Hmmm.... Doc2006pa is entitled to his/her opinions and I can respect that. I am sorry that their experience was so bad at PCSOM and hope he/she is satisfied with their chosen residency program. I will attempt to give the best summation of my experience. Keep in mind, I am a fourth year student and have not been on campus hardly at all in the past 11 months.
I won't deny the fact that the school is in a transition phase. This has been a busy year for the school with Dr. Strosnider as acting president of the AOA. I honestly could not tell you anything about the administrative performance at the school this past year. There have been several changes in the past year. Since I have not been in Pikeville, I will not comment on things I have not been directly exposed to.
I felt Pathology (when I took it) was a weak course. However, I feel that the comment about our "new pathologist" is inaccurate. She taught several of my classes during the second year. I can tell you that she is dedicated to giving her all. I felt (as the majority of the classmates I spoke with) that she was a refreshing addition to the faculty. No one has tried harder than she at trying to make our pathology education a more pleasurable experience. She actually attended most of our KAPLAN COMLEX review to find pointers for the next year's lectures. I also failed to mention the fact that she is extremely intelligent.
Our microbiology course at PCSOM is excellent. It will prepare you for your boards I can promise you that. Yes, the class is very difficult, but the end results are excellent. Dr. Laurich and Dr. Heist are excellent professors. Both lobby for the betterment of the students that apply themselves.
Dr. Harris and Dr. DeAtley teach a great pharmacology course. Both are also huge student advocates.
Dr. Soniera is an excellent anatomy professor. He also teaches Neuroanatomy. Both of these classes are difficult, but I felt he taught them very well. Neuroanatomy was huge on my step I exam last year.
I personally had some trouble in Physiology. We have two faculty members that teach this subject. My hardest block was respiratory physiology by far. I had a conversation with one of these physiologists two years ago after one of our block exams. My opinion of him vastly improved after my conversation with him. While I will keep the subject of this conversation private, I will say that I know he really wants people to do well in his course and is willing to work weekends and do extra study sessions to help people learn the material better.
I had the privilage of being taught OP&P by two great osteopathic physicians. Both have their individual strengths that set them apart. Dr. Stiles resigned from his position last year and is working at Pikeville Medical Center with the +1 OMT program there. Dr. Litman is the current OP&P chair. I wish we could have had both of them for my second year at PCSOM, but it did not work out that way. Dr. Stiles' reputation precedes him. Dr. Litman is also a wonderful physician, instructor, student advocate and friend. I feel honored to have worked with them both. I also had the opportunity to work with a few other PCSOM graduates that are excellent at OMT.
At different times this year, I felt that my clinical knowledge was not what it should be. However, most of the physicians that I have rotated with feel that my knowledge is where it should be for my level of medical education. I have to give credit to the faculty at PCSOM for that.
Every school has their problems. PCSOM is not exempt from that statement. This is my opinion of the program and other people may disagree. PCSOM gave me the opportunity to fulfill my dream of becoming a physician and I am thankful for that. If I can help you with any other questions, please let me know.
