Edgar,
Yes, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center has the same affiliates as before (Western University of Health Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine and University of California, Irvine College of Medicine). As an osteopathic medical student from WesternU, you will do rotations side by side with medical students from these other medical schools. This is why I assure you that you, as an osteopathic medical student, are on even par with allopathic medical schools. Naturally, some students will know more and some less because of there is a lot of individuality with the learning of medicine. I will say that we do have a slight edge on the musculoskeletal system because of the manipulations but everything else balances out. Generally, when working side by side with these other students on your service, you are both "medical students" and you work together (trust me, there is plenty of work and learning for everyone and the extra hands are certainly nice).
As for the number of beds at Arrowhead, i think it is about 300 which is plenty I assure you!
Arrowhead is definately a tertiary medical center. It is the county medical center which has plenty of pathology. It is also one of two trauma centers in the county, the other being Loma Linda University Medical Center (surgical residents from LLUMC rotate through ARMC). ARMC is also the regional burn center with the other burn centers in the region being UCI Medical Center, UCSD Medical Center and LA County/USC Medical Center. (No, LLUMC does not have a burn center).
Just in case you didn't know, ARMC has 2 residency programs and a 3rd starting this July. It has an AOA/ACGME Family Medicine Residency Program (one of the largest in the country) that has both osteopathic and allopathic medical grads. It also has an AOA OB/Gyn residency program that is 4 years because the rotating internship and R-1 year is combined. Starting this July, it is starting an AOA Orthopedic Surgery Residency that is also being affiliated with LLUMC Orthopedic Surgery Program (from what I have been told).
Hope this answers everything for you. Good luck this fall. As I have told you in the past Edgar, just relax and have fun this summer. DO NOT study. You will be studying soon enough. Don't stress over medical school. You wouldn't have been accepted if they didn't think you could get through the program. Just make sure you take time out for yourself. I am certainly no Einstein and I got through it all while having a family and working part-time as a paramedic. Bottom line, medical school is doable.
Brandon A, MS4
Western University/COMP