Students Learn Sign Language, Prepare to Run the Boston Marathon, Participate in Mass Casualty Exercise and More

CCOM Students Arrange Sign Language Training Sessions for Midwestern University Community

The Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University (CCOM) Student Government Association disability inclusion subcommittee, in partnership with the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Club for American Sign Language, held an online training session on basic American Sign Language (ASL) to augment their healthcare skills. More than 30 CCOM students participated in the training session.

The students learned the history and background of ASL and other lesser-known facts, such as the difference of sign language in other countries. They also learned how to sign the alphabet and count to 20. Punctuation and enunciation were also discussed, such as ways to sign questions of why and how. The students also learned some general words and phrases, such as asking for a name or to repeat, as well as saying please and thank you. Read more about the impact this event had on students and how it added to their curriculum.

JAMA Network Publishes an HSC Study Showing Chronic Pain Favorable Outcomes Associated with Physician Empathy

JAMA Network Open this month published an article, “Physician Empathy and Chronic Pain Outcomes,” based on national data collected by the Pain Registry for Epidemiological, Clinical and Interventional Studies and Innovation (PRECISION) at The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNTHSC/TCOM).

The study involved 1,470 adults with chronic low-back pain and found that patients treated by very empathic physicians reported significantly better outcomes pertaining to pain, function and health-related quality of life over 12 months compared with patients treated by slightly empathic physicians.

The research team was led by John C. Licciardone, DO, MS, MBA, PRECISION director. Other investigators included UNTHSC/TCOM students Yen Tran, Khang Ngo, David Toledo and Navya Peddireddy and Subhash Aryal, PhD, a registry biostatistician affiliated with Johns Hopkins University. Read more about the study and hear from one of the student researchers.

KCU-COM Medical Student Selected to Run in the Boston Marathon

Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU-COM) student Ryan Sorenson was one of 30,000 elite runners competing in the Boston Marathon. He ran with a message of staying healthy in hopes of inspiring fitness in others. Watch the story from KMBC 9 News.

National Osteopathic Leader will Provide Keynote Speech During WVSOM Graduation

Ira P. Monka, DO, 2023-24 president of the American Osteopathic Association, will be the keynote speaker at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM)’s Class of 2024 Commencement Ceremony, set for 2:00 PM ET, on May 3, 2024.

Dr. Monka is board certified in family medicine. He has also served the AOA as third vice president, Bureau of State Government Affairs member and program chair for the Osteopathic Medical Conference and Exposition.

VCOM-Louisiana Students Participate in CERT Training

Photo: VCOM-Louisiana students participate in mass casualty exercise during CERT training.

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana) second-year medical students were given the opportunity to participate in a two-day training for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. CERT is a national program that aims to educate participants in disaster readiness so they are prepared to serve as volunteers in the event a disaster were to affect their area. View more photos from the training on VCOM-Louisiana’s Facebook.

American Osteopathic Association President-Elect Visits AZCOM

Photo: Dr. Hubka (center right) spent time at AZCOM, offered informational presentations and participated in the OMM lab.

On Wednesday March 20, 2024, the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM) was pleased to welcome Teresa Hubka, DO, on the Glendale Campus. Dr. Hubka is the chair of the OBGYN department at CCOM, and, most recently, has been named the President-Elect of the AOA. She will begin her term as President in July. Read more about her experience on campus.

Advancing Diversity in Medicine: TouroCOM Wins 2024 Inclusive Alumni Excellence Award

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (TouroCOM) is the recipient of the 2024 Alumni Association Inclusive Excellence Award from Insight into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion magazine in higher education.

The award recognizes TouroCOM’s programs, culture and initiatives that encourage and support diversity, inclusion and a sense of belonging for all alumni regardless of race, ethnic background, sexual or gender identity, religion and socio-economic status.

“From the time we opened in 2007, the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, based in Harlem, N.Y., has been committed to increasing diversity in the physician workforce,” said Executive Dean Kenneth Steier, DO, MBA, MPH, MHA, MGH. Read more about how TouroCOM incorporates diversity in its mission, curriculum and alumni involvement.

A Father's Legacy Lives On

For Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduate Janine Kfouri, DO '24, securing a residency placement in family medicine wasn't just the fulfillment of a dream; it was a tribute to her father's memory and a testament to her journey of faith.

As Match Day dawned, the culmination of years of hard work and determination converged into a single moment. Surrounded by the embrace of family and friends, Kfouri anxiously opened her envelope, knowing that its contents would shape the next chapter of her professional life as a DO. Yet, amidst the excitement, her thoughts inevitably drifted to her father's enduring influence and the profound impact of her personal journey. Once planning to be a pediatrician, the trajectory of her career changed by a single event in 2019. Read more about her father’s story and how it motivated her to become a family physician.

VCOM-Carolinas Hosts Accepted Students Day

The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Carolinas Campus (VCOM-Carolinas) held its annual Accepted Students Day on Saturday, April 13, 2024. The event featured a variety of faculty and staff speakers as well as small group sessions with current student ambassadors and brought the future Class of 2028 together for the first time. View more photos on VCOM-Carolinas’ Facebook.