Building the Foundation for Future Physicians
Your first two years at Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine are designed to connect foundational medical sciences with clinical application from the very beginning. Through an integrated, active-learning curriculum, students develop the knowledge, critical thinking, and collaborative skills essential to becoming caring and competent osteopathic physicians.
Case-Based Learning (CBL) is central to this experience, placing clinical scenarios at the heart of the learning process. Rather than relying solely on traditional lectures, students actively explore medical concepts, work collaboratively to solve problems, and apply their knowledge to real-world clinical situations.
Learning Beyond the Traditional Classroom
At OCOM, learning is an active, collaborative process. Our Case-Based Learning (CBL) approach uses clinical scenarios to help students explore foundational medical sciences, develop critical thinking skills, and understand how medical knowledge translates into patient care.
Through a flipped classroom model, students take an active role in their education. They work through clinical cases, identify areas for further learning, independently explore those topics, and return to collaborate with classmates and apply what they've learned.
The Active Learning Cycle
A collaborative, three-step approach that connects foundational knowledge with clinical application.
Explore & Identify
Students work in small groups to examine clinical cases, discuss patient presentations, and identify key learning objectives.
Discover & Develop
Students engage in self-directed learning to investigate identified topics, strengthen their understanding, and fill knowledge gaps.
Collaborate & Apply
Students reconvene to share insights, connect foundational science concepts, and apply their knowledge to the clinical case.
Learning That Goes Beyond the Classroom
At OCOM, pre-clinical education is about more than mastering medical science. Students engage in meaningful learning experiences that encourage practical application, collaboration, and the development of skills essential to their future careers as osteopathic physicians.
Hands-on Learning
Students put knowledge into practice through interactive learning experiences, clinical skills development, and opportunities to apply foundational medical concepts.
Collaborative Culture
Learning is strengthened through teamwork, peer-to-peer engagement, and shared problem-solving. Students build meaningful connections while learning to approach challenges from different perspectives.
Proven Success
A strong foundation in the pre-clinical years prepares students to advance into clinical education with the medical knowledge, critical thinking, and practical skills needed for the next stage of their journey.
Building Knowledge. Developing Confidence. Preparing for Clinical Practice.
The pre-clinical years establish the foundation for everything that follows in medical school. At OCOM, students build an understanding of the biomedical sciences while developing the clinical reasoning, problem-solving, and communication skills needed to care for patients.
Through the integration of foundational science and clinical application, students learn to recognize connections between medical concepts and real-world patient care. These experiences help prepare students to transition into clinical education with a strong foundation and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Medical Knowledge
Building a strong foundation in the biomedical sciences and understanding how body systems work together.
Clinical Reasoning
Developing the ability to analyze clinical information, think critically, and apply knowledge to patient scenarios.
Clinical Readiness
Establishing the knowledge and skills needed to advance into the clinical years of medical education.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND YOUR EDUCATION
Meet Your Pre-Clinical Education Team
Our Pre-Clinical Education team is dedicated to creating an engaging, supportive learning environment that helps students build the knowledge and skills necessary for success in medical school. From academic leadership to administrative support, our team works together to support the student learning experience.
Amelie Oshikoya, MD
Associate Dean for Pre-Clinical Education
Madison Burkett, MS
Pre-Clinical Education Coordinator
Kristin Clark
Administrative Assistant for Pre-Clinical Education
Emily Maldonado
Administrative Specialist for Pre-Clinical Education