Students Celebrate White Coat Ceremonies, Provide Care to Ballet Dancers and More

Scientist-Physicians Get Their Start at TouroCOM Montana

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Montana Campus (TouroCOM Montana) recently announced the launch of the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). This innovative program, made possible by the generosity of Dr. Irving Weissman and in collaboration with the McLaughlin Research Institute, offers students an unparalleled opportunity to integrate medical research with clinical practice.

The MSTP is designed for students between their second and third years at TouroCOM Montana. It offers a unique one-month intensive research experience during the summer, followed by comprehensive year-long immersion. The program supports future physician-scientists with a summer stipend for 2024, a monthly stipend during the immersion year and full tuition coverage for their third and fourth years of medical school. Read more about the students participating in the MSTP.

OCOM's Inaugural Class Celebrates White Coat Ceremony

Photo (left to right): first-year medical student Krishn Patel, Sana Tahir, Ledio Gjunkshi, Abigail Dugas, Maria Khan and Josue Saint-Fleur.

The Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (OCOM) marked a historic milestone this September as it celebrated its first-ever White Coat Ceremony for the inaugural class of future physicians. This important rite of passage is more than just a symbolic event; it signifies the beginning of a journey rooted in compassion, integrity and the commitment to patient-centered care. Read more about the inaugural class at OCOM.

DMU Students Don White Coats as a Symbolic Entrance into Medical School

On September 13, 2024, Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center Grand Ballroom in Des Moines, Iowa, was filled with pride as 438 clinical students from five programs at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences received their white coats during the university’s White Coat Ceremony.

“Our ceremony has important components in this initial rite of passage and reflects a symbolic entrance into medical school,” DMU President and CEO Angela L. Walker Franklin, PhD, told the students. “You will don your white coat as a symbol of professionalism and humanism. By reciting the white coat student oath in front of peers, faculty, family and friends, you acknowledge your willingness to assume the obligations and responsibilities of a medical and healthcare professional.” Read more about the white coat ceremony.

ICOM Supports Boise Pride

Photo (left to right): ICOM Dean Kevin Wilson, DO; Lu Wolff, OMS II; Agata Rubis, OMS II; Megan Royal, OMS II; Luke Myers, OMS II; Mara Krutsinger, OMS II; and Annie Hoffman, OMS III.

The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) was proud to be a sponsor of Boise Pride—a three-day festival that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community in Idaho's Treasure Valley.

Student doctors shared educational pamphlets and hosted medical trivia with festival goers. The group also walked in the festival's parade, donning a banner that read "Walking with PRIDE" and wearing shirts with the message, "Pride in practice. Equality in education.”

WVSOM’s White Coat Ceremony Celebrates 221 Aspiring Physicians

After seven weeks of classes, first-year students at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) spent an afternoon away from their busy academic schedule for an important milestone. The school’s White Coat Ceremony took place September 13, 2024, celebrating the first step in 221 students’ paths to becoming physicians.

Miles Medina, DO, a WVSOM Class of 2017 alumnus, served as keynote speaker. Dr. Medina, who is associate medical director of the emergency department and clinical director of the observation unit at Piedmont Henry Hospital in the Atlanta suburb of Stockbridge, Georgia, said his invitation to speak at the event made him think of the first White Coat Ceremony he attended—his sister’s. Read more about Dr. Medina’s address and the incoming WVSOM class.

PCOM Georgia Partners with Gwinnett Ballet Theatre to Provide Pro Bono Physical Therapy Services

Photo: PCOM Georgia's Ruth Maher, PhD, DPT, MPT, signs three-year partnership with Gwinnett Ballet Theatre.

The Department of Physical Therapy at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Georgia Campus (PCOM Georgia) signed a three-year partnership with the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre to provide pro bono physical therapy services including education on injury prevention and wellness as well as comprehensive screenings and assessments for strength, flexibility, mobility, endurance and balance. Read more about PCOM Georgia’s partnership with the theatre.

Dublin Medical Academy Scholars Share How Program Shaped Their Career

For the past 10 years, the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-HCOM) has hosted the Ohio Medical Academy, drawing 56 selected Ohio high school students to its Dublin campus for an immersive four-day summer camp experience.

Since the program’s inception in 2015, 500 students from 106 Ohio high schools have been introduced to the professionals, pathways and practice of the modern healthcare team during a camp experience led by a team of three professional student scholars selected from the Dublin osteopathic medicine and physician assistant classes. At this 10-year milestone, fourth-year medical student Keagan Lipak, a 2022 Medical Academy Scholar, reconnected with his peer scholars. Read more about Keagan’s experience.

CHSU-COM Accreditation Celebration Commemorates All Programs Being Accredited

The California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM) held a celebration this week to commemorate achieving full accreditation for all its programs. The accreditation celebration brought together more than 300 people on the medical school campus in Clovis, California, including CHSU-COM medical and pre-medical students, alumni, administration, faculty, staff, trustees, founders, elected officials and community partners. Read more about CHSU-COM’s accreditation celebration.

Day One Ready: Amazon Prime’s College Tour at AZCOM

Photo: Ashley Parker, AZCOM ’27, is featured in Amazon Prime’s College Tour and explains how classroom learning combined with early clinical exposure has given her the opportunity to practice medicine in a hands-on environment.

Midwestern University is featured in Amazon Prime’s College Tour. Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM) student Ashley Parker explains how classroom learning combined with early clinical exposure has given her the opportunity to practice medicine in a hands-on environment. Watch Ashley’s video.

Community Involvement: The College Tour at CCOM

Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM) student Vani Ganesh explains the value of a strong community and how healthcare can help shape it. With medicine ingrained in her DNA, Vani's journey began early, shaped by her family's involvement in healthcare. Alongside her dedication to studies, she also finds time to volunteer at two clinics in her community. Hear the interview with Vani, first-year osteopathic medicine student.