Students Share Journeys from Nurse Practitioner to DO, from Medical Interest Camper to Counselor, from First-Year Students to Simulation Center Interns and More

From Camper to Counselor, Project H.E.A.R.T. Has Direct Impact

Photo: Parker Meeks (left), a second-year medical student at NYITCOM-Arkansas, leads a student through a bovine heart dissection during Project H.E.A.R.T., a medical-themed summer program NYITCOM hosts each year to get students interested in healthcare careers. Meeks attended the program while in high school and it helped influence his decision to go to medical school.

Parker Meeks is now a second-year medical student at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine Arkansas Campus (NYITCOM-Arkansas). While in high school, he attended a medical-themed summer camp at NYITCOM-Arkansas that helped solidify his decision to pursue a career in medicine. Earlier this month, Meeks was a counselor at that same camp and enjoyed mentoring high school students who sat where he did just a few years ago. Read more about Parker’s journey to medical school from the Jonesboro Sun.

New Approaches Offer Diabetes Patients Hope

Jay Shubrook, DO, highlights new treatments that offer avenues to diabetes remission and hope for Type 2 patients. While Type 2 diabetes requires lifelong management and medication to control blood sugar levels, recent research has shown that achieving remission is not only possible but also achievable, according to Dr. Jay Shubrook, a leading expert in the field of diabetes and professor at the Department of Clinical Science and Community Health at the Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUCOM).

Diabetes remission is not a cure, however. “By the time you have Type 2 diabetes, clinically the insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas have been damaged to the point that you can't go back to zero risk, but you can dramatically change the course with one of the remission protocols,” warns Dr. Shubrook. Read more about Dr. Shubrook’s life-changing research.

VCOM-Louisiana Awards Honorary Degrees to Three Integral Contributors

Photo: VCOM-Louisiana awarded honorary degrees to three integral contributors to its institutional success: Dr. Nick J. Bruno, Dr. Ed Williams and Dr. Ray L. Morrison.

At the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana)’s historic inaugural commencement this May 2024, VCOM-Louisiana awarded honorary degrees to three integral contributors to the institution’s success: Nick J. Bruno, PhD, Ed Williams, PhD and Ray L. Morrison, DO. Their significant contributions to medical education and the osteopathic profession in Louisiana have left an indelible mark on VCOM-Louisiana and beyond. View more photos on VCOM-Louisiana’s Facebook.

From Nurse Practitioner to DO: Pressly Award Winner's Journey to Vascular Surgery

During the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine South Georgia Campus (PCOM South Georgia)’s annual awards dinner, Katherine “Katie” Bombly received the Mason W. Pressly Memorial Medal. Named for one of the founders of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, this is the highest award presented to a graduating osteopathic medical student on each PCOM campus.

The recipient must have demonstrated exceptional service to the community, the college and the osteopathic profession. Recipients are selected from across the college community. Bombly was surprised when she learned that she would receive the award. Read more about Katie’s reaction and journey into a healthcare career.

Grand Round Methodology Used to Prepare Students for Simulation Center Training

Photo: Fred Rawlins, II, DO, senior associate dean for Simulation and Technology at VCOM-Virginia, leads a Grand Rounds session for new interns.

The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Virginia Campus (VCOM-Virginia) Simulation and Technology Center (SIM Center) recently hosted their very own grand rounds for the new school year's SIM Center interns, utilizing their state-of-the-art equipment and participants from their established standardized patient program.

Each year, a few students from the first-year class are named as SIM Center interns, enabling them to receive extra training, including these grand round sessions, which allows them to assist fellow classmates throughout their simulation and diagnostic training. At this session, the interns received an orientation to echo cardiography, point-of-care ultrasound and other hands-on demonstrations and discussions. View more photos on VCOM-Virginia’s Facebook.

WVSOM’s Kennedy Receives Statewide ‘40 Under 40’ Honor

Christopher Kennedy, DO, an assistant professor in the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM)’s Department of Clinical Sciences, was selected as a “Generation Next: 40 Under 40” honoree by The State Journal, which covers news about business, government, education, healthcare and related topics throughout West Virginia.

“Every part of a student’s education is important, but medical school is where they really start to take on the identity of a physician,” Dr. Kennedy said. “It’s rewarding to mentor them through the good times and bad times. Shepherding them through this important time in their lives, and making sure they’re happy and doing well mentally, is exciting.” Read more about Dr. Kennedy’s impact at WVSOM and professional career.