Students Volunteer During DO Day of Service, Compete in Anesthesia Olympics, Attend Surgical Bootcamp and More

PCOM Georgia Associate Provost Appointed Commissioner of the GNPEC

Photo: Linda Adkison, MS, PhD, shakes hands with Governor Brian Kemp at the Georgia State Capitol building during her swearing-in ceremony.

Linda R. Adkison, MS, PhD, associate provost at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Georgia Campus (PCOM Georgia), was recently appointed as a commissioner of the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC) by Governor Brian Kemp.

“I am deeply grateful for the honor and trust Governor Kemp has placed in me,” shared Dr. Adkison.

The Commission is comprised of 11 members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The GNPEC authorizes and regulates the operations of private postsecondary colleges and schools in Georgia. Read more about Dr. Adkison’s appointment and her commitment to providing access to quality education.

Immersive Summer Program Exposes Students to Realities of Addiction

The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, the country’s leading provider of comprehensive behavioral healthcare with treatment centers and telehealth services nationwide, recently announced the selection of six Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) students to participate in a competitive immersion program called the Summer Institute for Medical Students (SIMS). Over the years, more than 100 PCOM students have been selected for the SIMS program.

Student doctors Chloe Hriso, Emily Andrews, Kevin Hauns, Ellen Kjoller, Christopher Stegmuller and Teresa Liu were chosen for the SIMS program from a competitive field of qualified applicants. Read more about the program and hear from the students who will join the program.

‘All You Need Is One Case’: Why Vaccines Are the Best Way to Prevent Negative Health Outcomes from Measles and Other Diseases

On February 23, 2024, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported the first case of measles, a highly contagious and vaccine-preventable disease, in the state of Michigan since 2019. Days later, TIME Magazine reported that in 2023, measles cases jumped by nearly 80 percent.

Peter Gulick, DO, professor of Osteopathic Medical Specialties at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM), is a vaccine expert. Read more as he shares his insights about current vaccination trends and relates them to current concerns about measles.

VCOM-Virginia Hosts Surgical Bootcamp for Students

Photo: VCOM-Virginia alumnus Dr. Josh Stodghill leads students through a procedure at the 2024 VCOM-Virginia Surgery Bootcamp.

For the past three years, the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons - Medical Student Section at the Edward Via Osteopathic College of Medicine Virginia Campus (VCOM-Virginia) has conducted a Surgery Boot Camp for students who wish to pursue a career in general surgery.

This year's event was led by Michael Breiner, MD, discipline chair of surgery at VCOM-Virginia and two VCOM-Virginia alumni: Cody Bushman, DO, and Josh Stodghill, DO. The surgeons guided students through a variety of procedures such as appendectomies, cholecystectomies and small bowel resection, all performed laparoscopically on soft-embalmed cadavers. The event was made possible with the help of local surgeon David Stoeckle, MD, and cooperative relationships with Stryker Medical Equipment and Ethicon Surgical Technologies.

Students Volunteer Throughout County During DO Day of Service

On April 20, students participated in the second annual National DO Day of Service, a project of the AACOM’s Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents. The event gives aspiring osteopathic physicians a chance to offer assistance in their communities, benefiting local organizations and increasing public awareness of osteopathic medicine.

Esabelle Gervasio, a West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) Class of 2026 student who tracks students’ volunteer activity as the school’s T.O.U.C.H. (Translating Osteopathic Understanding into Community Health) coordinator, oversaw this year’s Day of Service. She said the event is valuable in giving medical students a way to connect with and serve local residents. Read more about which organizations the students served in their community.

VCOM-Carolinas Dean Meets Austrian Ambassador

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Carolinas Campus (VCOM-Carolinas) Dean Matthew Cannon, DO, met with Austria’s Ambassador to the United States, Petra Schneebauer. They discussed medical technology being utilized in Austria and VCOM-Carolinas’ mission in medical education as well as medical research. Ambassador Schneebauer was interested in learning about Spartanburg's medical school and the two are planning subsequent meetings to expand upon these topics. Read more on VCOM-Carolinas’ Facebook.

Back-to-Back Champs Win 'Anesthesia Olympics'

Photo: (L-R) Michael D. Gold, MD; Seth Berkowitz, OMS II and Joshua Garrett, OMS II.

For the third consecutive year, students at the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) had an opportunity to put their anesthetics skills to the test during the College’s “Anesthesia Olympics” event.

Organized by ICOM’s Anesthesiology Interest Group (AIG) alongside Michael D. Gold, MD, an anesthesiologist and adjunct faculty member, a total of 24 first- and second-year students signed up for a chance to win a coveted “Lary” award, made by Dr. Gold and modeled after an anesthesiologist’s most handy tool—a laryngoscope. Read more and view photos of students participating in the event.