Students Host Future Physicians Fair, Navigate Couples Match, Train in Cardiology and More

Match Made at KCU: Navigating Couples Match Success

For most medical students, the fourth year is a whirlwind. For Kansas City University–Joplin (KCU–Joplin) Class of 2025 College of Osteopathic Medicine alumni Mikayla and Dominic Maiuro, it was a mix of excitement, stress and careful planning as they worked toward their dream specialties.

Students juggle hands-on training, major exams and the demanding process of applying and interviewing for residency. “The whole fourth year felt like a rollercoaster,” Mikayla said. “Highs, lows and everything in between.”

Dominic agreed, noting that trusting the process was its own challenge. “It’s a long and unknowing journey through auditions and Match,” he said. “It requires a strong work ethic and a deep belief in your ‘why.’ It’s exhausting but incredibly rewarding and worth every ounce of effort.”

Read more about their journey through the Couples Match.

Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine Awarded $1.1 Million Grant from AMA to Advance Precision Medical Education

The Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine (MSOM) has been selected as one of 11 teams to receive funding from the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Transforming Lifelong Learning Through Precision Education Grant Program, a $12 million investment by the AMA to advance physician training through personalized learning and advanced technology.

MSOM will receive $1.1 million over four years to fund its project, “Opening the Doors with the Right Education for the Right Student at the Right Time: The Continuum of Precision Education in Maryland's Newest Medical School.” It is also the only school of osteopathic medicine among the grant recipients.

Read more about the AMA grant awarded to MSOM.

WVSOM Appoints Interim Dean

The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) has appointed Gail Swarm, DO, as its interim vice president of academic affairs and dean starting January 7, 2026.

Dr. Swarm, a longtime medical educator, joined WVSOM in 2003. She served as an assistant professor, associate professor and professor of family medicine at the school, and chaired the Department of Clinical Sciences from 2013 to 2016 before becoming the department’s assistant dean in 2020.

Dr. Swarm also has been the director of WVSOM’s Clinical Evaluation Center since 2016, and last year was named the school’s interim senior associate dean of academic affairs. She said she looks forward to helping the school achieve long-term success.

Read more about Dr. Swarm’s appointment as interim dean.

CHSU-COM Medical Students Host Future Physicians Fair

The second annual Future Physicians Fair, held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM) in Clovis, California, was a great success.

Organized by medical students in the Valley Mentors student organization, the event introduced local high school students and their parents to medicine in the medical school classrooms, labs and simulation center environment.

“We invited local high school students and their parents from across Fresno, Clovis, Sanger, Madera and Visalia to attend the Future Physicians Fair, with the hope that the experience will inspire the next generation of physicians here in the Central Valley,” stated Akashdeep Gill, president of Valley Mentors and second-year medical student at CHSU-COM.

Read more about the Future Physicians Fair hosted by CHSU-COM students.

UNT Health – TCOM’s Dr. John Licciardone Coauthors JAMA Article on the PACBACK Trial

John Licciardone, DO, MS, MBA, regents professor at the UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNT Health – TCOM), collaborated with colleagues at leading pain research centers to publish initial results of the PACBACK Trial in JAMA.

The landmark study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, measured the effectiveness of spinal manipulation and clinician-supported self-management compared with guideline-based medical care for patients with acute or subacute low back pain at increased risk of chronic disabling pain. It included 1,000 patients at three research clinics in Minnesota and Pennsylvania from November 2018 to June 2024.

Patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups that received either spinal manipulation, clinician-supported self-management, both treatments combined or medical care.

Read more about Dr. Licciardone’s publication in JAMA.

VCOM-Carolinas Students Take Part in Echocardiogram Training

First- and second-year Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine–Carolinas Campus (VCOM-Carolinas) students recently took part in echocardiogram training led by Bertrand Moal, MD, PhD, CEO of HeartFocus.

Dr. Moal traveled from France to provide hands-on instruction, helping students build technical skills while deepening their clinical understanding of cardiology.

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

Annie Pham Named VCOM–Louisiana’s Student Doctor of the Year

Annie Pham, third-year medical student at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine–Louisiana Campus (VCOM–Louisiana), has been nominated Student Doctor of the Year. This annual honor recognizes a student who exemplifies excellence beyond the traditional medical student experience.

A former critical care RN, Annie has continued her commitment to patient advocacy, education and service through peer tutoring, ACOS leadership, community outreach and award-winning research. She is set to graduate with research distinction and serves nationally as education chair for the Radiological Society of North America, contributing to medical student education and policy advocacy at the national level.

Read more about Annie’s recognition as Student Doctor of the Year.