About AWSOM

Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM) is a nonprofit, four-year MD program that will enhance allopathic medical education with the arts, humanities, and whole health principles. The School’s culture embraces self-care to empower students to care for their own well-being as well as that of their patients.

The School has been granted preliminary accreditation status by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education and will begin classes in Summer 2025.

Mission

Alice L. Walton School of Medicine trains physicians who are devoted to transforming the health of medically underserved and rural communities in Arkansas, its surrounding states, and beyond. AWSOM physicians make a difference by pioneering whole health principles, deploying contemporary technologies, and developing novel partnerships to bridge the gaps to high quality medical care and to promote health and well-being for all individuals and communities.

Vision

Equip and support physicians and health professionals to successfully tackle the health care challenges of the 21st century.

Values

Empathy, Self-care, Humanism, Entrepreneurialism, Community Focus

 

 

A Medical School on a Mission

Philanthropist Alice Walton founded the School of Medicine in 2021 to improve health and well-being by creating a new pipeline of physicians for the future. Based on her own health care experiences, she recognized the need for a whole-person approach to include physical, behavioral, spiritual, and socioeconomic well-being.

 

Alice L. Walton

 

“I hope my biggest impact will be the lasting change that access to health care provides. The School of Medicine can play a big role as it educates generations of medical professionals in whole-person care. If the work we’re doing helps improve quality of life, then I’ll feel I’ve made a positive impact.”

— Alice Walton, Founder

Rooted in Community

Alice L. Walton School of Medicine will collaborate closely with the health care community in Arkansas and beyond. The School has developed partnerships with national and regional clinical sites. Learn more >

 

Sharmila Makhija

 

“This School will transform the future of medical education by integrating whole health principles and the arts into the curriculum. Alongside our health partners, we will educate and enable students to deliver compassionate care to improve outcomes for the Heartland region and beyond.”

— Sharmila Makhija, MD, MBA, Founding Dean and CEO

About the Curriculum

The School’s unique curriculum, ARCHES, features six elements integrated into courses, clerkships, and electives to proactively support a patient’s whole health.

Curriculum

About the Campus

The state-of-the-art medical education facility is on the Crystal Bridges Campus, home to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and Heartland Whole Health Institute.

Learn More

Leadership

Our leadership team pioneered the vision for AWSOM and oversees its continued growth and innovation.

Meet Our Leadership

Faculty

Our faculty are reshaping medical education with a wealth of expertise, knowledge, and passion.

Meet Our Faculty

News

Learn more about how AWSOM is preparing to educate the next generation of physician leaders.

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