Students Earn Research Honors, Launch National Military Dermatology Group, Advocate for Policy Changes in Chicago and More
Published March 25, 2026
Campus Roundup Inside OME
Midwestern University Announces Tuition Freeze for 2026–27 Academic Year
Midwestern University will freeze tuition for the 2026–27 academic year across all programs, including the University’s osteopathic medical schools—the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM) and the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM). The decision, approved by the Board of Trustees as part of the FY27 budget (July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027), reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students pursuing healthcare careers.
Read more about Midwestern University’s tuition freeze for the 2026–27 academic year.
NSU-KPCOM Student Earns Second-Place Prize in Poster Competition
A third-year student at Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-KPCOM), Evelyn Echevarria Cruz, won the second-place prize for her poster “Preclinical Analysis of the Therapeutic Potential of Resveratrol in Parkinson’s Disease” at the Miami-Dade County Medical Association and the Broward County Medical Association's Seventh Annual Medical Students and Residents Research Competition, held March 7, 2026, in Miami, Florida.
View more photos from the competition on NSU-KPCOM’s Facebook.
ICOM Student Launches National Military Dermatology Interest Group
A third-year student at the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) is helping create a clearer pathway for medical students interested in serving as dermatologists in the U.S. military.
Student physician Quinn Schroeder, OMS III, recently led the creation of the National Military Dermatology Interest Group, an initiative designed to connect and support medical students navigating the military dermatology residency application process.
Read more about how Quinn led the creation of the National Military Dermatology Interest Group and its mission to support students pursuing military dermatology careers.
VCOM-Louisiana SOMA Delivers OMT at Local 5K Event
Recently, members of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana), under the supervision of faculty member Stephanie Aldret, DO, served the Northeast Louisiana community at the Poor Man’s Run—hosted by the University of Louisiana Monroe College of Pharmacy Student Pharmacy Council—providing first aid and delivering osteopathic manipulative treatment to participants.
The run supports a meaningful cause that raises funds for the St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy, which offers no-cost medications to patients in need across the Monroe, Louisiana, community. Experiences like this allow students to apply principles from osteopathic manipulative medicine in real-world settings, reinforcing the impact of hands-on, patient-centered care that helps the body move better, feel better and heal better.
View more photos from the event on VCOM-Louisiana’s Facebook.
Using Ultrasound in the Classroom, UNT Health – TCOM Student Finds Her Own Cancer but Overcomes It and Is Prepared for Match Day
Sometimes the stars have to be aligned for that perfect moment. In the case of Dominque Iida, a fourth-year student at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNT Health – TCOM), it was decades of moment after moment, after moment. If her brother hadn’t been diagnosed with epilepsy when she was 11, she wouldn’t have been interested in medicine. If she didn’t fall in love with Fort Worth, Texas, when visiting TCU for undergrad, she never would have come to Texas. If she didn’t take a deferment to start medical school at UNT Health – TCOM a year later, she might have gone elsewhere.
Read more about Dominque’s journey with cancer discovery and her path to Match Day.
Medical Students Advocate for Fair Reimbursement and Residency Growth in Springfield
Photo: CCOM students participated in the Illinois Osteopathic Advocacy Day in Springfield. From left: Chandni Chandiramani, Vani Ganesh, Faith Harvey, Senator Lakesia Collins (5th District), Raashmi Krishnasamy and Dr. Amanda Krus-Johnston.
Medical students from Midwestern University’s Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM) traveled to Springfield, Illinois, on March 10, 2026, to advocate for two pressing healthcare priorities. They focused on protecting physicians from insurance downcoding and strengthening Illinois’ physician workforce through expanded residency training.
Participating in Illinois Osteopathic Advocacy Day, coordinated by the Illinois Osteopathic Medical Society, the CCOM students met directly with legislators. “Having the opportunity to engage with Illinois government officials and advocate for meaningful change this early in our careers is incredibly rewarding,” said Anokhee Desai (CCOM ’28), “especially knowing these efforts can directly impact the health of our future patients.” The students advocated for Senate Bill 3114 and House Bill 4735 to prevent insurers from automatically downcoding claims, as well as Senate Bill 2817 to expand the state’s Medical Residency Grant Program.
Read more about CCOM students’ advocacy efforts.
VCOM-Carolinas SOIMA Ultrasound Skills Day
Students at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Carolinas Campus (VCOM-Carolinas) joined the Student Osteopathic Internal Medicine Association (SOIMA) for Ultrasound Skills Day, rotating through stations on cardiac, lung, abdominal, musculoskeletal and vascular ultrasound while practicing real scanning techniques. From learning probe positioning to identifying key anatomy, students gained valuable point-of-care ultrasound skills—and finished the day with a fun Ultrasound Relay Race competition.
View more photos from Ultrasound Skills Day on VCOM-Carolinas’ Facebook.