VCOM - Virginia 2016 Yearbook

The MISSION of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) is to prepare globally-minded, community- focused physicians to meet the needs of rural and medically underserved populations and promote research to improve human health.

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2015-2016 YEARBOOK

Contents President & Dean’s Letters 4 Highlights 6 Alumni 14 Current Students 68 Student Organizations 114 Outreach 170 Faculty & Staff 190

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Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, FACOFP President and Provost

S ince the founding of VCOM–Virginia in 2001, we have experienced the growth of a culture of caring, service and commitment that makes our College a special place. This can be seen through our students’ support for one another, for the community, and in their desire to promote the VCOM mission by meeting the needs of rural and underserved populations. The quality of medical education provided by VCOM has become well known as our student board scores rank among the highest in the country, and our graduates attain 100 percent residency placement. More than 66 percent of VCOM graduates return to Appalachian states to serve communities most in need of physicians. Students regularly participate in International and Appalachian outreach programs throughout their second, third and fourth year of medical education, extending the College culture of altruism, compassion and service across the globe. As VCOM students and graduates continue to follow the path of our Appalachian mission, they are better prepared to promote the fundamentals of osteopathic medicine and provide care for future generations.

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2015-2016 YEARBOOK

Jan Willcox, DO, FACOFP Dean for the Virginia Campus O ver the course of the 2015-16 academic year, VCOM–Virginia has striven to positively influence the medically underserved populations of southwest Virginia and regions around the globe. Our students joined together to grow not only as future physicians, but as community members who understand how the care they provide can impact someone for a lifetime. Through holding national leadership roles with professional associations, hosting local health clinics and participating in student organization events, our students have showcased what it means to be future, community- focused physicians. VCOM–Virginia students have accomplished wonderful things this past year. Many have participated in research projects with faculty members that have gone on to impact various areas of medicine. Others have worked to advocate public health issues locally and abroad. Students traveled with VCOM–Virginia representatives to speak to government officials during DO Day on Capitol Hill to discuss the importance of osteopathic medicine in today’s society. All of these accomplishments by our students played a vital role in the 2015-2016 academic year. I am proud our students have upheld the mission of the College and honored to say their accomplishments reflect what VCOM–Virginia hopes to show those we serve.

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Council, Virginia 6

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

continues to create new paths for future physicians to serve both locally and in underserved areas throughout the world. In the 2015-2016 academic year, VCOM–Virginia welcomed a new generation of future physicians partnerships throughout the region and celebrated another graduating class of promising physicians this spring. Each of the College’s milestones over the past year have helped to further the VCOM mission to prepare globally-minded, community-focused physicians to meet the needs of rural and medically underserved populations and promote research to improve human health. to Blacksburg, developed new community and clinical

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Highlights 2015-2016

1 On May 4, 2015, VCOM–Virginia honored its Uniformed Service Member graduates at the Military Promotion Ceremony. Family, friends and special guests gathered at the War Memorial Chapel on the Virginia Tech Campus in Blacksburg, Virginia. Seventeen students were promoted through the Health Professions Scholarship Program into branches of the military including US Army, US Navy and US Air Force. 2 On May 5, 2015, 181 students received their Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degrees from VCOM–Virginia at Burruss Hall on the Virginia Tech Campus in Blacksburg, Virginia. After the ceremony, a reception was held for graduates and their families to celebrate.

1. MILITARY PROMOTION CEREMONY 2015

2. CLASS OF 2015 GRADUATION

2. GRADUATION CEREMONY 2015

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HIGHLIGHTS

3. ORIENTATION CLASS OF 2019

4. SPIRIT DAY 2015

3 In August, the class of 2019 started the journey through medical school with orientation. To welcome them to campus, the Virginia Tech mascot, the Hokie Bird, stopped by to take photos and kick off the excitement. 4 Spirit Day is an annual competition between the first and second-year students to see who can impress Dean Jan Willcox, DO, with school spirit and creativity. Each class was tasked with decorating its classroom with orange or maroon and performing a display of affection when Dean Willcox entered. For 2015, the Class of 2018 was victorious in winning her heart, although both classes worked hard to show affection for VCOM. 5 Each year the VCOM Olympics is held to foster teamwork and a sense of family among students. First and second-year students competed in a series of games with the class with the most points standing victorious in the end. The games included slip-and- slide, football and much more.

6. VCOM OLYMPICS 2015

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Highlights 2015-2016

7. OMED-SOMA RECEPTION

6. VCOM REMEMBERS FRANK ROCOVICH

6 On September 29, 2015, VCOM lost a dear member of its Virginia campus family. Frank Rocovich, Activities and Events Coordinator, was the son of John G. Rocovich Jr., JD, LLM, and Sue Ellen Rocovich, DO, PhD, who were instrumental in founding VCOM and laying the groundwork to establish the College. VCOM faculty, staff, students and administration gathered outside of the administration building to remember Frank and support one another. 7 In October 2015, VCOM alumni, administration, faculty, staff and students gathered in Orlando, Florida for the annual OMED conference held by the American Osteopathic Association. 8 Fall Residency Fair and Hospital Day is held each autumn as an opportunity for third-year VCOM– Virginia students to begin planning for residency programs and preparing for the fourth year of medical school. In October 2015, students returned to campus for the eleventh annual event.

8. HOSPITAL DAY 2015

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HIGHLIGHTS

9 The White Coat Ceremony recognizes academic have achieved in their medical studies. On Sunday, November 1, 2015, 187 students from VCOM–Virginia were cloaked with their first white coats. The ceremony concluded with a reception for the students and their families. 10 Via Research Recognition Day 2016, was an exciting and hectic time for the VCOM–Virginia campus. In addition to a successful execution, the organizers of the eleventh annual event, held February 26, 2016, hoped to achieve one goal: “Empower participants to extend research beyond what is required by education or place of employment.” achievement. First-year medical students are awarded a white coat — a symbol of the milestone they

11 In the spring of 2016, fourth-year students at

9. WHITE COAT 2015

VCOM–Virginia found where they would be attending residencies after graduation. One hundred percent of students in the Class of 2016 matched in a program with a large portion placing in primary care.

10. VIA RESEARCH RECOGNITION DAY 2016

11. RESIDENCY MATCH DAYS

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Highlights 2015-2016

12. LEADING GLOBAL HEALTH SEMINAR

13. DISASTER PREPAREDNESS TRAINING

12 For most of her professional life, Emily Esmaili, DO, VCOM Class of 2008, has traveled Asia and Africa serving as an expert in pediatrics for underserved areas. Esmaili returned to Blacksburg, Virginia, to speak to the students, faculty and staff about her journeys around the world. She recounted the food shortages, lack of nutritional education and clear poverty that affected so many of her patients. Her goal when speaking at the Leading Global Health Seminar on March 22, 2016, was to inspire students to take a step to fight problems that face many patients both in other countries and in rural Appalachia. 13 In the spring of 2016, VCOM–Virginia students took part in Disaster Preparedness Training - Basic Disaster Life Support (BDLS) to learn proper medical care procedures in a variety of staged scenarios. 14 Accepted Students Day is held each spring to welcome the upcoming class of first-year medical students. The 2016 event was full of information with opportunities to meet new classmates, potential roommates and future friends. Students had time to see the community and to meet with representatives from apartment complexes at the Information Fair.

14. ACCEPTED STUDENTS DAY 2016

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HIGHLIGHTS

15 On May 5, 2016, VCOM–Virginia held its Military Promotion Ceremony for the College’s Uniformed Service Members. Honoring six graduates within the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), the ceremony took place on Virginia Tech’s campus in the War Memorial Chapel. 16 On Saturday, May 6, 2016, VCOM–Virginia held its Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2016 in Burruss Hall on the Virginia Tech campus. A total of 177 students graduated from VCOM with the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Over two thousand family members, friends and VCOM faculty, staff and students were in attendance at the ceremony.

15. MILITARY PROMOTIONS 2016

16. CLASS OF 2016 GRADUATION

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Alumni T he Class of 2015 and the Class of 2016 have both graduated

from VCOM–Virginia, and the College is excited for the future endeavors of these 359 new alumni. Congratulations to both classes on your accomplishments. VCOM looks forward to sharing in your bright futures as osteopathic physicians as you continue to further the College mission to serve those most in need. The VCOM–Virginia Alumni Advisory Board has continued its work to represent all those who have graduated from the College and all alumni are encouraged to be active in the Alumni Association.

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Alumni Association Fall Highlights 2015 - 2016

1. VCOM HOMECOMING 2015

1 VCOM Homecoming 2015 was held September 11-12 where alumni enjoyed a Continuing Medical Education (CME) program, including some time in the Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) lab led by Owen Speer, DO, class of 2010. On Friday night, alumni and families journeyed to Beliveau Winery in Blacksburg, Virginia, for Fun Family Night with food, drinks and live music. Saturday’s events included a tailgate party and Virginia Tech football game.

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ALUMNI

2. AOA OMED CONFERENCE 2015

2 Alumni joined students, faculty and staff in the VCOM hospitality suite during the annual AOA OMED conference in Orlando, Florida. VCOM hosted an alumni night event in the John Lennon room at the Universal Studios Hard Rock Café. Several alumni stopped by the VCOM booth at the convention center to share their latest accomplishments. 3 It was exciting to see over 30 alumni participated in the 2015 Hospital Day and Residency Fair. Many were there to represent their residency programs and others stayed in the afternoon to speak more in-depth to VCOM students on their specialty. Third-year students were grateful for the opportunity to find out more about residency programs and specialties.

3. HOSPITAL DAY 2015

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Alumni Association Spring Highlights 2015 - 2016

4 The AAO’s 2016 Convocation, held in March, was dedicated to exploring the connections between patients’ psychological and physiological health. The convocation was held at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Florida. About 12 alumni from both Virginia and Carolinas campuses, 20 students from Virginia campus, and five faculty members from all three campuses attended. Nearly everyone, plus a few guests, met together at nearby Taverna Opa Restaurant, a fun and lively Greek restaurant, for dinner one evening. 5 Thirty alumni and many VCOM–Virginia students attended the Spring 2016 VOMA conference held at the Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg, Virginia. A few alumni presented lectures for the conference. A hospitality suite was held one evening for VCOM attendees, where students, faculty and alumni enjoyed meeting and catching up on news. 6 Around 30 alumni registered for the American College of Osteopathic Medicine Family Physicians (ACOFP) conference held in Puerto Rico in April 2016. VCOM hosted a dinner and a flamenco dance performance at the Barrachina Restaurant in Old San Juan.

4. AAO 2016 CONVENTION

5. 2016 SPRING VOMA CONFERENCE

6. ACOFP CONFERENCE 2016

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ALUMNI

A Letter from the Director of Alumni and Development

Dear Alumni,

sponsored international medical missions. Several alumni this past year agreed to assist with Interprofessional Early Clinical Experiences (IECE) in Appalachia by serving as preceptors. Please stay involved and always feel free to contact our office for any reason!

VCOM reaches out to alumni at several osteopathic conferences. Look for the VCOM exhibit at the AAO Convocation, as well as at many state and regional conferences. It is always a pleasure to host social events at the conferences to honor you. These provide an

We welcome VCOM graduates as valued members of the VCOM Alumni Association. Our goals include: ■ ■ providing opportunities for current students to become active with alumni ■ ■ providing pathways for alumni to participate in continuous improvements in their practices and lives ■ ■ providing mentor opportunities for VCOM students and perspective students ■ ■ fostering lifelong learning Some of the benefits of being a VCOM Alumni Association member are: ■ ■ discounts at school-based CME events ■ ■ copies of VCOM publications and the annual report ■ ■ automatic inclusion in an annual lottery for two box seats at a Virginia Tech football game ■ ■ hotel stay discounts at Hotel Storm. opportunities and career connections for alumni.

“ Your accomplishments as medical students and as physicians continue to make us proud. ”

opportunity to catch up and listen to ideas on how the Alumni Association might better meet your needs.

Sincerely, Diane Sutphin Director for Development and Alumni Relations

Your accomplishments as medical students, and now as physicians, continue to make us proud. Without your help, it will not be possible to stay in touch, or to keep you updated on the VCOM campuses. If you have moved or changed job positions, please let us know by going to the VCOM alumni webpage to submit your updated contact information. Currently, over 500 alumni are serving as mentors to future and current students, and over 70 are serving as student preceptors. Each year more and more alumni serve as preceptors on VCOM

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A Letter from the President of VCOM Alumni Association Board

On behalf of the VCOM Alumni Board, I am pleased to report that 2015 was another successful year for the VCOM Alumni Association. Our Board remains focused on providing activities for alumni as well as fostering continued engagement in VCOM. I will take this opportunity to highlight some of this past year’s exciting activities for our Alumni Association: ■ ■ VCOM Homecoming – During the weekend of September 11-12, 2015, many alumni returned home to VCOM to reconnect and celebrate the five-year Homecoming for the VCOM-Virginia Class of 2010. Alumni from several classes returned to the VCOM-Virginia campus and attended great CME sessions highlighting the Class of 2010 as speakers. Alumni and their families also enjoyed a beautiful evening together at Beliveau Estate Winery on Friday evening and tailgating and cheering together at the Virginia Tech football game on Saturday afternoon. We had 116 total attendees at the winery on Friday evening! ■ ■ Outreach – This year and

Our Alumni Board has focused on building alumni involvement as preceptors for these outreach events. In addition to outreach in Appalachia, our Alumni Board has been focused on increasing alumni involvement as preceptors for the VCOM Global Physician Initiative. Over this past year, we have seen an increase in involvement from alumni as preceptors for both of these outreach efforts and we encourage you to contact the Alumni Relations Office if you’re interested in serving. ■ ■ Mentorship – Our Alumni Board has also continued to support the Alumni Mentors Program and has worked towards increasing the number of alumni serving as mentors. We have continued sending notes of encouragement along with a Starbucks gift card to all of our recent VCOM graduates at the beginning of their intern year. We have heard back from many who have told us that they appreciated knowing that their VCOM family is thinking of them and they enjoyed the Starbucks drink too! This year, members of our Alumni Board will be serving again on a panel for Accepted Students Day. Alumni have been involved in this event for several years now and it is a great way for our alumni

to support VCOM and also welcome accepted students to VCOM! ■ ■ Fellowship & the Osteopathic Community – Our alumni have had involvement and enjoyed great alumni events at both the Virginia Osteopathic Medical Association (VOMA) conferences as well as AOA- OMED. In October at AOA- OMED in Orlando, alumni enjoyed the VCOM hospitality suite as well as a fun evening in the John Lennon Room at the Hard Rock Café. The VCOM Alumni Board encourages you to become more involved in your Alumni Association. Please contact the Alumni Relations Office at VCOM if you are interested in any of the above activities and opportunities, or if you have ideas to share. As alumni, we will forever be part of the VCOM family. No one says it better than Dean Jan Willcox when she says “I still miss you.” Sincerely, Ronna D. New, DO, FACOFP President, Alumni Board Class of 2007, VCOM–Virginia

last, we have highlighted the VCOM Health Fairs: Preventative Medicine Community Outreach program where VCOM

medical students do outreach in Appalachia as part of their early clinical experiences.

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VCOM Alumni Advisory Board 2015 - 2016

Ronna Compton New, DO President Class of 2007

Todd Fridley, DO Vice President Class of 2010

J.J. White, DO Past President Class of 2007

Class Representatives

Ronna Compton New, DO Class of 2007

J.J. White, DO Class of 2007

Raul Mirza, DO Class of 2009

Ariana Martin, DO Class of 2011

Jill Justice, DO Class of 2012

Justin Beuthin, DO Class of 2015

Bhaba Misra, DO Class of 2007

Troy Akers, DO Class of 2008

Todd Fridley, DO Class of 2010

Arpit Patel, DO Class of 2011

Michelle Keating, DO Class of 2013

Aryn Rooney, DO Class of 2016

Jeff Neal, DO Class of 2007

Brittney Terry, DO Class of 2008

Mark Haygood, DO Class of 2010

Isaac Spence, DO Class of 2011

Kelli Savia, DO Class of 2013

Niyati Sheth Sandhu, DO Class of 2007

Hilary Gale Lois, DO Class of 2009

Owen Speer, DO Class of 2010

Emily Bralley, DO Class of 2012

Cara Tillotson, DO Class of 2013

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Virginia Chief Residents and Fellows S ince its founding, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) continually develops new programs providing leadership training, health systems education and collaborative models of education to provide an advantage to future VCOM physicians who aspire to medical administration.

Laura Wieczorek, DO Pediatrics/Psychiatry/Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Johns Hopkins Hospital Baltimore, MD Chief Fellow, 2015-2016 Justin Williams, DO Hematology and Oncology UK Markey Cancer Center Lexington, KY Chief Fellow, 2016-2017 Aimee Riley, DO Orthopedic Surgery Doctors Hospital Columbus, OH Chief Resident, 2015-2016

Eric Jackson, DO Orthopedic Surgery Wellspan York Hospital York, PA Chief Resident, 2016-2017

Andrew Lawson, DO General Surgery Georgia Health Sciences University Hospitals Augusta, GA Chief Resident, 2016-2017 Cristin Mathew, DO Orthopedic Surgery Plainview Hospital Plainview, NY Chief Resident, 2016-2017 Michael Patterson, DO Ophthalmology Palmetto Health Richland Columbia, SC Chief Resident, 2014-2016 Zachariah Pranckun, DO Pediatrics/Psychiatry/Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Jefferson Medical College Philadelphia, PA Chief Fellow, 2016-2017 Casey Wehunt, DO Internal Medicine Virginia Commonwealth University

2010 Melanie Adams, DO General Surgery Inspira Medical Center Woolwich Township, NJ Chief Resident, 2015-2016

Erin Spadaro Hamersley, DO Otolaryngology Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Portsmouth, VA Chief Resident, 2016-2017 2012 Barrett Browning McLaughlin, DO Latoya Phillips Fulton, DO Family Medicine Osteopathic Medical Education Consortium of Oklahoma Tulsa, OK Chief Resident, 2016-2017 Maeturah Harmon, DO Obstetrics and Gynecology Resurrection Healthcare Consortium Chicago, IL Chief Resident, 2015-2016 Paul Henkel, DO Orthopedic Surgery Wellmont-Holston Valley Medical Center Kingsport, TN Chief Resident, 2016-2017 Emergency Medicine Hamot Medical Center Erie, PA Chief Resident, 2015-2016

Donna Lawson, DO Internal Medicine LewisGale - Montgomery Blacksburg, VA Chief Resident, 2015-2016 2011 Christopher Helak, DO General Surgery St. John Providence Health System Warren, MI Chief Resident, 2015-2016 Caleb Mentzer, DO General Surgery Medical College of Georgia Hospital and Clinics Augusta, GA Chief Resident, 2015-2016

Health System Richmond, VA Chief Resident, 2014-2016 Anna Katema, DO Neurology Emory Healthcare Atlanta, GA Chief Resident, 2015-2016

Tyler Noble, DO Orthopedic Surgery Wellspan York Hospital York, PA Chief Resident, 2015-2016

Danielle DonDiego, DO Family Medicine Memorial University Medical Center Savannah, GA Chief Resident, 2015-2016 Jennifer Grant Budacki, DO Pediatrics Einstein Healthcare Network Philadelphia, PA Chief Resident, 2015-2016

Stephanie Stratigos, DO Psychiatry University of Massachusetts - Memorial

Medical Center Worcester, MA Chief Resident, 2016-2017

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ALUMNI

2013 Megan Friedman Hameer, DO Anesthesiology St. Lukes Hospital-Columbia University New York, NY Chief Resident, 2016-2017

Patrick Robertson, DO Anesthesiology Detroit Medical Center Osteopathic Division Detroit, MI Chief Resident, 2016-2017 Darion Showell, DO Internal Medicine Greenville Hospital Systems/University of South Carolina Greenville, SC Chief Resident, 2016-2017 Francis Smith, DO Psychiatry Hahnemann University Hospital/Drexel University College of Medicine Philadelphia, PA Chief Resident, 2016-2017 Cara Tillotson, DO Pediatrics Carilion Clinic Roanoke, VA Chief Resident, 2016-2017 Ryan Mullane, DO Internal Medicine Verde Valley Medical Center Cottonwood, AZ Chief Resident, 2015-2016 Jonelle George, DO Internal Medicine Danville Regional Medical Center Danville, VA Chief Resident, 2015-2016 2014 Kelley Hilldrup, DO Family Medicine Carilion Clinic Roanoke Memorial Hospital Roanoke, VA Chief Resident, 2016-2017

Fort Gordon, GA Chief Resident, 2016-2017

Patricia Feeney, DO Family Medicine MAHEC - Hendersonville Hendersonville, NC Chief Resident, 2015-2017

Navjot Grewal, DO Internal Medicine Cooper University Hospital Camden, NJ Chief Resident, 2015-2016

Katherine Harris, DO Family Medicine Carilion Clinic Roanoke Memorial Hospital Roanoke, VA Chief Resident, 2016-2017 Alexander Houser, DO Family Medicine Womack Army Medical Center Fayetteville, NC Chief Resident, 2016-2017 Matthew Johnson, DO Family Medicine Palmetto Health Richland Columbia, SC Chief Resident, 2016-2017 Christopher Mock, DO Emergency Medicine Christus Spohn Memorial Hospital Corpus Christi, TX Chief Resident, 2016-2017 Anna Camille Moreno, DO Family Medicine Ohio State University Medical Center Columbus, OH Chief Resident, 2016-2017 Jonathan Nogueira, DO Emergency Medicine Carilion Clinic Roanoke Memorial Hospital Roanoke, VA Chief resident, 2016-2017

Scott Graupner, DO Internal Medicine Medical College of Georgia Hospital Augusta, GA Chief Resident, 2016-2017 Joshua Hall, DO Family Medicine Carolinas Medical Center Northeast/ Cabarrus Concord, NC Chief Resident, 2015-2016

Bradley Icard, DO Internal Medicine Carilion Clinic Roanoke, VA Chief Resident, 2015-2016

Eric Jenkie, DO Neurology Advocate BroMenn Medical Center Bloomington-Normal, IL Chief Resident, 2016-2017 Riddhi Kothari, DO Psychiatry University Maryland Medical Center/

Sheppard Pratt Baltimore, MD Chief Resident, 2016-2017 Mark Krom, DO Pediatrics Greenville Hospital Systems Greenville, SC Chief Resident, 2016-2017

Aaron Rudd, DO Emergency Medicine York Hospital York, PA Chief Resident, 2016-2017 Margaret Yoder, DO Family Medicine St. Lukes University Hospital Bethlehem, PA Chief Resident, 2016-2017

Kimberly Smith, DO Family Medicine St Vincent Hospital Center Indianapolis, IN Chief Resident, 2016-2017

Romer Orada, DO Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Eastern Virginia Medical Center/Eastern Virginia Medical School Norfolk, VA Chief Resident, 2016-2017

Jacob Bright, DO Family Medicine Eisenhower Army Medical Center

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Class of 2015 The

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Commencement Speakers

Barbara E. Walker, DO, AOA Campus Representative Greetings from the American Osteopathic Association

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Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, President and Provost Remarks

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James F. Wolfe, PhD, President Emeritus Graduation Address

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Jan M. Wilcox, DO, Dean Virginia Campus Conferring of the Degrees

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John G. Rocovich Jr., JD, LLM and Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, presenting Barbara E. Walker, DO, with a Doctor of Humanities and Letters degree.

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ALUMNI – CLASS OF 2015

Class of 2015 Graduates VCOM–Virginia

T he Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) held the commencement ceremony for the Class of 2015 on the morning of Saturday, May 5, 2015, at 10 a.m. The event was located on the Virginia Tech campus in Burruss Hall, where 181 students received their Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree in front of friends and family. President Emeritus James F. Wolfe, PhD, was the esteemed commencement speaker. While serving VCOM, Dr. Wolfe contributed not only his time and efforts, but culminated his career as the president of a medical school with three campuses across the Appalachian region. He saw the original VCOM campus in Blacksburg, Virginia, expand with two additional branch campuses: the VCOM–Carolinas in Spartanburg, South Carolina and VCOM– Auburn in Auburn, Alabama. Throughout the week leading up to commencement, the graduates came back together to celebrate their accomplishments with a class picnic and other activities. Many of the graduates of the Class of 2015 have chosen primary care as their specialty, and will continue to pursue the mission of the College they have attended for the past four years: meeting the needs of rural and medically underserved populations and promoting research to improve human health.

Following the ceremony, a reception at the main VCOM campus was held for graduates and their families.

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Saluting Tomorrow’s Heroes

O n May 4, 2015, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) held its Military Promotion Ceremony for the College’s Uniformed Service Members. Honoring 17 graduates within the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), the ceremony took place on Virginia Tech’s campus in the War Memorial Chapel. Distinguished guests included Ronald Januchowski, DO, VCOM Associate Dean of Curriculum, Assessment and Evaluation on the VCOM–Carolinas campus, and Colonel of the U.S. Army Reserves; Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, VCOM President and Provost; Barbara Walker, DO, U.S. Army (ret), VCOM AOA Campus Representative; and guest speaker Clinton E. Adams, DO, MC, USN (ret), Rear Admiral, US Navy.

Students from this prestigious group will go on to serve in the Navy, Air Force, and Army, with residencies at our nation's military medical centers beginning in the summer of 2015.

ARMY

NAVY AIR FORCE

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Clinton E. Adams, DO, MC, USN (ret)

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Class of 2015 Graduate Awards and Recognitions

BIOMEDICAL AND RESEARCH AWARDS Biomedical Distinguished Scholars Ryan Adam Anderson Kelly Reyna Blend Rachel DeAnn Lantz Adam Stephen Richardson Anthony Wilson Staples Amber Lynn Valeri Research Scholars John Andrew Bates – Focal Adhesion and Cytoskeletal Changes Following Traumatic Brain Injury Brian Joseph Dessify – Adverse Effects of Quaternary Ammonium Disinfectant Exposre in Mice Aaron Samuel Frey - Focal Adhesion and Cytoskeletal Changes Following Traumatic Brain Injury Alyson Virginia Snyder – Appalachian Research Initiatives in Environmental Sciences – Community Diabetes Prevalance and Risk Factor Analysis Joshua David Stodghill – Standardized Review of the Mechanism of Action of the Levonorgetrel 20 ug Intrauterine Device Andrew Jeffrey Wilhelm – Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment for Chronic Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction

Internal Medicine Rohini Manaktala Kari Lynn McCoy Stephen Dominic Pupillo

Shivani Rani Gupta Catherine Elizabeth Hansing Christopher D. Hapner Jacob Lance Heath Paul Joseph Heese Matthew Alan Henry Manuel Eulysses Izquierdo Caitlyn Boyd de Kanter Robert Scott King Rachel Lantz Mary Elizabeth Lindberg Stephanie Mirife Lorenzo Kellyn Schlesinger Malloy Rachel Nicole Mansfield Kari Lynn McCoy Caitlin Michelle Mlynarek Mario Edil Montalvo Shirin Jafari-Namin Jennie Michelina Olympio Stephen Ross O’Neil Chandee Leigh Payne Adam Stephen Richardson Anthony Wilson Staples Erinda Stefi Joshua David Stodghill Sara Moghaddam -Taaheri Joanna Beth Tilley Amber Lynn Valeri Eric Klass Van Staalduinen Andrew Jeffrey Wilhelm

Obstetrics & Gynecology Michael Kelly Brown Mary Elizabeth Lindberg Pediatrics Jennifer Moore Kuhblank Mary Elizabeth Lindberg Lamson Dang Nguyen Psychiatry Jana Lauren MacKercher Erin Kathleen Morrison Mindy Beth Tyree Surgery Catherine Michele Frakes Rohini Manaktala Dwayne David North Underserved Care Delayne Adair Allred Shan Robert Fairbanks Dwayne David North Hussein Al-Mohamad Ryan Adam Anderson Elias Joshua Baied Alexandria Maria Bass Briana Mary Beach Kelly Reyna Blend Michael Kelly Brown Daniel Joseph Diaczok David A. Edwards Evan James Edwards Thomas Brett Evely Shan Robert Fairbanks Catherine Michele Frakes SIGMA SIGMA PHI HONOR SOCIETY

DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP AWARDS Student Organization & Committee Presidents Sean Kenton McCoy - American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians Ausma Memon Farooq - American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians American College of Osteopathic Internists - Apurva Ketan Trivedi

DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR AWARDS

Family Medicine David Edwards Robert Scott King Chandee Leigh Payne Geriatrics Shirin Jafari-Namin Stephen Ross O’Neil

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ALUMNI – CLASS OF 2015

DONNA JONES MORITSUGU MEMORIAL AWARD

Mary Elizabeth Lindberg - American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists Shivani R. Gupta - American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians Briana Mary Beach - American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine Michelle Christine Le - Anesthesiology Committee Alyson Virginia Snyder - Bioethics and Humanities in Medicine Committee Clayton Gregory Hearn - Christian Medical and Dental Association Katelynn Schultz Graeme - Cardiology Committee Elaine Margaret Smith - Hispanic Community Medical Outreach Elias Joshua Baied - Infectious Disease Committee Umar Naseef Bin Alam - Medical Society of Virginia Committee Natalie Hogan - Neurology Committee Susan Sudhir Samudre - Operation Smile Committee Marc Philip Gruner - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Committee Jana Lauren MacKercher - Psychiatry Student Organization Ugonna Anthony Onyeagoro - Radiology Committee Ryan Adam Anderson - Student Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons Noah Isadore Wallace - Student National Medical Association Andrew Jeffrey Wilhelm - Student Orthopedic Committee Jamie Leigh Meredith - Student Osteopathic Surgical Association Robert Scott King - Student Osteopathic Medical Association Kyle Matthew Judkins - Student American Academy of Osteopathy Kirsten Joy Madea - Integrative and Complimentary Medicine Committee Prajeena Mainali - VCOM American Medical Women’s Association Margaret Virginia Sorrell - Virginia Rural Health Association Warren Scott Jones - Wilderness Medicine Committee

Hussein Al-Mohamad - Sigma Sigma Phi Honor Society Lawrence Legaspi Carpio - Student Government Association Benjamin Henry Morgan - Virginia Osteopathic Medical Association Committee Thadeus Semenkurr Dapash and Lawrence Legaspi Carpio - Class Presidents

The Student Advocates Association (SAA) provide overall support to the VCOM family and the community. The Donna Jones Moritsugu Award is a national award provided by the American Osteopathic Foundation to the one spouse or family member who has been identified by the school as having demonstrated “Immeasurable support of Family and of the Osteopathic Profession.” Corey Wachob SIDE BY SIDE (CMDA) VOLUNTEER CERTIFICATE Sarah King

HONOR CODE COUNCIL Aaron Samuel Frey Stuart William Glass Ashly Michele Gottschalk Paul Joseph Heese Noah Isadore Wallace Joshua David Stodghill, chair. Stephanie Mirife Lorenzo, vice chair.

STUDENT AMBASSADORS Delayne Adair Allred Erika Marie Baardsen Austin Todd Bailey

HEALTH PROFESSIONS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Alexandria Maria Bass Megan Naomi Beaton Larry Legaspi Carpio Thomas Brett Evely Shan Robert Fairbanks Aaron Samuel Frey

AIR FORCE Ryan Adam Anderson Juliana Lyn Hellmann Matthew Alan Henry

Andrew Christian Luxhoj Hudson Taylor McGinnis Dwight McCann Robertson ARMY Austin Todd Bailey Caitlyn Boyd de Kanter Jacob Lance Heath Paul Joseph Heese John Jacob Hussell Kenneth Ray McArtan, II

Jonathan Marshall Garber Katelynn Schultz Graeme Ashley Michele Gottschalk David Hanna Catherine Elizabeth Hansing Shirin Jafari-Namin David Albert Janerich Robert Scott King Jennifer Moore Kuhblank Sean Kenton McCoy Jamie Leigh Meredith Dwayne David North Stephen Ross O’Neil Summer Nicole Rochester Joshua David Stodghill Joanna Beth Tilley Brittany Lynne van Staalduinen

Sean Kenton McCoy Jamie Leigh Meredith Aaron Poch

NAVY Rehan Dawood Catherine Elizabeth Hansing

Noah Isadore Wallace Daniel Paul Williams

NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE CORPS SCHOLARSHIP Sheridan Latoya Major Jonathan Stephen Pierce Hope Morgan Staton Joanna Beth Tilley Ida Panta Tuwatananurak

SPORTS MEDICINE FELLOWS Mina DeMarco Audra Ramsey

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Class of 2016 The

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Commencement Speakers

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

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Barbara E. Walker, DO, AOA Campus Representative Greetings from the American Osteopathic Association

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Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, President and Provost Remarks

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William G. Anderson, DO, AOA Former President and Former Associate Director for Medical Education at Detroit Riverview Hospital Graduation Address

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Jan M. Wilcox, DO, Dean Virginia Campus Conferring of the Degrees

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ALUMNI – CLASS OF 2016

Class of 2016 Graduates VCOM–Virginia

O n Saturday, May 6, 2016, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)–Virginia campus in Blacksburg, Virginia held its Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2016 in Burruss Hall on the Virginia Tech campus. A total of 177 students graduated from VCOM with the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Over two thousand family members, friends and fellow VCOM faculty, staff and students were in attendance at the ceremony. A Military Promotion Ceremony was held on the morning of Friday, May 5, 2016, at the War Memorial Chapel on the Virginia Tech the campus in Blacksburg. Six students from the Class of 2016 were honored in this ceremony for their commitment to serving as physicians in the United States Armed Services, and each received the oath of office during the event. The VCOM–Virginia Class of 2016 has a bright future ahead. Graduates moved forward into residency placements throughout the country. Many of the graduates of the Class of 2016 have chosen primary care as their specialty, and will continue to pursue the mission of the College they have attended for the past four years: meeting the needs of rural and medically underserved populations and promoting research to improve human health. Throughout the week leading up to commencement, the graduates came back together to celebrate their accomplishments with a class picnic and other activities. Following the ceremony, a reception at the main VCOM campus was held for graduates and their families.

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Saluting Tomorrow’s Heroes

O n May 5, 2016, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) held its Military Promotion Ceremony for the College’s Uniformed Service Members. Honoring six graduates within the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), the ceremony took place on Virginia Tech’s campus in the War Memorial Chapel. Distinguished guests included Kenneth Schor, DO, VCOM Director of Epidemiology, Preventive Medicine, and Public Health, and Captain in the U.S. Navy (ret); Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, VCOM President and Provost; John G. Rocovich Jr., JD, LLM, VCOM Chairman of the Board; and guest speaker Ronald R. Blanck, Lieutenant General US Army (ret).

Students from this prestigious group will go on to serve in the Navy, Air Force, and Army, with residencies beginning this summer.

ARMY

NAVY

AIR FORCE

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Ronald R. Blanck, Lieutenant General US Army (ret)

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Guest speaker Dorothy McAuliffe, First Lady of Virginia

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Class of 2016 Graduate Awards and Recognitions

BIOMEDICAL AND RESEARCH AWARDS Biomedical Distinguished Scholars Jared Dyer Kaitlin Plummer Ryan Spiardi Research Scholars Craig Garofola - The effect of quaternary ammonium compounds on murine axial skeletal development Mana Lazzarotto - Chia Seeds as a Means of Increasing HDL Cholesterol Thomas Taber - Economic impact of fluctuating coal production in counties in Appalachian southwest Virginia Lionel Thomas - Effect of gadolinium-doped cerium oxide nanoparticle in Drosophila and Effect of Cerium oxide nanoparticles in a Drosophila model of stroke. Jenna Warehime - Breast feeding, weaning foods and parasite transmission in infants and children in Honduras MARDEN RESEARCH AWARD IN WOMEN’S HEALTH The Patricia A. Marden Women’s Health Award recognizes excellence in the student development of original research in the area of women’s health. Papers are selected based upon the research and creative effort that are best directed toward advancing the knowledge of practitioners and the health of women. Jenna Warehime STUDENT OF THE REGION AWARD Meredith Borza......................... Eastern Virginia Jennifer Bustamante ............................... Miami Ruth Cho.............................................. Bluefield Mariam Faris ...................................... Salisbury Courtney Farmer............................Clinch Valley Jennifer Harris................................Carilion NRV Jessica Hovancik ........................South Boston Sarah Kollar ..................................Clinch Valley Blake Lowe.............................................Norton

Surgery Jonathan Bryant Andre Cole Michaela Lamonde Thong Nguyen Underserved Care Steven Murphy Sahba Oboudiyat Thuy Pham

Kaitlin Plummer...................................Abingdon Ronald Potocki III...............................Wytheville Blair Ryland .............................. Roanoke Valley Nina Sabzevari ...........Lewis Gale Montgomery Lauren Solometo ..................................Augusta Ryan Spiardi.......................................... Danville Erin Smith.........................................Morganton Emily Staples...................................Fayetteville Kai Turner.............................................Farmville Christopher Waggoner........... EAMC - Alabama

SIGMA SIGMA PHI HONOR SOCIETY

DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR AWARDS

Matthew Allen Meredith Atkins

Family Medicine Steven Foster Craig Garofola Sarah Minter Geriatrics Matthew Allen Hillary Simon Brooke Wehausen Internal Medicine Kaitlin Plummer Gabrielle Lee Sabino Peter P. Staiano

Lauren Bixler Monica Borza Christopher Brancker Meghan Brunswick Jonathan Bryant Andre Cole Theresa Durchhalter Jared Dyer Derek Fikse Kathryn Foutch Zulma Garcia Craig Garofola Melissa Gillen Jennifer Harris Jonathan Hillyard Camille Hodges Katherine Holland Jessica Hovancik Lindsay Kasson Sofia Markee Adam Murphy Matthew O'Reilly Anna Orlando Chelsea Park Cassandra Phillips Kaitlin Plummer Aryn Rooney Macy Rupprecht Gabrielle Sabino Christine Santayana Megan Anton Kelsey Largen Skye Lu

Obstetrics & Gynecology Meredith Atkins

Hillary Simon Laurel Slough Jenna Warehime

Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Clay Matthew Hoerig

Sarah Ann Minter Hillary Lynn Simon

Pediatrics Megan Anton Matthew Allen Ronald Potocki III Psychiatry Amar Mukhtar Cassandra Phillips Macy Rupprecht

Asim Shabbir Jordan Shively

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ALUMNI – CLASS OF 2016

DONNA JONES MORITSUGU MEMORIAL AWARD

Nnamdi Gwacham - Student Orthopedic Committee Steven Murphy - Student Osteopathic Surgical Association Michaela Lamonde - Student Osteopathic Medical Association Hillary Simon - Student American Academy of Osteopathy Tina Joseph - VCOM American Medical Women’s Association Lindsey Peller - Virginia Rural Health Association Derek Fikse - Wilderness Medicine Committee Jonathan Hillyard - Sigma Sigma Phi Honor Society Bryan Yost - Student Government Association Lauren Bixler - Class President

Hillary Simon Erin Smith Lauren Solometo Ryan Spiardi Emily Staples Charles Teixeira Andria Wallen Laura Tilman Grace Whiteley

The Student Advocates Association (SAA) provide overall support to the VCOM family and the community. The Donna Jones Moritsugu Award is a national award provided by the American Osteopathic Foundation to the one spouse or family member who has been identified by the school as having demonstrated “Immeasurable support of Family and of the Osteopathic Profession.” Justin Bixler SIDE BY SIDE (CMDA) VOLUNTEER CERTIFICATE Britt Bryant Rachel Doyle

Daniel Worrell Joanna Young Kimberly Zins

DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP AWARDS Student Organization & Committee Presidents Christopher Lundberg - American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians Steven Foster - American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians Logan Rhea - American College of Osteopathic Internists Zulma Garcia - American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists Sarah Kollar - American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians Philip Harris - American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine Ryan Militana - Anesthesiology Committee Joanna Young - Bioethics and Humanities in Medicine Committee Lucas Wilmore - Christian Medical and Dental Association Lauren Solometo - Cardiology Committee Jennifer Bustamante - Hispanic Community Medical Outreach Mana Lazzarotto - Geriatric Committee Arah Robbins - Infectious Disease Committee Erin Smith - Integrative and Complimentary Medicine Committee Arshad Ali - Medical Society of Virginia Committee Chelsea Park - Neurology Committee Anna Orlando - Operation Smile Committee Nina Sabzevari - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Committee Cassandra Phillips - Psychiatry Student Organization Jessica Nazzaro - Radiology Committee Monica Borza - Student Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons Tiffany Garrett - Student National Medical Association

STUDENT AMBASSADORS Yasir Abdul-Rahman Meg Anton Meredith Atkins Lindsay Bliss Jessica Dietter Jared Dyer

HONOR CODE COUNCIL Bradley Birth Macy Rupprecht

Sarah Salama Lucas Wilmore Bryan Yost

Steve Foster Melissa Gillen Sonul Gulati

Thomas Taber, Chair Kai Turner, Vice Chair

Jonathan Hillyard Camille Hodges Katie Holland Scottie Hurley Grayson Jordan Chase King Blake Lowe Kelsey Madsen Assad Munis Andrea Nachreiner Brownhilda Ngwang Matthew O’Reilly Tosin Oladeinde

HEALTH PROFESSIONS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

AIR FORCE Sarah Carroll

ARMY Joseph Cederberg Jochen Granja Vasquez Bradley Ray

NAVY Monica Borza Matthew O’Reilly

Arah Robbins Sarah Salama Jordan Shiveley Emily Staples Charles Teixeira Kai Turner Chris Waggoner Jenna Warehime

NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE CORPS SCHOLARSHIP Jennifer Bustamante Amar Mukhtar Brownhilda Ngwang Macy Rupprecht Sarah Anne Stokes

SPORTS MEDICINE FELLOWS Jennifer Albrecht, DO

Lindsay Call, DO Jos Edison, DO Mark Rolfs, DO

THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES CORPS STUDENT TO SERVICE AWARD Blake Lowe Kai Turner

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Giles County, Virginia 68

Current Students T he Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

(VCOM)—Virginia is a four year medical school in Christiansburg, Virginia that offers the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. Students at VCOM frequently state that they were drawn to the College’s mission to prepare globally-minded, community focused physicians for rural and medically underserved areas, and to improve human health especially of those most in need. through the College’s curriculum, outreach opportunities, student organizations, and culture of sharing in education, are able to turn this desire into a lifelong mission of serving the underserved. VCOM students express a desire to help others, and

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About our Students Virginia Campus

Students from Virginia Colleges & Universities

Current Students

Students by Gender Matriculated Classes of 2016-2019

Classes of 2007-2019

Matriculated Classes of 2016-2019

Female 52%

715 612 161

Virginia Carolinas Auburn

Current Students 1488

Male 48%

* (1st year)

Graduate Certi cate Pre-med students

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Classes of 2007-2019

Meeting Our Mission

73 %

of the Class of 2016 have placed in Primary Care residencies

66 %

Ethnic Diversity

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

Matriculated Classes of 2016-2019

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

16 % Average Underrepresented Minority Classes of 2007-2019

67 %

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

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

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STUDENTS

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

New Hampshire

Vermont

Wisconsin

New York

Michigan

Massachusetts

Connecticut

Pennsylvania

New

Ohio

Indiana

Illinois

Maryland

Jersey

Delaware

West Virginia

Kentucky

VCOM Virginia

Appalachian Counties Locations in Appalachian States (1960) VCOM–Virginia Student Home

Virginia

North Carolina

Tennessee

VCOM Carolinas

South Carolina

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

Georgia

VCOM Auburn

Mississippi

Alabama

Florida

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

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Class Motto Together we stand as a family of purpose and vision.With open and holistic approach, we honor the tenets of our profession through humble service as the core element of our leadership. We extend hands that never hurt and hearts that never harden to our patients both locally and abroad.

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Class of 2017 STUDENTS

Class Officers President: Jacob Moyer

Vice President: Stephanie Green Secretary/Treasurer: Karen Shou Class Size 187 Gender 53% of the class is female 47% is male Age Average age upon matriculation is 24 Minority 13% are underrepresented minority 29% are from multicultural backgrounds Residence 86 students are from Virginia 154 students are from an Appalachian state

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Class Motto We, as a united family of compassionate spirits, commit to improving quality of life by educating, empowering, and serving local and global communities. We dedicate our lives to preserving the osteopathic tradition by using the healing power of touch and fostering wellness in the mind, body and spirit.

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Class of 2018 STUDENTS

Class Officers President: Scotty Fulton Vice President: Amelia Morgan Secretary/Treasurer: Priyanka Ramsinghani Class Size 186 Gender 53% of the class is female 47% is male Age Average age upon matriculation is 24 Minority 14% are underrepresented minority 33% are from multicultural backgrounds Residence 91 students are from Virginia 163 students are from an Appalachian state

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