Students Met with Mississippi Legislators, Explore Anatomy Through Virtual Reality and Raise Money for Special Olympics
Published February 27, 2024
Campus Roundup Inside OME
WCUCOM Participates in White Coat Day at Mississippi Capitol
William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine (WCUCOM) faculty, staff and students joined the Mississippi Osteopathic Medical Association and the Mississippi State Medical Association for their annual White Coat Day at the Capitol. They met with Mississippi state legislators and advocated for several initiatives including promoting access to care for working Mississippians, promoting physician-led team care and Medicaid presumptive eligibility for pregnant women. View more photos from the event on WCUCOM’s Facebook.
$3.5M Grant Continues Child Mental Health Investigation in the DRC
Michael Boivin, PhD, University Distinguished Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, and Ophthalmology
Researchers from the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) have been awarded a $3.5M, five-year R01 grant from the National Institute of Mental Health for their project, “Congolese mother and child mental health in response to early child development interventions.” Based in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), this study assesses the mental health benefits for mothers and children who participated in an earlier intervention study, in which mothers were trained weekly over the course of a year on practical strategies for enriching a child’s early learning environment in the home, as well as nutritional strategies for supporting optimal developmental and physical health. Read more about the project and how it builds upon previous studies to improve mental health outcomes.
Students Immerse Themselves in Anatomy Virtual Reality
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM)’s medical students are using headsets and hand controllers to immerse themselves in anatomical simulations, testing the technology that may be incorporated into WVSOM’s new Finding Health Curriculum, which will be implemented in July. WVSOM has 22 headsets for anatomy virtual reality.
“Our students, when given the opportunity to self-select, have found virtual reality to be valuable because it’s a different way to visualize material they would often only see on a two-dimensional sheet of paper. It’s a different way to experience anatomy,” said Katie Williams, PhD, WVSOM’s director of academic technology and support. Read more about the technology and hear from students about its benefits.
VCOM-Auburn Students Make a Splash for Lee County Special Olympics
On January 20, 2024, students at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Auburn Campus (VCOM-Auburn) participated in the 12th Annual Polar Plunge at the City of Auburn Park and Recreation. They all leaped into the cold water to support the Lee County Special Olympics. Thanks to their efforts, and those of the rest of the community, the City of Auburn Park and Recreation ended up raising a staggering $10,105.71 to support Special Olympics. View more stories like this on VCOM-Auburn’s Facebook.
AMMSA Celebrates World Hijab Day at VCOM-Louisiana
Photo: VCOM-Louisiana students took part in activities to recognize World Hijab Day.
The American Medical Muslim Association (AMMSA) chapter at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana) hosted an event to celebrate World Hijab Day on February 1, 2024. Members of AMMSA taught their fellow students
about the hijab (headscarf) and what it means in the Muslim culture. Attendees then had the opportunity to ask questions and try on a hijab. View more photos from the event on VCOM-Louisiana’s Facebook.