Why should you consider applying to the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine?

The Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM) ranked second among all D.O. and M.D. granting medical schools in the U.S. for graduates entering primary care residencies, and ranked 12th in family medicine. KYCOM has earned high marks in rural medicine, ranking seventh among all medical schools in the nation, both D.O. and M.D., in U.S. News & World Report鈥檚 rankings of best medical schools for 2018.

Since its inception in 1997, more than 1,000 physicians have graduated from KYCOM, with 76 percent serving in primary care. Our guiding principle has always been to educate physicians to serve underserved and rural areas, with an emphasis on primary care. We take pride in being student-centered in every aspect. As a KYCOM student, dedicated and knowledgeable faculty and staff will provide you with a supportive environment to learn patient-centered care while utilizing advanced technology. Nestled in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains near a growing regional hospital, KYCOM鈥檚 graduates are well prepared to enter high-quality and rigorous graduate medical education residencies.


What is a D.O.?

Both osteopathic physicians (D.O.s) and allopathic physicians (M.D.s) are trained as complete physicians, which means that both types of physicians are fully trained and licensed to practice medicine, perform surgery and prescribe medications in the U.S. Osteopathic medicine practices a whole person approach to healthcare. Instead of just treating specific symptoms, osteopathic physicians focus on the patient as a whole.

Training for osteopathic physicians includes an additional focus that centers on treating the body by improving its natural functions through osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). Through the manual manipulation of bones and soft tissue, OMT aims to restore the body鈥檚 structural integrity so it can function in a natural and healthy way. Osteopathic physicians (D.O.s) have full practice rights in all 50 states and in many foreign countries. Osteopathic physicians, can and do, provide a full range of specialty and subspecialty medical services, and practice in many of the nation鈥檚 most prestigious hospitals. Moreover, many D.O.s practice primary care in medically underserved areas. While D.O.s make up only seven percent of the physicians nationally, they see over 18 percent of U.S. patients.