VISTA VIEW
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May 2015 Newsletter
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RVUCOM Students Train for Avalanche Rescue at Wolf Creek Inside RVU Raises Awareness of Sexual Assault
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Ecuador Medical Outreach and Clinical Rotation
RVUCOM Celebrates Inaugural Diversity Week
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President's Message Institutional Greatness: The Importance of Adaptability and Flexibility by Cheryl D. Lovell, PhD, President and CEO As growth and change occur, it is critical to think with agility. That is a mantra we have heard for years, but it is not always easy to implement. Flexibility and nimbleness are necessary to adapt. More specifically, the need to see beyond one’s immediate environment and look ahead requires constant monitoring of conditions as priorities shift with upcoming opportunities. The definition of agility is one of gracefulness, quickness and nimbleness. We think of a person moving with gracefulness, but can an organization? Higher education institutions do not typically conjure up images of swiftness and grace; often, they are tightly structured and slower to move. The new “normal” requires an institution to know its priorities and have a clear strategic direction, yet be able to move when key elements are present. RVU has been an exception to the typical image of change within higher education. We have been quick, nimble, and ready to move in a strategic direction almost at a moment’s notice. Many of us believe this quality has been a key factor that led to the successes we have achieved in our very brief history as an institution of higher education. The topic of growth and change at RVU has been abuzz for years now. We know that growth and expansion can sometimes be uncomfortable and, if the discomfort grows, it can lead to frustration. Being transparent and extending opportunities for everyone to participate in shaping the future, though, can reduce uncertainty (and increase excitement about the possibilities). I have said many times we are blessed and have very bright futures as individuals and as an outstanding university dedicated to “providing quality healthcare education while inspiring students to serve with compassion, integrity, and excellence.” Getting involved in groups formed to develop new programs is a helpful, productive way to eliminate uncertainty about our future. Also, we should keep in mind RVU's vision: “Achieving New Heights in Medical Education.” As we chart our future to achieving new heights in medical education, we can only realize that by moving forward. Standing still is not ideal for any organization, especially
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an innovative one like RVU. Expanding with new degrees and programs is an ideal way to reach new heights in medical education. To execute that expansion well, we have to dedicate time, energy, and resources to match the excellence we have already achieved with our College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM). If I could wave a magic wand over the campus, I would have you imagine a year or two into the future, where we have multiple graduate-level programs with a strong core synergy that connects and builds a robust health sciences university. Our COM's research activities could drive a research agenda across all programs and serve as the foundation for strong student/faculty-related projects in a Biomedical Sciences Program. There could be opportunities for the Physician Assistant Program to enhance SPs, leading to stronger student doctor/patient experiences. It could also be the catalyst for developing educational opportunities for integrative teams, where all medical professionals support one another in the team, resulting in better patient care. This cooperation and collaboration can be a characteristic of RVU that sets us above others. All of these visions start with our need to address change (and fear of it) with agility. What resources do we actually need to provide additional programs? What do we need to support the necessary decision-making process for growth? I have asked our Facilities Master Planning Committee to make recommendations on ways to maximize our current space in light of our plan to add programs. If we have a detailed plan on better utilizing our resources and facility, we can minimize concern about strategic growth. As the saying goes, the only constant is change. RVU is nimble and agile so we just need to keep practicing those concepts in our thinking. Join me in imagining a bright future, built on a solid foundation of proven successes. Our students–current, future, and past–deserve nothing but greatness from each of us.
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Dean's Message Our Unwritten Mission by Thomas N. Told, DO, FACOFP, dist., Dean By now, you have seen our mission statement emblazoned on the walls in the fanciest script: Rocky Vista University provides quality healthcare education while inspiring students to serve with compassion, integrity and excellence. In the rigors of the academic year, those words blend into the daily routine of classwork. The lofty ideals of Service, Compassion, Integrity and Excellence abound daily on our campus and are important benchmarks of our unique culture here. They are the standards by which we as a university are judged and, in turn, we judge our students. However, there is an even greater mission which remains unwritten and often unarticulated, yet everyone readily recognizes it and agrees that it is of equal importance. It is a mission that is simple in its precepts but profound in its scope. To fulfill such a mission is a feat not easily achieved by even the most prestigious of academic medical centers with vast resources, yet we will never shy away from attempting to achieve it for all of our graduates. The unwritten mission of which I speak is ensuring our students enter not just any residency upon graduation, but the residency of their choice. This is a complex task which begins before matriculation and continues to graduation. It requires strategic planning, meticulous attention to detail, and a coordinated effort equal to that of a well-coached Olympic team. This year, after the residency matches, 1,200 unfilled positions remained in the nation with 8,600 unmatched applicants competing to fill them. Our students not only matched, but most matched early in the process. How do we maintain this record when the field is getting more competitive in future residency matches? Our students must possess more than just excellent academic ability; they must have the desire and determination to succeed. They must be service-oriented, have great communication skills, and demonstrate a strong work ethic. To find such individuals, our Admissions Department processes nearly 6,000 applications, then our faculty interviews and members of the Admissions Committee carefully screens candidates. We are refining our screening and selection process to identify those students who will be able to successfully complete our rigorous curriculum, but also stand out in the shrinking market of post-gradu-
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ate programs. We firmly believe that it is what exists in a prospective student’s heart and not on their resume that will determine their success. Each year, the quality of our applicant pool improves, which translates into students whose accomplishments are being recognized worldwide in such fields as surgical simulation with the cut suit to community health screening with rural and underserved programs. Our students are building an international culture of service in the mountains of Nepal, plains of Kenya, and backroads of Guatemala. They are leading the way in student research activities with trauma research in large urban hospitals or by presenting posters at national conferences (and receiving awards for their efforts). Students are actively involved in publication of original and collaborative writing with faculty and other physicians. We have found that these scholarly activities create the type of student that residency programs are looking to recruit. Another important ingredient that makes our students stand out is our ability to certify their competence when entering residency programs. We are instituting a program that tracks and verifies that our students possess more than a dozen core skills, making them safe and effective residents. This simple process will save residencies hours of training and evaluation to ensure their matriculates are up to standard. We are leading the osteopathic profession in this endeavor, knowing that it will give our graduates a distinct edge in future residency matches. The world desperately needs new physicians to meet the needs of a growing population, but there are challenges to overcome. The government is more reluctant to fund new post-graduate training programs. Older physicians who did most of the teaching are retiring—leaving younger physicians who are too busy building practices to teach. At RVU, we are producing graduates that are well-equipped to enter residency programs and succeed. What allows us to be successful is contained in both the written and unwritten missions of Rocky Vista University.
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RVU Raises Awareness of Sexual Assault In the past, sexual assault was often swept under the rugs at college campuses, written off as hazing, poor judgment, or "boys will be boys." Recently, though, more stories have popped up in the press, demanding that society pay attention to the reality of these assaults: the lack of consent, the emotional (and sometimes, physical) damage the victim sustains, the blind eye of college administrators, and the victim-blaming by the public. To raise awareness of the many facets of sexual assault, RVU created a month-long campaign filled with guest speakers, brochures, and classes. Teal ribbons were tied onto trees all around campus and informational tables were set up at each entrance. Posters were hung showing faculty, staff, and students holding signs with their thoughts on sexual assault. Some comments were funny, some thought-provoking... but each provided a perspective into how sexual assault affects everyone in the community. Each week, a new guest speaker spoke about some facet of sexual assault from their perspective: Danielle Bostick, a psychotherapist, talked about her experiences of being sexually assaulted and choosing to report it. She elaborated on post-traumatic stress disorder, the use of "survivor" vs. "victim," and bodily trauma: "Trauma is like Danielle Bostick speaks about gravity," she said, "You can analyze it, talk about it, give reasons why it doesn't exist, post-traumatic stress disorder but in the end, it's still there." Jennifer Williams, PhD, Executive Director of Institutional Planning and Assessment, and Kathryne Grove, Title IX Coordinator at the University of Denver, spoke about Title IX Policy and RVU's Sexual Misconduct Policy. Jennifer Dickerson, a former officer with the Texas State University campus police department, gave a talk that focused on college campus attacks. The Blue Bench, a Denver-based organization which provides resources to assault victims, talked about what bystanders can do to end rape culture and stop attacks. Finally, Dawn Cashman, an officer with the Parker Police Department, focused on the pros and cons of weapons, whether to fight, as well as interesting statistics on who, exactly, are the rapists of the world. In addition to the lunch-and-learns, RVUers were given the opportunity to learn self-defense techniques in both a Tae Kwon Do class—taught by Parker Academy of Martial Arts—and a Jiu Jitsu class—taught by RVU's own Jeffrey Summers, OMS-V. Participants learned to get out of holds and grabs, to incapacitate an attacker, and to be more assertive both vocally and physically. Participants who stayed after the Tae Kwon Do class were taught how to break boards with their bare hands—a feat every participant accomplished. Despite lasting for a month, each event was well-attended and talked about afterward. As with any awareness-raising event, the true test of success is determined by how much people learn, discuss, and apply. With Sexual Assault Awareness Month, it was the resulting conversations, questions, and ideas that proved its success.
Jeffrey Summers, OMS-V, demonstrates Jiu Jitsu moves with Stephen Groendyk, OMS-I, and George Marsh, Front Desk Security Officer
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Chris Turnquist from Parker Academy of Martial Arts instructs Ton-Vinh Nguyen, OMS-II, in breaking a board
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RVU Security Reporting Procedures by Andrew Stevens, Security Supervisor
If you are the victim of sexual misconduct or assault, the following are the steps to take in reporting to the University:
How to report
Any report of sexual misconduct or assault to a student or staff member should be reported to the Security Department, Office of Student Affairs, Human Resources, or the Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Jennifer Williams.
What to expect
• You will be aided in contacting law enforcement and obtaining a victim advocate officer. • You will be advised of victim confidentiality rights and issuance of available resources. • An initial statement will be taken; this will not include specific details of the incident. Information gathered at this point will only be that which can immediately help law enforcement in apprehending a suspect or aid in the forthcoming investigation. • You will be encouraged to follow the University’s applicable investigation procedure by submitting a request for investigation. • The University’s investigation process will be promptly completed, ordinarily within 30 days of the University’s first receiving the notice of the request for investigation.
For more information or if you are unsure about the appropriate process for your request for investigation or whether you should file a request for investigation, contact the Title IX Coordinator for an initial meeting.
Evidence Preservation
Preserve all evidence including electronic records (emails, texts, social media) if available that would be useful for police investigations. Do not shower, wash clothes, smoke or clean sheets. If one does not want to seek forensic evidence collection, health care providers can still treat for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
Resources
The Security Department will assist any victim of sexual misconduct in contacting law enforcement and obtaining a victim advocate. Security will also provide the following: • • • • •
On- and off-campus resources for treatment, counseling, assistance programs, Sheriff’s Offices and county courts. Emergency Protection Orders. Explanation of Victims, Complainants, and Confidentiality Rights. Investigation forms for sexual harassment, sexual violence, and or discrimination. Assistance in procuring any additional documentation as required during said process.
For more information, questions, or to report a crime, contact the Security Department at (720) 875-2892.
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RVUCOM Students Train for Avalanche Rescue at Wolf Creek According to National Geographic, avalanches kill more than 150 people worldwide each year. However, if avalanche victims are dug out of the snow within 15 minutes, 93 percent will survive. This figure drops to 20-30 percent if the victim is rescued after 45 minutes. After two hours, very few survive. With these staggering statistics in mind, a physician in an avalanche zone must know the importance of locating a buried individual efficiently and providing them with care as quickly as possible. To practice these skills in a realistic setting, RVUCOM students in the Rural and Wilderness Medicine Honors Track—as well as Thomas N. Told, DO, FACOFP, dist., Dean of RVUCOM—worked with the ski patrol team, avalanche control officers, and emergency rescue personnel at Wolf Creek Ski Area. This third annual training event atop Wolf Creek Pass took place on a thankfully clear and mild-weathered day. Students learned how to locate a buried individual by using the standard probe method, avalanche beacons, and specially-trained avalanche dogs. For these exercises, students searched for live (and safely buried) individuals along with medical dummies. Once the individuals were found, students provided first-response care, which included working with Flight for Life and Mercy Hospital in Durango. “This training is a very valuable experience, "said Dr. Told. "It allows our students to interface in real time with local EMS services and emergency transport systems." Some of the emergency trauma procedures utilized the cut suit and included a tracheotomy to clear a blocked airway and a thoracostomy to stop hemorrhaging. RVUCOM students also learned how to use the Avalung (a filtration device which draws air directly from the snow pack) and the avalanche air bag (an inflatable emergency airbag designed to prevent a person from being buried during an avalanche). Knowledge of how to use these devices will inevitably help them educate future patients while increasing their own odds of survival should an avalanche arise while they search to save someone else—very important lessons particularly for those students who intend to become rural physicians in Colorado or other mountainous states.
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Back to Our Roots: A Visit to the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine by Erin Chandler, OMS-II
Nestled in the town of Kirksville, Missouri, the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine provides an educational and motivational experience for all, but especially us osteopathic medical students. Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, born August 6, 1828, is the father of Osteopathic Medicine. Dissatisfied with the lack of success of medicine at that time—leeches, poisons, and amputations—he felt the urge to find better cures and treatments for disease. He delved into the study of human anatomy for years, developing the science of osteopathic medicine: "an Osteopath reasons from his knowledge of anatomy. He compares the work of the abnormal body with the work of the normal body." There are stories of his treatments, but he taught anatomy and principles, as opposed to specific techniques. He felt his students should have such a grasp of the human body, that they could utilize anatomical know-how and philosophical understanding to treat patients in response to their uniquely individual health issues.
Second-year SDs: Luke Lundeen, Ton-Vinh Nguyen, and Erin Chandler with Jason Haxton, Museum Director
Ahead of his time, Dr. Still included five women in the founding class in 1892, two of which were Jeanette “Nettie” Hubbard Bolles and Charlotte Weaver. Post-graduation in 1894, Dr. Bolles, the first female graduate, taught anatomy at the American School of Osteopathy and was the editor of the Journal of Osteopathy. In 1896, she brought osteopathic medicine to Colorado, opening the Western Institute of Osteopathy (later becoming part of American School of Osteopathy). Dr. Weaver graduated in 1912, practiced in Akron, Ohio, and became a lifelong student of the cranium and central nervous system, researching cranial manipulation and neuropsychiatric disorders. Blanche Still, Dr. Still’s daughter, opened an osteopathic museum in 1934 with two display cases. It has since grown to over 80,000 items under current museum director, Jason Haxton, who has been working with the collection for the past 15 years. Over spring break, three second-year students had the opportunity to tour the museum with Mr. Haxton. He graciously opened the doors to the archives and shared some of the original books, photographs, documents, and diplomas that reveal the deep history of the osteopathic profession. From furniture and fine china dishes of the Still house (where Dr. Still hosted the founding class), an 1890s X-ray machine, a fully dissected nervous system, and annotated drawings from some of the first students, the museum traces the history of osteopathic medicine. With the mission "to preserve and promote the history and tenants of osteopathy through collections and research to a global audience," the museum provides uniquely historical insight into Dr. Still's founding ideals. Mr. Haxton also showed us a collection of Dr. Still's walking staffs and custom boots with his handmade orthotics (made before the time of Dr. Scholl and mass-produced shoes). These orthotics reveal Dr. Still's immense knowledge and appreciation for anatomy because he understood what his body needed to reestablish his balance. Mr. Haxton’s passion for history shone through during his animated and informative tour. He directed us toward the town’s graveyard where we had the opportunity to pay respects at the Still family plot. If you'd like more information, SD Chandler highly suggests the following: Autobiography of Andrew Taylor Still with a History of the Discovery and Development of the Science of Osteopathy, Philosophy of Osteopathy, and Osteopathy Research and Practice. Images courtesy of The Museum of Osteopathic Medicine.
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Ecuador Medical Outreach and Clinical Rotation RVU Global Medicine recently ventured to a new location for its popular medical outreach trips: Ecuador. In February, eight third- and fourth-year students (along with faculty Camille Bentley, DO, MPH, FACOFP, Chair of Global and Community Medicine, and Tina Underwood, MA Ed., Associate Director of Clinical Assessment and Simulation) traveled to Quito, the capital city located in northern Ecuador. For several days, they participated in a cultural exchange program where they received instruction in Spanish Immersion and Ecuadorian Culture. "While learning about Ecuadorian culture," said Brianna Anthony, OMS-III, "I kept thinking how much their ideas about health and life aligned with [osteopathic medicine philosophy]. There is a lot of focus on the mind-body-spirit connection and how we, as humans, are not only reliant on nature, but equally part of nature."
Abby Dekle, OMS-III, Rebekka Lee, OMS-I, and Danika Evans, OMS-I
At the beginning of the second week, a group of 12 first-year students arrived with Mark Lea, MD, FACS, Assistant Professor of Structural Medicine. Together, the groups flew south to Cuenca, a smaller, warmer city located in central Ecuador. For the next week, the students saw approximately 120 patients, while working beside students from Catholic University Schools of Medicine, Nursing, and Dentistry. The nursing students did the intake and triage, while medical students met with patients and ran the pharmacy and lab.
Brianna Anthony, OMS-III, Tina Underwood, and Aubrey Arensdorf, OMS-I
RVU students worked in pairs: one clinical student with one first-year student. The students rotated teams daily. By the end of the week, all students were presenting their cases to an attending. "It truly was a learning experience for everyone involved," said Dr. Bentley. "The faculty of Catholic University was very impressed by our students and quickly spread the good word to their dean." SD Anthony added: "On any medical mission trip, we provide medical care to an underserved population; but I believe we, as volunteers, truly are the ones who benefit the most." Photos provided by Abby Dekle and Brianna Anthony.
Stephen Groendyk, OMS-I, Ryan King, OMS-I, and Abby Dekle, OMS-III
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Abby Dekle, OMS-III, Brian Russ, Garrett Rota, OMS-I, Courtney OMS-III, and Henry Garcia (a dental Cage, OMS-IV, and a student of student of Catholic University) Catholic University
Old Church in downtown Cuenca
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RVUCOM Celebrates Inaugural Diversity Week Some of the best college traditions begin with the students themselves. Students of RVUCOM recently created, organized, and hosted the school’s first Diversity Week—a series of events dedicated to raising awareness and spreading information about diversity in health care to their fellow student doctors. The idea for Diversity Week originated during a Gays, Lesbians, and Allies (GLAM) club meeting. “Diversity is really important to recognize and celebrate,” said Chelsea Green, OMS-II, and President of GLAM. When SD Green introduced the idea to other students and school departments, the idea took flight: “More exposure to lifestyles and world views that are different from our own will help us budding physicians understand and collaborate more effectively with our future patients and colleagues,” said Moriah Eberhard, OMS-II, and member of the Diversity Week planning committee. “There are still real and measurable differences in the way minority groups are treated in the US when they interface with health care. Physicians unconsciously (and sometimes even consciously) add to the barriers many non-white, non-English speaking, non-Christian, non-male people face when attempting to access health care. Becoming part of the solution, championing justice in health care, begins early in training. We felt there was not enough time in the current curriculum to address some of these concerns head-on. We did it for ourselves—to elevate the skills of our peers—but mostly for our future patients.” Throughout the week, RVUCOM faculty provided lectures for the community: Brian Schwartz, M.L.I.S, Assistant Professor of Medical Informatics spoke about “More Than Demographic Differences: Diversity, Patient Values, and EvidenceBased Medicine;” Tiemdow Phumiruk, MD, Adjunct Faculty for Primary Care Department spoke about “Diversity in Healthcare: Cultural Issues;” and, Frank Ames, PhD, MA, M.Div., Director of Library Services and Professor of Medical Informatics chose the topic, “On Healing and Being the Other: Understanding Religious Diversity for Better Patient Care.” The keynote speaker for the week was Senator Irene Aguilar, MD, who represents the 32nd district of the Colorado Senate. Her discussion on “Universal Health Care as a Health Disparities Intervention” was well-received and informative for the student doctors, with statistics and anecdotes about the lack of equality in health care, as well as ideas for improving it. The Diversity Week planning committee had decided to invite Senator Aguilar as the keynote speaker because, as SD Eberhard said, “her experience transected many of the areas of interest [in relation to diversity]: she is female, Hispanic, involved in policy making, the mother of a child with disabilities, and a doctor. She could relate to us and help us learn to relate to her… [her ideas] regarding equitable health care for all was incredibly inspiring.” Following the keynote, RVUCOM clubs presented ideas on diversity at a reception. The inaugural Diversity Week proved to be a success, with students discussing the presented ideas outside of class. “It seems like the event really resonated with the students and faculty members at RVU,” said SD Green.
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Students and Physicians Learn About Visceral Manipulation Following on the success of the cranial manipulation class held last year, Adrienne Kania, DO, Assistant Professor of OPP, and Dana Anglund, DO, Assistant Professor of OPP, recently held the first Introduction to Visceral Manipulation course at RVUCOM. Students of the Intro to Visceral Manipulation course—made up of fourth-year students, local attending physicians, and residents from the OPTI program—learned about sphincter locations, treatment for dysfunctional sphincters, the stomach and its own set of dysfunctions, and the anatomy of the abdomen, in general. While visceral manipulation is commonly practiced among European osteopathic physicians, American osteopathic physicians are less prone to practice (or even know about) it. Visceral manipulation consists of using osteopathic manipulation and techniques to treat dysfunctions, defined by the AOA as "Impaired or altered mobility or motility of the visceral system and related fascial, neurological, vascular, skeletal, and lymphatic elements." Though the practice began with A.T. Still, his approach for visceral dysfunctions was to treat the spine, then "lift" the organs, rather than focusing solely on the viscera. These dysfunctions can be caused by a wide range of conditions: trauma, pregnancy, infections, inflammation of the stomach (such as an ulcer or gastritis), and many more. As Dr. Kania said, the goal of visceral manipulation is to "catch it before it becomes a frank, obvious disease, such as reflux." As a result of this course, which Dr. Kania described as "helpful and enlightening" for the participants, it will likely become an annual offering. If you are interested in going beyond the required curriculum, there will be a 40-hour Introductory Cranial Course offered by Dr. Kania on May 4th-8th. This will be open to students and local physicians.
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How to Maintain Good Physical and Mental Health in Medical School by Judy Thornton, Director of Educational Support
Self-Care Exam: • Are you getting plenty of exercise? Exercise should not be an option. Make it a part of your scheduled weekly routine. Find some form of exercise that relaxes and/or energizes you and do it regularly. • Are you getting enough sleep? Sleep increases productivity and your ability to focus. It will also improve your selfconfidence, motivation, strength, mood and sense of well-being. Take the time to discipline yourself in order to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Keep the hours of waking and sleeping consistent. You will find it is well worth your efforts in being self-disciplined with your sleep. • Is your diet healthy? When you are in a hurry and have limited resources, eating well can be challenging. Whenever possible, choose healthy food options and try to avoid processed foods which are high in sugars and sodium. Look for fresh foods and make them daily requirements.
Pay Attention to Your Emotional Health: • Control your stress levels. By staying organized and prioritizing how you are spending your time, your stress levels can be better managed. Being in medical school is very stressful. Don’t be stressed just because everyone else is stressed! Try relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga. Just breathing deeply will lower the blood pressure and can make you feel better. Relaxation techniques don’t take much time and can fit into your busy schedule very easily. • Go outside and enjoy the nature of Colorado, when possible. Many times, you can combine exercise and nature and you will find it very enjoyable. • Friends are a great resource: both those friends outside of med school, as well as your classmates. Studying in groups can be very helpful academically and emotionally. • Don’t beat yourself over mistakes. No one is perfect and it is crazy to think any other way! If you have something that is upsetting you, find someone to talk to who is trustworthy and/or contact Student Affairs for an appointment with our professional counselor. • Try to find joy whenever possible and stay positive. Surround yourself with others who are positive in their outlook and approach to life and school. Avoid negative people. • Remember why you came to medical school. Remember the original inspiration that made you choose medicine as your career path, it will help re-energize you. • Each day, take a few minutes to get centered so that you can better meet the demands of learning and performing in medical school. When you feel grounded, it promotes better choices and contentment with the challenges and struggles of school and of being a health care professional. Also, it will be contagious!
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Dr. Ames' 60th Birthday Flash Mob
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Updates from the Admissions Department • March 19: Student doctors Vijay Setty, OMS-II, and Vinay Setty, OMS-II, represented RVUCOM at a multi-com osteopathic medical informational meeting for pre-health students at Boston University. Vinay was on the panel which led the discussions and both fielded questions at the display table. • March 26: An open house was held at RVU for prospective students and family members, as well as community members. The visitors toured the facility led by our student ambassadors, listened to presentations by Thomas Told, DO, FACOFP dist., RVUCOM Dean, and Katy Hunsberger, Associate Director of Admissions. OPP fellows gave a demonstration about osteopathic manipulation. Finally, guests attended break-out sessions highlighting each of the honors tracks. Overall, it was a successful event with a lot of interest! • April 9: Cheryl Lovell, PhD, President of RVU, and Julie Rosenthal, MS, Executive Director of Admissions and Marketing, presented to premed students in Puerto Rico. The presentation was the first introduction to osteopathic medicine. Additional meetings were held with campus administrators to discuss the possibility of developing a pipeline program between RVU and Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Puerto Rico. The meeting was scheduled by Vanessa Sanchez, PhD, Chair and Secretary for RVU's Board of Trustees.
Sean Slack, OMS-IV, presents the cut suit to visitors at the Open House
Vanessa Sanchez, PhD, speaks to interested students
• April 17: Ms. Hunsberger provided an overview of medical school admissions to students in Dr. Russ Anthony’s Biomedical Science course at Colorado State University. • April 22: Student ambassadors hosted Douglas County High School students for their yearly Career Connect program which introduces students to a variety of career paths. The program included a tour of the facility, an OMM demonstration, an anatomy showcase, and an interactive panel. The visiting students were intrigued with the presentations and the fact that they were allowed so much handson participation. • April 24: Camille Bentley, DO, MPH, FACOFP, Chair of Global and Community Medicine and Chair of RVUCOM's Admissions Committee, Jennifer Williams, PhD, Executive Director of Institutional Planning and Assessment, and Ms. Rosenthal presented at the AACOM annual conference in Florida. Their presentation, "EvidenceBased Admission Decisions: Predicting Student Achievement in Medical School," informed participants about a study conducted at RVUCOM that examined preadmission selection criteria to determine if any variables emerged as effective predictors of student academic performance.
Frank Sierra Cortes, Dean of Academy Affairs at Pontificia Universidad Catolica; Vanessa Sanchez, PhD; Ms. Rosenthal; and Cheryl Lovell, PhD, RVU President
Dr. Bentley, Ms. Rosenthal, and Dr. Williams present at AACOM
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Volunteer Efforts • Five third-year students—Kelly Powell, Quoc Nguyen, Danny Jones, Kristen Harmon, and Chelsey Coles—recently worked with 5th grade students from Discovery Canyon, as part of the elementary students' anatomy and physiology curriculum. The student doctors explained how each body system works with the others, as well as safety habits. They created trauma scenarios, allowing each student to act as the first-responder by performing CPR, taking vital signs, and examining the patient. The young students were also given the opportunity of performing surgery on a dummy (using pork hide and fake blood). They practiced cutting and stitching, producing such comments as, "Ew, there is so much blood!" and "Do I have to stick my hand in there?" SD Powell commented, "It was rewarding to see the kids so curious and excited." • RVU students have participated in several health fairs around Colorado including the Channel 9 Health Fair at Sky Ridge, as well as fairs in Littleton, Parker, and Greeley. Jill Pitcher, DO, Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, said of the student volunteers, "Quest, the lab group, [said] they would rather have you than any other student group there. [They] appreciated those in the groups who demonstrated expertise and not only helped the other students, but others in the entire room. All other physicians and providers conveyed that you were prepared, skilled, and acted in a professional way with them, as well as the patients." • RVU's Rotary Community Corps (RCC) recently organized a Bingo Day at the Parker Senior Center, attended by 15 RVUCOM students. Several prizes were given away including chocolate bars, movie theater tickets, and RVU gear. While the RVUCOM students did their best to win, they simply couldn’t compete with the seniors who ended up walking away with all the prizes. Sindi Diko, OMS-I, remarked, “Feedback from the students and the seniors has been extremely positive...everyone seemed to enjoy the event.”
Rescue Mission Volunteers RVU students provide information and fun experiences to Discovery Canyon students
Bingham Memorial Foundation golf tournament participants
RVUers walk 5th grade students through surgery and other medical scenarios
RCC/RVU members Amanda Beach, OMS-II, Michael Holmboe, OMS-II, and Bree Steinke, OMS-II with a Rotarian at the food drive
RCC/RVU also held a food drive and it was a huge success! RVUCOM students joined members of the Parker Rotary Club and the Parker Task Force to collect food and cash donations for the latter, a non-profit organization that provides those in need with food, financial assistance, and other services to help them become selfsufficient. In all, the volunteers collected a total of 83 boxes of food and $997.00 in cash and/or gift cards. • After a massive earthquake struck Nepal in April, killing and displacing thousands of people, Dr. Camille Bentley put out a call to RVUers to contribute to a fundraiser. In four days, she received over $2,500 in donations, which was then matched at 100% by Hands for Health, NFP for a total of over $5,100!
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Bree Steinke, OMS-II, and Abby Zinn, OMS-I
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Clinical Skills Teach Reproductive Exams with Care As students at RVUCOM studied the human body’s reproductive system, they got the opportunity to practice the male and female genitourinary exams - on real people. Clinical Skills USA, an organization dedicated to teaching the patient-centered skills required in serving the good health of men and women of all ages, came to Rocky Vista University to share their knowledge and bodies with the students. These instructors—male urogenital teaching associates (MUTAs) and gynecological teaching associates (GTAs)—specialize in using their bodies to instruct aspiring medical students in the art of performing a reproductive exam- pelvic and breast for women and rectal and testicular for men - correctly and without pain. While this important job is sometimes looked down upon by people in society, the MUTAs and GTAs are proud of the work they do because they know they are giving these students the confidence and skills necessary to perform these exams accurately and sensitively, a skillset that can be lacking in today’s medical dummy trained world of doctors. RVUCOM students expressed gratitude to the MUTAs and GTAs for the opportunity to practice on real people instead of medical dummies and we can rest assured that the patients that they see in the future will be grateful as well.
RVUCOM Students Attend AAO Convocation Some students and faculty of RVUCOM attended the American Academy of Osteopathic (AAO) Convocation. This year’s convocation entitled “Life in Motion: The Science, Philosophy and Art of Osteopathic Medicine” was held at the Louisville Marriott Downtown and the Kentucky International Convention Center. In addition to learning new techniques and expanding their knowledge of osteopathic medicine, Heather Ferrill, DO, Associate Professor of OPP at RVUCOM, taught one of the breakout sessions “Osteopathy Through the Lens of Ayurveda: A Palpatory Experience”. This session included didactic and hands-on segments that focused on the experience of palpation and explored the intersection of the osteopathic and ayurvedic paradigms of structure and function. The RVUCOM Alumni Association sponsored a reception. In response to how the conference went this year, Jeffrey Summers, OMS-V remarked, “I have attended this conference for three years now and every time I learn something new about osteopathy and myself.” Photos by Jeffrey Summers.
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Campus Tidbits Congratulations, Marketing Department! The Marketing department won several awards at AACOM's 2015 Excellence in Communications:
First Place
Best Social Media (Facebook Page)
Second Place
Honorable Mention
Best Recruitment Piece (RVUCOM Search Piece)
Best Newsletter (Vista View)
Vanessa Sanchez, PhD, Cheryl Lovell, PhD, Congressman Ken Buck, and Thomas Told, DO, FACOFP dist.
Christopher Ketter, OMS-IV, and Sarah Jones, OMS-IV became engaged
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Officials from Arapahoe Community College visited RVU and participated in a cut suit demonstration
Several faculty members and students: Mark Lea, Anthony LaPorta, Michael Tieman, Rebecca Bowden, Joseph Stasio, and Ryan Slattery, OMS-III, were published in the Journal of Surgical Education. Their article, titled, "Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine Hyperrealistic Simulation Center, Parker, Colorado" describes the school's Simulation Center, accreditation, and features such as the cut suit.
Dr. Amber Heck welcomed a a baby boy on March 31st, named Harrison
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Achieving New Heights Highlighting the Accomplishments of Our Faculty, Staff and Physicians in Training
Jordan Cohen, OMS-IV, won the RVUCOM A. Hollis Wolf competition with his presentation, "A 37-Year-Old Female with Gestational Hypertension." He went on to represent RVUCOM at the AACOM conference. The runners-up were Laura Gibbons, OMS-II, and Elsie Haynes, OMS-IV. Fernando Gomez, MD, Professor of Pathology, and his research group at American University of the Caribbean were recently published in the OA Immunology Journal. The article, "Laboratory coats as a reservoir for pathogen transmission" discusses the possible relationship between clothing worn by healthcare professionals and disease transmission. Dan Havens, Director of Public Safety and Security, was chosen as one of 14 finalists for Campus Safety Magazine's "Campus Safety Director of the Year." Finalists were chosen based on their leadership skills, ingenuity, selflessness, and overall achievement. The winner will be chosen and announced in June. Good luck, Dan! Varea Costello, OMS-III, won the Best Poster Presentation award in Resident Category for "Salivary Biometrics Replace Likert Scale in Understanding of Medical Education," at the 30th Annual Academic Research Competition at Naval Medical Center.
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The new Pre-Doctoral OPP Fellows have been selected: Laura Gibbons, OMS-II; Sarah Houseman, OMS-II; Brandon Hoy, OMS-II; and, Phillip Miller, OMS-II. Additionally, the Pre-Doctoral Anatomy Fellows have been selected: Kelly Davis, OMS-II, and Charles Simpkin, OMS-II. Kenneth A. Ramey, DO, Assistant Professor of OPP and Physician of Sports Medicine and OMM at the Rocky Vista Health Center, was awarded Fellowship in the American College of Osteopathic Family Physi cians at the 52rd Annual Convention and Scientific Seminar. This designation signifies the recognition of the physician’s experience, dedication, and contributions of the highest order to the advancement of the profession. He is also serving as an OMM practical examiner for the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians. Additionally, Dr. Ramey is now serving as a team physician for the Glendale Raptors Rugby Club. This will be a great educational opportunity for any interested OPP Fellows, residents, and students in the sports medicine club. Finally, he was recently appointed as volunteer Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
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RVUCOM Places 100% of Students into Residency Programs Each year, medical students across the United States anxiously wait for “Match Day,” the day when they find out where they will be completing their graduate medical education (residency). RVU participates in three different residency matches: the Military Match, the AOA (osteopathic) match, and the NRMP (allopathic) match. Through all of these matches, RVUCOM is proud to announce that the Class of 2015 successfully placed 100% into residency programs. Some of the locations at which students were placed had never accepted osteopathic graduates before, which speaks highly of our skilled and knowledgeable students. RVU has earned the distinction of 100% placement rate for each match year. Good work, Class of 2015!
ACOFP Club Wins President's Award at Conference The ACOFP (American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians) had its national conference in Las Vegas, Nevada in March. RVU had a monumental year, winning the President’s Award (the award for having the most active chapter of all the osteopathic schools in the nation) for the second year in a row!
"[Grace and the second-year officer board] did an outstanding job representing RVU excellence this past year!" - Bobby Nieland, OMS-I
"The conference is such a great learning experience for us students," said Grace Borton, OMS-II and ACOFP club president. "There were workshops to teach dermatology procedures, splinting and bracing, IUD insertion, and OMM training. Many of our students also networked with physicians attending the conference and capped off with a celebration at the President's Inaugural Ball." All four years of RVUCOM ACOFP student presidents were represented at the conference: Bobby Nieland, OMSI; Grace Borton, OMS-II; Netana Hotimsky, OMS III; and Jie Casey, OMS IV. (SD Casey was named the ACOFP Student Governor, as well!) Great work, ACOFP club and officers!
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Welcome to our New Faculty and Staff! Brian Borges Security Officer Brian Borges is from Aurora, Colorado. Prior to joining RVU, he spent ten years in security and then joined the Army National Guard. In the six years that he served, he worked on the Waldo Canyon Fire in 2012 and the state floods of 2013. Brian says that he looked forward to joining RVU, because it would be a change of pace. In his spare time, Brian enjoys teaching, shooting, making people laugh, and spending time with his two daughters and two dogs. An interesting fact about Brian is that he has been under cardiac arrest twice. Welcome, Brian!
Ryan Greenfield
AV and Help Desk Technician Ryan Greenfield was born in New York but has spent most of his life in Aurora, Colorado. He has nine years of experience in IT, working for various companies such as Centura Health and the corporate headquarters of Sports Authority. Having heard good things about Rocky Vista University, Ryan was intrigued. Upon interviewing, he found that the people here are really friendly and that was a welcomed change. When Ryan’s not rigging AV equipment and troubleshooting computer issues, you’ll find him with his wife— hiking, watching a movie, or embarking on a road trip. A little known fact about Ryan is that he is a NASM certified personal trainer. Welcome, Ryan!
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Kelly Harris
Administrative Assistant for Admissions and Marketing Kelly Harris is originally from Waterloo, Iowa. She comes to RVU with 16 years of experience in the telecom industry and 8 years in the oil and gas industry. Kelly says that she was drawn to RVU because of the university’s mission of “educating students to help others," as well as the friendly demeanor of the employees and students. Outside of work, Kelly loves spending time with her dog, cat, family, and friends. She enjoys traveling, discovering new places, and can often be found doing one of the following: rollerblading, bike-riding, hiking, or reading. An interesting fact about Kelly is that she is a cancer survivor Welcome, Kelly!
Mara Hover, DO
Associate Dean for Curricular Affairs and Educational Development; Professor of Pediatrics Mara Hover, DO, earned her Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her residency in Pediatrics at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center/Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, then took a Fellowship in Forensic Pediatrics at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. She is a current American Osteopathic Association Health Policy Fellow, a graduate Fellow of the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine Educational Leadership Fellowship program, and a graduate of The National Association of Community Health Centers New Medical Directors Training. Prior to coming to Rocky Vista, Dr. Hover served as Chair of Clinical Curriculum Development, Assessment and Outcomes and as Associate Chair of Community Medicine at A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic
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Welcome to our New Faculty and Staff! Medicine in Arizona. She was both Chair and Vice-Chair of the SOMA Curriculum Committee and a member of the following: Catalog Committee, Interprofessional Education Team, Strategic Outcomes Committee, Academic Management Team, Curriculum Design Team and Awards and Events committees. Dr. Hover also served four years as Director of the Clinical Education Department, overseeing the 11 community campus education sites. She was Co-Principal Investigator of a grant to support the development of a dual Master’s/DO degree and a Master’s degree in Medical Informatics, which is awarded by the United States Health Resources and Services Administration. In addition to her administrative positions, Dr. Hover was course director for the Adolescent Medicine clerkship rotation, a contributing content expert lecturer for many of the first- and second-year didactic courses, and Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor for the ATSU Physician Assistant Program. She practiced clinically at a pediatric urgent care and consulted on child abuse cases in the community. When Dr. Hover isn’t working, she spends her time doting on her “greatest joys:” her four grandchildren: Charolette, Liam, Eleanor and Emmalyn. Some interesting facts about Dr. Hover are that she spent most of her life as a commercial onscreen, print, and voice talent – with her first television commercial at the age of five! She also represented her home state as Mrs. Arizona/ Mrs. USA International in 1991.
Brady Miles
Security Officer Brady Miles is originally from Fresno, California. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from American Military University. He served with U.S. Air Force security police for 24 years. During his service, he earned two meritorious service medals, four Air Force achievement medals, and an Army commendation medal. Brady is joining RVU after retiring from the Air Force. He said he’s excited to be a part of RVU, because of the mission to provide quality healthcare education while inspiring students to serve with compassion, integrity and excellence. It reminds him of the mission that inspired his military career and service to our nation. Brady is married with five children and loves off-roading, grilling out with friends and family, and playing cards. Currently, with a daughter in competitive all-star cheerleading, his family also enjoys getting to take several mini-vacations as they travel for the competitions. A unique fact about Brady is that he was in West Germany when the Berlin wall came down in 1989! Welcome, Brady!
Welcome, Dr. Hover!
Promotions and New Appointments Dennis Meidal, has been appointed to the new position of Facilities and Grounds Technician. Dennis has been employed at RVU since January 2012. In his new position, Dennis will be responsible for the maintenance and daily upkeep of RVU and the grounds of the university. Congratulations, Dennis!
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From the Rocky Vista University Alumni Association
A LU M N I A SSO C I AT ION
Hello all, I hope everyone is doing well in their respective residency programs. It’s amazing how time flies! We are nearing the end of the academic year! What does that mean for us, you might ask? It means we will have some members of our first class becoming attendings/ fellows, more alumni becoming chief residents, interns becoming junior residents, junior residents becoming senior residents, and, of course, our fourth-year medical students becoming new interns. We are so excited to welcome the Class of 2015 into the Alumni Association. Congratulations to all members of the class on a job well done during the allopathic, osteopathic, and military matches. The members of the Class of 2015 continued to match in all fields at some of the top residencies in the country! We are looking forward to having them join the Alumni Association and are excited to see what amazing things they can add to the list of already outstanding accomplishments achieved by Rocky Vista Alum. Over the past month, several conferences took place where RVU alum were able to reconnect with old friends, classmates, and faculty. The AAO, ACOFP, and ACOI each had their spring meetings where several alumni were in attendance. We hope that you enjoyed seeing each other and we look forward to providing social events at future conferences. We will be setting up alumni events at the ACOI and ACOFP fall conventions and if there are other conferences that we should know about, please don’t hesitate to contact us. As promised, we wrote a letter to Mr. Black and the Board of Trustees regarding the loan situation. Unfortunately, at this time, there will be no changes in the loan terms. Mr. Black is trying to find advisors for students who are having difficulty figuring out repayment. The Alumni Association continues to support you! One of our alum was able to refinance and so we are sharing his success with all alumni. The alum used Darien Rowayton Bank. Although it doesn’t work with Rocky Vista, he used his college degree and sent both the college diploma and his Rocky Vista diploma and was approved for refinancing! The Alumni Association hopes this tip helps and we appreciate the alum who provided this information! We will also let you know when the advisors are set up and ready to help. Please don’t forget to become a member of the RVUCOM Alumni Association! It’s only $25 dollars a year while in residency and you can pay it yearly or in a lump sum! Good luck to everyone as they wind down their academic year and move up in rank. Congratulations to the fourthyear medical students graduating in May and to those alumni who will be graduating their residencies in June. To all of the members of the RVUCOM alumni, I wish you only success in all of your future endeavors. Best Wishes, Heather Katz, DO '12 Alumni Association President
Aaron Jones, incoming student of the Class of 2019, received the COPIC Medical Foundation Scholarship for his commitment to diversity and service! This scholarship provides $5,000 per year toward his tuition. Congratulations, Mr. Jones!
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From the Rocky Vista University Alumni Association
VU
A LU M N I A SSO C I AT ION
congratulations to all of our alumni on their achievements! Publications Heather Katz, DO '12, Cielo Z. Rose, DO, Nina Thakker Rivera, DO PhD, Natasha Bray, DO. Primary Effusion Lymphoma Presenting as a Paracardial Mass. BMJ Case Reports. February 2015; doi:10.1136/ bcr-2014-208718
Engagements, Marriages, and Births Cassidy Graham, DO '12, became engaged to Kylee Loutas.
Kristen Knowles, DO '12, became engaged to Rennie Mora.
Audrey Bellant, DO '12, married Mark Gering, Jr.
Rachel Sy, DO '12, married Matthew Layug.
Aaron Dunn, DO '13, and his wife welcomed a daughter, Ruby.
Candice Geist, DO '12, and her husband welcomed a son, Beckett.
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Stephen Sears, DO '14, and his wife welcomed a son, Carver James.
Job Acceptances and Fellowships Sweekriti (Adhikari) Bhattari, DO '12, has accepted a fellowship in Hematology/ Oncology at Larkin Medical Center in Miami, Florida. Jaime Cohen, DO '12, has accepted a position as pediatrician in Pueblo, Colorado
Meghan Croteau Fels, DO '12, has accepted a position as pediatrician in Greeley, Colorado. Lia Fiallos, DO '12, has accepted a fellowship in Alternative Medicine at St. Anthony's in Denver, Colorado. Heather Katz, DO '12, has accepted a position as hospitalist in Denver, Colorado. Sandy Stuetelberg, DO '12, has accepted a position as Internal Medicine physician in Austin, Texas.
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Save the Date! Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine Presents
Research Appreciation Day
2015
Advancing the Field of Sports Medicine Thursday, May 7th • 8:00 AM For additional information, please contact Dr. Qamrul Choudhury at qchoudhury@rvu.edu.
Donor Appreciation Ceremony Honor those who generously donated their bodies to RVU, contributing to the medical education of tomorrow's physicians. May 8, 2015 • 3:00 PM The Vista View is published by the Rocky Vista University Marketing Department.
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Rocky Vista University provides quality healthcare education while inspiring students to serve with compassion, integrity and excellence.
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