Students Assist Special Olympics Idaho, Publish Cancer Therapy Research, Enter the U.S. Air Force and More

Study by DMU Researchers Shows Potential Cancer Therapy Breakthrough Using COVID-19 Vaccine-Related Spike Protein

Photo: Researchers Conner Willson, a May 2024 graduate of Des Moines University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Yujiang Fang, MD, PhD, an academic pathologist and associate professor in the microbiology and immunology department at DMU, found the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus can arrest the growth of cervical cancer cells and initiate cellular apoptosis.

In a groundbreaking study led by researchers at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences, the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, integral to COVID-19 vaccines, has shown promise as a novel approach to treating cervical cancer. 

The research was spearheaded by Yujiang Fang, MD, PhD, an academic pathologist and associate professor in the microbiology and immunology department, and Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine (DMUCOM) graduate Conner Willson, DO ‘24. Researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine also collaborated on the study. Their findings were published in Anticancer Research, a peer-reviewed scientific journal focused on cancer treatment and prevention research. Read more about the breakthrough research and its impact.

ICOM Students Assist Special Olympics Idaho

Student doctors lent a helping hand during the 2024 State Summer Games for  Special Olympics Idaho. A group of Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM)'s future physicians worked alongside a clinical supervisor to help perform pre-competition screenings for the athletes. 

WVSOM Contributes Toolkit to National Institutes of Health Program for Community-Engaged Research

Two representatives of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s Community Engagement Alliance Consultative Resource visited the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) campus to give a presentation to school employees, Greenbrier County community leaders and local health professionals on a toolkit showcasing the successes of WVSOM’s Center for Rural and Community Health. The toolkit is available through the NIH to organizations nationwide to be used as a model for gaining community buy-in on community-engaged research. Read more about the NIH presentation and WVSOM’s Center for Rural and Community Health.

KCU-COM Medical Students Author Resolution to Expand Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders During Pregnancy

Advocacy work is not only something she feels passionate about, it’s a calling for third-year medical student Ellie Nu Bui. Her involvement as an active member of the Missouri State Medical Association gives her a platform to advocate for issues close to her heart. Among those issues is one that shaped her as a young girl living in Vietnam with her family: maternal and child health. For her, the issue is personal. Read more about Nu Bui and her efforts to ensure women and their unborn children receive comprehensive care.

VCOM-Virginia Student Commissioned into Air Force

Photo: The commissioning of VCOM-Virginia student Amber Cambridge ’27 (left) into the Air Force by VCOM-Virginia Dean Ronald Januchowski (right)

Army Colonel Ronald Januchowski, retired, DO, dean of Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Virginia Campus (VCOM-Virginia), recently had the privilege of conducting the commissioning of Amber Cambridge '27. Cambridge will enter the U.S. Air Force as a commissioned officer after she completes her medical education at VCOM-Virginia. She is among several VCOM-Virginia students serving in the military who participate in the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP).

Cambridge’s commissioning ceremony represents the beginning of her military journey, taking the Oath of Office to signify commitment to supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States and discharging the duties of the office. The Oath must be administered by an active or reserve commissioned officer. View more photos from the event on VCOM-Virginia’s Facebook.

Improving Health One Dish at a Time

Photo: PCOM South Georgia student physicians Danielle Prier (left), and Dalton Sharp (right), put the finishing touches on their shrimp pasta with asparagus entrée during culinary medicine course.

Students in Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine South Georgia Campus (PCOM South Georgia)’s culinary medicine course recently swapped their white coats for aprons to study the nutrition and biochemical properties of food while also learning how to prepare nutritious meals.

The four-day elective class included nutrition and biochemical topics taught by Joanne Kakaty-Monzo, DO ’97, academic chair of PCOM’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, with Brandy Sreenilayam, PhD, associate professor of biochemistry and cellular genetics and assistant dean of assessments, to accompany the cooking lessons. Read more about the culinary medicine course and its impact on students’ healthcare perspectives.

PCOM Georgia Students Pay Tribute to Body Donors

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Georgia Campus (PCOM Georgia) students benefited from the donors' contributions, gaining crucial hands-on experience across osteopathic medicine, physician assistant studies, physical therapy and biomedical sciences.

During the service, held May 11, 2024, student representative Shervin Hovanloo, DO ’27, spoke about the impact these donors have on education and training. “This is the most memorable and valuable aspect of our student education,” Hovanloo said. Read more about the tribute event and the PCOM Georgia body donor program.

VCOM-Louisiana Class of 2025 Students Recognized as Distinguished Scholars

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana) recognized 19 medical students from the Class of 2025 who were chosen by VCOM-Louisiana’s ten core hospital sites. These Distinguished Scholars excelled in family and internal medicine, OB/GYN, pediatrics, surgery, psychiatry and rural primary care. Congratulations to these impressive students on this amazing accomplishment. View more photos on VCOM-Louisiana’s Facebook.