Alice L. Walton School of Medicine

What Alice L. Walton School of Medicine does

Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) four-year MD program founded in 2021 by philanthropist Alice Walton and headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, on the 134-acre Crystal Bridges Campus. Its core product is the MD Program delivered through the proprietary ARCHES curriculum, which longitudinally integrates six elements — Art of Healing, Research, Clinical, Health Systems Science, Embracing Whole Health, and Science of Medicine — into a four-year course of study enhanced by flipped-classroom pedagogy, early clinical experiences, one-on-one mentorship, and a required scholarly research program. The institution delivered its first classes to an inaugural cohort of 48 students beginning July 14, 2025, and serves prospective medical students committed to rural and medically underserved communities in Arkansas and bordering states.

The school operates from a 154,000-square-foot, four-story purpose-built facility designed by Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects with landscape by OSD Office of Strategy + Design, featuring learning halls, a simulation center with VR-enabled mannequins, a clinical skills center, an anatomy resource center and lab, a makerspace for 3D-printed anatomical models, a teaching garden, an Art Bridges-curated gallery, the AWSOM Café, and a 2-acre rooftop park. Supporting infrastructure includes a Jenzabar-powered myAWSOM student portal, a research program with formal partnerships with Stanford University School of Medicine, Mercy, Highlands Oncology, the Institute for Integrative & Innovative Research (I3R), and University of Arkansas laboratories, and student wellness and academic support services.

AWSOM is funded through philanthropic donations (anchored by founder Alice Walton) and grants/research funding, with tuition explicitly waived for the first five cohorts; the published tuition rate is $69,650 per year, but enrolled students pay only mandatory fees, health insurance, materials, and professional fees ($125-$4,710 in the first two years). It holds preliminary accreditation from the LCME (granted 2024) and Arkansas state certification through ADHE, with provisional and full accreditation site visits scheduled for AY 2026-27 and 2029-30, and is actively pursuing candidacy with the Higher Learning Commission to access Title IV federal financial aid. Distribution is admissions-led via the AAMC AMCAS primary application channel and a proprietary secondary application, with a $100 non-refundable secondary fee.

Name

Alice L. Walton School of Medicine

Legal name

Alice L. Walton School of Medicine

Website

https://alwmedschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Alice L. Walton School of Medicine is a nonprofit four-year MD program founded in 2021 in Bentonville, Arkansas, delivering the ARCHES curriculum to train physicians devoted to rural and medically underserved communities, with tuition waived for the first five cohorts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Education

NAICS

Offices of Physicians (6211)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011)

akta.pro primary industry

Medical Schools (MD/DO Granting) (EDAHAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Allied Health & Rehabilitation Sciences Schools (PT/OT/SLP, etc.) (EDAHAGAH), Schools of Nursing (EDAHAGAC), Health Administration & Health Policy Schools (MHA/MPH Policy) (EDAHAGAL), Healthcare Clinical Professions (CME/CE for Nurses, Allied Health, Pharmacy) (EDAAALAC)

Keywords

• Medical education
• Physician training
• MD degree program
• Whole health curriculum
• Medical school

Headquarters

HQ city

Bentonville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: The school charges $69,650 annual tuition. However, tuition is fully waived for the first five cohorts of students. Additional fees include Student Association/Activity, Technology, Diagnostic Equipment, Research fees, Health and Disability Insurance, Materials, and Professional Fees.
2. Grants and Research Funding: AWSOM faculty and leadership have received research funding from national granting agencies. Dr. Candler has received over $1 million in funding from national granting agencies for medical education work.
3. Philanthropic Donations: Founded by philanthropist Alice Walton; operates as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) institution governed by an independent Board of Directors. Relies on donations and foundation support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Alice L. Walton School of Medicine delivers a four-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) program using its proprietary ARCHES curriculum, which longitudinally integrates Art of Healing, Research, Clinical, Health Systems Science, Embracing Whole Health, and Science of Medicine. The program is supported by a 154,000-square-foot facility housing simulation, clinical skills, anatomy, and makerspace facilities, plus structured research, wellness, and academic support services for enrolled medical students.

Product overview

Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM) operates as a four-year MD program institution offering a comprehensive medical education experience. The core product is the MD Program featuring the innovative ARCHES curriculum (Art of Healing, Research, Clinical, Health Systems Science, Embracing Whole Health, Science of Medicine), which enhances traditional medical education with arts, humanities, and whole-person care principles. Supporting the main program are multiple sub-products and services including: myAWSOM student portal (Jenzabar-powered portal for academic records and campus resources), Clinical Research and Research Education programs (partnering with Stanford Medicine, Mercy, Highlands Oncology), Student Wellness Services (mental health, physical wellness, workshops), Academic Support Services (learning specialists, USMLE prep, peer tutoring), and specialized facilities (Simulation Center, Library, Anatomy Resource Center, Clinical Skills Center). The school also provides public-facing spaces including an Art Gallery with rotating exhibitions curated by Art Bridges Foundation, the AWSOM Café, and a 2-acre Rooftop Park. Financial Aid Services support students with tuition waivers for the first five cohorts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MD Program Four-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) program that enhances conventional medical education with a whole-person approach to care, featuring early clinical experiences, flipped classroom, active learning, and integrated arts and humanities. Designed for prospective medical students seeking to serve rural and medically underserved communities.
• ARCHES Curriculum Evidence-based curriculum featuring six elements longitudinally integrated into courses, clerkships, and electives over four years: Art of Healing, Research, Clinical, Health Systems Science, Embracing Whole Health, and Science of Medicine.
• Research Education Program Required scholarly research program where students work closely with faculty mentors on research spanning clinical and translational sciences, social determinants of health, public health policy, health systems and services, and medical education. Students are matched with mentors from AWSOM and Stanford University.
• Student Wellness Services Comprehensive wellness programs for AWSOM students including mental health services (24/7 online support, counseling, wellness coaching), physical wellness (partnerships with Mercy Clinic), wellness workshops, and fitness classes including yoga, weight training, and guided meditation.
• Academic Support Services Learning specialists providing personalized academic support including academic counseling, test-taking strategies, USMLE preparation support, and a peer tutoring program launching Fall 2026.
• Financial Aid Services Office of Financial Aid providing guidance on funding medical education, including financial literacy programs, debt management support, AAMC FIRST resources, and tuition waivers for the first five cohorts of students.

Quantifiable outcome

• 48 students in inaugural class with over 2,000 applications received for 48 spots
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stanford University School of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership providing faculty mentorship opportunities for AWSOM students. Students are matched with Stanford faculty mentors for scholarly research projects as part of AWSOM's required research program.
• MercycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical and research partnership expanding opportunities for students in clinical training and research in areas including human nutrition, health equity, and population health.
• Highlands OncologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership providing additional opportunities for students to pursue innovative and interdisciplinary research in oncology.
• Institute for Integrative & Innovative Research (I3R)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership offering opportunities in translational science and innovative health research for AWSOM students.
• University of Arkansas LaboratoriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership with select University of Arkansas laboratories providing opportunities in medical imaging and population health research.
• Crystal Bridges Museum of American ArtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAWSOM sits on the Crystal Bridges Campus connected to Crystal Bridges Museum via trail system. Students experience stunning collection of American art, connect with community, and participate in educational opportunities at the museum.
• Heartland Whole Health InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated on Crystal Bridges Campus, the Institute works in conjunction with AWSOM to transform healthcare. Provides students access to events, speakers, and resources at cutting edge of healthcare delivery.
• Art Bridges FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by Alice Walton, curates art exhibitions in AWSOM's gallery spaces. Art Bridges Foundation creates and supports projects sharing American art with communities. Has curated exhibitions including 'Good Medicine: The Power of Indigenous Art' and 'In Visible Landscapes'.
• Thrive AI HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership established for AI health coach venture focused on chronic conditions. AWSOM provides research expertise as part of collaboration with Stanford Medicine and Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute.
• Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute at West Virginia UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership for Thrive AI Health venture focused on chronic conditions, using generative AI for personalized health coaching across sleep, nutrition, fitness, stress management, and social connection.
• Polk Stanley Wilcox ArchitectscoreOthersArkansas-based architectural firm that designed AWSOM's 154,000 sq ft medical education facility. Established 1977 with offices in Little Rock and Fayetteville, recognized with 150+ regional and national awards including four National AIA Awards.
• OSD: Office of Strategy + DesigncoreOthersNYC-based design and planning studio that designed AWSOM's landscape and rooftop park. Believes in power of design to foster healthy communities and takes multidisciplinary approach to built environment.
• Husch BlackwellminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal and consulting firm that develops and delivers annual Title IX training courses for AWSOM's Title IX coordinators, investigators, and decision-makers in compliance with 34 CFR 106.45.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine: Newer medical school where AWSOM's admissions leader (Dan Kallenberger) helped open the program. Comparable as a recently launched health professions school building pipeline infrastructure from a greenfield base — directly relevant to AWSOM's startup playbook.
• Morehouse School of Medicine: Mission-driven MD program focused on health equity and underserved communities. AWSOM's Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs (Ed Childs) came from Morehouse, making it a direct comparable on social mission, physician pipeline focus, and primary-care orientation.
• Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin: Relatively new MD program (founded 2013) that AWSOM leadership (Beth Nelson) came from. Comparable as an innovative, mission-driven medical school built from scratch with a non-traditional curriculum focus — the closest operational analog to AWSOM's startup phase.
• Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine: Newer MD program where AWSOM's admissions leader previously served as Assistant Dean. Comparable as a community-anchored medical school with an emphasis on pipeline development and student affordability — a relevant operational peer.

Broad incumbents

• NYU Grossman School of Medicine: Elite private MD program that pioneered full-tuition scholarships. NYU's tuition-free model is the most direct comparable to AWSOM's tuition waiver, and AWSOM's Associate Dean (Loretto Glynn) joined from NYU Long Island.
• Baylor College of Medicine: Top-tier private MD-granting institution in Texas. Multiple AWSOM leaders (Beth Nelson, others) joined from Baylor. Comparable as an established high-prestige medical school with deep clinical research infrastructure and large alumni networks.
• Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai: Elite private MD-granting institution with a strong focus on whole-person and community health, similar in pedagogical philosophy to AWSOM's ARCHES curriculum and mission to serve underserved populations.
• Stanford University School of Medicine: Top-tier research medical school and core AWSOM research partner. Provides faculty mentorship for AWSOM's required research program, making it both an upstream talent feeder and a benchmark academic peer.
• University of Oklahoma College of Medicine: Regional MD-granting institution where AWSOM's Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs (Chris Candler) previously spent 28 years. Comparable as a public regional medical school with rural physician pipeline mission — directly relevant to AWSOM's Arkansas/rural mandate.
• Vanderbilt University School of Medicine: Top-tier private research medical school with innovative curriculum and strong clinical placement networks. Comparable as a high-prestige MD program competing for the same applicant pool and faculty talent AWSOM targets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@alwmedschool
• Facebookfacebook.com/people/Alice-L-Walton-School-of-Medicine/100094564574772
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alwmedschool
• Instagraminstagram.com/awsom_med

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Alice L. Walton School of Medicine