ATSU-KCOM Hosts Japanese Students, UNE COM's Pride Celebration, and More in Campus Roundup

ATSU-KCOM Welcomes Japanese Students for a Week of Learning

Japanese Traditional Osteopathic College (JTOC) sent 27 students from the inaugural class to spend a week at the end of May studying the anatomy of fascia at A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM). The course included cadaveric dissections, studies of the prosected cadaveric specimens demonstrating unique aspects of the fascia in different regions of the body, study of anatomy using ultrasound, and a brief introduction to the microscopic structure of the fascia.

“The Anatomy Department at ATSU-KCOM was charged with teaching anatomy of the elusive fascial structures to 27 Japanese speaking students using cadaveric laboratory,” Peter Kondrashov, PhD, anatomy department chair, says. “It was a learning curve both for us and the students, as we discovered new ways to dissect the body to demonstrate unique aspects of fascia. Although challenging, the course was rewarding for the faculty of ATSU and extremely well received by JTOC students.” Read more.

Goudreau Named Associate Dean for Research in College of Osteopathic Medicine

John Goudreau, DO, PhD, has been named the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM)’s associate dean for research. He also will be the co-director of the DO-PhD training program, a combined degree program where students are trained to become physician scientists.

An associate professor in the departments of neurology and ophthalmology, as well as pharmacology and toxicology, Goudreau is the director of the Movement Disorders Clinic. He also serves as associate department chair for research in neurology and ophthalmology.

Goudreau joined the MSU faculty in July 2001. His research has focused on movement disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, and the evaluation of potential genetic and environmental risk factors for the disease, as well as developing effective neuroprotective and therapeutic drugs.

“John Goudreau has an incredible background and he brings the kind of experience that will allow us to elevate an already outstanding research portfolio,” said Andrea Amalfitano, DO, PhD, Dean of MSUCOM. “Because he’s an alumnus of our DO-PhD program, as well as an exemplary leader, I have complete confidence that he’ll do an exemplary job in guiding our physician-scientist training program—the oldest and largest program of its kind.” Read more.

Project H.E.A.R.T. Introduces High School Students to Medical Education, Health Care Careers

Prior to her senior year of high school, current second-year osteopathic medical student Amor Rivera attended a summer camp that introduced students to medical careers, and it was largely because of that experience that Rivera decided to pursue a medical education.

“We visited clinics and hospitals through the camp, and until I saw that, I hadn’t really thought about being a doctor,” Rivera said. “It really opened my eyes and made things click. That was the first time I thought, ‘I could do this and really enjoy it.’”

Rivera recently received the opportunity to share a similar experience with 45 high school students as she was one of 15 student doctors who served as counselors for the third-annual “Project H.E.A.R.T.,” a four-day/three-night camp hosted by New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State (NYITCOM Arkansas) from June 11-14.

Project H.E.A.R.T. stands for Health Education Advocacy Reflection and Training, and the program is designed for rising high school juniors and seniors to explore health care careers, discover higher education options, learn about health care needs in the Mississippi Delta, and find ways they can make a difference in health care challenges in their communities. Read more.

Heritage College Students Contribute to Harm Reduction Program

Medical students at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine will work on a new project by the college’s Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute (ITDI), meant to head off a possible outbreak of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C (HCV) in southeastern Ohio, home to the college’s Athens campus. The project will enhance an existing Blood Borne Pathogen Harm Reduction Program offered by the Athens City-County Health Department, which includes needle exchange for intravenous drug users. ITDI will offer education on the transmission of HIV and HVC to the program’s clients, as well as a chance to be tested for these diseases during their visits to the department. Heritage College students will present the educational material. Read more.

PCOM’s Research Day Showcases Innovation and Collaboration

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM)’s annual Research Day is an opportunity for students, residents, support staff, and faculty to come together to showcase the breadth of innovative and collaborative research that has been conducted at PCOM and its affiliated institutions. This year’s event featured more than 100 posters.

“It’s amazing to see how much Research Day has grown. I remember being at one of the first [Research Days], and there were only 10 or 11 posters,” said Brandon Poterjoy, DO ’02 who has worked with Denah Appelt, PhD, director, dual degree programs and biomedical science professor of neuroscience, and Brian Balin, PhD, chair, bio-medical sciences; professor, neuropathology, and director of the Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging. Dr. Poterjoy and other alumni returned this year to act as judges for Research Day. Read more.

Sizzling Support: Inside PNWU’s First-Year Student Breakfast

Noses lifted from notebooks and eyes rose from laptop screens as the unmistakable aroma of bacon wafted through the halls of Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (PNWU-COM). As it drifted through the gathering spaces of Butler-Haney Hall, seemingly intensifying with every passing second, osteopathic medical students began scoping the foyer around them, some audibly wondering: “where is that smell coming from?”

And then a call rang out, like the crowing of a particularly tenacious rooster: “COME AND GET IT!”

Peering toward the sound of the summoning, students could vaguely make out the smiling face of Robert Sorrells, PhD, PNWU’s Associate Dean of Pre-Clinical Education. But why was he shouting? Were his shouts intended for them? And, perhaps most perplexingly of all, why was he wearing a chef's hat?

Soon, the reasons for his calls would become clear, plates would be filled with pancakes, bacon and eggs, bowls of oatmeal would be adorned with fresh fruit, and another year of one of the health science university’s most jubilant traditions would be in the books. Read more.

UNE COM Has Pride

University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNE COM) showed their support of the LGBTQI+ community by marching in the Portland Pride Parade on Saturday, June 15th in Portland, ME. COM students, alumni, faculty, and professional staff also cheered from the crowd. The student-run Health Equality Alliance (HEAl) designed t-shirts to display UNE COM pride in pride events across the world (including Minnesota, Panama, and New Zealand).

VCOM-Auburn Class of 2022 Crosses Finish Line

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine—Auburn Campus (VCOM-Auburn) held its annual “Finisher” party on June 13 to recognize the completion of the academic year for first-year students from the class of 2022. Students filtered in after completing their last exam of the block, looking much like they had run a long marathon. Special t-shirts were given out to the students to mark the occasion. Additionally, a gelato truck parked outside scooped treats for the weary students who were looking forward to some down time on their block break.

VCOM-Virginia Second-Year Class Gathers for Farewell Luncheon

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine—Virginia Campus (VCOM-Virginia)’s class of 2021 gathered on June 12 after they finished their COMSAE exams in preparation for next year's clinical rotations. The first-year class provided a farewell lunch on the patio with music on a beautiful afternoon on the campus.

WVSOM and CAMC Announce Collaboration

The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) and Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) have signed a letter of intent to establish a regional medical school campus at CAMC in Charleston, WV.

This new collaboration between WVSOM and CAMC will provide a stable system of core and elective rotations, didactics, and other educational components for WVSOM students.

WVSOM will determine a curriculum, appoint accredited faculty, and perform administrative functions at the site. CAMC will provide space for the campus and will allow the use of its Simulation Center for all students from the South Central Region of the school’s Statewide Campus system.

“WVSOM is pleased to be working with Charleston Area Medical Center on this exciting and mutually beneficial project,” said James W. Nemitz, PhD, WVSOM’s president. “We’re always looking for opportunities that will allow our students to enhance their education, and we believe this collaboration will be a positive one both for students and for the community of Charleston.”