SWAGÊÓƵ

Ten years ago, when Gunnar Brolinson, DO, launched VCOM’s first-ever research retreat, he didn’t know that the retreat would continue to grow—just as the College itself has. Yet, with the help of many hands across the last decade, the College recently hosted its 10th retreat, welcoming researchers from all four campuses, plus partners including government agencies, universities, and more.

Gunnar Brolinson, DO, VCOM’s vice president for research, is the principal investigator on a research project that has recently been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

SWAGÊÓƵPartners with Samaritan Health Clinic to Provide Expanded Primary Care Services in Pickens County, SC

When Hurricane Helene ravaged the southeastern United States, media attention and relief efforts largely focused on the devastation in major cities like Asheville, North Carolina. But for the small, rural town of Burnsville, less than an hour away, the damage was just as severe, if not worse.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, our community has been left reeling. The storm's destruction has been far-reaching, with lives tragically lost and thousands of homes and businesses severely damaged. The road to recovery will be long and filled with challenges, as we confront the reality of rebuilding both physical spaces and the spirits of those affected. Amidst the devastation, the SWAGÊÓƵfamily is humbled and deeply grateful for the ways we have been able to assist, providing relief in the face of such overwhelming loss.

In what has become an annual honor, VCOM’s work to build a richly diverse community has again been recognized by INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine.  

VCOM-Louisiana's Class of 2027 held a Donor Memorial Ceremony to honor their anatomy donors on Sept. 30, 2024. An Anatomy Donor Symposium preceded the ceremony. Students presented posters on their first patient—their anatomy donor—summarizing the invaluable lessons each group learned while working with their donor cadaver during the past year’s anatomy curriculum. After the symposium, awards were presented for best poster and outstanding dissection before the Donor Memorial Ceremony.

Lin Kang, PhD., assistant professor and director for biostatistics at VCOM-Louisiana, embarked on the intricate task of translating and reviewing Inner Logic of Life: Understanding the Origins and Evolution of Life from the Perspective of Complex System, originally written in Chinese by renowned biologist Qichang Fan.

Sept. 3, 2024, Vero Beach, Fla. – The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) and the Indian River County Hospital District, in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, have reached an agreement that will bring a SWAGÊÓƵeducational facility to Indian River County.

The VCOM-Carolinas campus was filled with excitement and vibrant colors as 151 participants rallied for the VIVA! Color Run 2024 on Saturday, August 17! Runners, walkers and dancers of all ages and fitness levels from the SWAGÊÓƵcommunity, St. Luke’s and beyond joined forces for a morning of fun, fitness and philanthropy. The event successfully brought together not only SWAGÊÓƵand St. Luke’s members but also participants from the broader Spartanburg community. 

Jack Golder has a long-standing passion for emergency and wilderness medicine. In Charleston, where he studied public health at the College of Charleston, Jack served as an advanced emergency medicine technician, putting his skills to work for a 911 system as well as an ocean rescue organization.

Gwenn Jackson, MD, VCOM-Louisiana's OB/GYN discipline chair, recently returned from a transformative medical mission trip to Chembolet, Kenya. This community of 6,000 in northwest Kenya welcomed Dr. Jackson and her medical team as they provided crucial medical care over the course of a week.

All physicians are required to continue to advance their medical education throughout their careers, ensuring they are up to date on current understanding and practices in medicine. The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) is committed to providing its teaching faculty and alumni, and others, with a variety of opportunities to gain Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits. 

Obesity is a growing health crisis affecting nearly 20% of the global adult population. It is associated with increased severity of infections, reduced responses to vaccines and increased risk for autoimmune disease. Further, it is a factor in major metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiovascular disease. Despite the widespread nature of obesity, however, the mechanisms underlying obesity-associated immune system dysfunction are poorly understood.

Faith Baxter is the first person in the VCOM-Carolinas Class of 2027 to be published, but her appearance in the national SOMA Research publication, The Future DO, is not your typical research project.