On Sept. 22, 2023, the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons (ACOS) held their annual gathering in Chicago. Ray Morrison, DO, FACOS, VCOM-Louisiana’s founding dean, dean emeritus and associate vice president for college development and advancement for the Louisiana region, was named a distinguished fellow by ACOS President Kristen Conrad-Schnetz, DO, FACOS.
At the recent Osteopathic Medical Education (OMED) Conference in Orlando, Florida, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine family celebrated as one of their students, Zach Simmons ’25, was named the recipient of the American Osteopathic Foundation’s (AOF) Golden Ticket Scholarship, resulting in a $20,000 educational scholarship.
On Sept. 15, our second-year medical students at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)-Auburn, marked a significant milestone in their Preventive Medicine curriculum as they presented their inaugural Community Research Projects. Working under the direction of Dr. Mayra Rodriguez, Discipline Chair of Preventive Medicine, the students collaborated with various community members to develop their health education initiatives. Our students showcased their work in a poster presentation session, giving members of the community and faculty/staff VCOM-Auburn a chance to celebrate the student’s commitment to research and the enhancement of community health.
Kirksville, Missouri, is familiar to anyone who studies osteopathic medicine because it is the home of A.T. Still University, the first osteopathic medical school. But that isn’t the town’s only claim to fame! It is also home to Jan Willcox, DO, FAOCFP-dist., longtime dean of the VCOM-Virginia campus and one of the longest serving SWAGƵfaculty members.
SWAGƵhas observed the unfolding story of violence occurring in Israel and the Middle East, including the loss of human life, and we are concerned about all within our campus community whom this violence has impacted.
Today, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) received the 2023 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education.
As an osteopathic medical college, SWAGƵis committed to improving rural health by educating physicians who are dedicated to the specific needs of these special communities. We also know that rural primary care medicine offers a unique and fulfilling path for healthcare professionals, bringing with it a set of positive aspects that enrich both the practitioners and the communities they serve. While challenges may exist, the rewards of rural practice contribute to a sense of purpose and community impact.
As our population ages, the demand for specialized healthcare for seniors has never been more critical. Geriatric medicine physicians play a pivotal role in addressing the unique healthcare needs of the elderly within the realm of primary care. These specialized practitioners bring a wealth of knowledge and skills that are essential for promoting the well-being of older adults.
In the realm of primary care, the marriage of sports medicine and healthcare creates a powerful alliance that goes beyond the athletic field. As an integral part of comprehensive healthcare, sports medicine in primary care not only addresses the unique needs of athletes but also promotes overall wellness, preventive care and swift recovery for individuals of all ages.
Watching their child die, especially from a preventable condition, is a parent’s worst nightmare. When Angel and George Mueller’s 18-year-old son, Dillon, died from a previously unknown allergy to bees, they knew they had to do something to spare other families the same experience. That’s why they launched the Dillon Mueller Memorial Fund, which provides free training on the use of epinephrine autoinjectors and scholarships for high school seniors looking to further their education. They also advocate for loosening the prescription requirements to access an autoinjector.
On Jan. 28, 2012, the incomplete skeletal remains of a small child were discovered in the woods next to a mobile home community in Opelika. At the time, the remains were sent to the FBI for anthropological examination and genetic testing. Once they received a report, the Opelika Police Department (OPD) reached out to the public for help to identify this unknown child, dubbed “Baby Jane Doe.” Based on this original examination and subsequent additional tests, they sought to put a name to a young Black girl, approximately 4-to-7 years old, who had suffered from multiple broken bones at the time she died. There were no leads on her identity, and the case remained unsolved.
In October, Ronald Januchowski, DO, FACOFP, will begin his tenure as dean of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)-Virginia campus.
At the 2023 Student National Medical Association (SNMA) Annual Medical Education Conference (AMEC), VCOM–Louisiana student Torhiana Haydel ‘24, MHA, was appointed health policy and legislative affairs co-chair.
On June 21, 2023, SWAGƵPresident Dixie Tooke-Rawlins DO, announced that several members of the SWAGƵfamily would be promoted to better serve the college and its students, faculty and staff.
The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)-Virginia Campus has launched a new award honoring the Outstanding Clinical Faculty of the Year. The winner of the inaugural award is David G. Harden, DO, VCOM’s discipline chair for osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) and an associate professor for OMM and family medicine.
Each spring, physicians from across Louisiana join together at the state capitol for White Coat Wednesday. This event, led locally by the Louisiana State Medical Society, provides an opportunity for physicians to interact with legislators and advocate for the medical profession.
Graduation week festivities reached a crescendo in Neville Arena on Saturday, May 13, 2023, as 147 members of the VCOM-Auburn Class of 2023 were awarded their Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degrees. An exceptionally enthusiastic crowd cheered students on as they crossed the stage to be ceremoniously hooded by campus Dean Heath Parker, DO.
