A Message From the Dean
Welcome to the Adventist School of Medicine of East-Central Africa (ASOME). It is a profound honor to welcome you to our campus in the heart of Rwanda—a place where medical excellence meets a divine calling. ASOME is not merely an educational institution; it is the fulfillment of a vision shared by the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the Republic of Rwanda to transform the landscape of healthcare across the East-Central Africa Division and beyond.
As the seventh Adventist medical school established globally, we stand on the shoulders of giants like Loma Linda University School of Medicine. However, ASOME offers a unique, forward-thinking approach to medical education. Our competency-based curriculum is designed to produce physicians who are not only expert clinicians but also effective communicators, community leaders, lifelong learners, and devoted missionaries.
What Sets Us Apart
At ASOME, we believe that the mind, body, and spirit are inextricably linked. Our students don’t just study the rigors of anatomy and pharmacology; they are immersed in a holistic worldview that recognizes God as the Ultimate Healer.
Integrated Learning: From your first year, you will engage with advanced technology in our state-of-the-art simulation labs and laboratories.
Global Perspectives: Our faculty is a diverse "melting pot" of experts from the United States, Europe, Asia, and across Africa, bringing a world of experience to our classrooms.
Our Commitment to You
Medical school is a rigorous journey, and at ASOME, you will never walk it alone. Faculty provide spiritual, emotional, and academic guidance. Our ensuite campus housing and Student Life Center are designed to ensure that while you care for others, you are also cared for.
Whether you are a prospective student, a partner in mission, or a visitor curious about our work, I invite you to explore our programs and witness how we are training the next generation of health leaders to provide holistic, Christ-like care. The Great Physician has called us to this work. We invite you to be a part of it.
In His Service,
Stephen Waterbrook, MD
Dean, Adventist School of Medicine of East-Central Africa
The Adventist School of Medicine of East-Central Africa (ASOME) is founded on the philosophy of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which integrates principles applicable to both health and education. ASOME’s philosophical foundation is rooted in a biblical worldview, recognizing the Bible as the ultimate source of truth and knowledge, through which God’s character and principles are revealed. Guided by this worldview, the highest purpose of education is to restore the image of God in humanity.
True education is holistic and only complete when it nurtures the three dimensions of human development: mental, physical, and spiritual. Therefore, the environment in which education occurs is vital, as learning extends beyond the classroom. This philosophy of wholeness is reflected throughout ASOME’s curriculum, student housing, cafeteria, infrastructure, programs, and institutional policies.
ASOME’s Educational Approach
At ASOME, students are encouraged to develop critical thinking, self-awareness, and independent reasoning rather than simply reflecting existing knowledge. The school actively promotes leadership, inquiry, reflection, problem-solving, and critical thinking, all of which contribute to evidence-based care, research, and innovation.
A strong emphasis is placed on high moral standards and ethical behavior. Respect for God, authority figures, peers, patients, their families, and the human body—as created in God’s image—forms the ethical foundation of medical care at ASOME. These values are essential for delivering compassionate, high-quality healthcare with integrity.
ASOME is committed to preparing medical doctors with strong clinical competencies who can work effectively within multidisciplinary teams across both high- and low-resource healthcare settings. With a global mission in mind, ASOME equips its graduates to serve anywhere in the world.
Students are guided to pursue further specialization and are encouraged to commit to lifelong learning. Central to ASOME’s philosophy is a spirit of selfless service and a deep sense of social responsibility. Health education and community service are core pillars of the training, shaping doctors who are not only clinically competent but also empathetic, humane, and dedicated to preventive care, healing, and compassionate end-of-life support. ASOME graduates are prepared to serve both humanity and God with a strong sense of purpose and integrity.
The story of the Adventist School of Medicine of East-Central Africa (ASOME) is a testament to answered prayer, international partnership, and a long-standing commitment to the "healing ministry of Christ." Located in Kigali, Rwanda, ASOME stands today as a premier medical education hub for the East-Central Africa Division (ECD), serving a vast territory of 12 countries.
A Vision Decades in the Making
The dream of establishing a flagship medical school in East Africa began more than 20 years ago. Originally, the project was envisioned for Uganda, but for various reasons, the initiative did not move forward at that time. Later, attempts were made to establish the school in Kenya, but the project faced significant logistical and regulatory hurdles. Despite these setbacks, the Seventh-day Adventist Church remained steadfast in its belief that the region needed a center of excellence to train physicians who would treat the person holistically—mind, body, and spirit.
The Rwandan Invitation (2013)
The turning point came in 2013 during a "Total Member Involvement" (TMI) evangelistic campaign led by General Conference President, Pastor Ted N.C. Wilson, in Rwanda.
His Excellency President Paul Kagame took notice of the church's global reputation for healthcare excellence. After researching institutions like Loma Linda University and the Adventist Health system in the United States, President Kagame invited Pastor Wilson to a private meeting. There, he made a historic proposal: Rwanda wished to host the medical school and wanted the Seventh-day Adventist Church to manage it, promising government support for the endeavor.
Foundation and Construction (2016–2019)
With the Rwandan government’s invitation, the project moved forward with rapid momentum:
2016: The "First Stone" ceremony took place. President Wilson and local government officials laid the foundation for what would become a state-of-the-art campus.
2019: Following years of planning and intense construction, the building was completed. On September 2, 2019, the campus was officially inaugurated by President Kagame and Pastor Wilson.
The new campus featured a four-story medical education complex, student residence hall, a student life center with a modern cafeteria, and a dedicated guesthouse for international visiting faculty.
ASOME Joins the Global Network
Upon its completion, ASOME joined an elite global network as the seventh medical school operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It follows in the footsteps of sister institutions in California (USA), Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Nigeria, and the Philippines. While the school serves the entire East-Central Africa Division, it is uniquely integrated into the Rwandan medical system.
A New Era of Education (2021–Present)
Though the building was ready in 2019, the global COVID-19 lockdowns delayed the start of academic life. The school officially opened its doors to its first cohort of students on March 8, 2021.
From its first stone in 2016 to the bustling classrooms of today, ASOME continues to grow as a "model reference institution," proving that with faith and partnership, the vision of holistic, Christ-like care can become a reality for millions across Africa.
Integrative Healthcare Rwanda (IHCR)
Integrative Healthcare Rwanda (IHCR) is the healthcare management organization responsible for overseeing clinical excellence and teaching facilities, most notably the Kibagabaga Level II Teaching Hospital. Through this strategic partnership, IHCR provides ASOME students with a premier clinical environment where they can gain hands-on experience in evidence-based medicine and specialized patient care.
Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA)
The Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA) serves as a parent institution and academic foundation for ASOME. Established as a center of excellence in Rwanda, AUCA is dedicated to providing high-quality higher education that integrates academic rigor with Christian values, empowering students to become ethical leaders and agents of change in their communities.
Loma Linda University (LLU)
ASOME is proud to be part of a global network of Seventh-day Adventist medical schools, benefiting from a deep technical partnership with Loma Linda University Health (LLUH) in California. From curriculum development and faculty mentorship to lifestyle medicine integration, this collaboration ensures that ASOME students receive a world-class medical education backed by decades of global health leadership and innovation.
Adventist Health International
By bridging local healthcare needs with international resources, AHI, in partnership with Integrative Healthcare Rwanda (IHCR) facilitates the reception and management of donations—including medical equipment, educational resources, and financial support.
Andrews University
Faculty and students from both ASOME and Andrews University are building paths for future research ventures, focusing on global health, tropical medicine, and community-based wellness. This allows for a rich exchange of data and diverse clinical perspectives.
Rwanda Ministry of Health
The Adventist School of Medicine of East-Central Africa (ASOME) operates in close partnership with the Rwanda Ministry of Health (MoH) to advance the nation’s "Human Resources for Health" goals and strengthen the local healthcare ecosystem.
Kibagabaga Level 2 Teaching Hospital
Student clinical rotations provide essential training on location at ASOME's primary partner hospital. As a key partner for ASOME, Kibagabaga provides students with a high-volume, community-based clinical environment.
