

• Advanced Anesthesiology (1 week)

• Advanced Critical Care Medicine (4 weeks)

• Advanced Emergency Medicine (4 weeks)

• Advanced Hospital-Centered Medicine (4 weeks)

• Advanced Neurology (2 weeks)

Students have the opportunity during advanced clerkships and selectives to explore specialty options with a variety of local elective offerings, flexible time to accommodate residency interviews, and vacation weeks that you build into your schedule.

Each student has the option to spend four to eight weeks at an international medical school to experience the health system in other parts of the world as part of our Engagement and Discovery course. WMed has an established relationship with the University of Minho in Portugal, with additional locations expected to be announced in the future.

Clinical Affiliates

Collaborating with nationally-recognized clinical partners Ascension Borgess and Bronson Healthcare, WMed and Kalamazoo have a long history of clinical education. Their award-winning commitment to quality-of-care standards translates into a level of training experience that rivals major university medical centers while providing the advantage of a community-based, diverse patient population. In addition to these two hospital systems, additional clinical rotations at WMed Health, a federally qualified health center, and over 190 other training sites throughout Southwest Michigan allow our students to experience a variety of clinical settings and patient types. Together, these environments offer a full spectrum of diverse experiences.

WMed offers residency and fellowship programs in Emergency Medicine, EMS Fellowship, Family Medicine, Forensic Pathology Fellowship, Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship, Internal Medicine, Medicine-Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orthopaedic Surgery, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Simulation Fellowship, Sports Medicine Fellowship, and Surgery.

The Hal B. Jenson MD Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences

The Hal B. Jenson MD Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MBS) Program is a one-year master’s program designed for students looking to strengthen their foundational knowledge in basic sciences before beginning medical school.

Program Features

• MBS students are automatically accepted to the MD program the following year, contingent upon successful completion of the MBS program.

• Each MBS student is provided a full-tuition scholarship and cost of living stipend for the master’s degree, thanks to a generous gift from the Jon Stryker and Slobodan Randjelovic scholarship fund.

• A small cohort of up to eight students per year provides a highly supportive environment.

• The MBS curriculum runs alongside MD students, and instruction is provided by medical school faculty.

• Priority will be given to applicants who have overcome significant adversity, are first generation college graduates, are socio-economically disadvantaged, or who reside in or have strong ties to the Southwest Michigan area.

Metrics

• Minimum GPA: 3.0

• Minimum MCAT: 497

Application Process

There are two ways to apply to the MBS program: Be considered for the MBS program with a traditional MD application through AMCAS. This option enables you to be considered for both the MD and the MBS program. Applicants applying to the MD program who wish to be considered for the MBS program should inform admissions directly at admissions@wmed.edu.

Apply directly to the MBS program. Direct applications open on the program website each January.

Learn more about the application process

I loved the MBS program specifically because of the faculty. Every person involved in my education genuinely cared about my growth and had their doors open always to vent about struggles outside of school.”

Mfoniso Ekpo, MD, MBS Class of 2019, MD Class of 2023 Resident Physician, Neurology, Duke University Medical Center

The MBS program was honestly the opportunity I prayed for. It gave me the chance to prove myself. I entered my first year of medical school with not only the confidence to succeed, but the tools to hit the ground running. The professors, mentors, and friends I made during the program have been an integral component of my medical school experience. I will forever treasure the memories I made in the MBS program and how they helped shaped me into the aspiring leader I am today.”

Anatomy and Physiology II

Anatomy and Physiology III

Anatomy and Physiology IV

Capstone II; Foundations in Health Equity and Social Justice 2

Rosemary Vergara, MBS Class of 2021, MD Class of 2025

Class of 2023 Residency Placement

76 Graduating Students

99% Match Percentage

Questions?

48% Primary Care

52% Specialties

Number

Ophthalmology · 1

Orthopaedic Surgery · 1

Pathology · 4

· 5

Pediatrics/Psychiatry/Child Psychiatry · 1

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation · 1

Preliminary · 1

· 7