Dear member of the OSUCOM Class of 2020:

We wish to welcome you to the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine!

Many newly accepted medical students immediately begin seeking out the best strategies to ensure a
continuation of their success. We would like to take advantage of this motivational moment by providing
you an opportunity to participate in the Expert Skills Program (ESP) offered free online by the Oklahoma
State University Center for Health Sciences. The ESP at OSUCHS, modeled after the program at Texas Tech
University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) by Dr. John Pelley, is designed to train you to perform well
beyond minimum adequate standards by applying a method called Deliberate Practice (DP). DP is a cutting
edge training method currently being implemented in clinical clerkship and residency training programs
across the country. ESP lays the groundwork for developing superior clinical skills as you progress through
the medical curriculum.
The ESP at OSUCOM during the first year of the curriculum consists mainly of a self-study block that
begins July 6, completed by July 29, and a skill development block utilizing group discussion of multiple
choice questions from current subject/lecture areas, COMLEX 1, and USMLE Step 1 that extends through
four semesters. The COMLEX 1 and USMLE Step 1 questions used are a product of TrueLearn, Inc. www.truelearn.com. The self-study block is described in more detail at this link
http://www.ttuhsc.edu/som/success/nonttuesp_features.aspx. This link takes you to the non-TTUHSC
description of the program. Additional information and explanation of the OSUCHS program will be given
in accompanying attachments and via our course management system, LCMS+, once you enroll in the
program. The ESP MSI Facebook Group will also be a source of information. Questions can be answered in
the FB Group or contacting the course director and coordinators.
To be registered in this program, simply register for the course CHS Expert Skills Program by completing
the enrollment form attached to this email. To be clear, this course is not mandatory. ESP is a personal
professionalism decision. Professionalism can only be inspired, not coerced. Once you complete the course
extending over a four semester period, as directed on D2L by the course directors, you will be given a grade
of Pass. For students that complete the course, a letter will be added to the students file that will describe
the program for improving academic and clinical excellence. This letter can be used in residency application
and would be signed by the Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.
Even if you register and participate, you can drop out at any time. Regardless of which decision you make,
you will always have our support, if and when you need it. For those who choose to participate, we consider
this program to be the beginning point for your medical education. If you cannot begin the program by July
18, please contact Dr. Meek at bill.meek@okstate.edu to discuss the time frame.
Sincerely,
Bill Pettit, D.O., Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
Bill Meek, Ph.D., Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Course Director
Nedra Wilson, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Course Coordinator
Angela Bacon, M.S., Director of Student Affairs, Course Coordinator
Brandy L. Close, M.Ed., Director of Curricular Affairs, Instructional Design, and Academic Technologies, Course
Coordinator
Dr. Meek June 13, 2016