Gannon University

Aims and Objectives:

This is an accelerated program, designed primarily for non-traditional students, presented in cooperation with the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM). This undergraduate professional program of education leads to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Health Science, awarded by Gannon University, and the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, awarded by LECOM.

Osteopathic medicine is a distinctive form of medical care founded on the philosophy that all body systems are interrelated and dependent upon one another for good health. This philosophy was developed in 1874 by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, who pioneered the concept of "wellness" and recognized the importance of treating illness within the context of the whole body. Osteopathic physicians use all of the tools available through modern medicine including prescription medicine and surgery. They also incorporate osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) into their regimen of patient care when appropriate. OMT is a set of manual medicine techniques that may be used to relieve pain, restore range of motion, and enhance the body's capacity to heal. Physicians licensed as Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.s), like their medical counterparts (M.D.s) must pass a national or state medical board examination in order to obtain license to practice medicine. D.O.s provide comprehensive medical care to patients in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Currently, there are approximately 37,000 D.O.s practicing in the United States. Reflecting the osteopathic philosophy of treating the whole person, 57% of D.O.s serve in the primary care areas of family medicine, general internal medicine, and general pediatrics, often establishing their practices in medically undeserved areas. Another 43% are found in a wide range of medical specialties including surgery, anesthesiology, sports medicine, geriatrics, and emergency medicine. Still others serve as health care policy leaders at the local, state, and national levels. In addition, increasing emphasis on biomedical research at several of the osteopathic colleges has expanded opportunities for D.O.s interested in pursuing careers in medical research.

Following three years of pre-medical studies at Gannon, up to five students from the accelerated program will granted an interview at LECOM if they have fulfilled the following requirements:

• Cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher in all courses.
  
• Cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher in science and math courses.
  
• MCAT scores of 7 or higher, with a cumulative score of 24 or higher.
  
• No grade lower than a C in any course at Gannon.
  
• Recommendation of the LECOM committee at Gannon (The LECOM committee is composed of the program director and faculty from both colleges at the university.)
  
• LECOM does not allow foreign nationals to apply for this conditionally guaranteed program.
  

LECOM "3 + 4" Curriculum
(Numerals in front of courses indicate credits)

MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) should be taken in the Spring Semester of the Third Year.
Senior Seminar LBST 383 will be taken during the first year of Medical School at LECOM.

LECOM “4 + 4” MEDICAL PROGRAM

Aims and Objectives:

This is a conditionally guaranteed acceptance program presented in cooperation with the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM). This undergraduate professional program of education leads to a degree of Bachelor of Science in Biology or Chemistry, awarded by Gannon University, and the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, awarded by LECOM.

Osteopathic medicine is a distinctive form of medical care founded on the philosophy that all body systems are interrelated and dependent upon one another for good health. This philosophy was developed in 1874 by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, who pioneered the concept of “wellness” and recognized the importance of treating illness within the context of the whole body. Osteopathic physicians use all of the tools available through modern medicine including prescription medicine and surgery. They also incorporate osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) into their regimen of patient care when appropriate. OMT is a set of manual medicine techniques that may be used to relieve pain, restore range of motion, and enhance the body’s capacity to heal. Physicians licensed as Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.s), like their medical counterparts (M.D.s), must pass a national or state medical board examination in order to obtain a license to practice medicine. D.O.s provide comprehensive medical care to patients in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Currently, there are approximately 37,000 D.O.s practicing in the United States. Reflecting the osteopathic philosophy of treating the whole person, 57% of D.O.s serve in the primary care areas of family medicine, general internal medicine, and general pediatrics, often establishing their practices in medically underserved areas. Another 43% are found in a wide range of medical specialties including surgery, anesthesiology, sports medicine, geriatrics, and emergency medicine. Still others serve as health care policy leaders at the local, state, and national levels. In addition, increasing emphasis on biomedical research at several of the osteopathic colleges has expanded opportunities for D.O.s interested in pursuing careers in medical research.

This program is unique in that students enrolled in the program are conditionally guaranteed acceptance to LECOM. A maximum of twenty (20) high school seniors are interviewed by both Gannon and LECOM. This interview process fulfills LECOM’s interview requirement for admission to medical school. From this pool of students, a maximum of ten (10) students are accepted to this program in the senior year of high school. These students choose either biology or chemistry as a major while at Gannon. Following four years of pre-medical studies at Gannon, up to ten students from this program will matriculate at LECOM if they have fulfilled the following requirements:

1. Cumulative grade point average of a 3.2 or higher in all courses
   
2. Cumulative grade point average of a 3.2 or higher in science and math courses
   
3. MCAT scores of at least 7 in each subtest, with a cumulative score of 24 or higher
   
4. No grade lower than a C in any course at Gannon
   
5. Completion of the AACOMAS primary application and the LECOM secondary application to medical school.
   
6. LECOM does not allow foreign nationals to apply for this conditonally guaranteed program.
   
7. Successful completion of required senior course electives
   
8. Attendance and completion, in the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years, of a day long clinical experience at LECOM
9. Students in this program who apply to any other medical schools, will forfeit their seat in the program because they have already been accepted into LECOM