Students Launch OMM Research Program, Compete in Anesthesia Olympics and More

TouroCOM Harlem Students Launch OMM Research Program

Lauren Velasquez, Daniel Hahn and Allison Walker-Elders, students at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (TouroCOM) Harlem Campus, have established the Center of Osteopathic Research Excellence (C.O.R.E.), a student-driven osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) research initiative. The project provides students with research mentorship and aims to position TouroCOM as a national leader in OMM research. Read more about the TouroCOM student-led C.O.R.E. research initiative.

Students Showcase Skills During ICOM’s 'Anesthesia Olympics'

Photo: Colette Mardirossian, OMS I, places a spinal needle during ICOM's “Anesthesia Olympics” event as peers and faculty observe.

Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) pre-clinical students demonstrated their proficiency in anesthesia techniques during the annual “Anesthesia Olympics” event. Organized by Michael D. Gold, DO, adjunct faculty member and anesthesiologist, the competition featured arterial line placement, airway management and spinal anesthetic procedures. Read more about ICOM’s hands-on anesthesia event.

WVSOM Students Take on National Leadership Roles

Most physicians are required to guide junior medical personnel as early as residency, and strong leadership later in a physician’s career can help a hospital or healthcare facility positively impact an entire population of patients.

The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) has dozens of student chapters of organizations in which aspiring physicians, through officer roles, can gain experience managing teams. Some medical students go even further, being selected as national leaders for student organizations.

Jacqueline Shoemaker and Gaspareantonio Fabio Greco, Class of 2027 students at WVSOM, are among seven students at the institution holding leadership positions in national student organizations. Read more about how WVSOM students are stepping into national leadership.

UNTHSC-TCOM Selected for Phase 3 of NBOME's Capstone Project

The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth’s Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNTHSC-TCOM) has been chosen as a pilot site for Phase 3 of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME)’s Core Competency Capstone for Osteopathic Medicine project (C3DO). The project evaluates on-campus assessments of essential osteopathic clinical skills.

“We are excited to contribute to this national standard and to provide our students with valuable experience in this clinical skills assessment that will shape the future of osteopathic medical education,” said Ryan Seals, DO, and UNTHSC-TCOM’s senior associate dean for academic affairs. Read more about UNTHSC-TCOM’s participation in NBOME’s pilot study.

PCOM Student Pedals Across U.S. for Fallen Heroes

Patrick Fitzgerald, a fourth-year student at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), is taking his final months before residency on the road—literally. Patrick, who recently matched into Orthopaedic Surgery at Naval Medical Center San Diego, is currently biking across the United States to raise funds for the Travis Manion Foundation.

Patrick a recipient of the Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program, kicked off the ride in Yorktown, Virginia, to follow the historic TransAmerica Trail—a more than 4,000-mile route that will take him through 10 states before reaching the Pacific Ocean in Astoria, Oregon. Only traveling with the essentials packed on his bike, he is embracing the physical and mental challenges of the journey. Read more about Patrick’s fundraising efforts.

BUCOM and Baptist Memorial Partner to Expand Clinical Education

The Baptist Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (BUCOM) and Baptist Memorial Health Care have launched a strategic collaboration to strengthen clinical training. Leadership from both institutions discussed the inaugural class, new core clinical sites and shared educational goals. Read more about BUCOM and Baptist’s clinical pipeline partnership.

PCOM South Georgia Student and Mother of Four Pursues Her Dream

For the past two years, each week Elisha Crean has left her husband and four children in Titusville, Florida, to travel to Moultrie, where she is a medical student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine South Georgia Campus (PCOM South Georgia). Her children—ages 22, 16, 11 and 10—understand that mom is studying to become a physician.

“I know my older children definitely support me being who I want to be and recognize that it's never too late to kind of follow your dreams,” Elisha said. “I hope this imparts upon them to always follow their dreams and what they want to do in life. As for my younger ones, I think they realize that mom isn't around all the time, so that's been a sacrifice.” Read more about Elisha’s inspiring medical journey.

VCOM-Carolinas Hosts Food and Nutrition as Medicine Event

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Carolinas Campus (VCOM-Carolinas) held its annual Food and Nutrition as Medicine event on April 18, 2025, celebrating cultural diversity and healthy eating. Students, faculty and staff enjoyed nutrient-rich meals that demonstrated the connection between food and health. View more photos from the nutrition-focused event on VCOM-Carolinas’ Facebook.