Students Celebrate a Governor’s Proclamation, Win National Scholarships, Host “Dr Santa” and More

Burrell College and NMOMA Celebrate Osteopathic Medicine Month with Governor’s Proclamation Ceremony

Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM), in partnership with the New Mexico Osteopathic Medical Association (NMOMA), hosted a special proclamation ceremony on December 12, 2025, recognizing December as National Osteopathic Medicine Month. The event brought together physicians, student doctors, community leaders and local and state officials to honor the impact of osteopathic medicine in New Mexico and across the nation.

Held at BCOM’s Las Cruces campus, the ceremony featured the official reading of a proclamation from the Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, formally acknowledging the contributions of DOs and their commitment to whole-person, patient-centered care.

Read more about the proclamation ceremony celebrating osteopathic medicine in New Mexico.

WVSOM Leads State’s Medical Schools in Producing Physicians for West Virginia

The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) continues to lead the state in training physicians who stay in West Virginia, practice primary care and serve rural communities, according to a new report on health sciences education.

Data from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s 2025 Health Sciences and Rural Health Report show that WVSOM ranks highest among the state’s three medical schools in producing physicians who practice in West Virginia—particularly in areas where access to medical care is limited.

Read more about WVSOM’s continued leadership in physician retention and rural care.

VCOM–Louisiana Caps Off Finals Season with a Festive Holiday Hangout with a Special Guest Appearance from “Dr. Santa”

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine–Louisiana Campus (VCOM–Louisiana) celebrated the season with a holiday hangout hosted by the Office of Student Affairs. Students enjoyed hot chocolate, a DIY ornament station and a festive movie to help them unwind as they headed into finals.

Adding to the fun, Ray Morrison, DO, FACOS, DFACOS, joined the event as Santa, bringing good cheer to students and staff and highlighting the supportive, community-centered environment that defines the campus.

View more photos from the holiday hangout on VCOM–Louisiana’s Instagram.

Neuroscientist Inspires Next Generation of Scholars at TouroCOM

Gurjinder Kaur, PhD, is a distinguished neuroscientist, researcher and academic leader. Currently serving as the associate director of the master’s program and associate professor of physiology at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (TouroCOM) in Middletown, Dr. Kaur’s dedication to both scientific discovery and student success has made her a cornerstone of the TouroCOM community.

Dr. Kaur earned her PhD in neuroscience from Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar, India. Her dissertation explored opiates-neurotransmitter interactions in the hypothalamic control of gonadotropin release.

Read more about Dr. Kaur’s research background and mentorship at TouroCOM.

VCOM Student Celeste Prado Honored with National Hispanic Health Foundation Scholarship

First-year Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine–Carolinas Campus (VCOM–Carolinas) student Celeste Prado was recently honored in Washington, DC, after receiving a National Hispanic Health Foundation (NHHF) Scholarship—an award recognizing future health professionals committed to improving Hispanic and underserved communities. Celeste described the moment as “immense pride and also disbelief,” adding that the recognition reminded her “how far my family and I have come.”

Celeste applied for the scholarship seeking connection with health professionals and public health leaders who share her goal of strengthening care for Hispanic communities.

Read more about Celeste’s journey and the NHHF Scholarship.