Second-year medical students at the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine marked an important milestone in their educational journey, as they gathered for the annual Clinical Site Placement Lottery in December.
Hosted by ICOM’s Clinical Affairs Department, the event revealed where students will complete the final two years of their medical school career as they transition into full-time clinical clerkships.
“We currently have 17 sites from coast to coast – California to New York,” said Dr. Rodney Bates, DO, ICOM’s Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs. “These sites are our partners. They coordinate with ICOM in teaching students their clinical skills while out on rotations.”
The energy in the room was a mix of excitement, anticipation, and celebration as students received their clinical site assignments – locations spread across Idaho and beyond. These clerkships provide hands-on training across core specialties, giving students the opportunity to develop their clinical skills, connect with physician mentors, and care for patients.
“I’m most excited to dip my toes into what being a doctor is like,” said Emma McCoy, OMS-II. “I’m really excited to actually be able to get some context for all that I’ve learned in my first two years at ICOM.”
With clerkship sites spanning urban hospitals, rural clinics, and community-based healthcare systems, students will gain meaningful, diverse experiences that prepare them to become compassionate and competent osteopathic physicians.
As second-year students wrap their preclinical coursework and prepare to enter their third year, the Site Placement Lottery serves as both a milestone and a motivator – reminding them how far they’ve come and inspiring the path ahead.
