Campuses Celebrate Graduations
LECOM President and Dean Receive Honorary Degrees
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) President and CEO John M. Ferretti, DO, and Provost, Senior Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs Silvia M. Ferretti, DO, were honored at Seton Hill University’s (SHU) spring commencement for their significant contributions to medical education and dedication to improving health care. Dr. John Ferretti accepted an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from SHU President Joann Boyle, PhD, who commended him for his commitment to LECOM and his compassion in teaching. Dr. Silvia Ferretti could not attend the ceremony, but would accept her honorary degree at a later date.
LMU-DCOM Participates in Free Health Clinic
Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) students and faculty provided free medical exams, screenings and osteopathic manipulative treatment to the public during the Fourth Annual Remote Area Medical Health Expedition in May. The two-day community outreach project was developed to help residents in Eastern Kentucky, Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.
MSUCOM Faculty and Students Visit Guatemala with DOCARE
Faculty and students from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) traveled to Guatemala during the school’s spring break with DOCARE International, a non-profit organization of volunteers dedicated to providing health care in underserved areas of the world. More than 118 volunteers participated in the medical mission, led by Gary L. Willyerd, DO, Acting Associate Dean of the Detroit Medical Center at MSUCOM. Other mission members included volunteers from Botsford Hospital, Mt. Clements Regional Medical Center and POH Regional Medical Center. The group treated more than 4,500 patients during their trip.
OU-COM Student Awarded AMA Scholarship
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-COM) student Catalina Soto recently received a $10,000 Minority Scholars Award from the American Medical Association. Soto is one of only 12 recipients in the country. The scholarship recognizes academic excellence and dedication to improving minority health care.
UNTHSC/TCOM Student Receives TMA Minority Scholarship
Amy Thorne, an incoming student at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNTHSC/TCOM), has received a $5,000 scholarship from the Texas Medical Association (TMA). One of nine medical students in the state to receive the award, Thorne intends to utilize her bilingual skills in practice as a family physician in Texas when she graduates, helping to provide high-quality health care to the state’s diverse population.
VCOM Plans Expansion to Spartanburg
Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) plans to establish its first branch campus in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Pending approval from the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), school officials hope to see the new medical school open by fall 2011. A significant number of VCOM students are North and South Carolina natives, and the school has collaborated with Spartanburg Regional Medical Center for the past six years on third- and fourth-year clinical education opportunities. Opening a campus in the Spartanburg area will allow students to spend all four years in the same location, rather than moving to Virginia for the first half of their education.
WVSOM Faculty and Students Treat Flood Victims
In April, students and faculty members from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) traveled to the town of Gilbert, WV, to aid area flood victims, providing free tetanus shots, administering first aid, distributing supplies and even offering instruction about mold removal.
William Carey University Receives Grant for New COM
William Carey University (WCU) recently received a $1 million grant for the construction of its college of osteopathic medicine (COM), putting into action a plan to open the new medical school by fall 2010. The grant was awarded by the Asbury Foundation of Hattiesburg, a non-profit branch of Wesley Medical Center that was formed to support local educational and health programs. In early May, WCU was granted pre-accreditation status by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).
Campuses Celebrate Graduations