Students Complete Endurance Run Challenge, Launch Fundraising 5K Tradition, Achieve Competitive Residency Match and More

Running to Beat Cancer

Matthew McIntyre, a first-year medical student at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine–Harlem (TouroCOM Harlem), completed a “4x4x48” running challenge to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The event requires participants to run four miles every four hours for 48 hours.

Matthew began his first run at 8:00 PM ET on March 5, 2026, then headed out again at midnight, 4:00 AM ET and every four hours after that until the two-day challenge was finished.

“It’s easier than a marathon physically,” Matthew said. “But mentally it’s harder because you don’t really sleep.”

It was the third time he had completed the challenge. In past years he used the runs to raise money for the American Cancer Society, bringing in more than $12,000.

Read more about Matthew’s endurance challenge and fundraising efforts.

First Doc Trot 5K to Raise Money for MSOM

The Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine (MSOM) thanks everyone who ran, walked or cheered at their first Doc Trot 5K—the support helps fuel future physicians, scholarship opportunities and community wellness.

A special shoutout to two Meritus teammates who took home first-place honors—Dave Lehr in the men’s division and Kim Rohrer in the women’s division. MSOM is excited to launch this new tradition and can’t wait to do it again next year!

View more photos from the event on MSOM’s Facebook.

Future Ophthalmologist Sees Her Dreams Come into Focus

For osteopathic medical student Jessica Meredith, OMS IV, matching at Henry Ford Warren Hospital in Warren, Michigan, is especially meaningful.

Not only was it her top choice, but ophthalmology is a largely competitive specialty with only a small number of students accepted each year.

“To say I'm ecstatic yet humbled is an understatement,” Jessica said. “All of the future co-residents and attendings personally reached out to congratulate me which immediately reaffirmed how supportive and welcoming the program is. It made the moment even more special.”

Throughout her medical school journey at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Georgia Campus (PCOM Georgia), Jessica has seen firsthand how much vision impacts a patient's quality of life.

Read more about Jessica’s match and journey to ophthalmology.

ICOM Welcomes Community for 8th Annual Health Fair

Photo: Jennifer Jackson checks in a guest to ICOM's free community health fair on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) welcomed dozens of community members to campus on Saturday, March 28, 2026, for its sixth annual Community Health Fair, offering free health services and educational opportunities.

Hosted by ICOM’s Student Government Association and Health Fair Committee, the event provided attendees ages 18 and older with complimentary physical exam screenings, blood pressure checks and other preventive services. Throughout the morning, ICOM student physicians also led educational sessions covering topics such as blood pressure, body mass index, pathology and radiology and osteopathic manipulative medicine.

Read more about ICOM’s Community Health Fair and its community impact.

UNT Health - TCOM Graduate Dazzles with Solo Cello Performance in Front of 5,000 at ACGME

When you listen to Elizabeth White, DO, play the cello, it’s calming, relaxing and inspiring. So, when she was invited to do a solo performance by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) for 5,000 attendees, you could probably guess—even as a professional—she was a little jittery.

“I had never played solo like that in front of that many people,” Dr. White said.

Jitters aside, it was the performance of a lifetime, as Dr. White played J.S. Bach’s Prelude to the First Cello Suite in front of 5,000 at the recent ACGME Annual Educational Conference in San Diego, California. It was part of the ACGME’s new initiative to incorporate the arts and humanities to bring meaning to medicine.

That’s right—medicine. As accomplished as Dr. White is as a professional cellist, she is also just as accomplished as an osteopathic physician. The 2024 graduate from University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth – Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNT Health – TCOM) is determined to strike the right chord and bring the beauty of osteopathic medicine and music into healing.

Read more about Dr. White’s performance and dual career.

State of the School Highlights Strategic Framework, Current Successes

Throughout his annual State of the School address, James W. Nemitz, PhD, president of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM), had a consistent message: The school is increasingly viewed as a leader among medical schools across West Virginia and the country.

In the March 31, 2026, address, Nemitz told faculty and staff that WVSOM’s graduates are helping to shape the future of healthcare.

“We are the leading producer of physicians for the state, and we’re one of the top schools producing physicians who practice in rural areas nationwide,” he said. “All over West Virginia, what I hear consistently is, ‘If we didn’t have WVSOM, we’re not sure we would have healthcare in our area.’ We are a force that people recognize, appreciate and value.”

Read more about WVSOM’s strategic framework and institutional impact.

VCOM-Louisiana Students Earn National Recognition at AAO Convocation 2026

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana) students earned three national honors at the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) Convocation 2026 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, including recognition for ranking in the top 25 percent of VIP points. Alexis Ross received the October 2025 Still Point Award for “Count Terstrain’s B.I.T.E. Lecture,” while Abby Mock earned the August 2025 Still Point Award for “Fryette’s Take on the Tenets of Osteopathic Medicine.”

Abby described the experience as an invaluable opportunity to connect with peers and professionals while representing VCOM-Louisiana on a national stage.

Read more about VCOM-Louisiana students’ recognition at AAO Convocation.