Temple University School of Medicine
The Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University (LKSOM), located on the Health Science Campus of Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, is one of 7 schools of medicine in Pennsylvania conferring the M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) degree. It also confers the Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) and M.S. (Master of Science) degrees in biomedical sciences. In addition, LKSOM offers a Narrative Medicine Program. In July 2014, Lewis Katz School of Medicine's scientists became the first to remove HIV from human cells. Temple University's Fox Chase Cancer Center is ranked 9th best Hospital for  Adult Cancer by "U.S. News & World Report". LKSOM reported 15,624 applications in 2020 (class of 2024) for a class size of 210 students; 340 of the total 9,624 applications received acceptance, translating to a 1.3% acceptance rate. History. Founded in 1901 as Pennsylvania's first co-educational medical school, the institution has attained a national reputation for training humanistic and dedicated clinicians. The school was founded with the central principle that quality education should be afforded to everyone regardless of their ability to pay. In addition, the school has emphasized the development of humanitarianism; a value highlighted by Sir William  Osler's quote, "The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease." This quote is inscribed on one of the walls in the Medical Education and Research Building. Revitalization and reconstruction. Under the leadership of Dean John Daly, M.D., alumnus of the class of 1973, LKSOM underwent revitalization. The institution hired 262 new professors in 4 years; added clinical and basic science departments; and completely revamped the medical curriculum to meet changing educational paradigms. Additionally, on November 1, 2007, LKSOM broke ground on a new home. At a projected cost of $160  million, the project is the largest capital improvement project in the history of Temple University. The new building, an 11-story, glass and brick structure designed by Philadelphia-based architecture and engineering firm Ballinger, opened in May 2009. Notable features include: a modern anatomy laboratory with computers and high definition LCD screens on articulating arms; a fully interactive patient simulation center with simulated doctor offices, emergency medicine department, and surgical apparatuses as well as a staff of simulated patient actors, simulated patient mannequins, and full-time instructing physicians; and a 24-hour, 50,000 sq. foot library with individualized study rooms  containing high definition televisions with multimedia and wireless accessibility. The new medical education building also features a wide array of attributes designed to lower stress of its faculty, staff, and students. Examples include: a classical grand piano on the third floor; a medical student lounge with cable, high definition television; and a three-story atrium/commons area containing armchairs and medical art. Medical curriculum. The education of medical students at Temple University School of Medicine includes a foundation in the fundamentals of basic and clinical science. The first two years are taught in an integrated approach, closely tying basic science  concepts to clinical medicine, professionalism and medical ethics. The clinical years are marked by hands-on experience in caring for patients. The William Maul Measey Institute for Clinical Simulation and Patient Safety allows students to learn basic clinical skills and teamwork in a safe learning environment throughout the curriculum. Year 1. The major goal of Year 1 is normal structure, function and development. The year is divided into six blocks: A doctoring course running throughout the curriculum enables students to learn the basics of history-taking, physical exam skills and professionalism. The course uses clinical cases to integrate the teaching  and evaluation of clinical skills with the basic science concepts in each of the blocks, and utilizes the William Maul Measey Institute for Clinical Simulation and Patient Safety to aid learning through interactive clinical scenarios. Faculty preceptors provide individualized mentoring and career advising. Year 2. Year 2 focuses on the causes, mechanisms, identification and treatment of major human diseases. The second year is divided into 5 blocks: The Doctoring 2 course enables students to practice and improve their clinical skills and professionalism through closely supervised rotations in both ambulatory and hospital settings. Year 3. During Year 3, beginning in mid -May of the second year, students rotate through core clerkships in: The third year Doctoring course emphasizes career advising, evidence-based medicine, professionalism and clinical decision-making. Year 4. In Year 4, beginning in May of the third year, students focus on areas of interest through a large variety of electives. They are required to do a sub-internship in either pediatrics, surgery, or medicine, as well as rotations in an intensive-care unit, the emergency department, and radiology. The balance of the fourth year is given over to electives, research, and residency interviews. Available electives include multiple medical and  surgical sub-specialties. Students interested in specialties like obstetrics or neurology may also elect to do a second sub-internship in these specialties. Clinical campuses. Temple offers opportunities to perform third and fourth year rotations at a number of Pennsylvania-based clinical campuses. Branch campuses. In response to the increasing demand for dedicated U.S. and Pennsylvania physicians, Temple University School of Medicine established branch campuses in various Pennsylvania locations. These regional campuses provide the same basic science courses offered at the main Philadelphia campus, however will be based in separate cities. The first of these branch campuses was established at  St. Luke's Hospital, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and opened in the Fall 2011 with an inaugural class of 30. Plans were in place to open a branch campus at Allegheny Health Network (formerly West Penn Allegheny Health System) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in June 2011 which already serves as a site for clinical rotations for Temple University School of Medicine Since then, no further development in the establishment of the branch campus has been made. Notable alumni and pioneers. The school has been home to a number of renowned alumni and faculty, including: