Students Tend to Community Garden, Tackle the NFL’s Diversity in Sports Medicine Pipeline Initiative and More

Published July 03, 2024

Campus Roundup Inside OME

NFL Opens Opportunities for Women Medical Students in Sports Medicine

A student in a KCU shirt holding up a Vikings jersey outside on a sunny day.

Jessica Nelson, a lifelong Minnesota Vikings fan, and fourth-year medical student at Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU-COM), is living proof that dedication and passion can pave the way for incredible opportunities.

This summer, Jessica isn't just cheering from the stands; she's joining the Vikings' training camp roster for a one-month rotation with the medical staff in conjunction with the NFL’s Diversity in Sports Medicine Pipeline Initiative. As the only osteopathic medical school represented, KCU-COM’s inclusion in the program highlights the unique perspective Jessica brings to the field. Read more about the initiative and Jessica’s passion for athletic healthcare.


VCOM-Virginia Launches Community Garden

A group of six students outdoors, holding gardening tools and standing next to a wheelbarrow in a grassy area.

Photo: VCOM-Virginia students working in the community garden.

The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Virginia Campus (VCOM-Virginia)’s new community garden was constructed and planted by students with help from family and friends as well as a grant from New River Valley Master Gardeners, a local organization that encourages environmentally sound horticulture practices through sustainable landscape management education and training.

The VCOM-Virginia garden will be maintained this summer by VCOM students Lindsay Turmelle, Spencer Prematta and Susanna Grow, who hope the garden will educate students, encourage healthy lifestyles and bring the community together. View more photos on VCOM-Virginia’s Facebook.


VCOM-Louisiana Hosts 'Day with the DO' Event

An instructor demonstrating a medical mannequin to a group of students in a classroom.

The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana) recently hosted a "Day with the DO" event. Students from the "A-HEC of a Summer” program explored healthcare careers through interactive workshops and hands-on experiences. Students actively participated in their medical education, learning about the role of a doctor of osteopathic medicine, visiting the anatomy lab, interacting with anatomy models and even practicing medical procedures like inserting a nasogastric tube. View more photos on VCOM-Louisiana’s Facebook.


WVSOM Celebrates West Virginia Day by Honoring Employees, Retirees

A group of eight individuals standing in a line on a stage, holding awards and smiling.

On the 161st anniversary of West Virginia’s entry into the union, the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) had a wild and wonderful celebration of its own—one that recognized some of the individuals who make the school a leader in medical education in the Mountain State and nationwide.

During the Employee Celebration, hosted by the school’s Office of Human Resources, WVSOM distributed 17 awards in five categories. Read more about each of the awards and their recipients.