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June 2013 Newsletter Vol. 5 No. 5
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NEWSLET
RVUCOM Graduation: Congratulations Class of 2013! Page 4
Inside RVUCOM Provides Health Care in Rural Peru
Second Annual Research Appreciation Day
RVU Holds First Donor Memorial Ceremony
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Page 10
Page 11
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A Message from the President and CEO: Cheryl D. Lovell, Ph.D. It was such a wonderful and rewarding experience to be a part of Rocky Vista University’s second Commencement Ceremony and the entire week of graduation-related activities. The ceremony was spectacular as a result of the many RVU physicians in training, staff and faculty who dedicated several months of preparation to make the May 18th event so wonderful. This was a very special experience for me as it was my first Commencement Ceremony as President of RVU, and during my Address, I strove to provide words of wisdom and advice to the Class of 2013. For me, that advice came in sharing the lessons I learned throughout my life, about the importance of listening. In my address, I recalled a bike trip that I took through the tranquil countryside of the Amish community in Pennsylvania. This trip was a great experience of listening. A level of listening that demonstrated, to me, that I was in that moment and that I
RVU President and CEO, Cheryl D. Lovell, Ph.D., delivers the President's Address at the Class of 2013 Commencement
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was experiencing the sounds of the earth. It was so quiet in my time on the road that I had the chance to take in the sounds of the corn. The chattering of the corn I heard was symbolic in that it represented to me that if I could be still, could be focused in the moment, that I could hear something as abstract as the movement of the corn stalks. This is an important lesson for these new physicians; that they can never stop listening – to everyone around them – and that listening is the key to being a great physician. Many thanks from myself and from the Class of 2013 and their families, are expressed to our RVU community members who played a role in the graduation event and the many other related activities. I wish much success to the Class of 2013. You have a wonderful future ahead of you and I look forward to hearing about the journey you are embarking upon. I cannot wait to listen to your stories and hear how well RVU prepared you for your successes. Always remember, your contributions are our greatest legacy. Another recent, key event was the University’s Second Annual Research Appreciation Day. Our campus hosted this important event and our faculty, staff and physicians in training had a great opportunity to showcase their research. We were joined by keynote speaker, Susan VandeWoude, DVM, from the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University, who presented “Lessons from the
Cheryl D. Lovell, Ph.D.
Wild: Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and Implications for HIV.” Traci Lyons, Ph.D., and faculty at University of Colorado-Denver, presented “Novel insights into postpartum breast cancer through animal models and human tissues.” We also enjoyed research presentations from RVUCOM physicians in training, including Ashley Fejleh, OMS-I, and our A. Hollis Wolf national and regional award winners, Kay Kelts, OMS-V and Amber Koon, OMS-IV. Additionally, over 35 poster presentations in clinical and biomedical research, as well as education and public health research, were displayed throughout the morning. It was a full day of showcasing research and connecting our physicians in training and faculty with researchers around the area. Research is important to our University and we value the contributions our RVU community is making. Research leads to applications that directly benefit our institution, the state, and our medical education preparation community. It transforms our thinking and advances our (continued on next page)
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A Message From the President (Continued) understanding of critical issues and phenomena. Research projects are important to our faculty and our physicians in training, and we value the contributions each are making in advancing our knowledge base. With the summer upon us, we’re already in preparations for the in-
coming class. The transition of the academic year brings for me, a time to reflect over the past year and to think about what we can do differently, if necessary, and what we can continue to do. I want to spend the coming academic year making sure all that we do at the University is completely focused on the successes
of our physicians in training. I very much enjoy this time of reflection on our past accomplishments and look forward to many new experiences with each of you in the coming academic year.
A Message From the Dean By Bruce Dubin, D.O., J.D., Dean
On May 18th, we were honored to celebrate the graduation of 145 men and women, as they shed the mantle of a short lab coat, walked across the stage, and then took a solemn oath to become osteopathic physicians. There is always something special about graduation. It brings out the best in everyone. What an accomplishment for our students, but the pride that comes with graduation is not linked to the graduates themselves. We all share a sense of pride in knowing that each and every one of us took part in preparing this class of graduating physicians. I’m reminded of an occurrence that took place during the early days of space exploration by NASA, and our effort to be first in the space race. It seems a congressman was walking through one of the NASA laboratories in the spring of 1969. He came upon a young man, aggressively sweeping the space lab with his broom. The congressman asked, “What are you do-
ing?” To his surprise, the janitor replied, “Why sir, I’m putting a man on the moon.” The janitor’s efforts were fruitful, and as a member of the NASA team, he helped Neil Armstrong take those historic steps in July, 1969. It took a team to put a man on the Bruce D. Dubin, D.O., J.D. moon. Our team — our RVUCOM family — can share the success of our May 18th graduates, which is also quite an accomplishment. It takes a team to train a doctor, and we all can share in the great success these men and women will achieve in the future. I’m sure I can speak for all of our graduates when I say, “Thanks to the entire RVUCOM family for your part in making the dream of becoming a doctor a reality.”
RVU Hosts Experts at Health Care Reform Presentation The RVU Student Chapters of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP), Colorado Medical Society (CMS) and Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA), recently hosted a presentation on the current state of Health Care Reform. The informative and interactive presentation featured expert discussions from distinguished guest speakers. Ms. Ellen Steiner from U.S. Senator Michael Bennet's office, discussed Senator Bennet's work on the legislative side, while Dr. Mark Levine from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services presented the work his agency has done to put the Affordable Care Act into action. Ms. ellen Steiner
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Dr. Mark Levine
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Congratulations to the Class of 2013 RVUCOM Graduation
On the third floor of the Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre in Downtown Denver, physicians in training gathered anxiously to put on regalia, share photos with classmates and prepare for the moment that's been four years in the making. As the collegiate sounds of Pomp and Circumstance Military March (no.1) began, they entered the theatre to embrace the cheers and support of nearly 2000 family, friends and members of the RVU community. It was Saturday, May 18th, when 145 RVUCOM physicians in training walked across the stage to be ceremoniously hooded, handed their diplomas and sworn into oath as Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine.
RVU President and CEO Cheryl D. Lovell, Ph.D., welcomed the crowd, congratulated the graduates and shared her own words of wisdom. " Listen to yourself, listen to others, listen to your elders, listen to your colleagues, your kids, your partner, and listen especially, in your case, to your patients. The kind of listening that requires you to be still, to watch, to grasp what is going on around you. You can never stop listening. Being a great physician requires that you are great listener." The Commencement Address was then delivered by Bar-
RVUCOM Dean Bruce D. Dubin, D.O., J.D., delivers the Dean's Address
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bara Ross-Lee, D.O., an accomplished physician and Dean of the New York Institute of Technology, College of Osteopathic Medicine. With a touch of humor, Dr. Ross-Lee imparted her experience and expressed the magnitude of what the future holds for these new physicians. "Becoming a physician is not just a career choice. It is a high calling with awesome responsibilities. From this day forward, it is an immutable part of who you are and who you will always be. It will be how you think of yourself and how others think of you because being a physician not only describes what you will do, but who you are. No other profession has been so honored." As part of the ceremony, Major General Philip Volpe, D.O., led the commissioning of 21 RVUCOM graduates into the armed forces. These graduates are part of the large number of physicians in training who attended the University on the military’s Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP). earning RVU the distinction of having perhaps the largest percentage of students on military scholarship of any civilian medical school in the country. The Class of 2013 Commencement Ceremony marks RVU's second graduation.
Class of 2013 graduates prepare for the class group photograph
RVU Alumni Association President Meghan Croteau, D.O., '12, welcomes the Class of 2013
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RVUCOM Faculty members, gather before the ceremony
Commencement Speaker Barbara Ross-Lee, D.O.
Class of 2013 Graduates exit the Theatre
The S.O.A.P. Notes sing (left) as Major General Philip Volpe, D.O. (right) leads the Military Commissioning Ceremony
Valedictorian, Kayleigh Zerr, D.O., '13
RVU President and CEO, Cheryl D. Lovell, Ph.D. congratulates a graduate
The Platform Party
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Class of 2013 graduates enter the Theatre
RVU Board of Trustees Chair & Secretary, Vanessa Sanchez, Ph.D., provides a welcome
RVU military graduates exit the theatre
The S.O.A.P. Notes sing during the ceremony
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RVUCOM Graduation: Awards Dinner Thursday, May 16, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency, Denver Tech Center
David Kanze, D.O., with OPP Fellows Kay Kelts, Jeremy Kenison and Danielle Wurtz
A guest with Meghan Moyle, OMS-IV and Matthew Leatherman, OMS-IV
President's Award recipient, Joshua Gazetta, OMSIV, with RVU President & CEO, Cheryl Lovell, Ph.D.
CSOM Award recipient, Kenton Asche, OMS-IV, with former CSOM Executive Director, Terry Boucher
Rural & Wilderness Medicine award recipents with Thomas Told, D.O., Department Chair
Global Service Award recipient Andrew Owen, OMS-V with Camille Bentley, D.O., Chair, Department of Global and Community Medicine and Associate Professor of Family Medicine
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Dean's Award recipient, Nabila Waheed, OMS-IV, with RVUCOM Dean, Bruce Dubin, D.O., J.D.
Anatomy/Structural Medicine Award recipient, Benjamin Foreman, OMS-IV, with Walter Buck, Ph.D., Chair & Professor of Structural Medicine
Milda Shapiro, OMS-IV and Amber Koon, OMS-IV (center) with their guests
The Class of 2013 Top 10% in Academic Standing Award Recipients
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RVUCOM Graduation: Class of 2013 Picnic Friday, May 17, 2013 on the RVU Campus
Kaitlin Ryan, OMS-I and Ashley Fejleh, OMS-I Chris Mutter, OMS-III
Vanessa Sanchez, Ph.D., Board of Trustees Chair & Secretary; RVU President & CEO, Cheryl Lovell, Ph.D., & Board Member Lucy Chua, M.D.
RVU Staff Justine Holck, Patty Gordon, Josnda Cole, Camille Purkapile and Kathy MacKay, Ph.D.
Military students prepare to cut the cake at the Military Reception
Class of 2013 students: Lindsey Remme, Elizabeth O'Keefe, Megan Johanning, Jenna Madsen, and Linda Huynh
Students gather with family and friends
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A group gathers for a game of volleyball
Joshua Garfein, OMS-IV with his family
A child gets his face painted to look like Spiderman
OMS-I students, Sara Thomatis, Veronica Maul, Chelsey Coles, Jackie Vroman and Netana Hominsky, selling smoothies
Peter Gertonson, OMS-II and Miranda Allen, OMS-II
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Global Medicine: RVUCOM Provides Healthcare in Peru A team of RVU faculty and physicians in training recently traveled to Peru to provide healthcare to the underserved population in the area. They visited two locations over four days, setting up makeshift clinic sites in Occopata and Chocco in a mountainous region of Santiago. In the high elevations of Occopata, they cared for primarily pediatric, native Quechua (Inca heritage) patients, and some adults. The absence of more adult patients was likely due to the coinciding harvest holiday and the visitation of the President of Peru in Cusco. Still, they were able to serve nearly 350 patients in these rural areas.
Cedric Kuo, OMS-II meets with children and their families while they await care
"We were honored to be guests of Senﾌナor Alcalde, the Mayor of Santiago, who came and set-up all of the logistics of the trip along with Pachatusantrek, a tour company," says David Kanze, D.O., Assistant Professor, OPP and Director of Undergraduate OPP Fellowship. "This was easily the best mission I've been on, and the students did an amazing job." "This was my first trip, but certainly won't be my last - it was by far the best experience of medical school to date," says Jonathan Lentz, OMS-II. "The highlight of the trip for me was forming bonds with my patients. By the end of the trip, it was clear to me that pediatrics is what I want to do. Throughout each work day, and through a language barrier, I was able to laugh with my patients while OPP Fellow Kay Kelts, OMS-V gaining their trust. I had such a fun time just playing games with assists a patient with a splinted arm the kids. After all of that, I know I can do well in pediatrics one day."
Jonathon Lentz, OMS-II with local children at the clinic
Jonathan continues, "The patients were so thankful for us being there. When a patient encounter ends with a hug and with them showing sincere appreciation, it's a very special feeling for an aspiring doctor. Those are moments that I will always remember." Jill Pitcher, D.O., Assistant Professor of Primary Care says, "Everyone involved was very impressed with how professional the RVU physicians in training were. They loved that they engaged with the community and truly did all they could to help." Notably, several research studies were also conducted by RVU faculty and physicians in training, during this trip. Studies included: 1. OMT at high altitude: measured lung volumes before and after several basic respiratory OMT techniques (OMM same) on adults. 2. General effect of all OMT given on adults. 3. Health access survey: what is the general access to healthcare in that region. and 4. Medical literacy: survey asking for their understanding of basic medical terms.
The RVU Team at one of the clinic sites
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Shannon Gibb Miller, OMS-II checks a child's blood pressure
David Kanze, D.O. with Kaitlyn Franklin, Pharm.D
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Global Medicine: RVUCOM Provides Healthcare in Guatemala The RVU team visited three locations, including the cities of Solala, Concepcion and San Antonio Palopo, and were able to provide healthcare to more than 450 patients in the region. They were guests of the Mayor of the Department of Solala, the indigenous center of Guatemala, and were joined by three government workers, a team of translators and several nurses to assist. "This was my first medical mission trip and I had an amazing time," says Danelle Wilson, OMS-II. "It was wonderful actually being able to practice the skills I have been honing these past two years. It definitely reminded me of the joy behind medicine. These were my first patients and I will carry them with me throughout my future career. I am truly blessed to have been able to participate and work with many incredible people."
Joshua Gazzetta, OMS-IV, and Emily Albrecht, OMS-II with a group of children
"I spoke with the SOSEP (Secretaria de Obras Sociales de la Esposa del Presidente) contact with our group, Armando, about how helpful these medical missions trips are to the Guatemalan rural communities," says Nathan Nessle, OMS-II. "Contrary to what I assumed, he said these trips are incredibly helpful to the communities we visit. The majority of the people we see do not have enough money to see a doctor, and mission trips are their only means of medical attention." Camille Bentley, D.O. says that one of organizers complemented the RVU team, saying, "We've seen many groups come through, and RVU is by far the best group that comes down. Everyone is engaged, spends time with the patients. It means so much to these people who have little or no access to healthcare." Similar to the RVU trip to Peru, physicians in training carried out global research projects during the trip.
Sheila Maier, OMS-II; Kayla Steffensmeier, OMS-II; Emily Albrecht, OMS-II; Danelle Wilson, OMS-II; and Marissa Crawford, OMS-II
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The RVU team visits ancient Mayan ruins in IximchĂŠ, in the western highlands of Guatemala. The ruins are part of the capital of the Kaqchikel Maya from 1470-1524.
Danelle Wilson, OMS-II with a child
Emily Albrecht, OMS-II and Erik Close, OMS-IV, assist a patient with a wrist injection
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Second Annual Research Appreciation Day The Second Annual RVU Research Appreciation Day brought together great minds from around Colorado for a day of presentations, poster competitions and learning. Throughout the morning, participants from RVU and the local community exhibited research posters as part of the competition. Meanwhile, guest speakers presented their research findings to a large group gathered in the auditorium. RVU speakers included Ashley Fejleh, OMS-II; and A. Hollis Wolf Competition winners and OPP Fellows Amber Koon, OMS-IV and OPP Fellow Kay Kelts, OMS-V. Traci Lyons, Ph.D., of the Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado at Denver, also presented her research, followed by Keynote Speaker, Susan VandeWoude, D.V.M., from the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University. This year, the University was also proud to host a group of high school students from the Aurora LIGHTS Innovation Academy. Aurora LIGHTS, part of the Aurora Public Schools (APS) Health Sciences Academic and Career Pathway, is a program designed to help lead students into healthcare professions. The student team presented their research focused on new training devices for medical students, including their study of the use of polymers and replicas of spinal vertebrae, to create models with the realistic feel of the spine and muscle tissues for use in medical training.
Faculty and physicians in training gather to see research posters during one of the poster presentation sessions
First Place winner for Education and Public Health Research, Anthony Furlano, OMS-V with his winning poster
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An Aurora LIGHTS student explains her team's research
Students and Representatives from the Aurora LIGHTS program with Amber Heck, Ph.D. (center), Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology
Education and Public Health Research Second Place winner, Lauren Prest, OMS-IV
RVUCOM Best Research Poster Winner and Presenter, Ashley Fejleh, OMS-I
OPP Fellow Kay Kelts, OMS-V, presents her research
Global Medicine Research Award winner Sheila Maier, OMS-II
First Place Winner for Biomedical Science and Clinical Research, Kabeer Shah, OMS-III with his winning poster
Nikita Patel, OMS-II explains her poster, "Aren't We a Bit Touchy? Analyzing the Tactile Sensitivity of Human Fingers"
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RVU Holds Donor Memorial Ceremony On May 9th, the RVU community gathered on campus for the University's First Annual Donor Memorial Ceremony. The touching event was organized to honor the families of donors and to recognize those who have given their bodies to science, expanding the educational possibilities of RVUCOM physicians in training. The ceremony opened with comments from Walter Buck, Ph.D., RVUCOM Chair and Professor, Department of Structural Medicine, followed with an invocation by Frank Ames, Ph.D., Chair and Professor, Department of Medical Informatics. Physicians in training from the Classes of 2015 and 2016
John Michael Yingling, OMS-II, with his dedication entitled, "Thank You"
Jeanna West-Miles, OMS II, presents the Class of 2015 Dedication, "To You, My Teacher"
The Class of 2015 Donor Memorial Dedication Plaque
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then individually expressed their gratitude through song and thoughtful words as stirring images and famous quotations streamed across the screen behind them. The ceremony closed with a heartfelt song performed by RVU's A capella group, the S.O.A.P. Notes. As part of the ceremony, two Memorial Plaques, each bearing a special thank you from the Classes of 2015 and 2016, were presented and will be displayed outside the University's Anatomy Lab. The Donor Memorial Wall will continue in perpetuity, with each new class contributing its own dedication plaque in the years to come.
Darren Nisly, OMS II, performs "For the Journey" by Steve Bell
Julia Tanguay, OMS-I, presents her dedication in "The Offering"
Frank Ames, Ph.D., delivers the Invocation
The S.O.A.P. Notes performing "MLK"
Walter Buck, Ph.D., provides a welcome and opening comments
Monica Multani, OMS-I, presents her dedication in "The Offering"
Zachary Brown, OMS-I, presents the Class of 2016 Dedication, "Dust to Dust"
Jackie Vroman, OMS-I, presents her dedication in "The Offering"
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RVU Teams Up With Sky Ridge for First Collaborative 9Health Fair For the first time, RVU and Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree collaborated for a very successful 9Health Fair. As a result, more than 1,100 patients were provided with free and low cost healthcare. One-hundred and twenty RVU physicians in training volunteered and also participated in training beforehand, and the majority of medical stations at the fair were fully-staffed by RVU physicians in training. Seventeen RVU OMS-II physicians in training also took on additional responsibility, serving as Station Leaders for medical screening stations including phlebotomy, vision, hearing, blood pressure, oral health, first aid and more. In addition, thirteen RVU faculty physicians and community physicians volunteered their time and teaching skills to oversee the care provided at the event. "The event was a huge success!" says Morgan Galante, OMS-II, one of the event's coordinators. "This year we incorporated a rotating group of nine OMS-II and OMS-III students who filled in for other students as they rotated through the pap/breast and prostate stations to gain the most student exposure possible. This was also the first year that a 10-Step Osteopathic Spine Screen was incorporated. It was a huge success and was one of our busiest stations!" "The event could not have been accomplished without Jill Pitcher, D.O., Assistant Professor of Primary Care," continues Morgan. "She was the anchor and she coordinated all the RVU faculty physicians and the community physician volunteers. Thank you also to faculty advisor, Jennifer Montemayor, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Physiology and Anatomy, and Rachel Rayman of CSOM. The time and commitment of all the volunteering physicians is what affords the students of RVU such a great hands-on learning experience. We are beyond grateful"
Marcus Bethurem, OMS-I, draws blood on a patient
In addition to coordinating the RVU/Sky Ridge health fair, the University also helped staff two additional 9Health Fairs in Colorado. Under the tutelage of Dr. Pitcher and Christopher Unrein, D.O., Professor of Internal Medicine, two groups of physicians in training, 16 total, also volunteered at the Littleton Hospital and Parker Adventist 9Health Fairs in late April. (Photographs By Michael Waring, OMS-II)
Abigail Dekle, OMS-I, Meredith Townsend, OMS-IV and Juliana Oliveira, OMS-II
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Salvatore Bertucci, OMS-II, examines a patient's throat
Orrin Probst, OMS-II, performs OMM on a patient as OPP Fellow Anthony Furlano, OMS-V, observes
Colton Jackson, OMS-II, performs a foot exam on a patient
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Hands-on Surgical Training at RVUCOM with Cut Suit Technology Within a pseudo Emergency Room setup in the RVU Simulation Lab, physicians in training diligently attended to standardized patients (SPs) presenting with a variety of symptoms, ranging from rectal bleeding to facial lacerations and blocked airways. The SPs, many of whom were decked out in full simulated wound make-up, played the part well, emulating the tension commonly felt within the ER with their everincreasing screams of pain, and continuous flow of new patients entering the room. As diagnostic work continued, the sound of gun shots were heard throughout the room, startling everyone. The moment was a simulation of a tense, but plausible event, when an estranged spouse of one of the patients bursts into the room and must be subdued. After the incident passed, the physicians in training continued to assess patients, determining that some required surgery. The action moved to the simulated Operating Room in which physicians in training were given the opportunity to assist in lifelike surgeries, utilizing the Cut Suit surgical simulator. The event, one of several demonstrations at RVU utilizing the Cut Suit, provided hands-on diagnostic and surgical training that will prove beneficial to these future physicians.
RVU Community Comes Together for the Rockies On May 4th, over 270 RVU faculty, staff and physicians in training gathered in Downtown Denver for an evening of camaraderie, fun, and Colorado Rockies baseball. The group gathered before the game at the Cowboy Lounge, which opened its doors just for them, and enjoyed a buffet of appetizers and treats before heading over to the stadium to enjoy the game. The Rockies must have been feeling the RVU energy that night as they defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 9-3.
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Rural and Wilderness Medicine Track Outdoor Lab By Thomas Told, D.O., FACOFP-dist., Assistant Dean of Clinical Education, and Chair, Department of Rural and Wilderness Medicine Though Spring was slow to arrive in the Rockies this year, the spirits and resolve of the Class of 2015 Rural and Wilderness (R&W) Medicine Track physicians in training remained high. In early May when the group set out for a ranch in Northwestwern Colorado, an unanticipated blizzard arrived, making the driving conditions precarious as they surmounted the Continental Divide. They were bound for the Seely Ranch, a 10,000-acre working ranch with plenty of wilderness spaces in the northwest corner of Colorado. The group had prepared for this trip for over a year and a half, learning clinical and outdoor skills that would not only save their lives but the lives of others. In addition to human medicine, they learned key veterinary skills and horsemanship along with wilderness survival skills. They spent the day before the trip at St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, familiarizing themselves with the hospital's Flight For Life program air evacuation services and learned what was possible to accomplish with air support and how to package the patient for transport. In addition, they studied the organizational layout of Colorado’s emergency transport system and learned how St. Anthony was able to interface with other transport systems. The weather improved as the group traveled into the valley of the Williams Fork, a tributary of the Yampa River. They fashioned fishing hooks out of nails, safety pins, fence wire, and pop can tabs, and tested their creations on the rainbow and cut throat trout that inhabited the river. With homemade poles made of willows and a few feet of fishing line, the class was able to catch 18 fish that measured 18+ inches each. In a test as “survival fishermen,” they also had to clean and prepare their fish for cooking over and open fire, which they built themselves. The next day, they built fires, constructed rock ovens above and below ground, wove green willow grills, and fashioned aspen bark steamers on which fish would be cooked. They also built shelters using only the available natural materials, twine and a knife, and setup a shelter camp on the banks of a stream. As part of the course, the group also participated in horsemanship in which they were responsible to catch, halter, groom, saddle, and bridle their mounts. They participated in trail riding in the hills around the ranch and learned the basics of successful and safe riding in the mountains. Additionally, they participated in firearms training and water rescue and transport of injured patients over mountain streams. At the end of the program everyone felt they had learned valuable information and skills that would be useful for the years to come and as they enter practice in rural and remote places.
RVU physicians in training interface with the Flight for Life crew at St. Anthony Hospital
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Kristin Gaines Barney, OMS-II with some of the day's catch
OMS-II physicians in training Lindsey Wilson, Ashley Lamb and Alicia Williams stand outside their wilderness shelter
OMS-II physicians in training Andrew Rotando, Kristin Gaines Barney, and Alicia Williams prepare a willow grill to cook fish
The group shows off their impressive catch
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From the Rocky Vista University Alumni Association It was with great pride that I welcomed the Class of 2013 into the Rocky Vista University Alumni Association on May 18th, 2013. We welcomed 145 new physicians into the Association, bringing our total alumni membership to 271! On behalf of the Class of 2012 and the Alumni Association, congratulations and welcome! Meghan Croteau, D.O., '12
With the beginning of the new academic year upon us, now is the perfect time to become a contributing member of the RVU Alumni Association. Dues will be collected this summer and we would like to encourage every alumni to take advantage of becoming a contributing member. With conferences in the near future, we would like to help and serve you in any way possible. As always, please let us know if you plan to attend any upcoming conferences. The RVU Alumni Association has many plans for this year and every contributing member allows us to build a strong foundation for the Alumni Association! Look in your e-mail soon for more information! Cheers, Meghan Croteau, D.O., '12 Alumni Association President/CEO
Alumni Association Membership
Congratulations to Casey Bitting, D.O., ’13, for becoming the first Lifetime Member of the RVU Alumni Association!
Casey Bitting, D.O., '13
Membership Dues for the Classes of 2012 and 2013 are due. The dues are $25 for a contributing member or $1000 for a lifetime member. Please send your check made out to the RVU Alumni Association to the attention of Julie Rosenthal.
Attention Alumni: Email Activation
Remember to activate your alumni email at http://webmail.rvualumni.org
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Resident Spotlight:
Patrick Henderson, D.O., '12 Dr. Henderson is almost through his intern year as an Internal Medicine Resident at Oklahoma State University Medical Center. His favorite part about residency in Tulsa, OK Patrick Henderson, D.O., '12 is meeting the new residents and his new experiences. “They've been very helpful and fun outside the hospital. I like our extensive ICU months and our months in the VA medical center. Learning procedures during those months has been intense, but exciting.” While residency has kept him busy, he was finally able to spend a vacation in New York with his family and in Las Vegas with friends. Not only is Dr. Henderson learning new things, but his dachshund (Frank) recently had a laminectomy and has started walking again! Dr. Henderson leaves these words of encouragement for all RVUCOM students, especially those recent graduates and starting residency shortly: “RVU prepares you very well. You should feel confident going into residency with a strong medical base and ability to take a history and physical. That being said, a lot of knowledge is learned yourself, in new journal articles and on your rotations - absorb it all! For 4th year students, dedicate yourself and your time to the first year (PGY1). Jump in completely, and spend all the time you can afford "being" an intern. You'll have more responsibility as a PGY2 and more free time to enjoy things. Fully commit yourself that first year to learn everything you can, your residency will be over as fast as medical school was!”
RVU Alumni Facebook Page
Have you visited the new RVU Alumni Association Facebook Page? Check us out online at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rocky-VistaUniversity-Alumni-Association/422805144474262
Like us to keep up with other Alumni, and get the latest Alumni news and updates.
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Achieving New Heights Highlighting the Accomplishments of Our Faculty, Staff and Physicians in Training
RVUCOM OPP Fellows Publish New Textbook
Over the last year, Osteopathic Principles and Practices (OPP) Predoctoral Fellows Lauren Prest, OMS-IV, and Anthony Furlano, OMS-IV, and the first and second year Senior Fellows and OPP Faculty, worked tirelessly to put together and publish their own textbook, Manual of Selected Osteopathic Techniques. "The OPP Department and the student body lacked a cohesive manual of osteopathic manipulative medicine lab techniques," says Anthony. "We, along with the other predoctoral fellows, put together this manual. We're very proud and honored by the positive responses that we received over the past year in regards to the manual, and because it has been so well-received by both faculty and students, it's now the new required text for the OPP I-IV classes starting next Fall."
Lauren Prest, OMS-IV and Anthony Furlano, OMS-IV with their new book
"We want to thank everyone who helped us complete the manual, including the OPP faculty; RVUCOM Dean Bruce Dubin, D.O., J.D.; Frank Ames, Ph.D., Chair and Professor of Medical Informatics; as well as the Classes of 2015 and 2016," says Lauren. "We received so much support from the RVU community, we appreciate you all so much!" The manual is available for purchase through CreateSpace at: www.createspace.com/4025320
RVUCOM Faculty Member Receives AACOM Grant Funding
Congratulations to Joel Dickerman, D.O., RVU Regional Director of Medical Education and Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, who was recently awarded grant funding from the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), for his medical education research, Evaluation of an online learning program in Care Transitions for third year medical students on inpatient internal medicine rotations. “Care Transitions is a process whereby patients are educated and coached at the time of a hospital discharge to help return patients to the community in a safe and effective manner,” explains Dr. Dickerman. “This process supports programs which seek to reduce 30-day re-admission rates for pneumonia and acute myocardial infarction.” Dr. Dickerman's application received an impressive priority impact score of 271 out of 330 as part of AACOM's grant review process, which is based on criteria including: general presentation, conceptual understanding, argument structure and use of literature and resources. The grant research is being conducted in collaboration with the Rocky Mountain Osteopathic Post Graduate Training Institute (OPTI), Pacific Northwest University College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Appalachian Osteopathic Postgraduate Training Institute Consortium (A-OPTIC), an alliance of osteopathic educational institutions, schools and hospitals.
Research Appreciation Day Award Winners
The Second Annual Research Appreciation Day (RAD) hosted a large number of research posters in two, competitive presentations. Winners were chosen and awarded plaques and prizes during a ceremony held later that day. l Global Medicine Research Award: Sheila Maier, OMS-II l Education and Public Health Research Award: First Place - OPP Fellow, Anthony J. Furlano, OMS-V l Biomedical Science and Clinical Research Award: Second Place - OPP Fellow, Lauren C. Prest, OMS-V First Place - Kabeer Shah, OMS-III
Second Place - Lena Young, Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, CSU
l RVUCOM Best Research Poster Award: Ashley Fejleh, OMS-I Congratulations to all of this year's winners!
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l Outstanding Scholarly Achievement Award: OPP Fellows, Anthony J. Furlano, OMS-V and Lauren C. Prest, OMS-V (continued on next page)
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Achieving New Heights Highlighting the Accomplishments of Our Faculty, Staff and Physicians in Training
RVUCOM Vice Dean Inducted as Member of AODME Board and Elected Vice President of the ADEMS
RVUCOM Vice Dean, Thomas Mohr, M.S., D.O., FACOI, was recently inducted as a new member of the 2013-14 Board of Trustees for the Association of Osteopathic Directors and Medical Educators (AODME). He was installed as a Regional Trustee by American Osteopathic Association (AOA) President-Elect, Norman Vinn, D.O., at a special ceremony held in Baltimore. As a Board member, Dr. Mohr will help to direct Thomas Mohr, D.O., (second from left) at the the organization, which assists Directors of Medical Education at hospitals across the AODME induction ceremony in Baltimore country and leaders of residency and fellowship programs throughout the osteopathic profession, to serve their trainees and their institutions with the highest possible quality of postgraduate medical education. In May, Dr. Mohr was also elected as the Vice President of the Arapahoe-Douglas-Elbert Medical Society (ADEMS), a component of the Colorado Medical Society which represents physicians as members of organized medicine to state and national legislative bodies and works to improve the practice of medicine for both physicians and the patients they treat. It's the first time that a county medical society has elected D.O.s as both President and Vice President. Karen Davis, D.O., is the new president and also serves as an adjunct faculty member for RVU.
Three Physicians in Training Receive CSOF Scholarships
For the first time ever, three RVUCOM physicians in training have been awarded scholarships from the Colorado Springs Osteopathic Foundation (CSOF). The CSOF awards these $10,000 tuition scholarships ($5,000 per semester) to OMS-III physicians in training, and the awards are automatically renewed for their fourth year if they remain in good academic standing. Congratulations to the OMS-III recipients: Emily Albrecht, Erin Ross and David Baulesh.
Emily Albrecht
Erin Ross
David Baulesh
RVU Staff Member Earns Master's Degree After three years of hard work, online courses and hours of homework after work, RVU Paralegal, Lucienne D. Lacey, ACP, graduated from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, earning her Master of Science in Legal Administration. Lucienne previously graduated from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. Lucienne's Commencement Ceremony was held the same day as the RVUCOM ceremony, on Saturday, May 18th. The Commencement Speaker for the ceremony was U.S. Senator Michael F. Bennet. Lucienne's husband, son and mother were in attendance at the ceremony, along with RVU Administrative Assistant to the Vice President and General Counsel, Crickett Forrest and her husband. Congratulations, Lucienne! Lucienne Lacey with her Diploma
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Some of Lucienne's co-workers surprised her with a mini Grad Party; Back: Kathy MacKay, Ph.D., Chief of Staff and Director of Special Projects; Linda Terpenning, Administrative Assistant to the President; Adrian Clark, Executive Director of Institutional Planning and Assessment. Front: Crickett Forrest, Administrative Assistant to the Vice President and General Counsel; and Lucienne Lacey, Paralegal
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Achieving New Heights Highlighting the Accomplishments of Our Faculty, Staff and Physicians in Training
RVU Well-Represented Through Presentations at AACOM Annual Conference
During the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) Annual Conference held in April, an impressive number of RVU faculty, staff and physicians in training hosted sessions and poster presentations throughout the four-day event. Presentations included: “The For-Profit Experiment: An Innovative Approach to Medical Education” - Thomas Mohr, D.O., RVUCOM Vice Dean “Small Groups in Large Classes: Teaching to a Participatory Culture” - Frank R. Ames, Ph.D., Chair and Professor, Department of Medical Informatics; Nicole M. Michels, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Physiology; and Brian D. Schwartz, M.L.I.S., Assistant Director of Library Services and Assistant Professor of Medical Informatics “Identifying and Supporting At-Risk Students: A Multi-Faceted Approach to Enhancing Student Success” - Michael A. Dewsnap, Director of Student Affairs; Laura A. Mohr, Ph.D., Director of Counseling Services; and Judy Thornton, Director of Educational Support “The CCPD: A Highly Effective Curriculum Committee Model” - Bruce Dubin, D.O., J.D., RVUCOM Dean, and Thomas Mohr, D.O., RVUCOM Vice Dean “Alternative Methods for Funding GME” - Thomas Mohr, D.O., RVUCOM Vice Dean “A Novel Approach to Medical Curriculum Management” - Schoen Kruse, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Phase Director, Year 2; and Cheryl McCormick, Ph.D., Professor of Physiology and Phase Director, Year 1 “OMS II Participants in an Intensive Skills Week Utilizing the Human Work Partial Task Surgical Simulator Show Advanced Technical and Non-Technical Skills upon Entering Third Year Rotation” - Courtney Cage, OMS-II; Miranda Allen, OMS-II; and Anthony LaPorta, M.D., Professor of Clinical Surgery and Course Director of the Military Track “Pilot Program in Obstetrics and Team Training for Rural/Wilderness Medicine Track Medical Students” - Tina Underwood, Assistant Director of Clinical Assessment & Simulation; Rebecca Bowden, Ph.D., Director of Simulation & Clinical Assessment; Camille Bentley, D.O., Chair, Department of Global and Community Medicine and Associate Professor of Family Medicine; Jill Pitcher, D.O., Assistant Professor of Primary Care; David Kanze, D.O., Assistant Professor of OPP and Director of Undergraduate OPP Fellowship; and Thomas Told, D.O., Assistant Dean of Clinical Education and Chair of the Department of Rural and Wilderness Medicine “Andragogy in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Education: Introducing Self-Directed Learning to the Lab Setting” - LeAnn Jons-Cox, D.O., Chair and Assistant Professor of Osteopathic Principles and Practices (OPP) “Utilization of the Nelson-Denny Reading Test as a Predictor of Success in Medical School” - Schoen Kruse, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Phase Director, Year 2; Cheryl McCormick, Ph.D., Professor of Physiology and Phase Director, Year 1; and Judy Thornton, Director of Educational Support
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Achieving New Heights Highlighting the Accomplishments of Our Faculty, Staff and Physicians in Training
RVUCOM Faculty Member Has a Busy Year of Accomplishments
Anthony LaPorta, M.D., FACS, RVUCOM Professor of Clinical Surgery and Course Director of the Military Track, has had a very busy year so far, participating in countless medical presentations and workshops, along with other RVUCOM faculty and physicians in training. The following is a list of Dr. LaPorta's most recent achievements: Integration of the Trauma-Partial-Task-Trainer/Cut Suit into the Medical Emergencies of Skiing and Snowboarding Physician Training Course: A Pilot Study. The American Osteopathic Association of Sports Medicine. March 6-8, 2013. The Broadmoor Colorado Springs, Colorado. Samuel Douglass, OMS-II; Ashley Lamb, OMS-II; Sean Slack, OMS-II; Andrew Wendahl, OMS-II; Anthony LaPorta, M.D., FACS; and Thomas Told, D.O., FACOFP-dist., Assistant Dean of Clinical Education and Chair of the Department of Rural and Wilderness Medicine. Utilization of the Human-Worn-Partial-Task-Surgical-Simulator in Extreme Environmental Terrain and Weather Conditions. American College of Surgeons, AEI. March 15-17, 2013. Chicago, Illinois. Peter Gertonson, OMS-II; Robert Rush, M.D.; Anthony LaPorta, M.D., FACS; Sean Slack, OMS-II; Samuel Douglass, OMS-II; Ashley Lamb, OMSII; J. Schoeff; B. Hammaker; L. Gaul; Andrew Wendahl, OMS-II; and Bruce Dubin, D.O., J.D., RVUCOM Dean. Simulation in the use of Team Training Workshop. American College of Surgeons, AEI, March 15-17, 2013. Chicago, Illinois. Robert Rush, M.D.; G. Fernandez; J. Paige; Anthony LaPorta, M.D., FACS; and Peter Gertonson, OMS-II. “OMS-II Participants in an Intensive Skills Week Utilizing the Human Worn Partial Task Surgical Simulator Show Advanced Technical and Non-Technical Skills Upon Entering Third Year Rotations”. Accepted for 2013 Joint AACOM and AODME Annual Meeting April 24-27, 2013. Baltimore, Maryland. Courtney Cage, OMS-II; Peter Gertonson, OMS-II; Miranda Allen, OMS-II; and Anthony LaPorta, M.D., FACS. Cut Suit Utilization To Improve Technical Surgical and Stress Response Skills in Second Year Medical Students. Accepted for April 27-May 1, 2013 American Academy Of Neurosurgeons, 83rd Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana. Slava Makler, OMS-III; Chad Morrison, OMS-III; Jesse Abeler, OMS-III; Bonnie Hunt, OMS-IV; Julia Cameron, OMS-III; D. Rivet; and Anthony LaPorta, M.D., FACS. The New Way of Training Military Doctors. Association of Osteopathic Military Physicians. Parker, Colorado; May 3-5, 2013. Carissa Chalut, OMS-III; Anthony LaPorta, M.D., FACS; Bruce Dubin, D.O., J.D., RVUCOM Dean; Ashley Martin, OMS-III; Michael Tieman, M.D., FACS, Chair and Assistant Professor, Department of Specialty Medicine; Mark Lea, M.D., Consultant, Structural Medicine; and A. Molof. Human Worn Partial Task Simulator - The Cut Suit is a Novel Simulation Technology Made to Improve Medical Student and Both the Physician Surgical and Procedural Skills: Thus Enhancing the Training in Classroom and the Austere Environment (pending presentation). 5th International Clinical Skills Conference. Prato, Italy. May 19-22, 2013. Bonnie Hunt, OMS-IV; Van Wall, OMS-III; Anthony LaPorta, M.D., FACS; Sean Slack, OMS-II; V. Rodriguez; Carissa Chalut, OMS-III; Rebecca Bowden, Ph.D., Director, Simulation Laboratory and Associate Professor of Immunology; Ashley Lamb, OMS-II; Samuel Douglass, OMS-II; Andrew Wendahl, OMS-II; Bruce Dubin, D.O., J.D., RVUCOM Dean; and Michael Tieman, M.D., FACS, Chair and Assistant Professor, Department of Specialty Medicine. The Cut Suit, Innovative Technology that Combines Invasive Surgical Procedures and Human Stress Factors on a Live Patient in both a Medical School and on the Military Battlefield. International Forum for Military Training, Education and Simulation(ITEC)> Rome Italy. May 22-25, 2013. Anthony LaPorta, M.D., FACS; Robert Rush, M.D.; Michael Tieman, M.D., FACS, Chair and Assistant Professor, Department of Specialty Medicine; Bruce Dubin, D.O., J.D., RVUCOM Dean; Carissa Chalut, OMS-III; Bonnie Hunt, OMS-IV; Jaysun Frisch, OMS-III; A. Moloff, D.O.; and Van Wall, OMS-III.
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RVU Faculty, Staff and Physicians in Training Honored at Annual Awards Night
In May, an Awards Ceremony was held, honoring the achievements of RVU's outstanding faculty, staff and physicians in training. Winners included:
Unsung Hero Annual Award for Supporting Staff Matt Griebel, Multimedia & Technical Engineer RVUCOM Award for Excellence in Teaching - Clinical Medicine Jill Pitcher, D.O., Assistant Professor, Department of Primary Care A.T. Still Award for Excellence in Teaching – OPP LeAnn Jons-Cox, D.O., Chair & Assistant Professor, OPP William Osler Award for Excellence in Teaching - Biomedical Sciences Class of 2015 – Dwight Hertz, M.D., Professor, Pathology Class of 2016 – Jason Wells, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Structural Medicine RVUCOM Administrative Staff Member of the Year Katy Hunsberger, Assistant Director of Admissions Fighting Prairie Dog Award Class of 2015 – Schoen Kruse, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Pharmacology and Phase Director, Year 2 and Richard Darrow, D.O., Associate Professor, Internal Medicine Class of 2016 – Amber Heck, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Molecular Biology Summit Award Club of the Year - ACOFP Department Awards: Structural Medicine - Justin Grant, OMS-II Osteopathic Principles & Practices - Carly LaCroix, OMS-II Clinical Medicine - Brittany Guest, OMS-II Biomedical Sciences - Courtney Cage, OMS-II Medical Informatics - Andrew Rotando, OMS-II RVUCOM Service Award Class of 2015 – Ryan Greene, OMS-II Class of 2016 – Gregory Gibbs, OMS-I Student Doctor Congeniality Award Class of 2015 – Nikita Patel, OMS-II Class of 2016 – Alicia Unangst, OMS-I
OMS-II Department Award Winners: Courtney Cage, Brittany Guest, Carly LaCroix, Justin Grant and Andrew Rotando
Schoen Kruse, Ph.D. and Richard Darrow, D.O., with their Fighting Prairie Dog Awards
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Elizabeth Tu, OMS-I, with Jason Wells, Ph.D., and Joshua Roach, OMS-I
Elizabeth Tu, OMS-I, with Katy Hunsberger and Joshua Roach, OMS-I
Ryan Greene, OMS-II
Matt Griebel with Joshua Roach, OMS-I
Elizabeth Tu, OMS-I with Alicia Unangst, OMS-I
Jill Pitcher, D.O., with Joshua Roach, OMS-I
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Y
RO
N U
By Kathleen MacKay, Ph.D., Chief of Staff and Director of Special Projects
Y VIS TA
HLC Accreditation Update: What's Next?
CK
FOUN
DED 2006
T
IV SI E R Hopefully everyone has read the article on RVU’s Regional Accreditation journey in the May 2013 issue
of the Vista View Newsletter. If not, be sure to check it out for an overview of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation process. So what's next? The following timeline of events illustrates the next steps through the process as we move forward:
June
• June 17th - Consultants feedback on the first draft of the Criterion, Assumed Practices, Eligibility Requirements, and Federal Compliance documents. • June/July - Teams review feedback and update the documents.
July
• July 15th - Mock visit with two experienced HLC evaluators. • July-Teams review feedback from the mock visit.
August to September
October to January
• August 1st - The Self-Study is sent to HLC. • August/September - Campus prepares for the Site Team Visit. • October 14-16th - The Site Team visits campus. • October - The Site Team completes report for HLC. • October/January - Site Team recommendations go to HLC Boards for review and decision.
If you have questions, please contact Adrian Clark or Kathy MacKay, Ph.D. in the President’s Office.
Study Tips: How to Improve Your Memory By Judy Thornton, Director of Educational Support
#1 Get plenty of sleep and physical exercise. Important memory enhancing activity occurs during the deepest stages of sleep. Exercise increases oxygen to brain, relieves stress and gives you energy. Thirty minutes of exercise a day along with 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night should be your goal. #2 Make time for friends and fun. Relationships stimulate your brain. Interacting with others is an excellent way to exercise the brain. Look for ways to bring more laughter into your life. #3 Reduce stress. Stress can cause damage to your brain cells. Try meditation and other relaxation techniques. Yoga is offered twice a week on campus. #4 Eat brain-boosting foods. A diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and “healthy” fats can improve your memory. For mental energy, choose complex carbohydrates (whole-wheat bread, brown rice, oatmeal, high-fiber cereal, lentils and whole beans). #5 Give your brain a workout. Try new ways to stimulate your brain. Apply a new learning strategy that is challenging and fun. Use mnemonic devices to make memorization easier. Visit luminosity.com for more brain challenges.
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What is Assessment? (And Why You Should Care) By Adrian Clark, Executive Director, Institutional Planning and Assessment
SC A LE!
PLANNING
While there may be many ways to define assessment within the context of higher education, it may most easily be described as the process of linking educational or student learning outcomes to the institution’s mission or goals. Assessment also addresses whether the institution is meeting its operational performance targets. Assessment requires commitment and effort, and should be viewed as a tool that institutions must use to help them achieve ongoing improvement in both their institutional operations and educational programs. The assessment process attempts to answer two very important questions: "Are we doing things right"; and "Are we doing the right things?" By questioning whether we're “doing things right,” we're demonstrating concern for the efficiency of our educational and operational activities. By questioning whether we're “doing the right things,” we're using the assessment process to determine effectiveness with respect to accomplishing our academic and operational goals. The answers to these questions position RVU to make improvements in order to enhance both our efficiency and effectiveness. At RVU, we use a variety of methods to measure our effectiveness and efficiency. For first and second year physicians in training, class surveys and focus groups help us understand if students are learning the concepts and practices we intend
PREPARATION
PERFORMANCE
for them to learn. In the third and fourth years, these tools are used to assess if students have effectively learned what they need to know to be successful during rotations. We test the efficiency of our operations by distributing and analyzing satisfaction surveys, mission/vision/values surveys and other tools. After students graduate, we maintain communication with them to help us understand how effectively the University has prepared them for residencies. These methodologies inform us on how we structure our students’ educational experiences and how we can improve learning outcomes by continuing to enhance our curriculum and its delivery. Assessment is all about continuous improvement, and, understanding this fact is “why you should care” about assessment and the results of assessment projects. It helps us establish the framework for making substantive and ongoing improvements in literally every facet of the institution. This summer, RVU will launch a new communication program highlighting assessment within the institution and will report on how assessment is being used to help us plan and improve. This new program, called SCALE! (Strategic Continuous Assessment Leading to Excellence!) complements the institution’s Mission “to provide quality healthcare education” and its Vision, Achieving New Heights in Medical Education. SCALE! will help to remind us of the key role assessment plays within the institution and how we should never lose sight of our efforts to continuously improve.
Updates From the RVU Security Team By Dan Havens, Head of Safety and Security
The Security Department is continually working to improve its operations. As part of this effort, the Department has already begun nearly $40,000 in improvements. Recent renovations to the security office include the installation of a new window along the hallway on the first floor. With this addition, the security door will now remain closed, making the office a more secure place for the officers to work. This doesn't mean that we want to segregate ourselves; we welcome anyone to come into the security office to talk about security issues, or just to say 'hi'. The Security Department is also preparing to install additional upgrades. Within the next few months, the door access system and the locks on the glass doors will be replaced and upgraded. Additionally, intercom systems will be installed on the south and north doors. If you forget your
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I.D. badge, you'll be able to utilize this intercom to reach the security officers to let you in. This will help to keep RVU a safe and secure place for everyone. The HELP/TIP hotline has been working out very well. Security urges anyone to use it if you or someone you know has RVU Security Officer Zeke England sits problems and wants to reat the new security office window main anonymous. We will find you help. The number is 303-708-8185.
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Welcome to our New Employees Brian Leary
Clinical Rotations Coordinator Brian is a Colorado native and calls Parker his hometown. Last year, he graduated from Arizona State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, and then returned to Colorado. "I am excited to become a part of the RVU community and to help mold the next generation of doctors," says Brian. In his free time, Brian enjoys hiking and camping, coaching and playing sports, and he also has a strong interest in Astronomy and Astrophotography. Welcome, Brian!
Teresa Moore
Administrative Assistant to OPP and Structural Medicine Teresa is a Colorado native and currently lives in Castle Rock. She previously worked for nine years as a Pension Administrator for Legacy Benefits Services, LLC. Teresa says she learned about RVU from a friend who is also an employee of RVU. "When my friend had nothing but great things to say about RVU, I knew it would be a wonderful place to work," says Teresa. "I am excited to learn new things and expand my knowledge. It's so wonderful to have joined such a great group of people." Teresa is married to her husband Bryan of 3 years and has lived in Castle Rock for over eight years. She and her husband have a cat and a 4 year old chocolate lab who loves to play and swim. "We love to travel and always make time to get away once a year," says Teresa. "I enjoy anything and everything outside, whether it is camping, hiking, bike riding, fishing, golfing or hanging out with friends. I love to cook, bake and usually try
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my green thumb on a garden each year. There's nothing better than to use fresh ingredients from your own garden." Welcome, Teresa!
Rose Powell
Clinical Rotations Coordinator Rose earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Colorado with a certificate in Public Relations. She also has over 20 years of experience in healthcare in Continuing Medical Education (CME). She previously worked as a coordinator at Littleton Adventist Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital and St. Anthony Hospital. She also has Institutional Review Board (IRB) experience from her work at St. Joseph Hospital and the University of Colorado. Outside of healthcare, Rose has experience processing mortgage loans for a brokerage that she and her husband managed, and also worked for the Arapahoe County Public Trustee as a Deputy. While I worked at Littleton Adventist Hospital, I gained insight about the entire process of the ‘before and after’ in a physician’s career. I worked with RVU staff and other schools that set up rotations for medical students and residents. I was drawn to RVU because I wanted to work with the students, coordinating rotations and doing my small part to assist with their successful careers. I’m very happy to be working at RVU and hope to meet everyone soon! Rose and her husband have one daughter and a grandson. She also has three step children and seven grandchildren in total. In her spare time, Rose and her husband enjoy renovating their house, going on short bike rides, walks and hikes. Rose says she also likes to make cards, read and sew and is currently learning to play the guitar. She also enjoys volunteering and belongs to a Toastmaster’s club where she is enhancing her public speaking skills. Welcome, Rose!
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Promotions and New Appointments Gary Pippin - Director of Facilities and Grounds
Gary has been appointed to the new position of Director of Facilities and Grounds. Gary has been with RVU since February of 2012. In his new position, he will be responsible for the maintenance and daily upkeep of RVU and the grounds around the university. Congratulations, Gary!
Toni Whatley - Clinical Rotation Coordinator/Colorado Springs & Grand Junction Region
Toni Whatley has been appointed to the new position of Clinical Rotation Coordinator. She has been employed at RVUCOM since May 2011. She formerly worked as an Administrative Assistant supporting both the Structural Medicine and OMM Departments. In this new position she will be coordinating the students' clinical rotations for OMS-III and OMS-IV. She is looking forward to playing a vital role in the students' medical school experience. Congratulations, Toni!
On the Road: RVU Admissions The RVU Admissions Team has been out on the road a lot this year, hosting recruitment events for pre-medical students around the country. In March, Julie Rosenthal, Executive Director of Admissions and Marketing, presented to the Rural Health Scholars at Southern Utah University and Dixie State College. She also met with pre-med advisors and faculty. Katy Hunsberger, Assistant Director of Admissions, traveled to Michigan and hosted presentations at Michigan State University, the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Grand Valley State University, and Colorado State University - Pueblo. Also that month, Cassidy Chambers, Admissions Counselor, presented at Arizona State University, the University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University, and made a presentation to pre-med society students at the Colorado School of Mines. In April, Julie attended a recruitment event at the University of Maryland. Katy traveled to Texas, hosting events at Austin College, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, University of North Texas, University of Texas – Arlington, and University of Texas – Dallas. She also visited Oregon State, Portland State, and the University of Oregon. In early May, Cassidy attended the Intermountain Premed
The Vista View is published by the Rocky Vista University Marketing Department.
Conference in Orem, Utah. The event was held on the Utah Valley campus, but hosted a large number of students from across the region. Katy Hunsberger also recently gave a presentation to the CREATE Health Scholars hosted at the Regis University campus. This program is hosted through Colorado AHEC In addition, the Admissions team has been hosting Tour and Transcript (T&T) Review Days on campus, which allowed prospective students to tour the campus and have one-on-one counseling with the Admissions staff. Upcoming T&T dates will be held on June 27th and July 9th from 2-3:00 PM. Be sure to check the Admissions page of the RVU website for all of our upcoming T&T and off-campus recruitment dates. RSVPs are required.
8401 S. Chambers Road Parker, CO 80134 720.875.2800
Editor & Graphic Designer Holly E. Kaspar Assistant Director of Marketing
To make comments, suggestions, submissions or be added to the newsletter mailing list, please contact Holly Kaspar at hkaspar@rvu.edu
Rocky Vista University provides quality healthcare education while inspiring students to serve with compassion, integrity and excellence.
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