Students Volunteer at Field Day, Share Fellowship Excitement, Put Sports Medicine Training into Action and More

ICOM President Honored with Legacy Award

Photo: From left, Tracy Farnsworth, EdD, accepts the Legacy Award from Robert Simison, mayor of Meridian.

The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) is proud to announce President Tracy Farnsworth, EdD, has been recognized with the City of Meridian’s prestigious Legacy Award during the 2026 State of the City address.

Presented by Meridian, Idaho, Mayor Robert Simison, the Legacy Award honors individuals whose vision, leadership and dedication have made a lasting impact on the Meridian community. Dr. Farnsworth was recognized for his instrumental role in bringing ICOM to Meridian and for his continued commitment to advancing healthcare education throughout Idaho.

Read more about Dr. Farnsworth’s Legacy Award recognition.

Dr. John Licciardone Coauthors New JAMA Network Article on Preventing Chronic Low Back Pain Impact

John Licciardone, DO, MS, MBA, regents professor in UNT Health Fort Worth’s Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNT Health – TCOM), collaborated with investigators at leading pain research centers nationwide to publish new results from the PACBACK Trial this month in JAMA Internal Medicine. The landmark study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, studied spinal manipulation and clinician-supported self-management compared with standard 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 from November 2018 to June 2024.

Read more about Dr. Licciardone’s research on preventing chronic low back pain impact.

VCOM-Louisiana Students Put Sports Medicine Training into Action, Providing Sports Physicals

Members of the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine (AOASM) student chapter from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana), along with faculty members and academic fellows, provided sports physicals to student-athletes at Richwood High School.

Before participating in these events, VCOM-Louisiana students complete a preparticipation examination boot camp to prepare them to work with young athletes. During the workshop, they learn how to check vision, ears, nose and throat; listen to the heart and lungs; perform basic abdominal and joint exams; perform baseline concussion testing; and review heart screening tools such as EKGs. These outreach opportunities allow students to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting while helping local athletes prepare safely for competition.

View more photos from the sports physicals event on VCOM-Louisiana’s Facebook.

Residency Graduate Profile: Abdul A. Walters, MS/Biomed ’16, DO ’20, RES ’26

Abdul A. Walters, MS/Biomed ’16, DO ’20, RES ’26, is making his way in the medical field as he prepares to advance his career with a prestigious fellowship in general surgery.

A member of what he affectionately calls the “PCOMmunity” since 2014, Dr. Walters has experienced the full spectrum of medical training at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Georgia Campus (PCOM Georgia), from biomedical sciences and the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program at PCOM Georgia to his transitional year and general surgery residency in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Walters plans to move back to Georgia to pursue a Surgical Critical Care and Trauma Fellowship at the Medical College of Georgia.

“Over the last 12 years, PCOM has offered me opportunities for growth I had only previously dreamed of,” he said.

Read more about Dr. Walters’ journey through PCOM and next steps in surgical critical care and trauma.

VCOM-Carolinas Students Volunteer at Field Day

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Carolinas Campus (VCOM-Carolinas) students volunteered at Meeting Street Academy’s Field Day on May 19, 2026, cheering on students and supporting a morning of fun, activities and community connection. The event took place on the VCOM-Carolinas campus in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Events like these highlight VCOM-Carolinas’ commitment to serving and encouraging neighboring institutions throughout Spartanburg.

View more photos from Field Day on VCOM-Carolinas’ Facebook.

KCU-COM Alumnus Cheers on Young Patient During Hospitalization

This post previously went viral on TikTok after creator Hope Dugan (@hopedugan) shared it and has since gained 1.8 million views. In the video, Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU-COM) alumnus Nathan S. Hall, DO, MBA, MS, is seen cheering on his young patient, Peyton Dugan, from outside her hospital window as he walked into the hospital.

Dr. Hall was spotted cheering on one of his young patients as she was hospitalized. Moments like these remind us that medicine is about more than treatment. It’s about connection, encouragement and helping patients feel seen.

Thank you to @hope_dugan for capturing and sharing this heartwarming moment.

“Just wanted to say thanks for allowing me the opportunity to practice medicine, KCU. This is what keeps me coming back every day. I couldn’t have had this wonderful experience without KCU.” — Dr. Hall

View more photos and the video of Dr. Hall cheering on his young patient on KCU-COM’s Instagram.

VCOM Explores International Outreach Growth with Universidad Evangélica de El Salvador

Last week, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Virginia Campus (VCOM-Virginia) expanded its international relationships and demonstrated that its commitment to global health extends beyond outreach trips. Through a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Universidad Evangélica de El Salvador (UEES), VCOM-Virginia is creating new opportunities for academic exchange, collaborative research and shared learning. By partnering with institutions that share its mission to improve health outcomes and expand access to quality healthcare, VCOM-Virginia is striving to help prepare future physicians to make an impact both at home and around the world.

View more photos from VCOM-Virginia’s international outreach growth on VCOM-Virginia’s Facebook.