Students Participate in Orientation Events, Hold a Health Careers Institute for High-Schoolers and Conduct Research as Summer Scholars
Published August 05, 2021
UNE COM Food Drive Delivers Goods for Orientation
Photo: (from left to right) student doctors Caroline Jaeger, Tal Tsafnat, Gracie Hannigan and Cameron Scott.
For the past few years, first-year students at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNE COM) donated food items to the Biddeford Food Pantry during orientation. This year, the Class of 2025 brought in 777 items (2677 including diapers), far surpassing the previous record of 662 items. The Biddeford Food Pantry was exceptionally grateful for the donation as it is the last food pantry in the city after a steady decrease in donations during the pandemic.
RVUCOM Welcomes Class of 2025 During Orientation Week
The Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM) celebrated the arrival of its Class of 2025 with orientation week, which introduces the new student doctors to their campus and new classmates. On the Colorado campus, students participated in a service-based learning activity and helped the City of Parker remove invasive plants from Happy Canyon Gulch, while on the Southern Utah campus students volunteered at the local Utah Food Bank. The week also saw students go on hikes together, participate in wellness workshops and get hands-on CPR training.
UNTHSC/TCOM Student Re-Appointed to National Student Organization’s Board
Sabri Zooper, fourth-year medical student at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth - Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNTHSC/TCOM), has been re-appointed to the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) Board of Directors for a second year as the National Osteopathic Affairs Committee Co-Chairperson. Zooper will serve a one-year term. The SNMA is the nation’s oldest and largest independent, student-run organization focused on the needs and concerns of medical students of color.
“What an honor to be given the chance to finish what I started last year as OSC Chair,” said Zooper. “This year, my goal is to solidify long lasting partnerships with other outstanding student groups like the COSGP, SOMA and so many more. In addition, I plan to continue developing student leadership opportunities within the AOA and AACOM to ensure that students’ voices are heard and acknowledged.” Read more about Zooper’s background and goals for her re-appointment.
ICOM Student Helps Create National Otolaryngology Interest Group
In an effort to assist medical students interested in pursuing a career in otolaryngology, Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) fourth-year medical student Cameron Farsar assisted in the development of the National Otolaryngology Interest Group (NOIG).
Over the last six months, Student Doctor Farsar worked alongside faculty and residents in collaboration with Headmirror, the largest national database for otolaryngology education for medical students and residents.
“This is going to be an amazing resource for students pursuing otolaryngology by providing resources including mentorship, research and clinical exposure opportunities,” said student doctor Farsar. “Prior to the creation of NOIG, there was no other national platform to aid students pursuing this field.”
Student doctor Farsar will also serve as National President of NOIG. Read more about Farsar’s role in launching this new national interest group.
CUSOM Summer Scholars Blog Series
Thirty rising second-year medical students are participating in Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM)’s Medical Student Summer Research Scholars Program with 18 faculty primary investigators. The scholars are invited to contribute to a blog series sharing their experiences and words of wisdom to incoming first-year medical students. Read the student blog posts and learn more about CUSOM’s summer research scholars program.
Health Careers Institute Gives High Schoolers Hands-On Look at Healthcare Careers
Photo: Arizona high school students get a hands-on look at emergency medicine in Midwestern University’s simulation center.
High school juniors and seniors interested in healthcare were given an in-depth and hands-on look at potential careers in various disciplines at the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University (AZCOM/MWU)’s annual Health Careers Institute for High School Students, which took place from July 12-16.
Attendees participated in 40 hours of workshops, labs and interactive activities during the event, which was held for five days. Forty-eight high schoolers from 32 schools—including three out-of-state schools—were selected for the program.
AZCOM/MWU faculty and student mentors volunteered to teach workshops in anatomy and introductory skills for various health professions, with a special focus on how to prepare for college and what to expect from each profession. Among the student mentors were five students who attended the Health Careers Institute while they themselves were in high school. Read more about the topics and activities at the institute.
KCU-COM Campuses Celebrates WE CARE Day and Create Community Garden
One hundred sixty Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU-COM) Joplin Campus first-year medical students participated in We Care Day! This annual service event is an opportunity for new KCU students to form bonds with fellow classmates while learning about and lending a hand to community organizations. This year, the students worked on projects with 15 area organizations. They worked on projects such as packing hygiene kits at the Community Clinic of Southwest Missouri, sorting clothing and gardening at Crosslines Ministries - Joplin, walking and washing dogs at the Joplin Humane Society Animal Adoption & Resource Center, assembling furniture at LovinGrace and more.
KCU-COM’s Kansas City campus’ Community Park and Garden provides the university an opportunity to grow and share nutritious foods with underserved populations while reaffirming a commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles. Students and employees can join the gardening group or the Community Garden Compost Program. Sherri Howell, DO, Associate Professor of Primary Care, recently shared with Fox4 news what’s growing in the Community Garden and how it benefits KCU’s neighbors. View the full story.
VCOM-Virginia Welcomed the Class of 2025
The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia Campus (VCOM-Virginia) welcomed 185 new student doctors in the Class of 2025 during their first week of orientation. View pictures on VCOM-Virginia’s Facebook page of the orientation and service projects that the students participated in.
VCOM-Carolinas Hosts Annual Family Picnic 2021
The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Carolinas Campus (VCOM-Carolinas) students, faculty and staff enjoyed some fun in the sun at the long-awaited return of the annual VCOM Family Picnic on Wednesday, July 21. Two food trucks from the Snickering Coyote and Taco Brothers were on site serving up various delicious plates. There were also games set up for everyone to enjoy, including volleyball and cornhole. Unfortunately, the event had been canceled in 2020 due to the campus’ COVID-19 regulations.
PCOM Second-Year DO Students Return to Campus for Orientation
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) students had the chance to attend in-person labs, lectures and orientation activities including a lunch to meet faculty. View photos from the orientation on PCOM’s Facebook page.
DMU-COM Mobile Clinic Rolls to Free Clinic’s Rescue
Photo: Noreen O’Shea, DO, FAAFP, performs a school sports physical exam on Torie Burrell in the DMU-COM Mobile Clinic.
The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting financial hardships it caused for many increased demand for the supplies and services of food pantries and free clinics around the country. That was true for central Iowa’s Clive Community Services (CCS), which includes a free medical clinic, food pantry and a clothes closet. And just as the pandemic began loosening its grip on daily life, disaster struck: a fire broke out in the building where CCS rents space, causing severe damage and suspension of service. To enable CCS to continue providing free clinic services, Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine (DMU-COM) has stationed its mobile clinic in the CCS parking lot on Monday evenings. The mobile clinic is a Winnebago motor coach equipped with two private, handicapped-accessible exam rooms. Read more about the DMU-COM mobile clinic and the CSS community.