VCOM View Vol 9-1

RESEARCH

Front row: Chelsea Weidman, MS; Miriam Brown; Jillian Bradley, PhD; Monica Boyd; Katrina Hsieh Second Row : Liam Ortega; Fadi Totah; Candice Thompson; Kyle Burke; Amy Kiamos; Derek Kunda; Mario Carrasco

“We help them to design experiments with well thought- through controls and teach them the techniques involved in answering the questions,” she explains. Students are encouraged to share their findings at conferences, including VCOM’s Research Recognition Day. “Anecdotally, OMT has been a tremendous relief to patients suffering from acute sinus infections,” Dr. Bradley says. “However, the exact mechanism behind this relief is not well understood. We are attempting to scientifically and methodologically determine what about the technique allows for symptomatic

South Carolina. In addition Dr. Bradley has eight second-year medical students on the project. “Each student is working on a specific question within the scope of the trial, which will last either two years or until 200 patients have been enrolled,” Bradley says. “I believe that having the students experience the knowledge themselves, rather than being passive sponges allows an intimate connection to be formed with the information and long-term retention to begin,” she states. All active members of her lab must write a proposal seeking answers to the group’s research questions.

relief, as well as whether the technique allows for a faster

recovery time. If we can provide evidence that OMT does help patients with sinus infections, it would encourage physicians to turn to OMT instead of prescribing unnecessary antibiotics… [impacting] the current problem of the over prescription of antibiotics and the subsequent development of antibiotic-resistant organisms.” The study, beginning this year, will enroll subjects who have sinus infections as well as healthy ones. ■

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NEWS &Events

Turfe Joins the VCOM Carolinas Advisery Board A lan Turfe has been chairman and CEO of  J M Smith Corporation since March, 2017. He is only the third chairman and CEO since the company’s incorporation in 1944.

being promoted to Paris, France, as European Finance Director for GM’s Automotive Components Division, and then named CFO of GM Worldwide Purchasing and Logistics. Alan led GM into e-commerce with a joint venture that generated more than $4 billion in shareholder value and resulted in him being appointed co-CEO of the joint venture company. Following a decade with GM, Alan joined Thermo Fisher Scientific as vice president of Merchandising and Marketing, then was named Group vice president of Operations and ultimately was named president of the Anatomical Pathology Group. He then joined IDEX Corporation as president of Micropump Inc.

In all of these roles, Alan oversaw sites in the U.S. and overseas, growing these businesses through strategic acquisitions and new product development. Prior to joining J M Smith Corporation, Alan served as senior vice president and chief procurement officer at Fresenius Medical Care, leveraging global manufacturing and distribution in pharmaceuticals and other medical categories to expand margins and drive incremental profitability. Alan earned both his BS and MBA degrees from the University of Michigan. He and his wife, Lenda, have two adult sons and are active in philanthropy. ■

Alan began his career working his way through college on the assembly line at General Motors (GM). Upon graduating

with an MBA, he became a

A. Alan Turfe

financial analyst for GM, moving up through the ranks, including

Auburn University Officials Join VCOM Boards

with an international reputation in science and technology. Dr. Leath, who is trained as a plant scientist, served at three universities in teaching, research and economic development posts prior to his positions at Iowa State and Auburn.

The former dean of Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business, Hardgrave succeeded the retiring Tim Boosinger as the University’s provost and vice president for academic affairs. As the University’s chief academic officer, Dr. Hardgrave provides leadership to Auburn’s 13 colleges and schools and oversees the University’s academic resources, support units and instructional and research programs. ■

uburn

University

President

Steven Leath, PhD, has joined the VCOM Board of Directors. Dr. Leath became Auburn University’s

Steven Leath, PhD President, Auburn University

Auburn Provost Bill Hardgrave, PhD, is now serving on the VCOM-Auburn Advisery Board.

19th president, succeeding retiring president Jay Gogue. Before coming to Auburn, Dr. Leath served as president of Iowa State University, one of the nation’s top research institutions

Bill Hardgrave, PhD Provost, Auburn University

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VCOM President Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award D ixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, FACOFP, received the Lifetime Achievement Award in March 2018 by the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) in Austin, Texas. The award honors outstanding individuals who She has maintained high educational standards for VCOM’s students and continues to fulfill the College’s mission to meet the needs of rural and medically under-served populations.

Dr. Tooke-Rawlins received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, and was board certified in emergency and family medicine. President Tooke-Rawlins’ many appointments and awards are testaments to her dedication to the field of medicine and graduate medical education in particular. Having shaped the lives of many students, colleagues,

have demonstrated career-long service to patients, osteopathic family medicine and the ACOFP. Nominations and final selection are made by the Board of Governors. As President and Provost of VCOM, Dr. Tooke-Rawlins has lead the College through tremendous growth, serving as Dean of the first campus and leading the establishment of the Carolinas and Auburn campuses.

Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, FACOFP, receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from ACOFP President Duane G. Koehler, DO, FACOFP.

and patients, President Tooke- Rawlins is an admirable recipient of ACOFP’s Lifetime Achievement Award. ■

Bolin Installed as President of the Virginia Academy of Family Physicians 2018 at the Williamsburg Lodge in Williamsburg, Virginia. During his year as President, Dr. Bolin will also serve on the Academy’s Executive Committee.

The Virginia Academy of Family Physicians is the largest medical specialty society in the Commonwealth with a membership of over 3,100 family physicians, family medicine residents and medical students. The VAFP’s mission is to empower its members to be personal physicians who ensure accessible health care, dedicate themselves to the wellbeing of the citizens of Virginia, and who are guided by the principle that the family physician is the specialist of choice for lifelong care. ■

Dr. Bolin completed his MD and PhD in biochemistry at the University of Illinois and completed a sports medicine fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh. Since 2002, he has been in private practice in Roanoke, Virginia and a professor of Sports & Family Medicine at VCOM–Virginia.

D elmas J. Bolin, MD, PhD, FAAFP , was installed as the 72nd President of the Virginia Academy of Family Physicians during the Academy’s Annual Meeting held July 26-29,

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Preserving History and Heritage

P rogress continues on the Carolinas campus in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The home sat untouched for a number of years after being moved from its original location in 1999 to make way for the Marriott Hotel. When VCOM built its Carolinas campus in 2010, the College acquired the house and agreed to complete renovations to the exterior of the home. Although the exterior renovations protected the outside of the home from further decay, the inside of the home suffered from vandalism and the ravages of time. When VCOM acquired the home, most of the walls were crumbling, wiring and plumbing were obsolete, and all the flooring was in need of structural repair. There was no heating system or air conditioning. Thanks to the support from several families and foundations, VCOM continues to invest in bringing this important Spartanburg home back the history and renovation of the historic William Wallace Duncan Dupre House on the VCOM-Carolinas campus. BY TYLER CORVIN renovation of the historic DuPre House located on the VCOM- A documentary was created to preserve stories about

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NEWS AND EVENTS

to life. The home’s unique features include ten fireplaces, five chimneys, a mosaic tile porch and impressive interior detailing. It also is credited with being the first home in Spartanburg with indoor plumbing. The trustees of the Balmer Foundation, who helped kick- off early fundraising for interior renovations, also understand the importance of preserving the history of the home for future generations. The foundation recently partnered with VCOM to create a documentary about the history of the home and those who lived there. The film captures wonderful stories from Wallace DuPre Jr. and also MacFarlane Cates, both in their early 90s and great grandsons of William Wallace Duncan Dupre. The documentary will be made available soon to all the schools and libraries in the Spartanburg area. There is still much work to be done to complete the renovations to the Dupre House. Several significant naming opportunities are still available to honor family members, community leaders and benefactors. ■ For more information on ways to partner with VCOM to preserve this important home, please contact Tyler Corvin at 864-327-9914 or ctcorvin@vcom.edu.

Top: Monty Mullen, Chair of the Balmer Foundation, (center left) reviews progress on interior renovations with staff from VCOM. Above: The historic Dupre house located on the VCOM-Carolinas campus in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Far Left : MacFarlane and Marguerite Cates, along with Wallace DuPre Jr. are interviewed for the documentary.

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329 New Physicians Graduate in 2018

VIRGINIA

VCOM-VIRGINIA Commencement • May 5, 2018

• 182 DO degrees granted • Stephen C. Shannon, DO, MPH, guest speaker • Four received their Military Promotions • 62% matched in primary care residencies

Did You Know... VCOM has

graduated over 2,600 DOs since 2007?

VCOM-CAROLINAS Commencement • May 19, 2018

• 147 DO degrees granted • Barbara Ross-Lee, DO, guest speaker • Six received their Military Promotions • 69% matched in primary care residencies

CAROLINAS

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T he IRA Charitable Transfer is an excellent way to make gifts and receive tax benefits in return. As you plan your required minimum distributions for this year, consider using your IRA account to make the most of your charitable giving. You receive a tax benefit even if you take the standard deduction! It’s important to consider your tax situation before deciding whether to make a charitable contribution from your IRA. Did You Know... The IRA Charitable Transfer benefits donors aged 70½ and up? Save on Taxes... To qualify: • You must be age 70½ or older at the time of gift. • Transfers must be made directly from a traditional IRA account by your IRA administrator to the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. • Gifts must be outright. Distributions to donor-advised funds or life-income arrangements such as charitable remainder trusts do not qualify. • Gifts from 401k, 403b, SEP and other plans do not qualify. Ask your financial adviser if it would be right for you to create a traditional IRA account so you can benefit from the IRA Charitable Transfer. Tax Benefits The IRA Charitable Transfer allows individuals age 70½ and older to make direct transfers totaling up to $100,000 per year to 501(c) (3) charities, without having to count the transfers as income for federal income tax purposes. No charitable deduction may be taken, but distributions will qualify for all or part of the IRA owners required minimum distributions.

Example: John is 71 and wants to make a contribution to VCOM. He has $800,000 in his IRA and wants the contribution to be $50,000. He can authorize the administrator of his IRA to transfer $50,000 to the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. Because the IRA Charitable Transfer is excluded from income, John will not be eligible for a charitable income tax deduction but he still receives tax savings. The $50,000 distributed to VCOM will be counted toward his annual minimum required distribution and he will not pay income tax on the portion given to charity. Transfers must come from your IRAs directly to the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. If you have retirement assets in a 401k, 403b etc., you must first roll those funds into an IRA, and then you can direct the IRA administrator to transfer the funds from the IRA directly to VCOM. Is the IRA Charitable Transfer right for me? Share this information with your financial adviser. Our office can provide further information and examples of this gift plan. We offer a sample letter you can send to your plan provider to initiate the transfer. Please let your plan administrator know that this gift must be sent prior to December 31 to qualify as an IRA Charitable Transfer. Make sure that you contact us when you direct the transfer, so we can look for the check from your IRA administrator. Important: Be sure to check with your financial adviser to determine whether this gift plan is right for you. This information is not meant as tax or legal advice.

The distribution counts towards your required minimum distribution for the year in which you made the gift.

For more information, please contact: VIRGINIA: Thim Corvin, 2265 Kraft Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060, 540-231-7189 • CAROLINAS: Tyler Corvin, 350 Howard Street, Spartanburg, SC 29303, 864-327-9914 • AUBURN: Elliott MacIssac, 910 South Donahue Drive, Auburn AL 36832, 334-442-4015 • VCOM is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

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Non-Profit U.S. Postage

PAID CPC

2265 Kraft Drive • Blacksburg, VA 24060

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