VCOM College Catalog and Student Handbook

immunosuppression, insulin dependent diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, or other chronic disease or significant illness. Students who have a chronic disease should discuss, with the VP of International Affairs, whether it is safe for them to travel to the designated country. Further, international trip participation is not possible during pregnancy nor for individuals trying to become pregnant or at risk of pregnancy. All participants should visit the CDC website to review more information on the specific guidelines for the country to which they are traveling, as the website is updated frequently. All participants should read and comply with the CDC guidelines for the region to ensure the greatest safety. Student Research, Publication, and Presentation Opportunities and Requirements atVCOM Research and scholarly activity can make a valuable contribution to the medical education process. As such, research is a central component of the VCOM mission. All OMS 1 and OMS 2 students participate in research as part of the Preventive Medicine, Epidemiology, and Public Health course where they participate in a longitudinal community health research project that requires students to identify a healthcare need in a community and utilize literature and community health data to implement an evidence-based community research project in that community. Students develop and present a research poster on their project. During the OMS 1 and 2 years, students may elect to participate in research and choose a faculty mentor who continues their education in the scientific method through participation in a research project. Students in the OMS 3 year complete a 4-week research period which cumulates in submitting a research paper or patient case report of publishable quality. Students work under the guidance of a faculty member in clinical research, epidemiologic and/or community health research, or in a case report with a comprehensive retrospective review of the literature as compared to treatment options currently offered throughout the U.S. (and abroad). In addition, students may elect to engage in bench or clinical research activities during their first three years while at VCOM. Students in the OMS 4 year may choose to participate in a 4-week research elective, where they must submit a research paper or patient case report of publishable quality. Students may choose to participate in the DO with Research Distinction program as well. VCOM’s Research Distinction Elective is designed specifically for those students pursuing the DO with Research Distinction designation upon graduation. Students who are accepted into the DO with Research Distinction Program are those who may want to pursue a career in clinical or translational research. The DO with Research Distinction Program provides students the opportunity to further develop skills in reviewing evidence-based medicine, critical thinking, and writing skills, all while working under the mentorship of VCOM clinical or biomedical faculty. The goal of the program is to provide a well-rounded research experience to students by exposing them to all facets of medical research, which will aid them in future academic and private practice goals. A wide variety of research opportunities are available through VCOM, including biomedical, translational, clinical, sports medicine, educational, simulation, and missions-based projects. Information about these various research programs may be found on the VCOM website under the Research Section. One of the very best ways for students to become familiar with the many research opportunities at VCOM is to attend the yearly VCOM Research Recognition Day, usually held in late winter/early spring. Information from past Research Recognition Days is also available from the Office of Research Administration at VCOM. During the

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