AZCOM Student Lands NASA Internship
Joleen Kayanickupuram, a second-year medical student at Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University (AZCOM), is conducting research this summer in Houston, Texas, at the NASA Johnson Space Center’s Neuroscience Laboratory. One of only 18 students chosen for NASA’s National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) internship, Kayanickupuram will spend 10-15 weeks learning about and seeking ways to improve astronauts’ ability to move easily and maintain balance in space.
CCOM Holds Health Sciences Day for Area Students
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University (CCOM) welcomed local 7th and 8th grade students from the Daniel Hale Williams Preparatory School of Medicine to campus in July for a day of hands-on learning about various health care fields, including anatomy and family medicine. The 7th-12th grade high school, which is named after the African-American physician and surgeon credited with performing the first successful heart surgery, is dedicated to increasing the number of underrepresented minority students in the medical field.
KCUMB-COM Plans Expansion to Southwest Missouri
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCUMB-COM) is working in collaboration with Missouri Southern University to lay the groundwork for a new medical education program in the Southwestern part of the state. If the new school receives approval from the state board, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), it will move forward to establish partnerships with area hospitals for clinical education opportunities. KCUMB-COM has already secured an agreement with Freeman Health System and hopes to begin offering seats in the program in fall 2011.
LECOM Administrators Honored with Entrepreneur Award
In July, John M. Ferretti, DO, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), and Silvia M. Ferretti, DO, LECOM Provost, Senior Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs, were named finalists in the regional Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year competition. Nominated by LECOM Trustee Kevin Colosimo, JD, Drs. John and Silvia Ferretti played a crucial role in LECOM’s initial development and have guided the institution through its establishment of an additional campus in Bradenton, Florida, and a teaching site in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
LECOM-Bradenton Featured on ABC News
Robert J. George, DO, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine-Bradenton Campus (LECOM-Bradenton), was recently interviewed by ABC 7 Suncoast News in Florida. Dr. George highlights the comprehensive education that osteopathic medical students receive and discusses LECOM’s role in addressing the physician workforce shortage in both the state of Florida and in the nation. To see the interview, visit http://www.mysuncoast.com/Global/story.asp?S=10658207&nav=menu577_2_3.
MSUCOM Students Travel to Dominican Republic
Medical students from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) recently joined Reza Nassiri, DSc, Assistant Dean and Director of the MSU Institute of International Health, on a medical mission trip to the Dominican Republic. The group of 18 students treated patients for diabetes, leprosy and other tropical diseases, and also observed an HIV-AIDS clinic. Providing relief for the Dominican residents gave the students first-hand experience in treating and working with patients from a different culture.
OSU-COM Faculty Receive New Appointments
Kayse Shrum, DO, was recently named Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs at Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OSU-COM). Dr. Shrum will take on her new responsibilities as she continues to serve in her former role of Chair and Associate Professor of Pediatrics. Jenny Alexopulos, DO, has been appointed (OSU-COM) Associate Dean of Clinical Services.
OU-COM Offers Physician Diversity Program for Minority Students
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-COM) has partnered with OhioHealth, a team of non-profit hospitals and healthcare organizations in central Ohio, to offer minority students the unique opportunity to engage in a mentor program with local physicians. First-year medical students who are accepted into the Physician Diversity Program are paired with an OhioHealth physician of a similar cultural background for four years, receiving annual stipends to cover the program’s required activities. After graduation, participating students are eligible to receive a $10,000 annual loan repayment for every year they participate in an OhioHealth residency. For more information, visit http://www.oucom.ohiou.edu/News/stories/OhioHealthMinority/index.htm.
Robyn Phillips-Madson Named PNWU-COM Dean
Robyn Phillips-Madson, DO, MPH, has been named Dean of Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (PNWU-COM), effective immediately. Dr. Phillips-Madson, a graduate of Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM), was appointed Interim Dean in February and has served in a variety of roles since she joined the school in 2007.
Michael M. Looney Steps Down; Boyd R. Buser Named Interim President at Pikeville College
Michael M. Looney, PhD, has resigned as President of Pikeville College, citing health reasons. On August 4, the Pikeville College Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Boyd R. Buser, DO, as Interim President while a search is being conducted. During this transition period, Dr. Buser will continue to serve as Vice President and Dean of the Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine (PCSOM), a position he has held since 2007.
RVUCOM Announces New Health Professions Loan Program
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM) is now offering a Health Professions Loan Program to current students and applicants with approved credit history. Eligible 2009-2010 students can borrow up to the full cost of attendance, excluding other financial aid they may receive, at a fixed interest rate of 8.5 percent. Loans must be repaid in full within 20 years of leaving the university.
VCOM to Distribute 35,000 Pairs of Shoes
Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) has received a sizable donation in the form of 35,000 pairs of shoes. Foot Levelers, a retail store in Roanoke that specializes in sales of orthotics, made the contribution to the school, which will distribute the shoes to those in need in the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Honduras. First- and second-year VCOM students travel to those locations on mission trips, providing medical care to indigent populations at clinics established by the school. Patients treated in the clinics are often in need of shoes and other basic apparel. Premier Transfer & Storage and Burch Properties have teamed up with VCOM to ship and store the accessories.
Western U/COMP Breaks Ground for Northwest Campus
On June 23, Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (Western U/COMP) officially broke ground for its new teaching site in Lebanon, Oregon. Western U/COMP graduate Paula Crone, DO, will fill the position of Founding Executive Associate Dean, heading the first class of 100 students in summer 2011. Students enrolled in the school’s Northwest Track, from the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Alaska, will spend their first two years in the new, state-of-the-art, 54,000-square-foot Samaritan Health Services’ Health Science Center; the following years of clinical education will be at various sites in the Northwest.