Students Support Inclusive Run and Walk Race, Oversee a Brain Bee and Donate Art Supplies to a Local Hospital
Published February 15, 2023
Campus Roundup Inside OME
CCOM Students Volunteer to Support People with Visual Impairments
Photo (from left to right): CCOM students David Sutter, Jaryd Pacis and Kurt Schimmelbusch volunteer at the Rise to Shine Inclusive Run and Walk.
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University (CCOM)’s Student ENT and Ophthalmology Society (SENTOS) joined The Chicago Lighthouse and the Chicago Central Lions Club in Chicago’s medical district to support the inaugural Rise to Shine Inclusive Run and Walk. Representing SENTOS, David Sutter (‘25), Jaryd Pacis (‘25) and Kurt Schimmelbusch (‘26) proudly supported the runners and walkers throughout the race and helped distribute finisher medals. The inclusive 10K, 5K and one mile races welcomed runners of all abilities including those with visual, hearing or physical disabilities.
“Seeing the smiles of the participants helped me appreciate the opportunities I have as a medical student and really put my educational goals in perspective,” reflected Kurt Schimmelbusch. The Chicago Lighthouse is a social service organization serving the blind, visually impaired, disabled and veteran communities. The organization provides vision rehabilitation services, education, employment opportunities and assistive technology for people of all ages. “It was inspiring to help others accomplish their goals,” added David Sutter.
DMU-COM Student Impassioned to Serve ‘Where Needed Most’
Rachel Vo Christenson, a fourth-year medical student at Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine (DMU-COM), was among the seven outstanding minority medical students nationwide who in 2022 received the prestigious William G. Anderson, DO, Minority Scholarship from the American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF). Appropriately, she shares the passion to serve with the individual for whom the $10,000 award is named: William Anderson, DO, a 1956 DMU-COM graduate. The first African American to serve as president of the American Osteopathic Association and named a Pioneer in Osteopathic Medicine by DMU-COM, Dr. Anderson is a distinguished surgeon and osteopathic trailblazer who also fought alongside Martin Luther King Jr. in the civil rights movement. Christenson is similarly motivated to take action against disparities caused by lack of access to healthcare.
“I wish to help eliminate the disparities and inefficiencies of our system. I bring with me a commitment to learning and teaching, a dedication to teamwork and community and a drive for change,” she told the AOF. Read more about Christenson’s campus leadership and passion for research.
AZCOM Volunteers Oversee Arizona Regional Brain Bee at Midwestern University
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM) student volunteers served as judges, question readers, timers and scorekeepers at all stages of the 24th Annual Regional Brain Bee held at Midwestern University on February 8. The annual event, held in partnership with the Baptist Hospitals and Health Systems Legacy Foundation, featured more than 40 high school students from around Arizona competing for top honors in the Brain Bee, challenging their knowledge of the brain and its functions.
The top three Brain Bee finishers were Baochan Fan, Catherine McInnes and Pranati Chintada. Ms. Fan is now eligible to compete at the 2023 U.S. National Brain Bee at the University of California, Irvine, this spring, with Midwestern offsetting the travel, hotel and food costs up to $2,000. Read more about the event.
Eagles Fever Takes Flight at PCOM
With the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs vying for this year's Super Bowl championship, Eagles fever permeated the campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM).
On February 7, 2023, clad in midnight green, PCOM President and CEO Jay S. Feldstein, DO ‘81, with the support of a cheering throng of students, faculty and staff, gathered in the lobby of Evans Hall to accept a challenge from Marc B. Hahn, DO, president and CEO, Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU-COM). Drs. Feldstein and Hahn, professional colleagues and friends, were archrivals. Read more about the challenge.
VCOM-Carolinas’ SimCenter Hosts Lumbar Puncture Lab
On February 7, 2023, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Carolinas Campus (VCOM-Carolinas)'s SimCenter hosted a clinical procedural skills lab. In the lab, students practiced a lumbar puncture technique. View more photos from the lab and more stories like this on VCOM-Carolinas’ Facebook.
VCOM-Auburn Holds Sixth Annual Research Recognition Day
Photo: VCOM President and Provost Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, FACOFP, discusses a research poster with Landon Thompson, OMS III.
On February 3, 2023, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Auburn Campus (VCOM-Auburn) held its sixth Via Research Recognition Day. The session convened with VCOM Vice Provost for Research P. Gunnar Brolinson, DO, sharing an overview of research efforts and initiatives at VCOM. View photos from the event and congratulate the winners on VCOM-Auburn’s Facebook.
VCOM-Louisiana Volunteer Committee Creates Art Cart for Local Hospital
Photo (from left to right): VCOM-Louisiana Volunteer Committee members Ahmira Manalac, Erika Lytle, Ajay Mittal and Yashandeep Singh, all members of the Class of 2025.
The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana) Volunteer Committee and St. Francis Medical Center Foundation partnered to create a new volunteer initiative: the St. Francis Art Cart. The cart contains art supplies and games, ranging from coloring books and crayons to LEGO sets. The Art Cart allows volunteers to deliver art supplies to pediatric patients at St. Francis Medical Center Monroe, while they wait in the PICU, emergency room, Healthy Moms Prenatal Clinic and other areas. Volunteers are also able to color and play with the pediatric patients. Supplies for the cart were donated by VCOM-Louisiana students. View more photos and stories like this on VCOM-Louisiana’s Facebook.
UNTHSC/TCOM Student Jennifer Pham Named TOMA Student Doctor of the Year
Jennifer Pham of The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth’s Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNTHSC/TCOM) has been named the Student Doctor of the Year by the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association (TOMA). Pham, a fourth-year medical student, was honored Saturday during an awards ceremony at TOMA’s MidWinter Conference in Dallas.
“It’s an honor and privilege being named TOMA Student Doctor of the Year,” Pham said. “I take a lot of pride in being a DO. In terms of how I want to practice medicine, I value taking into account the whole person—their physical, social and mental needs. This award is both a confirmation and reflection of how much I’ve taken the osteopathic philosophy to heart.”
Pham is the vice president of TCOM’s Class of 2023 and has been an active student from the moment she arrived on campus. She was the chair of Mentality Initiative to Nurture Doctors and also served as the co-chair for TCOM’s Medical Mentorship Program, which helped more than 150 pre-med students learn more about medical school, their specialty interests and osteopathic medicine. Read more about Pham’s accomplishments and why she stood out to TOMA.
Jones, Former WVSOM President, Remembered as ‘Humble Servant,’ Visionary Leader
One of the most beloved figures from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM)’s history, Olen E. Jones Jr., PhD, passed away January 31, 2022, at the age of 85.
As WVSOM’s fourth president, Jones led the school from 1987 to 2009, making him the longest-serving president in its history. He helped guide WVSOM through an era of prosperity thanks to his 10-year master plan that outlined a path for immense growth.
During Jones’ time leading WVSOM, the school was brought under West Virginia’s Board of Trustees as a unit of the state’s university system. WVSOM’s class size increased and several new campus buildings were constructed. James W. Nemitz, PhD, WVSOM’s current president, was a faculty member and administrator during Jones’ presidency. He remembered Jones as a trailblazer who helped safeguard the school’s future.
“Dr. Jones is one of the giants on whose shoulders we stand. Quite frankly, I do not believe WVSOM would be here today if it wasn’t for him,” Nemitz said. “He secured the school’s place as a state institution and provided for its financial security. Under his leadership, WVSOM saw significant growth in students, employees, buildings and funds and was established as a national leader in osteopathic medical education. We owe a great debt of gratitude to Dr. Jones.” Read more about the legacy that Dr. Jones left.
