VCOM 2017 Annual Report

inspired by innovation

CAROLINAS Robert Augustyniak, PhD

Scott D. Ochs, PhD Dr. Ochs is an assistant professor for pharmacology and coordinator of the pilot Inter-professional Education Certificate Course at VCOM–Carolinas. His research interests include studying the toxicity of aminochromes, oxidized catecholamines in biological models to further characterize their role in neurodegenerative and cardiovascular disease. Dr. Ochs’ current research, sponsored by AACOM, investigates and evaluates the effectiveness of an inter-professional education curriculum in medical school, and examines the effects on students to apply collaborative practice competencies during clinical experiences: • American Association of Osteopathic Medicine: Development, implementation, and assessment of an inter-professional education program:

Dr. Augustyniak has over 30 research publications and over five years of experience directing an independent laboratory. He currently serves as discipline chair for cell biology and physiology at VCOM–Carolinas. He was recently co-principal investigator on a project that examined local high school students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding sexually transmitted infections (STI) and gender bias, with a goal of reducing medical inaccuracies and cases of STIs in the state: • American Association of University Women: Mini-med school: Enhancing knowledge about Jennifer Berglind, PhD Dr. Berglind has over 15 years of research experience and over eight years of experience directing and managing a laboratory focusing on IBD research. She is an assistant professor for microbiology and immunology at VCOM–Carolinas. She currently has an active grant sponsored by the AOA and one just completed in collaboration with Dr. Augustyniak: • American Osteopathic Association: Use of the lymphatic pump technique as a novel therapy for IBD. • American Association of University Women: Mini-med school: Enhancing knowledge about STIs among high school students in South Carolina . As principal investigator on the AOA project, she will be evaluating the use of the lymphatic pump as a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease. STIs among high school students in South Carolina . Jennifer Berglind, PhD, served as the co-principal investigator.

Identification of best practices . Adrienne Ables, PharmD, and Chris Martin, MHS, are investigators on this project.

Petra Warren, MD, and Alexis Stoner, PhD, MPH

Dr. Warren, assistant professor for care for rural and medically underserved populations at VCOM–Carolinas, is the project director, and Dr. Stoner, director for preventive medicine and public health at VCOM– Carolinas, is the co-director on a significant community health project funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission: • Appalachian Regional Commission: T he

Cherokee and Spartanburg County outreach initiative (CSCOI) . This multi-year project is expanding primary care health services in Cherokee County and surrounding areas. The project also offers multiple clinical training (continued)

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