Medical Students Celebrate Match Week, Attend Patient Safety Course and Distribute Vaccines to Local Communities

TUNCOM Third-Year Medical Students’ Research Published in International Peer-Reviewed Publication

Third-year medical students Johnathan Emahiser (pictured left) and John Nguyen (pictured right) from Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUNCOM) were recently published in Medical Science Educator for their research, titled “Study of Live Lecture Attendance, Student Perceptions and Expectations.”

Medical Science Educator is the official peer-reviewed publication of the International Association of Medical Science Educators and is one of the leading journals in health sciences education. According to Amina Sadik, PhD, professor in the Department of Basic Sciences who worked with both students on the research project, this publication ensures that educators from more than 6,000 international institutions can view the students' research.

As part of their research, Emahiser, Nguyen, Dr. Sadik and Cheryl Vanier, PhD, chief research officer at Touro University Nevada, developed a survey to gain insight into the reasons why students skipped class, identify the types of study materials they used and determine what they thought would motivate them to attend class. Read more about the students behind the study.

Match Week Reveals Future for CCOM/MWU and AZCOM/MWU DO Students

Photo: Erika Danelski (CCOM/MWU '21) announces her residency match as part of the National Match Day.

During the third week of March, students from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University (CCOM/MWU) and the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University (AZCOM/MWU) eagerly checked their emails for long-anticipated news of their medical futures.

After four years of rigorous studying, osteopathic medical students participated in the 2021 National Resident Matching Program Main Residency Match and found out where they will perform their residencies and in what specialty field.

“I matched Emergency Medicine at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL,” said Erika Danelski. “CCOM/MWU has prepared me for this next step by providing me with a strong academic knowledge base and great clinical experience in the Chicago region. I’m most looking forward to taking care of a diverse patient population at a Level 1 Trauma Center and getting to know my new co-residents." Read more about CCOM/MWU and AZCOM/MWU’s matches.

PCOM Vice-Chair Named 2021 ACOFP Educator of the Year 

Peter Bidey, DO (’08), vice-chair and assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has been named the 2021 Osteopathic Family Medicine Educator of the Year by the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP). Dr. Bidey accepted his award via video message during the organization’s annual conference, which was hosted virtually this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“This award means so much to me because it solidifies that what I do, as well as what my colleagues do, in the training of students, really does make a difference” shared Dr. Bidey during his acceptance speech. “Although I have the honor of receiving this award, it is a product of my colleagues, teachers and most importantly my students, who really are the ones advancing osteopathic family medicine,” continued Dr. Bidey. Read more about Dr. Bidey and the ACOFP Educator of the Year award.

One-of-a-Kind Patient Safety Course Gives UNTHSC/TCOM Students an Edge

Lillee Gelinas, MS, RN, CPPS, FAAN, (pictured right-most) remembers the first patient she ever lost. She was in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps and missed a respiratory depression that ultimately led to the patient’s death. Devastating experiences like that drove the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth - Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNTHSC/TCOM) to create the nation’s first and only Patient Safety Course that allows students to sit for the Certified Professional in Patient Safety certification exam. Gelinas is the Section Director and the course’s primary instructor. Learn more about the program offered at UNTHSC/TCOM.

Second-year PCOM South Georgia DO Students Distribute Vaccines Through Volunteerism

After a curriculum change brought on by COVID-19 allowed medical students to learn vaccination techniques earlier in their education, PCOM-South Georgia medical students are now volunteering in vaccination efforts at Moultrie’s local hospital.

In addition to learning inoculations in the primary care skills course, the medical students also completed additional training and are certified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to administer vaccines.

And keeping in line with the mission of PCOM South Georgia, students are taking that training to their local hospital, Colquitt Regional, to volunteer at the drive-through vaccination clinic. The second-year medical students are assisting with screening patients, administering vaccines and documenting doses. Read more about the students’ work to serve their community.

CHSU-COM Visiting Medical Students Celebrate Residency Matches

Left to Right: Shakeel Ahmad, Kansas City University Joplin campus, matched at Saint Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, CA. Adriana Etcheverry, Kansas City University, matched at Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera, CA. Matthew Bordbari, Kansas City University, matched at Kaweah Delta Hospital in Visalia, CA.

The collaboration among three colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs) resulted in a very successful Match Day for 10 COM students. The California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM) piloted a program to help impact the physician shortage in their region by exposing “visiting” osteopathic medical students to nearby graduate medical education programs. For the visiting fourth-year medical students at CHSU-COM, Match Day was a 100% success. All 10 visiting medical students matched to a residency program, and 50% of them matched to programs in the Central Valley. Six out of 10 are pursuing primary care, which speaks to the overall mission of osteopathic medical education. Read more about the residency match successes.

VCOM-Auburn Celebrates Match Day 2021

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Auburn Campus (VCOM-Auburn) celebrated another “virtual” Match Day on March 19, 2021. Faculty and staff recorded congratulatory videos that were made available to students. Students were provided with printable Match Day-themed photo props and asked to submit their photos. VCOM-Auburn is exceptionally proud of its students who found their residency match this year and are thrilled to know that they will be making a difference in the lives of many patients.

VCOM-Carolinas Palm Sunday Vaccine Clinic

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Carolinas Campus (VCOM-Carolinas) students were joined by Associate Chair for Family Medicine and Director for Diversity and Inclusion, Doralyn Jones, DO, nurses from ReGenesis Healthcare and volunteers from the Cornerstone Baptist Church for a Palm Sunday COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Spartanburg, SC. The event was held on March 28, 2021, in the church’s gymnasium.

VCOM-Louisiana Celebrates Accepted Students

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana) celebrated its second-annual Accepted Students Day on Saturday, March 27 for the incoming class of 2025. A half virtual, half in-person format, this year’s Accepted Students Day marked the first event at the new VCOM campus that was open to outside visitors. Classes will begin on July 12 for members of the Class of 2025.

AZCOM/MWU Students Find Service Opportunities Despite Pandemic

Photo credit: Barbara Robey Community Pantry

AZCOM/MWU students volunteering with the Midwestern University Health Outreach through Medicine and Education (H.O.M.E.) program have continued finding ways to maintain their connections to the community even in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Student volunteers have been working in small groups on Saturday evenings with the Agua Fria Food Pantry at Barbara Robey Elementary School, helping with food preparation and distribution. Meanwhile, students are also enthusiastically participating in the Caring About Seniors Pen Pal Program, writing letters of encouragement to residents of senior centers undergoing cancer treatment who are struggling with reduced family contact during the pandemic.

Students Volunteer in the DMU-COM Clinic’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Effort

Photo: DMU-COM students Mark Hedinger and Grethel Perez organize supplies in the University’s drive-through COVID-19 vaccine clinic.

Students in Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine (DMU-COM) and other clinical programs are eager volunteers in the COVID-19 vaccine distribution effort of the DMU Family Medicine Clinic, which began March 24. They staffed checkpoints and put vaccines in arms in a drive-through clinic set up in the University’s on-campus parking ramp.

“As students, we often find ourselves lost in the theoretical aspects of medicine,” said second-year osteopathic medical student Ben Peters. “Volunteering at DMU’s own vaccine clinic helped me develop an even deeper sense of the vigor of the DMU community in which I am proud to play my part.” Read more about the clinic's vaccine distribution efforts.

Record-setting Match Day Met with Tears, Joy at TUCOM-CA

Photo: TUCOM-CA’s Dr. Walter Hartwig, presents the record-setting statistics to the graduating Class of 2021.

One of the most anticipated Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - California (TUCOM-CA) events of the year, Match Day, took place March 19. Although the festivities were hampered by COVID-19 restrictions, the elation felt by many of the graduating Class of 2021 was not diminished at all. 

Around 100 students gathered around Zoom screens, flanked in most cases by loved ones–or dogs–complete with balloon arches, banners and streamers, and anxiously awaited the moment when they would all open messages informing them of their residency locations.

Prior to seeing the name of their Match Day pairing, the day was already a big success, with Walter Hartwig, PhD, director of enrollment management and student success, explaining a number of records and firsts for TUCOM-CA. Read more about the virtual Match Day offered at TUCOM-CA.

U.S. News Ranks WVSOM as a Top Medical School

The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) stands out among medical schools for producing the most primary care residents and for graduates practicing in rural areas. The 2022 edition of the U.S. News & World Report “America’s Best Graduate Schools” recognized WVSOM for the 23rd consecutive year. This year, the school was listed fourth in the nation for producing the most primary care residents. View the social media post of WVSOM’s recognition.

UNE COM Students Host Events for Social Determinants of Health Month

During the month of November, Student Physicians for Social Responsibility (SPSR), along with the Equity and Diversity Advancement Committee (EDAC), hosted the first COM Social Determinants of Health Month (SDOHM) initiative at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNE COM). During the month, SPSR and EDAC teamed up with 12 other clubs to organize events for students, faculty and UNE community members to learn about accessibility, diversity, inclusivity and equity in medicine. Throughout SDOHM, students and community members explored conditions in which people live, grow, work, learn, practice religion and age that impact individual health, while also learning about systems of oppression that perpetuate those conditions and disparities in healthcare. Read more about the events on UNE COM's Instagram post.