Students Make a Generous Gift to Support School’s Community Health Initiatives, Provide Hands-on Relief to Student Athletes, Visit Idaho State Legislators and More
Published February 13, 2024
VCOM-Virginia Hosts Author and Physician Darnita Anderson Hill, DO, to Commence Black History Month Celebration
On February 6, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Virginia Campus (VCOM-Virginia) welcomed Dr. Darnita Anderson Hill, DO, as the featured speaker for the William G. Anderson, DO, Speakers Series, part of the College’s
commemoration of Black History Month. Dr. William G. Anderson is an icon in both osteopathic medicine and the civil rights movement and was a founding board member of the VCOM, as well as Dr. Hill’s father.
During her address to the VCOM-Virginia community, Dr. Hill shared how the philosophy and principles of osteopathic medicine resonated with her and how she developed the passion she holds for the lessons of history. In her 2017 book “Blacks in Osteopathic Medicine: An Idea Whose Time Has Come,” which discusses the history of osteopathy and highlights the contributions of African Americans to osteopathic medicine, she writes, “I have grown to understand more deeply my life’s work in the field of medicine, not only as a calling, but as part of a great and necessary movement.” Read more about Dr. Hill and her father’s contributions to osteopathic medicine.
Quincey Quinn Named TOMA Student Doctor of the Year
Photo: Quincey Quinn at TOMA.
Quincey Quinn, a third-year student at The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth’s Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM), has been named the Student Doctor of the Year by the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association (TOMA). Quinn, honored during an awards ceremony at TOMA’s MidWinter Conference in Southlake, expressed her gratitude, stating, “When Dr. (Damon) Schranz set up a Zoom meeting to inform me, I was nervous because I had no idea what he wanted to talk about. When he told me, I was completely speechless and just couldn’t stop smiling.” This recognition marks the second consecutive year that a TCOM student has received this honor.
Quinn, serving as the Medical Student Government Association president and the Class of 2025 president, is renowned for her active involvement on campus, being a member of 16 different professional societies, including the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Association of Women Surgeons. Frank Filipetto, DO, TCOM’s dean, expressed pride in Quinn's achievements, stating, “We are very proud of student-doctor Quincey Quinn for earning this honor and representing TCOM. She has a great passion for osteopathic medicine and has done great things while at TCOM. Quincey has been a terrific advocate for her class and we can’t wait to see her impact on our profession.” Read more about this promising student doctor.
NYITCOM-Arkansas Student’s Rural Medicine Experience Inspires Gift to Medical School
Photo: Jared Burns-Martin (right), a fourth-year medical student at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University, administers a COVID-19 vaccine at a free clinic held in 2021.
Jared Burns-Martin, a fourth-year medical student at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University (NYITCOM-Arkansas), recently made a generous donation to the Delta Population Health Institute (DPHI), the community engagement arm of the college. This gift, sourced from an inheritance from his grandparents, reflects Burns-Martin's deep appreciation for the opportunities he received during his medical education.
Regarding his decision to support the DPHI, Burns-Martin remarked, "I liked the idea of giving to the DPHI because I feel like the resources will directly benefit those that need it most." He highlighted the significant impact of the DPHI's work on both the community and medical students, describing it as a "win-win for everyone." Burns-Martin's donation will primarily support population health initiatives and the Delta Care-A-Van, the DPHI’s mobile medical unit conducting free health screenings in rural Arkansas and the Mississippi Delta region. Read more about how his donation will impact the local community.
Touro’s Sports Medicine Club Boosts Athlete Recovery and Relief with Hands-on Osteopathic Techniques
The Sports Medicine Recovery Booth, staffed by Touro University California (TUC) student doctors and members of the Sports Medicine Club, offers pre-race warm-up techniques and post-race treatments at competitive races. Rich Aptaker, DO,
Adjunct Associate Professor at TUC and preceptor for the Sports Medicine Club, highlights the active approach to warming up muscles and treating post-race aches. Jennifer Addleman, a third-year medical student at TUC and creator of
the booth idea, emphasizes its dual purpose of aiding athletes and providing students with real-world experience in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), stating, “We’re seeing someone who’s in real pain and we get to see the
immediate effects of OMM. We also get to teach the community about Touro and about OMM, so it’s a win-win for everyone.”
The Sport Medicine Club, under the leadership of past and current members like Addleman and second-year student doctor Loriann Hom, expands its activities beyond the booth to include observing physicians treating more serious injuries and participating in other sporting events like cycling. Hom emphasizes the importance of communication and practical experience in bridging the gap between theory and practice, stating, “When we talk to our classmates, they know exactly what we’re saying. At these events, the athlete doesn’t have the same level of understanding, so having to fully explain what is happening to them has been super important.” Through their initiatives, the club fosters the development of well-rounded future healthcare professionals in sports medicine and beyond. Read more about the Sport Medicine Club.
A History of Excellence: Celebrating 125 Years of PCOM
Photo: PCOM's 125th anniversary celebration was highlighted by a time capsule presentation featuring mementos and items from the college's long and storied history.
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) commenced its 125th year with a grand celebration on January 25th, showcasing its illustrious history and promising future. President and CEO Jay S. Feldstein, DO ’81, announced
a landmark eight-figure philanthropic commitment from Howard Hassman, DO ’83, the largest in PCOM’s history, symbolizing the college's enduring legacy of support from its alumni. Additionally, two buildings on the Philadelphia
campus were renamed in honor of the Hassman family, reflecting their significant contributions to PCOM.
Addressing the crowd, Feldstein emphasized PCOM's transformation from a fledgling medical school to a nationally recognized institution shaping the future of healthcare professionals. “The 125 years of PCOM’s existence are a testament to the enduring values that underpin our educational mission and its potential to change lives and impact the health of humanity,” said Board of Trustees Chairman Thomas J. Gravina. The ceremonies, including the presentation of a time capsule, symbolized the college's commitment to preserving its rich heritage while looking forward to a bright future. Read more about PCOM milestone celebration.
ICOM President and Student Doctors Visits with Idaho Legislators
Photo: (left to right) Annie Lorelei Hoffman, OMS-II; ICOM President Dr. Tracy Farnsworth; Jett Murray, OMS-III.
On Wednesday, February 7th, Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) President Tracy Farnsworth, EDD, accompanied by Student Doctors Annie Lorelei Hoffman and Jett Murray, provided members of the Idaho Senate Health and Welfare Committee with an update on ICOM. Murray is a recent participant of AACOM’s Osteopathic Health Policy Internship program.
Together, they emphasized the importance of legislative support for undergraduate and graduate medical education and shared the College's notable outcomes and achievements. View photos from their visit on Facebook.
VCOM-Carolinas Holds Annual SOMA Gala
The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Carolinas Campus (VCOM Carolinas) hosted their annual Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) Gala. The event was held on Saturday, February 4, 2024, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This year's theme
was "Old Hollywood," which brought out some truly glamorous looks from the students. SOMA is the nation’s largest network of osteopathic medical students. View photos from their recent event.