Students Unravel a Medical Mystery, Visit Idaho’s State Capitol and Learn Tactical Combat Casualty Care

Award-Winning Student Research Abstract Highlights Medical Mystery

Jillianne Santos, a third-year medical student at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), received honors from the American College of Physicians (ACP) and will present at the National ACP Internal Medicine Conference in Boston, MA.

Working under the direction and guidance of ChristianaCare Internal Medicine resident Vincent Mack, DO, with support and oversight from ChristianaCare’s Nicholas Jennelly, MD, assistant chief of service, and others, the case Santos highlighted in her abstract had unique circumstances.

The male patient from The Gambia initially presented with bone breakdown to the back of the neck. This could be the result of an infection, also known as cervical osteomyelitis, which is typically due to bacteria. Read more about the medical mystery and how it was solved.

MCOM Students Plunge into the Intersection of Military and Medicine

Photo: MCOM Military Medicine track students tour Montana National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters at Billings Logan Airport. Dr. Lynne Yancey, MCOM director of military medicine, and OMS I students.

Rocky Vista University’s Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine (MCOM) launched their inaugural tracks & elective programs including a robust Military Medicine track. The track is one option which provides an overview and introduction to first- and second-year students regarding clinical scenarios commonly faced by military medical officers, preparation for military medicine residencies and education on military lifestyle integration.

During the second half of February, the Military Medicine track exposed students to Tactical Combat Casualty Care with a focus on Care Under Fire, casualty evacuation, general dress and appearance standards and military medical ethical dilemmas. The highlight of the opening session of the track was the Simulated Active Shooter- Care Under Fire event. Hear more from students who attended the event and view more photos.

Personal Experience Leads to PCOM South Georgia Student Physician Researching Myeloma

Photo: Fallon Howard (right) with WALB TV interviews Saron Araya, DO ’27, at PCOM South Georgia on March 4 about participating in the myeloma health equity research program.

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine South Georgia Campus (PCOM South Georgia) student Saron Araya, DO ’27, was interviewed about being selected to participate in the Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma program. Myeloma is a blood cancer that affects more than twice as many African Americans as their white counterparts, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“What fuels me is definitely my identity and family roots. So like I said my parents immigrated from Eritrea to provide me and my siblings with the educational opportunities they did not have. So given that I’m very passionate about health education and health promotion in vulnerable communities,” Araya said. Read more from the interview on WALB 10 News.

Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Professor Offers Thoracic High Velocity Low Amplitude Course

The course, "Breathing Life into Thoracic HVLA: Expanding Beyond the Barrier," is organized and led by Victor Nuño, DO ‘08. Dr. Nuño is vice-chair of the OMM Department at the Touro University of California College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUCOM), where he also serves as a professor.

Dr. Nuño says the seminar is designed specifically for doctors who are eager to excel in Thoracic High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude techniques. He is offering this course, which he describes as the only HVLA course available to the profession, because he knows how effective and efficient it is in a busy clinical practice. Read more about the course.

Student Physicians Visit Statehouse for ‘ICOM Day at the Capitol’

Photo: (left to right) second-year student doctors Luke Merritt, Kevin Truax, Breann Rose, Annie Hoffman, Chloe Dennis and Blake Netherton.

Every year, student physicians and leaders of the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) visit the statehouse to speak with legislators from across the Gem State about graduate medical education, healthcare issues and the role ICOM plays in helping to address Idaho's chronic physician shortage.

ICOM President Tracy Farnsworth, EDD, MHSA, MBA, and ICOM Associate Dean of Student Affairs Thomas Moorman, EdD, MS, joined the students at the statehouse. The day was organized by ICOM’s chapter of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association. Read more about the event and view photos from the Idaho Capitol.

Researcher’s Study of Monkeys and Humans Blends Anthropology, Anatomy

Irene Smail, PhD, who joined the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) in 2022 as an anatomy professor, is researching how communities of monkeys have changed over time in response to environmental change. Her research allows osteopathic students to assist with data collection and analysis, and requires an intermingling of the disciplines of anthropology and anatomy.

During her time at Arizona State, Smail joined a long-running project whose aim is to answer questions about the disappearance of the pre-human species Australopithecus afarensis and the emergence of early humans leading to Homo sapiens. As a member of the project’s paleoecology team, she began traveling to Ethiopia to search for fossil monkeys. That work has allowed her to conduct her own research into how communities of monkeys have changed over time in response to environmental change. Read more about the study and how WVSOM students are providing anatomy expertise.

VCOM-Virginia Educates Regional Physicians on Fascial Distortion Model (FDM) of Treatment

The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Virginia Campus (VCOM-Virginia) partnered with the American Fascial Distortion Model (FDM) Association to host a workshop on FDM. When healthy, the fascia promotes freedom of movement within the body and FDM treatments focus on maintaining its healthy functioning.

According to Mark Rogers, DO, professor of family medicine at VCOM-Virginia, FDM is a specific form of osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) that complements traditional OMM and helps the fascia to regain or restore its natural function. The collaborative workshop allowed physicians from VCOM-Virginia, Carilion Clinic Family Medicine in Roanoke, VA and WVSOM to learn more about FDM and how it may be beneficial in their practices. View more photos on VCOM-Virginia’s Facebook.

COM-Louisiana Student Takes Top Honors at the College’s Second-Annual Research Day

Photo: (from left to right) Navid Salim receiving his award from VCOM-Louisiana Dean Dr. Mark Sanders

One of the major awards handed out at this year’s Research Day event was the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana) Student Researcher of the Year. This award is presented to a current VCOM-Louisiana student who shows dedication to their research, whose research has resulted in publications during their time at VCOM-Louisiana, who is participating in the DO with Research Distinction program and who has made research presentations. The 2024 Student Researcher of the Year award recipient is Navid Salim, ‘25. Congratulate student doctor Salim on VCOM-Lousiana’s Facebook.