Students Host Gingerbread House Contest, Attend an Evening with Health Executives, Travel to Kenya for a Service Learning Program and More
Published February 06, 2023
Campus Roundup Inside OME
WVSOM Celebrates Those Who Created Medical School on Founders Da
Photo: WVSOM President James W. Nemitz, PhD.
The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) paid tribute to the four osteopathic physicians who founded the school in 1972, as well as its first president, as part WVSOM’s inaugural Founders Day celebration. Speakers included West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, whose office also issued a proclamation declaring December 12 to be “West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine Founders Day in the Mountain State.” Read more about the celebration, which included multiple speakers, the history of WVSOM and a time capsule to be opened in 2047.
ATSU-KCOM Student Raises More Than $4,000 for Melanoma Research with ‘Steps Against Melanoma’ Walk
Photo: Thimesch, on the far left, poses with J.T. Woodruff, second from right, along with two sponsor representatives for the walk
When A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) student Grant Thimesch, OMS IV, first heard about the AIM at Melanoma Foundation’s “Steps Against Melanoma” walk, he thought it would be a great opportunity to do a bit of fun volunteer work in between his studies. Instead, he found himself organizing Springfield, Missouri’s first “Steps Against Melanoma” walk and raising more than $4,000 for melanoma research. The walk aligned with Thimesch’s passion for dermatology and love for the Springfield community. Read more about Thimesch’s and co-organizer J.T. Woodruff’s inspiration to organize the event.
ATSU-SOMA Prepares Student Doctors Through Support, Mentorship and Guidance
A.T. Still University-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA) student Kelly Frasier, OMS IV, discusses how she found a home away from home on ATSU's Mesa, Arizona, campus. It didn’t take long for Kelly to decide ATSU-SOMA was the right choice.
Originally from Cary, North Carolina, Frasier majored in English (screenwriting) and minored in biology at North Carolina State University, and earned a master’s degree in neurological rehabilitation and mental health counseling at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also had earned a national certified rehabilitation counselor license in 2016. Read more about her journey to medical school and why ATSU-SOMA fits her dreams for the future.
PCOM Students Attend Evening with Healthcare Executives
On Thursday, December 8, 2022, 16 students from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) attended the “Evening with Executives” event presented by Aspiring Physician Executives (APEx). APEx is a student-run, Philadelphia-based organization that works to diversify the next generation of top-level healthcare leaders by empowering medical students with the mindset, skills and network to lead health systems in a patient-centric manner. Carlo Comia, OMS III, is one of the organization's founding members on its inaugural executive board. He helped organize the event and served as a co-moderator for the panel. Read more about the evening and the APEx organization.
Dr. Andrea Taylor Named Lasker Award Recipient
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine – California (TUCOM-CA) professor and research lab manager Andrea Taylor, DO, earned one of the most prestigious awards offered by the American Association of Biological Anthropologists (AABA). This award recognizes and honors individuals who have demonstrated a history of excellence in service to the AABA/Physical Anthropologists, its members and/or the field of biological anthropology. Congratulate Dr. Taylor on TUCOM-CA’s Facebook.
Koplitz Named Student DO of the Year for VCOM-Louisiana
Stephanie Koplitz, OMS III, was named Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana)’s Student DO of the Year (SDOY) for 2022-2023. The SDOY distinction is awarded to a student who exemplifies leadership, a commitment to community service, dedication to the osteopathic profession, professionalism and embodiment of the osteopathic philosophy on the VCOM-Louisiana campus. As a member of the inaugural class, Koplitz has accomplished many things during her time at VCOM-Louisiana, including being the founding SOMA President for the Louisiana campus. Congratulate Koplitz on VCOM-Louisiana’s Facebook.
VCOM-Virginia Holds Gingerbread House Contest
Students, faculty and staff at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia Campus (VCOM-Virginia) participated in a Gingerbread House Contest to kick off the holiday season. From hospitals to stadiums, the “houses” were a great way to begin this festive and heartwarming time of year. View more photos from the event including VCOM-Virginia’s gingerbread holiday village.
ICOM LMIG Wins Social Media Award
Photo (from left to right): ICOM LMIG Leadership Natalie Pang, OMS II; Katlyn Grootendorst, OMS II; Alexandra Zinn, OMS II; and Renee Lawrence, OMS II
Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM)’s Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group (LMIG) has received the 2022 Social Media Excellence Award on behalf of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. The award recognizes the group’s excellence in sharing evidence-based lifestyle medicine information and events via social media. Follow them on ICOM LMIG’s Instagram.
Bugada Named OU-HCOM Student Doctor of the Year
Mark Bugada, OMS IV, has been selected as Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-HCOM)’s SDOY. The award is presented annually by AACOM’s Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents to students who go above and beyond the expected requirements of an osteopathic medical student. Each school or college of osteopathic medicine in the country selects a student doctor of the year, and these school winners go on to compete for the national SDOY Award. Bugada has been a student organization leader, OMM Honors TA and a Primary Care Associate during his time at OU-HCOM.
KCU Global Health Program Returns to Kenya
It has been a long wait for Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU-COM) students and faculty who have a passion for service learning in Africa. In November of 2022, they finally got the opportunity to return to Kenya, for KCU-COM’s first global health trip there since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Led by Gautam Desai, DO, KCU-COM professor and chair of primary care, a dozen third- and fourth-year osteopathic medical students spent two weeks in Masara at the Mama Pilista Memorial Health Care Center, named in honor of the mother of Bonyo Bonyo, DO, KCU adjunct professor. Read more about what students learned and view photos from their trip.
In case you missed it…
Brothers in Medicine Provide Free Community Health Screenings
Photo: Brothers in Medicine member, D'Angelo Stokes, takes a blood pressure reading at a Moultrie barbershop
A new Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine South Georgia Campus (PCOM South Georgia) student-led organization, Brothers in Medicine, aims to advance awareness, education and research on social health determinants that impact the Black community, specifically in rural areas.
Anthony Dove, OMS II, leads the organization with the hope of bridging the gap between PCOM South Georgia and the Moultrie community. “We want to educate our community members about health concerns and how to better take care of themselves,” Dove said. “If we meet community members where they are, we hope that we can encourage them to see a physician if needed.” Read more about the group’s recent outings and their passion for inspiring the next generation of doctors.