UNECOM Partnership

In 1978, the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM) welcomed its first class of 36 medical students in Biddeford, Maine. In June 2025, UNECOM consolidated its operations by relocating from Portland to Biddeford, completing the integration of all University of New England health profession programs onto a single, interprofessional campus.

A longstanding medical education partnership

MaineHealth Maine Medical Center (MHMMC) in Biddeford, Sanford and Portland as well as other MaineHealth care locations serve as essential clinical training sites for medical students and other health profession learners. UNECOM and MHMMC share a longstanding partnership, providing comprehensive educational experiences across all four years of medical education.

With a network of more than 200 faculty and educators across southern Maine, students benefit from community-based medicine experiences and diverse clinical training opportunities such as:

• Community health experiences
• Core clinical rotations
• Elective experiences
• Hands-on instruction in osteopathic manipulative medicine

UNECOM Cohort Program

The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM) Cohort Program is designed for third-year medical students seeking a comprehensive, community-based clinical education experience in Southern Maine. Established in 2022, the program initially enrolled eight students completing all core clerkship rotations at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center (MHMMC) Biddeford, with additional learning opportunities at MHMMC Portland. Following the June 1, 2024 integration across Southern Maine, the program expanded to include nine third-year students completing clinical experiences throughout the region.

Program Highlights

• Local Engagement: Students live and train in Southern Maine, maintaining close ties to their University community.
• Comprehensive Clinical Rotations: Core clerkships include family medicine, internal medicine, surgery, psychiatry, pediatrics, obstetrics & gynecology, emergency medicine/acute care, plus a wide range of specialty electives.
• Osteopathic Focus: Tailored didactic sessions and hands-on training in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM).
• Multi-Campus Experience: Opportunities to rotate at MHMMC Biddeford, Sanford and Portland as well as other MaineHealth care locations.
• Professional Development: Access to enrichment activities, faculty mentorship, medical staff meetings, committees and adjunct student services.