Student Support Programs at OUM
Student Support Programs are crucial to fostering a positive and successful academic environment for all students and are integrated into our institution’s mission: supporting students in overcoming distance, personal, and professional barriers to earning their MD degree.
As a small, private university, OUM is committed to the success and well-being of each of its students. Our Student Support Programs ensure students have access to the guidance, help, and support they need during their medical student journey.
As you begin your studies, remember that challenges are opportunities to grow. Stay curious, connect with peers and advisors, and build the communication skills essential for your future medical career. Your dedication today lays the foundation for tomorrow’s success.
Student Success Advisor (SSA) Program
Personalized Guidance for a Successful Medical School Journey
At OUM, we understand that the journey through medical school is not just about mastering the curriculum; it’s about thriving in a challenging and rewarding environment. SSAs walk alongside students in this journey as OUM is a student-centric community that invests in student success. Our SSA Program is designed to support students every step of the way.
Holistic Support for Student Sucess
The SSA Program goes beyond academic guidance by addressing the whole student. Our dedicated advisors help students:
- Develop effective study habits and learning strategies through personalized study plans.
- Prioritize their medical education while managing life’s responsibilities.
- Plan ahead to overcome challenges and stay on track academically.
- Stay accountable by encouraging students to track progress on their study plans and checklists, helping them celebrate accomplishments and stay motivate
Tailored
Advice
Receive personalized strategies to improve study efficiency and personal well-being, helping you stay focused, manage stress, and make steady progress toward your academic goals.
Proactive
Planning
Identify and address potential challenges before they become obstacles, ensuring you stay proactive, adaptable, and focused on long-term success throughout your medical education journey.
Community Connection
Become part of a supportive network of peers and advisors who understand the unique challenges of your journey and are committed to helping you succeed every step of the way.
Personal Accountability
SSAs help students stay focused and on track by encouraging them to set study goals, follow personalized study plans, review progress, and adjust strategies when needed.
Ongoing Support
From Orientation Week through your final clinical rotations, SSAs offer consistent, individualized guidance to help you navigate every stage of your medical education. Whether you’re adjusting to the demands of your first term, preparing for exams, or managing the challenges of clinical training, SSAs provide ongoing encouragement, resources, and accountability to ensure you stay focused, confident, and supported throughout your journey.
Student Ambassador Program
OUM’s Student Ambassador Program gives students the opportunity to engage with prospective students and mentor first-year medical students as they begin their medical education journey. Student Ambassadors serve for one year and participate in:
- Orientation and Webinars: Sharing personal experiences and insights about coursework, exams, and clinical rotations.
- Direct Support: Answering questions from prospects and providing peer guidance.
- Leadership Development: The program strengthens communication and mentoring skills, enhancing students’ professional growth.
Student Ambassadors play a key role in building a welcoming and supportive community at OUM while enhancing their own leadership and communication skills.
Orientation and Webinars
Sharing personal experiences and insights about coursework, exams, and clinical rotations.
Direct Support
Answering questions from prospects and providing peer guidance.
Leadership Development
The program strengthens communication and mentoring skills,
enhancing students’ professional growth.
Student Ambassadors play a key role in building a welcoming and supportive community at
OUM while enhancing their own leadership and communication skills.
Research Advisor Program
Expert Guidance for Your Research Journey
Completing a research project is a graduation requirement at OUM, and our Research Advisors are here to help you succeed. Experienced Research Advisors provide expert guidance at every stage of your research project—from selecting a topic to manuscript submission.
How the Research Advisor Program Works
Advisor Assignment
Once students have completed the Ethics and Methods in Research Unit and are ready to begin their research project, they meet with the Director of Research to be assigned a Research Advisor.
Flexible Meetings
Students initiate meetings with their Research Advisor as needed for support with:
- Developing a research question.
- Designing the study and selecting statistical methods.
- Conducting a literature review.
- Preparing the prospectus and manuscript drafts
Approval and Completion
Students present their research prospectus to the Research Club for feedback and must secure approval from the Research and Ethics Committees. Completion of a publishable research project is required for graduation.
OUM’s Research Advisor Program provides the expertise and support you need to meet this critical graduation milestone confidently.
Peer Support Program
Students Supporting Students
For further information, please email peersupport@oum.edu.ws.
How Peer Support Helps
- Provides a safe and supportive space for students to discuss academic and personal challenges.
- Helps students develop problem-solving strategies and manage stress.
- Fosters a sense of community and connection among students.
- Peer Supporters are trained to offer guidance and encouragement, helping fellow students navigate the unique pressures of medical school.
To support the well-being of all students, OUM also has a Mental Health and Well-Being Classroom, which is an online resource provides on-demand services for common mental health and well-being challenges in medical school.
Academic Student Support
In addition to the Student Success Advisor Program, the Student Ambassador Program, the Research Advisor Program, and the Peer Support Program, students have access to academic advising to support, enhance, or improve their progress through OUM’s MD program.
Academic Advising
Study and Test-Taking Strategies
This online resource supports OUM medical students to know what to expect and how to start studying effectively on the first day of medical school and beyond.
Oceania University of Medicine Student Association (OUMSA)
Fostering Connection and Collaboration
Founded in 2014, the Oceania University of Medicine Student Association (OUMSA) enhances the student experience by increasing peer interaction and providing a unified voice for all OUM students. OUMSA members also benefit from membership in the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), joining a global network of medical students.
OUMSA Activities:
- Monthly meetings to discuss student issues and provide updates.
- Leadership elections and student advocacy opportunities.
- Support for the Peer Support and Student Ambassador Programs.
- OUMSA strengthens the sense of community at OUM and ensures that students have a platform to voice their needs and ideas.
OUM's Commitment to Accommodation, Equity, and Inclusion (AEI)
At OUM, we strive to create a supportive and empowering environment where every student can achieve their full potential.
Ensuring a Fair & Supportive Learning Environment
OUM is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible learning environment for all students. Through the AEI Planning process, students with medical conditions, disabilities, significant caregiving responsibilities, or other eligible needs can request reasonable accommodations to support their academic success.
Our AEI Commitment
- The OUM community supports all students in pursuing individual excellence. Where barriers exist, our commitment is to reasonably accommodate and continuously seek opportunities to improve equity, inclusiveness, and belonging in our programs. Further information on accommodation services and eligibility may be obtained by emailing aei@oum.edu.ws.
