Promoting your personal wellness and academic success
At 51Æ·²èCOM we recognize that you are as unique as fingerprints, or, in medical terms, those cutaneous ridges on the bulbs of the distal phalanx of our fingers. The osteopathic principles teach us that everything is interconnected, and, in the same vein, we acknowledge that you need continuous support to grow academically, professionally, and personally. By adhering to these principles, we promote your personal wellness and academic success as you pursue your osteopathic medical degree and your passion for practicing medicine.
If you are considering applying to 51Æ·²èCOM, or researching how the program aligns with your present or future goals, visit our Admissions page. There you will gain insight into everything from touring campus, to course requirements, and financial aide information. For an in-depth understanding of our academic programs, the Academic Curriculum details what you can expect from years 1-4 of your medical education.
Samuel Wood ’19
The path that led me to medicine didn’t begin in a lab or classroom, but in a hospital bed at the age of 17. During high school, I learned that I had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body mistakes its own tissues for foreign enemies, and seeks to destroy healthy cells. In my case, the disease had become so severe that I was virtually bed-bound. Each morning, I awoke to both hands fused shut by swelling, my face was a mess of blisters and sores, and nearly every joint ached. After two years of futile efforts with oral steroids and chronic ibuprofen, my kidneys began to shut down, and I landed at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
Here, I experienced my first dose of the power of modern medicine. After a year of chemotherapeutic and immunosuppressive treatments, I entered medicated remission. I got my life back. It was clear I had been given a second chance, and my brush with mortality anchored the understanding that life was too short to waste. At this point in my life, my love was music, so I decided to take a leap of faith and apply to Berklee College of Music. I was accepted, and earned a Bachelor’s of Music with a focus in Production and Engineering. I loved my time in Boston, but during those years, I could not escape the fact that medicine saved my life. After much internal debate, as well as conversations with key mentors, I decided I wanted to become a physician. I was accepted to a 1-year post back program, and fought through the most challenging academic chapter of my life to earn the premedical requirements necessary for medical school. That same year, my dream was realized, and I became a first year medical student at 51Æ·²èCOM.
The path that led me to medicine didn’t begin in a lab or classroom, but in a hospital bed at the age of 17.
As a 51Æ·²èCOM student, you have opportunities both in and out of the classroom. You can choose to get involved in our community to enrich your experiences in the classroom with practical applications. Browse through the list of more than 40 clubs and organizations that promote healthy lifestyles, professional growth, and ever-lasting friendships.
To aid in successfully maintaining school/life balance, you have access to Student Support Services on the Biddeford campus. Ranging from tutoring to health appointments, and counseling, we recognize that there are many factors that lead to your success and have structured our services based on this belief.
We pride ourselves on being student-centered, student-friendly, and family-friendly. As you embark on this new chapter in your life, we welcome you into our family, so that when you are here you are home.