Students Lead AI Research, Host Halloween Pediatric Event and More

UNT Health - TCOM Student Chosen to Do Selective Research at Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston

Call it a gut feeling, but Shraddha Bhonsle, OMS II, wanted to spend the summer exploring, and she did just that. The second-year student from the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNT Health – TCOM) spent eight weeks in Boston as part of the prestigious National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Medical Student Research Program in Diabetes. Bhonsle is the first UNT Health - TCOM student to participate in the research program and chose to go to the Joslin Diabetes Center at Harvard Medical School to conduct critical diabetes and metabolic research.

Read more about Shraddha’s research experience in Boston.

2nd Annual AlzPI and PCOM Symposium Advances Dialogue on Infection-Linked Brain Disorders

Photo: PCOM's Nikki Schultek speaking at annual symposium held in Ohio.

Researchers, clinicians, patients and advocates from around the world gathered last week at Ohio University for the 2nd Annual AlzPI and PCOM Symposium, the one-day hybrid event aimed at sharing interdisciplinary research on the role of infections and the microbiome—in Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias and other neurological and psychiatric diseases.

The annual conference highlighted emerging evidence connecting infection and inflammation to neurodegeneration and called for stronger collaboration across researchers in neurology, psychiatry, immunology, microbiology and infectious disease.

More than 20 experts presented research exploring how microbial and immune factors contribute to disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, PANDAS/PANS, Lyme disease, long COVID and multiple sclerosis. Among the speakers was Brian Balin, PhD, director of the Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), who discussed his three decades of research on microbial involvement in Alzheimer’s disease.

Read more about the AlzPI and PCOM Symposium and the research presented.

VCOM-Louisiana’s Mobile Medical Unit Brings Care and Connection to Local Seniors

Photo: VCOM-Louisiana fourth-year students Savannah Collins, left, and Holly Jarkzynka, right, join Jonah Flowers, DO, in preparing to serve seniors in Northeast Louisiana.

The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana)’s new mobile medical unit hit the road in September to deliver clinical care to seniors at the West Ouachita Senior Center during a health fair hosted by Communities Acting to Benefit Louisiana’s Elderly (CABLE).

This event marked the unit’s first use in providing patient care. VCOM-Louisiana fourth-year students Holly Jarkzynka and Savannah Collins joined Jonah Flowers, DO, discipline chair and assistant professor for rural and medically underserved areas, to offer screenings, preventive services and connections with local residents.

The outreach reflects VCOM’s mission to prepare community-focused osteopathic physicians dedicated to expanding access to care in rural and underserved communities.

Read more about VCOM-Louisiana’s mobile medical unit outreach.

Tiny Patients, Big Lessons: ICOM Hosts Medical Trick-or-Treat Event

Photo: Leah Gackstetter, OMS I, checks the reflexes of a pediatric "patient."

Halloween came early at the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM), where superheroes, princesses and little monsters became “patients” for a day during the Pediatrics Club’s Medical Trick-or-Treat event.

The annual event invited local children to don their Halloween costumes and take part in a playful, hands-on learning experience for ICOM’s student physicians.

View more photos from Medical Trick-or-Treat on ICOM’s Facebook.

Artificial Intelligence Task Force Helps WVSOM Navigate Evolving Technology

Imagine entering a pod-like device—think a more advanced version of the blood pressure kiosks common at pharmacies—and coming out with an artificial intelligence-powered personalized health report and treatment plan. You might sit in a chair that measures your weight, put on a jacket that tracks your vitals and be asked, “Your weight is a little high for your height; can I develop a meal plan for you?” or “Your heart rate is very high; would you like to schedule an appointment with a primary care physician?”

The chair of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) AI Task Force thinks a world with this and other artificial intelligence-assisted health technologies could soon be a reality.

“I see that being not too far off,” said Machelle Linsenmeyer, EdD, WVSOM’s assistant vice president of institutional effectiveness and academic resources, who also participates in AACOM's AI Advisory Workgroup.

Read more about how WVSOM is preparing for the future of AI in healthcare.

VCOM-Carolinas Class of 2029 First Standardized Patient Encounters

The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Carolinas Campus (VCOM-Carolinas) Class of 2029 students recently completed their very first standardized patient encounters, practicing flu shot administration and engaging in live mock patient visits with trained standardized patients.

These early hands-on experiences help future physicians strengthen both their clinical skills and their ability to communicate with patients, which are essential foundations for providing compassionate, competent care in the communities they serve.

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