Students Visit Utah State Capitol, Investigate Racial Disparities in Pain Management, Attend Mardi Gras Gala and More

Heart-Healthy Wisdom from a Cardiologist

Eating well and getting enough exercise isn’t easy in a world full of busy schedules, demanding careers and an abundance of unhealthy but convenient and tempting food choices.

It’s something that John G. Yeung, DO, a Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUCOM) graduate and cardiologist at Kaiser in Modesto/Stockton, California, knows very well. With long workdays and a family, Dr. Yeung knows how hard it is to do. Read more about three pieces of the practical advice that have worked for him and his patients to improve cardiovascular health.

National Pain Registry Finds Widening Racial Disparities in Low Back Pain Treatment, Outcomes

The Journal of Pain has published an article in its March issue comparing treatments and outcomes among Black and white patients with low back pain. The article is based on national data collected by the Pain Registry for Epidemiological, Clinical, and Interventional Studies and Innovation (PRECISION) at The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth.

The article is titled “Racial Disparities in Opioid Use and Lumbar Spine Surgery for Chronic Pain and in Pain and Function Over Three Years: A Retrospective Cohort Study,” and the research team was led by John C. Licciardone, DO, MS, MBA, PRECISION director. Other investigators include HSC’s Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM) students Chase Miller, Alex Nazzal, Christian Hernandez and Linh Nguyen, and Subhash Aryal, PhD, a registry biostatistician currently affiliated with Johns Hopkins University. Read more about the study and its key findings.

WVSOM Foundation Receives $80,000 Gift from Alumnus’ Estate

The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) Foundation, which provides support to WVSOM, received an $80,000 gift from the estate of Kendall Wilson Jr., DO, a graduate of the school’s Class of 1981 who also taught at WVSOM and served on its Board of Governors. Wilson’s gift will be split evenly between the WVSOM Foundation’s Legacy Endowed Scholarship and a scholarship newly established by the Class of 1981.

Donette Mizia, WVSOM’s executive director of foundation relations, said the school is thankful for Wilson’s gift and that it will help medical students for many years to come.

“This gift is a direct result of an alumnus who valued his education so immensely that he chose to remember WVSOM in his estate planning,” Mizia said. “Dr. Wilson had such a strong connection to the school that he ensured his generous gift was in perpetuity. This gift will bolster two scholarship endowments at the WVSOM Foundation, giving both the ability to provide more meaningful awards.”

Helou, Marie Named LMU-DCOM Student DOs of the Year

Photo: Michael Helu (left) and Blaine Marie (right)

Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) students Michael Helou and Blaine Marie have each been selected as an LMU-DCOM Student DO of the Year (SDOY). Helou will represent Harrogate and Marie will represent Knoxville as LMU-DCOM candidates for the National SDOY award presented annually by the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents at the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) annual meeting in April. Read more about both students including their campus leadership and medical school journeys.

Noorda-COM Students Visit Utah State Capitol

Every year, students from the Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (NoordaCOM) visit the Utah State Capitol to sit in on House and Senate floor sessions and to meet with state elected officials. These visits allow students to share the role Noorda-COM plays in addressing Utah’s physician shortages, and gives students a front row seat to advocacy and legislation at work.

This annual visit is important because Utah consistently ranks near the bottom of physician-to-population ratios. NoordaCOM is grateful to their legislators for the important work they do to improve medical education, expand residency programs and lead Utah toward a brighter, healthier future. View more stories like this on NoordaCOM’s Instagram.

SOMA Hosts Third-Annual Mardi Gras Gala at VCOM-Louisiana

Photo: VCOM-Louisiana medical students enjoy an evening of fun and dancing at the SOMA Mardi Gras Gala.

“Black Tie Affair” was the theme for the third-annual Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) Gala at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana). Students, faculty and staff had the opportunity to immerse themselves in Louisiana culture and celebrate the Mardi Gras season with a banquet and dancing. View more photos on VCOM-Louisiana’s Facebook.

Alumna Speaks to VCOM-Auburn Students

On February 5, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Auburn Campus (VCOM-Auburn) student chapter of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOOG) hosted Caitlin Spivey, DO, a VCOM alumna and OBGYN in Auburn, Alabama, who spoke to current students about her journey through medical school, residency and the transition to attending physician. Read more stories like this on VCOM-Auburn’s Facebook.