Vista View Newsletter - December Issue

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December 2014 Newsletter

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NEWSLET

Mass Casualty Training Exercise at RVU Page 4

Inside RVU Students Benefit from Pet Therapy

Vista ViewPage 6

Military Students Honored in Annual Ceremony

High Schoolers Learn About Health and RVUCOM

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Page 12

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President's Message A Key Word for 2014: Together!

by Cheryl D. Lovell, PhD, President and CEO RVU had a fantastic year with many outstanding achievements. It is imperative, though, that we realize none of these outcomes would have been possible without one key word: together. Accolades are great and recognitions feel wonderful, but none of the kudos top the fact that we achieved because we worked together.

To start, our 2012 alumni have risen as leaders in their residency programs, with several being appointed Chief Residents. Many will complete their three-year residency programs in 2015 and we very much look forward to hearing about their next venture into professional practice. Alumni have published articles and presented their research at major professional meetings. In addition, one of our graduates was featured in DO Magazine, focusing on the state of medicine. Our alums are the “calling cards” for the university: their successes are our successes.

Our current students have stood out nationally, with the highest pass rate on the COMLEX-I in the nation! Students have received several recognitions, such as a national Excellence in Public Health Award. Also, students presented winning posters at the Hollis Wolff competition, Colorado Society of Osteopathic Medicine (CSOM) Midwinter Conference, and Bureau of International Osteopathic Medicine.

Our faculty and staff have conducted research projects, presented, and/or published regionally, nationally, and internationally. Our faculty are leaders in several key associations including the CSOM and Colorado Medical Society. They serve on national boards and contribute their expertise in significant ways. Their excellent work has created the foundation for so many of our accomplishments. We will continue to work together to support the students and mission.

Another component for our success is the RVU Core Values, which we exhibited through key service commitments within our community. Our students and faculty provided support to the 9News Annual Health Fair and the Annual Donor Dash, which focused on the importance of being an organ donor. We sponsored the American Heart Association's "Red Bench Project," raising awareness of heart disease. We also raised money for ALS

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with “Ice Bucket Challenges.”

Students raised awareness of Alopecia Areata and are now working on a “No Shave November” fundraiser.

RVU also teamed up with Rotary Club of Parker to create an oncampus club which focuses on service projects. Service is central to our university and our values.

Our external efforts have been impressive, as well, with our efforts to address key federal legislation. We had some influence, though limited, in the final GE regulations. At the state level, RVU was central with testimony to legislators on a variety of issues. We had the opportunity to showcase RVU by supporting local rescue and law enforcement agencies during the Mass Casualty Training Exercise. This was also great training for our students to treat "injured victims" in a medical response situation.

Additionally, RVU was awarded regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. We are the first medical school in the state of Colorado and the first (and only) osteopathic medical school in the nation to receive focused accreditation from the American College of Surgeons for our Surgical Simulation Center.

All of these successes and contributions to the community occur because we work together. Studies about the impact of togetherness found that individuals who were part of a team had higher problem-solving rates and a better sense of purpose. They found tasks more appealing and felt less fatigue (Harvard Business Journal, HBR Network, August 13, 2014). What a powerful word “together” can be. We are lucky to have colleagues (yes, even friends) at RVU with whom we can work together because we are moving toward the same purpose. The foundation of a great university is each person's contribution to the greater good and the knowledge that our success comes from working together.

This is a great way to end the year: with a great foundation for years of many more successes to come. Thanks to all for a wonderful 2014!

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Dean's Message The Nature of Learning

by Thomas N. Told, DO, FACOFP, dist., Dean Recently, I spent a weekend in Yampa Valley in northwest Colorado, leaving behind the bustle of city life. I went to help my son winterize farm equipment, but I knew I could also be outdoors and reflect on the past year.

There is a place in Yampa Valley that our family had built, called the "The Pasture." Through the years, it has served as a teaching tool for student physicians, helping them to understand rural and wilderness medicine. I reasoned that, to care for rural folks, a physician should understand what it means to work close to nature (whether it was baling hay and fixing fences or treating the many injuries during hunting season). Often, young physicians tell me that those times were among the choicest of their careers.

There has always been a bond between physicians and nature. Andrew Taylor Still verbalized it best when he said, “Nature knows perfectly your powers, plans and purposes. Nature/God has known them from the beginning but it is only as man understands her secrets, her roles of action that he is able to walk intelligently by her side.” Walking by nature’s side is not just about being outdoors and harvesting the land—it involves learning how to provide loads of medical information to students rapidly and efficiently. The allotted time for learning to become a physician has not changed in over a century, yet the subject matter grows each year. Our challenge is ensuring we are producing the best physicians in a small amount of time. We cannot afford to take the wrong pathways to learning or to burden our students' minds with superfluous material.

Their effort and intellectual capacity is like a spacestation where every ounce and inch is calculated for optimal function.

We recently learned that RVU students sat at the top of all osteopathic medical schools for first-time pass rates on COMLEX-I. We were also virtually tied with another school for the highest mean score on the same exam—a mere two-tenths of a point apart. We are working hard to make sure we will have as good a showing with the report next year. This achievement is not by accident: we pay attention to how adults learn and retain facts. We have torn down the traditional silo-style of learning and have integrated the subject matter. We continually weave in clinical subject matter that challenges our students

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to learn problem-solving in a multiplicity of ways. This principle was utilized over a century ago by one of the greatest teachers in medicine, Sir William Osler, who observed, “The successful teacher is no longer on a height, pumping knowledge at high pressure into passive receptacles." Using this method, we have implemented a fully integrated curriculum that is guided by the various organ systems. Both the student and professor become active participants in the learning process, creating a more effective experience.

Prior to these achievements, when students were not performing up to our standard on physical examination skills, we looked at the problem with an eye to natural processes. We discovered students were not learning exam skills in the same sequence that a physician would conduct them. Earlier curricular planners had felt that students could reassemble knowledge in the proper sequence, an inattention to natural learning principles that turned out to be the root of the problem. Today, our students learn skills that follow clinical practice methods.

When our students see their first patient in a clinic, it will feel no different from the hyperrealistic simulated experience. Our fully accredited Surgical Simulation Center provides a realistic experience of surgery that has never been available before. This training ensures our students will be effective team members in community medical delivery systems.

I have often pondered about what makes RVU so special.

We have made significant contributions to medical education, become a military friendly school, orchestrated one of the largest mass casualty drills, and reached great marks in student performance. I am sure it is due in some part to those principles of nature that bring out the best in everyone. I feel Osler was envisioning a school like RVUCOM when he said, “The higher education so much needed today is not given in the school, is not to be bought in the market place, but it has to be wrought out in each one of us for himself; it is the silent influence of character on character.”

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Mass Casualty Training Exercise at RVU On the morning of October 15th, students sat in the large auditorium at RVU, chatting and laughing. Suddenly, a gunman threw open the door, fired shots into the room, then raced throughout the school, leaving a trail of injuries behind him. Instead of the horror this increasingly common scene usually brings, the mass casualty training exercise was accompanied by fake wounds, tarps to prevent staining, and coffee stations.

With school shootings in the news regularly, RVU officials decided to improve upon the school's emergency preparedness plan. An immersive, multifaceted plan emerged—the brainchild of Dan Havens, Director of Public Safety and Security—and increasingly, public agencies signed on in order to test their own teams' responses. For more than a year, RVU faculty and staff met regularly with officials from South Metro Fire Protection District, Parker Police Department, Arapahoe County SWAT, and the U.S. Army.

While the primary goal of this exercise was to prepare for emergency situations, the secondary goal was to provide realistic medical training to the students. As students and employees evacuated the building, those with simulated injuries (ranging from cuts to gunshot wounds) received medical care from RVU's Security Department, faculty, and other students.

Some students were carried on stretchers into the medical army tents, which had been set up on the grounds by soldiers from Fort Carson in Colorado Springs. There, military doctors treated the "victims" while RVU students alternately observed and participated.

"The drill was the first time many of us

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students were put in a real life disaster situation," said Grace Borton, OMS-II. "It gave us a glance at what it will be like to work in an emergency. The military surgeons and RVU physicians taught us fast ways to assess our patients by checking their breathing, circulation, and mental status. Those seem like obvious things we would need to examine, but when put into a real disaster, it can be easy to get overwhelmed."

SWAT and police officers

Inside, the action continued. A "shooter" barricaded himself in the library with hostages (a scenario designed to test law enforcement strategy further) while a second "shooter" appeared on the roof, firing blanks and detonating improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The IEDs were built to produce a lot of sound and smoke, but with no potential for harm. “Our scenario was designed to quickly overload and overtax all the systems,” said Thomas N. Told, DO, FACOFP dist., RVUCOM Dean.

The day was not without some fumbles and miscommunication, though. "I feel that mess-ups are the reasons for these drills," said Isaac Billings, OMSII. "They are controlled environments in which individuals can get a grasp of where their weaknesses lie and bolster them accordingly. Ultimately, I am grateful to [have participated] in a valuable exercise for our community's first responders."

Hannah Parker, OMS-II, is checked by an army surgeon

With at least ten participating agencies, this was among the largest and most elaborate mass casualty training exercise in the state of Colorado, as well as one of the largest in the nation.

“We had lots to learn and did, indeed, gain insights as to what we can do to better prepare,” said Cheryl D. Lovell, PhD, President and CEO.

EMTs and policemen drag victims away from an IED

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preparing to enter the library John White, OMS-I, after receiving treatment for his neck wound

Michael Sperl, OMS-I, Eric Bradford, OMS-I, and Yasmine Mourad, OMS-I, exit the building

SWAT team arrives, as well as bomb squad to disable IEDs

Sam Engle, OMS-II, is searched by members of the SWAT team

Michael Tran, OMS-I, assists Mishaela Morrato, OMS-II

Zach Drennan, OMS-II, is escorted by EMTs

Students receive their wound moulage in the Simulation Lab

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Army surgeons work on a student

Michael Dabit, OMS-I, tends to Jon Walsh, OMS-II, who is wearing a cutsuit

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RVU Students Benefit from Pet Therapy Twice a month, a crowd forms in the second-floor hallway, where RVU students snuggle with Dillon and Darby, two loveable golden retrievers. Studies show this interaction, known as Pet Therapy, reduces blood pressure, lowers levels of stress and anxiety, and stimulates the release of endorphins, which make people happy.

provide stress relief for the students, to show how animals can be used in the health care setting, and to provide a forum for research into the animal-human bond.” The program was approved by RVUCOM’s Dean, Thomas N. Told, DO, FACOFP dist. in March 2014, and has provided comfort to the students ever since.

The idea of a pet therapy program at RVU originated with Michael Tieman, MD, Chair and Professor of Specialty Medicine. He had read about a program at Colorado State University, where dogs were brought in at the beginning of the semester when students were getting accustomed to being away from home and again at the end of the semester during their final exams. With years of experience volunteering at local hospitals with his wife, Linda, and the dogs, he knew first-hand what a positive impact this program could have at RVU.

With an average of 50 students per visit, Dillon and Darby have been instrumental in providing stress relief for the students. Regarding their success, Jessica Tse, OMS-II, President of SOMA, says “I think many of the students at RVU are far from home and may be missing their animal companions. Darby and Dillon remind me of my dogs at home. When I spend time with them, they bring a similar feeling of calm and serenity to my hectic schedule. I love animals, and I think it’s hard to have a bad day when they are around.”

Dr. Tieman teamed up with the Department of Student Affairs and members of Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA). His goals for the program were “to

To date, RVU is one of only three medical schools nationwide—alongside Yale and Harvard—with a pet therapy program in place.

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How to Study and Survive in Medical School

by Judy Thornton, MA, Director of Educational Support

There is a definite adjustment to be made for studying in medical school. Below are some helpful strategies you can incorporate into your current study arsenal, enhancing your academic performance. #1 Study every single day To be a successful medical student, it is REALLY important to develop effective and efficient study habits, much more so than in your undergraduate studies. Because there is such a huge volume of material being presented, it is very easy to fall far behind quickly. The secret is to study every single day and don’t ever let yourself get behind; there is no time to catch up later. #2 Translate your notes into a condensed, easy-to-read version This will help you internalize the information and concepts in a way that makes sense to you and can be easily accessed. If you find yourself struggling, it is usually because the material was not presented in a way that makes sense to you. Paraphrasing information in a way that makes sense to you (charts, mind maps, drawings) and having information in a condensed format will make studying for exams less overwhelming.

is one with similar views on studying and work ethic that complements your knowledge base well. #6 Study what matters A lot of minutiae will be presented during the first two years and the ideal student will learn it all. However, pragmatically, this is not possible for most of us. What is important to remember is that most of your professors are clinicians, so focus on what is clinically relevant.

Using COMLEX and USMLE Step 1 books and review guides can be very helpful, as clinical vignettes are presented to review basic science material. #7 When in doubt, ask It's simple advice, but sometimes students are averse to asking questions for fear of looking dumb or inconveniencing the professor. However, in this age of email, it never hurts to send an email with well-phrased questions that you have already tried to answer. This not only helps academically, but it also helps to develop relationships with people in fields you may be interested in the future when you have to choose a specialty. Seek out tutors and don’t hesitate to ask for assistance from the learning specialist who will assist you in finding more effective and efficient study strategies individualized to meet your needs.

"Use a variety of visual study aids and techniques"

#3 Use visual cues If you study visually, it will trigger images which will assist with identification later. Use a variety of visual study aids/techniques, along with hands-on visual opportunities to enable yourself to identify anatomical regions and locations more easily (draw pictures, use color). #4 Take study breaks It is really important to maintain balance in studying and to take appropriate study breaks. Take a 15-minute break every hour and a 30-minute break every three hours.

Schedule time to relax and rest since your mind needs time to process all the information you are trying to cram into it. #5 Study in a group Find a group that you work well with and schedule time to study together. Ideally, you should do all your studying on your own and use group studying time as a review or to clarify confusing points. The ideal study group

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#8 Enjoy what you are doing If you find yourself getting bored while you study, stop.

Take a break and think of a way to make what you are studying interesting, whether that is by turning it into a game, making it interactive, more visual, or even reading interesting case reports online on a related disease.

Sometimes, pegging the knowledge onto a vignette can make the information much more "sticky" in your mind, which is all that matters. The New England Journal of Medicine has many such case reports, as do many other journals.

Developing good study habits will not only serve you during medical school, but throughout your medical careers. Remember: medicine is a lifelong career of studying and learning! The successful study skills you hone now will reward you not only for medical school but for many years to come.

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Military Students Honored in Annual Ceremony There is always a strong need for military physicians. With nearly 20% of its most recent graduating class serving in the military, RVU is among the most supportive schools for a member of the armed forces to attend. It has perhaps the highest percentage of students attending civilian medical school on a military scholarship—the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)—as well as a specialized military medicine track.

Clockwise from left: Olivia Klinkhammer, OMS-I; Jonathan Walsh, OMS-II; Amanda Schmidt, OMS-II; and Stephen Edwards, OMS-III

Zach Rosensweet, OMS-II

Jesse Snider, OMS-II; Jacob Schoof, OMS-II; and Grant Adams, OMS-II

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Yet it is RVU's acknowledgement and support of its military physicians and their service that stands out above all. On September 26th, RVU hosted the fourth annual Military Appreciation Ceremony, which honors the school’s new and current students who serve in the military, as well as visiting dignitaries.

The ceremony featured several distinguished guest speakers. Thomas N. Told, DO, FACOFP dist., RVUCOM Dean, began the ceremony by discussing the history of “military healers,” from Joseph Warren during the Revolutionary War to A.T. Still during the Civil War to physicians on today’s battlefields. Because of this history, Dr. Told said, “RVU is proud to do our part to train military physicians."

To show support and recognition for prisoners of war and those missing in action, Anthony LaPorta, MD, FACS, Professor of Clinical Surgery and Course Director of the Military Track, narrated the Missing Man/POW Remembrance Ceremony, perhaps the most poignant moment of the evening. The Remembrance Ceremony was carried out by student physicians representing each branch of the military. They descended the auditorium stairs in unison, reverently carrying their hats. They approached a candlelit table on the stage which had been set with four place settings. They then placed their hats upon the empty plates to honor the service of those missing, taken prisoner, or deceased.

Dr. LaPorta spoke of the significance of each item on the table: “The table is small, symbolizing the frailty of the prisoner alone against our oppressors...The tablecloth is white, symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms...The single rose displayed in a vase reminds us of the families and loved ones of our comrades in arms...The red ribbon tied so prominently on the vase is reminiscent of the ribbon worn on the lapel and breast of thousands who bear witness to their unyielding determination to demand a proper accounting of our missing...A slice of lemon is placed on the bread plate to remind us of the missing’s bitter fate...The glass is inverted so they cannot toast with us tonight...The chair is empty.

They are not here. Remember, all of you who served with them and will serve with them and called them comrades, who depended on their might and aid, and relied upon them. For surely, they have not been forgotten.” The audience raised a toast in their honor.

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Special guest Major General (Retired) Philip Volpe, DO, began his speech by pointing out that RVU is the “only school I know that has put on a military appreciation event” and thanked the school officials. He then told an emotional story of a dear friend, Sergeant Tim “Griz” Martin, who was fatally wounded by a rocket-propelled grenade. Dr. Volpe asked his friend what he could do to help him with the pain. Sgt. Martin replied, “There’s nothing you can do for me.

Go help my buddies: they need you more than I do,” then died shortly thereafter. Dr. Volpe offered this advice for the new military physicians: “Keep a positive attitude, be a team player, put your best foot forward every day, bloom where you’re planted, and finally, make sure you take care of your buddies.”

Brigadier General (Retired) Richard Ursone, MBA, Director of the Military Health Segment for Deloitte Consulting, closed the ceremony: “Every day that you put the uniform on,” he said, “you will have the chance to work hard at work worth doing, because you will be America’s sentinels. You will be the individuals who preserve our peace and freedom.”

Military Friendly Designation For the second consecutive year, RVU was selected as a Military Friendly® School, a list which honors colleges and universities that exhibit practices to support military students.

“Inclusion on the 2015 list of Military Friendly® Schools shows RVU’s commitment to providing a supportive environment for military students,” said Sean Collins, Vice President at Victory Media.

Along with RVU's high incidence of students on military scholarships, the school also helps students prepare for service with a specialized military track and through the use of immersion training. “We are very honored by this distinction” stated Cheryl D. Lovell, PhD, President and CEO. “We have a strong commitment to the military and are proud that many of our students will serve our country as physicians in the armed forces.”

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Office of Institutional Planning and Assessment

by Jennifer Williams, PhD, Exeutive Director of Institutional Planning and Assessment

Accreditation The HLC Additional Location Application for a new location in Cedar City, Utah has been submitted. RVU’s HLC liaison will provide a letter to COCA acknowledging this and indicating the timeline and process for approval(s). Also, HLC has established a new data collection and submission process, similar to IPEDS. The collection requires institutions to report on student achievement data, institutional financial health, and federal compliance with first-time, fulltime students receiving grant aid. The report will be submitted on November 7th. Finally, Cheryl D. Lovell, President and CEO, and Jennifer Williams, Executive Director of Institutional Planning and Assessment, will be attending the Provisional Accreditation Pathways Conference in November and the HLC Annual Conference in March 2015.

Strategic Planning The 2014 to 2019 RVU Strategic Plan, “SCALE! To Peak Performance,” will be reviewed by the Board of Trustees on November 14th to discern if 2014 strategic initiatives were completed or still need to be completed. The SCALE! Team will be requesting action plans from department managers to address the “SCALE! To Peak Performance” strategic plan goals. The plan’s title is a reminder of the importance of strategic thinking and ongoing assessment as our pathway to continued excellent academic and operational performance.

Assessment/SCALE! The SCALE! committee has been reexamining its purpose, mission, goals, roles, responsibilities, and timelines for projects. The team determined a new focus on leadership and service was central to organizing and completing tasks related to student learning outcomes, program, and institutional assessments. The newly established SCALE! mission statement is: The mission of the SCALE! committee is to promote a culture of assessment that drives the institution towards achievement of its mission and objectives through effective planning, information collection and use, and outcomes-based projects and programs. The purpose statement is: SCALE! is a leadership team comprised of representatives from across the institution that serve to advance institutional effectiveness, assessment, strategic planning, institutional research, and accreditation.

In January 2014, SCALE! was considering implementation of the “data warehouse,” an electronic resource that stores, manages, and distributes assessment and statistical data, demographic information, and other vital information. The project stalled a bit due to turnover in the IPA office, but the team determined it is still a viable and necessary project, thus a subcommittee is working on an implementation plan and timeframe. Also, the assessment plan will be updated to identify how assessments map back to curriculum and mission criteria. Finally, planning is underway to celebrate HLC and ACS accreditations, likely in December 2014.

Institutional Research Projects Dr. Williams is assisting several teams and individuals with developing research designs, navigating the research process, compiling and analyzing data, and preparing studies for Institutional Review Board (IRB) submission and publication.

IPEDS The fall data collection, submitted on October 15th, included institutional characteristics, completions, and 12-month enrollments.

Program Development We are currently researching the Master of Biomedical Sciences degree curricula, program requirements, costs, student outcomes, recruiting/enrollment management strategies, instructional requisites, and fiscal opportunities.

Title IX We are examining and establishing policy and compliant procedures for sexual discrimination, harassment, and violence issues, in order to ensure our compliance with Title IX requirements and to provide a safe environment.

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Students Provide Shoes for Guatemalan Children

Cutting Hair for Alopecia Awareness

It is estimated that one billion children live in poverty without access to basic necessities, like shoes and dental care. Inspired to help, Lindsey Longfellow, OMS-IV, and Samuel Longfellow, OMS-IV, began fundraising before leaving on an RVU global medicine trip to Guatemala.

The second-floor hallway of RVU was littered with clapping students and hair clippings. The students, most of them clad in blue, crowded around Sohayla Rostami, OMS-I, and Stephanie Thibodaux, OMS-I. The crowd counted down from five. Then two Ulta Beauty stylists cut off at least eight inches of hair from each woman amid wild cheering.

Thanks to their hard work and the generosity of others, they raised $1,200, enabling them to purchase 100 pairs of shoes and a substantial amount of toothbrushes. While in Guatemala, Lindsey and Samuel passed out the shoes and toothbrushes to the grateful children.

This collaboration between RVU students and Ulta was an effort to raise awareness of Alopecia Areata, an autoimmune disease which results in the loss of one’s hair. All donated hair was provided to Pantene Beautiful Hair, an organization which uses the hair to create realistic wigs for women with cancer.

The event was organized by several first-year students, including SD Rostami. After lectures on autoimmunity and dermatology, Danika Evans, OMS-I, discussed her personal experience with Alopecia. SD Evans began losing her hair at 15 years old, a time that proved to be very traumatic. Today, she wears either a wig or head scarf to cover her head. When she does that, though, she sometimes receives comments like, “How is chemo going?” which can be, as she says, a little awkward. She appreciated the hair-cutting event because there is “not a lot of awareness about [the disorder]." To show their support, fellow student doctors dedicated the event to her.

The event was a resounding success. Among the participants were OMS-Is: Hannah Houck, Laurie Bezjian, Megan Almazan, Lexie Wilson, Sindi Diko, and Clementine Stowe-Daniel.

The youngest donor was eight-year-old Lina, the daughter of Cristina Cosner, OMS-I. “[Lina] was really excited about donating her hair,” said SD Cosner, adding that her daughter had been begging to do this for a long time.

A total of 103" of hair was donated.

Lina Cosner, daughter of Cristina Cosner, OMS-I

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Lexie Wilson, OMS-I

Stephanie Thibodaux, OMS-I; Danika Evans, OMS-I; and Sohayla Rostami, OMS-I

Hannah Houck, OMS-I

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High Schoolers Learn About Health and RVUCOM RVU recently hosted students from Chaparral High School’s special education department, Significant Support Needs (SSN). The students, led by Katy Hunsberger, Assistant Director of Admissions, toured the campus to support their program goal of learning vocational and community skills. During the tour, RVU faculty, students, and staff provided lessons about health, the human body, and how a medical school operates.

Faculty and staff—Rebecca Bowden, PhD, Professor and Director of Clinical Assessment and Simulation; Amber Heck, PhD, Associate Professor of Molecular Biology; Nicole Michels, PhD, Assistant Professor of Physiology; and Tina Underwood, Assistant Director of Clinical Assessment and Simulation—recreated patient visits in the Standardized Patient Lab to explain the role of doctors, then let each of the students use stethoscopes to listen to their hearts.

Next, the students went to the OMM Lab for a manipulation demonstration by Fellows Brianna Anthony, OMS-III, Sarah Jones, OMS-IV, and Drew Rose, OMS-IV. Then John Yurek, OMS-III, displayed a plastic skeleton and discussed how various bones function.

After a quick visit with Erin Palazzolo, Associate Professor of Medical Informatics, in the library, the students headed to the security office, where Officers Dennis Meidal and Tony Matti taught them about keeping the school safe with video cameras and automatic locks. One student pointed out how much safer the school would be if officers were allowed to ride segueways.

A budget item for 2015, perhaps?

Thank you to faculty and staff—and to our new friends at Chaparral High School—for participating in this fun event!

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Admissions Update The Admissions office has been busy advising students, recruiting, processing applicaitons, and facilitating interviews. As of mid-November, 4,761 candidates have applied to RVUCOM. This represents an increase of 18.5% from last year!

Recent recruitment included a multi-college health fair in Alamosa, Colorado, attended by students from underserved areas and the 12th Annual UC Davis Pre-Medical and Pre-Health Professions National Conference, which was packed with several hundred students—many of whom had heard of RVUCOM and came specifically to talk about our programs. Katy Hunsberger, Assistant Director of Admissions, presented two sessions on “How to Become a Successful Candidate for Osteopathic Medical Schools” at the conference. Julie Rosenthal, Executive Director of Admissions and Marketing, and Jane Wieler, OMS-I, represented RVUCOM at the pre-SOMA recruitment event in Seattle. Julie also attended the HACU (Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities) Conference held in Denver.

Are you following RVU on social media?

• Learn about upcoming events In October, Admissions and student ambassa• Stay current on announcements dors hosted biomedical science students from • See photos of students and activities University of Colorado at Boulder. Students attended a track lecture, as well as Anatomy and Facebook.com/RockyVistaUniversity OMM labs. Cindy Funk, PhD, Associate ProfesTwitter.com/RVUCOM sor of Structural Medicine and Phase Director, Pinterest.com/RockyVista spoke of the curriculum and what to expect for LinkedIn.com/company/Rocky-Vista-University the first year of medical school.

Wellness Warriors Promote Healthy Cooking with Soup Contest Thanks to the RVU Wellness Committee, employees have been staying physically and mentally fit with exercise and weight loss challenges, community service opportunities, lunch-n-learns, on-campus exercise classes, biometric intake opportunities, and incentives for trying new healthy hobbies.

After a few lunch-n-learns on healthy eating, the Wellness Committee decided to put the advice to the test with a Healthy Cooking Soup Contest. On October 24th, a variety of soups—ranging from sweet potato soup to chicken corn soup—were judged by employees on presentation, flavor, and originality. The grand prize was awarded to Katy Hunsberger for her tasty Hearty Vegetable Soup, while Human Resources Manager Patty Gordon's Butternut Squash Soup placed second, and Associate Professor of Medical Informatics Erin Palazzolo’s Steak Soup placed third.

Thank you to all of the contestants for cooking delicious soups for the competition and thank you to everyone who participated in the tasting and judging.

The Wellness Committee’s mission is to encourage everyone to keep fit, keep moving, and always Be W.E.L.L. (Workout, Eat Right, Laugh, and Learn).

See the back page of this issue for the winning recipes!

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The participants of the Wellness Club Healthy Cooking Soup Contest

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Celebrating the Fall Season at RVU On a warm autumn day, RVU celebrated the season with its fourth annual Fall Festival. The event—sponsored by the Student Government Association, as well as various student clubs and organizations—boasted a plethora of activities for children including pumpkin carving, cookie decorating, candy fishing, and a timed obstacle course. Kathy Leary, Executive Director of Student Financial Services, said she brings her grandchildren to the festival every year. She also noted, “It’s a great opportunity for students, faculty and staff to participate in an activity just for the kids. The students do a wonderful job of involving even the youngest children in games and craft projects. My granddaughter already asked if we can come again next year.”

Mai Ngo, OMS-I, and Katie Rose, OMS-I

A child plays the fishing game

A child climbs the rock wall

Hans Machula, OMS-II, and Allison Nelson, OMS-II

Following the Fall Festival, RVU celebrated Halloween with clever costumes (such as the show-stopping Andrew T. Still, founder of osteopathic medicine) and ghoulishly decorated offices, perfect for Trick-or-Treat Street. A lawn gnome, a bumblebee, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Buzz Lightyear were among the characters that made their way to each pod in search of treats. The event was a success and everyone left with big smiles and bags full of goodies.

RVU faculty and staff dress up as characters from Clue

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A bumblebee roams the halls of RVU

Matthew Jacobs, OMS-II, and family dress as characters from Toy Story

Maya Kippen, OMS-I

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What Exactly Is the AOA?

by Jill Pitcher, DO, Assistant Professor of Family Medicine The AOA is actually a “who”, not a “what.”

The American Osteopathic Association was founded in 1897 by sixteen students of American School of Osteopathy in Kirksville, Missouri, to unite the efforts of various schools and students into a single cause for the “advancement of Osteopathy.” They worked for students and professionals in practice, research, and academics focused on osteopathic science.

The AOA is the framework that physicians and students continue to build upon to ensure osteopathic medicine remains strong. This process preserves the very reason the profession was founded, while being actively involved in the ongoing evolution of how medicine is practiced in this country. True to its history of students as founding members, involvement at the student level is supported and highly encouraged.

As of 2013, there were over 82,000 osteopathic physicians in the US. The ratio of men to women in practice for four years or less is nearly 50:50. It is estimated that, by 2020, the total number of osteopathic physicians will number over 100,000.

The great success of the profession depends on each of us providing superior care for our patients and on those that take on the task of leadership in advocacy. There are opportunities for leadership and contribution starting in medical school and continuing with an open invitation throughout our careers.

The AOA is run by a Board of Directors, comprised of nine physicians, one student, and 18 trustees. Each state can form a state society modeled after the AOA structure, such as the Colorado Society of Osteopathic Medicine. This is the local team that represents its students' and physicians' interests, both legislatively and educationally.

It is never too early or too late to contribute. Whether or not you become involved, know that Colorado has a Board watching out for us and that we appreciate your support!

Upcoming Events • 12/12: Employee Holiday Party • 12/13: Town of Parker Christmas Carriage Parade (Dr. Lovell will ride in a horse-drawn carriage!)

• 12/17: Bonfils Blood Drive • 12/19: Employee Potluck • 12/23 - 1/4: Winter Break • 2/7: Winter Ball • 3/6: Hospital Day • 3/23: Diversity Week Watch for Global Medicine Clinical Rotations in Kenya (January) and Ecuador (February), as well as R&W Avalanche Training (January)!

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Osteopathic Health Policy Internship Program The Osteopathic Health Policy Internship is a two-month program for osteopathic medical students, sponsored by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM).

The internship provides students with hands-on learning experiences in the healthcare policy arena in Washington, D.C. Visit AACOM.org to obtain detailed information about the Osteopathic Health Policy Internship Program.

Colorado Springs Osteopathic Foundation Scholarship Second-year students may apply for this scholarship which awards $20,000 toward your third and fourth years. For more information, visit csof.org/scholarships.html.

Applications are due by February 2, 2015.

Student Researcher of the Year Award

OM students with competitive experiences in clinical, translational, or basic science research may apply for this award.

Contact Vinay Setty, Class of 2017 SGA President, for an application. Applications are due by December 14, 2014.

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Dr. Dwight Hertz: From Triathlete to Tetraplegia On October 26, 2013, in the blink of an eye, everything changed for Dwight Hertz, MD, Professor of Pathology. Dr. Hertz was enjoying one of his favorite pastimes— biking along the Cherry Creek trails—when his bike hit a rock. He flew over the handlebars and hit the ground, the impact of which damaged his spinal cord severely. In that moment, he went from being a triathlete to being paralyzed.

Through intense physical therapy and support from his loved ones, Dr. Hertz is walking again, one year after his injury. He admits he still has challenges but he continues to progress each day.

In a recent lunch-n-learn, Dr. Hertz provided advice based on what he had personally learned during this experience. He shared the idea of removing the word, “can't” from one's vocabulary. By removing this word, he says, your attitude changes and you become more willing to keep trying. He explained the value of living in the present and enjoying what you currently have. Finally, he recommended that everyone take time out for laughter, as it can lighten your day and lift your spirits.

Dr. Hertz’s tips for living life more fully were helpful and motivating. However, his personal example of determination and perseverance is a true inspiration to all of us.

Dr. Hertz during physical therapy

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Hertz back to RVU, who returned on November 3rd!

COFF Receives Nonprofit Status Colorado Osteopathic Fellowship Foundation (COFF), an organization created by RVU student doctors in 2013, received its official nonprofit status. Jeffrey Summers, OMS-V, Jacob Ludwig, OMS-V, and Amber Koon, DO ’14, created COFF to raise awareness of osteopathy and to improve the health of the individual and the community through adherence to the principles of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine.

The foundation is run by Predoctoral Osteopathic Principles and Practices Fellows. It gives current Junior and Senior RVU Fellows the responsibility of serving as officers on the Board of Directors, while the graduated fellows sit on the board without a vote. This continual change of power gives the new fellows an opportunity to enhance their osteopathic techniques under the supervision of a licensed physician and while learning the ins and outs of runColorado Osteopathic Fellowship Foundation ning a business.

19751 East Mainstreet • Parker, CO 80138 COFF also runs a clinic which accepts $20 donations to the foundation for OMM treatments, in lieu of To schedule an appointment, call (720) 874-2800 or payment. The donations are used toward continuing visit http://coffclinic.wix.com/coff medical education courses for student physicians, as well as community-based volunteer projects.

Like COFF on Facebook: http://facebook.com/pages/The-Colorado-OsteopathicThey currently offer clinic hours for pregnant women Fellowship-Foundation/664549030236868 and pediatric patients on Mondays and Fridays.

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Volunteer Efforts • Marina Mesiha, OMS-I, and Charlie Simpkin, OMS-II, visited preschoolers at Pascual LeDoux Academy to teach them about healthy eating and habits, as part of the Safe N' Smart Kids Health Day program (sponsored by Denver Osteopathic Foundation).

• RVU students volunteered with Habitat for Humanity: Isaac Billings, OMS-II; Erin Chandler, OMS-II; Cody Guggenmos, OMS-II; Manuel Lewis, OMS-I; Kara Stuhr, OMS-III. For over eight hours, they insulated a three-story home and worked on landscaping. SD Lewis said, "Many of us had never insulated a home. [The Habitat staff] taught us what we needed to know. I really enjoyed the experience, learning more about Habitat for Humanity and their mission, and getting to know the other four RVU students."

• Several students volunteered with Outdoor Colorado, cultivating new plants at Sloan Lake in Denver to protect the land from erosion, picking up trash, and building a pathway to protect the surrounding area from foot traffic. Laura Gibbons, OMS-II, said, "It was a great way to spend time in the sun, get some physical activity, and put RVU in the community."

Safe N' Smart Kids Health Day

Habitat for Humanity volunteers

• Christine Gray, Predoctoral Training Coordinator, created a group called "Pay It Forward Parker" on Facebook. The mission is to provide assistance to those in need, without necessarily spending money, such as helping someone with a disability move furniture.

To learn more, contact cgray@rvu.edu.

• Students of the ACOEP organization at RVU instructed a handsonly CPR workshop (an initiative to decrease mortality in cases of cardiac arrest by focusing solely on compressions and AED use) at a mall. Along with the South Metro Safety Foundation, the students—Lauren DiSalvo, OMS-I; Jordan Forney, OMS-II; Kashyap Kaul, OMS-I; and Luke Sugden, OMS-I—taught hundreds of people how to provide effective compressions and how to begin early emergency response and AED use.

• Along with the Wellness Committee, Judy Thornton and Erica Whatley are hosting the second annual Dress a Live Angel Program. This program provides holiday gifts for children whose parents have fallen on hard times. To participate in the program, select an unclaimed Angel Card from the holiday tree. Purchase the requested gift (or a gift card), wrap it, put it and the card in a gift bag under the tree. All gifts should be under the tree by December 15th.

• The Rotary Community Corps (RCC) of RVU, in conjunction with Rotary Club of Parker, is collecting new or gently used coats, heavy sweatshirts, hats, and gloves for the Denver Indian Center.

The winter drive will end on December 17th. For more information, contact Amanda.Beach@rvu.edu or Julie.Rosenthal@rvu.edu.

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Outdoor Colorado volunteers

Hands-Only CPR Workshop

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

Ann Wyborny, OMS-II

SD Wyborny was published in the Journal of Virology as a contributing author for an article entitled, “Inhibition of Phosphorylated-STAT1 Nuclear Translocation and Antiviral Protein Expression in Human Brain Vascular Adventitial Fibroblasts Infected with Varicella-Zoster Virus.” This article focused on VZV interference in the type I interferon pathway as a possible mechanism for why VZV perseveres in cerebral arteries.

Tina Scoggins, OMS-III

SD Scoggins is participating in a program in Idaho in which medi-

cal students ride along with EMTs on ambulance calls. The goal of this program is to improve the treatment of patients, make medical practices more consistent across the professions, and provide real-world medical experience for the students.

Brianna Anthony, OMS-III, and Kathryn Huff, OMS-III

SDs Anthony and Huff each received a scholarship of $4,000 from the Denver Osteopathic Foundation. This scholarship is awarded to individuals based on their academic performance, class standing, commitment to the osteopathic profession, intent to practice in Colorado, volunteer activities, and financial need.

Students Place 5th at MedWARs MedWARs (Medical Wilderness Adventure Race) is a series of adventure races designed to test wilderness survival and medical skills. Student doctors—Lauren Warner, OMS-III , Ethan Saffer, OMS-III, and Amanda Beach, OMS-III— competed at the MedWars race for the Midwest Region in Michigan. Their team, dubbed “ColoraDO,” placed 5th out of 31 teams comprised of medical students, emergency medicine residents, paramedics, and registered nurses.

The race began at 10:00am and finished after 5:00pm. With a gunshot kicking off the race, the team deciphered a map and paddled a canoe to find the first challenge station. At each station, a team member played the victim with specific injuries, while the other teammates performed the necessary treatments. Other wilderness challenges included using topographic maps and building fires, while treating different maladies with each new station.

SD Saffer said of the event: "We relied very much on information we had learned at RVU, as well as skills and information we acquired from being in the Rural and Wilderness Medicine Track and the Global Medicine Track. We also utilized many skills we had learned in an Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS) class."

If you are interested in the AWLS course, Wilderness Medicine Student Interest Group is planning one for the spring.

Also, they have meetings and speakers throughout the year, which are open to everyone. If you would like more information, contact Lauren.Warner@rvu.edu.

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

2014 OMED Conference

N. Charles Nessle, OMS-IV

Moriah Eberhard, OMS-II

Brandon Noyes, OMS-III, and Greg Gibbs, OMS-III

The 119th Annual Osteopathic Medical Conference and Exposition (OMED) was held this year in Seattle, Washington. RVU students presented several posters as part of the 16th Annual Bureau of International Osteopathic Medicine (BIOM) International Seminar and Poster Session. This year's theme was, " "Osteopathic Medicine: Globally Integrated Education and Implementation," regarding the impact of osteopathic medical profession internationally on education and health care programs.

The following students presented their work at the BIOM session: N. Charles Nessle, OMS-IV, won 2nd place in the Outreach category for his research project, "The correlation between maternal nutritional knowledge and growth stunting in Huehuetenango, Guatemala." As one of the winners, he gave an oral presentation on his work at OMED (pictured at right).

Moriah Eberhard, OMS-II, presented a research poster titled, "Normal Weight Obesity: An Emerging Risk Factor for Hypertensive Hyperlipidemia in Rural Nepal."

Greg Gibbs, OMS-III, and Brandon Noyes, OMS-III, presented their poster, "A First-Time Look at the Epidemiological Composition of the Underserved Petit-Troude-Nippes Commune."

RVU faculty, staff, and students at American Osteopathic Foundation Honors Dinner

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Welcome to our New Faculty and Staff!

Curtis Brooks

As-Needed Security Officer Curtis is originally from Chicago, Illinois, and has two Associate of Science degrees: one in Criminal Justice and the other in Network Systems Administration. In addition to his eight years of security experience, Curtis served eight years in the Army National Guard.

In his free time, Curtis enjoys playing poker, working out, and taking his two daughters on adventures to new places. An interesting fact about Curtis is that he currently plays for a semipro league called the Colorado Football Conference (CFC). He plays defensive end for the Colorado Greyhawks team.

Welcome, Curtis!

Jenifer Fisher Library Clerk

Jen, a Colorado native, earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Metropolitan State University. She has experience working as an executive assistant and, most recently, as a project coordinator for Fenix Lighting’s US corporate headquarters. Jen is currently working on her Master of Library and Information Science degree with a concentration on Archival Studies and Digital Preservation.

Jen chose to work for RVU because she has always greatly respected the hard work and effort of physicians and researchers.

Jen enjoys cycling, long-distance running, and roller derby. She appreciates pop culture—especially comic books, video games, cartoons, and cosplay (creating costumes for comic/pop culture conventions). An interesting fact about Jen: the late Edward Herbert Thompson, who history remembers as a famous archaeologist, tomb robber, and swindler, is her great-grand-uncle!

Welcome, Jen!

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Maurice Fremont-Smith, MD Associate Professor of Pathology

Dr. Fremont-Smith received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from the University of Massachusetts in Boston, after which he worked in a shelter which serviced the needs of the homeless.

He received his medicine degree at the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, where his research focused on liver cell injury and prostaglandin biochemistry. He completed an Anatomic and Clinical Pathology residency at University Hospital Stony Brook School of Medicine in New York and a fellowship year at the New England Deaconess Hospital, Harvard Program in Boston.

He is board certified in anatomical and clinical pathology and ran a practice for 22 years in Southern New Hampshire and Northern Massachusetts. His research in practice focused on women’s health care, molecular genetics and the development of pap smear technology. In 2012, he retired from active practice to pursue a lifelong interest of teaching pathology to medical students.

Dr. Fremont-Smith, his wife, and five children enjoy flyfishing, hunting, trap shooting, and music.

Welcome, Dr. Fremont-Smith!

Sandy Hiltman

Admissions Coordinator Sandy is a Colorado native and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences from Colorado State University. She worked for many years within the homebuilding industry, mainly Standard Pacific Homes.

Sandy said of working at RVU: “Here, you have the best of both worlds: education and medicine.”

Sandy is married with two children, Luke and Elizabeth.

Her husband, Dave, is a math teacher, athletic director, and girls’ basketball coach. Sandy loves to watch movies with her family and spend time in the mountains. As

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Welcome to our New Faculty and Staff! avid fans of the show, “American Ninja Warrior”, Sandy currently has courses set up around the house and in the yard, so her kids can practice their ninja warrior skills.

An interesting fact about Sandy is that there is a creek named after her husband’s great-great-grandfather, who settled in Westcliffe, Colorado. If you have a forestry map, look up “Hiltman Creek.”

Welcome, Sandy!

Kelli Petersen

Marketing Manager Kelli is originally from Ogden, Utah but has lived in Colorado for over 15 years. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English (Writing) from the University of Colorado at Denver and has over 10 years of marketing and writing experience

in industries ranging from environmental, construction, real estate, and business development. She has written for several magazines, newspapers, and websites. Most recently, she edited a monthly magazine about leadership and created workbooks for seminars.

She is happy to be at RVU and says it is refreshing to be part of an organization that prioritizes health care and education above everything else.

She enjoys traveling, golfing, kickboxing, camping, music, podcasts, craft beer, crocheting, and forcing her husband and two kids to play board games with her. She also develops websites in her spare time.

Welcome, Kelli!

Promotions and New Appointments Amber Heck, PhD

Dr. Heck was appointed as Chair of the Research Committee, in addition to her current role as Associate Professor of Molecular Biology. She has been with RVU since 2010.

Congratulations, Dr. Heck!

Christopher Unrein, DO, FACP, CMD Dr. Unrein was appointed as Interim Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education, in addition to his role as Professor of Internal Medicine and Rocky Vista Health Center Medical Director. He has been with RVU since 2008.

Congratulations, Dr. Unrein!

Marsha Sellner Marsha was promoted to Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain OPTI/Office of Graduate Medical Education. She has been with RVU since 2007.

Cherise Workman Cherise was promoted to Clinical Rotations Administrative, Training and Evaluation Project Manager.

She has been with RVU since 2012.

Congratulations, Marsha!

Congratulations, Cherise!

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From the Rocky Vista University Alumni Association

VU

A LU M N I A SSO C I AT ION

Dear Fellow Alumni, I recently presented at the annual American College of Osteopathic Internists conference in Baltimore, Maryland. The presentation went well and the conference was intellectually stimulating, but the best part was seeing my RVU family. Since I hadn’t seen a lot of the alumni since I graduated 2.5 years ago, it was nice catching up, finding out how everyone was doing and what their plans are for the future. Seeing my fellow alumni presenting their work was also very rewarding. It was also great seeing and networking with RVU faculty.

Now that we have graduated three classes and more people are reuniting at these national conferences, the Alumni Association will start having reunion dinners for paying members of the RVUCOM alumni to reconnect and network. Please look for reunions at the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) annual convention and the American College of Osteopathic Internists (ACOI) Board Review in March. Remember, if you are not a paying member, you can contribute to the Alumni Association and become a member at any time. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Julie Rosenthal at alumni@rvu.edu. Also, if there are any conventions that alum are attending for any other specialties, please contact us so we can look into setting up an alumni dinner for those, as well. We look forward to hearing your stories and seeing you at future conferences!

The Alumni Association is also working hard to voice your concerns about loan repayment. We have written a letter to President Lovell and your concerns will be brought up at the board meeting in November. Once we have a decision from the board, I will update you.

We are also looking to connect alumni with current RVUCOM fourth-year students when they set up their audition rotations at hospitals across the country. If you are interested in meeting a fellow RVUer for coffee or dinner or are able to house them for a month, please let us know. We are planning to start this program in the spring.

Our alumni continue to do great things for their programs and the osteopathic profession. If there is anything else your Alumni Association can do for you, please email me at hkatz@browardhealth.org or contact Julie Rosenthal at alumni@rvu.edu. I wish you continued success for the future. Have a happy and healthy holiday season!

Sincerely,

Heather Katz, DO '12

"I was told by an interviewer at the U of New Mexico that I come from the best DO school in the country. I am very proud of RVUCOM and so happy with how the faculty and administration guided our training! [I am] very proud of my classmates and prior students for being such wonderful physicians and students!"

Robert (Bobby) Kysela, OMS-IV

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From the Rocky Vista University Alumni Association

VU

A LU M N I A SSO C I AT ION

Congratulations on the personal and professional accomplishments of our alumni!

Births

Hank Allen, DO '13, and his wife welcomed a daughter, Vienna.

Stefan Buetow, DO '13, and his wife welcomed a daughter, Jillian.

Jason Kasenberg, DO '13, and his wife welcomed a son, Eli. Kay Kelts, DO '12, and Andy Kelts, DO '14, welcomed a son, Ciaran.

Danielle McDonald, DO '12, and her husband welcomed a daughter, Ksenia.

Tabitha Thrasher, DO '12, and her husband welcomed a daughter, Edith.

Engagements

Jesse Thomas, DO '13, became engaged to Jessica Houha. We wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

Marriages

Ben Foreman, DO '13, and Lily Trunk, DO '13, were married.

Poster Presentations

Heather Katz, DO '13, won first place at the resident poster competition at the National American College of Osteopathic Internists for her poster, "HIV- Associated Primary Effusion Lymphoma Presenting as a Paracardial Mass."

Publications

Katz H, Popov E, Bray N, et al. Mesenteric vein thrombosis caused by secondary polycythaemia from AndroGel. BMJ Case Rep. Published Online. October 2014. doi:10.1136/bcr-2014- 206023

Other Announcements

Beatrice Taylor, DO '12, accepted a locum tenens job as a general practitioner in Texas.

If you have any other alumni news, please email hkatz@browardhealth.org or alumni@rvu.edu!

Upcoming Alumni Events and News • The 2015 ACOFP Annual Convention and Scientific Seminars will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada from March 12-15, 2015. • The 2015 Internal Medicine Board Review Course will be held in Las Vegas, from March 18-22, 2015.

Let us know if you'll be attending either event!

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Winning Recipes from Soup Competition Hearty Vegetable Soup

Steak Soup

by Erin Palazzolo

by Katy Hunsberger

• 2- 3 quarts water • 2 bay leaves • 1 large onion (chopped) • 3 chopped carrots, celery, potatoes • 2 cups frozen cut green beans • 1 pound stew meat (optional) • 2 cans diced Italian tomatoes (pureed) • 32 oz beef or vegetable broth • Salt & pepper to taste

If using beef, boil until tender, drain. Boil all vegetables (and beef), except green beans, for 30–45 minutes, until tender. Add green beans, broth, and diced tomatoes. Simmer for 1+ hour so flavors meld. Add salt and pepper to taste. You may substitute vegetable for the beef broth. Serve with hot bread and garnish with cheese.

• 1 lb ground round steak or chuck • ½ cup flour • 1 cup onion • 1 cup carrots • 1 cup celery • 64 oz water • 10 oz pkg frozen mixed vegetables • 10 oz pkg frozen corn • 16 oz canned tomatoes • 1 tbsp beef boullion crystals • 1 tsp salt • 1 tsp pepper Sauté ground chuck, drain, add flour, mix well. Parboil onions, carrots, and celery for 10-15 minutes, add rest of ingredients (including meat). Bring to boil and simmer for 30-35 minutes.

Butternut Squash Soup by Patty Gordon • 4lbs butternut squash, halved lengthwise, remove seeds • 2 tbsps coconut oil • 1 med. Granny Smith apple • ½ med. yellow onion • 8 fresh sage leaves • 2 ½ cups low-sodium vegetable/chicken broth • 2 ½ cups water • 1 ½ tsps sea salt • ½ tsp ground black pepper • 1/3 cup coconut creamer • 1/3 cup toasted pumpkin seeds Heat oven to 425°, rack in the middle. Line baking sheet with foil and place squash cut-side up. Brush 1 tbsp of coconut oil on tops and insides of halves.

Season with salt and pepper. Roast 50-60 minutes until tender.

Meanwhile, peel, core and dice apple and onion.

Add tbsp of coconut oil to large saucepan over

The Vista View is published by the Rocky Vista University Marketing Department.

medium heat. Cook apple, onion and sage, season with salt and pepper, stirring occasionally, until softened. Remove pan from heat, set aside. When squash is cooled, scoop flesh into saucepan with sautéed apples and onion, discard the skin. Add broth, water, and measured salt and pepper, stir to combine, and bring to boil over medium-high heat.

Reduce heat to medium low and simmer, stirring occasionally and breaking up large pieces of squash about 15 minutes.

Remove pan from heat and stir in coconut cream.

Using blender, puree soup in batches until smooth, removing cap of blender, cover space with towel (allows steam to escape). Serve garnished with pumpkin seeds.

8401 S. Chambers Road, Parker, CO 80134 720.875.2800

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

Rocky Vista University provides quality healthcare education while inspiring students to serve with compassion, integrity and excellence.

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