WVSOM Appoints New President
Richard Rafes, PhD, JD, has been named President of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM), effective February 1, 2009. Dr. Rafes will begin the transition into his new position on January 10, succeeding Dr. Olen Jones who is retiring after serving as WVSOM’s president since 1987. Dr. Rafes currently serves as President of East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. He previously gained 26 years of experience at the University of North Texas and in the University of North Texas System. Dr. Rafes was instrumental in the development of the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth (UNTHSC) and the UNTHSC Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNTHSC/TCOM). At the osteopathic medical school, he taught students medical jurisprudence and medical ethics.
Michael M. Looney, PhD, Named Pikeville College President
Michael M. Looney, PhD, has been named the 17th President of Pikeville College, effective in January 2009. Dr. Looney is currently the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, where he also teaches chemistry. Dr. Looney serves on the boards of the Kerrville chapters of the American Red Cross and YMCA; he will assume his new position upon the retirement of President Hal Smith, who has served at the helm of Pikeville College for 12 years.
Tulsa Stakeholders Finalize Deal to Save OSU Hospital
An agreement has been reached to preserve the Oklahoma State University (OSU) medical program and the OSU Medical Center. Under the agreement, Ardent Health Services, the current owner of the OSU hospital, will donate the facility to a local Tulsa trust, which will then contract with St. John Health System to operate the hospital.
In 2007 Ardent announced plans to end its academic affiliation agreement with OSU, requiring OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine to begin exhaustive efforts to find the support necessary to remain in the teaching hospital. The school explored other options for residents, but because of stakeholder worries that local indigent care needs would go unmet if Ardent closed the hospital, the city of Tulsa and the state of Oklahoma became interested in supporting a hospital in Tulsa.
Upon announcement of the new agreement, OSU President John Fernandes, DO, MBA, said “We are grateful for the collaborative state and local efforts to aid in our finding a solution and look forward to finalizing the details so our students and residents can focus on their education.”
Under the agreement, OSU Medical Center will remain open with most residency programs remaining there, and OSU will seek out academic affiliation agreements to provide additional training sites for its residency programs as needed and will continue to employ the residents.
AZCOM Campus Expands to Include MWU Sports Medicine Clinic
Midwestern University (MWU) recently announced plans to add a new Sports Medicine Clinic near its Glendale, Arizona campus to provide health care for USA Basketball players, who compete in large international events such as the Olympics. USA Basketball will move its headquarters and training operations to Arizona, possibly as early as 2010, about 10 miles south of the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University (AZCOM). In addition to the clinic, the new $53.8 million complex will house executive offices, a 150-room hotel, and a training center. AZCOM faculty members will provide health care services for community members as well as the athletes.
OU-COM Professor Researching Aging AIDS Population
Tim Heckman, PhD, Professor of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-COM), is conducting research on the psychological needs of adults living with HIV or AIDS in Arizona, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The study group consists of 90 patients that have also been diagnosed with a serious depressive disorder and have begun to interact with telephone support groups to help manage anxiety and depression. Dr. Heckman divided his group into two sections and provided the first with immediate support; the second group received delayed intervention. Individuals in both sections experienced a lessening of depression and loneliness, but the group that received immediate help experienced greater benefit. Dr. Heckman plans to continue with a nationwide study designed to further examine the needs of older adults living with HIV and AIDS. For more information, visit: http://www.oucom.ohiou.edu/News/stories/heckman/index.htm.
TOUROCOM-NY Teach Students through Project Aspire
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – New York (TOUROCOM-NY) faculty and students recently joined Annemarie Colbin, Founder of the Natural Gourmet Institute, at a Harlem public school to teach students about nutrition, exercise and healthy living before Thanksgiving. The visit was part of Project Aspire, a pilot program in an ongoing public health initiative launched by the Children’s Health Education Foundation at TOUROCOM-NY. Project Aspire also aims to inspire students to pursue health careers, including osteopathic medicine, and has committed to continuing the school program for 12 years.
VCOM HCMO Holds Free Health Screening
The new Hispanic Community Medical Outreach Club (HCMO) at Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) reached out to Spanish-speaking community members with a Health Screening Fair on November 16. HCMO was founded earlier this year. The fair provided more than 100 adults and children with educational information in Spanish, along with cholesterol and glucose screenings. Community members also received eye and ear check-ups, Body Mass Index (BMI) evaluations and blood pressure tests.
TUCOM-CA Hosts Third Annual Mare Island Run/Walk
Last month, Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUCOM-CA) hosted its Third Annual Mare Island Run/Walk to promote wellness and raise money for a local non-profit organization. The event spanned a scenic five-kilometer course, attracted more than 200 participants, and raised $7,000 for the Fighting Back Partnership, an organization dedicated to revitalizing and strengthening area neighborhoods. Faculty members and residents volunteered at the event, which was organized by TUCOM-CA’s student chapter of the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine.
Nova Southeastern University Holds Open House for its Geriatric Education Center
(far left) Dr. Beach and Dr. Silvagni prepare to cut the grand-opening ribbon.
(near left, from left): Sona Hromulak, MSc, MBA, administrative program manager, GREAT GEC; Cecilia Rokusek, EdD, RD, executive director, GREAT GEC; Jessica De Leon, PhD, assistant project manager, GREAT GEC; Dr. Naushira Pandya; Leonard Levy, DPM, MPH, assistant dean of education, planning, and research; and Dr. Anthony J. Silvagni.
Faculty and staff from the Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-COM) Florida Coastal Geriatric Resources, Education, and Training Center (GREAT GEC) recently hosted an open house for faculty, staff, students and GEC consortium members, as well as community members and state dignitaries.
The day started with a geriatric grand rounds presentation by Douglas Beach, PhD, Secretary of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, who spoke to an overflow crowd. During his presentation, Dr. Beach outlined the current status of elderly affairs in Florida and discussed the challenges the state faces with current budget deficits to support Medicare and long-term care.
Following Dr. Beach’s presentation, the GREAT GEC, which was established in 2007, held a festive ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newly remodeled center. The ribbon cutting was conducted by NSU-COM Dean Anthony J. Silvagni, DO, PharmD, and Dr. Beach.