Students Present Research at National Conference, Lead Through Mentorship, Turn Personal Challenges into Purpose and More
Published February 25, 2026
CHSU-COM Students Set the iBARra at the 2026 Western Medical Research Conference
Photo: Brooke Guenther (CHSU-COM Class of 2028) presents her group project at the 2026 Western Medical Research Conference.
The 2026 Western Medical Research Conference (WMRC) was held January 15-17, 2026, in Carmel, California. The conference brought together students, residents, fellows, attending physicians and faculty from more than a dozen U.S. states and international locations—including British Columbia and New Zealand—to present research, network and earn continuing medical education credits.
Hosted by the American Federation for Medical Research, an international, multidisciplinary organization dedicated to biomedical and patient-oriented research, the WMRC continues to serve as a premier forum for scientific exchange. Major participating institutions included the California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM), UCLA, UC San Diego, UC San Francisco, Stanford University, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and many others.
The California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM) was proud to have seven medical students present projects at the 2026 WMRC.
Read more about CHSU-COM students’ participation in the 2026 Western Medical Research Conference.
Lucy Fisher Is Cut to Lead: One Student’s Journey Through Medicine, Mentorship and Meaning
If you are out and about on Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Georgia Campus (PCOM Georgia)’s campus, you’d be hard-pressed to go a day without bumping into second-year medical student Lucy Fisher. A dedicated and consistent presence in the student community, we sat down with her to discover what drives her level of involvement.
A naturally organized and determined person, Lucy is a friendly and familiar face among many of her peers and professors at PCOM Georgia. From her early years, when friends would affectionately call her the “mom” of the group, to her time as an undergraduate at University of Georgia where she took on key organizational roles and now as a second-year student, Lucy has continually sought opportunities to refine her leadership skills both personally and professionally.
Read more about Lucy’s journey through medicine, mentorship and meaning.
WVSOM Foundation to Host Day of Giving on March 4, 2026
The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) Foundation will host its second annual Day of Giving on March 4, 2026. The foundation is asking supporters to help WVSOM “march forward” by making a financial contribution to the school on that day.
During this 24-hour giving period, alumni, friends, faculty, staff and partners of WVSOM will unite to raise funds for institutional priorities. The event celebrates generosity, community and a shared commitment to advancing osteopathic medical education.
Last year’s inaugural Day of Giving raised $22,550 to ensure a successful future for WVSOM’s students and help sustain the school’s continued growth.
Read more about the WVSOM Foundation’s Day of Giving.
Dr. William R. Boone Jr. and Kyoko Nakamizo Scholarship Recipient Follows in Her Grandmother's Footsteps 7,000 Miles from Home
The figures are staggering. In 1960 in the United States, the number of female physicians was just slightly more than 14,000, just less than seven percent of active doctors. In China at the same time, that number shrinks even more to only a few thousand women working as physicians, but it was from these meager figures that Rinka Ko’s grandmother, whose highest level of education was middle school, rose up to become a beloved pediatrician in China.
Rinka heard so much of the inspirational work of her grandmother and now, 65 years later, halfway around the world, the first-year student at UNT Health – Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNT Health – TCOM) is blazing her own trail to becoming a physician.
Read more about the scholarship recipient’s journey at UNT Health – TCOM.
KCU-COM Student Turns Personal Heart Condition into Purpose
From patient to future physician, Suhas Babu’s path to medicine has been shaped by resilience, service and curiosity. The Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU-COM) student is using technology, leadership and advocacy to make care more accessible, but believes the heart of medicine must always remain human.
“AI will be part of everyone’s practice in some form,” he added. “But it should never replace the human in the room.”
Read more about how Suhas is turning his personal heart condition into purpose.