DO/MPH

[RDJ]

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I am very interested in the DO/MPH option. I am applying via AACOMAS in June. I have solid stats, great military medic experience and strong recs. I am planning for a primary care career in a rural or small suburban area. I also see myself getting involved with local, county or state health issues. Additionally, I plan to continue lifelong service in the Army Reserve or National Guard (which, incidentally, is where I am getting some of my tuition money from).
I would like to know if anyone has any info to offer in regards to the DO/MPH programs at TCOM, COMS (now called DMU), PCOM, NOVA and MSUCOM. I have talked with most of them via phone and reviewed their websites. I would like to hear opinions from current students if possible. What do you think of the 5-year curriculums? Does the break in between MS-2 and MS-3 with the emphasis changing to the MPH hurt you in anyway? What I mean is, do you begin your third year feeling as if you had a big medical knowledge dump after studying a year of PH? Any opinions/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Kent Ray]

RDJ,
I am not all that familar with the MPH degree at Des Moines University but I don't think you have to go an extra year (might be wrong). What I do know is that our school is devoting big dollars to this and other progams in their division of public health. Our school works with the state of Iowa to place Dr's with rual towns. Many times you can get breaks on interest and some towns will pay much of your loan back. Also in your third year you have to do a rual family practice rotation for four months! I did mine in Manchester, Ia. This was one of my best eperiences in medical school!
Good luck to you. If you have any questions about Des Moines or the school email me at [email protected]

Kent

 

[UHS03]

I have never heard of an MPH program that did not add an additional year, but I could be wrong..it would be great if that exists, but I can't imagine handling the medical school cirriculum as well as an MPH curriculum in the same time period.

I know physicians who have gotten an MPH degree and they unanimously say it was a great move for them. I really wanted to go that route, but UHS doesn't have a program for it.

 

[Deb]

Personally, I wouldn't want a year long break between the second and third years.
I'd think you'd have a huge knowledge dump. If you decide to go this route just
make sure you get through your boards before starting the grad work. You might
be better off doing an MPH now. You should be able to finish it before med school
starts. That's what I did...it worked out great.

Deb MS-III, MPH

 

[drusso]

I'm a third-year DO/MPH student at UNTHSC/TCOM. I like the program a lot and think that the public health training is very applicable to medicine and clinical research. It is possible to finish the entire program in 4 years if you start the summer before matriculation, take summer school classes, and pick-up a couple of public health electives during the first two years. There are different tracks available including epidemiology, clinical research, and general public health/preventive medicine. The new school of public health at TCOM is big boost to the dual program. I'll be more than happy to answer questions or refer you to the school of public health's student body president who is also a third-year DO/MPH student.

Dave

 

[telewizare]

Hi,
I am a fourth year student and am going to take COMPLEX Part II this Tuesday and Wednesday, but not very ready yet. Can anyone out there, please my fellow D.O., send me some study materials (including OMT) to save me? Thanks My email is: [email protected]

 

[Hskermdic]

KCOM also offers and MPH. It is a separate degree from the DO degree therefore you can start it at any time during your KCOM education and you have several years to complete it (7 I think) You can learn more about it at www.kcom.edu and follow the link at the bottom of the page to the Health Mangement Graduate Program.

Good Luck

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Carrie
KCOM '03