Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (Orlando COM) is one of the newest osteopathic medical schools in the United States. Its first class opened in August 2024 in Winter Garden, Florida, in the Horizon West area of Orange County, inside the greater Orlando healthcare corridor.
The school was set up to address Florida's growing physician shortage and Central Florida's rapid population growth. It is an independent private institution with a strong community health mission, and it has built clinical partnerships with Orlando-area health systems.
What makes Orlando COM (DO) different
Applications via AACOMAS. Orlando COM is among the most recently established DO schools in the US, opening its inaugural class of 97 students in August 2024, offering applicants the chance to join an early class in a developing institution.
Central Florida's enormous and diverse population base — including large Hispanic and immigrant communities — provides a rich community health training environment. OCOM holds PRE-ACCREDITATION from COCA (the stage before provisional, granted to a school that has not yet graduated a class) and operates under Drs. Kiran & Pallavi Patel Global University.
Confirm the current COCA stage and the clinical rotation infrastructure before accepting an offer.
Orlando COM (DO) course & teaching
Integrated curriculum. 4-year DO curriculum with OMM integrated throughout. As a new school, Orlando COM has developed clinical partnerships with regional health systems in the Orlando area for Years 3–4 rotations. Years 1–2 focus on foundational biomedical sciences with early clinical integration. The school is building its clinical affiliate network and students should review rotation placement processes carefully.
Orlando COM (DO) research strengths
Orlando COM (DO) is strong in these research areas:
- Community health
- Osteopathic manipulative medicine
- Primary care
- Health disparities in Florida
How the Orlando COM (DO) interview runs
Format: Traditional faculty and student panel interview
Orlando COM conducts traditional interviews at its Winter Garden, Florida campus, typically pairing a faculty/clinician session with a student panel segment, each approximately 30 minutes. The interview day includes a campus orientation, program overview, and financial aid discussion.
Questions focus on the applicant's osteopathic philosophy, understanding of Central Florida's healthcare landscape, commitment to community health, and readiness for a newer institution. Applicants should be prepared to articulate why they are drawn to a young, community-focused DO school.
Orlando COM (DO) intake
Approximately 100–130 students per year (newer school, class sizes growing).
Orlando COM (DO) at a glance
Founded in 2024. Based in Winter Garden, FL.
Programmes offered:
- Primary Care
- Community Medicine
- Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
- Internal Medicine
- Emergency Medicine