The Adventist School of Medicine of East-Central Africa (ASOME) is a new school of medicine located at the Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA) Masoro Campus. It is part of a worldwide faith-based education and health network belonging to the Seventh -day Adventist Church (SDA) headquartered in Maryland, United States. This network currently has six other medical schools located in the United States, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Philippines, and Nigeria.
Currently, students come from nine countries, including Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Liberia, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and South Africa. The staff, faculty and lecturers come from 10 different countries on three continents.
The School of Medicine main priority is to train students who will serve as agents of change in their own communities through promotion of healthcare.
Today, dozens of high profile world leaders testify to its centrality in the turning around of the health systems of countries where Adventist Medical Care was established. Based on their experiences and informed sources including pundits in the medical circles who contend that Adventist Medical Care has enhanced healthcare systems globally because it prepares medics to perform with a high sense of integrity, selflessness, compassion, honesty and dedication to service and a lifelong commitment, following the footsteps of Jesus Christ, the “Master Physician” and “Great Physician”.
His Excellency, President Paul Kagame underlined its centrality in the development of the health systems in Rwanda by stressing government’s readiness and commitment to partner with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church to achieve the mission of teaching medicine that only celebrated its second anniversary this year.
“The achievement we are celebrating today is in tune with Rwanda’s goals. Education, particularly in science and technology, as well as good affordable healthcare, are the foundation of the well-being and prosperity of our citizens,” he said during the inauguration of ASOME on Monday, 2 September 2019.
ASOME trains students upholding values, responsibility and humanity in their services to communities.
Dr. Blasious Ruguri, Chancellor of the Adventist University of Central Africa stressed these expectations as he demonstrated the meaning of the WHITE COAT at its first ceremony honoring the class of 2027 on November 12, 2021.
“May this white coat be physical symbols of the values and responsibilities of learning medicine in ASOME (…),” observed Dr. Ruguri while presiding over the ceremony.
“The white coat is a universal symbol of integrity, selflessness, compassion, honesty and dedication to service and a lifelong commitment,” he added.
Founding Dean, Dr. Eustace A. Penniecook and students during Orientation week
ASOME Founding Dean, Dr. Eustace A. Penniecook emphasizes the values that define the Adventist School of Medicine of East-Central Africa, which include healing, teaching and preaching. The three are embedded in the ASOME Moto: HEAL, TEACH, PREACH.
ASOME’S PHILOSOPHY
The Adventist School of Medicine of East-Central Africa is founded on the Seventh-day Adventist church’s philosophy which is applicable in both fields of health and education.
Education is only complete when the tridimensional aspects of humanity (mental, physical, and spiritual) are addressed in a balanced manner.
ASOME transmits in students the use of reason and self-development instead of mere reflectors of knowledge. Leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, inquiry, and reflection are highly promoted in order to transcend into evidence-based attention, research, and innovation development
ASOME thrives to prepare medical doctors in professional clinical competencies working, in multi-discipline teams, to be implemented in both high and low technological healthcare organizations with a worldwide mission scope. ASOME medical doctors are expected to be not only in service of fellow humans but with a strong sense of social responsibility. Students are forged into a human and empathetic mindset and attitude in the illness prevention, attention of disease, and preparation for the end of life and the life to come.
ASOME’s mission is to prepare highly qualified medical professionals, who excel in knowledge, attitudes to provide and promote Christ-like Wholistic medical care.
The vision is to be a model institution improving lives in communities served through excellence in education, research and Christian care with evidence-based and lifestyle changes consistent with the highest standards of Adventist health principles.
Join us and be part of our diverse community
ASOME seek out the thinkers, doers, community changers, curious minds, the ones who will change Africa. ASOME trains the doctors of tomorrow today.
You can join us and be part of our diverse community. Head to our website: www.asome.health for more information.
