RVUCOM - January 2019 Issue by Rocky Vista University

Award Winning Newsletter

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AACOM

VISTA VIEW

January 2019 Newsletter

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RVU Celebrates the

Season of Giving Inside: Holiday Parties Across Campuses

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RVU Highlights the Necessity of Research in Medicine

Days of Diversity Kicks Off...

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Page 15

Students, faculty, and staff learn the art of Bhangra dancing, led by Harmonjot Singh, OMS II, at Days of Diversity

Table of Contents 4

RVU Celebrates the Season of Giving

Get Fit Friday Begins at RVUCOM-SU

Holiday Parties Across Campuses

Equality for COMLEX and USMLE: My Experience

Honoring Veterans in the RVU Community

RVU Highlights the Necessity of Research in Medicine

RVU Launches Employee Value Proposition

Campus Tidbits

Get to Know RVU Staff

Research and Grants

Achieving New Heights

Welcome to Our New Faculty and Staff

From the RVU Alumni Association

Winding Down the Year at Chill Fest

RVUCOM-SU Holds Airline Medical Emergency Simulation

RVU Performs Obstetrics Drill at Mass Casualty Training

Days of Diversity Kicks Off with Cultural Flavors and Dances

Want to see even more photos from each RVU event? Visit our Facebook pages at: www.facebook.com/RockyVistaUniversity www.facebook.com/RockyVistaUniversitySouthernUtah

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Value of Core Values: Why we D.O. what we D.O. by Clinton E. Adams, DO, FACHE, President and CEO

Happy New Year and welcome to the challenges that always brings. In Jim Collins book, Good to Great, he reminds us that when previously outstanding companies begin to fail, their path to recovery is rediscovering their founders values Mission and Vision. As a young University, we can say we are not failing. Indeed, we continue to soar. As President, I believe it is my great responsibility to keep us aligned with the Founder's vision. Achieving New Heights in Medical Education requires a commitment to our core values. Over the next several issues of Vista View, I would like to review those core values. The Rocky Vista University Mission Statement includes three of the core values: compassion, integrity, and excel-

lence. Our definitions of those values should be at the tip of our tongues. Compassion is the willingness to be engaged with the needs of others. Integrity is the quality of living a unified life in which one's convictions are well considered and match one's actions, demonstrating fairness, honesty, sincerity, professionalism, and the constant commitment to our mission, vision, and values. Excellence is the commitment to exceed expectations in education. We are what we believe we can become!

Always Dance with the One That Brung Ya by Thomas N. Told, DO, FACOFP, dist., Dean and CAO, Vice President of Academic Affairs There is an old saying that "blood makes you related, but loyalty makes you family." We all have our reasons for choosing to hitch our lives and careers to this osteopathic family by being educated at a College of Osteopathic Medicine and working to earn the DO degree. To some, it may have been the only path open for them to become a physician. To others, it was the holistic philosophy of mind, body, spirit and letting the body do most of the healing. While still others, it was a generational expectation to follow in a close family member’s footsteps. Whatever the reason—be it good or bad, plausible or implausible, right or wrong—we are all related by a common bond of philosophy, training, and most importantly, the knowledge that a group of experts in an osteopathic college saw traits in us that told them we would make good osteopathic physicians. Only a small portion of those who apply are ever given a recommendation from the committee and validation by the Dean to attend. That support secured for us a ticket into a “by invitation only” profession—without which all of our accomplishments and academic records would have been for naught (and possibly would have sent us on a different pathway). We owe them much for their insight, vote of support, and trust.

as well as in difficult times.

President Ronald Reagan recognized the importance of supporting those who supported you. Being the great communicator, he recalled the lyrics from a song in the 1920s by Darrell Royal which counseled to "always dance with the one that brung ya." President Reagan reminded us (with a simple but powerful metaphor) just how important it is to stand and support the ones that stood with you in triumph,

Turning one's back on the osteopathic family may have seemed justified in times past when our profession was smaller and fighting for equal recognition, educational equivalency, practice rights, and insurance payment. That is far from true today, for the grass on our side of the fence

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This is what is meant by "loyalty making us family." It is not just in politics; the public also endorses this behavior (as evidenced by no less than three country music groups that have made songs containing the exact phrase President Reagan recalled from his youth). What better validation of appropriate social behavior than to have country music lyricists turn from cheating hearts, whiskey, and hound dogs...to promoting the principle of always helping those that stood by us through thick and thin? Sure, they did it to sell recordings but it rings true with all of us and they know it. In my experience, those who still choose to ignore this principle do so for perceived benefits of improved social station, enhanced career opportunities, or increased remuneration they feel by following a different path may bring. In doing so, they risk losing many of the traits that made them unique and valued as members of their original family.

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RVU Celebrates the Season of Giving Adopt a live angel

The RVU Wellness Committee in Colorado launched their annual Adopt a Live Angel program as part of the University’s Season of Giving. The program provides gifts to children of struggling parents (particularly those within the RVU community) during the holiday season, with a focus on needed clothing items. Angel Cards with each child’s information were made available at the Security desk for faculty and staff to anonymously sponsor a child. Once the gifts were wrapped, they were placed under the holiday tree for parents to collect. This year, there were 38 children who benefited from the Adopt a Live Angel program.

Santa and Elves at Dixie Regional Hospital

The RVUCOM-SU Pediatrics Club brought the spirit of the holiday season to the children at Dixie Regional Hospital with their Santa and Elves service project. The club split up into two teams to achieve their goal of delivering the gifts on each child's wishlist in a timely and joyful manner. Jonathan Brick, OMS II, donned a Santa costume while fellow classmates dressed as Santa's elves. The elves—Emily Jensen, OMS II; Valentina Bonnefil, OMS I; Sean O’Shaughnessy, OMS II; and Kate Dubrouskaya, OMS I— visited each child and collected their Christmas wish lists, while the second team stationed at Target bought and wrapped the presents. Once all the gifts were ready, Santa paid a visit to each child and delivered their gift.

feminine Hygiene drive for kenyans

In preparation for their upcoming trip to Kenya, the Global Medicine Track in Colorado launched a feminine hygiene drive during the 2018 holiday season. After traveling to Kenya for a surgery rotation (see page 13 for more about their trip), Kiara Blough, OMS III, and Krysta Sutyak, OMS III, were inspired to establish a service project that focused on rural women and their need for basic feminine hygiene products. During the drive, RVUers donated tampons, pads, feminine hygiene wipes, soaps, shampoos, and conditioners. At the completion of the drive, the student doctors organized the donations into small kits that will be handed out at various health fairs during the trip to Kenya.

The giving tree

On December 17th, RVUCOM-SU students delivered gifts to the homes of families in neighboring St. George as part of their end-of-year service project. The Giving Tree project was developed last year by the Medical Students Advocating for Underprivileged Populations (MSAUP) Club with the goal of reaching families in the community that do not qualify for other holiday gift programs. Switchpoint, a local homeless shelter, and Root for Kids, an organization that provides resources to underserved populations in Washington County, partnered with MSAUP to identify underprivileged families and children. An ornament with each child’s name was placed on the Christmas tree for students to select. For any child not selected from the tree, MSAUP used club funds to sponsor their gifts. The Giving Tree project also supplied gift wrapping paper, tape, and scissors to each family to allow the parents to wrap the gifts and participate in the gift-giving process. In all, 69 children were included in the program this year.

OBGYN Club Feminine Hygiene drive

Clare Rudman, OMS II, was first inspired to initiate a feminine hygiene drive on the Southern Utah Campus when she learned that homeless women and girls are in desperate need of feminine hygiene supplies, which are rarely donated to shelters. The drive quickly became SD Rudman’s

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passion project after introducing it at a meeting for the OBGYN Club at the start of the fall semester. SwitchPoint and YouthFutures, two shelters located in St. George, expressed great need for feminine hygiene items and readily partnered with the student doctors. The drive supplied the two shelters with a generous donation of these much-needed items and raised awareness of the stigma and "awkwardness" associated with menstrual products.

charity with the mission to "provide love, a sense of security, warmth, and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer ‘blanketeers.'"

Family Medicine Club Clothing drive

In just one week, the donation bin for the Family Medicine Club’s clothing drive in Colorado was overflowing with items. Donations were collected at the end of the semester on December 17th and given to the Help and Hope Center (formerly the Douglas-Elbert Task Force). The center provides assistance to those who are in serious economic need and at risk of homelessness, while addressing immediate needs by providing food and other necessities. The drive was organized by Ross Tanick, OMS I, who was inspired after volunteering at a food/clothing bank and community center in Westminster. "I saw the impact that people volunteering could have on a lot of families," said SD Tanick. "A big thank you to everyone who donated clothes—we had way more donations that I predicted!"

Footsteps of angels

The Season of Light officially kicked off on the Southern Utah campus with the Footsteps of Angels program. The gift program sought to provide new shoes to students from Red Mountain Elementary School who attend school with shoes that are duct-taped or are several sizes too small (roughly one-fourth of the students who attend the school are at or below the poverty line). This was the second year that RVUCOM-SU partnered with the elementary school. To bring them joy during the holiday season and for the New Year, students, faculty and staff at RVUCOM-SU picked a tag with a child’s name on it from the Footsteps of Angels Tree. Those who chose to sponsor a child purchased shoes suitable for outdoor recreation, which were then delivered to Red Mountain in mid-December. Altogether, 100 pairs of shoes were delivered to the children.

SOMA Winter blanket drive

Following another packed week of tests, standardized patient encounters, and OMT competencies, 20 first- and second-year students came together to make blankets for the Winter Blanket Drive. Organized by RVUCOM-SU’s Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) chapter and funded by a SOMA fall fundraiser, the event was part of the National SOMA Region V Community Development initiative. Students worked diligently: matching fleece patterns and colors, lining them up on tables, and cutting strips where the blankets would be tied together. "Even though winter starts a bit later here in Ivins, these blankets will keep those less fortunate warm," said Kat Forneris, OMS I. The blankets were then donated to Project Linus, a national

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Holiday Parties Across Campuses

Holiday Parties

Colorado

RVU-CO employees gathered at the Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club on December 14th in celebration of the holiday season. Upon entering the ballroom, faculty and staff received tickets to exchange for the chance to win one of several exciting raffle prizes, carefully selected by the Holiday Committee. Prizes included a gift card for Southwest Airline tickets (one of the most popular prizes), a hot air balloon ride for two, various gift cards, and a Fitbit. Andrew Stevens, Security Supervisor and Clery Act Coordinator (and the afternoon's emcee), also donated two wooden cutting boards he had hand-crafted as raffle prizes; these were paired with Kneaderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bakery gift baskets. During the holiday party, employees were given two opportunities to donate to worthy causes. They could bring a toy to donate to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, which is part of a larger effort by the U.S. Marine Corps to provide a tangible sign of hope to less fortunate children during the holiday season. Winners of the aforementioned raffles were also given an extra ticket that they could gift to one of three charities: Joshua Station, Parker Task Force/Food Bank, or Eagle Academy Alternative High School. The Holiday Committee matched the cost of the prize and donated the money to the selected charity. Joshua Station is a program that empowers families to overcome homelessness by providing transitional housing, counseling, skill development, educational support, and parenting guidance. Parker Task Force/Food Bank provides food, limited financial assistance, and support services to help individuals and families become self-sufficient. Eagle Academy Alternative High School is dedicated to serving the needs of high school students who require an alternative path to earning a high school diploma. Led by the Original Dickens Carolers, RVU-CO faculty and staff played a 12 Days of Christmas game in which each table was assigned a verse from the famous song and asked to perform a corresponding gesture. This resulted in groups of people mimicking boisterous French hens, hunters taking aim at partridges, and energetic "lords" who leapt around the room. The table with the most spirited or creative gesture was awarded the prize of gift cards for each group member.

Jodie Wang won a photography package from Little Treasures Photography

Dennis Kinder, Jennifer Badolato, and Beatriz Linn prepared to be "10 lords a-leaping" during the 12 Days of Christmas game

George Marsh and Chandra Blethen posed with Santa Claus

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Southern Utah

On December 17th, RVUCOM-SU held their holiday luncheon at the Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club. At the front of the room, a variety of raffle prizes were on display including gift cards to restaurants, Apple Air Pods, Tuacahn Gift Certificates, a Google home device, and gift baskets. RVUCOM-SU also honored faculty and staff with awards for their service to the University. “We decided that as part of our holiday party that we wanted to both thank and recognize members of the senior team for all they have done and continue to do to help us be successful at RVUCOM-SU,” said Kristine Jenkins, Director of Campus Operations. For his poignant stories, delightful metaphors, and sincere passion for bringing Osteopathic Medicine to rural communities, Thomas N. Told, DO, FACOFP dist., Dean of RVUCOM, received “The Heart of RVU” award. Clinton E. Adams, DO, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, received “The Visionary” award for seeing the need to add innovation to RVU’s values and transforming vision into reality. Honorees also included David Park, DO, FAAFP, FACOFP, Vice President and Dean for the Southern Utah Campus, recipient of the “The Best Damn Ship” award, and Peter Freytag, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, recipient of “The Fiduciary Trust” award. RVUCOM-SU organized a dice game where each person at the table started with three dollars. A dice was rolled to determine whether the money would go to the person on the left, right, or be added to the growing pile in the center of the table. The individual with the last dollar bill then won the jackpot. “To me, the RVU holiday party stands for continued synergy and building relationships,” said Terry Meyer, Security Supervisor for the Southern Utah Campus. As the RVU family continues to grow, the end of the year is the perfect time to reflect on the accomplishments of all and celebrate the opportunities that lie ahead.

Mike Crockett won wireless headphones

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Sarah Nordgran, Kathy Killian-Harmon, and Bryan Walker

Andy Nigh won an Amazon gift card

Honoring Veterans in the RVU Community RVU held the annual Military Appreciation Ceremony to honor military servicepeople in the Parker and Southern Utah communities. The ceremonies were held on October 4th at the Colorado campus and on October 12th at the Southern Utah Veterans Home (SUVH) near the RVUCOM-SU campus. In Colorado, the ceremony began with welcoming remarks from Clinton E. Adams, DO, FACHE, President and CEO of RVU and retired Rear Admiral, and Thomas N. Told, DO, FACOFP dist., Dean of RVUCOM and veteran of the US Army and Coast Guard. Keynote speaker Kit Lavell, Executive Vice President of Strategic Operations, Inc. (STOPS) and former Naval Aviator, gave a history of the founding of STOPS and how it has grown to be one of the most innovative Hyper-Realistic™ training support organizations in the country. Training at the STOPS facility incorporates battlefield special effects, ship simulators, and realistic Emergency Room and Operation Rooms (with observation stations overhead). For 16 years, STOPS has provided training for over 800,000 servicepeople; it has been training RVU military students during Cut Suit Week since 2013. David J. Park, DO, FAAFP, FACOFP, Vice President and Dean for the Southern Utah Campus, and Natalie Pratt, OMS II, began the ceremony at SUVH by welcoming veterans and future military physicians. Ginamarie Foglia, DO, MPH, FACP, gave the keynote address and honored the sacrifice of veterans residing at the home and of military students and faculty present. She also touched upon RVUCOM-SU’s Military Medicine Track and its role in introducing students slated to enter the uniformed services to military medicine. Dr. Foglia speaks to the students and veterans

Both campuses carried out the Missing Man/POW Remembrance Ceremony, a tradition that honors and recognizes the services of those missing in action, taken prisoner, or killed in action. Students approached a candlelit table set with four place settings that represent the branches of the military: Marines, Army, Air Force, and Navy. As the students placed their hats upon the empty plates, guests learned of the significance of the items on the table: a slice of lemon which symbolizes the missing soldier’s bitter fate, a pinch of salt which represents the tears shed by family and loved ones, and an inverted glass set as a reminder of their inability to share in the toast. At the end of the ceremony, guests raised their glasses in honor of those who could not. A special medallion was presented for the first time this year: The Anthony LaPorta Order of Military Excellence award. This was created in honor of Dr. LaPorta, Professor of Clinical Surgery, Course Director of the Military Medicine Track, and retired Colonel in the US Army. Dr. LaPorta has been a crucial part of the development of both the simulation program and the Military Medicine Track at RVU. It is through his collaboration with STOPS that the cut suit has been developed and honed over the years. Additionally, many law enforcement and first responder organizations have benefited from his knowledge and expertise. Dr. Adams presents awards to Mr. Lavell (left) and

Receiving the very first medallion which bears his name, Dr. LaDr. LaPorta (middle) Porta said, "I kept my cool...Admiral Adams [who presented the award] probably didn't realize I was about to cry in front of him and all of my students! I thought of the real hero friends of mine that could not be here: those friends that I supported but who sacrificed so much more than me. Yet I am also blessed with the friendship of my team, David Ross, DO, FACEP [Co-Director of Military Medicine Track], and Deidre McGee [Coordinator for the Military Medicine Track]." Mr. Lavell was also presented with a medallion for his and STOPS' continued dedication to RVU military students. At RVUCOM-SU, Tony Moore, SUVH State Officer, accepted the medallion on behalf of SUVH for its exemplary service to veterans. "We are thrilled to receive this award from RVU," said Mr. Moore. "Our relationship benefits our veteran residents, your medical students, both of our staffs, and the community as a whole."

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Southern Utah Veterans Home Receives National Award Southern Utah Veterans Home (SUVH) was recently ranked number one for the lowest re-hospitalizations among over 15,000 nursing homes nationally, in a study conducted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Re-hospitalization is a measure that reflects the quality of care given to patients when they transfer from each level of care. The reason this measure is important is that it holds these facilities financially responsible if a patient returns to a hospital or emergency room within 30 days of their discharge, ensuring they receive proper care initially. In 2016, several RVU employees—Judy Caldwell, DO, Assistant Professor of Primary Care; David Park, DO, FAAFP, FACOFP, Vice President and Dean of the Southern Utah Campus; and Ben Wilde, DO, Vice Chair and Assistant Professor of Primary Care—began working with SUVH to provide quality health care.

Dr. Park, Dr. Crimin, and Dr. Wilde receive award on behalf of RVU

In 2017, David Crimin, DO, Assistant Professor of Primary Care, accepted the position of Medical Director of SUVH. "My standard is to provide high-quality medication/order reconciliation, comprehensive admitting history, and physical exams within 24 hours of admission," he said. Along with the daily care and ability to treat patients "in-house," SUVH's re-hospitalization rate dropped from 20.3% to less than 4.3%. The national average for re-hospitalizations is currently 13%. "Our clinical faculty work very hard to provide high-quality osteopathic medical care to over a hundred patients at the SUVH and I am thrilled to see that our efforts make such a huge impact," said Dr. Park. "It is great to know that our hard work is measurable and recognized by CMS with this top ranking!"

A Day of Recognition and Remembrance On the Thursday before Veterans Day, students, faculty, and staff of RVU-CO gathered in the front lobby to honor members of the RVU community who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces. Clinton E. Adams, DO, FACHE, President and CEO of RVU and retired Rear Admiral, thanked all who were present and gave remarks on the importance of remembering the sacrifice many have made for their country. Dr. Adams then asked each veteran present to speak about the most memorable part of their service or to say why they chose to serve. Whether it was being inspired by earlier generations or to contribute to their country, all of them agreed that they would not have changed their decision to enlist. Colorado students in the Student Association of Military OsteoVeterans and servicepeople Chuck Leary, George Marsh, pathic Physicians & Surgeons (SAMOPS) Club and from the Class Hannah Douglas, OMS II, Dr. Thomas Told, and Dr. Adams of 2021 Student Council hosted the 2nd Annual Veterans Day 5k Run on November 11th. The event brought together the local community (and their furry companions) to support military members in honor of the national holiday. The race took place at Salisbury Equestrian Park in Parker and was followed by an opportunity to receive osteopathic manipulative treatment. Proceeds from the race were given to the Veterans Community Living Center at Fitzsimmons, a facility located in Aurora that serves veterans, their spouses, and Gold Star parents. The center offers companionship and individualized long-term care, Alzheimer’s care, end-of-life/hospice services, and short-term rehabilitation through specialized therapies.

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RVU Highlights the Necessity of Research in Medicine Research Appreciation Day was more than just a celebration of the innovative research students, faculty, and staff have carried out in the past year. In addition to showcasing the projects they have presented at conferences and symposiums, participants initiated compelling discussions with fellow colleagues and classmates during poster sessions, oral research presentations, and plenary talks led by notable guest speakers. On the Colorado campus, the neuroscience-themed event kickedoff with a talk led by Diego Restrepo, PhD, Professor in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. His past research includes developing approaches to image and modulate brain function with the BRAIN Initiative and the Advanced Industries Accelerator Grant and Export program of the State of Colorado. Subsequent plenary talks featured Rebecca Ryznar, PhD, Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology at RVU, and Robert Valuck, PhD, Professor in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy. Dr. Ryznar’s research has been focused on molecular mechanisms of cellular injury and the neurodegeneration following traumatic brain injury, while Dr. Valuck’s work has addressed the opioid overdose epidemic in the United States through the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention. The Southern Utah campus focused on "Celebrating Excellence in Research" for their second Research Appreciation Day. The keynote address was given by Michael Thornton, MS, Chief Technology Officer from Endra Life Sciences, Inc. Prior to joining Endra, Mr. Thornton was the founder of Enhanced Visions Systems Corp., a developer and supplier of medical imaging equipment to the pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic sectors. Attendees networked with colleagues and fellow classmates while exploring the research projects on display. The poster session exhibited abstracts that covered research in several areas: medical education, biomedical, clinical, public health, and epidemiology. The session, along with the oral research presentations later in the day, encouraged collaboration and the exchange of ideas and information.

Mr. Thornton delivers the keynote speech at RVUCOM-SU

Torri Igou, OMS III, and Mary Savarese, OMS II, present their research

Patrick Arpin, OMS II, discusses his research poster

An awards ceremony at the end of the event recognized the research efforts and quality of performances by participants. In Colorado, Tyler Crawley, OMS II, and Haseeb Rahat, OMS I, took home first place awards for their oral research presentation and poster presentation, respectively. In Utah, Fellow Jordan Heser, OMS IV, placed first for his oral research presentation, while Marcus Oliver, OMS II, received the top award for his poster display. Both events concluded with cocktail receptions and hors d’oeuvres.

Lielt Tewolde, OMS II, discusses her research poster with fellow students

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Winding Down the Year at Chill Fest As another hard-fought chapter of medical school and post-graduate studies came to an end, students prepared for the herculean task of studying for their final examinations. To alleviate some of the stress and anxiety during those two weeks, RVU held the week-long Chill Fest event in early December. RVU-CO kicked-off Chill Fest with activities that included free massage sessions from Hand & Stone Massage, quality time with laid-back pups from Denver Pet Partners, and the Sleep Experience, which was designed to "retrain" students in the long-lost art of sleeping. In keeping with the holiday theme, students also had the option to make do-it-yourself gifts for friends and loved ones, such as sugar scrubs scented with essential oils and balloons filled with sand that made for colorful stress balls. After the gifts were created, students wrapped them at the sustainable gift wrapping station. RVUCOM-SU hosted a packed Chill Fest week with activities such as sound therapy meditation by WellFit Zion Health Spa, a DIY trail Steven Pilarski, OMS I, practices the art of sleeping mix station for study snacks, a hot coffee and cocoa bar (courtesy of Melissa Henderson, PhD, Vice Chair of Biomedical Sciences), arm and hand massages by the Skin Institute, a yoga session, and a live performance by Vistas Elementary Honors Orchestra. The week culminated in a Nerf War, part of the Southern Utah Campusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Get Fit Friday Series, followed by the SGA holiday party. Held in the Student Lounge, the party doubled as an ugly Christmas sweater party and incorporated potluck desserts (with a prize for the most mouthwatering sweets), board games, poker, and cookie decorating. Additional chill stations throughout both campuses provided students with creative study breaks that featured RVU puzzles, puzzle balls, coloring books, and Legos. The interactive stations and relaxing activities gave students energy boosts and a mental break from hours of studying. Chill Fest also incorporated wintertime mascots Betty the Yeti and Chilly the Penguin through refreshing giveaways and a fun scavenger hunt.

Students in Colorado put together a puzzle image of their class

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Cam Mecham, OMS II, and Andy Hunt, OMS II, color a mandala

The dogs from the Denver Pet Partners program provided relief from end-of-year exams

RVUCOM-SU Holds Airline Medical Emergency Simulation As part of their global medicine education, students in the Global Medicine Track participated in an Airline Medical Emergency Simulation on October 26th. The Standardized Patient Suite served as the setting for a scenario in which medical emergencies occur onboard a flight, with standardized patients and other "passengers" participating. During two different sessions, nine student doctors treated airline passengers while under the supervision of Mark Wardle, DO, Assistant Professor of Primary Care, and Jan Pryor, DO, MPH, C-NMM/OMM, Vice Chair of the Department of Osteopathic Principles and Practice. Students were presented with difficult cases shortly after "take-off" in a challenging environment with limited resources. They had to utilize effective communication skills, brainstorm what they could reasonably do in the situation, and recommend solutions to the flight crew, including diverting the plane. Challenges ranged from making sure vomit bags were available, locating necessary equipment quickly, administering intravenous therapy, utilizing an automatic external defibrillator, and even dealing with distracting passengers who were taking selfies. "Each group did great Alex Hetrick, OMS II, and Kelly Tichy, OMS II, and found areas in which work together to treat a patient to grow," said Dr. Wardle. "They discovered the importance of staying calm and taking the time to think. Overall, I think this activity has brought the Global Medicine Track to new heights!" After each session, Dr. Wardle and Dr. Pryor evaluated the students and debriefed them on their performance. The Global Medicine Program on the Colorado Campus will hold a similar airline medical emergency simulation on March 26th. Students in the RVUCOM-SU Global Medicine Track

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Global Health Takes Center Stage at Open House

RVU-CO hosted a Global Medicine Open House in the Frank Ritchel Ames Memorial Library on November 12th. The Open House celebrated RVU’s Global Medicine Program and its successful training of student doctors in providing quality healthcare for rural and underserved communities worldwide. It also showcased "Against the Odds: Making a Difference in Global Health," a traveling banner exhibit from the National Library of Medicine that displays the international work of physicians, scientists, communities, and organizations, working together to prevent disease and improve quality of life. The Open House opened with an informative and in-depth look at the past, present, and future of global health. Camille Z. Bentley, DO, MPH, FACOFP, Chair of Tracks and Special Programs, gave a presentation on the future of the global medicine field and the accomplishments of RVU’s role in advancing this much-needed specialty. Drawing from her vast personal experiences in academia and abroad, Dr. Bentley developed the Global Medicine Program to include an outreach component that provides international clinical opportunities for students. Over the years, trips to Kenya, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and other countries have introduced student doctors to a global perspective of health, disease, and healthcare delivery systems. In addition to artifact tables featuring items from these trips abroad, Jen Daniels, OMS II, and Kelsey Boghean, OMS II, shared their global experiences at booths exhibiting their respective research projects titled, "Reflections on Global Health" and "Physicians at the Global Health Table." If you are interested in partnering with the Library to host exhibits, speakers, or other events, contact jrichard@rvu.edu.

Providing Health Services for the Women of Kenya by Kiara Blough, OMS III, and Krysta Sutyak, OMS III

In September, we traveled with Terry Dunn, MD, Director of Women's Health at RVU, and the Tiba Foundation to the rural community of Bondo, which is located on the western side of Kenya, near the Uganda border. We spent a week at Bondo County Hospital, providing urogynecological surgical services to local women. Upon arriving on a Monday, we visited with patients, then planned out an OR schedule, fitting in as much as we could for the week. The goal of the trip was not only to provide surgical care to those who would otherwise not receive it or would face a long waiting list—it was also to build a partnership and to work with the local physicians. During the week, we completed about 30 surgical procedures, helped with education, and participated in joint cases with the local gynecological surgeon. We also had the privilege of traveling to L-R: Dr. Dunn, SD Blough, and Mfangano Island located on Lake Victoria with SD Sutyak Dr. Richard Godfrey, a general surgeon from California. He helped to build and start a school here, where there is a large population of orphans due to the deadly HIV/AIDS crisis. It is estimated that 1 in 3 people who live on the island are infected. Perhaps the biggest lesson of all was the medicine and cultural lessons they taught us. The following week, we spent time at a bigger hospital in Kisumu, alongside the house obstetrician who allowed us to assist on cesarean sections (of which they perform about 7-10 a day). We are hopeful that the connections we made can be used by future students. We are grateful to our incredible teacher and mentor, Dr. Dunn, for the knowledge, wisdom, and experience that she shared with us, as well as the Kenyan people for welcoming us into their world. If you would like to read more about the school on Mfangano Island, please check out our Go Fund Me Campaign at https://www.gofundme.com/st-james-community-orphanschool?member=1011942.

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Celebrating the History and the Rise of PAs

On October 6th, the American Academy of Physician Assistants marked the beginning of National PA Week, a celebration that recognizes and honors physician assistants (PAs) while raising awareness of the PA profession. Originally celebrated as the anniversary of the first graduating class of PAs from the Duke University PA program in 1987, the event has since evolved into a week-long celebration of PAs and their contributions to healthcare. For RVU-CO, the event marked a milestone with the matriculation of the inaugural class of students into the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program. Led by RVU’s PA faculty, the "Physician Assistants – PArtners in Medicine" panel discussion elaborated on the history of the profession and its growing presence in healthcare, with more than 123,000 practicing PAs in the United States. For PA students in attendance, the panel also covered education and career options that exist for PAs in the U.S. and Canada. Later in the week, the PA program held a bake sale which raised nearly $350 for the Ronald Keith Taylor Memorial Scholarship. Practicing in every state and in all medical settings, PAs serve as part of a team of physicians and other healthcare providers to improve access to and quality of healthcare. A rigorous education gives PAs the ability to diagnose illness, prescribe medication, and manage treatment plans. Due to a shortage of physicians, especially in rural areas, PAs often become a patient's primary healthcare provider. RVU strives to address this need by providing an innovative and thorough education to future PAs utilizing a competency-based medical education model.

RVU Performs Obstetrics Drill at Mass Casualty Training Numerous local agencies, institutions, and community members took part in simulated mass casualty drills throughout November as part of South Metro Fire and Rescue’s active threat response training. The drills took place at various locations and included area hospitals, with RVU-CO participating in all nine simulations by preparing the simulated wounds of "victims," training surgery residents, and providing logistical support in the Emergency Department. RVU also utilized the cut suit for surgeons to practice more complex surgical skills and open trauma surgery techniques. During one simulated scenario, Susan Carter, MD, Director of the Institute for Medical and Surgical Simulation, performed a Perimortem Cesarean Delivery (PMCD) with assistance from students Danielle Kauppinen, OMS I, and Patrizia Grob, OMS I, on a pregnant "victim" with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. This simulation—which includes an innovative surgical tool that closely recreates a mother's internal organs, uterus, and amniotic fluid—is the first exercise of its kind in Colorado and in the region. It has proven to be a timely training exercise as a national emphasis has been placed on addressing increasing maternal mortality. The PMCD, which also incorporated a resuscitation on the newborn simulator, was the result of a team effort that included Tina Underwood, MAEd, CHSE, Director of the Department of Clinical Assessment and Simulation; David Ross, DO, FACEP, Director of Rural and Wilderness Medicine Track; Anthony J. LaPorta, MD, FACS, Course Director of Military Track; and Deidre McGee, Military Track and Surgical Simulation Coordinator. "We are proud to have impacted the viability of mother and child in such a scenario," said Dr. Carter. "[SD Grob] and I reflected on how powerful it was to see trained medical professionals and teams in the field and [trauma center] work together in a critical situation," said SD Kauppinen. While the cesarean simulation was devastating to see, she found it exciting to see the efforts of first responders and medical personnel to develop best practices and improve patient outcomes. At the end of the simulations, a debrief was held to gather logistical information and assess deficits in how first responders and hospitals handled the active shooter threat. The debrief identified areas of improvement, such as not having a system to keep track of twins during a multiple birth and blood bank shortages during a mass transfusion protocol. Ultimately, the drill helped to develop best practices for the participating hospitals and trained over 700 first responders and 160 medical personnel, including surgeons, nurses, and hospital administrators.

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Days of Diversity Kicks Off with Cultural Flavors and Dances Originally a one-week event, the Days of Diversity series has evolved into a program that spans months, with multiple events aimed at breaking down cultural barriers and celebrating the diversity within the RVU community. The series engages students in the process of deconstructing cultural biases while getting to know their fellow classmates, faculty, and staff. Additionally, by exposing students to different worldviews and lifestyles, ideally they will become more tolerant, understanding, and observant physicians. Held on each campus, the "International Feast of Flavors" introduced RVUers to a wide range of cuisines and flavors. In Colorado, they sampled savory dishes and treats such as guava pie, chicken curry, and tamales. As the audience ate, those Ashna Haque, OMS I, discusses identity and diversity who had contributed a dish shared its cultural and/or personal significance. For Garrett Smith, OMS II, his New World Chili and Jalapeno Corn Bread recipes (both vegan and gluten-free) were a nod to his home state of Kansas but influenced by his fiancĂŠâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preference for spicy food. Wendy Feliz, Administrative Assistant for the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences program, shared how preparing Arroz con Guandules had preserved her connection to her Dominican heritage as she welcomed other cultures into her life. On the Southern Utah campus, participants gathered in the student lounge and shared over thirty authentic, homemade dishes. Among the dishes they tasted were Colcannon (Ireland), Kugel (Ashkenazi Jewish), Biriyani (Pakistan), and Nam Tok (Thailand). They also placed a pin on a world map to indicate where they Shirley Ponnaiya, OMS I, shares the meaning had been born. behind her chosen dish RVU-CO also hosted "Dances from Around the World," in which they learned the steps to traditional and modern dances, including the Salsa of Spain, the Bhangra of Punjab, and even Korean pop. For their second event in the series, "Understanding Identity," RVUCOM-SU organized discussion groups for students centered on understanding identity through the lens of diversity. Members of a multicultural task force were specifically trained to moderate the group discussions, which covered topics such as implicit biases and factors that influence personal identities. Upcoming events include Socioeconomic Status and Medicine in Utah on January 29th and Cultures and Their Interpretation of Healthcare in Colorado on March 19th.

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RVUCOM-SU Opens its Doors to Prospective Students

The Southern Utah campus hosted an Open House on November 2nd, welcoming over 50 people to the event, many of whom traveled from the Northern Utah area. Whitney Johnson, MA, Admissions Counselor, and Jennifer Orchard, JD, MPA, Admissions Coordinator, introduced the interested premed students to RVU and what we have to offer. Demonstrations included osteopathic manipulative medicine, ultrasound labs, two standardized patient cases, and an interactive workshop using the Harvey simulation. The prospective students listened to heart and lung sounds on the simulator and were particularly excited to hear murmurs, rubs, and wheezing sounds. There were self-guided tours around the campus, with Student Ambassadors located at several points of interest to answer questions. Prospective students were able to meet and greet with current medical students, as well as faculty and staff, from RVU. "A few weeks after the Open House," said Mark Wardle, DO, Assistant Professor of Primary Care, "I gave a lecture at Dixie State University, where several of the premed students who had attended the event brought up how great they thought the experience had been."

Raymond Kwong, OMS I, talks to potential students

Emily Anderson, OMS II, cuts fabric for a sanitary pad

Spotlighting Women in Medicine

September kicked off with RVU-SU's Women in Medicine (WIM) series, coinciding with the American Medical Association's Women in Medicine Month event. The series showcased the accomplishments of female physicians and highlighted advocacy efforts related to health issues that impact female patients. The first event was held at the RVUCOM-SU campus: the WIM Club hosted a dinner on campus for local pre-med students and club members. Ginamarie Foglia, DO, MPH, FACP, delivered a message on her own journey to become an osteopathic physician, including the challenges and successes during her career (which also included military service). The second event was hosted in Salt Lake City and was hosted with the Utah Medical Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (UMA) offices. Whitney Liehr, OMS IV, OPP Fellow, talked about her journey through medical school. Michelle McOmber, CEO of the UMA, offered insights based on her own career. "The RVUCOM-SU Women in Medicine events have been so successful, we plan to continue hosting events like this each year," said Whitney Johnson, MA, Admissions Counselor.

days for girls International Program

For millions of girls living in poverty, not having access to sanitary supplies can lead to missing school and losing the ability to earn an income. Girls in these situations often resort to using leaves, newspapers, and even rocks as menstrual pads, but still miss up to two months of school every year. To help remedy this, students on the RVUCOM-SU campus came together on November 7th to make feminine hygiene kits as part of the Days for Girls International Program. Fabrics in floral and geometric prints were used to create reusable, washable sanitary pads with sewing machines. The kits also included donations of underwear. The program not only helps girls gain access to quality and sustainable hygiene products, but also raises awareness and partners with other organizations to make a difference in the lives of girls around the world.

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Get Fit Friday Begins at RVUCOM-SU

With the heavy demand on studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; time, one area of wellness that seems to quickly disappear is physical wellness. Social wellness takes a big hit, as well. Students are overwhelmed and trying to budget time. It's also not uncommon for students to gain weight upon starting medical school; between free food provided at events, snacking during study sessions, and the lack of free time to exercise and prepare healthy meals, it's difficult to maintain one's weight. With these issues in mind, Vie Van Noy, MS, TRT, Assistant Director of Student Affairs and Housing Operations, created the Get Fit Friday (GFF) program to provide regular wellness education, exercise, and fun on campus. The program encourages physical health by providing a variety of weekly exercise opportunities, as well as offering nutritional information, recipes, and presentations. "Get Fit Friday combines the physical and social elements of wellness through the creation of our intramurals program," said Vie. "Students can take between thirty minutes and two hours a week to connect with other students, relax, and improve muscle tone and cardiovascular health." The GFF program includes a nutrition class, resistance training class, a yoga and stretching class, a cardio class, and a "fun" class (e.g. SpikeBall, Ultimate Frisbee) throughout the month. Additional classes have included meditation, P90X, and a lesson in smoothie-making. Recently, students and employees participated in a campus-wide Nerf War. Each GFF session is a little different, giving students the opportunity to try something new.

Message from Security With the cold weather, icy roads, and snow-packed conditions, I would like to remind folks to drive safe and take your time when traveling. Colorado Department of Transportation reports that â&#x20AC;&#x153;With 3.8 million licensed drivers in Colorado, one in every 33 of these drivers will be involved in a crash this year." You can improve your odds of surviving a car accident immensely by taking the following actions: buckle up, watch your speed, avoiding driving after using any kind of drugs or alcohol, and stay off your phone. Additionally, take time to ensure you are prepared for a vehicle breakdown at any time. Pack the following in your car, particularly during the winter season: blanket, non-perishable food, flares, tools, gloves, a gas can, and washer fluid. Make sure your spare tire is at the correct pressure and in good condition. A phone charger is always recommended. Lastly, if you become stranded, don't leave your vehicle. Call the police and wait for assistance. If you have any questions, or need assistance, please contact Security at any time by calling 720-875-2892 (CO) or 435-222-1300 (UT).

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Equality for COMLEX and USMLE: My Experience by Krista Allen, OMS III

The American Medical Association’s (AMA) House of Delegates unanimously approved Resolution 955 “Equality for COMLEX and USMLE” on November 13, 2018. The resolution calls for the AMA to educate residency program directors on the use and interpretation of COMLEX scores and to promote the equal acceptance of USMLE and COMLEX exams. The National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners’ COMLEX-USA series provides a pathway to licensure for DOs to practice medicine in the United States and is a graduation requirement for earning a DO degree. However, some residency program directors require the USMLE (which is typically taken by students earning a MD degree) for all applicants, including DOs. This led to confusion and added strain among DO applicants, who had to take two equally-regarded exams to be competitive for residency programs. The new AMA policy, which is being referred to as a critical milestone in medical education, was brought forth by a group of students in the AMA Medical Student Section, which included RVU’s own SD Allen. The following is her perspective on helping to write the resolution and how they got it passed. The idea for this resolution came to me early in my second year at RVU. It was during the time when we all start preparing and dreading our impending Step 1 and Level 1 exams. As someone who has never excelled at standardized exams, boards were especially terrifying for me. One specific stressor was that I had to take not just one exam, but two. I couldn’t wrap my head around being tortured twice, so I asked the question several times, to several different people. Why two exams? The answer was always the same: “To be competitive for residency.” The simple fact is that many residency programs do not accept COMLEX scores. If I wanted to have the same opportunities and apply to the same number of residency programs as allopathic medical students, I had to take both exams. This answer, while logistic and strategic, still left me wondering why. Why don’t all residency programs accept COMLEX? If it was inferior, our institutions wouldn’t continue to require it for graduation, right?

"This happened with the power of discussion, understanding, and collaboration among the student members of our profession.

This led me to research the differences and similarities between COMLEX and USMLE. I found that osteopathic and allopathic students score the same on NBME-CBSE, an exam to test the basic science knowledge Thank you to those visionary students who took of medical students. I found that the Federation of State Medical Boards researched both exams and determined each is appropriate for licensure. the extra steps to make a difference. I found that the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education This is truly wonderful, historic news." (ACGME) views the exams as equivalent and does not require one over - Thomas N. Told, DO, FACOFP dist., Dean of RVUCOM the other for residency matriculation. My research was demonstrating that not only is COMLEX not inferior—in the eyes of ACGME, it is equal to USMLE. With all residency programs moving to the single accreditation system under ACGME by June 2020, I felt they should give equal consideration to both exams. I also knew now was the time to act. I have been an active member of Colorado Medical Society and the AMA since my first year at RVU. By the time I decided to write this resolution, I was comfortable with health care policy and advocacy through these organizations and had written resolutions for the AMA before. I knew this was where I could make an impact. I began writing. Once I had a first draft, I turned to the AMA Virtual Reference Committee open forum to post it online (this is where we share ideas for resolutions to get feedback and collaborate). To my surprise, there was a post already on the forum so similar to mine, it gave me goosebumps. I thought someone had stolen my idea. The post was from Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine students Daniel Oder, Lauren Jasko and Samantha Long. I immediately reached out to them and asked if they wanted to work together. This began our nearly year-long collaboration. We worked long distance, over email and video chats, carefully researching and writing. There was even a period where I called and spoke to every residency program in Colorado and Utah to find out if they accept COMLEX scores. Only 53% of Colorado and 39% of Utah residencies do. We finished our final draft and hit submit. But our work was far from over. It was time to travel to Chicago for the AMA Annual Conference where the resolution would be debated in front of hundreds of our medical student peers to decide if it should be passed and cemented into AMA policy or if it should be not adopted and disappear. After arriving in Chicago, I met the other authors for the first time in person. They were smart, driven, and just as nervous as I was. We immediately got to work on our strategy. However, we quickly found that our strategy would need to change. Read the rest of SD Allen's narrative on the Fightin' Prairie Dog Blog at http://fightinprairiedogblog.com/equality-for-comlex-and-usmle-my-experience/

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RVU Launches Employee Value Proposition

In 2018, the Department of Human Resources launched an extensive project to create an Employee Value Proposition (EVP), a document that represents what the institution offers its employees in exchange for their effort and commitment (and is a key driver of employee and business outcomes). Organizations that are considered “talent magnets” often have EVPs that are distinctive and noticeably different than competitors. Studies also show that there is improved engagement by creating a balance between employee and employer expectations. For RVU, the focus is to establish a balanced EVP framework which will lead to sustainable employee and business outcomes and a stronger brand among medical schools. RVU employees (of whom 87% participated!), gave RVU leadership a better understanding of what they value most through focus groups. As a result, the Leadership Council feels that a distinctive and compelling EVP has been built which will lead to better employee satisfaction, engagement, and results. With compensation and benefits addressed in 2018, the next step is to form action teams that will seek best practices and give recommendations in the EVP areas of Affiliation, Career, and Work Content. The anticipated start date for this phase will be midway through the first quarter of 2019 and will be completed by the second and third quarters. Leadership Council members will sponsor and provide resources to assist each team’s efforts. "We are committed to continuing our journey in achieving a work environment that enhances the joy of work so that we can Achieve New Heights in Medical Education!" said Clinton E. Adams, DO, FACHE, President and CEO.

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Campus Tidbits The Medical Student Advocates for Underserved Populations (MSAUP) at RVUCOM-SU is always looking for ways to give back, including to the LGBT+ community. "One of my favorite projects was raising awareness and finding ways to build the physician-patient relationship," said Trystan Blake, OMS II. "I got the idea for selling Rainbow Caduceus pins (pictured) when I was first visiting my primary care provider: he was wearing a pin on his lapel where it was subtle enough to not draw lots of attention, but prominent enough to signify that he was an ally to the LGBT+ community." "Many in the LGBT+ community are uncomfortable discussing their health with providers for fear of discrimination, which hurts the physician-patient relationship and can have negative impacts on their health," SD Blake explained. The Rainbow Caduceus pin allows patients to identify providers who are willing to listen with an open mind. By wearing the pin, it breaks the ice and encourages a patient to open up about their health and lifestyle choices. MSAUP members and other students at both campuses received nearly 300 pins for their own use or to donate to a healthcare provider who would benefit. "That is nearly 300 healthcare providers who are going to be able to offer more conscientious care to the LGBT+ community in the future, thanks to a simple idea and support from MSAUP."

A new interest group has popped up on the Colorado campus: the American Medical Women's Association (AMWA). It was started by several female students, under the advisement of Dr. Susan Carter. "My peers and I decided to establish an AMWA branch at RVU after noticing there was no current Women in Medicine student organization on campus," said Kailey Stiles, OMS I, who will serve as the AMWA branch president. "Through our student organization, we hope to have a positive impact on the RVU campus and surrounding community by promoting womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health through education, advocacy, mentorship, and service in Colorado. We are very excited about the future of the AMWA RVU branch." AMWA kicked off with its first meeting in November with "Firsts by Women in Medicine," led by Dr. Carter. They will be hosting meetings with various female physicians, a Trauma Panel in the spring (which will feature female medical professionals), and mentorship and volunteer opportunities at Hope Academy in Denver.

RVUCOM-CO's SOMA VIsits Grant Beacon Middle School The Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) at RVU-CO participated in the 2nd Annual National Outreach for Diversity Program at Grant Beacon Middle School (GBMS) in Denver on November 28th. The program is designed to encourage middle school students from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine to explore careers in healthcare. SOMA President Keleka Blair, OMS II, worked closely with an eighth-grade science teacher at GBMS to organize the day. Fourteen RVU students volunteered in the classroom, interacting with students and introducing them to different aspects of medicine. "We were fortunate to be joined by Dr. Jean Bouquet and Dr. Anthony LaPorta, who shared their perspectives of the medical field with students," said Amanda Andersen, OMS II. The 8th graders observed an ultrasound demonstration, learned the anatomy of dissected sheep hearts and kidneys, and practiced applying tourniquets to stop bleeding. "It was incredible to see the students, who were a little timid at first, open up and explore something out of their comfort zone," said SD Andersen. "While we hope to inspire future medical professionals, our larger goal is to encourage the students to continue their education and strive to achieve their goals. This program was started last fall and we have plans in place to continue it in the future and expand to other Denver public schools. It was a very rewarding day to be a part of and I look forward to participating again next year!"

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Campus Tidbits Students at RVUCOM-SU attended a seminar in October to learn about HIV and Hepatitis C testing and counseling. The Utah Department of Health presented the material via a webinar, beginning with background information on these diseases. They provided instructions on administering rapid HIV and Hep C tests. They also offered guidance on asking sensitive medical history questions regarding drugs and sexual activity, free of judgement or discomfort, which can be difficult for many medical students.

During the week of Halloween, the Frank Ritchel Ames Memorial Library on both campuses hosted the inaugural Escape the Library event, which was well-received by the students and staff members alike. Using the Library website, databases, and books to solve clues hidden around each room, the participants ultimately decoded a cryptogram which revealed the escape route. Those teams with the fastest escape times were awarded prizes for their accomplishment. "This year’s planning and execution was so much fun, we are already gearing up for next year’s challenge," said Lynne Stephenson, Library Clerk. On November 19th, RVUCOM-SU first-year students Ryan Braumann, Max Gove, Rachel McCann, and Anton Pham, along with second-year Chris Stewart, from the Community Outreach and Medical Mentors club went to Coral Cliffs Elementary School where they presented on bones and joints to the children. The first- through fifth-graders listened eagerly as the medical students explained what the different bones and joints do within the human body, then set up an interactive station to allow the kids to play with the life-size models. The lesson concluded with the children coloring skeleton cutouts. The students enjoyed learning about the human body and are looking forward to the next presentation.

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The event concluded with information on how to apply motivational interviewing to patients when delivering their test results. "Most graduates from RVU will have to deliver unsettling news to their patient at some time in their career (HIV/Hep C-related or otherwise)," said Rachel Leavitt, OMS II. "The skills taught in the counseling portion of the presentation will be widely applicable to all future patient encounters. The event was highly informative and interesting. The students in attendance now have one more skill they can utilize in their futures."

Ridin’ Prairie Dogs is an alternative transportation initiative started by the Sustainability Committee at RVU-CO that officially kicked off November 1st. Participants have already logged over 250 days of walking, riding bikes, unicycling, rollerblading, skateboarding, pogo-sticking, or carpooling to RVU. Participants enjoy monthly meals, a smaller carbon footprint, and prizes, which will be awarded toward the end of the school year. Everyone is welcome to join the Ridin’ Prairie Dog community; the official board is found across from the cafeteria. Sign up today and enjoy a more sustainable way of life! As of December, the top riders were Jonah Gevercer (24 days), Michael Lowe (23 days), Brittany Cook (22 days), and Rachel Heeren (22 days). Images provided by Kate Whiteneck.

Get to Know the RVU Staff Judy Thornton, MA Job Title: Director of Educational Support • Judy has been an educator for 35 years. She started out in elementary education, then became a Reading Specialist before moving into the medical education realm. From 1999 to 2008, she worked at University of Texas Medical Branch— first as a Learning Specialist in Medical Education, then as Director of Standardized Patient Program. From 2008 to 2010, she worked at University of Colorado as Director of Standardized Patient Program. • She came to RVU in 2011 where she has served as the first and only Director of Educational Support (and Learning Specialist for RVUCOM) ever since!

Along with Dr. Zeerak Haider, Judy hands out certificates to their student tutors, mentors, and coaches

• She has three children: a daughter who works as a nurse and is Director of Nursing Education at Pfiedler Education; a son who is a partner at KPMG Peat Marwick CPA firm; and a son who is in IT. She also has two grandsons, ages 10 and 7 years old. • In her spare time, she enjoys reading, gardening, and enjoying her time with family and friends. Who inspires you and why? RVU students, my children, and my grandchildren. What is the one thing in this world of which you are proudest? That I wasn't afraid to change my career path from elementary education reading specialist to a medical educator.

Judy presents Sarah Edgerton, DO '18, with the Brandon Trusell Community Service Award

What's the greatest bit of advice you have ever been given? Believe in yourself and trust that you can do whatever you want to do. Never forget how precious the present is. The present day is very precious and will never come again. Always treasure the best part of every day as your last thought of the day. Focus on the best things and that will make everything better.

What are Judy's FAQs? What is the secret to academic success in medical school? Work hard, be passionate, and believe in yourself. What would be the best thing that students could do before medical school? Be a scribe. What are the most important things to remember in medical school? Study hard, take care of yourself, and remember to have fun.

What would you like to be known for? That my goal in life was to make a difference in the lives of those around me—one person at a time, one day at a time. If you could have one superpower, what would it be? To read people's minds: it would avoid assumptions. What's your secret talent? I paint and even wanted to be an art teacher [at one point]. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? Mediterranean countries on a cruise. If you were to create a slogan for your life, what would it be? If you have your family and your health, you have it all.

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Research and Grants Furthering the Pursuit of Innovation and Exploration in Healthcare and Education

An important resource for students, faculty and staff, the Office of Research provides support and guidance for research activities, such as statistical consulting, an intramural grant program, and a searchable database of extramural grant opportunities. Jing Gao, MD, Director and Associate Professor of Ultrasound, published a paper in the September/October issue of Clinical Imaging, titled, "Ultrasound strain imaging in assessment of false vocal folds in adults: A feasibility study." It discusses using ultrasound strain elastography to assess the symmetry of false vocal folds movements in healthy adults. Dr. Gao also published a paper in the April/June issue of Journal of Medical Ultrasound, titled, "Establishing normal values for shear-Wave elastography of the renal cortex in healthy adults." It discusses testing intraobserver and inter-observer reliability of ultrasound shear wave elastography in adult kidneys. Jennifer Montemayor, PhD, Director of Preclinical Education (CO), (pictured with Dr. Qamrul Choudhury) presented two posters at the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE) in Basel, Switzerland. Her posters were titled, "Comparison of Medical Students' Interprofessional Attitudes Before and After Second Year" and "A MultiInstitutional Study of Facebook as a Teaching Tool in the Undergraduate Medical Curriculum." Karen Norling, OMS II, presented a poster at the American Osteopathic Association's Osteopathic Medical Conference and Exposition (OMED) in San Diego, California. Her poster, "Knowing When the Physician and Team are Trained," explores how the use of simulation training can impact medical students' stress levels throughout intense trauma and emergency scenarios. Co-authors on the poster include Penelope Herder, OMS IV, and Amanda Ammentorp, OMS IV.

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William Robinson, OMS III, presented at the American College of Surgeons Trauma Symposium. His presentation was titled, "Mass Casualty Incident, Follow-Through: Point of Injury to Recovery Room." The research assessed the use, implementation, and effectiveness of hyperrealistic training for first responders, emergency departments, and surgical teams. Cathy C. Ruff, MS, PA-C, Program Director and Chair of Physician Assistant Program, presented at the 2nd World Summit on CompetencyBased Medical Education in Europe (AMEE) in Basel, Switzerland. Her presentation, titled, "Designing a Milestone and Progress Grid to Illustrate Learner Performance in a Physician Assistant Program," describes how the RVU PA Program developed a visual representation of learner progression toward competence to illustrate the time by which learners are expected to meet competency. Bryce Harmon, DO '18, Michael Wells, PhD, Assistant Dean of Integrated Curriculum, David J. Park, DO, FAAFP, FACOFP, Campus Dean of RVUCOM-SU, and Dr. Jing Gao, published a paper in Clinical Imaging, titled, "Ultrasound elastography in neuromuscular and movement disorders." It summarizes the main pathophysiology of neuromuscular and movement disorders, while presenting evidence of ultrasound elastography in the assessment of these disorders and the role ultrasound elastography modality can play.

Achieving New Heights Highlighting the Accomplishments of Our Faculty, Staff and Physicians in Training

Cassidy Chambers, MPA, Assistant Director of Admissions, has joined the PostBacCAS Advisory Board. PostBacCAS is a centralized application service (CAS), which RVU uses to process MSBS applications. The advisory board is made up of CAS users at different schools to determine policies, procedures, and working standards. They discuss requests for enhancements, changes, and priorities for the upcoming admissions cycle. Rachel McLaughlin, OMS II, was selected as Student Doctor of the Year (SDOY) by her classmates at RVUCOM-CO. This award is given by the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents to students who exhibit leadership, commitment to community service, dedication to the profession, and embodiment of the osteopathic philosophy. Each school nominates a student who will then be automatically nominated for the national SDOY award. The winner is announced in April. David J. Mohlman, DO, FACOI, FACP, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, was featured in the American College of Osteopathic Internists November newsletter, ACOI Information. In the interview, he describes his work with the ACOI and how the single accreditation system affects his residents at Sky Ridge Medical Center. Elizabeth Stoll, OMS III, received the National Western Scholarship. The annual scholarship is provided by the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo Foundation, to help students who wish to practice in rural Colorado. Students are chosen for their commitment to practicing in a rural setting upon graduation (and particularly in the primary care

field), their good academic standing, as well as experience volunteering with the stock show. Cyndi Windecker, Admissions Counselor, was selected to be on the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) Recruitment Advisory Committee, then elected as Chairperson. The goal of the committee is to advise AACOM on national recruiting events and strategies to help meet the needs of the other COMs, advisors, and students. She will serve on the committee through 2019, while also serving as a peer-topeer mentor for best practices among COMs in recruiting.

From Their Perspectives

"I wanted to share an amazing patient experience I had on my inpatient internal medicine rotation. We had a patient on hospice with end-stage COPD and metastatic prostate cancer, admitted for sepsis due to pyelonephritis. His infection [improved] but the COPD symptoms worsened with difficulty breathing. Given that he was on hospice, there was not much that could be done [from] a medical standpoint, but my preceptor allowed me to do some osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM). "[After performing] soft tissue techniques, the patient felt so much better; instantly, his [oxygen saturation] and hypertension improved. He said the OMM had helped more than any breathing treatment he had received during the hospitalization. It was a life-changing experience to make such a difference for a dying patient and something I will always cherish. I just wanted to share this experience with you and how grateful I am to be an osteopathic student!" - Jaspreet Garcha, OMS III

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Achieving New Heights Highlighting the Accomplishments of Our Faculty, Staff and Physicians in Training

RVUCOM-SU Prepares to host National sosa Conference

In November, the Southern Utah campus held a special surgical training event with the Orthopedic Surgery Club. This served as a practice run for the annual meeting of the national Student Osteopathic Surgery Association (SOSA), which will be held on the campus in March. Nena Mason, PhD, Director of Gross Anatomy, organized the event to test the capabilities of their new overhead high-definition camera in projecting surgical procedures to screens throughout the lab, as well as to determine the best way to set up lab-based activities. The Anatomy Lab’s camera system is mainly used for teaching with prosected cadavers during the COM’s curricular anatomy laboratory sessions. However, Dr. Mason also wanted the camera to be used to facilitate future surgical demonstration and training. "We anticipate that osteopathic medical students from all over the country will be attending the SOSA conference," she said. "We are proud to be able to use the state-of-the-art technology in our gross anatomy lab to facilitate surgical training on a national scale. Our camera system will allow us to accommodate more students in this type of valuable, hands-on surgical learning experience." The surgical training event was taught by local orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael Manning, who will also be demonstrating and allowing students to assist in cadaveric hip and knee replacement procedures again at the SOSA conference.

Photo by Nena Mason; image used with permission of the University of Utah Body Donor Program

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Colorado Medicine, a local health care-focused publication created by the Colorado Medical Society, features a section in each issue for osteopathic medical students to submit written pieces and share their thoughts, as well. The reflections will be published bi-monthly. If you would like to submit an essay, contact Alexis Horst in the Writing Center at ahorst@rvu.edu for assistance with editing and submission guidelines. In the September/October Issue, Lisa Moore, OMS IV, wrote the article, "Hidden in plain sight: The art of observation in medicine." The article discusses a unique externship site in which she was asked to focus on her observation skills, whether by noticing environmental details or in paying closer attention to patients, leading to a deeper understanding. In the November/December Issue, Audrey Jaeger, OMS II, wrote the article, "Momming in Med School." The article discusses her perspective as both a medical student and a mother—and the near-constant need to balance two extremely demanding tasks simultaneously. In the January/February Issue, Ali Rakestraw, OMS III, wrote the article, "Making room for healing when treating the difficult patient." The article discusses the struggle to treat a patient who was inconsistent and displaying drug-seeking behavior. SD Rakestraw assesses her own behavior and whether the patient felt uncomfortable while in a vulnerable situation.

Welcome to our New Faculty and Staff! Chandra Blethen IT Help Desk Support, Department of Information Services; RVU-CO Chandra is originally from Norwich, Connecticut. She received an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences from Three Rivers Community College and an Associate of Applied Sciences degree in Computer-Technology Networking from Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC). She is currently working towards her Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Chandra has worked in the IT field for several years, starting in the Office of Information Technology and the Teaching Excellence Center at HGTC. Since moving to Colorado, she has worked as a Desktop Support Technician at PayTech and as a Workstation Administrator at eBags. In her new role at RVU, she is excited to once again work in the halls of academia and to use her prior professional experience to improve the RVU experience for all. "I enjoy helping others to work more efficiently with technology." When not at work (or doing homework), Chandra likes to travel to the mountains and explore all that Colorado has to offer. A little-known fact about her is that she likes to crossstitch, though it sometimes takes years to finish one piece! Gina Graham Program Coordinator, Department of Clinical Assessment and Simulation; RVUCOM-SU Gina is originally from Layton, Utah, but has also lived in Pennsylvania and California. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Developmental Psychology (minor in Health and Dance) from Brigham Young University - Provo. Upon completion of her degree, she trained as a Certified Nurse Assistant at the Davis Applied Technology Center. For several years, Gina taught dance and drill team for the United Spirit Association. She later worked for Davis County Mental Health as a teen mentor and coach and also founded a swim school in Northern Utah. Additionally, she ran a properties company for thirty years, which involved buying, flipping, renting, and managing residential properties.

"I love RVUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission statement and I love that I am able to participate in a small way by assisting students in achieving their goals. Plus, I really enjoy my coworkers and the lovely work environment." In addition to her new role at RVU, Gina is a Therapeutic Recreation Technician and a Water Safety Instructor with the American Red Cross. In her spare time, Gina enjoys swimming, dancing, hiking, biking, and hanging out with her five kids. An interesting fact about her is that she goes nowhere without her fanny pack! Lise Johnson, PhD Director of Basic Science Curriculum and Assistant Professor, Physician Assistant Program; RVU-CO After a twenty-year absence from the state, Dr. Johnson recently returned to her native Colorado. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from the University of Oklahoma, followed by a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Arizona. Additionally, she completed a postdoctoral training fellowship in Neurosurgery at the University of Washington. Prior to RVU, Dr. Johnson worked as a Research Scientist in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Washington and as an Undergraduate Education Manager at the Center for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering. Most recently, Dr. Johnson worked as an Investigator Scientist at the Colorado Neurological Institute. An interesting fact about Dr. Johnson is that she has coauthored two science books: Brain Bytes: Quick Answers to Quirky Questions About the Brain and the forthcoming Worried? Science Investigates Some of Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Common Concerns. Alaric LeBaron, MD Assistant Professor of Specialty Medicine, Department of Specialty Medicine; RVUCOM-SU Dr. LeBaron hails from Northern Arizona and recently made the move to Utah to be closer to family. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he attended the University of Arizona and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Bio-

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Welcome to our New Faculty and Staff! chemistry (with a minor in Electrical Engineering), graduating Summa Cum Laude. Dr. LeBaron received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He completed both his internship and residency in Anesthesiology at Wilford Hall and Brooke Army Medical Centers in San Antonio, Texas. In addition to the Navy, Dr. LeBaron also served in the U.S. Air Force. He has deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Germany, and Qatar to provide care to combat injured patients in the operating room. He served as a Team Leader and later as Director of the USAF’s Critical Care Air Transport Team, which functions as an Intensive Care Unit team on long flights from the combat theater to Germany or the United States. In his new role at RVU, he is excited to teach students the required medical knowledge and skillsets to treat critical patients. "I love teaching medicine and critical care to students. I have significant experience with simulation training and I want to see that opportunity expanded for medical students." When not at work, Dr. LeBaron enjoys running, hiking, skiing, and racquetball. He also used to enjoy flying small planes and sailing small boats. An interesting fact about Dr. LeBaron is that he grew up on a large family farm in rural Northern Arizona that demanded long work hours, leading to him frequently missing school. As such, he was unable to complete his high school education and instead obtained a General Education Diploma. Lindee Stanek Clinical Rotations Coordinator, Department of Clinical Education; RVUCOMSU Lindee hails from Treynor, Iowa (a small town with a population of 1,000) and has lived in Omaha, Nebraska for the past several years. She received an Associates of Science degree in Business Administration from Iowa Wester Community College. After her husband accepted a job offer as the Young/Young Adult Pastor at South Mountain Community Church in St. George, they made the move to the Beehive State. Most recently, Lindee worked as the Office Manager for an optometry practice in Omaha. Prior to that role, she worked for almost ten years as the Administrative Assistant/Lead Scheduler for the Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Program at Nebraska Medicine. In 2014, she was awarded Ne-

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braska Medicine’s Caring Kind Award. In her spare time, Lindee loves visiting places with historical significance, with her top picks being Washington, DC and Boston, Massachusetts. Since moving to Utah, she’s explored many local national parks with her family. She is an active member of her church, volunteering with the youth group and in the nursery. She is also a big fan of Husker (Nebraska Cornhusker) football. Peter Tsivis, MD, MBA Associate Professor of Pathology, Department of Specialty Medicine; RVUCOM-SU Dr. Tsivis received a Bachelor of Science degree in Life Sciences from Massachussetts Institute of Technology and a Doctor of Medicine degree from State University of New York. Following an internship in General Surgery at the University of Miami, he completed a residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at the University of Vermont. In 2007, he went back to school, earning his Master of Business Administration from University of Massachusetts Amherst. For most of his career, Dr. Tsivis was a General Pathologist in clinical practice, both as a hospital-based Pathologist/ Laboratory Medical Director in South Florida and as an independent Laboratory Pathologist and Medical Director in Tampa. In 2015, Dr. Tsivis began a career teaching pathology at medical schools in the Caribbean (most recently at Saba University School of Medicine). He returned to the United States to pursue teaching pathology at RVU's Southern Utah campus. Carol Wagner, MA Administrative Assistant, Office of Testing; RVUCOM-SU After her husband retired from police work, Carol and her family made the move from Cincinnati, Ohio to St. George, Utah to revel in the sunny weather and explore the West. Prior to her move to Utah, Carol had completed two Master of Arts degrees in Ancient Near Eastern Cultures and Old Testament History at Cincinnati Christian University. In her new role at RVU, Carol will provide administrative

Welcome to our New Faculty and Staff! assistance and serve as backup for all exam and testing activities in the Office of Testing, including scheduling meetings and events, working collaboratively to develop and administer quizzes and exams, and assisting in the overall completion of projects. When not at work, Carol enjoys spending time with family and friends and traveling to Italy, Ireland, and Israel. Her hobbies include running, cuddling with her two Weimaraners, reading, and writing. She is also an award-winning author of a book series that includes God is Out to Get Us: From the Very Beginning and God is Out to Get Us: At All Costs - The Life of Abraham. An interesting fact about Carol is that she has Marfan Syndrome. Bryan Walker, MS Academic and Career Advisor, Department of Student Affairs; RVUCOM-SU Originally from Rexburg, Idaho, Bryan received his Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science (with a minor in Marriage and Family Studies) from Brigham Young University Idaho (BYU-Idaho) and a Master of Science degree in Athletic Administration from Idaho State University. Prior to RVU, Bryan’s career in academic counseling took him to a variety of higher education institutions throughout the state of Utah. He was a Developmental and Vocational Counselor with Deseret Industries and a Paraprofessional Educator for elementary and high school students. In addition, Bryan was an Academic Advisor at BYU-Idaho and Utah Valley University for four years. His inspiration comes from working with students and helping them achieve their goals, as well as relieving unnecessary stress so they may enjoy their journey and not just simply endure it. "I’m grateful to be here at RVU, and proud to do my small part to help each day. I love the cooperative and friendly atmosphere here at RVU. Students, faculty and staff are truly important parts of a collective team and contribute to each other’s success." In his free time, Bryan loves to spend time with his wife and three children. Together, they enjoy watching movies, playing sports, and staying active outdoors. A music aficionado (and piano player), Bryan enjoys live music and concerts, as well as analyzing, critiquing, and evaluating performers and their music video productions. In fact, being a guest judge on an audition show such as The Voice or American Idol is on his bucket list!

Mark Wardle, DO Assistant Professor of Primary Care, Department of Primary Care Medicine; RVUCOM-SU Dr. Wardle is originally from California. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from Brigham Young University and his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine. After falling in love with the Beehive State, Dr. Wardle returned to Utah with his family and completed a residency at Utah Valley Family Medicine, followed by a fellowship in Rural Medicine and Faculty Development. For much of his professional career, Dr. Wardle worked for Intermountain Healthcare (IHC), practicing Family Medicine. He was the head of the Obstetrics Department and served on the OB Development team for all of IHC, as well as being appointed Medical Staff President-Elect. After transitioning to Utah County, Dr. Wardle practiced Urgent Care and Outpatient Family Medicine before joining RVU. Throughout his medical career, Dr. Wardle always knew he enjoyed teaching and mentoring students. After a medical mission trip to Honduras where he was able to supervise and mentor several osteopathic medical students, he realized he wanted to teach full-time. "RVUCOM-SU was not only in a perfect location for us, but the vision and values of RVU and their commitment to the students was an undeniable draw to me." Dr. Wardle has been married for over 20 years and has five children. Outside of enjoying time with family, Dr. Wardle likes to stay active, especially by running. A few years ago, he achieved a personal health goal of running 1,000 miles in one year and was named the "Intermountain Live Well Health Hero." A little-known fact about Dr. Wardle is that he juggles: balls, clubs, knives, torches, and more! In his rural medicine days, he would juggle in the Fourth of July Parade while staff threw out candy to the kids. He is also a Certified Health Coach.

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Promotions and Appointments Jerry Armstrong (RVU-CO) was promoted from Director of Human Resources to Vice President of Human Resources. In his new role, Jerry will continue to lead the professional development of the HR department, including continued implementation of the ongoing compensation plan and Employee Value Proposition. He will also be updating and upgrading technology solutions to enhance recruitment, retention, and analysis capability for both campuses. He began at RVU in 2017.

Mike Jorgensen, PhD, (RVU-CO) was promoted to Director of Gross Anatomy. In his new role, Dr. Jorgensen will work alongside Dr. Mason to take on more of the management of the anatomy component of the RVUCOM curriculum and of other matters related to the department. He will also continue to serve as Assistant Professor of Structural Medicine, as well as the Director of the Predoctoral Anatomy Fellowship Program. He began at RVU in 2016.

Susan Chenoweth (RVU-CO) was promoted from Accounts Payable Clerk to Staff Accountant in the Finance Department. In her new role, Susan will continue to assist with accounts payable entry (as well as any concerns that pop up). She will take on new duties such as a monthend reconciliations and maintaining fixed assets and operating leases. She began at RVU in 2017.

Nena Mason, PhD, (RVUCOM-SU) was promoted to Director of Gross Anatomy. In her new role, Dr. Mason will work alongside Dr. Jorgensen to take on more of the management of the anatomy component of the RVUCOM curriculum and of other matters related to the department. She will also continue to serve as Assistant Professor of Anatomy, Physiology, and Ultrasound, as well as the Co-Director of the Utah Anatomy Fellowship. She began at RVU in 2017.

Jaime Covington (RVU-CO) was promoted from Administrative Assistant to Clinical Rotations Coordinator in the Department of Clinical Education. In her new role, Jaime will serve as the clinical coordinator for Denver third-year students, facilitating their clinical externships with preceptors and medical facilities in the community. She began at RVU in 2017.

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Julie K. Rosenthal, MS, (RVU-CO) was promoted from Executive Director of Enrollment Management and Marketing and External Relations to Vice President of Enrollment Management and External Relations. In her new role, Julie will broaden the scope of enrollment processes as it relates to the student lifecycle and will continue to oversee RVUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s departments of admissions, marketing and alumni relations. She began at RVU in 2007 as a member of the inaugural staff.

From the Rocky Vista University Alumni Association

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Students, Faculty, and Fellow Alumni, "Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." This perfect quote from Albert Einstein is a rather reflective but upbeat way to close out 2018 and to begin the new 2019 year. As we closed out this last year with our families and friends, it’s hard not to reflect on the devastating natural disasters, unexplained accidents, and unthinkable acts that left some families homeless and others broken and torn. It is my hope that all of our thoughts, prayers, and goodwill were successful in restoring some hope and faith for those so closely affected over the past year. It is also my hope that we continue to learn from the events of our yesterdays, live every day as a new day, and never give up hope for each new tomorrow! Though many sad events occurred over that past year, the RVU family shared many exciting new days of success and excellence. We welcomed hundreds of new physicians, student doctors, MSBS students, and our first class of physician assistant students to the RVU family. Many new faculty and staff members have also been added to our ever-growing infrastructure that has produced so many success stories in the decade since RVU welcomed its first students. It is with this new year that we look to even more success with the upcoming match process, graduation, and matriculation of even more members to the RVU family. To start off with some specific hoorays for the new year, I would like to reflect on a few yearly events occurring near the year's end after my last address. Many of you are aware of the RVU family’s strong service in the military. My thanks and admiration goes out to all of those past, present, and future veterans of our armed forces. We are able to boast that, as of 2018, we had approximately 70 enrolled students who have made the choice to serve in the military upon completing their degree program. We also saw 17 fourth-year students participate successfully in the military match. Congratulations to all! The first few months of the new year are always a challenge: living up to the promise of treating each day as a new day while the workdays are long and sunlight is short after the exhilaration of the holidays. The marathon of wrapping up interviews and submitting your rank-list will seem to drag along. However, I promise that you will soon be the subject of my next address when I congratulate your immense successes in the match process and completion of your respective studies as the year progresses. Take advantage of the open offices and arms of your faculty and peers that have also been through or are going through this same process you are. When you look back on this process years later, you will see how it was all worth it. It was my desire to keep this short and cheerful but for those that may know me, brevity may not be my strongest trait. In closing, I would continue to ask for your support and involvement in the Alumni Association so that we may continue to provide scholarships, mentorship, and support for future alumni. The Alumni Association is so thankful for all of your support over the years and we look forward to many years of support to come! I thank you for your time and wish you the best in your pursuit to learn from yesterdays, live every day as a new day, and never give up hope for each new tomorrow. As always, I look forward to hearing of all the wonderful things you have been up to before the next time I have to pleasure to address you in the winter.

Christopher Mutter, DO ‘14 Alumni Association President

The RVU Alumni Association wishes to extend a thank-you to the following donors for their generous gifts: Dr. Clinton and Mrs. Paula Adams, Dr. Jim Williams, and Mr. Yife Tien

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From the Rocky Vista University Alumni Association Job Acceptances, Fellowships, Awards, and Other Accomplishments Nic Beckmann, DO '14, gave an oral presentation at the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. His presentation, "Quality of Life in Obese Patients after Thyroidectomy for Goiter," studied patients with benign thyroid goiters, as well as their breathing, swallowing, and quality of life. The accompanying research poster received an award for the Endocrine Surgery

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category. Dr. Beckmann is in his fourth year of an Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery residency program at University of Tennessee. Bryce Harmon, DO '18, Dr. Michael Wells, Dr. David Park, and Dr. Jing Gao, published a paper in Clinical Imaging, titled, "Ultrasound elastography in neuromuscular and movement disorders." It summarizes the main pathophysiology of neuromuscular and movement disorders, while presenting evidence of ultrasound elastography in the assessment of these disorders and the role ultrasound elastography modality can play.

Message from the dean, continued has grown as green (and possibly a little taller) as that growing on the other side in recent years. Some may recall my e-mail detailing the most recent action by the American Medical Association House of Delegates voting unanimously to accept an RVU studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inspired resolution to recognize the COMLEX and USMLE Licensing examinations as equal (read more about this on page 18). Each year, the AOA is working hard to ensure our graduates will never need to jump that fence for greener pastures. Though we are smaller in number compared to our allopathic colleagues, we are mighty in principle and philosophy. At a recent Board of Deans meeting, I learned of a statement made by a prominent official in the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) while hammering out details of implementing the Single Accreditation System (which will accredit post-graduate medical training for all residents in the U.S. and Canada). He said the ACGME is thrilled to have the osteopathic profession join themâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;not just to gain members and influence as some have suggested but to help the allopathic profession regain some of the heart and soul that was once the essence of the practice of medicine. He went on to explain that members of the allopathic profession, in their quest for the pure science (which places total reliance on the scientific method), had lost some of the art and humanity of medical practice that is still embodied today in the osteopathic profession. It was their hope and plan to have the osteopathic profession help nurture and rekindle those most important principles of philosophy and practice back into all the programs under their jurisdiction. What a high honor to pay all of us who reside in the osteopathic family and what a great responsibility it places on our shoulders to sustain its philosophy and principles in training new generations of both DOs and MDs. Never before in our history has there been so much opportunity for osteopathic graduates. Never before in history has the equivalency of the DO and MD degrees been understood so universally and completely in our country and throughout the world. Most importantly, never before in our history has it been more important to stay close to and to support our profession in action, word, and deed. As President Reagan and the country music folks put it, "Always dance with the one who brung ya" because there are many more exciting dances to come.

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RVURoadrunner Instagram Account Begins at RVUCOM-SU Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a medical student at RVU? The new RVURoadrunner Instagram offers a unique perspective—an ever-changing team of students from the RVUCOM-SU campus! In brainstorming how to show a different side of RVU, Kristen Kaiser, Assistant Marketing Manager, and Truman Smith, Administrative Assistant, came up with an idea: a student Instagram takeover. These takeovers have become a new trend on the social media platform as a fun way to explore more of a university. They presented the idea to several students, including SGA President Sam Zarbock, OMS II. SD Zarbock then created the account and began recruiting other students to participate. So what is different about the @RVURoadrunner Instagram? It was set up specifically for RVUCOM-SU students to share what it’s like to be a medical student. Each week, a different student takes control of the account and shares details of their lives through photos: their family, extracurricular activities, study habits, RVU experiences, and more. "It’s been really fun to see a different side of the students here on campus," said Kristen. "Normally, we only see them working hard and studying. Now, we see them enjoying family time, the outdoors, and the simple things that make RVU a home for students, faculty, and staff." "The RVURoadrunner is an excellent opportunity to see the personality of the students," said SD Zarbock. "It’s fun to see the individuality of students and what they do when they aren’t stuck in the books. It really makes RVU more personal and real, as well as making it easier to relate to the community here." Follow RVURoadrunner on Instagram at @rvuroadrunner.

Save the Date for the

Denver Osteopathic Foundation Golf Tournament Monday, June 17 at the Golf Club at Bear Dance www.dofound.org

The Vista View is created and published by the Rocky Vista University Marketing Department. Kristen Kaiser Catherine Lewis Saenz

Gina Marzulla Kelli Petersen

Julie K. Rosenthal

To make comments, suggestions, submissions, or to be added to the newsletter mailing list, please email marketing@rvu.edu.

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