Students Receive White Coats, Expand Rural Health Education, Attend Cardiology Congress and More
Published September 23, 2026
Campus Roundup Inside OME
White Coat Speaker Stresses Importance of Navigating Patient Care, Self-Care
On September 11, 2026, the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) celebrated the 220 members of its newest class of medical students with a ceremony that marked the beginning of their commitment to the osteopathic profession and a life spent serving patients.
The White Coat Ceremony served as an official welcome to WVSOM’s Class of 2030, with students’ families and friends gathering to see them receive the coats they’ll wear throughout their years in medical school.
The class includes 82 students from West Virginia—the highest number of in-state students in the school’s history. Twenty-six members of the class are graduates of WVSOM’s Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences degree program.
Read more about WVSOM’s White Coat Ceremony and the Class of 2030.
PCOM South Georgia Takes Health Education on the Road with New MedROVer
If you have driven by Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine South Georgia (PCOM South Georgia) recently, you may have noticed a large, RV-like vehicle parked in the lot. The 40-foot, fully equipped vehicle now serves as the college's Medical Rural Outreach Van, or MedROVer, designed to bring health education and wellness resources directly to communities throughout the region.
The MedROVer will serve as a mobile community resource through which faculty, staff and students will provide health screenings, education and wellness initiatives. Services will include blood pressure readings and education about hypertension, diabetes, mental health and nutrition. If a health concern is detected, faculty can also help community members connect with healthcare providers in their area.
“The majority of counties in Georgia do not have a physician, and in Southwest Georgia specifically, our region has a critical need. PCOM South Georgia was founded to meet that need,” said Dillon Presley, MBA, assistant director of campus operations.
Read more about PCOM South Georgia’s new MedROVer and its plans to bring health education and wellness resources to communities throughout the region.
VCOM-Carolinas Students Attend European Society of Cardiology Congress in Munich, Germany
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Carolinas Campus (VCOM-Carolinas) Class of 2028 members Meghan Warner and Angelo Monaco represented the college at the European Society of Cardiology Congress from August 28-31, 2026, in Munich, Germany.
More than 33,800 delegates attended the event, the world's largest cardiology conference, to share exceptional science, learn from one another and connect with colleagues worldwide.
View more photos from the European Society of Cardiology Congress on VCOM-Carolinas’ Facebook.
ICOM Recognized as an Apple Distinguished School
Photo: (left to right) Bianca Notarainni, OMS II; Samantha Rosenhagen, OMS II; Matteo Liebman, OMS II; Jodie Tam, OMS II; and Nicholas Roussel, OMS II.
The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) is pleased to announce it has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for the 2026-2029 program term. Schools apply and are selected for this distinction based on their commitment to continuous innovation in education and using Apple products to inspire, imagine and impact teaching and learning.
Read more about ICOM’s recognition as an Apple Distinguished School for the 2026-2029 program term.
ACOEP Chapter at VCOM-Louisiana Hosts Mass Casualty Training Workshop
The American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians (ACOEP) chapter at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana) held a Mass Casualty Training workshop to help students practice skills they may need one day when every second counts.
Acadian Ambulance Service provided students with a firsthand look at emergency response in action with both their Acadian Air Med helicopter and ground unit. This workshop is part of a series of ACOEP’s educational events leading up to Bayou War 5K, an annual team-based wilderness adventure race where participants encounter common wilderness medicine scenarios along the route. Experiences like these take learning beyond the classroom and help prepare future doctors to stay calm, think quickly and work as part of a team in real-world emergency scenarios.
View more photos from the Mass Casualty Training workshop on VCOM-Louisiana’s Facebook.