VCOM - Carolinas 2016 Yearbook

2 0 1 6 C A R O L I N A S Y E A R B O O K

Special Alumni Edition Saluting the outstanding physicians of the Class of 2015 & Class of 2016

The MISSION of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) is to prepare 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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2015-2016 YEARBOOK

Contents

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President & Dean’s Letters

Highlights

12

Alumni

Current Students 54 Student Organizations 106 Outreach 148 Faculty & Staff 168

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Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, FACOFP President and Provost S ince the founding of VCOM–Carolinas in 2011, we have experienced the growth of a culture of caring, service and commitment that makes our College a special place. This can be seen through our students’ support for one another, for the community, and in their desire to promote the VCOM mission by working to meet the needs of rural and underserved populations. The quality of medical education provided by VCOM has become well known as our student board scores rank among the highest in the country, and our graduates attain 100% residency placement. More than 66% of VCOM graduates return to Appalachian states to serve communities most in need of physicians. Students regularly participate in International and Appalachian outreach programs throughout their second, third and fourth year of medical education, extending the College culture of altruism, compassion and service across the globe. As VCOM students and graduates continue to follow the path of our Appalachian mission, they are better prepared to promote the fundamentals of Osteopathic medicine and provide care for future generations.

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2015-2016 YEARBOOK

Timothy J. Kowalski, DO, FACN Dean for the Carolinas Campus T hroughout the 2015-2016 school year, I have witnessed the real impact of VCOM–Carolinas students in the local community and beyond. It is evident in their joy of altruism as they volunteer with local organizations, coordinate wellness events, and eagerly participate in international outreach trips. I am proud to recognize the professional accomplishments of our students, as many have been named to national leadership roles in a variety of professional associations, while others have participated and presented at regional and national conferences and meetings throughout the year. The Carolinas campus was able to showcase the work of our students during our inaugural Research Day event, and others have shared their findings through publications in national medical journals. VCOM–Carolinas students are truly following the path of our College mission through their endeavors in outreach, research, and service to others. Through their efforts, these future physicians benefit from the practical experience that supplements their medical education, and will continue to grow through opportunities to serve those most in need.

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6 Sumter, South Carolina

Highlights T he past year has been an exciting time for VCOM– Carolinas students, administration, faculty and staff.

The campus continues to grow in size, develop new traditions, and create new paths for future physicians to serve both locally and in underserved areas throughout the world. In a little over a year, VCOM– Carolinas celebrated the graduation of its inaugural class, developed new community and clinical partnerships throughout the region, opened the doors to the Magnolia Research Center on campus, and celebrated another graduating class of promising physicians this spring. Each of the College’s milestones over the past year have helped to further the VCOM mission to prepare 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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Highlights

1 In April 2016, VCOM–Carolinas hosted its first Research Day event. Students and faculty from the Virginia and Carolinas campuses, as well as researchers from the local community, spent the day sharing their studies and findings with other participants. The campus buzzed with the energy of those who are working to further the college mission, serving those most in need and promoting research activities to improve human health. 2 Renowned artist Erwin Redl selected the historic smoke stack at VCOM–Carolinas as a temporary installation piece for his “Seeing Spartanburg in a New Light” initiative, supported by the Bloomberg Foundation. In October, Redl will complete the installation and the VCOM smoke stack will be illuminated with hopes of drawing visitors from all over the city and the region, showing off the continued revitalization of the Northside neighborhood. 3 Last fall, Class of 2017 students and American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians (ACOP) members Vanessa Hortian and Meghan Milligan began a new public health initiative for youth in Spartanburg. The program became so successful that they were awarded with an Excellence in Public Health Award from the United States Public Health Service Physicians Advisory Committee in 2016. This program, Promoting Lifelong Activity in Youth (PLAY), helps elementary school children to understand and appreciate the benefits of exercise, cultivate a positive self-image and desire to make healthy life choices, and learn fun, safe, and creative activities that will empower them to make a commitment to lifelong wellness.

1. VCOM–CAROLINAS HOSTS RESEARCH DAY

3. KIDS JUST WANT TO PLAY!

2. SEEING SPARTANBURG IN A NEW LIGHT

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HIGHLIGHTS

4. JEB BUSH, TREY GOWDY VISIT VCOM-CAROLINAS

5. INTER-PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

4 In 2015, VCOM–Carolinas welcomed several well- known visitors. In July, former Governor Jeb Bush made VCOM a stop on his presidential campaign tour, and in November, Congressman Trey Gowdy and his Chief of Staff stopped by for a tour with Dean Tim Kowalski, DO. 5 Students participated in an Inter-Professional Education (IPE) Immersion event on campus in the fall as the first step toward a proposed program that will provide experience for students to make educated clinical decisions in a collaborative setting. 6 VCOM faculty and staff participated in a City of Spartanburg community building project in October, helping Spartanburg Parks employees and other community volunteers construct a new playground at Cleveland Park in the Northside area of the city, just a mile from campus.

6. COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECT

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Highlights

7. RURAL HEALTH GRANT BENEFITS CLINIC

7 The Appalachian outreach program was awarded a $247,940 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to expand primary care health services in Cherokee County and surrounding areas. Students and faculty regularly provide care in Cherokee County, an economically distressed area in Upstate South Carolina with limited healthcare options. In order to meet the high demand for access to healthcare while also providing hands-on training venues for VCOM students, the college is utilizing the ARC grant to expand free clinic services while providing clinical experience for students. 8 In April, VCOM–Carolinas opened its doors to accepted students from the incoming Class of 2020, which will begin studies this fall. Class of 2018 and 2019 students did a great job hosting the new students and making them feel right at home on campus. 9 “Every person has a story…” This statement is true no matter where you go, and students from the Class of 2018 teamed up with the Division of Communications, Marketing, Website and Publications to tell the unique stories of the people on campus, from security guards and preceptors to faculty and students. Check out this thoughtful look into the lives of the VCOM family at “Humans of VCOM” on Facebook.

8. THE CLASS OF 2020 CHECKS IN!

9. HUMANS OF VCOM

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HIGHLIGHTS

10 In the spring, Class of 2018 students completed Basic Disaster Life Support (BDLS) training on campus, and several graduating students from the Class of 2016 returned for Advanced Disaster Life Support (ADLS) training and certification. VCOM–Carolinas is certified by the National Disaster Life Support Foundation (NDLSF) as a training center, providing certification and training for VCOM, allied healthcare workers and community members throughout Spartanburg and upstate South Carolina. 11 In 2016, VCOM–Carolinas opened the doors of the Magnolia Research Center on campus. This new research facility supports the work of VCOM faculty and students, as well as student researchers from other local colleges. 12 “Music @ the Stack” continued this year, with faculty, staff and students taking some time out from their busy days to enjoy and participate in jam sessions at the historic smoke stack on campus.

10. DISASTER LIFE SUPPORT TRAINING

12. MAKING MUSIC @ THE STACK

11. MAGNOLIA RESEARCH CENTER OPENS

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Pawley' s Island, South Carolina 12

Alumni I n just over a year, the Inaugural Class of 2015 and the Class of 2016 have both graduated from VCOM–Carolinas, and the College is excited for the future endeavors of these 308 new alumni.

In the upcoming year, the Carolinas campus will be working to establish its Alumni Advisory Board, and all alumni are encouraged to become active in the Alumni Association. Additionally, alumni practicing in the state of South Carolina are invited to join SCOMS, the South Carolina Osteopathic Medical Society. Congratulations to the Classes of 2015 and 2016 on their many accomplishments thus far. VCOM looks forward to sharing in their bright futures as osteopathic physicians, as our graduates continue to further the College mission to provide a higher standard of healthcare and serve those most in need.

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Class of 2015 The Inaugural

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Commencement Speakers

1.

Barbara E. Walker, DO, American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Campus Representative

2.

Timothy Kowalski, DO, FACN, Dean, Carolinas Campus

3.

Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, FACOFP, President and Provost

4.

James F. Wolfe, PhD, President Emeritus

5.

John G. Rocovich Jr., JD, LLM, Chairman of the Board of Trustees

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ALUMNI CLASS OF 2015

Inaugural Class of 2015 Graduates VCOM–Carolinas

O n Saturday, May 23, 2015, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)–Carolinas campus in Spartanburg, South Carolina, held its first ever Commencement Ceremony for the inaugural Class of 2015, an historic event for the College and the community. This was the first class of medical students to graduate since the medical school opened in Spartanburg in 2011. A total of 154 students graduated from VCOM with the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine in 2015. Over two thousand family members, friends and fellow VCOM faculty, staff and students were in attendance at the ceremony, held at Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium. The VCOM–Carolinas inaugural Class of 2015 has a bright future ahead. Graduates moved forward into residency placements throughout the country, serving as close to home as Spartanburg Regional Health System, and as far away as Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. Many of the graduates of the Class of 2015 have chosen primary care as their specialty, and will continue to pursue the mission of the College they have attended for the past four years as they meet the needs of rural and medically underserved populations and promote research that will improve human health.

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Honoring Military Graduates A Salute to the Next Generation

T he first VCOM–Carolinas Military Promotion Ceremony was held on the morning of Friday, May 22, 2015, at the Chapman Cultural Center near the college in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Eight students from the Class of 2015 were honored by VCOM administration, faculty, fellow students and family members in this ceremony honoring their commitment to serving as physicians in the United States Armed Services. Each of the students received the Oath of Office during the event.

NAVY

Leslie Herman Myers

ARMY

AIR FORCE

Christopher Bazemore John Kepley Charlie Woo

David Fulbrook Daniel Nguyen

David LaChance Joseph Shevchik

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ALUMNI CLASS OF 2015

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The Inaugural Class of 2015 Graduation Awards and Honors

Emily Allen VCOM Class Ambassador

Rocco Dabecco VCOM Class Ambassador Distinguished Student Scholar, Surgery

Matthew Fisher Distinguished Student Scholar, Psychiatry

Seth Andrews Sigma Sigma Phi

Matthew Fowler VCOM Class Ambassador

Michael DeWall Sigma Sigma Phi

Dana Baigrie Sigma Sigma Phi

Charles Frost Sigma Sigma Phi

Siobhan Drumm Sigma Sigma Phi

William Barrett Sigma Sigma Phi

David Fulbrook Health Professions Scholarship Program, Air Force

Justin Dumont Honor Code Council

Carl Barrick VCOM Class Ambassador Distinguished Student Scholar, Family Medicine Distinguished Student Scholar, Obstetrics/Gynecology Distinguished Student Scholar, Underserved Care Sigma Sigma Phi

Danielle Eagan VCOM Class Ambassador Distinguished Student Scholar, Underserved Care

Michelle Greene VCOM Class Ambassador

Manrique Guerrero Sigma Sigma Phi

Oshea Escamilla Honor Code Council, Vice Chair

Syed Hasan Sigma Sigma Phi

Sarah Fabry Distinguished Student Scholar, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Abida Faiz VCOM Class Ambassador Distinguished Student Scholar, Geriatrics

Christopher Bazemore Health Professions Scholarship Program, Army Distinguished Student Scholar, Geriatrics

Kayla Humenansky Distinguished Student Scholar, Obstetrics/Gynecology

Mary Kanoy Sigma Sigma Phi

Adam Boiter Distinguished Student Scholar, Obstetrics/Gynecology Sigma Sigma Phi Alex Boster Distinguished Student Scholar, Family Medicine

Elizabeth Montague-Farwell Sigma Sigma Phi

John Kepley Health Professions Scholarship Program, Army

Michael Farwell Sigma Sigma Phi

David LaChance Health Professions Scholarship Program, Army Distinguished Student Scholar, Geriatrics

Rindy Fernandes Distinguished Student Scholar, Psychiatry

Amy Bruce VCOM Class Ambassador Distinguished Student Scholar, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine

William Ferguson Sigma Sigma Phi

Emily Lantrip Distinguished Student Scholar, Surgery

David Carter Sigma Sigma Phi

Casey Ferrara VCOM Class Ambassador Distinguished Student Scholar, Pediatrics

Tara Latteman Sigma Sigma Phi

Blake Chapman Sigma Sigma Phi

Wesley Mallinger Sigma Sigma Phi

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ALUMNI CLASS OF 2015

JoBeth McCoy VCOM Class Ambassador

Jordana Ruffner Distinguished Student Scholar, Psychiatry Sigma Sigma Phi

Chris Verdone VCOM Class Ambassador

Randy McKenzie VCOM Class Ambassador

Christa Witt Sigma Sigma Phi

Nicole Samies VCOM Class Ambassador

Cheree Melton VCOM Class Ambassador

Joann Wong VCOM Class Ambassador

Ankit Shah Distinguished Student Scholar, Internal Medicine Sigma Sigma Phi

Nate Moore Distinguished Student Scholar, Internal Medicine

Allison Wood Sigma Sigma Phi

Jonathan Sharrett Sigma Sigma Phi

Joshua Wu Distinguished Student Scholar, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine

Dustin Mullens Sigma Sigma Phi

Joseph Shevchik Health Professions Scholarship Program, Army Distinguished Student Scholar, Family Medicine

Leslie Herman Myers Health Professions Scholarship Program, Navy Honor Code Council Sigma Sigma Phi

Brian Snyder Sigma Sigma Phi

Ryan Nance Sigma Sigma Phi

Lindly Theroux Distinguished Student Scholar, Pediatrics

Grant Nelson Distinguished Student Scholar, Geriatrics Honor Code Council, Chair

Megan Thompson Distinguished Student Scholar, Pediatrics

Daniel Nguyen Health Professions Scholarship

Paige Tomsic Distinguished Student Scholar, Underserved Care Honor Code Council

Program, Air Force Honor Code Council Sigma Sigma Phi

Ashton Townsend Sigma Sigma Phi

Paul Overdorf Sigma Sigma Phi

Angela Tyson VCOM Class Ambassador

Brooke Howell Perugini Sigma Sigma Phi

Anita Iari Register Sigma Sigma Phi

Lauryn Ullrich Distinguished Student Scholar, Internal Medicine Distinguished Student Scholar, Surgery

Stephen Romeo Sigma Sigma Phi

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Class of 2016 The

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Commencement Speakers

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John G. Rocovich Jr., JD, LLM, Chairman of the Board of Trustees

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Barbara E. Walker, DO, American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Campus Representative

3.

Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, FACOFP, President and Provost

4.

Oscar Lovelace Jr., MD, 2015 AAFP Family Physician of the Year

5.

Timothy Kowalski, DO, FACN, Dean, Carolinas Campus

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ALUMNI CLASS OF 2016

Class of 2016 Graduates VCOM–Carolinas

O n Saturday, May 21, 2016, a Commencement Ceremony was held for the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)–Carolinas Class of 2016. A total of 153 medical students walked across the stage of the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium this year to graduate with the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. The Class of 2016 is the second class to graduate from VCOM. More than two thousand family members, friends and fellow VCOM faculty, staff and students were in attendance at the ceremony, held at Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium. The VCOM–Carolinas Class of 2016 saw excellent match results, with students moving forward to residencies throughout the Carolinas and across the United States. The majority of graduates will pursue primary care as their specialty, following the path of the College’s mission to meet the needs of rural and medically underserved populations and promoting research to improve human health.

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Honoring Our Military Graduates

M ilitary graduates from the VCOM–Carolinas Class of 2016 were honored with a Military Promotion Ceremony on the morning of Friday, May 21, 2016, at the Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg. Nine students from the Class of 2016 were honored by VCOM administration, faculty, fellow students and family members in this ceremony for their commitment to serving as physicians in the United States Armed Services, and each received the oath of office during the event.

NAVY

Roxana Godiwalla Joshua Harrington

ARMY

AIR FORCE

Elizabeth Cleveland Charles Maxwell Morgan Jackson Zaith Bauer

Brena Haughey Elizabeth Gantan Jonathan Aun

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ALUMNI CLASS OF 2016

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The Class of 2016 Graduation Awards and Honors

Stacie Allmond Distinguished Student Scholar, OB/GYN

Timothy Clifton Distinguished Student Scholar, Internal Medicine

Krystal Garcia Sigma Sigma Phi

Antigone Athanasatos Distinguished Student Scholar, Pediatrics

Distinguished Student Scholar, Pediatrics Distinguished Student Scholar, Psychiatry

Lilibeth Giraldo Sigma Sigma Phi

Joshua Connor Clinical Site Student of the Year, Crestwood Medical Center

Jonathan Aun Class President, 2014-2015

Roxana Godiwalla Health Professions Scholarship Program, Navy

President, Student Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons Clinical Site Student of the Year, Mary Black Health System Health Professions Scholarship Program, Air Force Sigma Sigma Phi VCOM Class Ambassador

Jason D'John Sigma Sigma Phi

Cameron Golightly President, Orthopedic Specialty Committe Sigma Sigma Phi

Jonathan Dale Distinguished Student Scholar, Geriatrics Honor Code Council, Chair

Kelsey Graven President, MOVE Student Organization Distinguished Student Scholar, Psychiatry Joshua Harrington Class President, 2013-2014 Health Professions Scholarship Program, Navy

Elizabeth Williams Barnhardt President, American College of

Leila Hamzi DeWitt President, Student Government Association Class of President, 2012-2013 Distinguished Student Scholar, Internal Medicine Sigma Sigma Phi VCOM Class Ambassador

Osteopathic Pediatricians VCOM Class Ambassador

Zaith Bauer Health Professions Scholarship Program, Army Sigma Sigma Phi

Chris Hauger Clinical Site Student of the Year, Clarendon Health System VCOM Class Ambassador

Robin Dong Class President, 2015-2016

Troy Beavers Sigma Sigma Phi

Stuart Drew Clinical Site Student of the Year, Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital Sigma Sigma Phi Adrian Durham President, Wilderness Medicine Specialty Committee

Brena Haughey Health Professions Scholarship Program, Air Force Honor Code Council VCOM Class Ambassador Rebecca Hemby Clinical Site Student of the Year, Springs Memorial Hospital Honor Code Council Sigma Sigma Phi Meghan Hubbard National Health Service Corps VCOM Class Ambassador Daniel Hurley Clinical Site Student of the Year, McLeod Regional Medical Center Megan Hutchins Distinguished Student Scholar, Geriatrics Sigma Sigma Phi Morgan Jackson Health Professions Scholarship Program, Army Mary Keith Clinical Site Student of the Year, Tuomey Regional Medical Center Sigma Sigma Phi

Ryan Brown Sigma Sigma Phi

Jason Carrese Distinguished Student Scholar, Underserved Care Sigma Sigma Phi

Tyler Cecil Distinguished Student Scholar, Psychiatry Sigma Sigma Phi (President) Michelle Rossi Champigny Distinguished Student Scholar, Surgery Sigma Sigma Phi Chereena Clay President, Student National Medical Association VCOM Class Ambassador Elizabeth Cleveland Health Professions Scholarship Program, Army

Lacey Eames Sigma Sigma Phi VCOM Class Ambassador

Michael Engheta VCOM Class Ambassador

Matt Fenlason President, Christian Medical & Dental Association Clinical Site Student of the Year,

Piedmont Medical Center VCOM Class Ambassador

Elizabeth Fernandez President, Hispanic Community Medical Outreach VCOM Class Ambassador Elizabeth Gantan Health Professions Scholarship Program, Air Force Honor Code Council

Berrick Clifton VCOM Class Ambassador

Margaret Ruth Clifton Clinical Site Student of the Year, Regional Medical Center of Orangeburg

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ALUMNI CLASS OF 2016

Nickia King VCOM Class Ambassador

Lauren Mims President, American College of Osteopathic Neurologist & Psychiatrists Alexandra Monteverde President, Anesthesiology Specialty Committee

Matthew Rohloff President, Student Osteopathic Internal Medicine Association Sigma Sigma Phi

Paul Knapp President, American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine Clinical Site Student of the Year, Danville Regional Medical Center Sara Lachance President, Infectious Disease Specialty Committee

Summar Salim VCOM Class Ambassador

Leiah Eby Moore Sigma Sigma Phi

Lawrence Sawicki Distinguished Student Scholar, Underserved Care

Kyle Moore Clinical Site Student of the Year, Gadsden Regional Medical Center Distinguished Student Scholar, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Sigma Sigma Phi Haley Murray President, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Specialty Committee Clinical Site Student of the Year, AnMed Health Distinguished Student Scholar, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine National Health Service Corps VCOM Class Ambassador Ashton Neil Clinical Site Student of the Year, Newberry County Hospital Sigma Sigma Phi Joseph Nicolazzi President, Student Osteopathic Surgical Association

Carrie Schmitt VCOM Class Ambassador

Justin LaFrance Distinguished Student Scholar, Pediatrics

Hina Siddiqui VCOM Class Ambassador

Andrea Lanao Honor Code Council

Mia Snapp Sigma Sigma Phi

Sara Lange Distinguished Student Scholar, Family Medicine Distinguished Student Scholar, Internal Medicine Sigma Sigma Phi

Rachel Lareau Storey Sigma Sigma Phi

Grayson Sumner Honor Code Council, Vice Chair

Lauren Little Sigma Sigma Phi

Danielle Tamburrini Distinguished Student Scholar, Family Medicine Sigma Sigma Phi Tammy Tandberg-Willcox President of VCOM-Carolinas American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, 2013-2014 Richard “Phil” Thomas Clinical Site Student of the Year, Spartanburg Regional Medical Center Honor Code Council Sigma Sigma Phi Shaista Walji President, Student Osteopathic Medical Association VCOM Class Ambassador

Shaina Long President, OB/GYN Student Organization, Clinical Site Student of the Year, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System Distinguished Student Scholar, Surgery Distinguished Student Scholar, OB/GYN Sigma Sigma Phi Merét Cruz Marangola Distinguished Student Scholar, Surgery Sigma Sigma Phi Charles Maxwell Health Professions Scholarship Program, Army VCOM Class Ambassador Nicholas McAlister President of VCOM-Carolinas American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians, 2013-2014 Nicholas Mills President, Student American Association of Osteopathy Distinguished Student Scholar, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Distinguished Student Scholar, Underserved Care

Jay Orr Distinguished Student Scholar, Family Medicine Sigma Sigma Phi

Vidhi Patel VCOM Class Ambassador

Evelyn Patrick President, Cardiology Specialty Committee Distinguished Student Scholar, OB/GYN Amanda Pleimann Distinguished Student Scholar, Geriatrics Sigma Sigma Phi

Andrew Wallace President, MOVE Student Organization

Marcia Wilson Sigma Sigma Phi

Anna Zdroik President, American Medical Women’s Association

Chelsea Porter Sigma Sigma Phi VCOM Class Ambassador

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Glendale, South Carolina 54

Current Students T he Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)-

Carolinas is a four year medical school in Spartanburg, South Carolina, that offers the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. Students at VCOM frequently state that they were drawn to the college’s mission to prepare globally-minded, community focused physicians for rural and medically underserved areas, and to improve human health especially of those most in need.

VCOM students express a desire to help others, and

through the college’s curriculum, outreach opportunities, student organizations, and culture of sharing in education, are able to turn this desire into a lifelong mission of serving the underserved.

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Class of 2017 Student Clinician Awards

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

Caitlin Allen Distinguished Student Award, Geriatrics Distinguished Student Award, Internal Medicine

Ashley Bohn

Shravya Budidi Student of the Year Award, Palmetto Health Tuomey

Urey Chow Distinguished Student Award, Pediatrics

Caty Compton

Paige Cummings- Johnson Student of the Year Award, Newberry County Hospital

Distinguished Student Award, Underserved Care

Student of the Year Award, Clarendon Health System

Abigael Dishler Student of the Year Award, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center

Keith Freeman Distinguished Student Award, OB/GYN Student of the Year Award, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System

Frank Freund Distinguished Student Award, Internal Medicine

Logan Hammond

Kalli Devecki Distinguished Student Award, Surgery

Hilary Davenport Student of the Year Award, Crestwood Medical Center

Distinguished Student Award, Underserved Care

Jason Hill Distinguished Student Award, Pediatrics Student of the Year Award, Mary Black Health System

Colton Lott Student of the Year Award, Gadsden Regional Medical Center

Cassie Henninger Student of the Year Award, McLeod Regional Medical Center

Chandra Jennings Distinguished Student Award, Psychiatry

Karl Kingry Distinguished Student Award, Geriatrics

Jonathan Leggett Distinguished Student Award, Geriatrics

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SCHOLARSHIPS & LEADERSHIP

Meghan Nelson

Michelle McCauley Distinguished Student Award, Psychiatry

Stephanie Minter Distinguished Student Award, OMM Student of the Year Award, Regional Center of Orangeburg

Saachi Patel Student of the Year Award, Piedmont Medical Center

Clint Patrick

Samuel Perry Distinguished Student Award, Internal Medicine

Distinguished Student Award, Underserved Care

Distinguished Student Award, Family Medicine

Lauren Pronman Distinguished Student Award, Pediatrics

Ian Quinn Student of the Year Award, AnMed Health

Veronica Ridpath

Felippe Sartorato Distinguished Student Award, OB/GYN Distinguished Student Award, Surgery Student of the Year Award, Spartanburg Regional Medical Center

Micah Schmal Student of the Year Award, Springs Memorial Hospital

Mackenzie Sorrell

Distinguished Student Award, Family Medicine Distinguished Student Award, OB/GYN Distinguished Student Award, Surgery

Distinguished Student Award, Family Medicine

Brittany Speed

Amanda Vester Distinguished Student Award, OMM

Chip Wiginton IV Distinguished Student Award, Psychiatry

Student of the Year Award, Blue Ridge Healthcare

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Class Motto Diverse in origin, united in aspiration, we exist to serve, educate and lead. Combining passion for medicine with compassion for others, we will honor our past and commit to an evolving, innovative approach to healing.

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Class of 2017 CLASS OF 2017

Class Officers President: Jennifer Uspal Vice President: Andy Phillips

Class Size 157 Gender 56% female, 44% male Age Average age upon matriculation is 24 Minority 10% are underrepresented minority Residence 52 are from the Carolinas 99 are from Appalachian States

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About our Students Carolinas Campus

Students from Carolinas Colleges & Universities Classes of 2007-2019

Current Students

Students by Gender Matriculated Classes of 2016-2019

Matriculated Classes of 2016-2019

Female 52%

715 612 161

Virginia Carolinas Auburn

Current Students 1488

48%

* (1st year)

Male

Graduate Certi cate Pre-med students

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Meeting Our Mission

73 %

of the Class of 2016 have placed in Primary Care residencies

66 %

Ethnic Diversity

VCOM alumni returned to Appalachian states to practice after residency (2007-2015)

Matriculated Classes of 2016-2019

Race/Ethnicity Unknown 1% Native Hawaiian/Paci c Islander .3% Black/African American 7% Hispanic of any race 7% Asian 15% American Indian/Alaskan Native 1% White 69%

16 % Average Underrepresented Minority Classes of 2007-2019

67 %

VCOM alumni placed in a residency in an Appalachian state (2007-2015)

Please see VCOM’s Outcomes Report at www.vcom.edu/outcomes to see how VCOM is meeting its mission!

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CLASS OF 2017

Carolinas Campus Student Home Locations in Appalachian States (2007-2019)

New Hampshire

Vermont

Wisconsin

New York

Michigan

Massachusetts

Connecticut

Pennsylvania

New

Ohio

Indiana

Illinois

Maryland

Jersey

Delaware

West Virginia

Kentucky

VCOM Virginia

VCOM–Carolinas Student Home

Virginia

Appalachian Counties Locations in Appalachian States (457)

North Carolina

Tennessee

VCOM Carolinas

South Carolina

Classes of 2007-2012 80% of all VCOM student home locations are in an Appalachian state

Georgia

VCOM Auburn

Mississippi

Alabama

Florida

Map data generated by the National Center for the Analysis of Healthcare Data November 2016

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Class of 2017 (continued)

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CLASS OF 2017

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Class Motto An altruistic family, we continue the tradition of excellence in medicine by embodying the principles of integrity, dedication to life-long learning, and service to humanity.

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Class of 2018 CLASS OF 2018

Class Officers President: Micah Thomas Vice President: Krista Morgan

Class Size 160 Gender 54% male, 46% female Age Average age upon matriculation is 24 Minority 20% are underrepresented minority Residence 49 are from the Carolinas 96 are from Appalachian states

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Class Motto Diverse as individuals, yet united in purpose, we are devoted to serving our communities as an outreach oriented team that protects the values of the osteopathic philosophy. Remaining curious, lifelong learners, we are committed to bridging the gap between underserved regions and access to high quality healthcare.

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Class of 2019 CLASS OF 2019

Class Officers President: Eric Bradley Vice President: Cristina Valladares Class Size 156 Gender 52% male, 48% female Age Average age upon matriculation is 24 Minority 16% are underrepresented minority Residence 54 are from the Carolinas 95 are from Appalachian states

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Class of 2019 (continued)

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CLASS OF 2019

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Campus Life

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CAMPUS LIFE

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SOMA Winter Gala

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CAMPUS LIFE

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VCOM Olympics

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CAMPUS LIFE

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Spartanburg, South Carolina 106

Student Organizations S tudent organizations and committees are an important part of student life at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM).

Campus involvement and community service performed by members of VCOM student organizations benefits not only the community and the region, but also the members themselves as they gain valuable knowledge, skills and experience. Students are encouraged to engage in professional organizations and committees on campus, and to participate in those that will supplement their careers, leadership skills and personal interests. Most students are actively involved in at least one organization, and some students are members of several in order to broaden their knowlege, experience and service activities.

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ACOEP American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians

Robert Zehrung, President; Justin Lohmann, Vice President; Shane Xiong, Treasurer; Michelle Baliss, Secretary

A COEP at VCOM–Carolinas works to ensure its members have access to a multitude of educational events and guest speakers to gain exposure to the field of emergency medicine. The organization hosted an EKG workshop to help improve rapid identification of cardiac rhythms. Multiple suture labs were held throughout the year to help students hone their hands- on skills. Members also held a communal viewing of the movie Code Black as a view into the world of Emergency Medicine. For community involvement, ACOEP helped coordinate the landing of Regional One for the VCOM Summer Enrichment Experience (SEE) program, so local high school students

could gain exposure to the careers of flight paramedics and nurses. Members stayed in touch with the community and with other emergency medicine organizations by creating a strong VCOM–Carolinas presence at both the fall and spring ACOEP conferences. The organization hosted multiple guest speakers, including former national president of ACOEP, who met with students via teleconference. Chris and Kristine Lombardozzi, who are an emergency physician and trauma surgeon, respectively, as well as husband and wife, visited VCOM–Carolinas and spoke on balancing a medical career with marriage and family. Hillary Davenport, VCOM Class of 2017, visited members to give insight

into another emergency medicine organization called EMRA.

Two ACOEP teams participated in the Med Wars Race in Georgia. The organization also hosted an ultrasound lab, three suture labs, and an airway lab for members. Overall, this year has been filled with opportunities to network in the emergency medicine community, and volunteer locally. ACOEP members participated in numerous additional labs in order to better these skills, and enjoyed discussions with multiple speakers on campus.

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STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

WILD Wilderness Medicine Society Special Interest Group of ACOEP

Giselle Plata, Chair

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ACOFP American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians

Tina Chuong, President; Gabriela Cox, Vice President; Nidhi Arashinagundi, Treasurer; Kyle Benda, Secretary

T he primary focus of the VCOM–Carolinas ACOFP student chapter is to deliver healthcare and education to surrounding communities, while simultaneously providing students with the opportunity to learn and explore the field of osteopathic family medicine. The organization is committed to providing members with access to local family physicians, information about post-doctoral training programs, tools and skills to help them succeed in their careers as osteopathic family physicians. This year, ACOFP conducted a variety of community outreach efforts and professional development opportunities for our members. Members served the Spartanburg community in

several capacities, including holding monthly health clinics at Church Builders Tabernacle, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity regularly, and participating in the annual VCOM Kids Wellness Fair. ACOFP hosted its very first Hmong Community Outreach to educate the patient population on preventative screening measures, and participated in the VCOM Adult Health Fair in February. Members participated in Relay For Life again this year, raising thousands of dollars to assist cancer patients. Members have enjoyed a new discussion series this year, called Round Table Series. For these talks, ACOFP brought in multiple family physicians, each having a different area of

interest. The purpose of this series was to educate members on the possibilities of gaining specialized skills as a family physician. In addition, ACOFP hosted various speakers to broaden members’ knowledge outside of family medicine. David Forstein, DO, who serves on the ACGME board of directors, visited to discuss the ACGME/AOA merger, and VCOM faculty Matt Cannon, DO, spoke about rotations and residency. Students who matched in family medicine took the time to discuss the residency match process in a panel for students. Furthermore, ACOFP works with other organizations like Wilderness Medicine and SAAO to host speakers related to their interests.

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The organization supports a Geriatrics Special Interest Group and incorporated this component into many events including an open panel discussion and cookout with advisor Edward Warren, MD, at his home. The Geriatrics special interest group provides volunteer opportunities for students.

sponsored workshops including a suture clinic, ultrasound workshop, and a workshop with AnMed physicians and directors that involved joint injection, circumcision, and skin biopsy. A number of members were invited for a rotation-site tour of AnMed with Stoney Abercrombie, MD. ACOFP regularly promotes scholarships and events, encouraging members to be

more active on a national level. Three members serve on the National SAACOFP Research Committee, and the organization won the National SAACOFP Chapter Poster Competition last year at the annual conference. ACOFP had a tremendously successful year and members are excited to see this chapter continue to prosper and grow.

In an effort to introduce and improve skills, ACOFP has

GERIATRICS Special Interest Group of ACOFP

Jacob Anderson, Chair

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ACONP American College of Osteopathic Neurologists and Psychiatrists

Boone Rountree, President; Mandi Leming, Vice President; Thomas Price, Treasurer; Ambreona Thomas, Secretary

T he student chapter of ACONP works in conjunction with the Student Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN) to provide quality medical education and opportunities in the fields of psychiatry and neurology. Starting as a neuropsychiatry interest group, ACONP has grown into a student organization with national affiliation status in just a few short years. This is due in large part to the growing interest in mental health, both in the general population, and in medicine. It is also due to leadership from advisor Paul Switzer, MD, and Dean Tim Kowalski, DO, himself a past president of ACONP. Both of these administrators are advocates for high quality mental health education.

ACONP hosted a Stress Management workshop for students and faculty, and have partnered with the SGA to help introduce new mental health initiatives for the campus specifically to address stress, anxiety, and depression. Members of ACONP have also participated in the Summer Enrichment Experience (SEE) Program where they assisted faculty in teaching local high school students about human neuroanatomy and physiology. Several members attended an international mission trip to Honduras with Dr. Switzer, where they learned both neurological assessments and cross- cultural psychiatric phenomena in underserved populations. Members championed a

biopsychosocial approach to teaching parents and kids in the Spartanburg and Upstate community at the annual Kids Wellness Fair. This was the first year members attended the ACONP session at the Osteopathic Medical Conference and Exposition (OMED). Finally, there are still a number guest speakers and events planned for the future. Overall, this was the most successful year for the VCOM– Carolinas student chapter of the ACONP and SIGN to date. The truly exciting thing, though, is that as membership continues to grow, the potential and possibilities for future success are exponential.

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ACOP American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians

Jeffrey Rice, President; Jennifer Williams, Vice President; Mara Rivera, Treasurer; Caitlin Basnight, Secretary

A COP works to provide opportunities within the field of pediatrics through community service, educational events, and national conferences. The organization has truly emphasized its community relationship, building partnerships that focus on promoting pediatric health and the osteopathic philosophy. ACOP benefits greatly from the direction of advisor and mentor Hanna Sahhar, MD, who provides advice, research options, and other opportunities for members. Under his guidance, many club members have participated in research or presented at national and local conferences.

events. The largest annual event is the Kids Wellness Fair, a fun, educational day for both children and parents. In the fall, ACOP hosts back-to-school screenings and wellness checks at Meeting Street Academy. This experience allows first year students conduct vital signs, hearing tests, and vision screenings for the children. Second year students work closely with physicians for a complete check up on each child. Thanks to the vision and preparation of two members, Vanessa Hortian and Meghan Milligan, ACOP has kicked off the PLAY Program at Meeting Street Academy to keep kids active. In the spring, ACOP hosted a booth at Play in the Park, and participated in VCOM’s inaugural Day of Science at the

Chapman Cultural Center, which members hope to host every year. The annual Safe Kids Day is a community event ACOP members attend in order to teach kids and parents how to be safe around water, fire, and even crossing the street. ACOP is dedicated to fundraising for the March of Dimes each each year, and in 2015 raised several thousand dollars in just two months. As an added bonus, VCOM anatomy chair Lance Paulman, PhD, allowed members to shave his head for raising greater than $2,500! Over the past two years, ACOP has supported international medical outreach sites by partnering with HCMO to fundraise and collect donations.

Over the past year, ACOP has conducted many successful

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Members also have the opportunity to volunteer at the Hope Center for Children, a safe haven for children who need to be removed from their homes due to unsafe conditions or unfit parenting. ACOP has also hosted

Pediatric Residency Programs, and a Resident Advisory Panel from the Greenville Hospital System Pediatric Residency Program. ACOP members have experienced pediatric health education at its finest this year,

learned a vast amount of medical knowledge, and most importantly had fun with kids, teaching them that doctors aren’t scary! Members were able to interact, invest, and inspire children within the local community, and that is what ACOP is all about.

several speakers, including VCOM alumni, to discuss

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AOASM American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine

Lauren Munck, President; William Boos, Vice President; Dillard Stephens, Treasurer; Shelby Guile, Secretary

A OASM is the oldest primary care-based sports medicine specialty. It utilizes a holistic, comprehensive approach to the prevention, diagnosis, and management of sport and exercise-related injuries, disorders, dysfunctions, and disease processes. The organization was created for medical students with an interest in sports medicine. The organization’s highest priority is to provide students with opportunities to acquire a skill set that could benefit them in their future careers in family medicine, orthopedics, physical medicine and rehabilitation, or other related areas.

opportunity to partner with the athletes, coaches, trainers, and physicians of Spartanburg and the Upstate region, and teaches valuable skills and techniques to better students as future sports medicine physicians. Members also have the opportunity to attend different regional and national sports medicine conferences all over the country. Members of the VCOM–Carolinas AOASM student chapter participated in many outreach and fundraising events this year. Each year AOASM helps doctors in the community by assisting with sports physicals for athletes from local high schools and colleges. Additionally, this year our members helped out with Shrine Bowl and Special Olympics physicals. Working with

local sports medicine physicians Stefan Montgomery, MD, and John Lucas, MD, members have begun to observe and participate in sideline coverage at USC Upstate basketball games, getting a firsthand glimpse into the life of a team physician. Through the YMCA’s “Lunch and Learn” program, AOASM provides the opportunity for its members to attend monthly lectures on sports- related topics given by medical professionals from the Upstate. The organization has also continued the annual traditions of Jersey Day (a sportswear dress-down day) and Tourney for Tots (a March Madness bracket challenge). These fundraisers raise money to purchase sports equipment for local elementary

At VCOM–Carolinas, AOASM provides students the

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school programs serving underprivileged children.

over $1100, which purchased and installed an oxygen concentrator in the Emergency Room at a VCOM international clinic site in the Dominican Republic. This year, AOASM collaborated with other organizations to host interactive workshops, including working with SOSA on a hands- on Open Reduction and Internal

Fixation (ORIF) lab with Michael Hoenig, MD, an orthopedic surgeon in Spartanburg, and with SAAO to host Delmas Bolin, MD, a sports medicine physician at VCOM–Virginia, as he presented new osteopathic manipulative techniques. These workshops were well received, and AOASM is grateful to the physicians for volunteering their time.

AOASM hosted the annual VCOM Olympics and Chili Cook- off in the fall, an event that brings first and second year students together in a series of fun and athletic head-to-head challenges, benefitting the school’s medical outreach programs. This year’s event helped the chapter to raise

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HCMO Hispanic Community Medical Outreach

Adriana Delgado, President; Ofelia Cabrera, Vice President; Nathalie Perdomo, Treasurer; Sandy Perez, Secretary; George Alvarez, Chair

T he Hispanic Community Medical Outreach (HCMO) organization at VCOM–Carolinas is dedicated to promoting health in Spartanburg’s Hispanic community through education and increasing access to care. HCMO works with St. Matthew’s Free Clinic and ReGenesis Healthcare to translate for non- English speaking patients and assist physicians in performing physical exams. In addition to community outreach activities, HCMO is dedicated to improving cultural awareness and Spanish language skills of VCOM students. This

year, the organization began hosting Spanish classes to develop the medical related Spanish vocabulary for interested students. These classes focused on human anatomy and phrases that would be helpful when interviewing patients. Students taking the classes found them helpful in preparation for medical outreach trips to Spanish speaking countries. Throughout the year, HCMO partnered with several organizations in fundraising efforts. Alongside the International Outreach team and ACOP, members collected

personal items to share with patients on mission trips. HCMO raised money for March of Dimes with ACOP, hosting Chipotle to provide meals for purchase for students and staff on campus. The organization also had a booth at the annual VCOM Kids Wellness Fair in the fall and the Adult Health Fair in the spring. In the coming years, HCMO plans to continue promoting health in the community, especially for the Hispanic community of Spartanburg and beyond.

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