Medical Students Celebrate Commencement, Start a Masters of Space Studies Program and More
Published June 10, 2021
2021
TUNCOM Celebrates Graduates with In-Person Commencement
Nearly 200 new graduates from the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUNCOM) and Masters of Science in Medical Health Sciences Program finished their Touro journeys during the university’s Spring Commencement ceremony. Held at the Thomas & Mack Center, the Spring Commencement was Touro’s first in-person Commencement since 2019.
“I am so proud of our wonderful students whose lives were turned upside down during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Shelley Berkley, CEO and senior provost. “The work that they have been able to do in these circumstances is a testament of their dedication. Their commitment gives me so much hope for our future.” Read more about TUNCOM’s graduation celebration.
UNTHSC/TCOM Student’s Once-in-a-lifetime Chance to Earn Masters of Space Studies
Summer Beckworth dreams of practicing osteopathic medicine among the stars. The second-year University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth - Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNTHSC/TCOM) student soon will embark on an exclusive one-year program to earn a Masters of Space Studies (MSS) at the International Space University (ISU) in Strasbourg, France. The yearlong program runs from September 2021 through May 2022 and supports students who want to advance their careers in space, space agencies and research.
“MSS is an amazing opportunity for anyone wanting to establish themselves within the aerospace field because it builds connections with international peers and leaders at NASA, ESA and other space sectors,” Beckworth said. “I have always loved learning about astronomy and cosmology.”
Her interest in the program was sparked on October 18, 2019 when NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Christina Koch conducted the first all-female spacewalk. Meir is an alum of the ISU program. Read more about Summer Beckworth, her background and aspirations.
WVSOM Commencement Speaker Urges New Physicians to ‘Take on the Future’
For 179 graduates, four demanding years of lectures, labs, exams and clinical rotations finally paid off. On a crisp spring morning on the campus of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) in Lewisburg, WV, another class of medical students officially became physicians.
One year after the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a shift to a virtual commencement ceremony, WVSOM was able to return to an in-person event, modified to accommodate the need for continued safety precautions. Participation in the ceremony was optional for those earning their degree, and guests were scattered inside campus buildings where they watched via livestream.
On May 29, graduates were honored at WVSOM’s 44th annual commencement ceremony. Members of the Class of 2021, clad in black-and-green gowns, gathered to receive their diplomas and listen to statements prepared by the school’s president, the class president and this year’s keynote speaker, Craig Boisvert, DO, FACOFP, WVSOM’s vice president for academic affairs and dean, who will retire this summer after more than 33 years with the school. Read more about the ceremony and Dr. Boisvert’s address.
AZCOM/MWU and CCOM/MWU Celebrate Graduates Earning DO Degrees
Photo: Students from AZCOM throw their tams in the air following a special commencement convocation on the Glendale Campus.
Midwestern University celebrated graduates from the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM/MWU) and the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM/MWU) with separate virtual commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 28. A total of 457 graduates earned their Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree from Midwestern University. In addition, the graduates had the opportunity to participate in a special commencement convocation held on both campuses.
The 237 members of the AZCOM/MWU graduating class were known for their spirit of service during their academic careers and participated in health screenings for homeless populations, volunteered for mission trips and spent countless hours providing health education to people in need. More than half (57.5%) of the graduates matched to primary care residencies, while the rest of the class will begin residencies in fields such as general surgery, psychiatry, emergency medicine, anesthesiology and neurology. Furthermore, 22.5% of the class will stay in Arizona for their postdoctoral programs with the remainder traveling to 32 other states.
CCOM/MWU celebrated the graduation of 204 students. This year, 57% of CCOM/MWU students matched to primary care residencies, which include internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology. In addition, 47% of the class will stay in Illinois for their postdoctoral programs with the remainder traveling to 29 other states. The CCOM Class of 2021 was known for its collaborative spirit, commitment to community service and resilience. Students completed hours of community service throughout their four years at CCOM and had major roles supporting the St. Baldrick’s Fundraiser for research on childhood cancer and the Scholars de Salud, where they mentored Chicago high school students who are underrepresented in healthcare professions. Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CCOM graduates volunteered their time at local hospitals or provided assistance to healthcare workers on the frontlines.
PCOM Celebrates 130th Annual DO Commencement
Photo: PCOM DO graduates celebrate 130th Annual Commencement.
On Monday, May 24, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) celebrated the 130th DO Commencement Ceremony at the Mann Center for Performing Arts in Philadelphia, PA.
PCOM Georgia Graduates 246 Physicians, Pharmacists and Physical Therapists
Photo: Jay S. Feldstein, DO '81, president and chief executive officer of PCOM, presents a diploma to Nicole Pritchett, DO '21, at a graduation ceremony held at the Ameris Bank Amphitheatre.
On Thursday, May 27, 246 physicians, pharmacists and physical therapists graduated from PCOM Georgia at the Ameris Bank Amphitheatre in Alpharetta, GA. The Class of 2021 includes 130 DO graduates. Read more about PCOM Georgia’s commencement.
Not Even a Pandemic Can Deter DMU’s 2021 Graduates
Photo: DMU President and CEO Angela L. Walker Franklin, PhD, congratulates DMU’s 2021 graduates.
After the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on their final year as Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine (DMU-COM) students, members of the Class of 2021 had plenty to celebrate during commencement activities from May 26-28. While those events had to occur completely online last year, many were held both in-person and virtually this year, and the joy was palpable.
“This is a great day for our nation,” DMU President and CEO Angela L. Walker Franklin, PhD, told the graduates. “You all weathered a year-plus like none other in our lives, a time of extreme uncertainty, tragedy, stress and seemingly endless adaptation from day to day and even hour by hour. You demonstrated resilience, determination and passion for your ‘why’—to make the world a better place.” Read more about the DMU-COM graduation.
Students Participate in On-Campus Anatomy Labs
After a year of social distancing, first-year students from the Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM) participated in voluntary anatomy labs with students from RVU’s Physician Assistant and Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Programs. During the labs, they learned about the human body, made possible by the generosity of donors who offer their bodies to medicine upon death. Find stories like this and more on RVUCOM’s Instagram account.
Class of 2022 Inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society
Members of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Virginia Campus (VCOM-Virginia) Class of 2022 were inducted into the Arnold Gold Foundation’s Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS). These student-doctors were peer nominated for their examples of humanism in healthcare. With over 160 chapters in medical schools and residency programs, GHHS has inducted 35,000 medical students, physicians and other leaders to serve as role models of the human connection in healthcare. View more photos and content on VCOM-Virginia’s Facebook account.
VCOM-Carolinas Celebrates GHHS Induction Ceremony
Members of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Carolinas Campus (VCOM-Carolinas) Class of 2022 celebrated their induction into the GHHS on June 1. The ceremony was held at the historic DuPre House on the VCOM-Carolinas campus, and 25 students were inducted into the society. Read more and view photos from the ceremony on VCOM-Carolinas’ Facebook account.