Blog - Rocky Vista University

Rocky Vista University- Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVU-MCOM) adds Master of Medical Sciences Program

By Kristen Kaiser | May 22, 2023 | Comments Off

Rocky Vista University- Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVU-MCOM) adds Master of Medical Sciences Program (May 22, 2023 – Billings, MT) – Rocky Vista University has been approved by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to recruit students for a Master of Medical Sciences (MMS) at the Montana campus to complement its Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) program. The 1-year post-baccalaureate MMS Program provides students with a higher-level foundation in biomedical sciences, humanism, and professionalism in an immersive medical school environment. The program is designed to strengthen students’ qualifications and candidacy for medical or other health professional schools. Students completing the MMS program will be awarded a master’s degree. MMS students study alongside first-year Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine (MCOM) medical school students. All courses are offered and taught by MCOM faculty, and course material covers the normal functioning of the systems of the human body. Among the requirements for admission to the MMS Program are a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, prerequisite coursework, and a standardized test score. The program will consider International Students or students who graduate from a reputable college outside the U.S. Students who meet certain standards can gain direct admission to MCOM upon […]

Construction of the new Rocky Vista University- Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVU-MCOM) campus is complete

By Kristen Kaiser | Jan 25, 2023 | Comments Off

Construction of the new Rocky Vista University- Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVU-MCOM) campus is complete [January 25, 2023 – Billings, MT] Construction is complete on the new 138,000 square foot Rocky Vista University- Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine campus on 12.8 acres at 4130 Rocky Vista Way (SW corner of Shiloh and Monad). The University was issued the certificate of occupancy on January 13. Employees are moving into the new building and equipment is being put into place to form the student learning environment. A private Building Blessing Ceremony with the RVU-MCOM Community Advisory Council in collaboration with the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leadership Council is also taking place, and the public Grand Opening Ceremony and Open House is planned for July. The new medical school is expected to make an immediate economic impact of $78.6 million to the community. Construction of Montana’s first medical school started with an official ground-breaking ceremony in October of 2021 and was completed on schedule by local contractor Langlas & Associates. The first 80 students will start their medical school career in mid-July from a growing pool of nearly 2,000 applicants from across the U.S. The majority of applicants are from the western region, […]

Happy Lunar New Year

By Kristen Kaiser | Jan 24, 2023 | Comments Off

Happy Lunar New Year A message from David Paltza, University Registrar about celebrating the Lunar New Year. Happy Lunar New Year Some of you might be very familiar with the Lunar New Year commonly known as the Chinese New Year. But did you know that it is actually widely celebrated across many Asian nations and Asian-American communities? I grew up in a very culturally Asian household (Filipino, to be exact), in the beautifully diverse city of Los Angeles, CA. One facet about this huge city of wonderful diversity is the opportunity to celebrate a variety of cultures with full equity and inclusion. In that spirit, below are 5 things to know about the Lunar New Year: When? Between late January and early February on the second new moon after the winter solstice, starting the lunisolar calendar to welcome the beginning of spring. Most traditions include festivals, parades, symbolic food, and elders giving money to children and youth. Why? Having originated as an agricultural tradition in ancient China, by farmers using the moon as reference for when to sow and harvest, it continues as an annual celebration and official holiday across Asian nations and communities. How? On a rotation based on […]

Martin Luther King, Jr Day

By Kristen Kaiser | Jan 11, 2023 | Comments Off

Martin Luther King, Jr Day A message from Adrian Clark, RVU consultant and member of the Inclusive Excellence Advisory Council, regarding the importance of the upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday: This year on January 16 the nation observes and celebrates the birth of a true contemporary American hero, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. From his initial involvement in the Montgomery Bus Boycott; to his “I Have a Dream” speech during the historic March on Washington; to his leadership of the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama; to his opposition of the Vietnam War and finally his support of sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. King’s commitment to human and civil rights changed the United States and impacted the world. As a renowned orator and writer Dr. King also left behind a collection of speeches and writing that will likely resonate forever. Although he faced many challenges during his life, Dr. King had the courage to confront violence with peace and combat hatred with love. While there is much to learn from the life and teachings of Dr. King, his immeasurable courage, and his ability to espouse peace and love despite the challenges he faced are especially […]

RVU Medical Response Team – Update for the Holiday Break

By Kristen Kaiser | Dec 21, 2022 | Comments Off

RVU MEDICAL RESPONE TEAM UPDATE – 12-21-2022 Dear RVU Community, We hope everyone has a nice holiday break and that this time helps you unwind, de-stress and enjoy family and friends. As you’re mingling, we encourage you to be mindful of your personal health and the health of others. We’d like to outline a few reminders regarding our policies when it’s time to come back to school. If you are sick, stay home. Testing for COVID-19 and Influenza is encouraged in order to know how best to proceed and protect our community. If you do not test, follow the precautions outlined for COVID. If you are sick from or test positive for COVID,  Stay home for at least five days and isolate yourself from others. End isolation after five days if you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and your symptoms are improving. Take precautions until day 10 by wearing a well-fitting mask for the full ten days while around others. If you test positive for COVID-19, complete the  Covid Positive Case Reporting Form. Completing this will help us monitor our own internal community spread and determine if additional safety measures are necessary. If you are sick from or test […]

NBOME Names Four COMs for C3DO Pilot Projects

By Kristen Kaiser | Dec 16, 2022 | Comments Off

NBOME Names Four COMs for C3DO Pilot Projects [December 16, 2022 – Parker, CO] In November of 2020, the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) temporarily suspended the administration of the COMLEX-USA Level 2-PE exam; it was permanently suspended in February of 2021. In addition to the NBOME Board of Directors conducting months of research, they convened a task force to address how to assess the fundamental clinical skills for osteopathic medical practice of graduating students in place of the obsolete Level 2-PE exam. The task force was charged with exploring ways to develop a valid and reliable assessment, administered locally at COMs throughout the United States, which can be used to assess students’ competency in fundamental osteopathic clinical skills based on a national standard. The program is known as the Core Clinical Capstone for DOs Program – or – C3DO. (You can learn more about this initiative here: https://www.nbome.org/c3do/) The NBOME sent out a Request for Proposal (RFP) for COMs to apply to be a pilot site of the C3DO program. I am so happy to announce that out of 17 COMs who submitted their RFP, RVUCOM was chosen as 1 of the 4 to participate in this pilot […]

RVU Medical Response Team Update – 12/05/2022

By Kristen Kaiser | Dec 5, 2022 | Comments Off

RVU MEDICAL RESPONE TEAM UPDATE – 12-05-22 If you feel ill or are experiencing symptoms, we ask that you stay home. Preclinical COM, MSBS and PA Students who are ill or test positive for COVID-19 or Influenza should contact the appropriate program director and complete the excused absence form as directed. Clinical students who are ill or test positive for COVID-19 or Influenza should contact their coordinator and the appropriate contact at their rotation location. Employees who are ill or test positive for COVID-19 should notify their immediate supervisor. It is not necessary to notify the MRT but you are welcome to contact us if you have questions or concerns. If you are sick or test positive for COVID, isolate. Stay home for at least five days and isolate yourself from others. End isolation after five days if you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and your symptoms are improving. Take precautions until day 10 by wearing a well-fitting mask for the full ten days while around others. If you test positive for COVID-19, complete the COVID Positive Case Reporting Form. Completing this will help us monitor our own internal community spread and determine if additional safety measures are necessary. If […]

Billings Chamber of Commerce | Interview with Dr. David Park the Founding Dean of RVU’s Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine

By Kristen Kaiser | Jul 28, 2022 | Comments Off

Billings Chamber of Commerce – Interview with Dr. David Park the Founding Dean of RVU’s Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine [July 27, 2022 – Billings, MT] In this ChamberCast episode, hosted by the Billings Chamber of Commerce, Dr. David Park, Founding Dean of RVU’s Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine, speaks about “one of the most exciting developments taking place in Billings right now.” Click here to listen to the episode. UNIVERSITY NEWS

The Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine Receives Accreditation Approval to Recruit and Accept Students

By Kristen Kaiser | Jul 26, 2022 | Comments Off

The Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine Receives Accreditation Approval to Recruit and Accept Students [July 26, 2022- Billings, Montana] Rocky Vista University (RVU) announced today that approval has been received from the American Osteopathic Association’s (AOA) Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), to recruit and accept students for the Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (MCOM) inaugural class entering in the Summer of 2023. MCOM plans on matriculating 80 students into its inaugural class, with a gradual ramp up to 160 students by 2025. David Park, DO, Founding Dean of MCOM, said, “We are thrilled to receive the recent approval by the COCA to move forward with recruiting, interviewing, and matriculating students at Rocky Vista University’s Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine. The process of accreditation is rigorous and requires an entire team’s knowledge, experience and expertise. I am grateful and very proud of the successful efforts of our RVU team as well as our growing local MCOM team, including several of our community members who have all helped us in achieving this important milestone.” MCOM will be the first Montana-based 4-year medical school with a dedicated campus in the state and will have a significant economic impact on the Billings Community, […]

July 22, 2022 | CRT Update Please Read

By Kristen Kaiser | Jul 22, 2022 | Comments Off

July 22, 2022 | CRT Update – PLEASE READ Dear RVU Community, It’s been a busy and exciting week with Orientation and White Coat Ceremonies for our RVUCOM Class of 2026 and we are so glad to see the passion and enthusiasm associated with the start of a new academic year. It’s also, however, been a busy week for the spread of COVID-19. There has been a distinct uptick in the number of infections in the counties where our Colorado, Utah and Montana campuses are located. Due to this uptick and in an effort to avoid a mask mandate, we are urging you all to take some precautions as we head into the new semester. If you feel ill or are experiencing symptoms, we ask that you stay home. Preclinical students who are ill or test positive for COVID-19 should contact the appropriate program director and complete the appropriate excused absence form as directed. Clinical students who are ill or test positive for COVID-19 should contact their coordinator and the appropriate contact at their rotation location and make arrangements. Employees who are ill or test positive for COVID-19 should notify their immediate supervisor and their HR representative and make arrangements […]