Noorda-COM centers on a set of guiding principles. These allow for all voices to be heard in our decisions, yet remain grounded in our mission, vision, and values. They are the basis of our curricular, pedagogical, and administrative decisions. We, as an institute, hope to never lose sight of learning and never confuse profit for growth. The work of Noorda-COM centers around the following nine guiding principles:
Welcome to the Future of Medical School
The Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program is uniquely designed to train outstanding future physicians. Situated at the base of the Wasatch Mountains overlooking the Timpanogos Golf Club and Utah Lake, students will earn their degree while experiencing everything that Utah County has to offer. Just 45 minutes south of Salt Lake City and half an hour from Sundance Mountain Resort, our innovative, state-of-the-art campus allows our students to be at the center of their own educational experience. To view our strategic plan, click here.
Our Mission
Our mission at Noorda-COM is to empower our students with the essential personal and professional skills needed to be competent, confident and compassionate osteopathic physicians dedicated to meeting the healthcare challenges of the communities in which they serve.
Our Vision
Our vision is to become a leader in osteopathic medical education through innovative, progressive, and effective curricular offerings. We hope to instill values that embrace change, foster cultural awareness, diversity and ethical leadership, and inspire a servant’s heart towards caring for all people including the underserved.
Our Guiding Principles
1. People matter most, our students are at the center of all that we do.
2. Quality academic programs and excellence in teaching are our priorities.
3. Strong moral character, ethical decision-making, and mutual respect are embedded in all that we do.
4. Diversity is an essential element of the Noorda-COM experience.
5. Technology and innovation are positioned to enhance learning and improve operational efficiency.
6. College resources are applied to achieve the highest quality in our students, faculty, and programs.
7. Financial decisions are driven by balancing costs with stabilizing student debt.
8. Investments in people are made in the form of fair compensation and individual opportunities of growth.
9. A culture of service to our community guides our relationships.
School Colors
Noorda-COM's school colors tell the story of our home. Each hue in our palette is drawn directly from the landscape of Utah and serves as a daily reminder that we are rooted in this place, shaped by its history, and dedicated to serving the communities within it.
Copper
Utah is nicknamed the "Copper State” and copper is Utah's official state mineral. Utah’s rich mining heritage has shaped the state's economy and communities for over a century. Copper represents the strength, industry, and resourcefulness woven into Utah's identity, and it reflects the resilience we hope to instill in every Noorda-COM student.
Alpine White
The snow-capped peaks of the Wasatch Mountains rise above our campus, a constant backdrop to daily life in Provo. Alpine White reflects the integrity and high standards we strive for in medical education, as well as the natural beauty that surrounds our students throughout their training.
Granite Grey
Granite is a defining feature of the mountains that frame our valley, prized for its strength and endurance. Granite Grey represents the steadfastness and durability of character we aim to cultivate in our students as they become professionals built to withstand the demands of a lifelong career in medicine.
Lavender
Each summer, wildflowers blanket the slopes of Mt. Timpanogos, and lavender hues color the sky as the sun sets over the valley. This color speaks to the beauty found in both nature and moments of quiet reflection and are a reminder for future physicians to pause, appreciate, and find balance amid demanding work.
Dark Blue
The Provo River and Utah Lake are lifelines for our region, sustaining the land and communities around them. Dark Blue represents depth, trust, and the steady flow of knowledge and care that our graduates carry forward into the communities they serve.
Our Gnome Mascot
In early 2020, several Noorda-COM employees discussed how to increase awareness of Utah Valley’s first osteopathic medical school. One staff member remembered a famous travel ad that always featured gnomes. Half-jokingly, they suggested that Noorda-COM add gnomes to its campus tours to stand out.
That evening, faculty member Dr. Michael Rhodes returned home and walked out to his garden, where a doctor gnome had sat for years. He brought it to campus and gave the Student Affairs team full creative license. The Director of Student Affairs scrubbed the gnome, painted it in school colors, and named it “Norm L. G-Nome.”
Norm started appearing in early social media posts, and gnome cutouts were included in a campus tour video. Suddenly, all of campus caught the gnome fever: employee desks, orientation activities, and annual events featured paintable gnomes, gnome cookies, and gnome puns.
