WCUCOM to Double Class Size, WesternU/COMP Holds September 11 Memorial, and More in Campus Roundup
Published September 23, 2019
2019
ATSU-KCOM Hosts Second Annual Heartland PreMed Conference
For the second consecutive year, A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) hosted the Heartland PreMed Conference.
140 students from across the country converged on ATSU’s Kirksville, MO, campus to participate in professional development activities designed to develop skills they need to be successful during the medical school application process.
To develop these skills, attendees participated in sessions on applying to medical school and mock medical school interviews. Participants received hands-on experience in ATSU’s state of the art osteopathic manipulation, ultrasound, and human patient simulation labs. Attendees were also able to visit the Still Research Institute, the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine, and receive information from several osteopathic medical schools, Army, Air Force, Navy, and an MCAT prep company.
“We wanted to have a conference in the Midwest because there are not any big professional development opportunities for students in the Midwest that are cost-effective, but also local,” said Andrea O’Brien, MS, Director, Admissions-Recruiting.
16 osteopathic medical schools from across the country participated in this year’s event, which was sponsored by ATSU-KCOM, Des Moines University, Kansas City University, and Marion University. Participation in the second annual event grew by nearly 30 percent from last year’s conference. Read more.
ICOM Hosts First Blood Drive of the School Year
The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) hosted the first blood drive of the 2019-20 academic year on Friday, September 6, in partnership with the American Red Cross.
Sponsored by ICOM’s Community Outreach Committee, Chairman Kiefer Starks, OMS-II, says students, faculty, and staff donated a total of 43 pints—also referred to as units—of blood.
“Each unit can save up to three lives,” Student-Doctor Starks said. “Today’s donation has the ability to impact up to 129 people. I am extremely proud of everyone who donated and supported this important cause.”
The committee is planning to organize another blood drive this winter. Read more.
First Ever Give Day, Health Screening Program Scores Big for Kids
Curious eyes and big smiles filled the Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU-COM) campus with energy as 300 children from Scuola Vita Nuova (SVN) Charter School arrived to kick off the Score 1 for Health (Score 1) program for the 2019-2020 school year. The annual event gives KCUCOM medical students hands-on clinical experience while providing free health screenings to kids who may not have access to health care. But this year’s visit held a bit more excitement.
As the health screenings got underway, KCU kicked off its first Day of Giving—a 24-hour fundraising campaign—on both Kansas City and Joplin campuses.
“Score 1 for Health has had a profound impact on the Kansas City community, working with school-age children for over 25 years,” said Ed O’Connor, PhD, KCU Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic, Research, and Student Affairs. “We are now expanding that into our Joplin campus. The more funds we raise, the more children we help in both communities.” Read more.
Renowned Educator Honored for Service to KYCOM
Photo: Steve R. Harris, PhD (left) was presented the John A. Strosnider, DO, Memorial Lecturer award by Dana Shaffer, DO, FACOFP, dist., FAOGME, Dean of the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (right).
Steve R. Harris, PhD, was named this year’s John A. Strosnider, DO, Memorial Lecturer at the annual Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM) Founders Dinner on September 13. The award recognizes Harris’ service to the medical school, along with the community, that spans two decades and countless student physicians.
Established in honor of John A. Strosnider, founding dean of the medical school, the award is presented annually. Previous recipients include G. Chad Perry III, Burlin Coleman, Bennie Ray Bailey, Paul E. Patton, William H. Owens, Terry Dotson, Hal Smith, Walter E. May, William Betz, and Edward G. Stiles.
Harris began at then Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine (PCSOM) on June 1, 1998, just one year after the school’s founding in 1997.
“When I refer back on the history our school, we’ve seen a lot of change,” said Harris. “I’m proud we did it together, as a team. I’m proud I’ve taught every student that has graduated from our school.”
With a vision that still holds true today, KYCOM carries the legacy of Strosnider as its guiding principle and continues to train osteopathic physicians to serve in the mountains of Appalachia and other rural areas.
“Our mission is still just as important,” Harris reminded the room full of colleagues and friends. “What we do at that school matters.”
LUCOM Student Doctors Offer Local Student Athletes Sport Physicals for the Year Ahead
Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM) student doctors from the Class of 2022 spent time during their first week of class out in the Lynchburg community performing pre-participation exams on student athletes from New Covenant Schools.
Under the direction of LUCOM faculty members, Liberty’s osteopathic medical students offered sport physicals on patients from 5th-12th grade. New Covenant athletes had vitals, height, weight, and vision checked by the medical students prior to their physical. The physical exam included ENT, lymphatics, dermatologic, abdominal, cardiac, respiratory, neurological, and musculoskeletal.
“I’ve had my fair share of sports physicals, so I wanted to experience being on the other side, giving the physicals,” said osteopathic medical student Bless Jung. “Not only are we serving our community in the moment, we are building relationships with community members that we may serve for years to come. This event is also very beneficial for student doctors to put their medical school practice into real world play.”
Jung plans to do a Sports Medicine Fellowship following the completion of his residency training. “I shadowed my sports medicine physician at Virginia Tech, and the relationships with and continuation of care for athletes really drew me into this profession. In sports medicine, both doctor and athlete need to communicate the reason for their care, whether it is to return to play or to protect their health,” he said. Read more.
NYITCOM-Arkansas’ Delta Care-a-van Hits the Road
On September 4, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine-Arkansas (NYITCOM-Arkansas) unveiled its highly anticipated Delta Care-a-van, a mobile medical unit that will provide free health screenings to patients in the Mississippi Delta region.
The medical school has been actively conducting free health screenings throughout communities in Northeast Arkansas. The mobile unit will enhance these efforts by offering seven screenings per month (approximately two per week) during the first year of the program. Since March 2019, NYITCOM-Arkansas and its Delta Care-a-van partners—University of Arkansas Medical School (UAMS), St. Bernards Medical Center, and the Arkansas State (A-State) University College of Nursing and Health Professions—conducted 13 free health screenings in the communities of Harrisburg, Leachville, Lepanto, Manila, Piggott, Marked Tree, and Walnut Ridge.
The Care-a-van is equipped with two examination rooms, an intake area, and telemedicine capabilities. Patients will be screened for hypertension, glucose, and anxiety and depression. Each screening will also provide hands-on training for aspiring medical professionals, namely NYITCOM-Arkansas medical students, resident physicians from UAMS and St. Bernards Medical Center, and A-State nursing and social work students who will conduct the screenings. Patients will also receive referrals to regional physicians for follow-up care and information about community health resources.
“Through the Delta Care-a-van, our aspiring medical professionals will also experience the joys, opportunities, and challenges of rural practice,” said Brookshield Laurent, DO, Chair of Clinical Medicine at NYITCOM-Arkansas and Delta Care-a-van director. “Our medical students, along with the residents and A-State students, will be working in areas where people are looking to be better informed about their health and health-related issues. We have a real opportunity to make a tremendous impact on these communities.”
NSU-KPCOM Establishes Health and Wellness Coaching Bachelor’s Program
The Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-KPCOM) received approval to launch its third bachelor’s degree program—a Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness Coaching (HAWC) in partnership with NSU’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS). The new program, which will begin in fall 2020, also offers students an option for an accelerated Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree program, as well as an option for dual admission into the CAHSS’s Master of Science in Family Therapy program.
The HAWC program will be offered as a traditional on-site, daytime model at the Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus. Faculty members from the KPCOM, the CAHSS, the Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, and the College of Medical Sciences will teach the courses.
“We are very excited about this new bachelor’s program, since it will provide a unique pathway for students to enter the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine,” said Phyllis Filker, DMD, MPH, Associate Dean of Undergraduate, Graduate, and Community Education. “The HAWC major also provides an opportunity for students not interested in becoming a physician to be a vital part of the health care team.”
OSU Center for Health Sciences to Host First Project ECHO Summit in Oklahoma
The first Project ECHO Summit in Oklahoma will feature health care professionals, legislators, and leaders in education addressing the impact Project ECHO has had on the state and the program’s expanding future.
Project ECHO, which was developed in 2003 at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, utilizes videoconferencing so health care providers in rural or underserved areas can consult with a team of specialists on patient cases. It not only allows primary care physicians, nurses and other clinicians to provide much needed specialty care to patients, but it also saves those patients time and money.
Nearly three years ago, OSU-CHS started a Project ECHO program and in that time has expanded to 10 health care lines across a number of focus areas including pediatrics, psychiatry, substance abuse disorders, infectious disease, behavioral/mental health, HIV, Hepatitis C, and nutrition and metabolic diseases. Read more.
RVUCOM–Southern Utah Announces White Coat Keynote Speaker, Dr. Mark Briesacher
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine Southern Utah (RVUCOM-SU) is pleased to announce that Mark Briesacher, MD, will be providing the keynote address at the University’s 2019 White Coat Ceremony.
During his time as Senior Vice President and Chief Physician Executive at Intermountain Healthcare, Dr. Briesacher has advanced the organization’s long-standing efforts to be a leader in care that is centered on patient safety, quality, extraordinary experiences, great access, and affordability. He is currently a member of the SelectHealth Board of Trustees, the Intermountain Medical Group Board, the American Medical Group Association (AMGA) Board, and the Board of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Intermountain Area.
“As a primary care pediatrician, Dr. Briesacher has made tremendous contributions to the health and well-being of countless patients and their families,” said David Park, DO, FAAFP, FACOFP, Vice President and Dean of the Southern Utah campus. “He has a great understanding of what needs to be done and always does the right thing.”
The White Coat Ceremony was held on Saturday, September 21. There are 133 students matriculating into the medical school this year; the students hail from 19 states, with 43 percent of the Class coming from Utah.
WesternU Holds September 11 Memorial Service
Photo: (left to right), Navy Ensign Eva Din, Navy Ensign Amanda Miller, COMP Associate Dean of Academic Innovation Dr. Edward Barnes II, Air Force 2nd Lt. Gavin Davis, Navy Ensign Daniel Haddad and Navy Ensign Travis Sherman at Western University of Health Sciences’ Sept. 11 memorial service. (Photo credit: Jeff Malet, WesternU)
Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (WesternU/COMP)’s Military Medical Student Association held its annual memorial service on the Pomona campus on Sept. 11, 2019. Among the guests were representatives from the Pomona Police Department, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and the city of Pomona.
“Today I would like us to not only have thoughts and prayers for those who lost their lives both in the towers and especially the first responders who answered the call of duty to go into harm’s way and make the ultimate sacrifice,” said WesternU/COMP Senior Vice President and Provost David Baron, DO, MSEd, “but more importantly, to celebrate the level of commitment that we make as health care providers to our patients, and that police, fire, military and all first responders make as a band of brothers and sisters to answer to a higher calling, to be willing to make that ultimate sacrifice.”
Pomona Police Chief Michael Olivieri said Americans remember, memorialize and vow to never forget the tremendous loss of life suffered 18 years ago when terrorists commandeered four U.S. airliners and flew two of them into the World Trade Center towers in New York City and a third into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The fourth jet crashed in a field southeast of Pittsburgh, PA. In all, nearly 3,000 people died in the attack, with another 6,000 sustaining injuries. Read more.
William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine to Double in Size
William Carey University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (WCUCOM) has been authorized to expand the size of its incoming class by 100 percent over the next four years.
The medical school currently accepts 100 students each year. The size of the incoming class will grow to 150 in the 2020-21 academic year, 175 in 2021-22, and 200 in 2022-23. The effect of this change will be to increase total enrollment from 400 students to 800 students.
The news was announced Monday morning, September 9, during a press conference at WCUCOM. It followed a formal authorization for the change from the American Osteopathic Association (AOA)’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), the agency that governs accreditation of all osteopathic medical schools in the United States.
“The College of Osteopathic Medicine has been a remarkable success, and this increase in class size will allow us to prepare even more physicians. I am so grateful to the medical school’s past and present leadership, as well as the faculty and staff for their hard work,” said WCU President Dr. Tommy King. Read more.
Two WVSOM Rural Health Initiative Students Receive Scholarships
Two students in the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine’s (WVSOM) Rural Health Initiative (RHI) program received scholarships that will help offset the cost of in-state tuition.
Second-year students Kacy Harmon (pictured left) and Nick Yost (pictured right) each received $22,000 through the Rural Physician Scholarship Program because of their involvement in the RHI program and previous involvement in programs that prepare undergraduate students for medical school. WVSOM’s RHI was designed to enhance the rural/underserved primary care curriculum at WVSOM in order to produce graduates qualified to practice medicine in rural/underserved communities.
“WVSOM RHI is pleased to offer the Rural Physician Scholarship Program to enable quality health professionals to practice in rural areas of our state,” said Rebecca Thacker, RHI program coordinator. “Both recipients of this year’s scholarship participated in RHI pre-med pipeline programming, have joined RHI and plan to practice in rural areas within West Virginia. Awarding this scholarship is an exciting step in RHI’s journey to improve health care in rural communities.”