Students Research Clinical Trial Disparities, Host Mohs Surgery Event and More
Published October 22, 2024
Campus Roundup Inside OME
Student Clubs Host Mohs Surgery Event at ICOM
Photo: Leah Moyal, OMS II, practices punch and shave biopsy techniques.
The Dermatology and Pathology Clubs at the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) partnered to host a “Mohs Surgery & Skin Cancer” event on campus on October 4, 2024.
Kelsey Ferrell, DO, a board-certified Dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon, spoke with interested students about Mohs surgery and shared stories and images from patients who have benefitted from the Mohs method. Students were able to practice punch and shave biopsy techniques during the event. Watch the video of the event featuring Hailey Fritts, second-year medical student and event organizer.
Future Doctor Seeks to Address Clinical Trial Disparities
Maya Rakoczy, a first-year medical student at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), is focusing on addressing healthcare disparities within clinical trials for neurological diseases in her research. She presented an original research project, "Clinical Trials in Neurology Registered 2007-2018 Demonstrate Room for Improvement in Reporting and Representation of Race and Ethnicity," at the Society for Neuroscience conference in Chicago, Illinois.
“I am fascinated by the mystery of the brain, how both diseases and natural variances can ‘hide’ in the brain and only manifest at certain moments, or be completely invisible to the untrained eye,” Maya said. “I have worked on neurology wards, volunteering to spend time with patients with neurological conditions from side effects of addiction, to cancer tumors, to strokes, to aphasias and dementias.” Read more about Maya’s research and future plans to pursue psychiatry.
VCOM-Louisiana Volunteer Committee Honored at the Ouachita Green Awards
Photo: Senator Bill Cassidy with VCOM-Louisiana Dean Mark Sanders and students Douglas Le, Joann Matthew, Sahana Padumane and Shailie Shah.
Student members of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus (VCOM-Louisiana) volunteer committee attended Ouachita Green’s Award Luncheon, with special guest speaker U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, in recognition of their dedication to serving the community.
Ouachita Green is committed to preserving Ouachita Parish's natural beauty, protecting the environment and leading litter abatement and environmental education efforts. VCOM-Louisiana students have volunteered more than 38,000 hours of community service since 2020. View more stories like this on VCOM-Louisiana’s Facebook.
VCOM-Carolinas’ Dr. Hanna Sahhar, Discipline Chair for Pediatrics, Wins ‘Physician Leader of the Year’ Award
Congratulations to Hanna Sahhar, MD, discipline chair for Pediatrics at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Carolinas Campus (VCOM-Carolinas). Dr. Sahhar was recently awarded "Physician Leader of the Year" for 2024 at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System. This is the first time Spartanburg Regional has bestowed the prestigious award on a pediatrician. Read more stories like this on VCOM-Carolinas’ Facebook.
Both WVSOM Chief Operations Officer and Alumna Named ‘West Virginia Wonder Women’
Two women employed at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) have been recognized for their work throughout the state. Drema Hill, PhD, MSP, WVSOM’s chief operations officer, and Katherine Hill Calloway, DO, MPH, regional assistant dean for the South Central Region of WVSOM’s Statewide Campus, were named to this year’s “West Virginia Wonder Women” by WV Living magazine. They are two of 50 women featured in the publication’s fall 2024 issue for being identified as leaders who raise the bar in their communities and force change for the greater good in their industries.
“I am pleased to join my female colleagues across the state who were selected to be honored as West Virginia Wonder Women,” Dr. Hill said. “We all have different areas of expertise, but together, we make West Virginia stronger.” Read more about Drs. Hill and Calloway and their significant contributions to West Virginia.