Students Provide Support in Response to Hurricane Helene, Celebrate the Life of Anatomy Donors and More

VCOM-Carolinas Domestic Outreach Provides Support in Response to Hurricane Helene

The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Carolinas Campus (VCOM-Carolinas) Domestic Outreach team worked with St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic to provide vital support in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Thanks to the dedication of amazing medical students, faculty and volunteers, VCOM-Carolinas was able to offer free medical care, health screenings and groceries to those in need. More than 100 hot meals were served, providing comfort and relief during this difficult time. View more photos from the outreach event on VCOM-Carolinas’ Facebook.

New Pathway for DO Students: PCOM Partners with University of Georgia College of Pharmacy

Photo: Seated at the table, Marla Golden, DO ’88 (left), dean at PCOM South Georgia, joins Andrea Mann, DO (right), dean and chief academic officer at PCOM Georgia, in signing an affiliation agreement with Kelly Smith, PharmD, dean of the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy. Behind them, representatives from PCOM and UGA join in the ceremony. Photo credit: UGA College of Pharmacy.

Students who graduate from the University of Georgia with a bachelor of science degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences will find it easier to enroll in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program at either Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) Georgia Campus or PCOM South Georgia Campus as part of a new partnership.

“Some may see this as a simple agreement being signed,” said Marla Golden, DO ’88, dean of the osteopathic medical program at PCOM South Georgia. “I see it as the future of healthcare in Georgia. The more pathways we can create and provide to students, the bigger the web is for connectivity. In the future, these students will be the staff physicians in hospitals and medical offices throughout our state. They will be the chief medical officers and leaders in their communities. They will create cohesive healthcare systems and processes together.” Read more about the partnership between PCOM Georgia and UGA Pharmacy.

Patient Panel Provides Medical Students Insights into Living with a Rare Disease

Photo: Ozzie Giglio (left) and George Borrelli (right), DO, CCOM chair of Clinical Integration.

The Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM) held a patient panel about amyloidosis, a rare disease where abnormal proteins build up in different tissues and organs. The patient panel was an opportunity for medical students to increase their awareness of amyloidosis and hear a patient’s experience living with the rare disease. According to the Amyloidosis Foundation, there are less than 200,000 people in the U.S. who have been diagnosed with amyloidosis.

George Borrelli, DO, CCOM chair of Clinical Integration, welcomed the audience to the patient panel and discussed the importance of the supplemental learning opportunity for the students. Read more about the patient panel and its impact on medical students.

Honoring the Ultimate Gift: VCOM-Louisiana’s Class of 2027’s Donor Memorial Ceremony

Photo: The Donor Memorial Ceremony Committee, made up of students from the Class of 2027, thoughtfully organized a heartfelt event to honor the generosity and legacy of their anatomy donors.

The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana)'s Class of 2027 held a Donor Memorial Ceremony to honor their anatomy donors. Once students complete the anatomy portion of their second-year curriculum, it is customary to hold a memorial service for their donors. This heartfelt, student-organized event was both meaningful and reverent, offering students a chance to reflect on the invaluable gift from their donors. Read more about the ceremony in remembrance of the anatomy donors.

WVSOM Alumni Receive National Awards at Osteopathic Medical Conference

Photo (from left to right): John Diefenderfer, DO; Seth Moomaw, DO; and Lorenzo Pence, DO.

Several West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) alumni received national awards during the 2024 American Osteopathic Foundation Honors Gala, which took place in San Antonio, Texas, in conjunction with the American Osteopathic Association’s Osteopathic Medical Education Conference. Read more about the recognitions given to John Diefenderfer, DO; Seth Moomaw, D.O; and Lorenzo Pence, DO.