Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) perform surgery, deliver babies, and prescribe medicine in hospitals and medical centers around the country. Whether they are family doctors or specialists, DOs use all the tools of modern medicine and more. 

What distinguishes DOs? A whole-person approach that emphasizes the body's interconnectedness, the ability to diagnose and treat using their hands (OMM) (hover over for a definition of OMM) and treating each patient as an individual, not a set of symptoms. Read more about the history of osteopathic medicine.

During your four years at the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP), you will develop expertise in diagnosis and learn the problem-solving skills you need to treat and care for the whole patient through:

• basic science
• in-depth study of 10 human organ systems using basic and clinical sciences
• 20 rotations comprised of the major medical disciplines and electives

Why choose WesternU? We have a nationally recognized program and offer you:

• a record of consistently high first-time pass rates for COMLEX board exams.
• early and extensive clinical training that develops professional and communication skills. 
• a reputation for well trained graduates who receive multiple high-paying job offers.
• a small, private, health-focused institution that fosters interprofessional learning. 
• state-of-the-art classrooms and research facilities.
• faculty who care deeply about students and are committed to their success.
• long humanistic tradition of treating patients as people first; treating students with respect; and fostering camaraderie among students.
• outstanding student support services including tutoring and disability resources. 
• diverse student body and rich array of student club and volunteer opportunities.
• Southern California location with tremendous clinical training opportunities as well as access to
  major cultural and recreational resources.
• a chance to join well-respected WesternU-COMP alumni, who enjoy a lifelong connection with the University.

The training you receive at WesternU will prepare you well for the postdoctoral training years of your choice, with an emphasis on clinical care. We will help you build the foundation you need for a rewarding career as a physician caring for patients and their families.

For more information, please join us for an information session,
complete the information request form or contact us.

Meet some of our DO students, faculty and alumni and read their candid thoughts about their experiences at WesternU. Move your mouse over each picture to read more about that individual or read profiles of numerous students, faculty and alumni

Arriel Atienza DO, Class of 2009, North West Track	Zhongting Hu, BS, MS, PhD, Post-doctoral Assistant Professor of Anatomy	Charles Maynard, DO DO, Class of 1983
Western University gives me the chance to live my life the way I like, to "Work Hard and Play Hard". I see my academic program to be quite challenging, and I find myself dedicating a number of hours in its execution. The rigors of my program, balanced with equally rigorous (and stress relieving) extracurricular activities like SCUBA diving, running, rock climbing, horseback riding, off-road driving, and worldwide travel. WesternU gives me the opportunity to exercise my whole self -- to aggressively challenge my mind and spirit. I love the research and teaching environment at Western University. All of our faculty members are very dedicated and concentrated on teaching which makes the teaching quality in our school is one of the best in the universities I had ever worked for. I hope that all the talented students and researchers can join our school so that we can work together to make Western University a greater place for medical education and scientific research Courses Taught: Anatomy Research Interests: Non-embedded tissue microarray technology for protein and nucleic acid analyses. (US Patent: 60/615248 Pending) The effect of adrenal hormone on neuronal death and regeneration Tissue-specific expression of small interfering RNAs Identification of cancer-associated marker genes Development of new biotech techniques E-mail me Why WesternU: My family doctor and mentor, Dr. Travis Ferguson, suggested I apply. (Growing up with Dr. Ferguson a few doors away, I didn't really understand what an MD was. I thought all doctors were DOs!) Beyond the classroom: Dr. Steven Horowitz [LSP1]and I would connect again years after graduation, this time I was a very ill patient and he was the physician who kept me alive for years. His compassion and clinical knowledge are the reason I am alive today.