Students Attend Surgical Boot Camp, Receive Excellence in Public Health Award, Enjoy New Solar-Powered Charging Stations and More

 
CHSU-COM Medical Student, Christina Su, Receives 2023 Excellence in Public Health Award

Photo: Christina Su, OMS II at the CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, is presented with the 2023 Excellence in Public Health Award by Alexa Schappert, DVM, MPH, a lieutenant in the United States Public Health Service who serves as a Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian in the OFO Alameda District of the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA.

Christina Su, second-year medical student at the California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM), was honored with the 2023 Excellence in Public Health Award from the U.S. Public Health Service Physician Professional Advisory Committee. This prestigious award was given to Su at a special award presentation held during the CHSU Research Day on May 20, 2023. Read more about the award and Su’s background.

UNTHSC-TCOM Rural Track Graduate Returns Home to Lead the ROME Program

Maria Crompton, DO, is the University of North Texas Health Science Center-Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNTHSC-TCOM)’s new director of Rural Medical Education. Dr. Crompton, a UNTHSC-TCOM Rural Track graduate in 2008, has been a faculty member serving in both clinical and academic roles for three years since returning to Fort Worth, Texas, from her rural east Texas practice.

“This means everything, more than I can describe in words,” Dr. Crompton said. “The training I had in medical school and residency, which I attribute to incredible preceptors and faculty, prepared me well for rural practice—so being able to now pay it forward is quite meaningful.” Read more about Dr. Crompton’s plans to expand the program and create more opportunities for doctors in rural Texas.

Students, Administration Testify in Support of State Health Workforce Bill

Several representatives from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNE COM) recently testified in support of a bill in the Maine Legislature that would expand or make permanent existing programs proven to attract and retain healthcare workers. The bill, LD 1797, “An Act to Expand Maine’s Health Care Workforce by Expanding Educational Opportunities and Providing Tax Credits,” seeks to address the growing shortage of healthcare professionals in Maine.

In-person testimony in support of the bill came from osteopathic medical students Austin Vaughan and Bethany Miles, as well as UNE COM Dean Jane Carreiro, DO. UNE COM students Ravin Davis and Tristan Brunet submitted written testimonies, as did UNE President James D. Herbert, PhD, and trustee Stephen Shannon, DO ’86, MPH, former AACOM president and CEO. Learn more.

Fourth-Year Medical Student Kelsey Martin Honored with Mason W. Pressly Memorial Medal

Kelsey Martin has been named the recipient of the Mason W. Pressly Memorial Medal, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Georgia Campus (PCOM Georgia)’s highest student honor that recognizes outstanding achievement and service to the college, the community and the osteopathic profession.

Martin said, “Attending PCOM Georgia has allowed me to far exceed my goals. I was able to be involved in several leadership, teaching, research, volunteer and educational opportunities that I probably wouldn’t have been able to accomplish had I attended another institution. I am grateful I was able to make a substantial impact not just on campus, but to the broader community.” Read more about Martin’s impact on PCOM Georgia.

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Celebrates Class of 2023

Graduates of the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (TouroCOM) Class of 2023 were awarded their diplomas last week at festive ceremonies held at both the Middletown and Harlem campuses.

The total of 244 graduating physicians crossed the stages at Middletown’s Paramount Theater and Harlem’s Apollo Theater, where they were hooded and conferred degrees while cheering friends, family and faculty wished them well on the next phase of their training.

The graduates will begin residencies at hospitals and medical centers all over the country in a diverse range of specialties including anesthesiology, radiology, emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, OB-GYN and psychiatry.

More than half will be going to primary care and to hospitals in underserved areas, a cornerstone of TouroCOM’s mission.

Barger Family Provides Funding for Sustainability and Scholarships at WVSOM

The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) installed three solar-powered charging stations to support sustainability on campus. The solar units attach to picnic tables and will accommodate four outlets each. These units will allow students and employees to charge devices while they are outdoors having lunch, studying or taking a break.

In addition to providing convenience to users, the charging stations are part of a plan to promote sustainability on campus. David Barger, DO ‘83, and his wife Bonita Barger, PhD, provided the initial funding to develop sustainable practices.

VCOM-Virginia Students Attend Surgical Boot Camp 

Photo: Arian Hoodfar practices surgical skills at the VCOM-Virginia Surgical Boot Camp.

Surgical residencies are among the most competitive, which is why, in 2022, Kaivon Kouhestani, Class of 2024 and former American College of Osteopathic Surgeons Medical Student Section (ACOS-MSS) president, partnered with VCOM Surgery Discipline Chair Michael Breiner, MD, to develop a surgical boot camp for VCOM-Virginia students. The first event was so successful that a second event was held on May 20, 2023, and Dr. Breiner and Kouhestani plan to make it a yearly event. The goal is to prepare interested second-year students for their surgery rotations and support students who plan to pursue a career in surgery.  

This year, 14 second-year students used endoscopic equipment on specially treated cadavers to endoscopically remove gallbladders, repair hernias, perform appendectomies and resect and repair the bowel. The equipment and procedures performed replicated a real operating room experience. View more photos from the event on VCOM-Virginia’s Facebook.

PCOM South Georgia Graduates Inaugural Class of Osteopathic Physicians

The first class of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine South Georgia Campus (PCOM South Georgia) students to earn the doctor of osteopathic medicine degree received their diplomas and hoods during a commencement ceremony held Thursday, May 25, 2023, at the University of Georgia Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. Joining them was PCOM South Georgia’s second class to earn the master of science degree in biomedical sciences.

“Class of 2023, today you are graduating from an extraordinary institution, one with a nearly 125-year history of academic excellence,” said Kenneth J. Veit, DO ’76, provost and senior vice president, in his opening remarks. “Members of PCOM South Georgia’s inaugural DO class and biomedical sciences graduates, you are soon to become alumni, joining over 19,000 PCOM alumni spread throughout the nation and world.” Read more about the celebrations and inaugural class.

DMU-COM Graduates Urged to ‘Use Your Superpowers’

Photo: Smiles were the style at DMU’s 123rd Commencement.

Two-hundred and two members of the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine (DMU-COM) Class of 2023 celebrated an especially poignant commencement on June 1, 2023. The majority of the class continued or began their DMU-COM degree programs as the COVID-19 pandemic changed countless aspects of daily life. University President and CEO Angela L. Walker Franklin, PhD, and keynote speaker Megan Srinivas, MD, MPH, urged the graduates to use their superpowers to serve others.

“Commit to your role in fulfilling our noble mission in the provision of medical care, in the advancement of scientific knowledge and in strengthening our systems of healthcare and public health to serve all people and populations,” Dr. Srinivas said. Read more about DMU’s 123rd commencement.

NoordaCOM Students Take First COMSAE Exam

The Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (NoordaCOM) inaugural class met a major milestone last week—they took their first Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Self-Assessment Examination. The nationally recognized practice exam, created by the National Board of Osteopathic Examiners, helps students assess their readiness for boards. This is a considerable achievement for all medical students. View more stories like this on NoordaCOM’s Instagram.

VCOM-Louisiana Students Participate in Suture Clinic

Photo: Ray Morrison, DO, demonstrates suture techniques for Jessica Burgess, Class of 2026.

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana)'s ACOS-MSS and the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians hosted a “Learning Basic Sutures” event. John Lipka, MD; Stephanie Aldret, DO, CAQSM; Jonah Flowers, DO, and Ray Morrison, DO, FACOS, assisted students in learning suture techniques. View more photos and read more stories like this on VCOM-Louisiana’s Facebook. 

VCOM-Carolinas Hosts Annual Picnic and Awards

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Carolinas Campus (VCOM-Carolinas) hosted its annual spring picnic and awards on May 30, 2023. Third-year students returned to campus for the event from their clinical rotation sites. It was an exciting time to recognize the excellence of third-year students and to reunite with friends, faculty and staff. View more photos and read more stories like this on VCOM-Carolinas’ Facebook.