Page 5 - COM Outlook - Spring 2013

5 COM Outlook . Spring 2013
First D.O./D.M.D. Students Set to Graduate
By OMS-IV Amber Hurley Johnson
In May 2013, Randy Rodriguez-
Torres and I will be the first graduates of
the college’s D.O./D.M.D. dual-degree
program, which was created as a new
pathway to address access to care issues
and provide care for underserved popu-
lations. The curriculum offers students
the opportunity to receive both Doctor
of Osteopathic Medicine and Doctor of
Dental Medicine degrees. Upon comple-
tion of their degrees, the students are
eligible to apply for licensure in dentistry
and for postgraduate medical residency
programs. Randy and I became the first
D.O./D.M.D. students in August 2007,
when we began the curriculum.
The six-year D.O./.D.M.D. program
combines the medical and dental cur-
riculums, with the first-year curriculum
combining both the medical and dental
coursework. Program participants are
essentially considered first-year dental
students but take additional courses
with their osteopathic peers, including
Introduction to Clinical Medicine and
Osteopathic Principles and Practices.
Second-year students are primarily
OMS-Is, with independent study time in
the dental simulation laboratory. Third
years are primarily OMS-IIIs and rotate
at hospitals or offices alongside their
osteopathic classmates.
As the OMS-III year comes to an end,
the program’s fourth year launches the
dual-degree students’ transition back into
dental school. Fourth-year students are
essentially considered D2s, with a half
day of medical clinic per week. Fifth-year
students are primarily D3s but also com-
plete core medical rotations, such as rural
medicine. Sixth-year students complete
remaining requirements for both dental
and medical school, including medical
electives in the fall semester. The curricu-
lum continues to change and adapt as the
curriculums in each school are updated.
Randy and I have worked closely with the
administration in both schools to improve
the program and have it recognized as a
separate dual-degree program.
The D.O./D.M.D. program currently
has one to three students enrolled in
every year of the educational process.
Students enter the program after being
accepted into either the medical or
dental school. Once accepted into either
school, the students then apply to be-
come dual-degree students. Currently, a
little more than half of the students have
come through the dental school.
With the academic year coming to a
close, Randy and I are now completing
both curriculums and will be moving on
to postgraduate training. D.O./D.M.D.
students can choose from any medical
or dental specialty they are passionate
about. When we both began the pro-
gram, we were very open to the options
that lay in front of us. At times, we both
considered a variety of different special-
ties and allowed our rotations and clini-
cal experiences to guide our paths.
I was drawn to the program because I
had always been passionate about health
care, but had been unsure about which
career path to take. I applied through the
dental school, but when I heard about
the opportunity to pursue both degrees,
I took advantage of it. I really saw the
program as an opportunity to explore all
of my interests. It is difficult to choose a
career with the limited experience most
undergraduate students have, and I knew
this program would give me a great deal
of exposure to all aspects of medicine
and health care. I also knew it would
make me a more well-rounded clinician.
I have chosen to use my dual degree
to pursue a career in oral and maxillofa-
cial surgery (OMFS) and will be heading
to Virginia Commonwealth University
next year to begin my training in this
specialty. I will be one of the nation’s
first oral and maxillofacial surgeons with
a D.O. degree. I think being an oral and
maxillofacial surgeon with a D.O. degree
will not only make me a better practitio-
ner, but it will also allow me to introduce
osteopathic medicine into the OMFS
field. Dually trained oral and maxillofacial
surgeons typically have M.D. degrees,
which they received during or after
their residency training. I think having
the medical training before I start as an
OMFS intern will be extremely beneficial
because it will allow me to learn not only
from the dental perspective but also as a
medical resident.
Randy was initially intrigued by a dual
practice model and has continued to be
interested in that path. He has chosen to
pursue his residency training in internal
medicine and is participating in the allo-
pathic match. He hopes to practice both
medicine and dentistry—and to one day
operate a full-service health center.
The dual-degree program was a great
opportunity for us. I am glad I was able
to take a new path to oral and maxillofa-
cial surgery and that Randy will be able
to pursue his goal of a dually focused
practice. Students in this program have
so many options for what career and
life path they would like to take, which
was really the initial appeal for me. This
program can be a great fit for many
students. I could see it being an asset
for those interested in public health and
teaching, as well as those interested in
rural and underserved medicine.
Randy Rodriguez-Torres and
Amber Hurley Johnson