TCOM Graduate Becomes First Osteopathic Physician in Finland, Students Dress Up for Pediatric Wellness Fair and More

Grant Funding Bolsters Family Residency Partnership in Collaboration with SHSU-COM

Operating in a medically underserved and rural area, Huntsville Memorial Hospital received a $5.7 million Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant to fund the newly launched Family Medicine Residency program at the Huntsville Rural Health Clinic in collaboration with Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (SHSU-COM). The grant provides funding for the program for the next four years.

Thomas J. Mohr, DO, dean of SHSU-COM, emphasized the COM’s mission of improving primary care access and meeting the healthcare workforce needs in East Texas.

“With the launch of the Family Medicine Residency program in Huntsville, SHSU-COM is the only medical school in the state with a three-year rural residency training program funded by the HRSA Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education grant program,” Dr. Mohr said. “The targeted impact of rural residency programs is for new family physicians to choose to practice in the area where they have completed their residency and become established.” Read more about the partnership and SHSU-COM’s upcoming inaugural match.

The First Officially Recognized Osteopathic Physician in Finland is a UNTHSC-TCOM Graduate

The practice of osteopathic medicine is rising across the globe—and so is its recognition. Dr. Mia D. Eriksson, a 2020 graduate of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, recently became the first licensed and recognized osteopathic physician in Finland.

After nearly a decade-long journey to Fort Worth, and then back to her native country, Eriksson has achieved a dream of her own, while also breaking more barriers and opening doors for osteopathic medicine to thrive overseas. Read more about Dr. Eriksson’s journey to medical school and practice in Finland.

VCOM-Carolinas Students Host Pediatric Wellness Fair

The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Carolinas Campus (VCOM-Carolinas) American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians’ student organization’s annual Pediatric Wellness Fair was a great success. In collaboration with Spartanburg First Baptist Church and Cleveland Academy of Leadership, talented medical students from a range of clubs organized interactive health stations, offering quick and easy tips on staying active, promoting good nutrition and maintaining proper dental hygiene.

Families left not just with bags full of treats but also with a wealth of knowledge on cultivating a healthy lifestyle. In what has become an annual tradition, VCOM-Carolinas students went all out with spellbinding costumes, from friendly monsters to dazzling superheroes, to promote health, happiness and community spirit. View more photos on VCOM-Carolinas’ Facebook.

Wild West Benefit Celebrated Longtime WVSOM Educator, Raised Scholarship Funds

Bob Foster, DO, who retired from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) in July after 45 years of service, was a man who wore many hats. At the school’s Wild West Benefit, he wore the one that helped make him an iconic figure far beyond the medical school’s campus: a wide-brimmed cowboy hat.

The benefit, which took place on November 4, 2023, on WVSOM’s campus in Lewisburg, West Virginia, featured music, dancing, dinner, a photo booth and a silent auction. The event served as this year’s fall fundraiser for student scholarships, raising an estimated $97,000. It was also a tribute to Foster’s influential career. Read more about Dr. Foster’s influential career and dedication to teaching.

First-Year Student Doctor’s Journey from Optometry to Osteopathic Medicine

Harsimran Kaur, a first-year medical student at Touro University California's College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUCOM), originally considered a career in optometry but after exploring all the options in the medical field realized that she wanted to treat the whole patient. After years of hard work and dedication, Kaur was awarded her white coat during TUCOM's White Coat Ceremony, marking her official entry into the medical profession.

Kaur completed her undergraduate education at UC Davis before enrolling in Touro's Master of Science in Medical Health Sciences program. This one-year program helped prepare her for medical school by allowing her to take advanced courses and get comfortable with Touro's campus and faculty. After excelling in the program, Kaur was guaranteed an interview at TUCOM. Read more about her transition to medical school and future plans.

VCOM-Virginia Fueling the Winning Spirit for Virginia Tech Athletics

The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Virginia Campus (VCOM-Virginia) is nestled in the Blue Ridge mountains of Blacksburg, Virginia, which is also home to the Virginia Tech Hokies. During this season, the close relationship between VCOM-Virginia and Virginia Tech athletics is unmistakable, evident on the football field, sidelines and among the 60,000 fans who regularly fill the stadium.

 VCOM-Virginia professor Mark Rogers, DO, is a team physician for the Virginia Tech football team and the chief medical officer for Virginia Tech athletics. Similarly, Matthew Chung, DO, is a physician for various Virginia Tech sports teams in addition to serving as an assistant professor for sports medicine and family medicine at VCOM-Virginia. Gunnar Brolinson, DO, VCOM-Virginia’s vice provost for research, also serves on the Virginia Tech medical staff and is responsible for coordinating and facilitating research activities between the two institutions.

A prime illustration of this connection and the opportunities it presents for students is Meaghan Gilbert. Gilbert contributes on the field, supporting team physicians as part of her role with the local volunteer rescue squad. VCOM-Virginia takes pride in providing medical support to Virginia Tech and is delighted to witness students gaining invaluable medical exposure through real-time experiences. Read more about the Virginia Sports Medicine Fellowship.

Beat Bama Food Drive Success: Auburn Community Comes Together to Make a Positive Impact

On November 1, 2023, the Beat Bama Food Drive at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Auburn Campus (VCOM-Auburn) officially reached its goal, filled with food. One out of five families in the state of Alabama doesn't know where their next meal will come from. The collaboration between VCOM-Auburn and Auburn University in this food drive contributes to the local community, helping those in need. The food the two institutions have collected has been instrumental in making a positive impact on the lives of these families.

VCOM-Louisiana Medical Students Attend Radiology Symposium

A group of Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana) medical students attended the 6th Annual Southeastern Interventional Radiology Medical Student Symposium hosted by Ochsner Radiology in New Orleans, Louisiana. The event featured a series of presentations by interventional radiologists from the Southeastern region and covered a range of topics, such as career pathways into interventional radiology, guidance for medical students and clinical lectures addressing subjects like venous interventions, pulmonary embolisms, ablations and procedures for localized tumors. View more photos on VCOM-Louisiana’s Facebook.

Eleven ICOM Students Named AHEC Scholars

Photo (left to right): Lauren Hutchinson, OMS I; Eric Hanzel, OMS I; John Edge, OMS I; Nicholas Davis, OMS I; Conner Charles, OMS II.

Eleven students from the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) were recently named Southwest Idaho Area Health Education Center (SW ID AHEC) Scholars, as part of the incoming 2023-2025 cohort. Selected from a large pool of applicants, these students will participate in a unique two-year inter-disciplinary program focused on team-based care in rural and underserved settings.  Read more about the selected students.