Students Intern at the NIH, Complete Groundbreaking Pancreatic Cancer Research and More
Published October 10, 2023
Campus Roundup Inside OME
OSU-COM Student Spends Summer as NIH Research Intern
Rashmi Kaul, PhD, (right) professor of immunology, stands with her research student Sachi Pathak (left), a medical student at OSU-COM.
Second-year Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OSU-COM) student Sachi Pathak wants to not only treat patients as a physician, but also find ways to cure their illnesses through research. Her skills in a lab earned her a summer internship this year at the National Institutes of Health, where she was one of only 50 medical students from across the country accepted into the prestigious research internship program.
“Hanging up your white coat and putting on a lab coat can be beneficial,” Pathak said. “I love research. It forces you to have a critical eye, to look at the details. And look at things from different perspectives.” Read more about her internship and focus of her research studies.
NoordaCOM Hispanic Heritage Month Student Feature: Meet Alizon
Alizon is a second-year Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (NoordaCOM) student from Venezuela and Miami. She loves thrifting, enjoying the beach and cuddling with her dog Roky when watching movies. When asked about how her cultural background influences her approach to osteopathic medicine, Alizon explained:
“Growing up Latin, you’re taught from an early age about your grandma’s and great-grandma’s home remedies. Crazy things, such as placing an onion on your sole and putting a sock over it to treat a cold! Experiences like these give us, as future Latino DOs, the perspective and understanding of our patients and their cultural beliefs and how our bodies can heal with the right help. Osteopathic medicine coincides so profoundly with my beliefs because it is about treating more than one aspect of the person; something that you wouldn’t think correlates to your ailment might be contributing to it. I feel like osteopathy always tries to get to the root of the problem, and that’s why I love it. I’m excited to represent my culture in the ever-growing Latino community in the U.S.!” View more stories like this on NoordaCOM’s Instagram.
Affiliation Agreement to Benefit DO and PharmD Students
LaGrange College recently entered into a partnership with the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Georgia Campus (PCOM Georgia) in Suwanee, Georgia. An affiliation agreement guarantees positions for up to three LaGrange College students who meet requirements for each of PCOM Georgia’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Doctor of Pharmacy programs.
Andrea Mann, DO, dean and chief academic officer of the osteopathic medicine program at PCOM Georgia said, “Strategic partnerships with our Georgia undergraduate institutions are essential to fulfilling our mission of recruiting students from Georgia, training and retaining physicians and reducing the healthcare shortages in our state.” Read more about the partnership program.
WVSOM Vice President and Two WVSOM Alumnae Named as ‘West Virginia Wonder Women’
Three women affiliated with the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) have been recognized for their work throughout the state.
Leslie Bicksler, MSW, WVSOM’s vice president of human resources; Hilary Miller, DO, MPH, a WVSOM graduate and physician at Little Kanawha Family Medicine, a private practice in Glenville, WV; and Sherri Young, DO, MBA, FAAFP, a WVSOM graduate and cabinet secretary of the West Virginia Department of Health, have each been named to this year’s “West Virginia Wonder Women” by WV Living magazine.
They are three of 50 women featured in the publication’s fall 2023 issue, having been identified by the magazine as “raising the bar in their communities, serving as beacons of light in their industries and forcing change for the greater good.” Read more about the three women and hear what this award means to them.
Kansas City University Recognized for ‘Groundbreaking’ Pancreatic Cancer Research
Photo: Ehab Sarsour and Katiana Hebbert, a third-year medical student and research fellow.
Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU-COM) associate professor Ehab Sarsour, MSc, PhD, and student-researchers have discovered a new and promising avenue for treating pancreatic cancer by treating the tumor microenvironment by repurposing a drug designed for hyperlipidemia. The discovery builds on research published by Dr. Sarsour in 2020 in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, and a recent published abstract in the Journal of Free Radical Biology and Medicine. The research found that pancreatic cancer cells receive support from fatty acids that feed pancreatic cancer tumors and protect them from radiation and chemotherapy. Read more about their groundbreaking research and future goals of the team.
VCOM-Carolinas Names Jeff Cashman Associate Dean of Curriculum, Assessment and Medical Education
The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Carolinas Campus (VCOM-Carolinas) congratulates Jeff Cashman, DO, FACOFP, in his new position as associate dean of curriculum, assessment and medical education. Dr. Cashman had previously served as associate dean of fourth year and graduate medical education for the past five years. Dr. Cashman began his new role on Monday, October 2, 2023.
"After interviewing multiple individuals, it was apparent to us that he was the best candidate for this role," says Matthew Cannon, DO, FACOFP, VCOM-Carolinas dean. "His knowledge and experience in medical education is going to serve him extremely well as he prepares students with a robust curriculum during their first two years at VCOM." Read more on VCOM-Carolinas’ Facebook.
VCOM-Louisiana Students Participate in an Interactive Learning Activity in the Simulation Lab
Photo: First-year VCOM-Louisiana students gather in the Simulation Lab to learn how to administer injections.
The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana) state-of-the-art Simulation Lab is one of the best hands-on learning tools the school has for students. Recently, VCOM-Louisiana first-year students spent time in the lab learning how to administer injections under the watchful eyes of dedicated faculty. View more photos on VCOM-Louisiana’s Instagram.
VCOM-Auburn Recognizes ‘People of the Block’
On September 2, 2023, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Auburn Campus (VCOM-Auburn) took a moment to extend heartfelt congratulations to the remarkable individuals within the community known as the “People of the Block.” Their unwavering commitment to altruism and their acts of kindness throughout the recent block of study did not go unnoticed. Their dedication to fostering a supportive and compassionate environment is truly commendable and it serves as an inspiring example for all. Congratulate them on VCOM-Auburn’s Facebook.