DMUCOM Prepares for Campus Move, RVUCOM Takes Part in Disaster Simulations, and More in Campus Roundup
Published June 11, 2019
2019
ARCOM Hosts its First SOMA Research Symposium
The Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM) hosted its first Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) Research Symposium on the ARCOM campus. Students from ARCOM and UAFS participated in the one-day event. The symposium included both podium and research poster presentation competitions categorized to clinical and basic science topics. Thirty-four student projects were presented and over 20 faculty members served as volunteer judges.
“Throughout the day the Kyle D. Parker, JD Atrium was filled with the energy of the event as faculty, students, and guests engaged in research-focused discussion. The event offered ARCOM students the opportunity to showcase Interprofessional Education (IPE) projects completed with Pharmacy students attending University of the Pacific in California,” stated Rance McClain, DO, Dean of ARCOM. “These projects focused on public and community health topics embracing Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE)’s mission. The projects also demonstrated innovative faculty-driven approaches in distance collaborative education. Each student research project demonstrated student and faculty commitment to building interprofessional healthcare teams with skills and knowledge to identify and address community health needs.”
ATSU-SOMA SNMA Wins Chapter of the Year
A.T. Still University’s School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona’s (ATSU-SOMA) chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) was recently recognized as Region 1 Chapter of the Year. To receive this recognition, SOMA SNMA members had to complete a monthly community service initiative and conduct consistent executive board meetings. They also hosted workshops at regional and national conferences.
The mission of SNMA nationally is to support current and future underrepresented minority medical students, address the needs of underserved communities, and increase the number of clinically excellent, culturally competent, and socially conscious physicians. SOMA SNMA was chartered during the 2017-2018 academic year.
Under the leadership of SOMA SNMA president, Sarah Grewal, OMS-II, the executive board set a goal to be chapter of the year for 2018-2019. To this end, SOMA SNMA increased general membership, led an interactive workshop on osteopathic manipulative medicine at the Region 1 Regional Medical Education Conference, sent 18 students to the Annual Medical Education Conference to lead workshops on osteopathic medicine, completed at least one community service event per month, participated in regional calls, and completed all of its quarterly financial and chapter reports on time.
"The Chapter of the Year award signals to the national SNMA body that ATSU-SOMA’s chapter was committed to fulfilling the SNMA community service protocols, submitting timely reports, participating in regional calls, attending the regional and national conferences, and doing its part to fulfill the mission of SNMA,” says Renee Crawford, OMS-III. “Achieving Chapter of the Year was the sundae; the cherry on top was getting SOMA SNMA’s president elected to an assistant regional director position on Region 1's executive board and nominating two of ATSU-SOMA's own to regional positions."
Sarah Grant, OMS-I, Community Service Liaison, and Janae Rasmussen, OMS-I, Secretary, now hold regional positions.
BCOM Medical Students Honor Those Who Have Donated Their Bodies to Science
This month, medical students at the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM) honored those who have passed away and donated their bodies to medical education during BCOM’s first annual Willed Body Memorial Ceremony.
“Today is about having a moment to be grateful and to self-reflect on what you’ve been given this past year,” said Associate Professor and Chair of Anatomy and Cell Biology Miriam Donohue, PhD, who opened the ceremony. “There was a moment where these donors made the choice to support your education, where they chose to be part of your experience. Today is about being grateful for the things we’ve been given.” Read more.
DMUCOM to Move its Campus to West Des Moines
Des Moines University will move its campus to an 88.28-acre parcel of land in West Des Moines, IA. University leaders anticipate the move from DMU’s current location, 3200 Grand Avenue in Des Moines, will occur in 2023.
“Acquiring this property is the first important milestone toward realizing our vision for the development of a new campus that will ensure DMU remains a national, premier medicine and health sciences university serving the community and the world,” said Angela L. Walker Franklin, PhD, DMU’s president and CEO, at a June 3 unveiling of a temporary sign at the site. Added West Des Moines Mayor Steven Gaer: “It will be the envy of the nation in medical education.” Read more.
LUCOM Student National Medical Association Impacts Community Through Academic Scholarship
The Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM)—Student National Medical Association (SNMA) awarded Jacqueline Coles, a member of the Lynchburg community, the first-ever Lynchburg Advantage Scholarship, earlier today.
Victoria Johnson, President of LUCOM-SNMA, and Daryl Turner, Vice President of LUCOM-SNMA, relied on connections they had made in the community to promote the scholarship. The duo connected with Treney Tweedy, Mayor of Lynchburg, who provided them with the contact information for members on the board of the Lynchburg City Schools. After several meetings with the influential leaders, the scholarship information was then distributed to local high schools. Read more.
Dr. Anthony J. Silvagni Bids Adieu to NSU
On May 30, Nova Southeastern University’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-KPCOM) bid a fond farewell to Anthony J. Silvagni, DO, PharmD, MS, FACOFP dist., FCPP, Dean Emeritus and Director of International Medicine, at a retirement reception honoring his 21 years of service to the college.
“I have never been in any position for 21 years, so it’s hard for me to believe this much time has gone by,” said Dr. Silvagni, who served as KPCOM dean from July 1998 through January 2015. “I stayed because of the energy and innovation the faculty and staff members always brought to the program, as well as the drive to develop new knowledge for the improvement of patient care.”
MSUCOM Medical Student’s Invention Brings Mobile Devices into Sterile Settings
Doctors can now have access to critical information on their smartphones without compromising hospital health codes. A student from Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) officially launched CleanCase, the first device-specific, fully FDA-compliant product that allows surgeons to safely bring mobile devices into the sterile surgical field.
Surgeons bring mobile devices into the surgical field for two main reasons: to capture media for medical records and to use mobile medical applications. The CleanCase cover, developed with investment from Red Cedar Ventures and Quantum Medical Concepts, uses patented technology so that surgeons can have full mobile device functionality without endangering patient safety. Read more.
PCOM Student-Run Clinic Expands
The Student-Run Clinic, a student group at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) that provides health information, education, and advocacy to members of the West and North Philadelphia communities, recently expanded to its third location in just three years.
The latest site, Jane Addams Place, is an emergency homeless shelter for women and their children. DO students volunteer their time here—and at the first two sites at St. Barnabas Mission Emergency Shelter and Families Forward Philadelphia—once a month to help address the unique health needs of this population. Read more.
Donors Honored by PCOM Georgia Students and Family Members
Forty-three candles were lit this weekend at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) Georgia campus in Suwanee to honor the individuals who selflessly donated their bodies to science.
The 2019 Donor Memorial Service, a lovely and dignified tradition held annually on Mother’s Day weekend, included a breakfast, words of gratitude from students and faculty members, a prepared video and the gifting of yellow roses and framed poems. The cremains of the donors were presented to family members as a candle was lit in their honor and music played softly. Read more.
PNWU Students Enjoy Four-Legged Visitors During Finals Week
Bleary-eyed but momentarily relieved, first-year osteopathic medical student Emily Eddy emerged from her exam reflecting on all the work she had done to ensure she got the best score possible, and all the work she had left to do. As she made her way into the foyer of Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences Butler-Haney Hall, her mind juggling medical terminologies and vital anatomical information, something in the distance managed to capture her acutely-focused attention.
Seemingly determined to provide comfort to anyone who passed, Mika locked her soulful brown eyes on Emily. Coated in a thick black fur accented with pure white and a rich, rusty hue, Mika had come from generations of hard workers. Today, the Bernese Mountain Dog was prepared to put forth any effort necessary to accomplish what she’d been brought to do. That task wasn’t to patrol the farmlands of the Swiss Alps as her ancestors had. Instead, she was here to simply make people feel better. Thankfully for students like Eddy, Mika’s adorable appearance and welcoming demeanor made her a perfect fit for the job. Read more.
RVUCOM’s Rural and Wilderness Medicine Track Travels to Wyoming to Learn About Disaster Scenarios
For the first weekend in June, student doctors in Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM)’s Rural and Wilderness Medicine Track (R&WM) traveled to Baggs, WY, to participate in simulated disaster scenarios. Students treated burn injuries and lacerations at an oil and gas explosion, and broken legs and head injuries at a rodeo.
Simulations such as these hone valuable skills, such as triaging and prioritizing patients, determining mode of transport, and communicating with a medical team. They also teach students about physicians-as-first-responders, a reality many rural physicians face. Although students cannot prepare for the unexpected during emergency situations, they can learn to assess their environment and inoculate themselves from stress by participating.
TouroCOM Harlem Holds Commencement Ceremonies for Master’s Pipeline Program
About 60 Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (TouroCOM) Harlem Class of 2019 master’s students participated in commencement exercises May 6 at the historic Alhambra Ballroom. Thirty-eight of the top graduates have been offered spots in next year’s medical school class that begins in August.
The graduates earned their MS in Interdisciplinary Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences, a demanding program for students pursuing careers in the health sciences and that serves as a pipeline to TouroCOM’s highly competitive DO program. In welcoming and congratulating the students and their families, Dean David Forstein, DO, told the graduates, “You have survived a rigorous course of study, earned good grades and made a difference at TouroCOM and in our community. Many of you will be staying on for medical school, and some of you will be finding a new home to further your education or join or return to the workforce. Whether you are staying or not, TouroCOM will always be proud of your accomplishments and a place you can call home.”
VCOM-Auburn Class of 2020 Gold Humanism Honor Society Inductees Announced
A dinner was held recently to honor inductees to the VCOM-Auburn chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS). The Arnold P. Gold Foundation works with healthcare professionals to ensure that compassion, respect, and empathy are at the core of all healthcare interactions. Humanism in healthcare is characterized by a respectful and compassionate relationship among physicians, members of the healthcare team, and patients.
VCOM-Virginia Hosts Annual Multicultural Show
The VCOM-Virginia chapter of SNMA held their annual Multicultural Show on Friday, May 31. The event began with a potluck, with descriptions of each dish and the culture it represented. After dinner, several students, faculty, and staff showcased talents, including traditional dances, songs, and a fashion show.
WVSOM Recognizes Graduating Students with Awards Ceremony
WVSOM graduates Nicholas Rawson (left) and Audreanna James (right) receiving the Alumni Association Roland P. Sharp Graduate Award.
Students in the graduating Class of 2019 were recognized for their achievements in medical school during an annual Graduation Awards Ceremony at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) on May 24. Graduation awards totaled $36,500.
This year’s class consisted of 199 participating graduates, with 121 graduates entering primary care residency programs and a 99 percent residency match rate for the class.
The event recognized 21 students who graduated with honors. In addition, 32 students were recognized as members of Psi Sigma Alpha, a national osteopathic scholastic honor society. Nine students were recognized with the American Medical Women’s Association Glasgow-Rubin Citation for Academic Achievement. Forty-seven students received cords reflecting their membership in Sigma Sigma Phi, a national osteopathic medicine fraternity that supports medical scholastic excellence. Fifteen graduates were recognized with special coins for their military service. Read more.