Learning Communities
A Community of Learning
At Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM), learning communities, called Houses, provide students with a structured, longitudinal support system that fosters connection, mentorship, and professional growth throughout medical school.
Each student is assigned to one of four Houses upon matriculation. Houses consist of 12 students and are led by a pair of House Mentors, practicing physicians from the local community who serve as consistent mentors from orientation through graduation. Together, Houses form each student’s initial circle of support and promote a strong sense of belonging within the AWSOM community.
House Mentors offer personalized guidance related to academic navigation, career exploration, specialty insight, and professional development. Embedded within the House structure is Residency Rx, a longitudinal online program that integrates career advising, specialty resources, and professional preparation. Through this model, every student develops an individualized career care plan designed to support long‑term goals and enhance residency match competitiveness.
House Activities and Student Leadership
House luncheons are held monthly and provide dedicated time for mentorship, reflection, and peer connection. During these gatherings, House Mentors facilitate discussions on navigating medical school, professional identity development, career development topics, and the realities of medical practice.
Each House also selects a House Representative to help coordinate activities focused on wellness, relationship‑building, and community engagement. House Representatives serve on the Student Government Association (SGA), ensuring each House’s ideas, feedback, and initiatives are represented in student leadership.
AWSOM Student Houses
Named after four pioneering American physicians, each House unites medical students with dedicated local physicians who serve as House Mentors and support students throughout all four years of medical school.
House of La Flesche Picotte
House of La Flesche Picotte commemorates the work of Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte, the first Indigenous woman in the United States to earn a medical degree. Dr. La Flesche Picotte was guided by a deep commitment to serve her Omaha community. She provided essential medical care to thousands while championing the rights and well-being of her people. Outside of the clinic, Dr. La Flesche Picotte advocated for critical public health campaigns, including the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis.
House of Salk
House of Salk honors the legacy of Dr. Jonas Salk, whose groundbreaking work led to the development of one of the first safe and effective polio vaccines. Dr. Salk’s choice not to patent the vaccine ensured its global accessibility. Dr. Salk’s work demonstrates the power of collaboration between medicine and the arts. He credits his vaccine breakthrough to a retreat at the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi — a reminder that true innovation often comes when we step beyond our usual environments. His legacy continues through the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, a center for scientific discovery and innovation.
House of Taussig
House of Taussig recognizes the accomplishments of Dr. Helen B. Taussig, who is widely recognized as the founder of pediatric cardiology. She also developed a surgical approach to treat Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart defect, and transformed the lives of countless children. Dr. Taussig shaped the field of pediatric medicine in the face of personal adversity, and made significant contributions to drug safety by advocating for strong pharmaceutical regulation.
House of Williams
House of Williams celebrates the impact of Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, a surgeon who performed the first successful open-heart surgery in the United States. Beyond his surgical accomplishments, Dr. Williams was a powerful advocate for Black Americans in medicine. He founded Provident Hospital, the country’s first non-segregated hospital, and co-founded the National Medical Association to advance opportunities for Black medical professionals.
What Is a House Advisor?
House Mentors are practicing physicians from the local community who provide longitudinal mentorship throughout medical school. They offer personalized guidance related to career exploration, clinical practice, and residency readiness, while also supporting students in developing their:
Professional identity
Networking skills
Specialty-specific advising connections
Contact Information
For additional information, please contact the Director of Academic & Career Advising at advising@alwmed.org.