VCOM-Louisiana - 2024 Graduation Book - Inaugural Class

GRADUATION BOOK Inaugural Class of 2024

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VCOM S_1 S_1 Building on the SUCCESS of the PAST , creating excellence in medical education TODAY and always moving forward to a FUTURE where access to primary care physicians will be available to all. S_1 S_1

This is the future of primary care.

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CONTENTS Table of VCOM-Louisiana’s Inaugural Class of 2024

08 14 34 46 58

Highlights Remembering the Journey

The Class of 2024 Celebrating the Inaugural Class of VCOM-Louisiana

Awards & Honors Recognizing Excellence

Class Leadership Leading the Way, Shaping the Future

Campus Life Livin’ it up on the Bayou

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from the dean

Y our graduation marks a significant milestone in your journey—a journey marked by determination, resilience and unwavering dedication. As you stand on the threshold of this new chapter, I want to take a moment to reflect on the path that has led you to this remarkable achievement. Your journey at VCOM-Louisiana has been nothing short of extraordinary. You started medical school during a pandemic with the added challenge of two tornadoes, two hurricanes and two winter storms. From the countless hours spent in lecture halls to the late nights in the anatomy lab, you have been resilient and embraced every challenge with courage and conviction. You have demonstrated not only academic excellence but also a deep sense of compassion and empathy—a quality that defines the very essence of a healthcare professional. As you embark on your careers in medicine, remember the values instilled in you by VCOM-Louisiana: integrity, empathy and a commitment to serving others. These values will guide you through the inevitable challenges that lie ahead and empower you to make a meaningful difference in the lives of your patients and communities. As you venture into the world, know that you carry with you the hopes and aspirations of those who have supported you along the way. Cherish the relationships you have formed here, for they are the foundation upon which your future success will be built.

This is your medical school. This is your campus. Here are some interesting facts about this class. There are 139 of you that represent: • 21 states, with most of you being from this great state of Louisiana • 6 different countries • 9 dads and 6 moms • 100% residency match • Just under 50% of which will be training in Louisiana or a neighboring state I want to congratulate each and every one of you on this momentous occasion. The regalia you wore at graduation is not just a symbol of your profession, but a testament to your dedication, perseverance and passion for healing. Osteopathic medicine is not just a career; it’s a calling—a calling to heal, to comfort and to inspire. As you embark on this noble journey, may your compassion be your guiding light, and your resilience be your greatest strength. Congratulations, Class of 2024! The world awaits your healing touch.

—Mark A. Sanders, DO, JD, MPH, LLM, MS, FACOFP, FACLM, DABLM

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from the founding dean • Live each day “as an example of what an osteopathic physician should be.”

T his will always be a historic time representing the achievement of the inaugural VCOM Louisiana Class of 2024’s graduation. This time of celebration demonstrates four years of significant and volume-intense study, which has led you, our first graduating class, to this event. A considerable number of one-on-one interviews were conducted to bring about the admission of this first class. I personally enjoyed calling each one of you and offering the acceptance of admission. Your journey began in 2020. Of course, we also encountered COVID-19, as well as several significant weather storms that same year. As you began your education from home, we all learned how to finesse a “Zoom” presentation. We made our adjustments and came out successful. I’m extremely proud to have been in contact with this esteemed class. I would like for all of you to remember that words do matter. We osteopathic physicians have a unique training expertise and respect for the human body: its musculo-skeletal structures, chemical interactions, processes and natural propensity to heal. The materialization of osteopathic education is displayed proudly on the mantle of the building, as it relates to the body, the mind and the spirit. Now, let me give you a few of my thoughts concerning your continued path as you venture towards your career as an osteopathic physician:

Four years of medical school have not just been about academics but also learning how to tangibly practice leadership skills which will best equip you as a practicing physician. • Be involved in advocacy. This is not a part of our COCA accreditation or standardized curriculum. But you should always consider daily your role as an advocate, standing up and speaking for your patient, for your practice, for your physician group and for our great profession. • Enjoy the process of your education. Continue to excel in your personal mission as a physician and, in the greater picture, the mission of VCOM and the Osteopathic profession. perfect. Strive for the excellence that you have already demonstrated, as having the potential to be and to do. Recognize for yourself excellent patient care as the performance of a job that is very well done. It has been an exciting time in my career, as well, and I am proud to have been your founding dean. • Do not succumb to the idea of perfection. Not everything you do, learn or perform can be

—Ray L. Morrison, DO, FACOS, DFACOS

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Remembering the JOURNEY A Look at the Highlights

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Class

First Day on Campus August 2020 After beginning the year with virtual classes, students had their first official day on campus on August 10. They were greeted by Dean Morrison and given an introduction to the “new normal” of attending medical school during a pandemic.

Hurricane Ida August 2021

VCOM-Louisiana students, faculty and staff volunteered at the Monroe Civic Center, taking medical histories, blood pressure/

vitals and providing supplies to those affected by Hurricane Ida who

evacuated to Monroe.

Virtual School July 2020

VCOM-Louisiana opened its (virtual) doors for the very first time to its inaugural class of medical students on July 13. They began their medical school journey in an online-only format due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

White Coat April 2021 On April 10, the campus held

the Class of 2024’s White Coat Ceremony. This event had the distinction of being the very first osteopathic White Coat Ceremony to be held in the state of Louisiana.

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of 2024

Match Day March 2024

The Class of 2024 celebrated the campus’s first Match Day with a reception held at the University of Louisiana Monroe’s library. The inaugural class

Donor Memorial October 2021 On October 5, the Class of 2024 held VCOM-Louisiana’s first

achieved a remarkable 100% match

Donor Memorial Service to honor those individuals who donated their bodies, allowing students to grow their anatomy knowledge and prepare

rate, with nearly 25% matching in Louisiana or an adjacent state.

for future patients.

Graduation May 2024 VCOM-Louisiana celebrated its historic inaugural graduation for the Class of 2024 on May 10, a significant milestone for the future of healthcare in Louisiana and the Delta region.

Mini Match March 2022 The campus’s first Mini Match

Day event was held on March 18 to celebrate the announcement of third-year clinical rotation matches for the Class of 2024, complete with cupcakes and photo opportunities.

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MED SCHOOL An Unusual Start to Under COVID-19 Precautions

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2024 The Class of Celebrating VCOM-Louisiana’s Inaugural Class

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Inaugural

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Class of 2024

Class Statement A s the inaugural class of VCOM-Louisiana, we join together under the guidance of benevolence, nonmaleficence and integrity. These are only some examples of what we will commit our careers to through the Osteopathic Oath. The strength in our class lies in our diversity. A core tenet of the VCOM mission is “To recruit and graduate students who will address health care disparities including those related to rural locations, minority populations, poverty status and primary care.” As we continue to engage with our fellow student doctors, one comes to realize that despite differences in race, religion or creed, VCOM has joined some of the brightest and most talented individuals many of us have ever had the opportunity to work with. This gives us each the chance to collaborate alongside one another and to succeed beyond what we could alone. We hope to continue building on the reputation of excellence set before us. Accordingly, it behooves us to carry the message of osteopathic medicine and improve upon the lives of those we touch, much like our great faculty does for us. Regardless of the specialized or alternative pathways chosen in our future careers, we will persist with our commitment to service and life-long learning, while acknowledging the privilege it is to care for others. We hope to never forget our own humble beginnings in medicine or the foundation upon which we chose this art and career. In unison, we pledge to become osteopathic physicians worthy of and reliant on the VCOM mission. We will focus predominantly on serving the underserved and providing patient centered care. We will do so while donning that coat of white, inspiring trust from those in our hands. We endeavor to embody the principles of osteopathic medicine by treating our patients as a unit of mind, body and spirit, while remaining loyal to, advocating for and striving to advance our future profession.

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Inaugural

Heather Addison Naval Medical Ctr Portsmouth, VA Psychiatry

Abena Afowaa Univ of Louisville School of Medicine Louisville, KY Internal Medicine

Wasay Ahmad HCA Healthcare Kansas City, MO Family Medicine

Kirstin Alexander Franciscan Health

Rakin Areef Ochsner Clinic Foundation New Orleans, LA Internal Medicine

Indianapolis, IN Family Medicine

Grace Anne Armand University Hospsital Jackson, MS Pediatrics

Celine Asbury Campbell University Lumberton, NC Internal Medicine

Gabriel Bailey Emanate Health West Covina, CA Family Medicine

Erin Bellingham Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus, OH Pediatrics

Nicholas Bellingham Mount Carmel Health System Columbus, OH Family Medicine

Connor Bennett LSU School of Medicine Baton Rouge, LA Internal Medicine

Kenneth Bhatti Penn Highlands Healthcare Dubois, PA Psychiatry

Austin Bolay Univ of Texas Medical School Houston, TX Internal Medicine

Austin Bordelon LSU Health Sciences Ctr Shreveport, LA Internal Med/Peds

Shaylor Bringhurst Idaho State Univ Pocatello, ID Family Medicine

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Class of 2024

Kaitlin Brittain South Baldwin Regional Medical Ctr Foley, AL Family Medicine

Phoebe Butler Unity Health Searcy, AR Emergency Medicine

Heather Cancienne LSU School of Medicine

Fouad Chaban Ochsner Clinic Foundation New Orleans, LA Internal Medicine

Courtney Chamberlin Univ of Arkansas College of Medicine Little Rock, AR PM&R

New Orleans, LA Surgery-General

Margaret Codispoti Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX Child Neurology

David Crossland Baylor Scott & White Medical Ctr Temple, TX Internal Medicine

Drake Daily Willis-Knighton Health System Shreveport, LA Surgery-General

Carli David Western Reserve Hospital Cuyahoga Falls, OH Otolaryngology

Taylor Derouen Wellspan Health York Hospital York, PA Emergency Medicine

Shelby Deynzer Charleston Area Medical Ctr Charleston, WV Urology

Autumn Dickerson Texas A&M Bryan, TX Family Medicine

Youssef Elbanna HCA/Univ of South Florida Morsani

Ariana Faraji Henry Ford Macomb Hospital Clinton Township, MI OB/Gyn

Kiley Fincher LSU School of Medicine New Orleans, LA Pediatrics

GME Oak Hill, FL Transitional Year

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Inaugural

Lauren Finkelstein Univ of Louisville School of Medicine Louisville, KY Pediatrics

Victoria Fontenot LSU School of Medicine Baton Rouge, LA Emergency Medicine

Julie Gaudin Univ of Florida College of Medicine Jacksonville, FL Internal Medicine

Nicolas Gaughran North Oaks Medical Ctr LLC Hammond, LA Internal Medicine

Marti Gay Keesler Medical Ctr Keesler AFB, MS General Surgery

Nicholas Gerden HCA Medical

Marlie Giardina Ochsner Clinic Foundation Covington, LA Family Medicine

Jenny Gilley Ochsner Clinic Foundation New Orleans, LA Internal Medicine

Alexander Grieme Baylor Scott &

Megan Gromke Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Tacoma, WA Internal Medicine

City Healthcare Fort Worth, TX Internal Medicine

White Medical Ctr Round Rock, TX Internal Medicine

Anish Gupta LSU Health Sciences Ctr Shreveport, LA Radiology-Diagnostic

Atef Haifa SSM Health/St. Louis Univ SOM St Louis, MO Anesthesiology

David Hall Baptist Memorial Medical Education Jonesboro, AR Internal Medicine

Kirsten Willis Hall Baptist Memorial Medical Education Jonesboro, AR Internal Medicine

Dahir Hassan UC Davis Medical Ctr Sacramento, CA Psychiatry

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Class of 2024

Torhiana Haydel Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Ctr Cincinnati, OH

Jana Marie Hermoso Baylor College

Alexander Hernandez AdventHealth Florida Tampa, FL Surgery-General

Mi-Tr`âm Rachel Hoàng HCA Medical City Healthcare Arlington, TX Emergency Medicine

Daniel Hollander LSU School of Medicine

of Medicine Houston, TX Neurology

Baton Rouge, LA Internal Medicine

Peds/Psychiatry/ Child Psychiatry

Cabe John Univ of Central Florida/HCA Healthcare GME Ocala, FL Anesthesiology

Ke'Yon Jones Univ of North Carolina Hospitals Chapel Hill, NC Family Medicine

Alyssa Juneau LSU Health Sciences Ctr Lafayette, LA Family Medicine

Pranshi Juneja Zucker School of Medicine- Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital New York, NY Neurology

Priya Kandru CHRISTUS Health/ Texas A&M School of Medicine Longview, TX Internal Medicine

Chandini Kannan Med College of Georgia

Kunal Karmilkar HCA Florida Westside Hospital Plantation, FL Internal Medicine

Riyaan Khan Advocate Health Care Park Ridge, IL Internal Medicine

Anawin Kitpowsong Larkin Community Hospital South Miami, FL PM&R

Stephanie Koplitz Baptist Memorial Hospital North

Augusta, Georgia Internal Medicine

Mississippi Oxford, MS Internal Medicine

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Inaugural

Madison Lambert Dronet Ochsner Clinic Foundation Covington, LA Family Medicine

Bradley Lasseigne Memorial Hospital Gulfport, MS Internal Medicine

Shelby Lawrence Univ of Vermont Medical Ctr Burlington, VT Pediatrics

Yee Eun Lee Jewish Hospital Cincinnati, OH Surgery-General

Benjamin Lewis Nat’l Capitol Consortium - Walter Reed Nationall Military Medical Ctr Bethesda, MD Diagnostic Radiology

Tammy Lewis Texas Tech University Affiliate Lubbock, TX Pediatrics

Samer Mahgoub LSU Heath Sciences Ctr Shreveport, LA Radiology -Diagnostic

Amy Majorana Ascension Genesys Hospital Grand Blanc, MI Surgery-General

Shane Mays North Oaks Medical Ctr LLC Hammond, LA Internal Medicine

Kevin McLane Bayhealth Medical Ctr Dover, DE Internal Medicine

Miranda Mingen CHRISTUS Health Corpus Christi, TX Emergency Medicine

Emily Morales John Peter Smith Hospital Fort Worth, TX Emergency Medicine

Maroutcha Mouawad Keesler Medical Ctr Keesler AFB, MS General Surgery

Vaneeza Mukhtar

Madelyn Mull Univ of Arkansas College of Medicine Little Rock, AR Psychiatry

Corewell Health East Beaumont Farmington Hills, MI Neurology

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Class of 2024

Sai Swetha Narla North Oaks Medical Ctr LLC Hammond, LA Internal Medicine

Ryan Neisler Univ of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga, TN Internal Medicine

Abby Nicks New Hanover Regional Medical Ctr

Phyllis Nwokolo Texas Institute for GME and Research San Antonio, TX Psychiatry

Devine Obasa Crozer-Chester Medical Ctr Upland, PA Family Medicine

Wilmington, NC Family Medicine

Victor Chidi Obuekwe Texas Health Resources Bedford, TX Internal Medicine

Landen O'Quinn Wake Forest Baptist Medical Ctr Winston-Salem, NC Emergency Medicine

Maria Valeria Ortega Sanabria Orlando Health Orlando, FL Emergency Medicine

Nancy Itohan Osazuwa Thomas Jefferson Univ Philadelphia, PA Psychiatry

Michael Osmun Oklahoma State Univ Ctr for Health Sciences Tulsa, OK Orthopaedic Surgery

Aditi Patel Broward Health Medical Ctr Fort Lauderdale, FL Internal Medicine

Mihir Patel Henry Ford Jackson Hospital Jackson, MI Emergency Medicine

Raj Patel HCA Healthcare/ Univ of South Florida Morsani GME Largo, FL Dermatology

Claude Pertuit Atlantic Health System

Anhkim Pho Univ of Oklahoma College of Medicine Oklahoma City, OK Psychiatry

Morristown, New Jersey Pediatrics

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Inaugural

Patrick Przybylo Loyola University Medical Ctr Maywood, IL Emergency Medicine

Vijay Putherickal Fairfield Medical Ctr Lancaster, OH Family Medicine

Emily Ragsdale Osteopathic Medical Education Consortium of OK Tulsa, OK Family Medicine

Sanna Rahman Dignity East Valley Chandler, AZ Emergency Medicine

Archa Rajesh LSU Health Sciences Ctr Univ Hospitals & Clinics Lafayette, LA Internal Medicine

PHOTO UNAVAILABLE

Henson Randall Rutgers-Community Medical Ctr Toms River, NJ Emergency Medicine

Natalie Regian John Peter Smith Hospital Fort Worth, TX Psychiatry

Seth Richard Univ of South Alabama Hospitals Mobile, AL Emergency Medicine

Ted Rivera HCA Medical City Healthcare Arlington, TX Emergency Medicine

Anthony Rocha Texas Institute for GME and Research

San Antonio, TX Family Medicine

Stephanie Rocha Baylor Scott & White Medical Ctr Temple, TX Family Medicine

Daniela Rodriguez Valley Health System Las Vegas, NV Internal Medicine

Christina Rubio John Peter Smith Hospital Fort Worth, TX Emergency Medicine

Zernab Saghir Univ of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, IL Family Medicine

Corbin Sapp Univ of Oklahoma College of Medicine

Tulsa, OK Pediatrics

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Class of 2024

Ali Siddiqui University of Missouri Columbia, MO Research Fellowship

Amanda Schorr St. Francis Medical Ctr Monroe, LA Internal Medicine

Julie Self Univ of Rochester/ Strong Memorial Rochester, NY Internal Med/Peds

Faith Sharp Trinity Health Muskegon Muskegon, MI Family Medicine

Erin Polk Simon St. Francis Medical Ctr Monroe, LA Internal Medicine

Reggie Skains Grand Strand Regional Medical Ctr Myrtle Beach, SC Internal Medicine

Alexis Smith Carolinas Medical Ctr Charlotte, NC PM&R

Sarah Sober Kettering Health Network Dayton, OH Family Medicine

Matthew Spano North Oaks Medical Ctr LLC Hammond, LA Internal Medicine

Nathaniel Stansbury North Mississippi Medical Ctr Tupelo, MS Internal Medicine

Zachary Stenger LSU School of Medicine Baton Rouge, LA Emergency Medicine

Emily Stephenson Mayo Clinic School of GME Jacksonville, FL Anesthesiology

Jackson Stogsdill Univ of Texas Health Science Ctr

Joseph Stringfellow LSU Health Sciences Ctr Lake Charles, LA Family Medicine

Faiza Sulaiman Univ of Chicago AdventHealth Medicine/ Hinsdale Hospital Hinsdale, IL Family Medicine

San Antonio, TX Anesthesiology

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Inaugural

Alexander Taylor Univ of Arizona Tucson, AZ Emergency Medicine

Shantasia Thomas Baton Rouge General Medical Ctr

Katelyn Thompson LSU Health Sciences Ctr Lake Charles, LA Family Medicine

Joshua Torres Univ of Pittsburgh Medical Ctr Medical Education Pittsburgh, PA PM&R

Stephanie Torres Univ of Pittsburgh Medical Ctr Med Ed Pittsburgh, PA Pathology-Anatomic and Clinical

Baton Rouge, LA Family Medicine

Allison Tran Univ of Texas Medical School Houston, TX Internal Med/Peds

Lauren Uram Allegheny General Hospital Pittsburgh, PA Internal Medicine

Jimmy Vo Oklahoma State Univ Ctr for Health Sciences Lawton, OK Family Medicine

Marissa Walz Univ of Missouri Kansas City Programs

Kayla Watson Univ of Mississippi Medical Ctr Jackson, MS Emergency Medicine

Kansas City, MO Family Medicine

Daniel Wheeler Universtiy of Texas Health Science Ctr San Antonio, TX Pathology-Anatomic and Clinical

William Wheeler HCA Healthcare LGH-Montgomery Blacksburg, VA Internal Medicine

Emily White Southern Illinois Univ School of Medicine & Affiliate Hospitals Springfield, IL Emergency Medicine

Christopher James Willis HealthONE Aurora, Colorado Family Medicine

Paige Wilson St. Vincent's Medical Ctr Jacksonville, FL Family Medicine

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Class of 2024

Peyton Zalewski Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Ctr Baton Rouge, LA Pediatrics

Mitchell Withers Univ of Texas Southwestern Medical Ctr Dallas, TX PM&R

Allison Woods Univ of Texas Medical School Houston, TX Pediatrics

Amanda Wright Corewell Health East Beaumont Farmington Hills, MI Family Medicine

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CEREMONY White Coat April 10, 2021 Fant-Ewing Coliseum

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PLACEMENTS Class of 2024 Residency Locations for the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Louisiana Campus’ Graduates

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VCOM Campuses KEY Military Matches (10) Specialty Care Track (47) Primary Care Track (85) Appalachian Region

General Notes About VCOM-Louisiana 2024 Graduates:

63% placed into a Primary Care* Track Residency

43% placed into a Residency in an Appalachian State 18% placed into a Residency in Louisiana 53% placed into a Residency in a Medically Underserved Area *Primary Care Track includes: Family Medicine, General Practice, General Interal Medicine, Interal Medicine Pediatrics, General Pediatrics, Traditional Rotating Internship and Preliminary Medicine

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CEREMONY Graduation May 10, 2024 Fant-Ewing Coliseum

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HONORS Awards &

Recognizing Excellence

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Honor Society

SIGMA SIGMA PI, CHI CHAPTER

Kirstin Alexander

Erin Bellingham Nicholas Bellingham

Austin Bolay

Kaitlin Brittain

Heather Cancienne

Fouad Chaban

Shelby Deynzer

Madison Dronet

Kiley Fincher

Lauren Finkelstein

Julie Gaudin

Kirsten Hall

Dahir Hassan

Daniel Hollander,

Alyssa Juneau

Kunal Karmilkar

Bradley Lasseigne Samer Mahgoub

Raj Patel

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Honor Society

SIGMA SIGMA PI, CHI CHAPTER (CONT.)

Patrick Przybylo

Corbin Sapp

Julia K. Self

Sarah Sober

Zachary Stenger

Emily Stephenson

Katelyn Thompson

Allison Tran

Lauren Uram

Kayla Watson

Emily White

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Honor Society

GOLD HUMANISM

Connor Bennett

Austin Bolay

Shaylor Bringhurst

Foud Chaban

Carli David

Autumn Dickerson

Ariana Faraji

Torhiana Haydel

Alexander Hernandez

Cabe John

Phyllis Nwokolo

Maria Ortega Sanabria

Sanna Rahman

Natalie Regian

Chrisitina Rubio

Faith Sharp

Ali Siddiqui

Reggie Skains

Ali Siddiqui

Zachary Stenger

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Honor Society

Kayla Watson

Amanda Wright

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Distinguished Student

STUDENT DOCTOR OF THE YEAR

Maria Ortega Sanabria 2021–2022

Stephanie Koplitz 2022–2023

Natalie Regian 2023–2024

STUDENT DOCTOR OF THE SITE

Connor Bennett Natchitoches Regional Medical Center

Austin Bordelon Rapides Regional Medical Cente r

Shelby Deynzer North Oaks Medical Center

Marlie Giardina Opelousas General Health Systems

Torhiana Haydel Beauregard Health System

Michael Osmun CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital

Michael Osmun CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital

Michael Osmun CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital

Corbin Sapp Brentwood Hospital

Matthew Spano North Oaks Medical Center

and St. Francis Medical Center

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Scholar Awards

STUDENT RESEARCHER OF THE YEAR

Stephanie Torres 2021–2022

Ariana Faraji 2022–2023

STUDENT DOCTOR OF THE SITE (CONT.)

Stephanie Torres CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital

Marissa Walz St. Francis Medical Center

William Wheeler Willis Knighton Health System

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Distinguished Student STUDENT CLINICIAN AWARDS

Connor Bennett Internal Medicine

Erin Bellingham Pediatrics & Surgery

Nicholas Bellingham Rural Primary Care

Drake Daily OB/GYN

Carli David Family Medicine

Kiley Fincher Family Medicine

Marlie Giardina Rural Primary Care

Samer Mahgoub Psychiatry

Miranda Mingen Family Medicine

Emily Morales Psychiatry

Ryan Neisler Internal Medicine & Surgery

Julie K. Self OB/GYN & Pediatrics

Jackson Stogsdill Surgery

Stephanie Torres Rural Primary Care

Lauren Uram Internal Medicine & OB/GYN

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Scholarships

Heather Addison Health Professions Scholarship Program - Navy, 2020-2024 Sherry R. Arnstein Underrepresented Minority Scholarship, 2020-2021 Grace Anne Armand Hearst Foundation Scholarship, 2021-2022 Gabriel Z. Bailey Americorps, 2023-2024 Connor Thomas Bennett Hearst Foundation Scholarship, 2021-2022 Kenneth J. Bhatti NHSC Scholarship, 2022-2024 Austin Lee Bolay Hearst Foundation Scholarship, 2021-2022 Jeffery Grove LGBTQ+ Scholarship, 2022-2023 Austin Joseph Bordelon Hearst Foundation Scholarship, 2021-2022 Fouad Chaban Hearst Foundation Scholarship, 2021-2022 Courtney L. Chamberlin TOPS Scholarship, 2020-2021 Victoria Heinen Fontenot Medical Energy, 2020-2024 Marti K. Gay Health Professions Scholarship Program - Air Force, 2020-2024 Marlie Giardina TOPS Scholarship, 2020-2021 Kirsten Willis Hall TOPS Scholarship, 2020-2021

Torhiana Antoinae' Haydel Hearst Foundation Scholarship, 2021-2022 NHSC Scholarship, 2020-2024 Ke'Yon K. Jones Hearst Foundation Scholarship, 2021-2022 Stephanie Lauren Koplitz Hearst Foundation Scholarship, 2021-2022 Madison Lambert Dronet Hearst Foundation Scholarship, 2021-2022 Benjamin Lewis Health Professions Scholarship Program - Air Force, 2021-2024 Maroutcha Antoine Mouawad Health Professions Scholarship Program - Air Force, 2020-2024 Devine Oluremi Obasa Atrium Health URiM Scholarship, 2023-2024 J. Michael Bernardo Medical Mission Endowed Scholarship, 2023-2024 Zucker Visiting Elective for Students Underrepresented in Psychiatry Scholarship, 2023-2024 Maria Valeria Ortega Sanabria William G. Anderson, DO, Minority Scholarship, 2021-2022 Stephanie Rocha

Christina Rubio TOPS Scholarship, 2020-2021 William G. Anderson, DO, Minority Scholarship, 2022-2023 Alexis Victoria Smith Atrium Health URiM Scholarship, 2023-2024 Mayo Clinic Diversity Scholarship, 2023-2024 National Medical Fellowship Scholarship, 2022-2023 UNC Larry D. Keith Scholarship, 2023-2024 Nathaniel Scott Stansbury Franklin Medical Center Louisiana, 2020-2023 TOPS Scholarship, 2020-2021 Emily Paige Stephenson TOPS Scholarship, 2020-2021 Jackson Wayne Stogsdill Health Professions Scholarship Program - Air Force, 2020-2024 Shantasia Denaye Thomas Hearst Foundation Scholarship, 2021-2022 Lauren Hunter Uram Rocovich Wellness Scholarship, 2022-2023 Allison Calvinita Woods Hearst Foundation Scholarship, 2021-2022 Amanda Marie Wright Alpha Gamma Delta, 2020-2021, 2022-2023

American Medical Women's Association - Haffizulla Family Scholarship, 2021-2022 American Medical Women's Association - Medical Education Scholarship, 2021-2022 Hearst Foundation Scholarship, 2021-2022 William G. Anderson, DO, Minority Scholarship, 2023-2024

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Awards, Honors

H eather Davis, a member of the inaugural class at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)’s Louisiana campus, was selected to receive the 2020 Sherry R. Arnstein Minority Student Scholarship by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM). This recognition includes an award of $8,000 to be used toward her medical education expenses. The Arnstein Scholarship is awarded each year to at least one new medical student and one continuing medical student. The purpose of the scholarship is to recognize underrepresented minority students who are enrolled in a DO program at an AACOM member college, such as VCOM. Sherry R. Arnstein Minority Student Scholarship $8,000 Scholarship Award American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)

A ustin Bordelon presented a poster titled “Hidden in the Wall: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Disguised as Chronic Cholecystitis” at the ACOI’s 2023 Annual Conference and Scientific Sessions in Tampa, Florida, held on October 13th. This case emerged during his third year general surgery rotation at Avoyelles Hospital. His insightful presentation earned him second place in the student case presentation category. Austin expressed that attending the ACOI conference had been a long-standing goal since he became one of his club’s first officers. He cherished the opportunity to meet students nationwide, explore other clinical case and research posters and learn about the latest advances in internal medicine. Winning Student Case Presentation Winner Second Place Award ACOI Conference and Scientific Sessions

an award for presenting his case added to the honor of the experience. He extended his gratitude to Dr. James Bordelon, Jr. and Avoyelles Hospital for their support and guidance during his rotation.

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& Scholarships A ustin Bolay was dedicated to promoting equality and inclusivity for the LGBTQIA+ community. While serving on VCOM Louisiana’s Diversity and Inclusion Jeffrey S. Grove, DO, LGBTQ+ Pride Educational Scholarship First Recipient of the Award American Osteopathic Foundation

Board, he collaborated with students and state groups to advance healthcare equality. Bolay’s efforts earned him the American Osteopathic Foundation’s Jeffrey S. Grove, DO, LGBTQ+ Pride Educational Scholarship, which enabled him to advocate for LGBTQIA+ representation.

T he following inaugural Class of 2024 students were selected for the Health branches of the military. These students are promoted upon receipt of their degree from VCOM. We thank them for their dedication and service to our country. Health Professions Scholarship Program Five Recipients Professions Scholarship Program and have been commissioned into their respective

Ariana Faraji

Faith Sharp

S cabies, though common, is under case numbers, timing, patient ages and clinical sites, along with weather data, discovering higher scabies rates in poverty-stricken areas with poor living conditions. Sharp noted that improving these conditions and using preventative strategies could help eradicate such diseases. Their research, “Effects of Weather Patterns on the Incidence of Scabies,” won first prize in the Research Abstract category at the BIOM International Seminar in October 2022. Research Abstract Category Winner First Place Award BIOM International Seminar researched. Ariana Faraji and Faith Sharp used VCOM’s CREDO patient database to study scabies cases. They analyzed

HPSP recipients are, from left to right: Maroutcha Mouawad, Air Force; Marti Gay, Air Force; Heather Addison, Navy; Jackson Stogsdill, Air Force; Benjamin Lewis, Air Force.

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LEADERSHIP Leading the Way, Shaping the Future Class

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Class Leadership

2020-2022 CLASS OFFICERS

Stephanie Torres Vice President

Alyssa Juneau President

Seth Richard Secretary/Treasurer

2022-2024 CLASS OFFICERS

Sarah Sober President

Seth Richard Vice President

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (SGA)

Natalie Regian President

Sarah Sober Vice President

Faith Sharp Secretary

Torhiana Haydel Treasurer

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Honor Code Council

Kaitlin Brittain Chair

Julie K. Self Vice Chair

Emily J. White

OMM Interns

Connor Bennett

David Hall

Kirsten Hall

Madison Lambert

Nancy Osazuwa

Amanda Schorr

Sarah Sober

Jackson Stogdill

Marissa Walz

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Anatomy Interns

Heather Cancienne

Shelby Deynzer

Marti Gay

Megan Gromke

Kunal Karmilkar

Shelby Lawrence

Yee Eun Lee

Samer Mahgoub

Grace Moore

Emily Morales

Patrick Pryzbylo

Seth Richard

Emily Stephenson

Katelyn Thompson

Paige Wilson

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Simulation Interns

Kirstin Alexander

Heather Cancienne

Courtney Chamberlin

Margaret Codispoti

Carli David

Autumn Dickerson

Victoria Fontenot

Alexander Grieme

Atef Haifa

Dahir Hassan

Bradley Lasseigne

Madelyn Mull

Corbin Sapp

Julie Self

Zachary Stenger

Alexander Taylor

Katelyn Thompson

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Student Ambassadors

Connor Bennett

Austin Bordelon

Shaylor Bringhurst

Erin Bellingham

Margaret Codispoti

Carli David

Shelby Deynzer

Autumn Dickerson

Ariana Faraji

Lauren Finkelstein

Victoria Fontenot

Julie Gaudin

Nicholas Gerden Marlie Giardina

Jenny Gilley

Megan Gromke

David Hall

Torhiana Haydel

Daniel Hollander

Cabe John

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Student Ambassadors

Chandini Kannan

Stephanie Koplitz

Madelyn Mull

Landen O’Quinn

Maria Valeria Ortega Sanabria

Natalie Regian

Seth Richard

Stephanie Rocha

Anthony Rocha

Daniela Rodriguez

Christina Rubio

Amanda Schorr

Julie K. Self

Faith Sharp

Alexis Smith

Matthew Spano

Joshua Torres

Allison Tran

Lauren Uram

Marissa Walz

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Student Ambassadors

Kayla Watson

Paige Wilson

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Leadership Positions

Connor Bennett American College of Physicians - Louisiana Chapter Member, Student Committee, 2022-2024

Austin Bordelon Student Osteopathic Medical Association Member, Political Affairs Task Force, 2022-2023

Marlie Giardina Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents Medical/Clinical Education Liaison

Torhiana Haydel Student National Medical Association National Osteopathic Committee Co-Chair, 2022-2023 Student National Medical Association National Health Policy and Legislative Affairs Committee Co-Chair, 2023-2024

Ke’Yon Jones Student National Medical Association Regional Osteopathic Liaison, 2 terms

Stephanie Koplitz Student Osteopathic Medical Association National Board of Trustees Region II Trustee Student Osteopathic Medical Association National Board of Trustees Vice President & Speaker of the House

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Leadership Positions

Madison Lambert Dronet Pre-SOMA Osteopathic Principals and Practice Coordinator, 2023 AOA Leadership Academy Member, 2024

Chandini Kannan Student Osteopathic Medical Association Research/Community Team, LGBTQ+ Task Force, 2022-2023

Vaneeza Mukhtar American Medical Student Association Environmental Health Advocacy Coordinator

Maria Valeria Ortega Sanabria Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents Diversity Liaison, 2021

Raj Patel Louisiana State Medical Society Chairman, Committee on Public Health - Medical Student Section American Medical Association Member, Committee on Economics & Quality in Medicine American Medical Student Association Coordinator, Health Policy, Medical Education, and Professionalism

Natalie Regian Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents National Secretary, 2022-2023

National ‘Student D.O. of the Year’

Selection Chair, 2022-2023 National Student Services Committee Co-Chair, 2022-2023

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Leadership Positions

Alexander Taylor American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians National Conference Chair

Allison Tran Christian Medical Dental Association Louisiana State Representative

Kayla Watson Louisiana Osteopathic Medical Association Board of Directors Student Director

Paige Wilson Louisiana State Medical Society Student Representative for the Council of Legislation Louisiana State Medical Society Chair, Committee for Medical Education

Mitchell Withers Student Osteopathic Medical Association LGBTQ+ Task Force, 2022-2023

Amanda Wright Student Osteopathic Medical Association Wellness Task Force Pre-SOMA Programming Coordinator

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57

LIFE Campus

A Little Lagniappe—Livin’ It Up on the Bayou

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SITTIN’ Back Patio

59

FESTIVE Feelin’

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COMMUNITY Servin’ the

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OUTDOORS Embracin’ the

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Class of 2024

4408 Bon Aire Drive Monroe, Louisiana 71203 318-342-7100 www.vcom.edu