Students Enjoy a Garden Retreat, Participate in Emergency Medicine Bootcamp and More
Published June 11, 2024
Campus Roundup Inside OME
CHSU-COM Inaugural Class of 2024 Hosts First Strides for Wellness Event
Photo: Saumya Shah, DO (left), and Varsha Swamy, DO (right), Class of 2024 CHSU-COM graduates
On Thursday, May 16, 2024, the California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM) inaugural Class of 2024 students hosted their first Strides for Wellness event in collaboration with Shinzen Friendship Garden.
Attendees enjoyed the free event with an afternoon of informative talks, health education and activities while taking a stroll through the beautiful, scenic Shinzen Friendship Garden located within Woodward Park in Fresno, California. Approximately 200 guests were able to embrace holistic well-being through a series of mindful activities designed to nourish their mind, body and spirit. Read more about the wellness event and hear from Class President Varsha Swamy.
New UNTHSC-TCOM Division of Performing Arts Medicine Aims to Grow and Expand
Building on the success of the Texas Center for Performing Arts Health (TCAPH), the University of North Texas Health Sciences Center at Fort Worth Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNTHSC-TCOM) has created the Division of Performing Arts Medicine (PAM) within the Department of Family and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. The TCAPH, which was formed in 1999 through a partnership with the University of North Texas’s College of Music and UNTHSC-TCOM, has evolved and grown over the years and now has four faculty members, a PAM Fellowship program and various clinics, educational programs and research. Read more about the new division of performing arts and hear from its chairs.
ICOM Graduates 147 Physicians in Third Cohort
Photo (left to right): Mohammad Razipour, Mindy Hoang, Mackenzie Kuchenbecker.
The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) celebrated the graduation of 147 new physicians on Thursday, May 23, 2024. After four years of study, ICOM faculty hooded the new osteopathic physicians and the college’s Class of 2024 was conferred the doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) degree.
“ICOM was established to address the acute and growing shortage of physicians in Idaho and other underserved areas, and we delight in the graduation of these wonderful new doctors,” said ICOM President Tracy J. Farnsworth, EDD, MHSA, MBA.
In a packed theater at the Morrison Center in Boise, graduates gathered with family, friends, faculty and staff to celebrate their transition into resident physicians, where they will train in their specialty of choice for at least the next three years. Read more about the ceremony including words from the commencement speaker, Karen J. Nichols, DO, MA.
VCOM-Louisiana Students Inducted into the Arnold P. Gold Foundation's Gold Humanism Honor Society
Photo: VCOM-Louisiana students celebrate their induction into the Arnold P. Gold Foundation's Gold Humanism Honor Society.
Recently, 23 Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana) students were honored for induction into the Arnold P. Gold Foundation's Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS). These compassionate individuals were recognized for their exceptional empathy and integrity in patient care.
The Gold Humanism Award celebrates medical professionals—students, residents and faculty—who embody exemplary humanistic behaviors in medicine. The GHHS fosters a culture of caring and respect in healthcare, ensuring patients are treated with dignity, kindness and compassion.
View more photos from the event on VCOM-Louisiana’s Facebook.
For One Research Day Participant, PCOM is 'Like a Miracle' of Scholarly Opportunity
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM)'s 13th annual Research Day event featured 130 presentations highlighting the scholarly activity of students, faculty and staff. For PCOM student Cameron Stinson, “It's amazing to know that I'm part of research that could positively impact patients in the future in such a life-changing way.”
Stinson, who is about to graduate from the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences program from PCOM before starting the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program this fall, was displaying a study demonstrating how the drug Naltrindole can elicit robust cardioprotective effects in myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury in animal models. Read more about topics covered during PCOM’s Research Day.
VCOM-Carolinas Emergency Medicine Bootcamp
Photo: VCOM-Carolinas medical students participated in an Emergency Medicine and Surgery Bootcamp.
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Carolinas Campus (VCOM-Carolinas) hosted an Emergency Medicine and Surgery bootcamp where OMS IV students tried out new simulation technology. View more photos on VCOM-Carolinas’ Facebook.
Charleston Urologist Appointed to WVSOM Board of Governors
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice appointed Ryan Fitzwater, DO, a Greenbrier County native, to the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) Board of Governors, the body that oversees the financial, business and educational policies under which the school operates. Dr. Fitzwater’s appointment became effective April 29. He replaced Robert Holstein, DO, whose term as a board member expired.
Dr. Fitzwater is the chairman and medical director of urological surgery at Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) and has had 25 years of experience in the medical field. He has extensive experience in urinary conditions and urinary calculi and removal. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in physician assistant studies from Mountain State University and becoming a West Liberty University graduate with a master of business administration degree, Fitzwater earned a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from WVSOM in 2006. He completed a urological surgery residency at CAMC. Read more about Dr. Fitzwater’s career and desire to give back to his community.
PCOM-Georgia Hosts Record-Breaking Research Day
PCOM Georgia recently hosted its annual Research Day, uniting students, residents, staff, and faculty to spotlight innovative and collaborative research endeavors. Ahmad Cader, MS, research officer at PCOM Georgia, hailed this year's event as the largest to date, featuring 75 poster presentations.
“Research Day at PCOM Georgia is an incredible event that showcases the variety of research done by students and research faculty from all programs at the College,” Cader said of the event, held May 7. He also noted the substantial growth of the event in recent years, attributing it to increased student engagement. Read more about the Research Day winners, including best in show.