Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Student Advocates
Association
Dothan
Relocation Guide
The Dothan Survival Guide was originally compiled by advocates from the first two years - and it is still in the works! Moving to a new city can be hard, so here are just a few of the things we wish we had known about when we first relocated to Dothan.
This is an ongoing project. If you find out about new community resources or a great businesses in town please let us know!
Click any link below to auto-scroll.
Day Care & Child Care
Fitness Fun
Food Favorites
Employment in Dothan
Everything Else!
Day Care & Child Care
There are a lot of preschools and daycare options available. Here is some information compiled by other ACOM Advocate Parents to get you started in your search.
Love your child’s daycare? Email us to get it added to the list!
*Prices updated Spring 2015.
Advocates Say: Headstart accepts applications starting February 1, 2015. It's pretty much first come first serve based on income for the last year. Child needs to be 4 yrs. by September 1, 2015.
SAMC's Nursery (The Child Development Center)
(334) 793-8888
*Tuition is about $110/week or $22/day. Their operating hours are 7am-6pm. Because ACOM is affiliated with SAMC, children of ACOM students are eligible to attend.
Offers preschool and lower elementary classes.
Ridgecrest Child Development Center
(334) 792-8441
It's about 5 miles from school in downtown. It is a Christian daycare so they have chapel every Wednesday and teach Bible stories daily. All of the teachers are certified and they use the BEKA curriculum.
*Tuition is $175/week for two children, and $95/week for one child. This is for all-day care that include a morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack. There is also a 1/2-day mother's day out program.
They are open 6am-5:30pm, closed on the weekends.
Advocates Say: It is the cleanest child care facility I've ever seen, and it's an extremely controlled environment.
Way To Grow Child Development Center
(334) 702-1119
Westgate Christian School
(334) 793-3399
Offers preschool, private school, and before and after school daycare hours.
Advocates Say: One mother who uses this school loves it; she says they do a great job.
First Presbyterian Preschool
(334) 793-6283
Bonnie Wright Early Childhood Director, Preschool & Childcare
Phillis Jones Childcare Assistant Director
Advocates Say: The school focuses on starting good school manners and behavior. The teachers are great; never had any problems there.
First United Methodist Daycare
(334) 793-3555
Sandy Uhler Preschool Director
(334) 793-3555 ext.299
Bethlehem Child Development Center
Fitness Fun
Gyms
First Baptist Churst Dothan: Recreation Ministry
(334) 792-5117
300 W. Main Street
Offers free use of fitness facilities to ACOM students and spouses. They have a weight room, cardio room, basketball court, racquetball courts, and indoor jogging track.
1108 Ross Clark Circle
Offers discount memberships to students and spouses. Located at the hospital near the school.
(334) 792-1701
They regularly offer deals where membership is $10/month. Located on the south side of the circle on the other side of town from the school.
(334) 673-FIRE (3473)
1924 Wise Drive
Offers 24/7 member access.
(334) 793-7170
3509 Montgomery Hwy
Offers several fitness classes.
(334) 702-8888
2292 Montgomery Hwy
Offers 24/7 access. For women only.
Yoga Studios
367 S. Foster Street
Advocates Say: This studio is fantastic! The Saturday class is popular among students and spouses alike.
(334) 699-4141
2312 W. Main Street
Offers discount memberships to students and spouses. Located at the hospital near the school.
Fitness Clubs/Outdoor Info
Great online race calendar.
Wiregrass Canoe and Kayak Club
Dothan Area Cyclists
Alabama Trail Resources
South Alabama Mountain Bike Association
City of Dothan Leisure Services
Food Favorites
Finding things to do and places to go for some grub in a new town can be fun, or frustrating. Here are some local favorites from the advocates group to get you started.
Found a great place to chow down? Email us to get it added to the list!
Favorite Restaurants
Bar BQ Shack
(334) 678-6817
2122 S Brannon Stand Road
Oak & Olive
(334) 699-6548
2620 Montgomery Hwy #1
Upscale Americana & Wine Bar
Oak 151
(334) 792-5500
151 Oak Grove Dr
Lunch only. Great side patio.
KBC Butcher Block
(334) 446-0885
560 Westgate Parkway
Locally sourced produce & meat. Open for lunch only. Features a large wine selection and a delicious Saturday brunch.
The Cellar Fine Steaks & Wine
(334) 712-0622
1481 Westgate Parkway
Locally sourced specialty butcher shop and dining room. Open for lunch only. Features a large wine selection and is a great place to catch any sports game.
Richie B's Pizza
(334) 446-3369
3590 Ross Clark Circle
New York Style Pizza – casual and delicious, unique atmosphere.
Fire Stone Wood Fired Pizza & Grill
(334) 446-1234
250 S Oates Street
Mediterranean/American Grill & Pizza.
Red Elephant Pizza & Grill
(334) 673-7492
Circle West Shopping Center
American Grill & Pizza. Family-friendly atmosphere.
Taj
(334) 699-3200
Circle West Shopping Center
Indian and Greek eatery.
Coffee Shops
Dakota Coffee
(334) 699-7771
4440 W. Main Street
Dothan's only independent coffee shop and a favorite hang out for students and spouses.
Delectable Edibles & More
(334) 677-2200
150 N. Foster Street
Primarily a bakery, but they make a great cup of coffee and the cafe has a nice environment.
Starbucks (Barnes & Noble)
Dothan Pavillion Shopping Center
4601 Montgomery Hwy #100
Starbucks (Target)
Dothan Pavillion Shopping Center
4601 Montgomery Hwy #300
Nightlife
Folklore Brewing & Meadery
(334) 702-2337
153 Mary Lou Lane
Dothan's local brewery. Open Friday & Saturday nights. Call for special events or tours.
Recovery Room Bar
(334) 446-0297
2155 E. Main Street
A popular hangout spot after tests. Just around the corner from the school and SAMC hospital.
KT's Tavern
(334) 635-4521
168 S Foster Street
Great back patio & some of the best pizza in town.
Chill Lounge
(334) 479-8928
164 S Foster Street
Large space with atmosphere for everyone. A classy bar up front, sports bar, dance club, and bar games.
Blue Bar & Grill
(334) 231-3949
3700 Ross Clark Circle
Employment in Dothan
Relocating to a new city or state is hard and finding a new job can be very stressful! Lots of jobs in the Dothan area are not well advertised, but they are out there. Connect with other members of the ACOM Advocates community at one of our meetings on the facebook page for tips on finding work in your field. Here are a few resources to get you started.
Know of someone looking to hire? Email us to let us know or post it directly to our facebook board!
Education Jobs
The current advocates also have a number of people working in education. If you have questions about local schools, come connect with us!
Wallace Community College Jobs
Adjunct and professional positions available.
Troy University Jobs – Dothan Branch
Primarily adjunct opportunities.
Alabama State Department of Education
Includes jobs for Dothan City Schools and surrounding county schools.
Part-time tutoring positions available. Call the center for details.
Medical Jobs
Many student spouses and significant others work locally in the medical field as nurses, PA’s, councilors, etc. Here are some resources they recommend.
General Resources
Everything Else!
Finding local businesses for services we depend on can be intimidating in a new town. Here are a few favorites from the current advocates community
Had a great experience somewhere? Email us to let us know!
Acupuncture
Meadow Acupuncture
(917) 913-7405
Molly Maguire L.A.C.
Salons & Spas
Nicole Allen Salon
(917) 699-3771
3201 Montgomery Hwy, Suite 2
Certified Arrojo salon.
Spa Novus
(917) 699-3771
3201 Montgomery Hwy, Suite 2
Medical spa offering basic, dermatelogical, and laser services.
Dog Parks
Eastgate Park
(334) 615-3730
1949 Sanitary Dairy Road, Ashford
Located on the outskirts of Dothan about 10 minutes from the school.
Veterinarian Services
Briar Creek Veterinary Clinic
(334) 792-6303
622 Harvest Lane
Advocates Say: The staff is very friendly and the prices are super reasonable.
