Students Begin Orientation, Serve in Ghana, Participate in a Pediatrics Rotation and More
Published August 06, 2025
Campus Roundup Inside OME
ICOM Welcomes Largest Incoming Class of Student Physicians
The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) welcomed its newest class of student doctors—the first to join the college since the expansion of its class size. More than 220 incoming medical students arrived on campus Tuesday, July 22, 2025, to begin their journey toward becoming physicians.
The Class of 2029 consists of 226 students, including 30 Idahoans. The college’s eighth cohort is academically strong, increasingly diverse and comes to ICOM from 31 states and 119 colleges and universities.
Read more about the incoming class at ICOM.
WVSOM Orientation Marks Beginning of Academic Year for DO Program
Medical school has never been described as easy—a rigorous academic schedule, lifestyle changes and geographic relocations for some could be the perfect mix for new students to feel overwhelmed. While adjusting to medical school is challenging, the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) works to ensure the success of its aspiring physicians from the first moment they step foot on the Lewisburg, West Virginia, campus.
The school’s orientation welcomed about 200 students in the Class of 2029 for a week of sessions that ranged from informational meetings to social events. It aimed to ease the transition from undergraduate school to medical school or a new career endeavor for first-year students.
Read more about WVSOM’s orientation week.
VCOM Well Represented at 2025 AOA House of Delegates Annual Business Meeting
The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) was well represented at the 2025 American Osteopathic Association (AOA) House of Delegates meeting, held last week in Chicago.
The House of Delegates is composed mainly of physician leaders elected by state osteopathic associations, along with representatives from specialty colleges, emerging physician leaders and osteopathic student leaders, such as student council presidents, who serve as delegates within their respective state delegations. Together, they convene to shape policy and guide the future of osteopathic healthcare.
Read more about VCOM’s involvement at the AOA House of Delegates.
VCOM-Auburn Students Are Making an Impact in the Community
Brianna Lemoine, a fourth-year medical student at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Auburn Campus (VCOM-Auburn) and future pediatrician, has been shining during her recent rotation at Heritage Pediatrics in Alexander City, Alabama. Her warm personality and compassionate care have made a lasting impression on both staff and patients.
View more photos from Brianna’s rotation on VCOM-Auburn’s Facebook.
From Policy to Patients: A Student’s Unconventional Road to Medicine
Peter Khoury once had a seat in the boardroom. Now, the Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU-COM) aspiring dermatologist is headed to the exam room. As a young boy, Peter learned that timely, appropriate care could be difficult to find.
“Growing up, I had really refractory eczema,” Peter said. “Access to care was a challenge in my community. Even once we found a dermatologist, it took time to find the right treatment. That experience stuck with me.”
Read more about Peter’s journey to medicine and his path to becoming a dermatologist.
A Warm Welcome on a Service-Learning Trip to Ghana
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) students Josena Joseph and Alaina M. Mitchell—studying on the Long Island and Jonesboro locations, respectively—reflect on their service-learning trip to Ghana, where they learned about medicine and the true meaning of being invited.
“When reflecting on our time in Ghana, the impression left was not solely based on the patients or procedures. We recall feeling invited. At every turn, we were welcomed not only into clinics but into a culture grounded in sincerity, trust and communal learning. That invitation didn’t just facilitate growth—it transformed. One of the most unexpected gifts of this rotation was how learning was shared.”
Read more about the NYITCOM students’ experience in Ghana.