Students Celebrate Commencements, Advance Research Initiatives, Serve Their Communities and More

‘It’s About the Patient’: AACOM’s Dr. Robert Cain Inspires the Class of 2026

Following its inaugural commencement featuring AACOM President and CEO Robert A. Cain, DO, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM) is highlighting the extraordinary journeys of its first graduating class. These spotlights feature graduates who balanced medical school with military service, career pivots from the arts and raising families.

Read more about Noorda-COM’s inaugural graduating class and Dr. Cain’s commencement address.

Third Time Is the Charm as ‘The 5-Minute Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Consult’ Publishes Its Third Edition

David C. Mason, DO, MBA, CPPS, is a professor at University of North Texas Health – Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNT Health – TCOM) and an expert renowned for his work in osteopathic medicine. His career shows just how passionate he is about his profession. Among all the accolades this distinguished DO has received, there is one that might be overlooked: three-time acclaimed author. In March 2026, Dr. Mason, along with his co-author, Millicent King Channell, DO, who serves as vice dean for academic affairs & student services at Rowan Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine (Rowan-Virtua SOM), published the third edition of The 5-Minute Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Consult, which is an update on the previous two editions that were published in 2020 and 2009.

Read more about the publication of the third edition of The 5-Minute Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Consult.

WVSOM Commencement Ceremony Speaker Emphasizes Importance of Battling Misinformation

It was a day where engagement was high. On May 1, 2026, members of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine’s (WVSOM) Class of 2026 crossed the graduation stage following a keynote address by a renowned social media medical influencer, closing one of the most demanding chapters of their lives and opening another defined by service to patients.

For 183 new physicians, the Commencement Ceremony followed years spent in anatomy labs, lectures and hospitals, where they trained to diagnose illness and improve patients’ health. In the weeks and months ahead, graduates will scatter to residency programs across the state and nation.

Read more about WVSOM’s Commencement Ceremony and keynote address.

PCOM Georgia Graduate Profile: Joe Williams, DO ’26

Growing up in rural Georgia, Joe Williams, DO ’26, witnessed firsthand the strain that limited access to healthcare placed on both physicians and the communities they serve.

“As a result, healthcare disparities were not abstract concepts to me. They were visible, persistent and part of my everyday life,” he said.

Raised by a single mother and as the first person in his family to go to medical school, Williams says he often questioned whether he fit the mold of medicine. On May 6, 2026, he received his doctor of osteopathic medicine degree.

Read more about Joe’s journey through medical school and commitment to serving rural communities.

ICOM Graduates 146 New Osteopathic Physicians

Photo: Chloe Kilkuts, DO

The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) celebrated the graduation of 146 new physicians on Friday, May 1, 2026. After four years of study, ICOM faculty hooded the new osteopathic physicians and the College’s Class of 2026 was conferred the doctor of osteopathic medicine degree.

Of the 146 graduates, 16 will stay in Idaho for residency training. Including the Class of 2026, ICOM has graduated a total of 734 osteopathic physicians since opening its doors in 2018.

Read more about ICOM’s Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony.

Midwestern University and Bradley University Establish New Articulation Agreement

Midwestern University and Bradley University have announced a new admissions articulation agreement designed to create expanded, streamlined pathways for Bradley students and alumni pursuing careers in healthcare.

Beginning with students matriculating in fall 2026, the agreement provides qualified Bradley applicants with guaranteed admissions interview opportunities across a wide range of Midwestern University’s graduate and professional programs, including osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, health sciences, podiatric medicine and veterinary medicine. In addition, qualified applicants to Midwestern University’s College of Graduate Studies programs will receive guaranteed admission.

Read more about the articulation agreement between Midwestern University and Bradley University.

The Annual CHSU Research Day Continues to Grow, Showcasing Local Research and Celebrating Award Winners

Photo: CHSU-COM student doctor Phil De Vera presents his research poster at the 2026 CHSU Research Day.

With about 140 poster and podium presentations, the 2026 CHSU Research Day continues to grow each year. The annual conference is held on the California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM) campus and is free to attend. CHSU Research Day showcased the research and scholarly activities of medical and pre-medical students, faculty, resident physicians and local researchers.

Read more about the 2026 CHSU Research Day and its award winners.

VCOM-Louisiana Students Serve at Special Olympics Regional Event

Members of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana) American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine student chapter, alongside faculty and academic fellows, volunteered at the Special Olympics Regional Track & Field and Bocce event in Monroe, Louisiana. They assisted with HealthyAthletes and FunFitness screenings, supporting athletes through service and wellness education. The experience provided meaningful hands-on learning in compassionate, patient-centered care.

View more photos from the Special Olympics Regional Track & Field and Bocce event on VCOM-Louisiana’s Facebook.

BUCOM and Baptist Memorial Health Care Work to Build the Clinical Education Pipeline

Baptist University College of Osteopathic Medicine (BUCOM) and Baptist Memorial Health Care leadership recently participated in a Q&A discussing the development of the clinical education pipeline with a new college of osteopathic medicine and its healthcare corporation partner. The discussion highlighted BUCOM’s inaugural class, the development of core clinical sites and the partnership with Baptist.

Read more about BUCOM and Baptist Memorial Health Care’s clinical education partnership.

Bringing Nutrition to Medical School Curriculum

As she prepares to start her residency in family medicine at Stanford, Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine (TouroCOM) fourth-year student Katarina Milosavljevic has already made her mark on the field of medical education. Working alongside TouroCOM Professor and Director of Community Affairs Kamilah Ali, DO, she identified a gap in the osteopathic medicine curriculum: nutrition. Their article, “The Undernourished Curriculum: What Happened to Nutritional Education in the Medical Curriculum?” was published in Frontiers in Nutrition in October 2025.

The idea came to Katarina during her third-year rotations, when she noticed a pattern in her interactions with patients.

“When you’re having these conversations about diagnoses with your patients, usually the appointment would end with them asking me about nutrition—how many calories they should eat, what they should eat,” she said.

Read more about TouroCOM’s work to expand nutrition education in medical school curriculum.

VCOM-Carolinas Holds Food and Nutrition as Medicine End-of-Year Event

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Carolinas Campus (VCOM-Carolinas) held a “Rock the Block” event on May 6, 2026, that brought students together for an afternoon of food, games and community as they stepped away from the demands of medical school to recharge and connect with peers. Events like these help support student well-being and foster a strong campus community.

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