Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM)
Subcategory: new-program
Overview
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Location | Bentonville, Arkansas, USA |
| Entity Type | college-within-university |
| Founded or Announced | Founded 2021 (as Whole Health School of Medicine; renamed 2022) |
| Status | operating |
| Size and Enrollment | Inaugural class of 48 students (2025); plans to grow after full accreditation |
| Annual Tuition or Cost | Tuition waived for first five graduating classes |
| Funding, Endowment, or Investment | $700M over 30 years affiliation with Mercy and Heartland Whole Health Institute (Mercy committing $350M) |
| Notable Donors or Backers | Alice Walton (founder and funder via Alice L. Walton Foundation) |
| Website | https://www.alwmedschool.org |
Academic Focus and Programs
Four-year MD program with ARCHES curriculum (Art of Healing, Research, Clinical Care, Health Systems Science, Embracing Whole Health, Science of Medicine); whole-health approach emphasizing preventive care, nutrition (>50 hours), arts/humanities integration
Digital Strategy and Technology
Deploys contemporary technologies including telemedicine/virtual care; high-tech tools like VR/AR; state-of-the-art simulation center with plastinated specimens and VR
AI, Platform, or Innovation Programs
Hosted "Think Health: AI for Healthy Communities" conference with Stanford Medicine; integrates AI/digital health for managing conditions (diabetes, obesity); demos of AI for mental health, health coaches, medical education, clinical docs
Key Partnerships
Mercy (primary educational partner, clinical rotations); Stanford Medicine (faculty teaching/mentoring, AI conference); Cleveland Clinic (cardiovascular expertise); Heartland Whole Health Institute; Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Alliances or Networks
None identified
Leadership and Contact
| Role | Name / Value |
|---|---|
| President / Rector / Head | Sharmila Makhija, MD, MBA (Founding Dean and CEO) |
| Digital / Tech Leadership | None publicly identified |
| Contact Email | Admissions@alwmed.org |
| Contact Phone | (479) 974-1530 |
Why Notable for BD
New medical school pioneering whole-health integrated curriculum with arts, humanities, preventive focus, and tech/AI innovation to serve rural/underserved Heartland communities; tuition-free initial classes; model for replicable sustainable medical education emphasizing value-based care
Sources
Official Website, Wikipedia, Time Magazine, Contact Page, Talk Business, Mercy News, AI Conference News