Our Founder
Shokat Fatteh, M.D.
Dr. Shokat Fatteh has devoted over 40 years to medical education and practice. Graduating from Baroda Medical College in India in 1975, he aspired to practice medicine in the United States. This aspiration took shape when he secured a residency in Pathology in New York City in 1976. Following the successful completion of his residency, Dr. Fatteh obtained a coveted fellowship in Dermatopathology in New York, a particularly competitive field for pathologists. Upon completing his fellowship, he moved to Youngstown, Ohio, where he began his medical practice and continued to nurture his passion for medical education at the local teaching hospital.
Dr. Fatteh, the visionary behind Avalon University School of Medicine (AUSOM), established the institution with a passion for education and a commitment to shaping future leaders. He founded AUSOM in 2003 with a bold vision : to educate and train compassionate, skilled physicians dedicated to advancing medical science and serving humanity. Starting with an inaugural class of just four students, AUSOM began as a humble institution with limited resources, but through unwavering dedication, visionary leadership, it has grown into one of the top-tier accredited medical schools in the Caribbean. While education remains his top priority, Dr. Fatteh’s steadfast commitment to our core values and genuine care for each student have been one of the pillars of AUSOM’s success, fostering a supportive environment where future physicians thrive both academically and personally.
The Avalon University School of Medicine was founded in 2003 in Bonaire and named Xavier School of Medicine. It moved to Curaçao in 2010 and changed its name to Avalon University School of Medicine (AUSOM) to avoid confusion with another Caribbean medical school. AUSOM is chartered by the Ministry of Health of Curaçao to offer an M.D. degree and is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, which has been developed through a partnership between the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) and the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER), a member of Intealth.
The school delivers a 4-year M.D. program with basic science courses (including the comprehensive basic science review course) conducted on the island of Curacao. Clinical core and elective rotations are completed at five geographical sites in the U.S. The administrative offices are in Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.A. There is a 16-month pre-med option for students directly from high school. The students from high school can also complete a Bachelor of Health Sciences, which is a two-year program. Once students complete either the premedical program or the Bachelor of Health Sciences, they can enter the M.D. program. The students are mainly drawn from the U.S.A. and Canada, with significant numbers from India and Nigeria.
- AUSOM is accredited by the Accreditation Commission of Colleges of Medicine (ACCM) and the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP). Both ACCM and CAAM-HP are acceptable to ECFMG.
- Both above accreditation bodies are recognized by the World Federation of Medical Education (WFME) Recognition Program, which is designed to provide an independent, transparent, and rigorous method of ensuring that the accreditation of medical schools worldwide is internationally accepted and of a high standard.
- Avalon has obtained full accreditation for a maximum period of six years until December 31st, 2028, from the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM).
- Avalon has obtained full Accreditation from the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP) for a maximum period of four years until 2027.
- Avalon University School of Medicine graduates are also acceptable to the California Medical Board under category 2. Please click on the following link for more information.
https://www.mbc.ca.gov/Applicants/Schools_Recognized/
Why do students call Avalon University, AUSOM?
Our Core Values
Education
Our unique curriculum allows the student to learn through group and independent study and hands-on experiences from the very first day.
Empathy
Showing care and compassion to your patient is just as important as providing the care itself. We teach our students the importance of listening to the needs and concerns of their patients.
Integrity
Honesty to yourself and to your patients is paramount. We must uphold this standard in the classroom and when providing quality care.
Respect
Respect for one another in healthcare is pivotal. Providing quality care does not come from an individual, it takes a team to do it.
Commitment
Commitment to the practice of medicine takes leadership and drive. You never stop learning as a physician. You will always look for new and improved ways of healing.
85%
Over 85% USMLE Step 1 First Time Pass Rate since 2019
500+
Over 500 practicing physicians in the US, Canada & around the world!
100+
From 2022 to 2024, Avalon students collectively contributed to over 100 research publications
Safe, diverse and conducive campus environment
