AACOM Research Grant Awardees

Promoting excellence in medical eduation, policy, research and service

The Nutrition Kitchen: An Interdisciplinary Culinary Medicine Elective to Enhance Nutrition Literacy and Personal Dietary Habits

Primary Investigator:
Annie Kirby, PhD, RD, LD, CCMS, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Auburn Campus (VCOM-Auburn)        

Co-Investigators:
Katie Wolter, (VCOM-Auburn); Josh Hollingsworth, (VCOM-Auburn); Phillip Snider, (VCOM-Auburn); Joy DeBellis, Auburn University; Jeanna Sewell, Auburn University

Exploring a Novel “Policy in Health Care” Curriculum: A Needs Assessment

Primary Investigator:
Janet Lieto, DO, FACOFP, CMD, CPP, University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth - Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNTHSC-TCOM)

Co-Investigators:
Amany Hassan,  UNTHSC-TCOM; Lin Nelson, UNTHSC-TCOM; Lillee Gelinas, UNTHSC-TCOM

Increasing awareness of osteopathic medical education and osteopathic medicine

Investigation of Suboccipital Release, Muscle Energy, and Combination Therapy, respectively evaluating their effect on vertebral artery blood flow

Primary Investigator:
Per Gunnar Brolinson, DO, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia Campus (VCOM-Virginia)

Co-Investigators:
Sydney Moriarty, OMS-II, VCOM-Virginia; Ishan Perera OMS-II, VCOM-Virginia

Changes in Carpal Tunnel Dimensions Following the Application of a Novel Combined Myofascial Release and Muscle Energy Osteopathic Technique

Primary Investigator: Mario Loomis, MD, Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (SHSU-COM)

Co-Investigators:
David Moeler, SHSU-COM; Jamie Eller, SHSU-COM; Lilian Zhan, SHSU-COM; Sharon Gustowski, DO, MPH, Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Fostering innovation and quality throughout medical education

The Impact of Early Educational Intervention Programs for Struggling Medical Students

Primary Investigator:
Shiyuan Wang, PhD, Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine (Rowan-Virtua SOM)

Co-Investigators:
Dyron J. Corley, EdD, Rowan-Virtua SOM

The Development of a Medical Education Faculty Development Program Quality Inventory Toolkit

Primary Investigator:
Lise McCoy, EdD, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University

Co-Investigators and Institutions:
Sebastian Diaz, PhD, JD, Northeast Ohio Medical University 

Effectiveness of a Small Group Activity (SKIPPs) for Interprofessional Learning

Primary Investigator:
Martin Schmidt, PhD, Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Use of a Study Tracker to Characterize the Influence of Study Process on Pre-Clinical Exam Performance in First- and Second-Year Medical Students

Primary Investigator:
Robert Tyler, DO, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine – Joplin (KCU-COM Joplin)

Co-Investigators:
Nicholas Lukish, KCU-COM Joplin; John Lukish, KCU-COM Joplin; Annamarie Lukish, KCU-COM Joplin; Arleah Aguilar, KCU-COM Joplin

Osteopathic Inter-Institutional Research

Understanding COMLEX Level 1 as a Pass/Fail Exam – Impact and Opportunities

Primary Investigator:
Donald Sefcik, DO, MBA, Arkansas Colleges of Health Education

Co-Investigators and Institutions:
Patricia S. Sexton, DHEd, FNAOME, A.T. Still University - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Melissa Efurd, EdD, Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Ashley N. Gerhardson, PhD, Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine 

Osteopathic Institutional Research

Exploring Undiagnosable Syndromes in Medical Students: The Prevalence and Implications of Imposter Syndrome and Medical Student Syndrome

Primary Investigator: 
Mikhail Volokitin, PhD, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine - New York

The WellMESS Project

Primary Investigator:
Joshua C. Hollingsworth, PhD, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Auburn Campus 

Improving Anatomy Education Through Evidence-based Practice:  Testing a Hands-On Resource for Teaching Neurovasculature and Spatial Relationships of the Skull Base

Primary Investigator: 
Randy J. Kulesza Jr., PhD, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Co-Investigator(s): 
Mark Terrell, EdD, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Brittney Link, MA, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Evaluating the Impact of Narrative Medicine Workshops on Reflective Learning, Empathy and Burnout: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study and Systematic Review

Primary Investigator:
Timothy J Barreiro, DO, MPH, Mercy Health Youngstown St. Elizabeth Health Center and Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine 

Nutrition & Lifestyle Medicine in Osteopathic Medical Education: Assessment of Student’s Personal Nutrition Goals and Effect on Future Medical Practice

Primary Investigator: 
Amanda T. Parker, PhD, William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Co-Investigator(s): 
Robert Bateman, PhD, William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Danielle Fastring, PhD, William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Experiential Learning as a Tool to Grow Empathy in Osteopathic Undergraduate Medical Students

Primary Investigator: 
Rosemary Niedens, MA, Kansas Health Science Center- Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine

What Comes After ACGME Accreditation: Identifying and implementing Academic Enrichment Plan to Improve Residents' performance on the Internal Medicine In-Training Examination

Primary Investigator:
Amro Ilaiwy, MD, Cape Fear Valley Health System and Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine

Co-Investigator(s): 
Donald Maharty, DO, Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine 

Osteopathic Inter-Institutional Research

Using hands-on interprofessional culinary medicine education to increase the confidence and ability of medical and dietetic students to address lifestyle and nutrition related disease.

Primary Investigator:
Kathryn H. Thompson, PhD, University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

Co-Investigators and Institutions:
Anne Mathews, PhD, RDN, Medicine, University of Florida
Carolyn G Carter, MD, MS, University of Florida College of Medicine
Leslie Ouellette-Todd, MS, RD, LD, MPH, University of New England
Celeste Bouchard, DO, Mayo Clinic

Determination of the Most Effective Visualization Technologies for the Instruction of IN SITU Heart Anatomy by Anatomical Context and Question Type to First Year Medical Students

Primary Investigator: 
Kenneth Hisley, PhD, William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Co-Investigator(s): 
Mark Terrell, PhD, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Osteopathic Institutional Research

Pursuing an internal medicine subspecialty: a review of the factors influencing female medical students’ intentions for fellowship

Primary Investigator: 
Sheeba Varughese Tano, DO, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine

Co-Investigator: 
Gina Sun Gilderman, OMS-II, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine

A Pilot Program Studying the Effects of Student, Peer-Facilitator Development in Support of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Curriculum Learning Activities

Primary Investigator:
Edward Barnes, MD, Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Northwest

Co-Investigators: 
Mirabelle Fernandes-Paul, EdD, Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific – NW 
Vicki Wedel, PhD, Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Stephanie White, DO, Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific

A Faculty Development Training Program to Improve Communication about Medical Uncertainty in Graduate Medical Education

Primary Investigator: 
Anna M. Kerr, PhD, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Co-Investigator(s): 
Charee Thompson, PhD, University of Illinois
Alexander Rakowsky, MD, Nationwide Children's Hospital
Claire Stewart, MD, Nationwide Children's Hospital
John D. Mahan, MD, Nationwide Children's Hospital

Standardizing Cadaveric-based Lab Experiences and Assessments for Multiple Campus Medical Schools

Primary Investigator:
Kent Smith, PhD, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine – Tahlequah

Co-Investigator: 
Denna Wheeler, PhD, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine – Tahlequah

The impact of 3-D printed and computer models on learning cranial nerve anatomy

Primary Investigator: 
Randy J Kulesza Jr, PhD, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Co-Investigator(s): 
Mark Terrell, EdD, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Brittney L. Link, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Sideline Sonography for Ankle Fracture Evaluation (SSAFE): A Pilot Study

Primary Investigator: 
Jacob Turnbull, DO, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Louisiana Campus

Co-Investigators: 
Stephanie Aldret, DO, CAQSM, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Louisiana Campus
Randy Aldret, EdD, LAT, ATC, CSCS, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Louisiana Campus
Travis Smith, DO, CAQSM, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Louisiana Campus
John Lipka, MD, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Louisiana Campus
Lin Kang, PhD, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Louisiana Campus

Enablers and incentives to promote research participation by osteopathic medical students

Primary Investigator:
Sarah Zahl, PhD, Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Co-Investigator(s): 
Jonathan Lowery, PhD, Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Michael Baumann, PhD, Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine 

Enriching the Preclinical Medical Genetics Curriculum through OSCE Learning

Primary Investigator:
Martin Schmidt, PhD, Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Co-Investigators: n/a

Efficacy of an OMM Virtual Reality Program on Medical Student Learning

Co-Investigator: 
Randy Stout, Jr., PhD, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine