ATSU-KCOM’s Teddy Bear Clinic, RVUCOM’s Multi-COM Fair and Expo, and More in Campus Roundup
Published March 06, 2019
2019
Kids Learn About Health Care at ATSU-KCOM’s Annual Teddy Bear Clinic
On Friday, February 22, students from A.T. Still University—Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM)’s Pediatrics Club and Alpha Phi Omega hosted their annual Teddy Bear Clinic. The purpose of the event is to teach children what to expect when they visit various health care providers, and to expose them to a health care setting in a positive way.
Local children brought their favorite stuffed animals to the clinic and learned about various tools they may encounter during an appointment. They were escorted through stations where the stuffed animals received physical exams, dental care, shots, casting for broken bones, and other medical treatment.
UP-KYCOM’s Mission of Service Extends to UPIKE Athletes
University of Pikeville—Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (UP-KYCOM) maintains a mission of service to Central Appalachia that includes students on UPIKE’s campus. UP-KYCOM student physicians are now providing pre-participation sports physical exams for UPIKE’s student-athletes.
“Not only is this a good learning experience for our osteopathic medical students, but it brings undergraduate students into the medical school to interact with our students, faculty and family medicine residents from Pikeville Medical Center,” said Dana Shaffer, DO, FACOFP, dist, FAOGME, Dean of KYCOM.
Marian University Promotes and Extends Contract of Donald Sefcik, DO
Marian University announced today that Donald Sefcik, DO, has been promoted to Senior Vice President for Health Professions and Dean of the Marian University Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-COM). The Catholic university on the westside of Indianapolis also extended Dr. Sefcik’s contract through the 2024-25 academic year.
Dr. Sefcik was hired in March 2016 to serve as Vice President of Health Professions and Dean of MU-COM. With his promotion, Dr. Sefcik will renew his efforts to develop and execute a strategic plan for increasing enrollment in health professions programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Additionally, he will seek to expand research opportunities and launch additional programs within the health professions. Lastly, he will design and implement a plan for expanding interprofessional education and interprofessional collaboration within the health professions.
PCOM Students Study Picasso, Cezanne to Hone Primary Skills
A group of first-year DO students at The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) recently embarked on a series of art-observation workshops—designed to improve their perception, observation, communication and collaboration skills—at the renowned Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia. Read more.
Photo credit: Melissa Kelly Photography
GA-PCOM Becomes PCOM Georgia
On Friday, February 8, the Georgia campus of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) began the process of rolling out a new name: PCOM Georgia.
“The new name more simply and accurately describes the College’s presence in the state and better speaks to the breadth and depth of the region the College serves,” PCOM President and CEO Jay S. Feldstein, DO, explained. The day included a celebration where students, faculty, and staff members came together to share soup in newly branded mugs to mark the occasion. As a way to give back, community members collected cans of soup to be donated to a Gwinnett County food bank. Read more.
Alixandria Fiore Pfeiffer Named NSU-KPCOM Student DO of the Year
Fourth-year osteopathic medical student Alixandria Fiore Pfeiffer was selected as the Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-KPCOM)’s 2018–19 Student DO of the Year by her peers. Because of Pfeiffer’s win, her award application was submitted to AACOM’s COSGP National Student DO of the Year award competition, where she earned honorable mention in a competitive field of 41 applicants. Pfeiffer was selected for the NSU-KPCOM honor based on her commitment to community service, embodiment of the DO philosophy, and consummate professionalism, as well as her academic and leadership success.
NYITCOM A-State Student Delivers His Own Son During OBGYN Rotation
Every physician remembers the first baby they delivered, but most doctors don’t get to take that child home and raise it. That was the case last month however for Duncan Tillack, a third-year medical student at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University (NYITCOM A-State). Chance David Tillack was born Sunday, February 24, and his proud father was the first to welcome the seven-pound, seven-ounce boy into the world thanks to a promise from one of Duncan’s mentors.
“When I started my third year last fall, my first clinical rotation was in OBGYN,” Duncan Tillack said. “I told my preceptor we were expecting, and he said that if all went well, he would let me deliver the baby. My wife Alex was immediately on board and she did 99 percent of the work. It was the most amazing experience in the world. I’ll never top it.”
While Duncan assisted with several deliveries during his OBGYN rotation, his son’s delivery was the first that he handled on his own from start to finish. Chance is the Tillacks’ second child. His two-year old daughter, Liveley Tillack, was born during the fall of Duncan’s first year at NYITCOM A-State.
RVUCOM Hosts Multi-COM Fair and Expo
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM) hosted close to 70 premed students on Friday, February 22, for the Multi-COM Fair and Expo. Throughout the day, the event showcased visiting colleges of osteopathic medicine while prospective students attended a series of discussion panels and networking events, such as the RVUCOM Tracks and Special Programs Open House.
Student doctors also hosted ultrasound and OPP demonstrations that offered an in-depth view of RVUCOM’s program offerings and a day in the life of a medical student. In addition to learning about various osteopathic medical universities, premed students became familiar with the medical school application and interview process with workshops focused on writing an effective personal statement and acing the AACOMAS application. The fair, which hosted AACOM as a special guest, concluded with a breakout session on “Minorities in Medicine” led by students from the RVUCOM chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA).
TouroCOM-NY Provides Trauma Training
Doctors, paramedics, and certified instructors from the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine New York (TouroCOM-NY) Middletown Campus presented the training program “Stop the Bleed, Save a Life” to teachers, staff members, and administrators in the Warwick Valley School District. This is the first school district to partner with TouroCOM to provide trauma training. Participants learned life-saving techniques such as using compression, bandages, and tourniquets to control bleeding. Read more.
TUNCOM Honors Female Students and Faculty During National Women Physicians Day
Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUNCOM) honored its female students and faculty during a weeklong, on-campus campaign to celebrate National Women Physicians Day on Feb 3. The special day recognizes the birthday of Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, the first American woman to obtain her MD degree in 1849.
In 2018, women were the majority of both medical school applicants and matriculants for the first time, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). According to Touro University Nevada’s Office of Admissions, the 2018 first-year class of medical students comprised of 43 percent female students compared to 36 percent the previous year.
“Certainly there are more women in medicine now, and the landscape of medicine has changed dramatically,” said Sharon McKenna, DO, Assistant Professor at TUNCOM. “How we practice, how we’re paid, and how our patients see us…it’s all changed.” Read more.
UNE COM Students Learn the Intricacies of Forensic Nursing
Medical Students for Choice at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNE COM) held an exceptional talk on Sexual Assault Awareness. Polly Campbell, RN, BS, BA, spoke to a lecture hall filled with first- and second-year osteopathic medicine students about forensic nursing, also known as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE). Polly is the director of ANE SANE, a grant-funded program aimed to educate and train nurses to provide comprehensive and informed care for victims of sexual assault.
Molly Louison, the Child Advocacy Center Program Manager for Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine (SARSSM), addressed the importance of sexual assault centers as agents of primary prevention, using community education and prevention training to help change the prevailing culture that accepts and promotes sexual assaults.
WVSOM Mini-Med School Lets the Public Experience Hands-On Health Education
About two dozen community members became learners and medical students turned into teachers when the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) hosted its 10th annual Mini-Med School, February 11-12.
Organized and taught by WVSOM students, the aim of Mini-Med School is to provide health education to community members. This year, representatives from seven different student organizations introduced participants to a variety of medical concepts through brief lectures, PowerPoint presentations and hands-on demonstrations.
VCOM-Auburn Student Organization Assists Local Primary Care Clinic
The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine—Auburn (VCOM-Auburn) chapter of the Student Osteopathic Internal Medicine Association (SOIMA) raised funds to furnish a patient room at an Auburn, AL primary care clinic. Mercy Medical Clinic provides primary care, affordable medications, and dental care to uninsured residents of Lee County, AL. VCOM-Auburn students can then take advantage of the opportunity to learn from physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants at Mercy Medical Clinic.
To show their appreciation, student members of SOIMA coordinated with Mercy Medical Clinic Nursing Coordinator, Julie Klarenbeek, RN, to purchase patient chairs, a doctor stool, an ophthalmoscope/otoscope, a new weight scale, a blood pressure cuff, tongue depressors, alcohol swabs, a biohazard waste container, pulse oximeter, and other room furnishings.
VCOM–Carolinas AMWA Hosts “Mentor Café”
On February 12, the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine–Carolinas (VCOM-Carolinas) hosted its second annual “Mentor Café” event. Four female physicians attended to discuss their medical training and other related topics with AMWA members. The students also had mentor “speed dates” in which they asked the doctors questions about their medical training as well as about being women in medicine.
Two surgeons, an OBGYN specialist, and a pathologist were in attendance. AMWA is an organization which functions at the local, national, and international level to advance women in medicine and improve women's health by providing and developing leadership, advocacy, education, expertise, mentoring, and strategic alliances.
Civil Rights Leader Speaks to Next Generation of Doctors at VCOM-Virginia
In honor of Black History Month, William G. Anderson, DO, presented the keynote address for students, faculty, and staff at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Virginia (VCOM-Virginia) on February 26 as part of the annual William G. Anderson, DO, Black History Series.
During the lecture titled “Why Black History,” Dr. Anderson spoke about the importance of continuing to learn about black history and how today’s medical students will become the leaders of tomorrow. He shared his civil rights work as a leader in the Albany Movement as a colleague and friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Anderson was the first and only African-American President of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and serves as a founding member on VCOM’s board.