For Students

Under Served Care Clerkship Requirements
(3rd Year)

The MISSION of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) is to prepare globally minded, community-focused physicians for the rural and medically underserved areas of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and the Appalachian Region, and to improve human health especially of those most in need.

The USC experience begins in the second year with the Early Clinical Experience (ECE) on Fridays providing students with varied opportunities including the Mini-Med School, where students travel to high schools in southwest Virginia to teach important preventative health topics. They also participate at local Free Clinics and the Appalachian Medical Mission health screenings which are a tremendous help to the local communities.

In the third year VCOM students have a Clinical Rotation at Medically Underserved sites in primary care. As each site is unique the students enjoy different clinical experiences. They experience the clinical practice of a rural physician from office based practice to Emergency Call, hospitalized patients and nursing homes. The one month rotation in the third year may be completed in the Appalachian Region or at one of the school's three international sites.

The department’s goal is to foster a passion for Primary Care, Underserved Care and to encourage students to practice in an Appalachian underserved community!