Summer DOctor: Early Exposure to Osteopathic Medicine

Summer DOctor is a four-week, non-credit anatomy enrichment program designed for undergraduate and pre-professional students seeking early exposure to osteopathic medical education. The program introduces human anatomy through an osteopathic medicine lens, emphasizing structure–function relationships, clinical relevance, and foundational scientific reasoning within a medical school learning environment.

Participants engage with faculty and trainees from across D’Youville University’s osteopathic medical program and other doctoral and professional programs, offering insight into medical education pathways and broader academic opportunities at the University.

Program Format

Delivery: In person
Duration: 4 weeks
Days: Mondays and Wednesdays

Time:

  • Morning Session: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Lunch Break: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
  • Afternoon Session: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Credit: Non-credit
Requirement Status: Voluntary; not required for any degree program

human anatomy model

Daily Structure

Morning Session (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Each instructional day begins with a systems-based anatomy lecture led by medical school faculty. Lectures incorporate clinical case examples to demonstrate how anatomical knowledge is applied in patient care. This is followed by hands-on learning experiences, which may include anatomy demonstrations, laboratory-based activities, or guided physical diagnosis and examination skills.

Afternoon Session (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM)
Afternoon sessions focus on enrichment and professional exposure, including clinical applications, mentorship, and presentations from faculty and trainees across D’Youville University’s osteopathic medical program and other doctoral and professional programs.

Instructional Topics

  • L1: Anatomy Introduction and Medical Terminology
  • L2: Skeletal System
  • L3: Muscular System
  • L4: Nervous System
  • L5: Cardiovascular System
  • L6: Respiratory System
  • L7: Reproductive System
  • L8: Gastrointestinal System
Student and professor are standing in a cadaver lab at a table observing a medical model

Assessment and Learning Activities

Although Summer DOctor is a non-credit program, learning is supported through formative assessments designed to promote engagement and self-reflection:

  • Initial Assessment: 40-question assessment administered at the start of the program
  • Weekly Quizzes: 10-question formative quizzes administered weekly via Canvas
  • Exit Assessment: 40-question assessment administered at the conclusion of the program

Assessments are used solely for educational and developmental purposes and do not result in a grade or academic credit.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the program, participants will be able to:

  • Describe basic anatomical structures and their clinical relevance.
  • Apply foundational scientific reasoning to introductory clinical scenarios.
  • Recognize common medical terminology and basic medical imaging concepts.
  • Demonstrate awareness of professional expectations within medical education.
Students sit at a table during a lecture

Attendance, Participation, and Program Policies

Summer DOctor is an immersive, in-person experience, and regular attendance and active participation are expected to maximize learning and professional exposure.

This program is non-credit, does not fulfill degree requirements, and does not guarantee admission to any academic or professional program.