Students Host Mock Mass Casualty Event, Discover Racial Discrepancies in Pulse Oximetry Readings, Provide Care at the Chicago Marathon and More

UNE COM World Associate for Disaster and Emergency Medicine Club Hosts Mock Mass Casualty Incident

On Saturday, October 15 the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine (WADEM) hosted its second annual Mock Mass Casualty Incident. With incidents like these occurring more frequently in our communities, WADEM seeks to provide students with the opportunity to practice responding to simulated casualties in a low stakes environment to help future physicians, regardless of specialty, feel confident in approaching mass casualty incidents in a more organized and collected manner.

Leading up to the event, first- and second-year University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNE COM) students attended Triage Trainings where they learned the START (simple triage and rapid transport) criteria, a quick method to stratify patients based on criticality and best chance at survival. Employing a triage mindset challenges students to assess vital signs such as respiratory rate, perfusion status and mental status in less than 30 seconds and assign patients to categories for further transport and treatment. Students practiced these skills in five scenarios acted out by first-year UNE COM students and undergraduate emergency medical service members. Topics ranged from wilderness disasters, industrial hazards, car crashes and dealing with the aftermath of an active shooter incident. Students were introduced to the world of Tactical Emergency Medicine and learned what it looks like to deploy and care for law enforcement during an active crisis.

TouroCOM Receives Higher Education Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Recognition

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (TouroCOM) has received national recognition for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, winning the 2022 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award from INSIGHT into Diversity magazine.

“Since opening in Harlem in 2007, it has always been the mission of TouroCOM to graduate a diverse group of physicians and to help underserved communities,” said Kenneth Steier, DO, executive dean and chief academic officer. “We truly appreciate this award, which recognizes our success in meeting this mission.

DO Students Discover Racial Discrepancies in Pulse Oximetry Readings

Tori Gooden (DO ‘25), Justice Dove (DO ‘25), Dana-Marie Gould (DO ‘25), Lola Sewo (DO ‘25), Anthony Dove (DO ‘25), Laurie’l Latimer (DO ‘25) and DeStandreana Norwood (DO ‘25) were inspired to pursue research that brings awareness to health disparities and how they affect patient outcomes. The group investigated how racial discrepancies in pulse oximetry readings among self-monitoring devices affect Black patients.

According to their studies, current pulse oximetry technology is not able to accurately evaluate oxygen saturation in patients with darker skin tones when oxygenation is low.

“Since pulse oximetry is an essential evaluation tool for medical care, we knew it was imperative to not only provide awareness for this problem but to also search for possible solutions to help improve these disproportionate health disparities,” said Latimer. Read more about the students and their findings.

DMU-COM Students Reflect on Global Internships

Lexis Wedel (pictured left) and Christelle Eliacin (pictured right), second-year students in Des Moines University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (DMU-COM), recently reflected on their experiences at the U.S. Global Change Research Program and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in DMU’s Distinguished Global Health Internships program. Both students say their internships deepened their understanding of the effects of climate change on human health nationally and globally. Read Wedell's experience and Eliacin's experience after completing their internships.

ICOM Named Apple Distinguished School for Second Time

Photo: Kristie Nguyen, a third-year student at ICOM, utilizes an iPad to conduct an ultrasound 

The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) has been recognized for a second time as an Apple Distinguished School, acknowledging the college’s thoughtful incorporation of technology in the classroom and clinical training environments to enhance the way students learn and practice medicine.

Since first earning the recognition in 2019, ICOM has continued to evolve the student experience through the integration of iPad and other technology in its teaching, learning and campus design. The college is pleased to announce its Apple Distinguished status has been renewed through 2025.

“An important part of training competent and caring physicians is to facilitate their understanding and appreciation of the business of healthcare, including the wise and proper application of innovative information technology that enhances medical learning and the delivery of patient care,” said Dr. Tracy J. Farnsworth, ICOM president

PCOM Celebrates White Coat Ceremony for Class of 2026

The start of every medical school journey is filled with exciting, often challenging, but always memorable experiences. Near the top of those experiences is the white coat ceremony. Marking the symbolic start of their medical career, 280 first-year doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) students from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) Class of 2026 received their white coats for the first time in a ceremony at the Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue. The white coat ceremony is an annual tradition establishing a contract for first-year medical students that stresses the importance of compassionate care for patients and scientific proficiency.

“The white coat represents a commitment to service, dedication, empathy, responsibility and sacrifice,” said Arthur Sesso, DO, interim dean of the osteopathic medicine program and chief academic officer. “It takes only a few seconds to put a white coat on, but it takes a lifetime to fill it.” Read more about the ceremony and the students of the Class of 2026.

CCOM Students Get Hands-On Clinical Experience at Chicago Marathon

On October 9, more than 40,000 runners raced in the annual Chicago Marathon. This year, more than 10 students from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM) volunteered to assist a team of healthcare professionals to ensure the runners were healthy and safe during the event.

The volunteers were part of the Emergency Medical Club and Sports Medicine Club on the Downers Grove Campus. They arrived on site at 4:00 AM CT on race day to help check in the medical volunteers, including physicians, nurses, podiatrists, psychologists and healthcare students. Once the race started, CCOM students were responsible for documenting patient encounters in the main medical tent. Additionally, the students worked with interdisciplinary healthcare teams in different units within the medical tent, including an intensive care unit. They tended to runners experiencing dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities and severe muscle cramping.

“I personally found this to be a valuable experience. It was great to be able to observe healthcare delivery in a unique setting as well as play a role in supporting some impressive athletes,” said Jane Leach (CCOM ‘25), Emergency Medicine Club president.

UNTHSC/TCOM’s Dr. Kendi Hensel Elected to Serve on the Board of Directors for the Osteopathic International Alliance

She’s one of the best champions of osteopathic medicine nationwide, and now Kendi Hensel, DO, PhD, FAAO of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, is taking her passion globally. Hensel was elected to serve on the board of directors for the Osteopathic International Alliance, filling the American Osteopathic Association’s seat on the board. 

Hensel is well versed in working with prominent organizations, serving as the 2019-2020 president of the American Academy of Osteopathy, the 2015-2019 chair of the Education Council on Osteopathic Principles and as a section editor for six years for the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.

“Former AOA President Dr. Joseph Giaimo called me and let me know the individual on the board in the AOA designated seat was terming out and he wanted someone to fill that seat, and that was me,” Hensel said. “The next day he called me up and offered me the position.” Read more about Dr. Kensel’s new role.

WVSOM Hosts 30th West Virginia Rural Health Conference

More than 200 members of the state’s healthcare professions gathered from October 19-21 on the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) campus for the 30th annual West Virginia Rural Health Conference, with 60 more people joining the event virtually. The theme of this year’s conference was “Preparing Our Workforce and Empowering Rural West Virginia.” The event gave health professionals a chance to network and earn continuing education credits.

Rich Sutphin, executive director of the West Virginia Rural Health Association, which organized the conference, noted that the event served as a forum to address the state’s medical needs.

“The conference helps us elevate the voices of the people doing the work on the ground,” he said. “It helps create connections to facilitate better outcomes and better access to healthcare in West Virginia, and it’s a low-cost way for rural providers and organizations to receive continuing education. Everyone enjoyed getting back together in person and networking, something we haven’t been able to do for over two years.” Read more about the Rural Health Conference.

KCUCOM Joplin Campus Students Present CHAMPS Anatomy Academy at McKinley

Photo: Jacey Greek, first-year OMS at KCU-Joplin, teaches McKinley Elementary fifth graders about a balanced diet. Photo courtesy of Roger Nomer of the Joplin Globe

KCUCOM Joplin campus first- and second-year students conducted Anatomy Academy at McKinley Elementary. During the six-week course, they taught fifth graders about medical terms, body systems and functions through hands-on activities. The educational outreach program is part of KCU’s Score 1 for Health CHAMPS initiative focused on combatting childhood obesity and promoting healthy living while encouraging the pursuit of higher education through the teaching of anatomy and basic nutrition. Read more about the anatomy academy.

PCOM Georgia Celebrates Diwali, the Festival of Lights

Photo: Sagar Darira (DO '25), president of the PCOM Georgia SGA, Shubha Kayarthodi, PhD, senior associate director of academic success and Pooja Parikh (DO '25) planned and coordinated a Diwali celebration at PCOM Georgia that was enjoyed by more than 100 students, staff and faculty members

Diwali, “the festival of lights,” observed by more than a billion Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains across the world, was celebrated at PCOM Georgia recently. One of the most important festivals in India, Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, truth over falsehood and good over evil.

Music, dancing, do-it-yourself rangoli, mehndi (henna) stations, performances ranging from Bollywood to bhangra, Indian food, mango punch and lights marked the festivities. A large “rangoli,” or colorful sand art, which traditionally represents happiness, positivity and liveliness of a household, adorned the Atrium. Of the 120 students, faculty and staff members in attendance, many wore traditional attire—kurtha, salwar, lehenga and sarees—to celebrate the occasion, which spans five days. This year, Diwali was observed from October 22–26. Read more about the celebrations.