The curriculum in Salina is identical to that at the School of Medicine campuses in Kansas City and Wichita. In the first two years (foundational science years), the curriculum is delivered by on-site and distance education. Lectures are given using interactive televideo; podcasting is available for all students. A major portion of the foundational science education is comprised of active-learning activities — problem-based learning and case-based collaborative learning sessions, clinical skills and simulation labs and human anatomy labs.
The Salina program features a core group of basic scientists backed by a large team of experts in all relevant basic science fields in Kansas City. During their third and fourth years, medical students will complete required and elective clinical clerkships. These clerkships will be located at Salina Regional Health Center, local physician offices, and at other hospitals and physician offices in the region.
Salina has a vibrant and active medical community with over 120 physicians practicing all specialties at the Salina Regional Health Center, a 390-bed regional hospital. This hospital serves as a major referral center for patients and critical access hospitals from a wide geographic region. Salina is also home to a strong family medicine residency program (Smoky Hill Family Residency Program), associated with a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) medical-home practice. The city has a 50:50 mix of specialty-to-primary care physicians in Salina. The physician-to-student ratio is over 4:1.