March 5, 2024
Rocky Vista University Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVU MCOM) is pleased to announce the launch of their Tracks and Electives program. The program creates and delivers strategically crafted, optional curricular programming to offer students inspiring educational experiences in a variety of healthcare areas as they endeavor to serve patients in diverse communities with compassion, integrity, and excellence. Elective courses and tracks are offered as a mechanism to enhance student education beyond the core osteopathic curriculum.
The Military Medicine Track is one track option which provides an overview and introduction to 1st and 2nd year students regarding clinical scenarios commonly faced by military medical officers, preparation for military medicine residencies, and education on military lifestyle integration. During the latter 2 weeks of February 2024, the Military Medicine Track exposed students to Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) with a focus on Care Under Fire (CUF), casualty evacuation, general dress and appearance standards, and military medical ethical dilemmas. The highlight of the opening session of the Track was the Simulated Active Shooter- Care Under Fire event.
Student comments included:
“The last couple weeks were amazing and emotional for multiple reasons. I learned that as future military physicians, we will have to balance different ethical decisions apart from our civilian counterparts. The training propelled my thinking and acting to prepare for the uniquely difficult situations we will have to navigate as military leaders and physicians. I can think of no other program that allows this much time to prepare for specific military tasks and cultures beyond the limited training we may receive during summer training. We have each sworn two oaths, one to support and defend, and one to heal. The shared group experiences helped us as students develop stronger brother and sisterhood. We are each striving for excellence, and we will do so together.”
Jared Briscoe, OMS I, US Navy
“The variety of classroom, community, and simulation events provided tools and tactical understanding to facilitate our success as future physicians in any environment. It is a tremendous privilege to learn from our Military Medicine faculty and the culture within the track has already established a strong sense of unity and camaraderie.”
Sarah Mealy, OMS I, US Navy
