Message from Dr. Earlanda L. Williams, Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs | Professor of Anatomy
Welcome to the Office of Academic Affairs at the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM). As Senior Associate Dean, I am honored to lead a team committed to fostering academic excellence, innovation and holistic student development across all our programs.
Together with Dr. Douglas Warden, Associate Dean of Medical Education, we oversee a dynamic, learner-centered curriculum that prepares future osteopathic physicians to meet the evolving needs of healthcare with compassion, integrity and clinical excellence. Our department guides students through a rigorous academic journey—from foundational biomedical sciences to immersive clinical experiences—while cultivating a culture of inquiry, reflection and collaboration.
At UIWSOM, we believe medical education should be transformative. Our learner-centered approach integrates scientific rigor with compassionate care, empowering students to explore their passions, challenge themselves intellectually, and develop the skills necessary to serve patients and their communities.
In addition to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program, the Office of Academic Affairs also supports:
- Master’s in Biomedical Science (MBS)program
- Master’s in Public Health (MPH)program
- Faculty Affairs
- Anatomical Services
- Student Academic Development and Support
- Strategic Academic Initiatives
- TheCenter for Interprofessional Experiential Learning & Observation (CIELO)
Dr. Warden and I are proud to work alongside a dedicated faculty and staff who share a deep commitment to student success. Whether through curriculum design, mentoring or academic support, we strive to create an environment where every learner can thrive.
We invite you to explore our programs, connect with our team, and discover how the Office of Academic Affairs is shaping the future of osteopathic medicine.
The practice of osteopathic medicine is guided by a holistic philosophy that includes osteopathic manipulative techniques to help achieve balance of the mind, body and spirit. Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO (1828-1917), founded the American School of Osteopathy, in 1892, having discovered a new form of medical care that he named osteopathy.
Osteopathic Philosophy
The philosophy of osteopathy is expansive and holistic, focused on the patient, with specific attention to the cause of a disease and use of manipulative techniques as a possible treatment.
The following tenets are guides for providing osteopathic patient care: 1
- A person is the product of dynamic interaction between body, mind, and spirit.
- An inherent property of this dynamic interaction is the capacity of the individual for the maintenance of health and recovery from disease.
- Many forces, both intrinsic and extrinsic to the person, can challenge this inherent capacity and contribute to the onset of illness.
- The musculoskeletal system significantly influences the individual’s ability to restore this inherent capacity and therefore to resist disease processes.
1Rogers, Felix J. "Advancing a traditional view of osteopathic medicine through clinical practice." Journal of the American Osteopathic Association 105.5 (2005): 255.