Students Host Medical Student for a Day Event, Provide Physical Exams at Community Health Fair and More

OU-HCOM SNMA Hosts Medical Student for a Day Event

On February 18, 2023, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-HCOM)’s Student National Medical Association (SNMA) chapter hosted their annual Medical Student for a Day as a tri-campus event. Nearly 100 underrepresented minority undergraduate students from across Ohio attended the Athens, Cleveland or Dublin campus for the event. Students heard what OU-HCOM has to offer from the Office of Admissions, Learning Services and Office of Inclusion. They also learned about numerous pathway programs, such as Summer Scholars, post baccalaureate and the Summer Undergrad Research Fellowship. In addition to information from OU-HCOM, students learned about the importance of SNMA, which aims to diversify medicine by supporting current and future underrepresented minority medical students and underserved communities.

The highlights of the day were the breakout rooms where students got hands-on experience with osteopathic manipulative medicine, intubation, anatomy, blood draw and patient encounter labs as well as case presentations. Afterwards, undergrad students got the opportunity to hear from current medical students during a Q&A panel. They ended the day with prizes such as stethoscopes, MCAT prep materials and OU-HCOM gear. View more photos from the event on OU-HCOM’s SNMA Chapter Instagram. 

ICOM Hosts 3rd Annual Community Health Fair

Photo: Richard Sloan, DO (pictured center) and Nathan Weber, OMS-II (pictured right) greet a patient before offering osteopathic manipulative treatment. 

From complimentary physical exams to osteopathic manipulations, community members were able to access a variety of health services during the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM)'s third annual Community Health Fair.

“The annual ICOM Health Fair is a great opportunity for our community members to receive accessible, free healthcare screenings and resources,” said Olivia Paulsen, a second-year student at ICOM and organizer of the health fair. “Not only did we offer physical check-ups, but ways to continue care with insurance resources and clinics in the area. We wanted everyone to come and meet the wonderful providers available in the Treasure Valley.” View more photos and read the local coverage from the event.

Des Moines University Partners in a New Healthcare Workforce Collaborative

Photo: Partners on a new healthcare collaborative, including DMU President and CEO Angela Walker Franklin, PhD, far right, gathered for the announcement of a $1 million grant.

The Polk County, Iowa, Board of Supervisors recently announced a $1 million grant for the creation of a new Health Care Workforce Collaborative in Central Iowa. The funds will have a direct impact on recruiting and retaining a vibrant healthcare workforce in Central Iowa. The $1 million investment will jump-start a collaborative effort among educators, including Des Moines University, and the healthcare community to encourage and connect students interested in a healthcare career with educational and employment opportunities among the Polk County partners. Other partners include Des Moines Area Community College, Grand View University, Mercy College of Health, Broadlawns Medical Center, MercyOne and UnityPoint Health-Des Moines. Read more about the collaborative.

UNTHSC-TCOM Students Publish Key Results on Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment Study

Findings from a recent study by a team led by John Licciardone, DO, MBA, MS, at the Osteopathic Research Center at the University of North Texas Health Science Center-Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNTHSC-TCOM) have been published by the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine. The study is the first large-scale effort to assess the effectiveness of osteopathic manipulative treatment, or OMT, as integrated by osteopathic physicians within their overall medical care of patients with chronic low back pain as opposed to being provided in an isolated or limited fashion.  Read more about the study and the team behind it.

WVSOM Vice President Joins Healthcare Hall of Fame

Drema Hill, PhD, MSP, a vice president of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM), was inducted into West Virginia Executive magazine’s Healthcare Hall of Fame on February 21, 2023. Hill, who has more than three decades of public health leadership experience, was one of 10 members of this year’s Hall of Fame class.

The magazine’s annual Healthcare Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who go above and beyond in West Virginia’s healthcare industry and supporting industries. Inductees include doctors, nurses, hospital administrators, educators, researchers, scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs. Hill said she is grateful for the recognition—one that West Virginia Executive bestows on just 10 healthcare professionals each year.

“I appreciate this acknowledgment of my long career in public health,” she said. “This occasion has caused me to reflect on the past 42 years since I started in healthcare as a case aide. It has been an interesting learning experience, and I wouldn’t trade it for any other career. I’m where I’m supposed to be, doing what I love most.” Read more about Dr. Hill’s illustrious career and other recognitions.

PCOM Georgia Students Impact Patients' Lives in Guatemala

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine – Georgia Campus (PCOM Georgia) students and faculty members staffed clinics in Guatemala during their holidays. Sixteen PCOM Georgia students and faculty members exchanged their Christmas holidays for a mission trip to Guatemala where they impacted the lives of almost 1,000 patients. First-, second- and third-year medical students staffed several clinics located near Antigua, some in remote mountainous areas. Read more about the trip and hear from students who participated in the program.

NoordaCOM Recognizes African American Contributions to Medicine

The Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM) wrapped up Black History Month with a great panel discussion (led by student doctors and external physicians) on health equity, bioethics and representation of African Americans in medical curricula. This panel was one of the many events that NoordaCOM’s diversity, equity and inclusion committee and students organized for February; leadership also executed a trivia session, “TED talk”-style event and a movie night, all centered on African Americans’ contributions to medicine. View more photos from the event on NoordaCOM’s Instagram.

VCOM-Louisiana Students Celebrate Black History Month 

Photo: VCOM-Louisiana students gathered at the Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum for a Multicultural Brunch celebrating Black History Month.

Students at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana) celebrated Black History Month with a series of events held during the final week of February 2023. Activities included a “Racial Bias in Medicine” Zoom talk, Black history movie night and a multicultural brunch. The brunch, which was the campus’ culminating event, was held at the Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum, with a traditional southern meal of shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles and more. View more photos from the event and stories like this on VCOM-Louisiana’s Facebook.

VCOM-Carolinas Receives Grant from South Carolina Center for Rural and Primary Healthcare 

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Carolinas Campus (VCOM-Carolinas) received a grant from the South Carolina Center for Rural and Primary Healthcare to support a mobile clinic to improve access to primary care in rural and medically underserved areas. Through a partnership with St. Luke’s free medical clinic, VCOM-Carolinas faculty and medical students provide preventive services and public health education for rural and underserved patients weekly at satellite mobile medical locations. The first day of clinic was held in Pacolet, South Carolina, on February 17, 2023. View more photos from the clinic and read more stories like this on VCOM-Carolinas’ Facebook.

Recognizing Research Excellence at VCOM-Virginia 

Photo: A VCOM-Virginia student presents her research at the College’s Research Recognition Day.

On February 23, 2023, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Virginia Campus (VCOM-Virginia) celebrated its 18th annual Research Recognition Day. This year’s event featured more than 150 research projects on biomedical, clinical, education and simulation and public health research topics. Osteopathic manipulative medicine research featured prominently. There was also research on topics such as diabetes and cancer, both of which impact people around the world and across demographic categories. The research into those conditions, however, explored not only potential new therapies, but also the ways in which health inequities cause these conditions to impact some communities more than others. Such research is particularly relevant given VCOM-Virginia’s focus on rural and medically underserved populations.  Read more about the event and the keynote, “Why do we do research?”