Looking at the Big Picture of Osteopathic Medical Education: AACOM Establishes UME-GME Steering Committee

The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) Board of Deans has established the UME-GME Steering Committee to address the transition from undergraduate medical education (UME) to graduate medical education (GME), to improve graduate level osteopathic medical education and strengthen the osteopathic model of medical education. This three-year effort will be led by a 13-member steering committee, chaired by AACOM Board Member Brian Kessler, DO, dean and chief academic officer at the Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine.

“The formation of the UME-GME Steering Committee builds upon our commitment to promote osteopathic medical education as a preferred pathway for future physicians and to position our students for successful transitions into residency and practice,” said Alegneta Long, AACOM vice president of GME initiatives. “I am confident that these exceptional individuals will make a positive, lasting impact on every future osteopathic medical student’s journey.”

“The UME-GME Task Force, led by the steering committee, will help shape the progression of our students through medical school and their transition to residency to provide them the foundation for success as future physicians,” said AACOM Board of Deans Chair Margaret Wilson, DO, A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine dean. “Over the next three years, the committee will undertake the exciting and critical work of strengthening the existing model of undergraduate medical education, enhancing the transition to residency and advancing osteopathic training in graduate medical education with the ultimate goal of improving the health of the public.”

AACOM will be engaging the larger osteopathic medical education community throughout this three-year effort and will share opportunities for input and collaboration. The members of the UME-GME Steering Committee are listed below.

Linda Boyd, DO
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM)

Michael Clearfield, DO
Former Dean (retired)
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine-California (TUCOM-CA)

DeAundre Dyer, DO
Staff Physician
WakeMed Health

Heather Ferrill, DO
Vice President of Faculty Affairs and Dean
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM)

Ashley Gullett, OMS IV
Medical Student
A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM)

Tami Hendriksz, DO
Dean and Chief Academic Officer
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine-California (TUCOM-CA)

Brian Kessler, DO
Dean and Chief Academic Officer
Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM)

Victor Kolade, MD
Member of AIAMC Board of Directors and Programming Committee
Alliance of Independent Academic Medical Centers (AIAMC)

Christopher Loyke, DO
Dean and Chief Academic Officer
Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM)

Elizabeth McMurtry, DO
Assistant Dean for Clinical Education and Faculty Development
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (PNWU-COM)

Thomas Mohr, DO
Dean and Chief Academic Officer
Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM)

Shane Speights, DO
Dean
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University (NYITCOM-Arkansas)

Richard Terry, DO
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine at Elmira College Campus (LECOM at Elmira)

Honorary Members

Margaret Wilson, DO
Dean
A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM)
Chair of the Board of Deans
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)

William Craver, DO
Dean and Chief Academic Officer
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine-South Georgia (PCOM-South Georgia)

Terri Donlin, MBA
President and Chief Executive Officer
Osteopathic Heritage Foundation (OHF)