VCOM 2024 Annual Report

Via Research Recognition Day VCOM-Virginia February 16, 2024 V COM-Virginia hosted its 19th annual Research Recognition Day, an event showcasing

VCOM campuses have contributed to peer reviewed publications, a key factor in securing competitive residency placements. The event also featured faculty research updates, including “Exploring a Non-Opioid Analgesic: A New Trick for an Old Dog” led by Blaise Costa, MPharm, PhD; “Using Dynamic Motion Assessment in OMT Research” led by Albert Kozar, DO, FAOASM, R-MSK; “Psychosocial, Behavioral, and Mental Wellbeing-related Research” led by Ed Magalhaes, PhD, LPC and “A Novel Voice Recognition-Based Analytical Classification Model in Medical Decision Making” led by Fred Rawlins, DO, FACOE. A highlight of the day was the presentation of VCOM-Virginia’s Researcher of the Year Award, which was awarded to two distinguished faculty members. Harsha Bhagtani, MD, discipline chair for pediatrics was recognized for her work on “Feed, Read, and Grow,” a multi-agency initiative improving access to healthcare, food, and literacy resources. Blaise Costa, MPharm, PhD, a VCOM faculty researcher working at the Virginia Tech Center for One Health Research (COHR) was honored for his research involving novel treatment strategies for neuropsychiatric disorders.

research conducted by VCOM students, faculty, and regional collaborators. The event featured more than 150 research projects, not only from VCOM but also from Virginia Tech, Liberty University, and the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. A wide range of topics were explored in the poster sessions, spanning biomedical, clinical, education and simulation, and public health topics. Osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) research was prominently featured, alongside studies on cancer, diabetes, sports medicine, mental health, and the role of artificial intelligence in medical care. Many projects addressed health disparities, reinforcing VCOM’s commitment to improving healthcare access in rural and medically underserved populations, and explored novel treatment approaches for chronic conditions and the impact of socioeconomic factors on health outcomes. During the event, Gunnar Brolinson, DO, vice president for research at VCOM, highlighted the institution’s expanding research footprint, noting growth in research expenditures, active projects, and VCOM-funded initiatives. Notably, more than 75 students across all four

Speakers P. Gunnar Brolinson, DO, FAOASM, FAAFP, FACOFP

Albert Kozar, DO, FAOASM, R-MSK Using Dynamic Motion Assessment in OMT Research Ed Magalhaes, PhD, LPC Psychosocial, Behavioral, and Metal Wellbeing-related Research

Fred Rawlins, DO, FACOE

A Novel Voice Recognition-Based Analytical Classification Model in Medical Decision Making

The State of Research at VCOM

Blaise Coasta, MPharm PhD

Exploring a Non-Opiod Analgesic: A New Trick for an Old Dog

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