Students Celebrate White Coat Ceremonies, Earn Stop the Bleed Certification, Recognize Women in Medicine Month and More

D’Youville University Approved to Enroll Students in New College of Medicine

D’Youville University is proud to announce that the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) has granted pre-accreditation to launch the D’Youville University College of Osteopathic Medicine (DYU-COM). This marks a historic milestone: the first college of osteopathic medicine in Western New York and the region’s first new medical school in nearly two centuries.

Pre-accreditation affirms D’Youville’s readiness to admit students and build the infrastructure to welcome its inaugural class in fall 2026. The approval also reflects D’Youville’s longstanding mission to expand access to healthcare and medical education, especially in underserved and rural communities.

Read more about DYU-COM’s pre-accreditation milestone.

OCOM Welcomes 144 New Student Doctors at Its Second White Coat Ceremony

Photo: Students from the Class of 2029 celebrate receiving their white coats at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando, Florida.

The Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (OCOM) celebrated a major milestone with its second White Coat Ceremony, held at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando, Florida. The event honored 144 student doctors from the Class of 2029, officially marking their entry into the medical profession.

The ceremony opened with remarks from Dean and Chief Academic Officer Robert T. Hasty, DO, and featured a keynote address from Rick Workman, DMD, a nationally recognized healthcare leader and philanthropist.

Read more about OCOM’s White Coat Ceremony.

VCOM-Auburn Students Earn Stop the Bleed Certification

Photo: Students learn hands-on bleeding control techniques in Auburn, Alabama.

On September 3, 2025, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Auburn Campus (VCOM-Auburn) hosted a hands-on event as the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians (ACOEP) student organization partnered with the SIM Center for Stop the Bleed. Faculty advisor Paul Brisson, MD, MS, FACS, FAAP—associate dean for simulation and technology and discipline chair and professor for surgery—led the interactive training, where students practiced life-saving bleeding control techniques and earned their Stop the Bleed certification. By building these skills, future physicians are preparing to act confidently in times of crisis.

View more photos from the event on VCOM-Auburn’s Facebook.

White Coat Ceremony Speaker: ‘Pull as Many People Up as You Can’

Photo: WVSOM Class of 2029 students cross the stage in Lewisburg, West Virginia.

Every great career starts with one bold move—a first step that says, “I’m ready to work hard to reach my goal.” For the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) Class of 2029, that step was symbolized by a White Coat Ceremony marking 215 students’ entry into the osteopathic medical profession. On September 12, 2025, accompanied by family and friends gathered to watch them cross the stage and receive the coats they’ll wear throughout medical school, students committed to a life of serving patients.

Read more about WVSOM’s White Coat Ceremony and the speaker’s inspiring message.

Wise Beyond His Years: UNT Health – TCOM Student Has Served His Family, Country and Now Is Ready to Serve His Community

The life experience odometer for Rudy Becerra has been spinning nonstop his entire life, but now the first-year medical student at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNT Health – TCOM) is ready to put his substantial life experience to work as he prepares for his next mission. Rudy from a decade ago might blush when he sees everything he has accomplished during that time frame. But his family—and it’s a big one—wouldn’t be surprised.

Read more about Rudy’s journey to medicine.

ACOEP and AMWA Chapters at VCOM-Louisiana Celebrate Women in Medicine Month

Photo: Students gather for a Women in Medicine Month event at VCOM-Louisiana.

The American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians (ACOEP) and the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) celebrated Women in Medicine Month with events focused on fellowship, inspiration and self-care. Faculty members Shaista Qureshi, MD, and Gwenn Jackson, MD, FACOG, CPE, shared reflections on their journeys, emphasizing resilience and lessons learned through challenges. Their insights provided encouragement and empowerment for students and VCOM professionals in attendance.

View more photos from the celebration on VCOM-Louisiana’s Facebook.

VCOM-Carolinas September 11 Stair Climb

Photo: VCOM-Carolinas students complete the 110-flight stair climb in honor of 9/11.

This year, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Carolinas Campus (VCOM-Carolinas) students honored the memory of September 11, 2001, by climbing 110 flights of stairs, reflecting the number of floors in the Twin Towers. This event was a tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who served and those who were lost, as well as the values we hold dear. As future physicians, our students commit themselves to service—whether in caring for patients, strengthening communities or upholding the values that bind us together.

View more photos from the memorial stair climb on VCOM-Carolinas’ Facebook.