VCOM View Vol 8-1

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More than VCOM's mission, its future direciton.

Volume 8 Number 1 Fall 2015

M A G A Z I N E

VCOM’s MORE THAN MISSION, ITS FUTURE DIRECTION

FEATURES

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Auburn Campus Officially Opens Doors p. 12

OMED Conference p. 14

Class of 2007 Homecoming p. 16

Higher Standards for Skilled Physicians p. 18

Auburn Campus Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Members of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the doors of the newest campus located in Auburn, Alabama. The complete story is on page 12.

Message from the President & Provost

EDITORIAL STAFF

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Cindy Shepard Rawlins

EDITOR & GRAPHIC DESIGNER Astleigh Hill

WRITERS/COPY EDITORS Natalie Brown Scott Godwin

Astleigh Hill Lily Knights Lisa Leichner

I n the midst of the fall semester, first year students on all three campuses have recently celebrated a rite of passage in receiving their white coats during the White Coat Ceremony. Second year students finished up with anatomy, and third and fourth year students continue to rotate throughout the region, preparing for residencies. During each school year the College has celebrated time-honored traditions while still upholding excellence in education, research, and patient-centered care. VCOM proudly shares the accomplishments of our faculty and students who collectively promote our common mission of service. I appreciate your continued interest and hope you enjoy this magazine. For more information on current VCOM news and events, please visit our website.

A special thank you to everyone who contributed photos and content.

Our MISSION

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.

Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, FACOFP VCOM President & Provost

Vol. 8 No. 1 | Fall 2015

CONTENTS in this ISSUE

FEATURE articles

◄ p. 12

Auburn Campus Officially Opens Its Doors The newest VCOM campus in Auburn, Alabama, celebrates its official opening with a ribbon cutting

on the COVER

▼ p. 8

p. 14 ►

OMED Conference VCOM was well represented at the 2015 AOA OMED Conference in Orlando, Florida.

◄ p. 16

Class of 2010 Homecoming “The VCOM Class of 2010 celebrates homecoming.

p. 18 ►

Higher Standard for Skilled Physicians Simulation labs become an integral part of medical student education.

VCOM V iew is the quarterly magazine produced by the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) to keep its faculty, staff, friends, and supporters informed of the most recent news, events, and changes at the college.

VCOM View | www.vcom.edu

INSIDE the magazine Virginia News Carolinas News Auburn News

20 26 30 32 34 36 40 42 44 47

Outreach Research

CONTACT US Submit letters and editorial material to: Attn: VCOM View Newsletter 2265 Kraft Drive Blacksburg, Virginia 24060

Meet VCOM’s Newest Faculty & Staff Notes Student Notes Alumni Notes Calendar of Events

Email:

news-virginia@vcom.edu news-carolinas@vcom.edu news-auburn@vcom.edu Record a change of address with Alumni Relations at: alumni@vcom.edu

Vol. 8 No. 1 | Fall 2015

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Vol. 8 No. 1 | Fall 2015

& Directs the College Toward VCOM’s NewPresident Research Discovery

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Written by Astleigh Hill M ore than a year ago the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM), appointed Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, FACOFP, as its new President. Transitioning from the founding Dean of the Virginia and Carolinas campuses, she stepped into a role previously held for 13 years by the College’s first President. With the addition of a third branch campus and a new leader stepping in, the direction and future of the medical school shifted to align with the goals of the new President. She stated, “In my role as President I am excited to take our College to the next level, to build our research, education and outreach programs and our financial strengths to assure our long-term success.” With a rural upbringing, Dr. Tooke-Rawlins realized from an early age the importance of medical care made available to populations that lack basic medical accessibility. VCOM’s mission highlights the need for globally-minded, community-focused physicians who will meet the needs of medically underserved populations to improve human health. Dr. Rawlins said, “Growing up in one of the Missouri counties now federally designated ‘persistently poor,’ was a great blessing. It made me all the more aware of the need for physicians who are broadly prepared in primary care and emergency services in rural areas. As I have seen first-hand how important healthcare is to such a community, I am fully committed to the mission of the College.”

Another aspect of the College’s mission is to serve globally in underserved areas. VCOM embarks on yearly outreach trips to the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and El Salvador to provide the needed basic medical care to those countries’ citizens. The desire to serve internationally stems from the call to serve rurally. Dr. Tooke-Rawlins shared, “Growing up in a rural region has also provided me with an appreciation of the beauty of living in the country and the things that really matter in rural life; family, community, and friends. It has helped me to appreciate the value and rewards of ‘giving back.’ The many service-based learning programs of our College, whether Appalachian or International, have been developed to allow our students to experience those same rewards.” In addition to service locally and abroad, VCOM has also achieved academic excellence, broadened its research and collaborative efforts, and established three successful branch campuses. The President proudly states, “Our greatest growth over the next five years will be seen in research and discovery. We established our new five-year strategic plan approximately one year ago, which put in place a new infrastructure for research, already tripling our research funding. I have seen exciting, new medical research programs and believe our faculty has the ability to collaborate across campuses, contributing to many new discoveries. I am also excited that we have faculty who are investigating better ways to educate medical students and residents, better ways to control risk

Vol. 8 No. 1 | Fall 2015

factors and prevent disease, and better ways to deliver healthcare. These are areas that address important challenges we face in healthcare today.” When it comes to VCOM’s future, there seems to be nothing but bright possibilities under the new President’s leadership. These opportunities will not

will continue to make a difference. We now have over 1,600 graduates who have completed residency, some of whom have returned to the Appalachian region, furthering our mission.”

VCOM has high standards for its leadership to ensure the College moves forward, continuing its success.

‘ ‘

only further the accomplishments of the College, but keep it thriving like never before. In the last year, potential student applications continued to rise, exceeding over 12,000 applicants for 500 first-year positions across the three campuses. In regards to the influx of student interest, Dr. Rawlins said, “This demonstrates that not only our community but students from the entire region have recognized our impact. I believe we appeal to students who are seeking to make a

The faculty, staff, and students are passionate about their profession and serving those who need it most, a crucial aspect of the College’s history and future. With the mission to send physicians into rural areas to compensate for the decline in medical care, VCOM is educating and preparing service-oriented individuals through regimented curriculum. To the prospective medical student, Dr. Tooke-Rawlins offers this advice: “To assure medicine is your dream, gain

Our greatest growth over the next five years will be seen in research and discovery. We established our new five-year strategic plan, which put in place a new infrastructure for research, tripling our research funding.

difference while in medical school. In the past decade, approximately 20% of our student body has come from communities with a population of less than 10,000 and 40% from communities of less than 30,000 in population. These are the students who are more likely to return to rural areas. We have also been able to achieve to report increasing diversity with 20% of the incoming class from under-represented minorities on two of our campuses, and 15% on the third, which is greater than the majority of medical schools across the country. We are recruiting a student body that

experience through volunteering in several fields so you know what medicine is really about and the dedication it requires. If you know these things and then you choose medicine, never give up on your dream. You will have to study diligently, work hard, and remain focused. In addition, do not forget that the patient is why you should want to enter medicine. Spend time with people from diverse backgrounds to learn what each appreciates about life and holds dear. This will make you a better communicator and a better physician.” ◄ ‘ ‘

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The Auburn Campus Officially Opens its Doors

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O n Thursday, September 24, 2015, VCOM leadership, students, faculty, staff, local dignitaries, family, and friends gathered to mark the official ribbon cutting of the VCOM–Auburn campus in Alabama. A cloudy sky and light wind eased the recently hot and dry weather on the Plains as several hundred guests gathered to witness this historic event for VCOM. Leaders and representatives from Auburn University, the City of Auburn, and the City of Opelika were in attendance at this event, held in the front circle of the campus, as well. With VCOM–Auburn campus Dean Elizabeth Palmarozzi, DO, FACOFP, officiating, both VCOM and local leaders used scissors to snip the burnt orange and navy blue ribbon stretched across the front entrance of the VCOM–Auburn building. Following the ribbon cutting, guests convened inside the building for remarks from VCOM Chairman of the Board John G. Rocovich Jr., JD, LLM; VCOM President

and Provost Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, FACOFP; Dean Palmarozzi; and Auburn University President Jay Gogue, PhD. During the remarks, guests viewed a slideshow that highlighted the construction of the VCOM–Auburn campus from start to finish. After the remarks, guests enjoyed refreshments and fellowship. Chairman Rocovich and President Rawlins together cut a cake that was created by Cakeitecture, a local bakery, to look just like the VCOM–Auburn building. Proud faculty and students gave tours of the new building’s state-of-the-art facilities to interested guests and local dignitaries. At VCOM–Auburn, this September certainly served as a celebration of the culmination of a massive building project. More importantly, however, it underscored the importance of vision, ideas, values, collaboration, and hard work. ◄

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2015 American Osteopathic Association OMED Conference October 17-21 in Orlando, Florida

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Written by Cindy Shepard Rawlins

W hen a medical student becomes a physician, the education does not stop after graduating from medical school. Each year, during the AOA’s Annual Osteopathic Medical Conference and Exposition (OMED), osteopathic physicians, researchers and other medical experts in a variety of fields share the latest medical research through various presentations and other forums. At the conference, attendees from VCOM reconnected with alumni, colleagues, and old friends through various, entertaining activities. This year, many VCOM students and alumni were honored at the American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) Honors Gala (see page 7). Also honored was VCOM–Auburn Advisory Board member, William G. Anderson, DO, who was surprised with a crowd-funding appeal commemorating the 15th anniversary of the William G. Anderson Minority Scholarship. At the gala, VCOM President, Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, publically challenged other Deans and colleges to contribute healthy donations to the foundation fund. VCOM hosted a booth in the exhibition hall to re- connect with alumni and network with other physicians and educators. VCOM students also presented and discussed their research posters at the exhibition. On Saturday, October 18, the VCOM Alumni and Development office hosted a Hospitality Suite for conference attendees, inviting VCOM faculty, staff, students, and alumni to mingle with their friends and colleagues, as well as giving students a chance to meet their peers from the other VCOM campuses. The next night, the Alumni office honored VCOM alumni by hosting a red-carpet reception for over 90 people in the John Lennon Room at the Hard Rock Live. The venue featured rare rock memorabilia that had belonged to John Lennon. Guests and their families were given rock star treatment, complete with VCOM’s own paparazzi. Throughout the evening, a John Lennon impersonator provided musical entertainment and photo ops. The memorable evening included a southern-themed buffet and beautiful night views of Universal CityWalk from the private terrace. Left: 1) VCOM students and staff at the exhibit booth. 2) VCOM and other COM student leadership at the American Osteopathic Foundation Honors Award Gala. Above right: 3) Alumni and students gather with Virginia Dean Jan Willcox, DO, at VCOM’s hospitality suite. 4) Auburn Dean Elizabeth Palmarozzi, DO; Carolinas Dean, Tim Kowalski, DO; and VCOM President Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, at Universal CityWalk. 5) “John Lennon” entertained guests in attendance at the alumni event. 6) VCOM guests and alumni on the terrace enjoying the evening.

VCOM View | www.vcom.edu

Welcomes Home the Class of 2010 VCOM Written by Lisa Leichner

V COM celebrated Homecoming weekend September 11 and 12 with many alumni from the Class of 2010 returning to the Virginia campus with their families to reconnect with classmates, faculty, and staff. Friday afternoon began with Continuing Medical Education (CME) lectures. Invited speakers included 2010 graduates, Katie Glymph, DO, Sumeet Goel, DO, Mark Haygood, DO, and Frederic Rawlins III, DO. Each lectured on a topic from his or her medical specialty. President Tooke- Rawlins, Dean Willcox, and President Emeritus Wolfe, sat in on CME lectures and enjoyed listening to VCOM graduates give informative lectures. After the lectures, over 100 guests made the drive to the outskirts of Blacksburg to enjoy a beautiful evening of fun at the Beliveau Estate Winery. Children played on the sprawling lawn while parents caught up with their old classmates and professors. Guests enjoyed drinks, food, and music performed by New River Bound, a local, old- time band, which includes VCOM’s Jessica Muller, Education Specialist.

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Breakfast was served Saturday morning as lectures continued. The Marino-Brolinson/ Stoner Group of Merrill Lynch presented information on making wise investments. Graduate Owen Speer, DO, concluded the morning with an OMM lecture and lab. Following the lecture, attendees made their way to Lane Stadium for a tailgate party before the Virginia Tech vs. Furman football game. VCOM and the VCOM Alumni Advisory Board, both of which worked hard to make this a successful event, are appreciative of all the alumni who traveled to Blacksburg for an exciting homecoming weekend. Special thanks also goes out to the following sponsors that made the weekend very accessible for VCOM graduates: Board Member Tom & Irene Brock, Carilion Clinic, Marino- Brolinson/Stoner Group of Merrill Lynch, Moss & Rocovich Law Firm, and Union Bank. ◄

2015 Homecoming & CME Events

Friday, September 11

CME lectures were given by graduates of the Class of 2010.

Beliveau Winery was the location for an evening filled with music, food and fun.

Saturday, September 12

CME lectures continued on Saturday morning.

The afternoon was celebrated with tailgating fun before cheering the Hokies on to a win over Furman University. Many alumni concluded the evening visiting their old haunts in downtown Blacksburg.

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A Higher Standard for Skilled Physicians Written by Lily Knights V COM students spend a great deal of time practicing the skills they will use in their careers as physicians. During the first In recent years, VCOM–Carolinas faculty members Todd Zusmer, DO, Medical Director of Procedural

Clinical Skills; and Chris Martin, Director of Simulation; along with Watson Edwards, BSN, VCOM–Virginia Director of Simulation; Linda Frasca, MD, VCOM–Virginia Discipline Chair of Underserved Care; and Fred Rawlins, DO, Vice Provost of Simulation and Educational Technology, have worked together to restructure these labs, developing the program into a truly integral part of each medical student’s career. The new framework begins with independent study. Students receive information about specific procedures and study to improve their understanding and vocabulary. A pre-quiz is conducted prior to the lab and reviewed when

two years of medical school, they learn from working with lifelike manikins in the Simulation and Educational Technology Center, role play with acting “patients” during Standardized Patient testing and spend time at local clinics with actual patients. In addition, VCOM offers Clinical Procedural Skills Labs that provide hands-on learning opportunities to develop the techniques that the medical students will use throughout their medical education and careers. Originally, these labs were somewhat informal. Students who attended were able to work with faculty on clinical procedures and ask questions.

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students come in to learn the procedure. Next, faculty members explain the procedure, going over all tools and techniques used before giving a complete demonstration. Students then work together to practice the new skill. In small, informal groups, they use either manikins (for procedures like catheterization or airway management) or they practice on one another (for skills like taping, splinting and casting) to perform the newly learned procedure multiple times. Faculty is present to guarantee that students understand the methods and complications of the procedural skill so they can form an understanding for internship and residency. Once students have become proficient with the procedure, they are tested individually on technique, terminology, tools

and even bedside manner. These tests are videoed so students can self-evaluate their performance afterward. Because testing is now such an integral aspect of the labs, new testing styles have been developed in conjunction with the restructuring. In 2014, Martin and a number of VCOM associates conducted a research study to explore the role of self-evaluating in student learning. This research was conducted in the Clinical Procedural Skills Lab setting and the findings were integrated into the program. VCOM’s dedicated faculty continues to research and develop this important aspect of the college curriculum for current participants and future classes. ◄

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Orientation

Class of 2019

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W ith the close of summer, begins a new year of medical school for the studetns at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM). This year was no exception as VCOM–Virginia ushered in a new class full of fresh, new faces. Clad in business casual attire, 188 first year students began their four-year journey to becoming osteopathic physicians on August 6, 2015, the official first day of classes, after a two-day orientation at the start of the week.

mates with whom they would be sharing the next four years.

This group of medical students makes the thirteenth VCOM– Virginia class. Like those before them, they will spend two years in the classroom before venturing out into hospitals, clinics, and medical practices for clinical rotations during their third and fourth years. VCOM proudly welcomes this newest class to campus and looks forward to supporting each student in their medical school career and endeavors.

During orientation, the Virginia campus Class of 2019 was successfully introduced to the campus, faculty, and class-

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VCOM Olympics The Battle of the Classes

E ach year, the first and second year students battle it out for the winning title in the VCOM Olympics. This year was no different as the Class of 2018 and the Class of 2019 donned their orange and maroon to challenge each other in a variety of activities, increasing their overall score to claim the victory.

Organized by _____, the VCOM Olympics consisted of an eating competition, tug of war competition,

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Racing for a Cause

The Adventure Race

O n August 15, 2015, the VCOM Sports Medicine Club hosted the sixth annual Adventure Race at Claytor Lake State Park. It was a three part race consisting of a two mile kayak, four mile bike ride, and 5k run. The club was once again able to top years past with both participation and donations, raising $3,000 from 75 participants. Roughly 125 people including participants, spectators, VCOM staff, and the Bernardo family members were present. The money will benefit the Michael Bernardo Scholarship Fund to honor this VCOM student’s memory after he tragically lost his life while serving on a Dominican Republic medical mission. The scholarship will support the medical outreach work of rotating third and fourth year VCOM students in Central America. Sponsors for the event included Back Country Ski and Sports Inc, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target, Run About Sports, Crossfit Blacksburg, Performance Medicine of Southwestern Virginia, Blacksburg Eye Associates, Jazzercise, and Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech.

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A ssociate Chief of Staff for Education Martin Eason and his Administrative Officer Birgit Goldfarb from the Mountain Home VA Medical Center, also known as the James H. Quillen Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center in Tennessee, visited the VCOM– Virginia campus on July 27, 2015. Dean Jan Willcox, DO; Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs Jim Powers, DO; Assistant Vice President for Graduate Medical Education Ward Stevens, MS; and Family Medicine Residency VCOM Coordinates with VA Center for Rotation and Residency Options

Program Director and Class of 2007 alumna Ronna New, DO, welcomed the visitors. The meeting explored options for collaboration between the College, the Osteopathic Medical Network of Excellence in Education, and the VA Medical Center for third and fourth year student rotations and residency opportunities. The visitors also enjoyed a tour of the campus. ◄

VCOM Brings a Plastination Lab Exhibit to Roanoke

V COM maintains a permanent display using plastinated organs at the Science Museum of Western Virginia in Roanoke as part of the “Healthy Body” program. The plastination laboratory debuted as an exhibit at the inaugural Virginia Science Festival in 2014. VCOM is proud to partner with the museum in this educational effort. exposition “Our Heart and Lungs” at the Virginia Science Festival. The Festival is a month-long event occurring in multiple locations throughout the state of Virginia. VCOM was honored to participate in the regional event, held at the Science Museum of Western Virginia in Roanoke. Faculty, staff, and students from the VCOM–Virginia campus plastination lab explained the process of plastination and how it is used to further medical and community understanding of human anatomy. Several thousand people attended the one- day anatomy exhibit. Class of 2018 students Natalie Peck and Terry Hoffman, Class of 2019 students Kate Slaymaker, Jackie Boggs, Kim Garnett, and Richard Wyeth, PhD, associate professor of anatomy and physiology, acted as docents for the exhibit. ◄ On September 26, 2015, VCOM presented a plastination laboratory exhibit as part of the permanent

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Hospital Day Preparing for Residency

H ospital Day is a valuable time for VCOM’s third year medical students to meet residency program representatives and begin to process different options for residency. The event allows students to make connections and gather information pertaining to residency in various specialties. For second year students, it is an ideal opportunity to meet VCOM site coordinators and Directors of Student Medical Education (DSMEs) from VCOM’s clinical sites as they formulate an idea of where they would like to rotate during their third year of medical school.

for Hospital Day 2015. There were three OPTIs (OMNEE, A-OPTIC, and TOMEC) programs, two book distributors, and 55 residency programs and VCOM– Virginia’s clinical core sites. Hospital Day was planned by the members of the Clinical Affairs Department: Cathy Callahan, MD, Sarah Martin, Jillian Anderson, Kathy Dalton, and Mary Katherine Aguilar. There were also a handful of valuable volunteers who helped bring the event together. ◄

At the close of October, 60 programs came together in Cassell Coliseum on the Virginia Tech campus

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T he Class of 2019 is here! Orientation was held at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)–Carolinas campus on July 27 and 28 for the fifth incoming class in Spartanburg. Kicking off the year with a picnic on July 26, the Class of 2019 spent a beautiful Sunday afternoon touring the campus with their families and getting to know their new classmates. They spent the next few days on campus with their families and meeting new classmates. Of the 162 students in the Class of 2019, 58 are from North and South Carolina. Although 34 of the new students come from careers in healthcare, most are recent graduates, and others are from different backgrounds entirely. Forty-four members of this class have family members who are physicians, and two have family members who graduated from VCOM! ◄ Welcome to VCOM–Carolinas

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VCOM View | www.vcom.edu

O n October 29, the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) at VCOM– Carolinas sponsored its annual Dress-Up Docs fundraiser. In exchange for monetary and canned food donations to the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen, medical students were able to attend class wearing fun Halloween costumes. Some of our favorite looks this year were Class of 2018 student Monthe Kofos as a “gold digger,” an entertaining group of VCOM staff members as the “Spice Girls” (they even sang!), and Class of 2018’s Elijah Engwall’s and Justin Lohmann’s ghoulish get-ups. ◄ Costumes for a Cause

T he Standardized Patient (SP) program at VCOM allows students to test their responses and skills firsthand while getting feedback from “patients,” who are portrayed by community members trained by faculty and staff in the Simulation and Educational Technology Center. Recently, VCOM–Carolinas Class of 2019 students spent an afternoon working in groups of four with standardized patients who portrayed scripted scenarios. Experienced faculty sat in on these sessions, which are an integral part of medical training. Hands-on experience, bedside manner practice and patient feedback are just a few of the benefits of this program. ◄ Role Playing Doctor Students try their hands with real patients for the first time in their medical school career.

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Kids Just Want to PLAY VCOM gets involved with local elementary school students to encourage healthy behaviors.

I n the fall of 2015, VCOM–Carolinas students began a new public health initiative, the Promoting Lifelong Activity in Youth (PLAY) Program. The PLAY Program helps local children to understand and appreciate the benefits of exercise, to cultivate a positive self-image that facilitates a desire to make healthy life choices, and learn fun, safe, and creative activities that will empower them to make a commitment to lifelong wellness. The goals of the PLAY program are grounded in Osteopathic principles and on the belief that good health requires a balance of mental, emotional, and physical wellness. Second year students Vanessa A. Hortian and Meghan K. Milligan conceived this program with the guidance and support of Hannah Sahhar, MD, Discipline Chair of Pediatrics, and Alexis Stoner,

O n November 2, VCOM–Carolinas students participated in an Interprofessional Education (IPE) Immersion Event. As part of a developing Interprofessional Certificate Program, the event is designed to provide a basis for students to make educated clinical decisions in a collaborative setting. The program begins in a student’s first year of medical school and ends in the underserved care/ family medicine rotation of the third year. During these three years, students will participate in Immersion Events with the Lander University nursing program and the Presbyterian College of Pharmacy. Students who successfully complete the IPE program will be recognized upon graduation. ◄ Professor of Clinical Prevention and Population Health. This program supports VCOM’s mission to address the needs of the medically underserved community and promote research to improve community health. The PLAY Program accomplishes this by collaborating with Meeting Street Academy, a local charter school that primarily educates underserved children in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Vanessa and Meghan successfully launched The PLAY Program in October 2015 with the help of second year student ACOP volunteers, Adriana Delgado, Justin Lohmann, and Jeffrey Rice. VCOM students will continue to collaborate with Meeting Street Academy to offer additional PLAY Events throughout the remainder of the school year. ◄

Collaboration for Success

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New Class

New Campus,

Written by Scott Godwin

E xcitement could be felt throughout the VCOM– Auburn campus as faculty, staff and students gathered for the Welcome Picnic Wednesday evening, July 29, 2015. Unfortunately, due to rain, the event was moved indoors to the multipurpose room. That didn’t dampens spirits, however, as students from the Class of 2019, along with their families, got to know VCOM–Auburn adminstration, faculty, and staff at an informal, picnic-style dinner event. Students gathered early the following Thursday morning to hear an inspiring opening address from VCOM’s Chairman of the Board, John G. Rocovich Jr., JD, LLM.

Following Rocovich were VCOM President and Provost Dixie Tooke Rawlins, DO; VCOM–Auburn Campus Dean Elizabeth Palmarozzi, DO, FACOFP; VCOM Vice President for Student Services Bill King; and Auburn University Provost and Vice President for Student Services Timothy R. Boosinger, DVM, PhD. After the opening speeches, students were briefed on a number of topics including campus policies, developing effective study habits, financial aid and many other important subjects chosen to help them thrive as they pursue their studies. Students broke into smaller group sessions in order to get to know each other, as well as

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to get some good advice from current VCOM students from the Virginia and Carolinas Campus.

“For the faculty and staff, it was great to finally feel the energy and experience the passion and determination this group of students brings with them,” said Jasmine Oliver, VCOM–Auburn Director of Admissions. Orientation concluded with a visit from fun-loving Auburn University mascot, Aubie, who led students in a “War Eagle” kickoff cheer as well as the Auburn fight song. Aubie graciously stayed for a while to visit and pose with students for cell phone photos. ◄

Students agreed that orientation not only familiarized them with VCOM–Auburn, but brought them closer as a group. “Getting to know my classmates and people that that I’ll spend the next few years with was most important to me,” said William Hamrick, of Eufaula, Alabama. “I enjoyed seeing the school’s facilities since I wasn’t able to attend Accepted Students Day,” added James Boone of Alexander City, Alabama.

VCOM View | www.vcom.edu

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OUTREACH

Dominican Republic Carolinas - Sustainable Health O n July 5, a group of 28 second-year medical students from the Carolinas Campus of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM), four physicians, two coordinators, the Vice Provost of International Outreach at VCOM and three volunteers traveled to the Dominican Republic for a week-long medical outreach trip. Once there, the group met up with three fourth-year VCOM students from the Virginia Campus on their international underserved rotation, two local doctors, a pharmacist, a team of interpreters, and the Community Projects Coordinator from the Punta Cana Foundation to conduct five clinics in underserved areas throughout the week. As part of VCOM’s longitudinal and sustainable community health program in the area, the team cared for over 700 patients, distributed water purification education cards and offered a Disaster Preparedness Training to airport and hotel workers. ◄

Healthcare Abroad in the Americas

July 5 - 12, 2015 Dominican Republic July 19 - 26, 2015 El Salvador

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El Salvador Virginia - Primary Care Outreach O n July 19, 2015 a group of 20 second-year students from the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) – Virginia campus embarked on a one-week outreach trip to El Salvador. Joining them were Kenneth D’Amato, DO; Hughes Melton, MD; Anuradha Reddy, MD; as well as two registered nurses from Radford University, Margarete Bassett and Kemberly Campbell; and Cassie Mitchell, a PhD student from Virginia Tech in the Department of Human Nutrition, Food, and Exercise. In-country physicians included Dr. Monica Zaldivar and Dr. Pedro Solano, both VCOM appointed faculty. During the trip, the group was hosted by AMILAT, a faith-based organization in San Salvador. The VCOM medical team set up temporary clinics at three children’s homes, a remote mountainous village, and a public school throughout San Salvador and the departments of Sonsonate and Chalatenango. Over 450 patients received medical care during the week. As evidenced by the trip roster, every outreach trip requires the input of numerous professionals working together to ensure the success of VCOM’s international program. Teamwork critical for the smooth operation of the clinics on a daily basis. The trip was an excellent opportunity for the VCOM students to put their medical skills into practice and gain intercultural competence while serving the global community. ◄

VCOM View | www.vcom.edu

RESEARCH

The Five-Year Plan & Research Discovery

Written by Astleigh Hill

A s the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) looks to the future, the College sees a lot of growth in research through encouraging scholarly work, continuing and facilitating collaborations, and increasing funding. The Research Department has a five-year plan to better help VCOM become the top-ranked, stand-alone Osteopathic Medical School in research while maintaining the College’s current high standing in medical education.

One main focus of the Research Department continues to be community-based research, especially that which examines on the practices and philosophies unique to osteopathic medicine. The department’s community health initiatives are closely matched with VCOM’s overall mission – for the College’s student doctors to be community-focused and to engage in research that improves the health of underserved populations. As part of this initiative, VCOM is actively encouraging

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OMM in community health wellness research, research into the treatment of chronic conditions and research on OMM techniques and efficacy. This initiative is also in line with the American Osteopathic Association’s (AOA) strategic plan, which looks to advance the distinctive philosophy and practice of osteopathic medicine through research.

The department’s goal is to facilitate interdisciplinary, interdepartmental, and inter-institutional collaborative reserach.

VCOM Vice Provost for Research, Gunnar Brolinson, DO, said, “Through the reorganization of the grants and research department, we are better able to support research endeavors across three VCOM campuses, ensuring a uniform operating model as the College continues to grow.” Secondly, the department wants to have a broad portfolio of projects that not only emphasizes osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) research,

To enable a culture of osteopathic research within the osteopathic

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but also includes educational, clinical, and basic biomedical research with the goal of enhancing collaborative outreach in these areas.

family at VCOM, one of the Research Department’s main charges is to encourage scholarly work by offering regularly scheduled research training programs

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for faculty. These include workshops and seminars on conducting research specific to VCOM’s mission such as educational research and community outreach research. Dr. Brolinson stated, “We aim to provide more formal research development programs to give faculty additional resources to strengthen research proposals, skills, peer review, and statistical support. The department’s goal is to facilitate interdisciplinary, interdepartmental, and inter-institutional collaborative research.” Additionally, the Research Department plans to continue close collaboration with their biomedical colleagues at the Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences. This partnership has yielded over $5.3 million in extramural funding from agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and United States Department of Defense (DOD). Growing their research partnerships with large, research-focused universities, such as Virginia Tech and Auburn University, is also an instrumental part of the five-year plan. The department also recently initiated the collaborative Center for One Health Research with the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. This center will promote joint VCOM-VMCVM research programs relevant for humans and animals. The department’s goals include the development of a human genetics and osteopathic education program that will expand into research on early treatments for pediatric intellectual disorders. VCOM is actively

pursuing new partnerships that will advance genetic research while incorporating the principles and philosophy of osteopathic medicine. Such partnerships Such partnerships will create a clinical research pathway focused on osteopathic medicine and will enable us to be at the forefront of primary care osteopathic genomic research and education. With any endeavor, challenges arrive, specifically with the overall decline in funding. The majority of federal funding for OMM research comes from the National Institute of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (formerly National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine). While NCCIH’s priorities for funding are a solid match for its osteopathic research, VCOM’s submissions are competing for funding with a number of other complementary therapies. “To meet those challenges as an osteopathic medical college, the Research Department will create stronger interdisciplinary teams, more innovative research ideas, and rely on continued support from VCOM leadership,” Dr. Brolinson said. In the next five years, VCOM’s Research Department looks to further their initiatives in all areas of research, becoming the top-ranked college for osteopathic medicine. The department has seen many successes in research and discovery since the College was founded, and with a new and innovative plan in place, this success will continue into the future. ◄

VCOM View | www.vcom.edu

Meet VCOM’s Newest ›› › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › ›

spends most of her time with her three children, Parker (7), Jordyn (4), and Brayden (2). They love being goofy, going to the pool, and jumping on the trampoline. Dr. Dunn and her husband enjoy playing golf, going on date nights, and cheering on the Hokies. When she has the chance, she plays tennis and practices yoga. Most importantly, she cherishes time with her very large extended family, which is scattered across southwest Virginia and eastern Tennessee.

VIRGINIA CAMPUS

Ashleigh Dunn, DO Assistant Professor, Anatomy

Ashleigh Dunn, DO, joins the Biomedical faculty at VCOM–Virginia. She is a VCOM alumna, graduating with the Class of 2009. Dr. Dunn earned her Master of Science degree in molecular, cellular and developmental biology at Yale University in 2005. Prior to that, Dr. Dunn earned her Bachelor of Science degree in biology, with a minor in

Jessie Mitchell Application Services Specialist

Jessie Mitchell joins VCOM–Virginia as the Application Services Specialist. She joins the College after graduating from Asbury University in 2015 with a BA in French. Jessie found herself at

VCOM because she loved the environment, which she first

chemistry, from Virginia Tech. Most recently, Dr. Dunn has been teaching anatomy and physiology at Jefferson College of Public Health, where she gained an impressive number of credentials in teaching, research, student advising, and development and service. She will be a member of the anatomy group at VCOM, but will also contribute to cell biology and physiology as well as Post- Baccalaureate teaching activities. Dr. Dunn is a Board Member of the Brain Injury Services of SWVA and an active member of the Blacksburg Junior Women’s Club. Outside of work, Dr. Dunn

experienced through her first year medical student husband. Currently, Jessie, a former collegiate volleyball

athlete, coaches JV Volleyball at Auburn High School and club volleyball for River Valley Juniors. Outside of work she enjoys playing with her golden retriever puppy, running, working out, coaching and playing sports, reading, and crocheting.

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Cayla Long Student Services Coordinator

Cayla Long has joined the VCOM– Carolinas team as the new Student Services Coordinator. While studying at Wofford College, Cayla planned many philanthropy events. She then worked for a year at an optometrist office in Winston-Salem after graduating, gaining experience in the working world and improving her customer service skills. As Student

CAROLINAS CAMPUS

Jillian Bradley, PhD Post-Doctoral Fellow in Microbiology and Immunology

Services Coordinator, she will draw on this experience as she helps to assist with events including orientation, white coat ceremony, and graduation as well as working with student leaders in organizing and tracking their organization funds and assisting in planning their events. When she is not taking pictures of her dog, Beau, she enjoys landscape photography, attends as many college football games as she can, and visits her family in Pawleys Island. She is excited to join the VCOM family and work with the students and faculty to make medical school more enjoyable.

Jillian Bradley, PhD, is originally from Augusta, Georgia. She has a PhD in Immunological Research and completed thesis work on stress- sensing mechanisms in macrophage polarization during helminth infection at Georgia Regents University. Jillian’s husband is a first year medical student at VCOM–Carolinas. They have been married for five years and

have a Jack Russell/Beagle mix named Bandit. Jillian’s hobbies include reading fantasy and sci-fi, cross-stitching, hiking and paint-by-number.

Risé Gravely Administrative Assistant to the Associate Dean of Biomedical Affairs and Research and Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Dean for Faculty Development

Colleen Cannon Admissions Coordinator

Risé Gravely, originally from Mississippi, moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a teen and spent 30 years in the Northeast. She relocated to Cowpens, South Carolina, in April 2015 to enjoy a quiet, country life. Risé has over 20 years of administrative and management experience along with 19 years of event planning

Colleen Cannon is a Clemson University graduate. She has worked for the Department of Social Services in Pickens, South Carolina, as well as Walt Disney World in Florida. Outside of work, she enjoys working out and taking evening walks with her parents around their neighborhood. She often

management. Her favorite pastimes include traveling, reading, hanging out with family and renovating her country home.

visits friends throughout the Carolinas. She is also an avid scrapbooker and painter, and is always looking for new crafting projects.

VCOM View | www.vcom.edu

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Courtney E. Gamston, PharmD, ScM Assistant Professor, Discipline Chair for Pharmacology

AUBURN CAMPUS

Courtney began her training as a basic science researcher in molecular and microbiology. As an

Darren T. Beck, PhD Assistant Professor, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology

undergraduate, she interned with the Centers for Disease Control in the Viral and Rickettsial Zoonosis Branch in Atlanta, Georgia. Courtney earned a Master of Science degree from the Bloomberg School of Public Health. She entered Pharmacy School knowing that she was interested in applying her research background to the clinical setting. She soon found her place in clinical pharmacy, research and teaching. She completed a post graduate year residency in Ambulatory Care and Academia through the Department of Pharmacy Health Services at the Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy. In her position at VCOM–Auburn, Courtney will be teaching pharmacology to first and second year students. Courtney and her husband have four children that are very active in sports. In her spare time, she likes to spend time with her husband and children, attend Auburn sporting events, craft, read, garden, and work out. Courtney and her family love Auburn and living in “The Loveliest Village on the Plains.”

Darren T. Beck, PhD, comes to VCOM Auburn from the University of Rhode Island where he was an

assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology and the director of the Cardiovascular Diagnostic Learning Collaborative research and teaching laboratory for the previous two years after completing his postdoctoral fellowship training. Dr. Beck received his doctorate in applied physiology and exercise physiology from the University of Florida in 2010.

Tyler Cardinal Staff Accountant

Tyler Cardinal has joined the VCOM– Auburn team as Staff Accountant. Tyler graduated from Columbus State University in 2014 with a BBA in accounting. After graduating, he began his accounting career in the Corporate Accounting department of Waffle House, Inc. After working at Waffle House for a year, Tyler decided to move back closer to his hometown

Karla Meadows Director of Human Resources - Business Office

Karla recently retired from Auburn University after 32 years of service. However, instead of relaxing on a Caribbean beach, driving a motorhome across the U.S. or traveling the world, her next move was to come to work at VCOM- Auburn! Karla has a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Auburn University and an

of Columbus, Ga. Tyler’s favorite aspect of working at VCOM– Auburn is the family atmosphere. When asked what about accounting interests him most, Tyler notes that he enjoys accounting because there is always a correct answer to a problem. Outside of work, Tyler enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife Melissa and his family. Tyler plays guitar in a few local bands and enjoys teaching guitar when he is not working at VCOM.

Associate’s Degree in science from Southern Union State Junior College. Karla worked for the Scott-Ritchey Research Center at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University. In that role, she managed the overall budget and the contract and grants of the center for 17 years. Most

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