VCOM Auburn Yearbook 2019

2019 VCOM-Auburn Yearbook

Year a of Purpose

Physicians to Meet the Country’s Healthcare Needs

W e are preparing globally-minded, community-focused physicians to meet the needs of rural and medically underserved populations and promote research to improve human health.

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Introduction Message from the President and Provost Message from the VCOM-Auburn Dean Highlights

Students Scholarship, Leadership and Awards

Alumni from the Class of 2019 Class of 2020, 2021 and 2022 Campus Life

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Table of Contents 2019 YEARBOOK

Student Organizations Alphabetical List of Student Organizations Photos of student organization activities throughout the year 88

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Outreach Rural Community Outreach

Faculty & Staff Board Members, Faculty and Staff Leadership, Honors and Awards of Faculty and Staff Faculty and Staff Development Opportunities Clinical Faculty

International Medical Outreach and Clinics in the Dominican Republic, Honduras and El Salvador

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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND PROVOST The Power of Our Mission DIXIE TOOKE-RAWLINS, DO, FACOFP V COM’s mission is to prepare globally- minded, community-focused physicians to meet the needs of rural and medically underserved populations and to provide research to improve human health. This mission acts as the College’s compass, guiding us every step of the way, from the admissions process to graduate medical education programs. The results of this mission are clearly seen in our student and alumni outcomes. Our commitment to rural and medically underserved care is evident in the actions of our students and our graduates. The compass that guides our success at VCOM is the strength of the mission and a vision for healthier Appalachian and Delta regions. It points to a future where every person has access to good medical care and good health, regardless of the size of the community where they live, their diverse backgrounds or their socioeconomic status.

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MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN Fulfilling Our Purpose ELIZABETH A. PALMAROZZI, DO, FACOFP T his past year has been amazing, especially considering that we have finally fulfilled our purpose by graduating the first class of VCOM-Auburn physicians. This Auburn campus was established as a result of our commencement ceremony speaker, Auburn University President Jay Gogue, PhD, and others to address a shortfall of primary care physicians in the state. Our first graduation day on May 18, 2019 was a magical experience and an important milestone for this campus and the College. An almost 100 percent placement rate for class of 2019 students on match day is another great accomplishment this year that we are extremely proud of. After four years of everyone’s hard work, more than 150 physician graduates will be making the difference in the lives of patients, as well as alleviating the physician shortage in Alabama and beyond. I am infinitely proud of our inaugural class of 2019 graduates. Every year, I am impressed by our students and their efforts to assist local charitable organizations and causes. Especially uplifting this past year were the quick efforts by our students to assist Lee County tornado victims after the storms of March 3, 2019. Our various student organizations work diligently each year to provide community service and to develop future healthcare leaders. Members of the class of 2023 arrived on campus in July of 2019. We welcome these students to the VCOM-Auburn campus family. It is exciting to get to know this new group of students, and we look forward to their future accomplishments.

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LETTERS FROM THE PRESIDENT AND DEAN

Highlights 2018

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JULY

SEPTEMBER

1 From June 30 - July 7, VCOM- Auburn and VCOM-Carolinas embarked on a week-long medical outreach trip to Santa Rosa, Honduras . Second-year medical students, faculty, staff, preceptors and volunteers served more than 300 patients at four different rural sites.

2 In July, VCOM-Auburn welcomed the Class of 2022 to campus! VCOM-Auburn’s newest class of medical students enjoyed a picnic on July 16 on campus before starting

3 From July 7-14, VCOM- Auburn along with the Virginia campus teamed up and flew to the Dominican Republic on a medical outreach trip . Clinical activities included day trips to communities throughout the La Altagracia province, which is located in the eastern part of the country.

4 VCOM-Auburn student organizations hosted the inaugural Osteolympics. The classes of 2020 and 2021 competed in a variety of events, including dodgeball, volleyball, basketball, ultimate frisbee and flag football.

their first day of New Student Orientation the next morning.

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OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

5 From September 29 - October 6, VCOM-Auburn embarked on a week-long medical outreach trip to Tegucigalpa, Honduras . Second- year medical students, faculty, staff, preceptors and volunteers served close to 500 patients at rural sites.

6 The VCOM-Auburn chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) hosted its annual Melting Pot . Attendees were asked to offer a favorite dish from their culture. A diverse panel of physicians spoke about their experiences before and after medical school. This event was a great display of the diverse cultural backgrounds at VCOM-Auburn.

7 It was easy to see and hear the excitement as friends and family watched their loved ones walk across the stage to receive their white coats on Sunday, October 20. These students will represent VCOM well as they continue their journey toward becoming osteopathic physicians. Congratulations class of 2022!

8 Students offered a Day of Service to benefit the Auburn/ Opelika community. As part of the day’s events, students conducted volunteer efforts at the Food Bank of East Alabama. In less than two hours, 3,198 lbs. of food donations were sorted into boxes for distribution! Other volunteer efforts included a blood drive, gifts and visitation at a local nursing home, efforts to assist shelter animals, and volunteering with children at the Boys & Girls Club.

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HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights 2018-2019

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NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

9 Eighteen students traveled to the annual ACOEP Scientific Assembly in Chicago to network with program directors across the country and participate in lecture seminars as well as hands-on training workshops. Three students placed first in the Advanced Airway Challenge against other medical students and residents. The team had to rapidly intubate two adults and two children in a simulated motor vehicle accident as quickly as possible. Congrats for bringing home the gold!

10 The SNMA chapter hosted its annual VCOM’s Got Talent , which showcased student and faculty talents including singing, dancing, fashion, comedy and playing instruments. Along with their medical skills, there’s no denying that VCOM-Auburn students and faculty have talent!

11 Members of the Student Osteopathic Surgical Association (SOSA) conducted a Surgical Conference for VCOM- Auburn students on December 2-3. The event was filled to capacity with students that were eager to hear from speakers and guest panels, see demonstrations and get hands-on experiences in workshops.

12 In December, the Hispanic Community Medical Outreach (HCMO) student organization hosted Fiesta Latina . This included a variety of Hispanic and South American foods and a panel of speakers that discussed Hispanic and South American diets.

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MARCH

13 For this new year, VCOM-Auburn embarked on a medical outreach trip to El Salvador . Students had the opportunity to serve in villages and in a local medical clinic in San Salvador.

14 To help aid disaster relief after the Lee County Tornado , VCOM-Auburn coordinated to set up a medical relief tent and mobile unit with Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital and Beauregard Clinic. Students volunteered their time to gather and distribute supplies, coordinate a blood drive and assist with any non-life- threatening injuries to those who stopped by for medical relief.

15 Faculty and students coordinated and attended the first VCOM Mountain Medicine Conference in Park City, Utah. This three-day event focused on delivering back-country, resort-based and winter athlete emergency medical instruction.

16 This year, VCOM-Auburn celebrated its first Match Day for the Class of 2019 . This is such a big accomplishment for the members of the inaugural class. Despite everyone being scattered all over the place for rotations, a nice group of representatives from the class showed up for a small celebration. Congratulations!

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HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights 2019

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APRIL

17 It was great to see new students, along with their family and friends at Accepted Students Day 2019 . The class of 2023 enjoyed taking tours, sharing a meal, and meeting faculty and staff.

18 VCOM-Auburn held its second annual Via Research Recognition Day on April 4. This event serves as a forum for health professionals and scientists in academic institutions, teaching hospitals and practice sites to present and benefit from new research innovations and programs intended to improve the health of all people.

19 Usually a peaceful area, the courtyard at the new Auburn University School of Nursing building was a frantic scene on Friday, April 26 as wave after wave of simulated disaster victims scrambled for assistance during this year’s Disaster Day Drill . VCOM-Auburn osteopathic medical students and AU School of Nursing students worked quickly to assess injuries, sort victims and get them transported to simulated hospital emergency rooms on the second floor.

20 SOMA (the Student Osteopathic Medical Association) hosted the Gatsby Gala at the Fountainview Mansion in Auburn, Alabama. Faculty, staff and students ate, mingled and danced at this formal event.

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MAY

JUNE

21 Nineteen teams of students converged on Chewacla State Park in Auburn for a wilderness medicine adventure race . In all, 57 competitors ran and hiked 10 miles of trail, biked three miles and kayaked ½ mile. The race included simulated medical scenarios where students were required to treat injured patients with the supplies that they carried in their packs.

22 Six uniformed service members from the inaugural graduating class participated in a Military Ceremony Friday, May 17 at the Auburn Hotel and Dixon Conference Center.

23 It was such a wonderful experience to watch the Inaugural Class of 2019 Graduation . These students have worked so hard over the past four years to turn a dream into reality. More than 150 new physicians from the VCOM-Auburn campus will go on to do great things!

24 Students from the Class of 2020 completed their first year of rotations. A few came back to campus for their Student Clinician Awards .

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HIGHLIGHTS

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Students “ It is the service we are not obliged to give that people value most. ” James Cash Penney 13

Scholarships Class of 2019 Nathan Albrecht National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program 2015-2016 Gayle Avery

Kayla DeSuza Conference USA Scholarship 2015-2016 Alexander Dorin Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program 2015-2016 David Emerine New Student Auburn Campus Scholarship 2015-2016 William Hamrick New Student Auburn Campus Scholarship 2015-2016 Evan Harrison New Student Auburn Campus Scholarship 2015-2016 Thomas Harrison New Student Auburn Campus Scholarship 2015-2016 Courtney Johnson Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program 2015-2016 Jillian Keighron New Student Auburn Campus Scholarship 2015-2016 Clayton Lester Army Health Professions Scholarship Program 2015-2016

Alexander Mills Army Health Professions Scholarship Program 2015-2016 Thomas Peterson CULearn Scholarship 2017-2018 Nicole Redenius New Student Auburn Campus Scholarship 2015-2016 William Ruffin Alabama National Guard Scholarship 2017-2019 Valerie Staples New Student Auburn Campus Scholarship 2015-2016 Taylor Thrash New Student Auburn Campus Scholarship 2015-2016 Andrew Wilkins New Student Auburn Campus Scholarship 2015-2016 Zachary Wise Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program 2015-2016 Nicole Wyatt

New Student Auburn Campus Scholarship 2015-2016 Kurt Barger Blue Horizon Scholarship 2015-2016 Conquistador Inc. Scholarship 2015-2016 James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund 2015-2016 Michael Brisson New Student Auburn Campus Scholarship 2015-2016 Alabama National Guard Scholarship 2017-2019 Bishop Carmichael

New Student Auburn Campus Scholarship 2015-2016 Whitney Chandler Navy Wives Scholarship 2017-2018 James Coley

New Student Auburn Campus Scholarship 2015-2016 Medical Association of the State of Alabama, 2018-2019 Tiffiny Cooper Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program 2015-2016

New Student Auburn Campus Scholarship 2015-2016

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Scholarships Class of 2020 Jebha Babu W.A. Brookshire Foundation Scholarship 2016-2017 Dorian Bonam National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program 2016-2020 Corban Caldwell AOF Welch Scholar 2017-2018

Sydney Matthews First Baptist Church Scholarship, Meridian, MS 2016-2017 Mckenzie Merritt Indian River State College Foundation, Inc. Scholarship 2016-2017 Laura Mims Kids Cancer Alliance 2016-2019 Macy Phillips Memorial Hospital and Manor Scholarship 2016-2020 Ernest Philon Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program Matthew Pickich Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program (ANGEAP) 2017-2019 Nicholas Ryan Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program 2018-2019 Rehana Satani Frank B. Rocovich Scholarship 2016-2019 (ANGEAP) 2017-2019 Medical Dental School Stipend Program 2017-2019

Audie Schmid Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program 2016-2020 Vernon Sharp Army Health Professions Scholarship Program 2016-2020 Hannah Spiker Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation 2016-2019 Caitlin Stoll Americorps 2016-2018 Kenneth Stroer Army Health Professions Scholarship Program 2016-2020 Kendall Talley Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program

Matthew Ferguson Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program 2016-2020 Craig Goldhagen Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program 2016-2020 Kayla Hammelman Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation 2016-2017 Zachary Jarrett Army Health Professions Scholarship Program 2016-2020 Hannah Jaudon Zeta Tau Scholarship 2017-2018 Hendrix LaFontant Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program 2016-2020 Victoria LaFontant Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program 2016-2020

(ANGEAP) 2017-2019

Medical Dental School Stipend Program 2017-2019 Tuyen Tran AOF Welch Scholar 2018-2019 Christopher Wing Licking County Foundation Scholarship 2018-2019

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SCHOLARSHIP AND LEADERSHIP

Scholarships Class of 2021 Charles Bergdolt Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program 2018-2021 Janet Chen J. W. Darden Scholarship 2018-2019 Farrah Gaston Allyrae P. Wallace Educational Trust Scholarship 2018-2019 Nigel Jagoo Sherry Arnstein Scholarship 2017-2018 Janina Jose Health Focus of Southwest Virginia Scholarship 2017-2019

Haldon Marmolejos Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program 2017-2021 Vinayak Memula Americorps 2017-2018 Joselyn Miller William G. Anderson, DO Minority Scholarship 2018-2019 Kimberly Noss Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund 2017-2019 Pat Tillman Foundation Scholarship 2017-2019 Dominique Saturno Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program 2017-2021

Luke Shope Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program 2017-2021 Corey Stone 10,000 Degrees Scholarship 2018-2019 Joel Sullivan Osage Nation Scholarship 2017-2019 Benjamin Taylor National Health Service Corp (NHSC) 2017-2021 Todd Ulmer National Football Foundation NEO Chapter Scholarship 2017-2019

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Scholarships Class of 2022 David Axford Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program 2018-2019 Jared Bies National Health Service Corp (NHSC) 2018-2019 Robert Buntyn Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program 2018-2019 Rachel Butler Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation Scholarship 2018-2019 Hannah Choe Medical Dental School Stipend Program 2018-2019

Daniel Jeziorski Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program 2018-2019 Nicholas Lee Army Health Professions Scholarship Program 2018-2019 Jacob Lovin Hatton Lovejoy Graduate Studies Scholarship 2018-2019 Taylor Murray The Merchants Company Scholarship Fund 2018-2019 Julia Orcutt Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program 2018-2019

Wesley Ortman Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program 2018-2019 Derriyan Price Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program 2018-2019 Rachel Wood Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program 2018-2019

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SCHOLARSHIP AND LEADERSHIP

MESSAGE FROM THE SAMOPS PRESIDENT Building Traditions in Military Medicine DAVID AXFORD, ENSIGN, UNITED STATES NAVY RESERVE, CLASS OF 2022

T he VCOM-Auburn Campus has become a beacon of military pride in the landscape of medical schools. Our chapter of the Student Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (SAMOPS) has started, and continues, unique military-focused activities that display the quality of the veterans and future military physicians at VCOM. Every morning, SAMOPS students raise the flags at the front of the school and are in charge of lowering the flags to half-mast when ordered by the president and the governor. To accentuate our commitment to this symbol, we have also started conducting special flag raising ceremonies in memory of those lost on 9/11. Furthermore, SAMOPS has established a dedicated shelf in the library where military memorabilia are exhibited. We have also hosted Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) recruiting events for our non-military classmates, so they may explore the opportunities of serving as a physician in the armed forces. A ubiquitous concept held across all branches of the military is preparedness. SAMOPS at VCOM- Auburn brings that idea to the campus by taking responsibility for one of the most basic procedures in medicine: hemorrhage control. We have partnered with SOSA to host

one of the largest Stop the Bleed courses in the country at the College’s yearly surgical conference. No one wishes to deploy tourniquets or hemostatic gauze in an emergency, but we have made it our charge to prepare our classmates to tackle such difficult scenarios. Current first year medical students are working diligently to develop custom trauma kits to present to classmates, with the goal of all VCOM-Auburn students being prepared for emergencies. Future goals of the chapter include partnering with local veteran groups, honoring military medical personnel and fundraising for non-profits. The Armed Forces of the United States serve as stewards of world peace. The military students at VCOM-Auburn are eager to meet the call to honor this great nation inside and outside of active duty service. Our members are among the most dedicated and hardworking students at VCOM. As president of SAMOPS, I am constantly impressed by our students’ ingenuity, selflessness and achievement. I am honored to serve in the Navy, and it is an honor and pleasure to belong to the VCOM- Auburn SAMOPS family. Not only will our students show excellence as their careers develop, but I know they will make VCOM proud as a pillar in the military medical community.

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Air Force CLASS OF 2019 Courtney Johnson Zachary Wise CLASS OF 2020 Craig Goldhagen Audie Schmid

Army CLASS OF 2019

Navy CLASS OF 2019 Tiffiny Cooper Alexander Dorin CLASS OF 2020 Matthew Ferguson Hendrix LaFontant Victoria LaFontant CLASS OF 2021 Charles Bergdolt Dominique Saturno Luke Shope CLASS OF 2022 David Axford Daniel Jeziorski Julia Orcutt

Clayton Lester Alexander Mills

CLASS OF 2020 Zachary Jarrett Kenneth Stroer

CLASS OF 2021 Haldon Marmolejos

CLASS OF 2022 Nicholas Lee

CLASS OF 2022 Robert Buntyn

Wesley Ortman Derriyan Price Rachel Wood

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SCHOLARSHIP AND LEADERSHIP

Student Clinician Awards Class of 2020

E ach year, hospitals, in who have excelled in their clinical training and have gone above and beyond to promote excellence in the osteopathic profession. partnership with VCOM, award third-year students

These students are honored in May each year during an awards ceremony and picnic where they have the chance to reconnect with classmates and faculty prior to beginning their fourth year of medical school.

Brandon Bowers Student of the Year Award, Orange Park Medical Center

Corbin Caldwell Distinguished Student Scholar Award, Family Medicine, Orange Park Medical Center

Chelsea Cockrell Distinguished Student Scholar Award, Surgery, East Alabama Medical Center

Shirley Cotty Distinguished Student Scholar Award, Internal Medicine, Grandview Medical Center

Ridgeland Dabbs Student of the Year Award, Russell Medical Center

Brigette Davis Distinguished Student Scholar Award, Psychiatry, Grandview Medical Center

Thomas Fredricks Distinguished Student Scholar Award, Internal Medicine, East Alabama Medical Center

Jordan Gillenwater Student of the Year Award, Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital

Emily Grandprey Distinguished Student Scholar Award, Obstetrics and Gynecology Student of the Year Award, East Alabama Medical Center

Jerry Grant Distinguished Student Scholar Award, Geriatrics, Columbus Regional Medical Center

Amanda Hargrove Student of the Year Award, South Georgia Medical Center

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Victoria Lafontant Distinguished Student Scholar Award, Pediatrics, East Alabama Medical Center

Michael Conrad Landers

Ethan Lindenbaum Distinguished Student Scholar Award, Psychiatry, East Alabama Medical Center

Dominique Moreno Distinguished Student Scholar Award, Psychiatry, Fort Walton Beach Medical Center

Rachel Lyman Distinguished Student Scholar Award, Pediatrics, Crestwood Medical Center

Student of the Year Award, Grandview Medical Center

Ben Pardue Distinguished Student Scholar Award, Surgery, Crestwood Medical Center

Jeremy Prince Distinguished Student Scholar Award, Family Medicine, Gadsden Regional Medical Center

Hannah Patterson Distinguished Student Scholar Award, Pediatrics Student of the Year Award, Ft. Walton Beach Medical Center

Luke Mueller Distinguished Student Scholar Award, Geriatrics, Ft. Walton Beach Medical Center

Johnny Nguyen Distinguished Student Scholar Award, Internal Medicine, Wellington Regional Medical Center

Roxane Shirazi Distinguished Student Scholar Award, OB-GYN Student of the Year Award, Gadsden Regional Medical Center

Sidney Stewart Student of the Year Award, Columbus Regional Medical Center

Caitlin Stoll Distinguished Student Scholar Award, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ft. Walton Beach Medical Center

Natalie Punal Student of the Year Award, Wellington Regional Medical Center

Anna Stamas Student of the Year Award, Southern Regional Area Health Education Center, Fayetteville, NC

Jacob Taunton Distinguished Student Scholar Award, Surgery, Jack Hugh- ston Memorial Hospital

Jonathone Yang Distinguished Student Scholar Award, Geriatrics, Gadsden Regional Medical Center

Anna Swisher Distinguished Student Scholar Award, Family Medicine, East Alabama Medical Center

Austin Thomas Student of the Year Award, Crestwood Medical Center

Anna Trujillo Student of the Year Award, Medical Center Enterprise

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SCHOLARSHIP AND LEADERSHIP

VCOM-Auburn Student DO of the Year

T his past year, members of the VCOM-Auburn Student DO of the Year Committee announced their selection of a student that best represented the principles of leadership, community service, dedication and professionalism. Brigitte Davis, a member of the class of 2020, was selected to represent VCOM-Auburn as student DO of the year. “I am beyond honored and humbled to have been nominated and selected for this award,” said Davis. “I am so thankful to all my loved ones, friends and classmates, whose love and support got me to where I am today,” Davis added. Davis is a self-proclaimed “military brat” that has lived in Texas, Germany, Georgia and Alabama. She graduated high school in Enterprise, Alabama. Davis said that she decided to pursue a goal of becoming a physician in 2007 when an F4 tornado struck her school. According to Davis, eight of her friends and classmates lost their lives in that storm just a few feet from her. “As devastating as this experience was, it was then that I decided I wanted to spend my life in the pursuit of helping others,” said Davis. She attended Auburn University and earned bachelor’s degrees

in biomedical science and psychology. After graduating from Auburn, Davis worked as a medical assistant to an orthopedic surgeon in Atlanta and obtained her master’s degree in biomedical science. Davis said that an Enterprise, Alabama physician, Dr. Michael McQueen, has been the most significant role model for her in the field of medicine. “His kindness and love for others radiates and has no boundaries,” Davis said. Davis added that she spent time shadowing McQueen while in high school and college and was inspired by the impact he had upon his patients. Davis was very active in extracurricular activities while on the VCOM-Auburn campus. She served as Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) president, an Ed to Med Ambassador for SGA, Quality Assessment Leader and also served on the Curriculum Committee. Davis was also a member of Omega Beta Iota and Sigma Sigma Phi, Osteopathic Political Action Committee, SOMA Foundation,

Brigitte Davis Class of 2020

State of Alabama (MASA), and Alabama Osteopathic Medical Association (ALOMA). Davis is also currently working on two research projects, one in laparoscopy and the other in OB-GYN. As far as a career choice is concerned, Davis said that she enjoys both OB-GYN and family medicine. “The most important aspect for me is forming long- term patient relationships and working with vulnerable populations,” said Davis. Being near family is important to Davis, who said that she aims to practice in Alabama or at least in the Southeast. “Rural medicine and underserved populations are passions of mine that I do believe were influenced by my time spent in rural communities,” said Davis.

Student Osteopathic Surgical Association

(SOSA), American College of Osteopathic Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOOG), Medical Association of the

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More About the Honor The Student DO of the Year (SDOY) award honors and recognizes an osteopathic medical student who is committed to the principles of leadership, community service, dedication and professionalism. Each school hosts their own individual selection process to choose a student who has made outstanding contributions to the osteopathic profession. Each school then sends its nomination to the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents National Selection Committee. The National Committee consists of representatives from the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA), the Society of Osteopathic Medical Educators (SOME), the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), the Council of Interns and Residents (CIR), the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents (COSGP) and the previous Student DO of the Year winner. The Student DO of the Year must be a full-time student at a college/ school of osteopathic medicine and cannot be a previous school nominee for Student DO of the Year.

Regional, State and National Leadership Positions

Michael Brisson Class of 2019 Board Member at Large/ Military Liaison for the International Association of Flight and Critical Care Paramedics (IAFCCP), 2017-present Committee Member for the National EMS Quality Alliance (NEMSQA), 2018-present Second Lieutenant / Drug and Safety Officer for Enterprise Rescue, Inc. (ERI), 2019-present Medical Advisor for the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA), 2019-present Item Writer for the International Board of Specialty Certification (IBSC), 2014-present Vice Chair, Medical Student Section for the Medical Association of the State of Alabama (MASA), 2018-2019 Aeromedical Evacuation Officer for the Alabama Army National Guard (ALARNG), 2015-present

Carol Harden Class of 2020 Student National Medical Association (SNMA) Osteopathic Schools Committee Co-Chair 2019-2020 Vice Chair for SNMA Osteopathic Schools Committee 2018-2019 Journal of the Student

Joseph Matthew Bauer Class of 2019

Student Ambassador for the American Medical Association, 2016-2019

National Medical Association Editor for the Student National Medical Association 2017-2019

Sergeine Lezeau Class of 2020 Student National

Medical Association National Publications Committee Chair, 2017-2019 Journal of the Student National Medical Association Editor-in-Chief, 2017-2020 American Osteopathic Association liaison, 2019-2020

Joselyn Miller Class of 2021

Region 4 Community Service Liaison (AL, GA, FL, NC, SC, Caribbean, and Puerto Rico) for the Student National Medical Association

Caitlin Marshall Class of 2021 Vice President for National

Student Socity of the American College of

Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists (NSS-ACOOG) 2018-2019

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SCHOLARSHIP AND LEADERSHIP

VCOM-Auburn Researcher of the Year Wei Liu, MS, PhD

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Auburn Via Research Day 2019

T he second annual Via Osteopathic Medicine was held on April 4, 2019. More than 200 people attended the event, which featured two excellent keynote speakers. The research poster presentation and competition was even larger this year with 82 posters that were judged in various categories. Speaking first was Joe Nocera, PhD, an assistant professor and health science specialist for the Atlanta VA Medical Center Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center. Nocera gave a presentation that highlighted how exercise improved central nervous system functioning and overall health outcomes and in geriatric populations. Dr. Nocera’s research interests include interactions between physical function and cognition with particular emphasis on the impact of dual tasking on locomotion and balance control. The second Research Day speaker was John Kylan Lynch, DO, MPH, an associate research physician and director of the Vascular Neurology Fellowship Program at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH. Lynch also serves as an adjunct professor in neurology at the F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine (SOM) at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). Dr. Lynch serves on the Research Recognition Day at the Edward Via College of

Speakers Bureau at the NIH and has published more than 100 papers and abstracts in prestigious medical journals. His research interests include stroke in women and children and MR imaging in stroke. Lynch gave an outstanding presentation that highlighted the critical importance of early intervention in stroke cases. At the award ceremony, VCOM- Auburn researcher Wei Liu, PhD, Associate Professor for Biomedical Affairs and Research, won the Researcher of the Year award. This was the first year that this award has been given, and Liu was certainly deserving of the honor. Earlier this year, Liu received a grant award on his National Institutes of Health (NIH) K23 submission (Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award) titled: Real time biofeedback Tai Chi training for knee osteoarthritis: A feasibility study. The five-year, $825,000 grant has been funded through the NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. This is the largest single research grant to date for VCOM-Auburn campus researchers, and the first NIH grant for the three-year-old campus.

Guest Speakers Keynote Lecture: Exercise for Improved Health Outcomes and Insight into Central Nervous System Functioning Joe Nocera, PhD Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Emory University Health Science Specialist; Atlanta VA Medical Center Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) Keynote Lecture: Brain Imaging and Restoring Blood Flow to the Brain

John Kylan Lynch, DO, MPH Staff Clinician

Director, Vascular Neurology Fellowship Program, Section on Stroke Diagnostics and Therapeutics, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health

Guest speaker John Kylan Lynch, DO, MPH

Guest speaker Joe Nocera, PhD

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SCHOLARSHIP AND LEADERSHIP

2019 Auburn Via Research Recognition Day Poster CompetitionWinners Graduate Student First Place 1. Matthew A. Romero, MS Second Place 10. Brandon Bowers, OMS III A Case of Vestibular Schwannoma in Pregnancy

Simulation Research

First Place 23. Dominique Saturno, OMS II

Third Place 11. Ernest Philon, OMS III Pneumocystis Pneumonia in an HIV-Positive, Antiretroviral-Naïve Patient Honorable Mention 12. Jonathone Yang, OMS III Neurological Complications of Infective Endocarditis Clinical Research First Place 13. Emily Grandprey, OMS III Discharge Against Medical Advice: a Rural Community’s Perspective Second Place 14. Christopher Wyatt, OMS I Diabetes in Southwest Virginia: Multifactorial Effects of Coal Mining, Mental Illness, Socioeconomic, Clinical and Lifestyle Factors Third Place 15. Lauren Mason, MBA, OMS I Comparison of observation versus vitrectomy for patients with hemorrhagic posterior vitreous detachment

Creating An Interactive Map of All Emergency Medicine Residencies with VCOM Graduates: Using Historical Alumni Data to Help Answer the Question, “Which Residency Programs Do You Recommend?”

Wheel Running Alters LINE-1 Gene Expression Through DNA Methylation and Heterochromatin Formation in Rodent Skeletal Muscle Second Place 2. Petey Mumford, MS Aging increases LINE-1 Expression and Integration in Rodent Skeletal Muscle Tissue

Second Place 24. Kyle Nielsen, OMS III

The Wearable Critical Task Trainer Project: Blending What is Real with What is Not for a Better Simulation Experience

Third Place 3. Lydia Homandberg, BS Perceived Discrimination and Urinary Catecholamine Concentrations: A Longitudinal Study

Medical Resident First Place

Honorable Mention 4. Wei Yi, MS Novel clinical diagnostic tool: rapid and convenient quantification of pathogenic bacteria in urine sample

Caitlin Prather, PharmD (Not pictured) Impact of a community pharmacy-based comprehensive drug therapy management (CDTM) program supported by a medication synchronization program Second Place David Barnes, DO; Dale Segal, MD; Eric Shirley, MD (Not pictured) Rhabdomyolysis Secondary to Extended Video Game Play: A Case Report Third Place Devin Drummond, PharmD (Not pictured) Pharmacy student comfort with counseling on drug-nutrient interactions, pre- and post- interdisciplinary education Honorable Mention Ryan J. Mahoney, DO; David Barnes, DO; Douglas Pahl, MD (Not pictured) Perforated Ileus After L5-S1 Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Medical Student Biomedical Research

First Place 5. Joe Joe Williams, OMS II Mosquitoes and mosquito-borne disease in Auburn, Alabama Second Place 6. Caroline Clark, OMS I The use of magnetostrictive particle (MSP) biosensors as a rapid and convenient diagnostic tool, in a clinical setting, for the detection of common bacterial pathogens in urine samples The effect of macronutrient cycling on respiratory quotient in a high-fat Western diet-induced rat model of obesity Honorable Mention 8. Justyn Nakashima, OMS II The effect of diet quality on sleep and activity in a high-fat Western diet induced rat model of obesity Clinical Case Report First Place 9. Kyle Tomasini, OMS III Primary Pleomorphic Liposarcoma of the face in a 52-year-old male Third Place 7. Vincent DeGregory, OMS II

Honorable Mention 16. Natalie Punal, OMS III Seizure? How can we HELLP? Educational Research

First Place 17. Nicolas Pinones-Haltenhoff, OMS II Diabetic Foot for the Medical Student Second Place 18. Luther Etheridge, OMS II; 19. Tram-Anh Huynh, OMS II; 20. Christopher McNair, OMS II The Impact of Laparoscopic Training on Medical Student Confidence and Anxiety Third Place 21. Abigail York, OMS II Bleeding Control for the Medical Students

Faculty Researcher of the Year

25. Wei Liu, MS, PhD, VCOM Associate Professor for Biomedical Affairs and Research

Honorable Mention 22. Yen-Chung Wang, OMS II A Survey of Osteopathic Lab Practical Testing Styles

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SCHOLARSHIP AND LEADERSHIP

THE INAUGURAL

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CLASS OF 2019

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VCOM-Auburn

Commencement Speaker Jay Gogue, PhD President Emeritus, Auburn University His vision led to VCOM-Auburn.

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O n Saturday, May 18, 2019, a Class of 2019. A total of 147 medical students walked across the stage of the Auburn Arena this year to graduate with the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. This was such a momentous day for the Auburn campus as the Class of 2019 was the first class of students to graduate from VCOM-Auburn. Family and friends of the graduating students cheered their loved ones on as they crossed the stage. Delivering the graduation address was Auburn University President Jay Gogue, PhD, who was instrumental in bringing a medical school to the Auburn University campus. Another special guest speaker from Auburn University was trustee Jimmy Sanford, who also serves on the VCOM Board of Directors, as well as the VCOM-Auburn Campus Advisory Board. Ray L. Morrison, DO, FACOS, Dean for the new VCOM-Louisiana campus, delivered greetings on behalf of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). VCOM Chairman John G. Rocovich Jr., JD, LLM, President and Provost Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, FACOFP and VCOM-Auburn Dean Elizabeth Palmarozzi, DO, FACOFP also delivered welcome addresses and greetings to the ceremony attendees. The VCOM-Auburn Class of 2019 saw excellent match results, with students moving forward to residencies throughout Alabama and across the United States. The majority of graduates will pursue primary care as their specialty, following the College’s mission to meet the needs of rural and medically underserved populations and promoting research to improve human health. The Inaugural Class of 2019 Graduation Ceremony commencement ceremony was held for the VCOM-Auburn Inaugural

Speakers

1. John G. Rocovich Jr., JD, LLM Chairman of the VCOM Board of Directors 2. Ray L. Morrison, DO, FACOS Dean, VCOM-Louisiana AOA Campus Representative 3. Jimmy Sanford Board of Trustees, Auburn University Invocation Speaker 4. Elizabeth Palmarozzi, DO, FACOFP Dean, VCOM-Auburn

5. Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, FACOFP VCOM President and Provost

153 Graduates in the

VCOM-Auburn Class of 2019

99 % of students in VCOM- Auburn’s inaugural class matched

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INAUGURAL CLASS OF 2019 GRADUATION

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CLASS OF 2019

Honoring Our Military Graduates

M ilitary graduates from the VCOM- Auburn Class of 2019 were honored with a Military Promotion Ceremony on the morning of Friday, May 17, 2019 at the Auburn Hotel and Dixon Conference Center in Auburn, Alabama. VCOM-Auburn was honored to have Ronald L. Burgess Jr., Lieutenant General, U.S. Army, retired, as distinguished guest and

speaker at the event. Burgess, a former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, serves as Chief Operating Officer at Auburn University. Six students from the Class of 2019 were honored by VCOM administration, faculty, fellow students and family members in this ceremony for their commitment as physicians in the United States Armed Services.

Air Force CLASS OF 2019 Zachary Wise Courtney Johnson

Army CLASS OF 2019

Navy CLASS OF 2019 Tiffiny Cooper Alexander Dorin

Alexander Mills Clayton Lester

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Speaker Ronald L. Burgess, Jr. Lieutenant General, United States Army (Retired) Chief Operating Officer, Auburn University

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CLASS OF 2019 MILITARY CEREMONY

The Class of 2019 Hometown, residency location and specialty

Tamer Phillip Abuaita Detroit Medical Center

Ezra Allen Adams East Tennessee State University Johnson City, Tennessee Family Medicine

Nathan Montoya Albrecht

Chelsea Nevada Allen University of Florida College of Medicine

Sara Alleyasin Valley Hospital Medical Center

University of Florida College of Medicine Jacksonville, Florida Pediatrics

Detroit, Michigan Internal Medicine

Las Vegas, Nevada Internal Medicine

Jacksonville, Florida Emergency Medicine

Chelsea Britt Angelocci John Peter Smith Hospital Fort Worth, Texas Psychiatry

Muhammad Omair Ahsan Ata The Texas Institute for Graduate Medical Education and Research (TIGMER) Laredo, Texas Psychiatry

Gayle Chambers Avery University of Mississippi Medical Center Jackson, Mississippi Pediatrics

Kurt Marshall Barger Riverside University Health System Medical Center Moreno Valley, California Orthopedic Surgery

Joseph Matthew Bauer WellStar Kennestone Regional Medical Center

Marietta, Georgia Internal Medicine

Michael Joseph Bischof Orange Park Medical Center

Thomas George Block Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport

James Kenneth Boone Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center West Islip, New York Pediatrics

Michael Paul Brisson South Baldwin Regional

James Michael Broome Orange Park Medical Center

Medical Center Foley, Alabama Family Medicine

Orange Park, Florida Emergency Medicine

Orange Park, Florida Emergency Medicine

Shreveport, Louisiana Radiology-Diagnostic

Daniel Pope Brownfield CHRISTUS Health Corpus Christi, Texas Family Medicine

Andrew Madison Buckelew

Daniel Andres Casas Brandon Regional Hospital

Whitney Rayne Chandler University of Texas Medical School Houston, Texas Emergency Medicine

George Andrew Christakis

University of Florida College of Medicine Jacksonville, Florida Pediatrics

Palm Beach Consortium for Graduate Medical Education Palm Beach, Florida Family Medicine

Brandon, Florida Internal Medicine

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Brock Stephen Clark University of Central Florida College of Medicine/ Graduate Medical Education Consortium

James Matthew Coley University of South Alabama Hospitals

Ann Belton Collins St. Vincent's East Birmingham, Alabama Family Medicine

Michael Coody Pursuing a career in Family Medicine

Paulette E. Coombs Brandon Regional Hospital Brandon, Florida Obstetrics-Gynecology

Mobile, Alabama Internal Medicine

Kissimmee, Florida Emergency Medicine

Tiffiny Shauntell Kinikia Cooper Naval Hospital San Diego, California General Surgery

Chelsea Lyn Daniels Mercy Hospital St. Louis St. Louis, Missouri Family Medicine

Kayla Racquel DeSuza University of Miami / JK Palm Beach Graduate Medical Education Consortium Atlantis, Florida Internal Medicine

Jacob Lane Dickinson Stony Brook Teaching Hospital Stony Brook, New York General Surgery

James Buchanan Diskin Grandview Hospital and Medical Center Dayton, Ohio Psychiatry

Lisette Dominguez Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education Jacksonville, Florida Neurology

Alexander Michael Dorin Naval Hospital San Diego, California Transitional

Crystal Deandria Downer LewisGale Hospital Montgomery Blacksburg, Virginia Family Medicine

Courtney Sherell Duncan Maimonides Medical Center

Queenie Tien Duong Medical City Weatherford Weatherford, Texas Internal Medicine

Brooklyn, New York Pediatrics - Primary

Dylan H. Elder South Pointe Hospital Warrensville Heights, Ohio Anesthesiology

David Keith Emerine East Tennessee State University Kingsport, Tennessee Family Medicine

Phillip Jason Finley Freeman Health System Joplin, Missouri Emergency Medicine

Luke A. Foshee Baptist Outreach Services Montgomery, Alabama Family Medicine

Zachariah Elisha François University Hospitals and Clinics Lafayette, Louisiana Family Medicine

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CLASS OF 2019

The Class of 2019 Hometown, residency location and specialty

Jason Keith Fultz University Hospital Columbia, Missouri Family Medicine

Reema George Corpus Christi Medical Center Corpus Christi, Texas Internal Medicine

Adrienne Gonzales Baylor-Scott and White

Erin Nicole Gordon Maine Medical Center

William Christian Hamrick Desert Regional Medical Center Palm Springs, California Emergency Medicine

Round Rock, Texas Internal Medicine

Portland, Maine Family Medicine

Evan Andrew Harrison Brookwood Baptist Health

Thomas Alexander Harrison Largo Medical Center Largo, Florida Transitional and Dermatology

Amber M. Hill Florida Hospital Orlando, Florida Family Medicine

Jeremy Ahmad Chea Hogstrom Wayne County Health Authority Graduate Medical Education

Jermaine Alex Chea Hogstrom Wayne County Health Authority Graduate Medical Education

Homewood, Alabama Radiology-Diagnostic

Detroit, Michigan Internal Medicine

Detroit, Michigan Internal Medicine

Anthony David Horton North Mississippi Medical Center Tupelo, Mississippi Family Medicine

Niambi Ashaki Horton University of Alabama School of Medicine Huntsville, Alabama Internal Medicine

Tamima Hossain Vidant Medical Center / East Carolina University Greenville, North Carolina Pediatrics

Cody Mitchel Jinnette Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, Indiana Internal Medicine

Charles Christopher Johnson University of Alabama Medical Center

Birmingham, Alabama Emergency Medicine

Courtney Lyn Johnson University of California - Davis

Jasmine L. Johnson Vidant Medical Center / East Carolina University Greenville, North Carolina Obstetrics-Gynecology

Rishi Kalra Zucker School of Medicine - Northwell Mather Hospital East Garden City, New York Transitional Icahn School of Medicine St. Lukes

Richa Kapil WellStar Kennestone Regional Medical Center

Emily Victoria Kassar NCH Healthcare System Naples, Florida Internal Medicine

Medical Center (UCDMC) Sacramento, California General Surgery

Marietta, Georgia Internal Medicine

New York, New York Radiology-Diagnostic

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Jillian Renee Keighron Orange Park Medical Center Orange Park, Florida Family Medicine

Kelsey Ann Kenaan Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals Wauwatosa, Wisconsin Pediatrics

Daniel Robert Kibler University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, Texas Physical Medicine and Rehab

Kevin N. Kinyanjui University of Central Florida College of Medicine / Graduate Medical Education Consortium

Sofia Elizabeth Klar Doctors Hospital - OhioHealth Lincoln Village, Ohio Obstetrics-Gynecology

Orlando, Florida Internal Medicine

Daniel Scott Krautter Robert Packer Hospital Program

Peter Krishna Krothapalli UF Health Shands Hospital

Kristen Punshon Kyler Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, South Carolina Pediatrics

Anthony TriCuong Lam Conemaugh

Jeremy Wayne Ledford Medical Center of Columbus Columbus, Georgia Family Medicine

Sayre, Pennsylvania Emergency Medicine

Memorial Medical Center Johnstown, Pennsylvania Surgery-Preliminary

Pensacola, Florida Internal Medicine

Peter Hyunchun Lee University of Central Florida College of Medicine / Graduate Medical Education Consortium Gainesville, Florida Psychiatry

Kaitlyn Lemes University of Florida College of Medicine Jacksonville, Florida Pediatrics

Clayton Adam Lester William Beaumont Army Medical Center El Paso, Texas Transitional

Benjamin Chad Lyman Louisiana State University School of Medicine New Orleans, Louisiana Pediatrics

J. Gunnar Magnuson Memorial Health - University Medical Center Savannah, Georgia Family Medicine

Taylor Alexandrea Mallicoat Firelands Regional Medical Center Sandusky, Ohio Transitional West Virginia University School of Medicine Morgantown, West Virginia Radiology-Diagnostic

Jesse Thomas Martin Maine Medical Center Portland, Maine Interventional Radiology

Patrick Thomas McKeny Orange Park Medical Center

Benjamin Randal Meis University of Tennessee

Christopher Stephen Michaelson University of Alabama Medical Center Birmingham, Alabama Psychiatry

College of Medicine Memphis, Tennessee Family Medicine

Orange Park, Florida Emergency Medicine

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CLASS OF 2019

The Class of 2019 Hometown, residency location and specialty

Ryan S. Milligan MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital Puyallup, Washington Family Medicine

Alexander Crawford Mills SAUSHEC - Brooke Army Medical Center / Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center San Antonio, Texas Transitional

Benjamin Dwight Mills Baptist Memorial Hospital Memphis, Tennessee Internal Medicine

Stephanie Paige Mitchell University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine Knoxville, Tennessee Family Medicine

Kiley Diane Morgan East Tennessee State University Kingsport, Tennessee Family Medicine

Timothy L. Morgan Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education Jacksonville, Florida Anesthesiology

Amritpal Kaur Mundi Wright Center National Scranton, Pennsylvania Family Medicine

Devin Colleen-Marion Murphy University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, Texas Pediatrics

John Thomas Murphy Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center

Steven Michael Nabers University of Tennessee

College of Medicine Memphis, Tennessee Family Medicine

Kingsport, Tennessee Orthopedic Surgery

Sara Ellen Nelson Brookwood Baptist Health

Anthony Hau Nguyen Valley Hospital Medical Center

David Toan Vu Nguyen Palm Beach Consortium for Graduate Medical Education

Taylor Jackson North Blake Medical Center Brandenton, Florida Transitional Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education Rochester, Minnesota Physical Medicine and Rehab

Michael Dean Oberle Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Homewood, Alabama Surgery-Preliminary

Las Vegas, Nevada Internal Medicine

Palm Beach, Florida Emergency Medicine

Nashville, Tennessee Surgery - Preliminary

Amber Derouen Olsen University of Alabama School of Medicine Huntsville, Alabama Family Medicine

Brian Thomas Openlander University Hospital Columbia, Missouri Emergency Medicine

Rebecca Shannon Palmer Mercy Health Muskegon Muskegon, Michigan Internal Medicine

Benjamin William Pare Maine Medical Center Portland, Maine Emergency Medicine

Mira Rohit Patel New York College of Osteopathic Medicine Educational Consortium (NYCOMEC) Old Westbury, New York Internal Medicine

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