Preparing for the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine interview

Achieving distinction in your Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine interview requires comprehensive understanding of Nevada's unique healthcare challenges, the state's physician shortage concerns, and the osteopathic philosophy that emphasizes whole-person care and preventative medicine.

This essential resource provides critical insights into Nevada's healthcare landscape, including Las Vegas's rapid population growth impacts, rural healthcare access challenges, and Touro's distinctive osteopathic approach.

1. The TUNCOM Interview: Structure, Themes, and Hidden Agendas

TUNCOM uses traditional one-on-one interviews with occasional ethical scenarios, emphasizing alignment with osteopathic philosophy and community service. 

Key details:

• Faculty/Student Interviews: Focus on holistic care and preventive medicine. Example: “How would you address food insecurity in a diabetic patient from North Las Vegas?”

• Ethical Scenarios: Though not formal MMI, expect prompts like:

  • “A patient refuses vaccines due to distrust of pharmaceuticals. How do you respond using osteopathic principles?”

  • “Design a mobile clinic for undocumented immigrants in Henderson.”

• Themes:

  • Rural health equity (Nevada ranks 48th in primary care providers per capita)

  • Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) in pain management (critical amid Nevada’s opioid crisis)

  • Community partnerships (TUNCOM’s ties to Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada)

Insider Tip: TUNCOM prioritizes candidates who frame solutions through community asset mapping—highlighting local clinics like Fremont Public Health Center over generic answers.

2. Nevada’s Healthcare Policy: Desert Innovation Meets Urban-Rural Divide

Nevada balances Las Vegas’ glitz with stark rural disparities. Master these three issues:

1. Medicaid Expansion & the Uninsured

Expanded in 2019, covering 210,000+ Nevadans, yet 15% remain uninsured—the 5th highest rate nationally.

• TUNCOM Connection: Students rotate at North Las Vegas VA Medical Center, where 30% of patients rely on Medicaid.
  Tip: Cite TUNCOM’s 2023 study on Medicaid reducing ER visits for diabetes complications by 18% in Clark County.

2. Rural Healthcare Crisis

14 of Nevada’s 17 counties are federally designated health professional shortage areas.

• TUNCOM’s Response: The Rural Outreach Program deploys students to towns like Tonopah (1 PCP per 3,000 residents).

3. Opioid Settlement Reinvestment

Nevada is allocating $285M from opioid lawsuits to harm reduction.

• Local Flashpoint: Las Vegas installed naloxone vending machines in the Arts District—opposed by some commissioners citing “enabling addiction.”

Tip: Reference TUNCOM’s partnership with WestCare Nevada for OMT-based pain management in opioid recovery.

3. Current Events & Social Issues: The Nevada Lens

Local Flashpoints

• Mental Health Crisis: Nevada ranks 51st in mental health care access. TUNCOM’s PsychSOC program trains students in telepsychiatry for rural schools.

• Maternal Mortality: Black women in Clark County die postpartum at 2.8x the rate of white women. TUNCOM’s Healthy Mothers Initiative partners with Sisters in Birth doula collective.

• Tourism Industry Health Impacts: 25% of Las Vegas hospitality workers lack insurance. TUNCOM students staff pop-up clinics on the Strip.

National Issues with Nevada Stakes

• Abortion Access: Nevada’s 24-week limit draws patients from Idaho and Utah. TUNCOM OB-GYNs research delayed prenatal care in migrant communities.

• Immigrant Health: 20% of Nevadans are immigrants. TUNCOM’s Bienvenido Clinic offers bilingual care in East Las Vegas’ Census Tract 14 (40% uninsured).

• Climate Health: 2023 heatwaves caused 145 heat-related deaths in Clark County. TUNCOM’s ER simulations train students to treat construction workers from Summerlin developments.

Tip: Name-drop TUNCOM’s Street Medicine Program—serving Las Vegas’ 6,500 homeless—when discussing hands-on experience.

4. The 5 Questions Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine is most likely to ask during your medical school interview

1. “Why osteopathic medicine? How does OMT align with your approach to Nevada’s opioid crisis?”

2. “Design a program to reduce diabetes-related amputations in North Las Vegas’ Marshallese community.”

3. “A patient rejects pharmaceuticals for chronic pain. Propose an OMT-based alternative.”

4. “How should TUNCOM address racial disparities in maternal mortality?”

5. “Describe a time you served a marginalized population. How did it shape your osteopathic philosophy?”