Students Teach First Aid to Scout Troops, Secure New York State Scholarships to Diversify the Physician Workforce, Join the Military Match and More

PCOM’s Dr. Feldstein Named ‘Most Admired CEO’ and ‘Healthcare Power Player’

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) President and CEO Jay S. Feldstein, DO '81, received a pair of recent high-profile honors for his impact on the Philadelphia healthcare and higher education communities. These awards are in addition to his recognition earlier in 2023 by City & State PA as one of Pennsylvania's 100 most influential leaders in healthcare and higher education.

In the December 6, 2023, Philadelphia Business Journal announcement of this year's list of Most Admired CEOs, they described the 27 honorees as individuals who “have earned respect from within and outside their companies and are leaving a mark on Greater Philadelphia and beyond.” Read more about Dr. Feldstein’s recognitions as “Most Admired CEO” and “Healthcare Power Player”.

To Diversify the Physician Workforce New York State Allocates $4.6M to Med Schools

Until last summer, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (TouroCOM) student Giovanni Pacheco was working as a phlebotomist at a community health center in East Harlem, aspiring to become a physician. His motivation to pursue medicine came from caring for his grandmother, whom he brought to New York from Puerto Rico for medical care for Alzheimer’s.

Pacheco had taken the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) multiple times but had yet to make his target score, which would have made him a more competitive applicant for the school’s DO program. Read more about student doctor Pacheco and the funding TouroCOM secured for underrepresented students.

Gwinnett Schools and PCOM Georgia Partner to Benefit Students in STEM

Photo: PCOM Georgia hosts a STEM activity for Gwinnett area high school students.

A mere one-half mile apart on Old Peachtree Road in Suwanee, Georgia, Gwinnett County Public Schools and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Georgia Campus (PCOM Georgia) regularly collaborate to provide Gwinnett students with STEM opportunities.

The two entities became neighbors in 2004 when the Gwinnett County Board of Education approved the purchase and renovation of an existing manufacturing facility to house the school system’s instructional and support personnel. PCOM Georgia renovated a former distribution facility just down the road and began offering classes in the fall of 2005.

Ten years later, PCOM Georgia signed up to be the presenting sponsor of the Gwinnett Science, Engineering + Innovation Fair, an annual event that encourages Gwinnett County’s elementary, middle and high school students to delve deeply into the sciences. In addition, a faculty and a staff member began serving on the Science Fair Advisory Board. Learn more about the partnership.

UNTHSC/TCOM Students Find Their Residency Homes on Military Match Day

Photo: UNTHSC/TCOM students Joshua Baker, Ryan White, Dylan Jacobsen, and Emily Lin

The University of North Texas Health Science Center-Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNTHSC/TCOM)’s Class of 2024 students who serve in the United States Armed Forces learned their military residency assignments during Military Match Day. Four members of UNTHSC/TCOM’s Class of 2024, Joshua Baker, Dylan Jacobsen, Emily Lin and Ryan White, were matched, with specialties ranging from Operational Emergency Medicine to Family Medicine. Learn more about each of the four medical students.

Scout's Honor: Leadership Through Medicine and Mentorship

Photo: PCOM's chief academic technology officer and professor of pediatrics Dr. Erik Langenau and members of PCOM's Pediatrics Club recently developed a program to teach first aid skills to local scout troops.

Problem solving, teamwork, leadership development and communication: the skills necessary for navigating the ups and downs of medical school share a surprising synergy with the foundational elements of scouting. For Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM)’s Erik Langenau, DO, MS, MAPP, chief academic technology officer and professor, pediatrics, the connection was obvious.

Dr. Langenau, a pediatric educator, former scoutmaster and father to an Eagle Scout, knew there were few, if any, opportunities for PCOM students to formally learn and interact with children, particularly in their first two didactic years in the classroom.

“As my son aged out of scouting, I found myself searching for new opportunities within scouting,” said Dr. Langenau. Enter PCOM. “I wanted to engage young scouts in something meaningful,” he said. “Scouting and PCOM seemed to be a great match.” Learn more about how Dr. Langenau has facilitated a relationship between PCOM medical students and scouts.

West Virginia: The State Most Vulnerable to Flood Disasters

Photo: The 12th Street area of McMechen, WV, remains under water after flooding rain and mud poured into the street after flooding in 2017. (Credit: Scott McCloskey).

As the new year begins, an official at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM)’s Center for Rural and Community Health wants to be sure West Virginia residents and state officials are aware of the need to prepare for flooding.

James W. Nemitz, PhD, WVSOM’s president, said the school’s work on the West Virginia Flood Resilience Framework will help strengthen the state’s response to natural disasters.

“Floods have been devastating to our region, and I am encouraged that through this project we will be better prepared for future catastrophic events. I applaud the work of so many to address this threat to the well-being of our communities,” Nemitz said. Read more from the Herald Dispatch about WVSOM’s involvement to help its local communities prepare for floods.

Des Moines University Celebrates a Wonderful Year

Photo: The construction of a new 88-acre campus was among DMU’s top news stories of 2023.

Des Moines University looks back at the many accomplishments, changes and events at the university that made 2023 a truly remarkable year. Read more about DMU’s milestones including a new campus, Match Day, community service and more.

CHSU-COM Medical Student Receives National Hispanic Health Foundation Scholarship

Photo: Kimberly Ochoa at the NHHF Gala in Los Angeles in November 2023.

Kimberly Ochoa Carrasco, second-year medical student at the California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM), received the National Hispanic Health Foundation Scholarship for her outstanding contributions towards improving the health of Hispanic populations.

Ochoa Carrasco attended the Annual Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship Gala on November 17, 2023, in Los Angeles, California to be recognized as one of the scholarship recipients. Read more about what the award means to student doctor Ochoa Carrasco.

Krzykwa, Gamer Named NSU-KPCOM Student Researchers of the Year

Third-year Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-KPCOM) students Emily Krzykwa, MPH, and Jackson Gamer were named Student Researchers of the Year at their respective campuses. Krzykwa was her peer’s choice at the Tampa Bay Regional Campus, while Gamer was the selectee at the Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus. Read more stories like this on NSU-KPCOM’s Facebook.

VCOM-Virginia Students Collaborate with NAMI to Promote Mental Health Awareness

In October, students from the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Virginia Campus (VCOM-Virginia) participated in NAMIWalks, a nationwide event held by the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) every October to raise awareness about mental health. VCOM-Virginia continued their support of NAMI in December by representing NAMI New River Valley in the 2023 Blacksburg Holiday Parade.

Sarah Stoyanoff, OMS II, president of the VCOM-Virginia Psychiatry and Neurology Student Interest Group (PsychSIGN), underscores the natural alignment of their goals with NAMI's mission. She emphasizes that “their goal as a student group is to advocate and raise awareness for the underserved community of psychiatry patients and teach our classmates about the importance of doing so as well.”

Engaging in local initiatives enables VCOM-Virginia students to actively contribute to supporting, educating and advocating for mental health at the community level, while also spreading awareness about available free mental health resources in Southwest Virginia.

Moultrie-Colquitt County Boys and Girls Club Members Learn about Nutrition Through Gardening Project

Photo: PCOM South Georgia student physician Savannah Finley (DO ’26), right, discusses growing bell peppers with a couple of Boys & Girls Club members.

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine South Georgia Campus (PCOM South Georgia)’s members of the Student National Medical Association worked with members of the Boys & Girls Club of Moultrie-Colquitt County to grow a vegetable garden this spring and fall. In addition to learning how to grow the plants, club members also learned about health and nutrition from the student doctors. Read the story on WALB 10 News.

VCOM-Auburn's Christmas Semi-Formal at Red Clay Brewery: A Night of Festive Joy and Lasting Memories

On December 14, 2023, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Auburn Campus (VCOM-Auburn) students celebrated their Christmas semi-formal at Red Clay Brewery. Laughter echoed through the cozy brewery as attendees, dressed in semi-formal attire, created lasting memories amidst the festive ambiance. The night was a delightful blend of camaraderie, holiday cheer and shared joy, making it a cherished and unforgettable occasion for all. View photos from the event on VCOM-Auburn’s Facebook.

OMS I vs OMS II Flag Football Game at VCOM-Louisiana Raises Money for Local Charities

Photo: VCOM-Louisiana OMS II team celebrates their victory over the OMS I team during the charity flag football game.

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana) chapters of Sigma Sigma Phi, the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine and the Student American Association of Osteopathy hosted a flag football game to pit the Class of 2026 vs the Class of 2027. The OMS II team pulled off a victory over the OMS I team and raised a total of $1,500 for their designated charity. View more photos from the event on VCOM-Louisiana’s Facebook.