Students Mentor Future Healthcare Workers, Share Their Journey to Medical School, Celebrate White Coat Ceremonies and More

Hearing-Impaired Mother of Six Begins Medical School at UNT Health – TCOM

Parents often tell their children, “You just have selective hearing.” For Nicole Everitt, that phrase wasn’t just a figure of speech—it was a reality.

Now, the mother of six and first-year medical student at the UNT Health Fort Worth’s Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNT Health – TCOM) is about to receive her first stethoscope—a specially equipped device that will connect to her hearing aids via Bluetooth.

Nicole, who was diagnosed with severe hearing loss in both ears at age five, is one of 233 students in UNT Health – TCOM’s Class of 2028. Read more about Nicole’s inspiring start to medical school and the technology supporting her journey.

CCOM Students Pay It Forward as Mentors at Health Careers Institute

Midwestern University’s Downers Grove Campus welcomed 30 high school students for the 2025 Health Careers Institute, a weeklong summer program offering hands-on exposure to careers in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy and more with guidance from 15 student mentors, including six from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM).

Among them were second-year medical students Naomi Rajesh, CCOM ’28, and Clare Mielczarek, CCOM ’28, who drew from their own early experiences to inspire the next generation. “I love working with this generation of students and trying to inspire them to be future healthcare workers. I remember being in their shoes,” said Naomi, a Downers Grove North graduate whose first visit to Midwestern was at a high school career day.

Clare added, “I didn’t have an opportunity like that when I was in high school, and I think I would have really appreciated it. If there’s any knowledge I could bestow to help guide them toward the career they want, I want to do that.”

Read more about the 2025 Health Careers Institute at CCOM.

MSOM Students Receive White Coats, Mark Milestone

Members of the inaugural class of the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine (MSOM) marked a milestone Friday, receiving their white medical coats symbolizing their start on the journey to becoming doctors of osteopathic medicine.

The ceremony, the culmination of a week of orientation, is a tradition for medical students.

“This ceremony is not only a rite of passage, but also a visible reminder of the responsibility our students are about to embrace,” said Chanté Richardson, PhD, MBA, associate dean of student services and community engagement.

The class of 97 students were joined by hundreds of family members and friends who filled the Alice Virginia & David W. Fletcher Conference Center in the D.M. Bowman Academic Hall.

Read more about MSOM’s first White Coat Ceremony and what it means to its students.

162 Students Join CHSU-COM's Class of 2029

School is back in session at California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM) in Clovis, California. This year, more than 630 new and returning medical students are back on campus, with 162 of them part of the Class of 2029.

For first-year student Brittney Garcia, she could feel that first day feeling as she walked into her first class at CHSU. "I'm feeling really nervous, but also really excited and a little overwhelmed.”

Read more about the Class of 2029’s first day on campus at CHSU-COM from ABC30 News.

Florida Poly–OCOM to Launch Accelerated Pathway to Medical Degree

In a bold move to address physician shortages and expand access to high-quality medical training, Florida Polytechnic University and the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (OCOM) announced a new program that will allow students to earn both bachelor of science and doctor of osteopathic medicine degrees in just six years.

The program will create a direct and seamless pathway from undergraduate STEM education at Florida Poly to professional medical training at OCOM.

Dr. Kiran C. Patel, OCOM’s founder, and Dr. Devin Stephenson, Florida Poly’s president, signed an agreement to move forward with the effort on July 22, 2025.

Read more about OCOM’s new partnership offering a fast-track to a medical degree.

WVSOM Employee Receives National Award

An employee at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) has received national recognition for her work overseeing programs that aim to improve healthcare access, particularly in rural and medically underserved communities.

Angela Alston, executive director of WVSOM’s Southeastern Area Health Education Center (SE-AHEC), was presented the 2025 Andy Nichols Award for Social Justice. The award is given by the National AHEC Organization, which encompasses about 300 Area Health Education Centers throughout the United States, including five in West Virginia.

The centers work to enhance access to quality healthcare by improving the supply and distribution of healthcare professionals via partnerships with academic programs, communities and professional organizations.

Read more about Alston’s recognition and WVSOM’s ongoing outreach work.

Ed Williams, PhD, VCOM-Louisiana Advisory Board Member, Honored with AOA’s Bob E. Jones, CAE, Award

Congratulations to Ed Williams, PhD, executive director of the Louisiana Osteopathic Medical Association and advisory board member for the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana), on receiving the American Osteopathic Association’s Bob E. Jones, CAE, Award. This national honor recognizes exceptional leadership and lasting contributions to the osteopathic profession.

With nearly 50 years of dedicated service, Dr. Williams has mentored generations of students, advocated for DOs and helped shape osteopathic policy in Louisiana and beyond. His efforts led to licensure parity for DOs in the state and helped pave the way for the founding of VCOM-Louisiana.

Read more about Dr. Williams’ legacy and impact.

Diabetes Care Deadlock: What Is It and How Can You Treat It

Diabetes management plans cannot be one-size-fits-all, according to Sara “Mandy” Reece, PharmD, dean and chief academic officer of the School of Pharmacy and faculty member at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Georgia Campus (PCOM Georgia).

Earlier this summer, Dr. Reece spoke at the 2025 Scientific Sessions during the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Conference, where she addressed this topic and the concept of a "Diabetes Care Deadlock,” which describes the myriad challenges that can hinder effective diabetes care and can often leave people with diabetes feeling “stuck” with their medication regimens.

Read more about Dr. Reece's discussion of individualized diabetes care and how providers can help patients break through treatment stagnation.