Students Attend White Coat Ceremonies, Receive Golden Ticket Scholarship and More
Published October 24, 2023
Campus Roundup Inside OME
VCOM-Virginia Student Awarded Golden Ticket Scholarship at OMED Conference
Photo: VCOM-Virginia student Zach Simmons recognized at OMED ’23.
At this month’s OMED Conference in Orlando, Florida, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Virginia Campus (VCOM-Virginia) student Zach Simmons, DO ’25, was awarded the prestigious Golden Ticket Scholarship. This scholarship recognizes and supports exceptional osteopathic medical students who, despite financial obstacles, continue to achieve excellence and embody osteopathic tenants and philosophy.
Simmons, who excels in his passion for outreach, dedication to his studies and support of his classmates returned to Virginia with the “Golden Ticket” and a $20,000 educational scholarship. “The financial impact of this award is tremendous, but the fact that people around me and above me at VCOM believe in my dreams and support me the way they do means just as much,” Simmons said.
Empowering Future Physicians at Pre-Medical Day
On October 7, 2023, the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) hosted Pre-Medical Day, providing a platform for Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Auburn Campus (VCOM-Auburn) to engage with undergraduate students from Auburn University and Tuskegee University.
During the event, VCOM-Auburn organized informative panels and interactive clinical skills sessions, including suturing, and implanted a mentorship program where VCOM-Auburn students volunteered to guide pre-medical undergraduates through the medical school application process. This event embodied VCOM’s mission of participation in minority groups, encouraging them to consider VCOM and other medical schools for their educational and career aspirations. View more photos from the event on VCOM-Auburn’s Facebook.
WVSOM, Frostburg State University Announce Partnership
The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) and Frostburg State University have entered into a memorandum of understanding that will better prepare Frostburg students interested in pursuing a career in osteopathic medicine.
The agreement, signed by WVSOM President James W. Nemitz, PhD, and Frostburg State University President Ronald Nowaczyk, PhD, on October 16, 2024, will provide skills and credentials necessary for admission to and success in osteopathic medical school through the WVSOM Pre-Osteopathic Medicine Program. Read more about the partnership and how it will provide a pathway to medical school.
Providing Hope for Valley Patients, More Than 150 Future Physicians Take Osteopathic Oath at White Coat Ceremony
The California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM) hosted a White Coat Ceremony for its first-year medical students in the class of 2027 on Saturday, September 30, 2023. More than 150 first-year medical students received their first white coat and took the osteopathic oath to preserve health and life, planting the seeds of hope for thousands of patients in the Central Valley who face health inequities and the shortage of physicians.
“I am proud that our medical students represent the diverse Central Valley populations we serve, and they have an opportunity to help address health inequities experienced in our community,” said John Graneto, DO, CHSU-COM dean. Read more about the ceremony and hear from first-year students.
VCOM-Louisiana Chapter of the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians Helped with The Simple Project
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana)'s chapter of the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians (ACOEP) recently helped with The Simple Project, a local, family-run organization that provides hot meals, clothes, hygiene bags and canned goods to those experiencing homelessness in the Monroe, Louisiana community. VCOM-Louisiana students helped sort and fold clothing donations and provided clothes in the appropriate sizes to the members of this community in need. ACOEP will also be holding a Thanksgiving donation drive for hygiene and canned food items that will be donated to The Simple Project. View more stories like this on VCOM-Louisiana’s Facebook.
Midwestern University Honors Future Healthcare Professionals with White Coat Ceremonies
More than 400 first-year Midwestern University students from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM) and the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM) on the Downers Grove and Glendale campuses had their clinical white coats bestowed upon them by their faculty. The students also took the oath of commitment with several important vows including the promise to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge of a healthcare provider, assume responsibility for the healthcare field they are trained in, respect their faculty and value their predecessors in their profession.
Kathleen H. Goeppinger, PhD, Midwestern University president and CEO spoke of the history of the white coat in healthcare professions. She also encouraged the students and gave advice for any difficult days.
“I want you to realize that this could be one of the most wonderful opportunities you're ever going to have. Take advantage of it, learn as much as you can, take it as seriously as you can, put yourself into it, knowing that you're on a journey that's going to get you where you want to be. And I've always told students when you really hit a tough time, take a minute, put your white coat back on, look in the mirror, and think about why you started the journey to begin with.”
Pharmacy and Medical Students Participate in Rite of Passage
Photo: Katherine Grant (DO '27) was coated by PCOM Georgia Assistant Professor Joy Zarandy, DO.
Friday, October 13th was a great day for 179 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Georgia Campus (PCOM Georgia) first year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) students as they crossed the stage at the Gas South Convention Center in Duluth to receive their white coats, which symbolize professionalism, compassion and trust. Read more about the ceremony and hear from PCOM Georgia Dean Andrea Mann, DO.