Students Launch Baby Formula Drive, Volunteer at Pediatric Oncology Camp, Teach Career Health Paths to High-Schoolers and More

VCOM-Louisiana Students Launch Baby Formula Drive to Combat Local Food Insecurity

Photo: VCOM–Louisiana students Ashley Smith and Regan Massey (Class of 2026) present collected baby formula to their clinical preceptor, Kristie Searcy, DO.

When students at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana), Ashley Smith, OMS II, and Regan Massey, OMS II, began their clinical rotations at Rapides Regional Medical Center, they discovered a troubling trend: some Central Louisiana mothers were stretching baby formula with cow or goat milk due to food insecurity. Motivated to make a difference, the students took action through the VCOM-Louisiana chapter of the American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, organizing a baby formula drive to help ensure every infant receives the essential nutrition they need to thrive.

By collecting formula and monetary donations, Ashley and Regan are advancing VCOM-Louisiana’s mission to serve rural and medically underserved communities, making a tangible impact on the health and well-being of local mothers and babies.

View more photos from the baby formula drive on VCOM-Louisiana’s Facebook.

Medical Students Bring Joy and Support to Pediatric Oncology Camp

Photo: ICOM students Jaynie Welsh and Micah Stevens celebrate a successful camp session with fellow volunteers.

Jaynie Welsh, OMS IV, and Micah Stevens, OMS II, from the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM), spent part of their summer break making a meaningful impact far from the classroom. The two medical students volunteered as cabin counselors at Camp Rainbow Gold’s Youth Oncology Camp, a weeklong retreat for current and former pediatric oncology patients.

Jaynie, a fourth-year student and returning volunteer, marked her third summer at the camp. Her experience and warm presence brought a comforting sense of familiarity to returning campers. Micah, a second-year student experiencing the magic of camp for the first time, quickly found his stride—and his spotlight.

Read more about ICOM students' volunteer efforts at the pediatric oncology camp.

UNTHSC-TCOM’s David Mason and Sajid Surve Elected to the AAO Board of Governors

Two of the 12 newly elected board of governors of the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) are from the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNTHSC-TCOM). David Mason, DO, MBA, CPPS, FACOFP, and Sajid Surve, DO, FAOCPMR, FAAO, were both elected to serve as AAO governors, with Dr. Mason serving a two-year term and Dr. Surve a three-year term.

“The AAO needs to be leading the integration of osteopathic principles into CME content and delivery for our members and other DOs looking to maintain osteopathic distinctiveness,” Dr. Mason said. “We have opportunities to partner with other professional organizations to support DOs in practice. Being reelected to the American Academy of Osteopathy board of governors is very exciting.”

Read more about the UNTHSC-TCOM faculty elected to AAO leadership roles.

KCU-COM Students Serve as Health Navigators for Refugee Families

Photo: Students stand outside of Della Lamb Community Services where they meet and support refugee families, bridging gaps in healthcare access.

Through the Refugee Health Navigator Program, Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU-COM) students guide newly arrived refugee families as they navigate the U.S. healthcare system. They provide critical support—helping schedule appointments, manage medications and access resources—while gaining hands-on experience in culturally sensitive care.

Read more about the Refugee Health Navigator Program at KCU-COM.

PCOM Teaches Next-Gen Care During Annual Opportunities Academy

Photo: Students at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (PCOM) 2025 Opportunities Academy in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) recently hosted its annual Opportunities Academy, a weeklong enrichment program promoting different career paths in healthcare to high school students throughout the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania region.

More than 50 students from local area high schools visited the Philadelphia campus to participate in various hands-on educational activities including a forensic medicine escape room, primary care skills workshops, standardized patient simulations and CPR and “Stop the Bleed” trainings.

Read more about PCOM’s Opportunities Academy.

Making the Future Clear: A Student’s Tech-Driven Mission to Prevent Vision Loss

Photo: Saad Rahman, OMS II, at PCOM Georgia shares insights at a conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Every year, more than 65,000 Americans lose their sight due to delayed diagnosis of eye diseases, even though up to 95 percent of these cases could be prevented with early detection. The shortage of ophthalmologists and long wait times—particularly in rural and underserved communities—only exacerbate this public health crisis.

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Georgia Campus (PCOM Georgia) osteopathic medicine student Saad Rahman, OMS II, has always been drawn to the interconnectedness of medicine, technology and social justice. When he is not studying, he is working with 360 Intelligent Diagnostics, a health technology company in Atlanta, Georgia, that leverages assistive AI to detect retinal diseases.

Read more about Saad’s tech-driven healthcare mission.

Georgia Health Appropriations Committee Visits PCOM South Georgia

Photo: Randall Sisam, DO, (right), interim assistant dean of clinical education, discusses the use of high-tech mannequins in the simulation center.

Members of the Georgia House Health Appropriations Committee and other state legislators visited Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine South Georgia (PCOM South Georgia) June 24, 2025, for a tour of campus and a luncheon panel discussion about medical education in the region. Panel members answering questions from the state lawmakers included two PCOM South Georgia alumni and an incoming first-year medical student.

View more photos from the legislative visit on PCOM South Georgia’s Facebook.

NSU Immersive Med School Camps Offer High Schoolers Insights into Healthcare Careers

Nova Southeastern University’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-KPCOM) is holding two medical school summer camps for high-achieving high school students interested in careers in healthcare on NSU’s Davie Campus. These annual camps, which attract students from across the nation, are dedicated to recognizing the critical need for healthcare practitioners in an industry facing workforce shortages.

Read more about NSU-KPCOM’s immersive medical camps.