About TCOM
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Founded in 1970, the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM) has emerged as one of the nation's leading osteopathic medical schools. During this time, it has received both state and national recognition for its efforts to meet the demands of underserved populations and excellence in education. These honors include:
Top 50 medical school for primary care medicine
U.S. News & World Report, 2002-presentTop 50 physician assistant studies program
U.S. News & World Report, 2001-present'Medical School Award of Achievement'
Texas Academy of Family Physicians, 1994-presentTop 20 'Medical School for Hispanics'
Hispanic Business Magazine, 2005 and 2007
Quality Education, Research, Patient Care and Service
As the sole source of an osteopathic medical education for aspiring physicians and surgeons in Texas, TCOM is unique among the state's eight medical schools. In its commitment to lead in training and service, TCOM excels through its applications-based medical school curriculum, cutting-edge research, quality patient care and outstanding student performance in both the classroom and in clinics. For the past two years, TCOM students have posted the best peformance record among all osteopathic medical schools on their required physician licensure examinations. Through UNT Health, faculty members handle approximately 500,000 patient visits annually in area hospitals and clinics. TCOM is also home to the Osteopathic Research Center, a national research program designed to study the clincal effectiveness of osteopathic manipulative medicine.
A Record of Service
Whether they are the only doctor serving a rural community or a specialist at a major medical center, TCOM graduates distinguish themselves as leaders, teachers and scholars. With over 2,800 alumni to date, approximately sixty-five percent of them practice primary care medicine (family practice, general internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology), helping reduce the shortage of physicians in Texas communities. In addition to primary care, alumni also practice in over fifty specailities such as aerospace medicine and vascular medicine. Recent alumni have excelled in some of the nation's most demanding residency training programs by earning the position of chief resident.
Physican Assistant Studies
TCOM is among a handful of medical schools that offers a Physician Assistant Studies program. The 34-month program is designed to prepare students for the role of physician assistant and treat paitients under the supervision of a physician. Since its founding in 1997, students have the opportunity to obtain specialized knowledge in either medical education or medical practice in an underserved area.
History
TCOM's history reflects the traditions, philosophy and commitment to education excellence perpetuated in all programs at the UNT Health Science Center.
TCOM accepted its first students in 1970. In 1972, a relationship was forged that laid the foundation for the medical school's eventual evolution into a health science center. TCOM, then a privately funded school, contracted with North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas) in nearby Denton to teach basic science courses to first- and second-year medical students. TCOM's first graduating class of 18 received their doctor of osteopathy (D.O.) degrees in 1974.
The successful collaboration between the two schools combined with TCOM's commitment to 'specializing' in the education of primary care physicians earned the confidence of state government leaders. In 1975, TCOM became a state-supported medical school (separate from the university) under the jurisdiction of the North Texas Board of Regents.
In response to TCOM's remarkable growth and its achievements in health care and science, the Texas Legislature redesignated the medical school as a health science center in 1993. TCOM became the cornerstone component, retaining its osteopathic identity and focus.
Since its founding, TCOM faculty have explored and taught the promotion of good health, not just the treatment of disease, in the practice of medicine. Our students are encouraged to become family medicine or primary care physicians (now in critical demand across America), although they are also trained in every specialty area. They practice in communities where medical care is needed most, bring to their patients the unique benefits of osteopathic diagnosis and treatment, and emphasize patient education, disease prevention, good nutrition and fitness. These are all ideals of the century-old osteopathic tradition upon which the institution was founded.
This page last updated Jul 15, 2008
