Osteopathic Health Policy Fellowship Holds Successful Sessions at CHSU-COM

The Osteopathic Health Policy Fellowship (OHPF) held an exciting February session, hosted by the California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM) in Clovis, California. For three days, the OHPF Class of 2025 engaged with John Graneto, DO, OHPF ’99, CHSU-COM dean; Lisa Chun, DO, OHPF ‘20, associate dean of osteopathic clinical education and simulation; and many other experts.

Speakers included environmental health researchers from California State Fresno’s Central Valley Health Policy Institute and EMBRACE (Engaging Mothers and Babies: Reimagining Antenatal Care for Everyone). The EMBRACE program aims to provide women and medical professionals with information about the relationship between enhanced prenatal care and the reduction of preterm birth rates, maternal mental health outcomes and satisfaction with care. A state official involved in health promotion within California’s Correctional Health Care Services also had an in-depth and inspiring conversation with the fellows.

CHSU-COM treated the fellows to a tour of their beautiful facilities and Simulation Center, which features a cutting-edge holographic anatomy classroom. The fellows were excited to learn about CHSU-COM’s emphasis on nutrition and community engagement, both of which interact with important policy challenges impacting the Central Valley and United States more broadly.

OHPF Director Daniel Skinner, PhD, recounted, “Our time in Clovis was extremely productive. The Central Valley encapsulates so many of the health challenges facing the U.S., but the experts we met with—from CHSU and beyond—show that we have smart, dedicated people who are working hard to meet those challenges. We’re grateful to Drs. Graneto and Chun for their hospitality, as well as the support of CHSU staff.”

The OHPF Class of 2025 will hold its penultimate live session at Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in early April, with meetings in both Tulsa, Oklahoma, and at the Cherokee Nation campus in Tahlequah, OK.