Students Use Art to Connect with Hospice Care Patients, Celebrate First Commencement, Win National Awards and More
Published May 13, 2025
Using Art to Connect with End-of-Life Patients
Photo: Richard Curtis gives pointers to students during the art exercise as part of the Medical Humanities class.
Richard Curtis teaches art classes at a local university, but he’s also an end-of-life doula who volunteers with hospice patients in Thomas County, Georgia, integrating his artistic skills into his volunteer work.
Earlier this month, Richard showcased his blend of art, medical care and human interaction during a session of the Medical Humanities course at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine South Georgia Campus (PCOM South Georgia). Led by faculty member Thomas Last, PhD, the course aims to help student physicians transcend the science of medicine. Read more about how PCOM South Georgia students are learning to use art in end-of-life care.
PCOM Georgia Hosts Networking Opportunity with AOA Leaders
Photo: AOA's Richard Thacker, DO, MACOI, and Kathleen S. Creason, MBA, with PCOM Georgia students.
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Georgia Campus (PCOM Georgia) recently hosted the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) for a Lunch and Learn and Q&A session where they met with campus leaders and student organizations to discuss the benefits of networking in medicine and provide tips and resources for further career development for students.
Representing AOA were Richard Thacker, DO, MACOI, member of the board of trustees, and Kathleen S. Creason, MBA, chief executive officer, who shared valuable insight into the significance of professional connection and engagement at the local, state and national levels, and the critical role advocacy plays in shaping the future of osteopathic medicine. Read more about PCOM Georgia students meeting with AOA leaders.
ATSU-KCOM Student Named ACOFP’s Outstanding Osteopathic Student of the Year
A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) student Haley Schuster, OMS III, received the Marie Wiseman Outstanding Osteopathic Student of the Year Award during the recent American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) conference in Palm Springs, California.
The award winner is selected in partnership between ACOFP and the Auxiliary to the ACOFP and recognizes an osteopathic medical student who demonstrates strong philanthropic and community service. Read more about Haley’s national recognition for service and leadership.
WVSOM Commencement Ceremony Celebrates Class of 2025
On May 2, 2025, members of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM)’s Class of 2025 had something to dance about. A pediatrician noted for encouraging his patients to exercise through rhythmic movement was the keynote speaker for a Commencement Ceremony observing the conferral of medical degrees to 185 new physicians.
This year’s ceremony marked a milestone for the school: The inaugural class of 24 students in its new Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences degree program shared the celebration with those receiving medical degrees. A majority of those earning master’s degrees have been accepted into WVSOM’s osteopathic medical program for the 2025–26 academic year.
Under a graduation tent on the school’s Lewisburg, West Virginia campus, Tyree Winters, DO, known as “Dr. Tye: Hip Hop Dance Doc,” told the Class of 2025 that patients deserve the best from their physicians every day. Read more about this milestone celebration at WVSOM.
Kumar Named Student Doctor and Student Researcher of the Year at VCOM–Louisiana
Tanya Kumar, a graduating member of the Class of 2025 at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM–Louisiana), has been named both Student Doctor of the Year and Student Researcher of the Year for 2024–2025.
Tanya’s time at VCOM-Louisiana has been marked by her exceptional leadership, academic excellence and passion for research. She graduated last week with Research Distinction, a designation reserved for students who demonstrate significant contributions to scientific inquiry and scholarship throughout their medical education. Her work in the lab, paired with a deep commitment to community service, exemplifies the mission of osteopathic medicine and the high standards of VCOM’s research community. Read more about Tanya’s passion for research and journey to medical school.
UNTHSC-TCOM’s Dr. Meaghan Nelsen Named the ACOOG Mentor of the Year
Meaghan Nelsen, DO, MS, FACOOG, IBCLC, associate professor at The University of North Texas Health Science Center’s Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at Fort Worth (UNTHSC-TCOM), was named the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists 2025 Mentor of the Year. Dr. Nelsen was selected from a group of OBGYNs nominated annually by college members.
“As an osteopathic OB/GYN who’s honored to have received the ‘Mentor of the Year’ award from the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists, I’m deeply touched by the student nominations that made this possible,” Dr. Nelsen said.
“The importance of strong mentorship in OB/GYN cannot be overstated in today’s medical education landscape. In a specialty that demands both technical precision and interpersonal sensitivity, today’s students face unprecedented challenges: evolving reproductive health policies, increasing maternal mortality rates, healthcare disparities and expanding technological innovations.” Read more about Dr. Nelsen’s national honor.
OCOM and Florida Polytechnic University Announce Strategic Affiliation to Strengthen Florida's STEM-to-Medical Pipeline
Photo: Dean and Chief Academic Officer of OCOM, Robert T. Hasty, shakes hands with Florida Polytechnic University President, Dr. Devin Stephenson.
Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (OCOM) and Florida Polytechnic University have announced a strategic affiliation aimed at creating a seamless pathway from undergraduate STEM education to professional medical training. The partnership was formally signed on May 5, 2025, during a ceremony hosted at OCOM’s campus in Winter Garden, Florida.
This collaboration brings together two of Florida’s fastest-growing institutions in science, technology, engineering and health sciences. By aligning Florida Poly’s rigorous STEM education with OCOM’s innovative medical curriculum, the collaboration seeks to develop future professionals equipped to meet Florida’s evolving healthcare and technology needs. Read more about OCOM’s new partnership strengthening Florida’s healthcare pipeline.
KHSU Plastination Library Brings Anatomy to Life with Silent Teachers
Photo: Director of anatomy laboratory Shannon Curran shares a preserved heart specimen with first-year medical students, highlighting the intricate structures made visible through plastination.
With the arrival of plastinated human specimens to its anatomy lab, the Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KansasCOM) is giving its students an edge: an opportunity to see anatomy as it truly exists in the body, variation and all.
Preserved in Germany through a process that transforms donor tissue into durable, odorless learning aids, plastinates allow students to explore the body in unprecedented detail to understand how form connects to function and how structure can reveal the roots of disease. Read more about KansasCOM’s plastination collection and its impact on anatomy education.
Utah’s Largest Medical School Celebrates Historic Milestone: First Graduating Class
Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM) celebrated the graduation of its inaugural class on May 3, marking a historic moment for Utah’s largest medical school.
The Class of 2025 achieved a 99 percent placement rate in the National Resident Matching Program and will now begin their medical careers across the country, with more than half entering essential primary care specialties. United States Senator John Curtis was awarded the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters for his leadership efforts in supporting the school’s founding. The keynote address was provided by Robert Piccinini, DO, president-elect of the American Osteopathic Association. View more photos from the graduation on Noorda-COM’s Instagram.