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April 2013 Newsletter Vol. 5 No. 4
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NEWSLET
Global Medicine: Providing Healthcare in Nicaragua Page 4
Inside RVUCOM Holds First ITLS Training Course
Milford Health Fair in Utah Serves Rural Area
RVUCOM Military Student Recently Commissioned
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A Message from the President and CEO: Cheryl D. Lovell, Ph.D. It is just shy of four months since I joined the RVU community as President and I can already sense that RVU is very special. I have been so impressed with the engaging attitude of all of our faculty and staff. Everyone tends to think in terms of what can we do better and how can we move the institution forward rather than staying stagnant or clinging to old ways. What a refreshing perspective and how wonderful it has been to come on board with a campus that clearly displays an upward trajectory; a direction that has set us toward being the top medical school in the country. That drive for excellence and success is uplifting to me and it wonderfully sets the stage for our continued growth and expansion. Over these months I have been getting to know everyone and to understand our many accomplishments. A key source of pride at RVU is our physicians in training and their outstanding achievements, both past and present. We have recently completed the residency match process and again this year, the results are outstanding with students matching into specialties at renowned hospital sites across the country. All three match processes (osteopathic, military and allopathic) were wonderful and we congratulate our soon-to-be graduates for this fine accomplishment. We view the work of our physicians in training in the residency, and later in professional practice, as our legacy. We believe your contributions
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represent the “symbol” of RVU and you are our greatest ambassadors spreading the great word of our university. We look forward to hearing from you throughout your residency and wish you much success. As we begin to turn the corner to the end of the fourth year for the Class of 2013, anticipation and excitement are building for the upcoming graduation and related activities. The week of May 13-18 will be filled with fun and celebrations for our graduates, their families and their friends. The culmination of the week’s activities is the Commencement Ceremony at the Buell Theater in downtown Denver. The Buell is a magnificent venue for the occasion, at which the Class of 2013 will begin a new phase of their professional life. I look forward to meeting each member of the Class of 2013 and want to take the time to get to know you and your families. Another focal point for our campus right now is the regional accreditation process that we have been involved with for the last few years. You can read more about this on pages 22-24 of this newsletter. It's important for our entire community to know about the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and its requirements to obtain regional accreditation. The phrase “it takes a village” is definitely appropriate when thinking about getting an institution ready for regional accreditation. Most of our faculty and staff are deep in preparations for the upcoming self-study document, and
Cheryl D. Lovell, Ph.D.
all will be involved when the review team visits this Fall. I encourage each of you to read the HLC overview in this newsletter and to become familiar with the process, standards and expectations. Finally, I wanted to let you know that we are busy planning for our future through visioning exercises, in which we have solicited campus input on “What will RVU be like by 2023?” So far, faculty, staff and student leaders have expressed their perspectives. Everyone's input will be presented to the RVU Board of Trustees, and they will guide us in setting both short and long term priorities. Setting the priorities is important as they serve as the focal point for the budgeting cycle as well. It is exciting for me to hear your perspectives and to learn about your passions for our future. Rocky Vista University is a very special place and I am pleased to be part of the RVU Community. I look forward to a productive, exciting and engaging future with you all.
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A Message From the Dean By Bruce Dubin, D.O., J.D., Dean
These comments are written April 16th, one day after the bombing at the Boston Marathon. Much of the media response has talked about the bravery and willingness of the first responders who ran to the aid of the victims of that terrible terrorist attack. Certainly, with three deaths and over 150 injured, the need was there for immediate help from trained medical personnel. And the citizens of Boston, the firemen, police and hospital personnel all did just that; they responded immediately and without regard to their own safety. And there is the rub! One of the primary responsibilities of disaster response is not to become a victim when you are a member of the response team. This wasn’t the case in Boston. We saw individuals immediately putting themselves in potential harm’s way. They ran to an area where a secondary device (another bomb) could have been set to deploy twenty minutes later. The area wasn’t cleared before first responders arrived on the scene. The truth is that it isn’t easy being a first responder in times of disaster. There is a great deal of training involved in ensuring the safety of all — responders and victims alike. That
is what's happening here at RVUCOM. Our university is the only school in the U.S. to require all of our physicians in training to be certified in both basic (BDLS) and advanced (ADLS) disaster life support response. This July, all of our second year students will receive their certification training before they go out on their clinical rotations. If they Bruce D. Dubin, D.O., J.D. are asked to participate in any sort of mass casualty or disaster (natural or man-made) response while on rotations, they will be prepared. Next year, we are further advancing our content in basic and advanced disaster training. BDLS will be offered as part of the Year I curriculum and ADLS will be part of Year II. The course content of both areas will be expanded, and the practical aspects will be enhanced. Also, a disaster fellowship is in the planning stages for our students. Rest assured that our university is doing its part in training future physicians who will be well qualified for the next disaster.
AAO Convocation 2013 In March, a group of RVUCOM physicians in training, many of whom are in the fellowship programs, traveled to Orlando, Florida for the 2013 American Association of Osteopathy (AAO) Convocation. The event is an annual meeting of physicians that practice Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) and who are always looking to learn more and improve their techniques. “It's an opportunity as physicians in training to spend oneon-one time with some of the greats of our profession,” says RVUCOM OPP Fellow, Amber Pelz Koon, OMS-IV. Amber, who won first place in RVU's A. Hollis Wolf competition, was honored to compete at Convocation in the National competition — an oral case presentation competition with a representative from each osteopathic medical school. She earned 5th place with her case, Chronic Cough. “My patient in this case had a 23-year history of coughing and urinary incontinence,” says Amber. “After just one OMM treatment, she didn't experience anymore incontinence and her cough was substantially improved. It was a really interesting case.” The student program this year was entitled Exploration in the World of Lymphatics, and focused on the different techniques used to treat the lymphatics, an integral component of health and osteopathic treatment. “A highlight of my experience this year was the Stars and Stripes open workshop events that allowed novice osteopaths to interact with experienced, even legendary, physicians. It was wonderful!” says Amber.
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RVUCOM Fellows with event speaker R. Paul Lee, D.O., FAAO, FCA, founder of the Osteopathic Center of the Four Corners in Durango, CO. Back (left to right): Nate Nakken, OMS-IV ; Danielle Wurtz, OMS-V; Dr. R. Paul Lee; Lauren Prest, OMS-IV; Anthony Furlano, OMS-IV; Jeff Summers, OMS-III; Front: Amber PelzKoon, OMS-IV and Kay Yien Keltz, OMS-V
Annaliese Stone, OMS-II, says this was her second year attending Convocation. “I went this year as our school representative to the Board of Governors meeting of the Student AAO,” she says. “While I was exposed to some novel treatment techniques, I also experienced an appreciation for the breadth of practical information we are exposed to by the faculty at RVUCOM. It renewed my passion for the work that we do with our hands.” The 2014 AAO Convocation will take place at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.
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Global Medicine: RVUCOM Students Provide Healthcare in Nicaragua Medical care is available in Nicaragua for those who can afford it, but for those who cannot, life can be an ongoing health struggle. Hoping to reach out to those in need in some of Nicaragua’s most underserved rural areas, a team of RVUCOM faculty and physicians in training arrived, ready to put their skills to work. While they stayed in comfortable accommodations at a Mennonite Retreat in El Crucero, the team traveled daily and saw hundreds of patients at several sites including a clinic, an orphanage and a small school. Although they had to make do with what they had, Project C.U.R.E., an organization that helps to collect and deliver medical supplies and services to impoverished areas of the world, also brought a large amount of donated medical supplies and pharmaceuticals that proved extremely beneficial. “Compared to other medical missions I have been on, we had far greater resources to help our patients thanks to trip organizers Camille Bentley, D.O., RVUCOM Chair of Global and Community Medicine, and Amelia Bowman with Project C.U.R.E.,” says Thomas Mohr, D.O., RVUCOM Vice Dean. “Also, many of our physicians in training spoke Spanish, but we had outstanding interpreters to assist every step of the way. Of our 14 physicians in training on the trip, we had a diverse group that included several upperclassmen who were able to play a leadership role in supervising the first years. I was able to watch them act as interns and residents, and the first years benefitted from their example and their clinical confidence.” “I was so impressed with the first year physicians in training who went on the trip,” says Vanessa Campbell, OMS-III. “This was their first experience seeing real patients and performing physicals outside of the Standardized Patient lab. They were eager to learn, had a great baseline of skills for obtaining a history and physical, and were flexible, which is important on these international medical missions. It was so enjoyable to help guide them and work with them as colleagues.”
Kaitlin Ryan OMS-I talks with a local mother and her children (photo by Thomas Mohr)
Monica Multani, OMS-I, assists in sorting medications for the clinic's pharmacy (photo by Thomas Mohr)
A group of local children (photo by Thomas Mohr)
In addition to traditional healthcare, RVUCOM OPP Fellow, Lauren Prest, OMS-IV, was able to provide osteopathic care to patients through Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM). She demonstrated the power of OMM in practice – especially at times when medications were not the answer. Kyle Sonnabend, OMS-I, recalls a notable case in which Lauren’s OMM treatment helped to change the life of a patient. “I referred a patient to Lauren - a man in his 50's who had recently been in a motor vehicle accident in which his left side was crushed by a motorcycle. His left shoulder was grossly depressed and he had extreme limitations to range of motion (continued on next page)
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OPP Fellow Lauren Prest, OMS-IV, performs OMM (photo by Thomas Mohr)
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Global Medicine (Continued) with that arm. He couldn't even raise it to 90 degrees and was in severe pain. Lauren set to work on him with a variety of osteopathic techniques. Within 15 minutes, she was finished and had the patient stand back up to be re-evaluated. He was shocked to find that he could now touch the backs of his hands together over his head as well as hug himself with both arms. He reported that neither of these maneuvers produced pain. He left with a huge smile on his face, repeatedly hugging himself in astonishment. I found this to be hugely inspirational and a perfect example of how osteopathic medicine can contribute to the health of the global community, especially in places where equipment and technology are unavailable.” The team was presented with a staggering number of patients with hypertension and diabetes – likely the result of easy and inexpensive access to high calorie snack foods and sugary beverages. In some cases, sugary soft drinks in this area are less expensive than bottled water, often fostering bad habits that lead to these diseases. Additionally, many of the patients the team saw were either untreated or undertreated, making it necessary to prescribe the appropriate regimen and educate them on the importance of continued treatment. The team was also presented with numerous cases of intestinal parasites and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as well as a variety of internal and dermatological infections. They dispensed vitamins and toothbrushes and did their best to educate patients on good health and proper diet. “At the end of each clinical day, we were all exhausted, but we slept well, knowing that we had helped as many people as we could,” says Dr. Mohr. Julia Tanguay, OMS-I, says, "One case that I will never forget was working with Vanessa Campbell, OMS-III, to help diagnose a woman with type 2 diabetes. The interaction between
Vanessa Campbell, OMS-III; Julia Tanguay, OMS-I; and Monica Multani, OMS-I (photo by Thomas Mohr)
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The RVUCOM and Project C.U.R.E. team at the clinic (photo courtesy of Thomas Mohr)
the upperclassmen and the first year physicians in training was invaluable to the trip and my own personal development in my first year of medical school. I also felt so fortunate to work with Project C.U.R.E., an organization that proves that they are willing to take the steps needed to provide hope internationally. Helping the people of Nicaragua personally reinforces my desire to work in primary care, where I will have the opportunity to provide medicine to those who need it most.” OPP Fellow Lauren Prest, OMS-IV, says she encourages RVUCOM physicians in training to take part in outreach trips, both internationally and locally. "It opens your mind to the kind of needs that exists in the world for motivated, responsible physicians," she says. "And, it teaches you the valuable flexibility of how to examine patients, perform medical procedures or OMT in a less than ideal environment and often without all the equipment you need. These trips are a wonderful opportunity for physicians in training to reach out to the international community while improving their clinical skills and viewing pathology they might not see in the U.S. There is great room for personal growth in these trips and they can tell you a lot about the kind of physician you'd like to be one day.”
Under the guidance of RVUCOM Vice Dean, Thomas Mohr, D.O., Vanessa Campbell, OMS-III, performs a cyst incision and drainage with Kaitlin Ryan OMS-I (photo by Thomas Mohr)
Julia Tanguay, OMS-I, entertains a group of children with face painting at the clinic (photo by Thomas Mohr)
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Rotations Abroad: Physicians in Training Share Their Experiences Jesse Roberston, OMS-III — Mumbai, India
The entire experience in Mumbai, India was like an assault to every sense. The sounds, the smells and the sight of over 15 million people, all crammed together into the city were utterly overwhelming to witness and be submerged in during my rotation. The severity and magnitude of poverty in India was like nothing else I had seen in my prior trips to the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Peru and Kenya. Even though I was intellectually prepared to see what I saw with my MPH background, there was no way to take away the shock of actually experiencing it. Having just traveled with RVUCOM to Kenya, I can say that both international clinical experiences have helped shape my understanding of medical problems in developing countries. Kenya is rural, isolated and incredibly underdeveloped, and then India was the complete opposite with millions of people and insufficient services to support the population. Seeing both ends of the spectrum of life in developing countries will forever affect my perspectives as a person and future physician. I recommend that everyone interested in global health experience India. It's perfect for learning about the healthcare needs and barriers to care in developing countries and is an amazing cultural adventure.
Julie Watters, OMS-IV — Tikapur, Nepal
We held clinic in a rural part of western Nepal where the local people have little access to healthcare. In our clinic, we provided medical, dental and vision care. I was able to formulate a diagnosis and plan for most people, which helped me to realize how much I have learned throughout medical school, and how much there is still to learn. People were so grateful for the help we could give them. Overall, the trip helped reinforce why I went into medicine in the first place — to help people on many different levels, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well. I would highly recommend this trip to Christian students who want to be a part of giving medical care as well as sharing the love of Jesus with people overseas. Global Health Outreach is a great ministry opportunity to give people access to medical and dental care with a Christian focus.
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Ringside Training on Rotation Sometimes rotations can present physicians in training with some fun and unusual learning opportunities. For Kathy Boles, OMS-III, that notion became a reality when she was asked to assist a Ringside Physician at "Made for War 2", a televised MMA (mixed martial arts) fight event held at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Kathy is currently on rotation with Dr. Alex Constantinides, a family medicine preceptor at Front Range Medical Arts in Colorado Springs. Dr. Constantinides, who’s also a member of the Association of Ringside Physicians, allowed Kathy to join him at the MMA event. “I helped with the pre-fight physicals of all the fighters. We also attended to two fighters who Kathy Boles, OMS-III (right) in the ring alongside Dr. Alex Constantinides, assisting in neurological were knocked unconscious and other fighters who couldn't evaluations during the MMA Fight at the Douglas County Fairgrounds (Photo Courtesy of Brody Hall) defend themselves,” says Kathy. “We entered the ring about four to five times during the fights to assist. We also performed neurological assessments on all fighters following their match. I was able to help a fighter who had collapsed after the fight and also aided fighters with injured ribs and dislocated fingers and scalp lacerations. So far, this has been the most exciting time of my rotations!” Since this event, Kathy's has been to three more MMA fights (one in Denver and two in Loveland) with Dr. Constantinides. "He's shown me how to set three broken noses, set a dislocated shoulder and how to assess a fractured jaw," says Kathy. "I've also had the opportunity to suture scalp and cheek lacerations. I've absolutely loved this experience!"
2013 SGA Election Results Student Government Association (SGA)
• President: Joshua Roach, OMS-I • VP of Operations: Kelly Powell, OMS-I • VP of Student Welfare: Renee Sanders, OMS-I • Secretary: Kelly Dea, OMS-I • Treasurer: Matthew Terhark, OMS-I • Curriculum Representative: Jayce Porter, OMS-I • Honor Code President: Gregory Gibbs, OMS-I •Honor HonorCode CodeCommittee CommitteeRepresentatives Representatives: Clinical Kristin Barney, OMS-II Jeremy (Jie) Casey, OMS-II Orrin Probst, OMS-II 2016 Sara Monahan, OMS-I Rick White, OMS-I Kyle Markel, OMS-I
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Class of 2015 • President: Ryan Greene • Vice President: Darren Nisly • Secretary: Nikita Patel • Treasurer: Peter Gertonson • Curriculum Representative: Kristin Barney • Historian: Miranda Allen • Tutoring Representative: Jeanna West-Miles
Class of 2016 • President: Hajerah Hameeduddin • Vice President: Robert Sand • Secretary: Jackie Vroman • Treasurer: Tyler Runde • Curriculum Representative: Daniel Vanleuven • Historian: Lauren Powell
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RVUCOM Announces Commencement Speaker RVUCOM is pleased to announce that Barbara Ross-Lee, D.O., will deliver the Commencement Address at the College’s Class of 2013 Graduation. The ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 18, at the Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre in downtown Denver. Dr. Ross-Lee has been a strong advocate of the Osteopathic medical profession throughout her career. She graduated with her Doctor of Osteopathy from Michigan State University in 1973 and then opened and operated a family practice in Detroit for 10 years. She served as a captain in the U.S. Naval Reserve Medical Corps and was an education consultant for the United States Department of Health and Human Services. In 1991 she received the Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellowship and in 1993 she became the first African American woman to administer a medical school in the United States when she was appointed Dean of the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Following her notable career in Ohio, Dr. RossLee was appointed Vice President for Health Sciences and Medical Affairs at the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT). She is currently serving as the Dean of NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine. Barbara Ross-Lee, D.O. Throughout her career, Dr. Ross-Lee has been active in the American Osteopathic Association, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, the National Osteopathic Medical Association and the Association for Academic Health Centers.
New Anatomy Fellows Announced RVUCOM has announced the acceptance of two new Fellows for the Predoctoral Anatomy Fellowship. The second year physicians in training who were chosen for the Fellowship are Ashley Lamb and Alicia Williams. "These two physicians in training will be an excellent addition to our department," says Cindy Funk, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Structural Medicine and Director, Predoctoral Anatomy Fellowship. "We look forward to working with you for the next two years!" Congratulations!
Ashley Lamb, OMS-II
Alicia Williams, OMS-II
Drew Rose, OMS-II
Elsie Haynes, OMS-II
New OPP Fellows Announced RVUCOM has announced the acceptance of four new fellows for the Harold Ives Magoun, Jr. D.O., FAAO, FCA Memorial Undergraduate Osteopathic Principles & Practices Fellowship. The second year physicians in training who were chosen for the Fellowship are Sarah Jones, Jordan Cohen, Drew Rose and Elsie Haynes. Congratulations!
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Sarah Jones, OMS-II
Jordan Cohen, OMS-II
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ITLS Training Presents Hand-on Experience in Trauma Treatment Hands-on experience is vital to the education of physicians in training, especially for those seeking a career in the field of emergency medicine and trauma care. Accordingly, RVUCOM hosted its first International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) Course. ITLS, a global organization dedicated to preventing death and disability from trauma through education and emergency trauma care. The ITLS course is accepted internationally as the standard training course for pre-hospital trauma care.1 The ITLS course combines traditional classroom instruction with realistic scenarios, giving physicians in training the opportunity to develop their skills in patient assessment, evaluation and treatment.
Physicians in training stabilize the neck of a standardized patient
The RVUCOM Student Chapter of the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians (ACOEP) sponsored the new training event. Many of those involved in this voluntary, emergency medicine-focused event had previous EMT/paramedic experience and a strong interest in the field. Interest in the course was high, with over 40 physicians in training signingup in hopes for a spot in the course. Unfortunately, as this was only the first course and logistics had to be considered, the class size was limited to 16 participants but ACOEP organizers are working on future courses and hope to increase the class size to as many as 24. ITLS instructors taught the course, along with RVUCOM Student Instructor and ACOEP Vice President, Zachary Brown, OMS-I, who recently became certified to teach ITLS. "I really appreciated having such senior members of the ITLS Board instructing the course, and the hands-on experience was incredible,” says Zachary. “The instructors were very professional and helpful and I‘d like to thank all of them. They have instilled in me a great respect for the pre-hospital team and I look forward to taking that with me throughout my career."
Physicians in training collectively assess a standardized patient presenting with head trauma
“The greatest benefit of the course is the hands-on practice we received,” says Ryan Kostka, OMS-I, a participant in the course. “It gave us the opportunity to assess, evaluate and treat trauma victims.” "The systematic approach to assessing a trauma patient reinforces physical exam and interviewing skills learned in Principles of Clinical Medicine (PCM),” says Zachary. “Being able to complete an assessment in only two minutes is a great confidence booster. It will now be much easier to slow down for normal patient encounters." 1
Physicians in training aid a motorcycle accident "victim"
From the ITLS website: www.itrauma.org
An ITLS Instructor teaches the classroom portion of the course
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Physicians in training prepare to stabilize and move a standardized patient
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RVUCOM and Collegium Aesculapium Sponsor Milford Health Fair in Utah In Utah’s rural Beaver County, dozens of members of the underserved community gathered at Milford Hospital to receive much-needed healthcare as part of the first Milford Health Fair. RVUCOM and its Student Chapter of Collegium Aesculapium sponsored the Health Fair and were joined by local physician volunteers to assist in providing a variety of free and low cost health screenings. “The event was a great success and an opportunity for physicians in training to have hands-on experiences in an underserved rural area,” says Preston Gilbert, OMS-II, a participant in the event. Preston also noted the impact that these simple health screenings can have for those who have little or no access to healthcare. “I was performing dermatology exams and saw a couple of people on whom I found some really suspicious skin spots that were suggested to be
removed – potentially saving them from serious issues later on. We also had a case of someone with very high blood pressure, who wasn’t aware that he had a problem. It was a stroke waiting to happen. We were able to identify that issue and send him in the right direction for care.”
Charlie Hutchinson, OMS-II prepares a patient for a blood draw
Ten RVUCOM second year physicians in training participated in the event, and were joined by eight local undergrad, premed students from the RVUCOM-Utah Early Acceptance Program (EAP). “It was really fun because we paired-up one-on-one with the students and were able to work together to perform the screenings,” says Preston. “It was great to have that kind of interaction with future students.” The RVUCOM team was able to assist over 50 patients with health screenings including vital checks, visual acuity exams, breast and prostate exams, dermatology, phlebotomy and glucose screenings. “We’re hoping to have set the foundation to have the opportunity to do this again in the future,” says Preston. “The hospital we interfaced with was really happy and said things went very well.”
Matt Bradbury, OMS-II, meets with a patient at the health fair
Katie Gardner, OMS-II, performs a glucose test on a patient
The Milford Health Fair was held in conjunction with an EMS open House for Milford’s new Ambulance Building. RVUCOM would like to thank the supporters of the event, including Beaver County Hospital and Milford Hospital, the Beaver County Health Department and The Oak Tree Inn.
RVUCOM Physicians in Training Lead Suture Clinic at CU Boulder
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From the Rocky Vista University Alumni Association Spring has sprung and that can only mean one thing: graduation is around the corner! On behalf of the Alumni Association I would like to congratulate the entire Class of 2013 on your accomplishments while at RVUCOM, the recent match and your upcoming graduation. We could not be more pleased to introduce even more highly qualified residents into the world of residency. Meghan Croteau, D.O., '12 Good luck to all of you wherever residency may take you. For our current RVUCOM Alumni, now is the perfect time to become a contributing member of the Rocky Vista University Alumni Association. Dues will be collected this upcoming 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 conference. 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! Enjoy your spring and the final weeks of your intern year!! Cheers, Meghan Croteau, D.O., '12 Alumni Association President/CEO
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Resident Spotlight:
Kelly Buerger, D.O., '12
After Graduation, Kelly Buerger, D.O.,'12, started her Internal Medicine Residency at Parkview Medical Center in Pubelo, Colorado. She is now almost through her intern year.
Kelly Buerger, D.O., '12
Dr. Buerger says, "The best part about Residency has been the high yield learning while working in the hospital, and of course, being paid!" Dr. Buerger is currently considering fellowship options, working in Alaska in underserved areas or being a Hospitalist locum. She shares her words of wisdom to all RVUCOM students, saying, “Dive in, swim hard and wait to come out on the other side!”
NOW AVAILABLE
RVU Alumni Association Apparel is now available in the RVU Online Store! Click the Online Store link on the RVU homepage and choose "RVU Alumni" from the drop-down menu to see more.
Research Appreciation Day 2013 “Immunobiology in Health and Disease”
Thursday, May 16th, 2013 - Events Begin at 8:00 A.M. Keynote Speaker: Susan VandeWoude, DVM, Associate Dean for Research, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Colorado State University
- Open to the Public - Research Talks and Poster Presentations - Student Poster Competitions with Prizes - Campus Tours - Mentoring Opportunities for Medical Students For additional information, contact Dr. Amber Heck at aheck@rvu.edu.
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Susan VandeWoude, DVM
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RVUCOM Military Student Recently Commissioned Taking another step toward a very bright future, David Michael Rodriguez, OMS-I, was recently commissioned into the United States Air Force. The modest ceremony took place on campus to a small audience of family and friends. Also in attendance was David's wife and RVU Administrative Assistant to the Vice President and General Counsel, Felicia Rodriguez. "Although the process has taken quite a while, I feel as though it was completely worth it," says Felicia. "I couldn’t be more proud of my husband for pursuing this goal and desiring to serve our country."
From left to right: David's parents Juan and Melody Rodriguez; David Rodriguez, OMS-I; David's wife Felicia Rodriguez: relatives Annie and Phil Williams; and Del Tackett (ret.)
"I am honored and excited to have this privilege to serve our country in the armed forces," says David. "It has been a dream of mine to serve in the Air Force, especially since my brother serves as well. I believe this has opened the door for several unique and exciting opportunities." David is one of many military physicians in training at RVCUOM. Currently, 15% of the university's physicians in training are participants in the armed services Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), perhaps the largest enrollment of military students in medical school outside of the military's own Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. David Rodriquez, OMS-I, commissioned by Del Tackett (ret.) during the Ceremony
Felicia and David Rodriquez, OMS-I
Class of 2015 Students Honor "Dr. Dew"
Following a lecture in early March, the Class of 2015 surprised RVUCOM Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, R. Franklin Darrow, D.O., with an over-the-top Mountain Dew gift for his semi-retirement. While Dr. Darrow continues to lecture at the University, the students wanted to honor him for all he has contributed to their medical education. Everyone in the class gave Dr. Darrow a can or bottle of Mountain Dew, and then presented him a Mountain Dew t-shirt (compliments of Sarah Medek, OMS-II) and a Diet Mountain Dew basketball that everyone signed (compliments of Charlie Hutchinson, OMS-II). The idea for the gift was organized by Bethany Briggs, OMS-II, who explains the connection to the brightly colored beverage. "Dr. Darrow, who we lovingly call 'Dr. Dew', often refers to his Mountain Dew drinking habit and uses it's anti-kidney stone properties as his excuse... so now he shouldn't get any kidney stones for at least the first few months of his semi-retirement!"
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"Dr. Dew" R. Franklin Darrow, D.O., with his Mountain Dew gifts
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RVUCOM Presents Its Use of Cut Suit Training at Meeting in Chicago Peter Gertonson, OMS-II, and Anthony LaPorta, M.D., FACS, RVUCOM Course Director for the Military Medicine Track and Professor of Clinical Surgery, recently traveled to Chicago, IL for the 6th Annual Meeting of the Consortium of ACS-Accredited Education Institutes. The meeting invites numerous educational institutions to gather and learn about new, innovative ways to train future surgeons using robots, simulators and new training models. “I presented a poster on using the Cut Suit as a trainer for medical students before residency, and as a refresher trainer for current physicians who maybe haven’t done certain procedures in a long time or do not do them regularly,” says Peter. “It was an opportunity to share what RVUCOM is doing to prepare future physicians so that they are better trained and equipped when they start their residencies.”
Rocky Vista University began using the innovative Cut Suit technology in 2012 and has already implemented its use in much of its training for the Military Medicine Honors Track. Peter says, “While simulators will never be able to compensate for experience on real patients, as technology improves they will be used as an adjunct to begin training, establish a base level of training, as a refresher for practicing doctors, and as a way test competency with basic procedures and operations.”
A volunteer wearing the Cut Suit as part of the demonstration and presentation
RVUCOM Professor Honored for His Green Thumb
If you've ever noticed the thriving collection of well-tended plants in the RVU Faculty Lounge, then you've already seen the gardening prowess of Walter R. Buck, Ph.D., RVUCOM Professor and Chair of the Department of Structural Medicine. Dr. Buck also has a longtime love of the art of Bonsai, a Japanese art form using miniature trees, and was recently honored for his work on an international scale. Every year, Bonsai Clubs International (BCI) sponsors a show somewhere in the world. This year’s show is in Yangzhou, China. As a part of their 50-year anniversary, they asked members worldwide to submit photos of their Bonsai to represent the top 50 Bonsai trees in the world. Images of selected trees would be placed in a commemorative book, while posters would be made of the 50 trees and hung in the Bonsai exhibition hall in Yangzhou, China.
The winning image of Dr. Buck's Colorado Blue Spruce Bonsai
The image to the right, a photograph of one of Dr. Buck's Bonsai trees, was selected and is currently published in their book, Best of BCI: 50 Stones, 50 Trees, 50 Years. "The tree that I submitted is a Colorado blue spruce that was harvested in 2003 at about 9800 ft. near South Park, CO," says Dr. Buck. "I purchased the tree as “pre-Bonsai” in 2008, styled it, potted it and have been working on it yearly since then. Last year at the combined BCI, American Bonsai Society (ABS), and Rocky Mountain Bonsai Society 'Visions of the American West' International Bonsai Convention, the tree was awarded Best of Show." Congratulations, Dr. Buck!
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RVUCOM Faculty and Students Attend 50th CME Conference Of the ACOFP by Thomas N. Told, D.O., FACOFP -dist., Chair, Department of Rural and Wilderness RVUCOM Primary Care faculty and physicians in training from the Student Chapter of The American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) attended the 50th Annual Scientific Seminar and Convention of the ACOFP at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas. Involvement by both faculty and students fosters professionalism and service, while providing a platform for collaboration among universities. The Convention also allows for presentations of original research papers and posters, as well as networking on issues of common interest. The purpose of the ACOFP Annual Meeting is three-fold in that it provides education to the membership in the form of seminars and workshops; provides certification and recertification examinations to those members that require it; and serves as the annual meeting of the legislative arm of the organization known as the Congress of Delegates. This year’s delegation was led by Joseph Stasio, D.O., FACOFP, Chair of the RVUCOM Department of Primary Care and President of the Colorado Chapter of the ACOFP. Other Members of the Colorado Delegation in attendance included Camille Bentley, D.O., FACOFP, Chair of the RVUCOM Department of Global and Community Medicine; Jill Pitcher, D.O., Assistant Professor, Department of Primary Care; former RVUCOM Primary Care Department faculty member Kelli Glaser, D.O., FACOFP; Thomas N. Told, D.O., FACOFP-dist., Chair of the RVUCOM Department of Rural and Wilderness Medicine, among others.
A group of RVUCOM representatives at the Convention
The student chapter members were able to participate in student specific education and workshops pertaining to intrauterine device (IUD) placement, dermatology procedures and in-office diagnostic laboratory procedures. Students had the opportunity to learn techniques from practicing physicians. A highlight to the week was the installation of new Fellows into the Conclave of Fellows. Dr. Told currently serves as the Chairman of the Awards Committee that oversees the selection and induction of new Fellows. Former RVUCOM faculty member, Kelli Glaser, D.O., of Chatfield Family Medicine in Denver and her sponsor, Dr. Stasio, were presented the fellow designation by Dr. Told, who also served as Grand Marshall of the Conclave. Many topics of concern were brought before the body at the Convention, but the one generating the most discussion was the proposed merger of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). Though in the early phases, the merger has generated mixed reactions from members of both organizations. Such a landmark move is bound to have far-reaching effects on both organizations. Members of the Congress of Delegates wished to ensure that the osteopathic distinctiveness would not be lost or diluted.
Members of the Colorado Delegation, including Jie Casey, OMS-II and Nikita Patel, OMS-II also attended. Congratulations to Jie, who was elected Vice President of the National Student Executive Board during the convention.
Netana Hotimsky, OMS-I, practices dermatology procedures
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Ashley Curtis, OMS-II, is supervised while she practices an IUD insertion on a simulator
(left to right) Jill Pitcher, D.O.; Camille Bentley, D.O.; RVUCOM Alumna Rebecca Lewis, D.O., '12; Kelli Glaser, D.O. and Joseph Stasio, D.O.
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Making Connections: Hospital Day Provides Jump-Start to Residency Finding the best fit for residency following graduation can be a daunting task for many physicians in training — even more so in their second and third year of medical school when they’re also looking into, or beginning, rotations. Helping to make the transition a bit smoother, the RVUCOM Office of Clinical Affairs hosted their third annual Hospital Day, an event at which physicians in training are given the opportunity to get a headstart by meeting with representatives from residency programs from across the country. On March 8th, the campus seminar rooms were abuzz as the event kicked-off. Seventeen residency programs participated this year, meeting with physicians in training to discuss their facilities, rotations and postgraduate residency programs.
Representatives from the Residency Program at Parkview Medical Center, Pueblo, CO
All third year students were invited and expected to attend unless they were on rotation out-of-state. “Approximately 90% of the third year students arrived by 9 a.m. and were excited to speak with the program representatives,” says Jo Brogus, RVUCOM Clinical Rotation Coordinator for the Rural and Wilderness Medicine Track. “First and second year physicians in training were also invited to join the event later in the morning. This year’s event was a big success!” An exciting addition this year was the return of three RVUCOM alumni from the Inaugural Class of 2012, who came with their residency program representatives and were able to share their experiences with friends and classmates. They included Lauren Tada, D.O., '12, with Bay Area Corpus Christi Medical Center, Corpus Christi, TX; Rebecca Lewis, D.O., '12, with St. Anthony Family Medicine Residency Program, Oklahoma City, OK; and Kelly Buerger, D.O., '12, Parkview Medical Center, Pueblo, CO.
Physicians in training gather to meet with program representatives
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Representatives from Colorado Family Medicine Residencies
Physicians in training meet with a representative from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYCOM)
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RVUCOM Provides Health Screenings in Rural Wyoming When training future physicians to practice medicine in the rural and underserved areas of the U.S., hands-on practice and immersion in the field is as vital as the services being provided to those in need. RVUCOM physicians in training recently had the opportunity to have that experience when they traveled to rural Baggs, Wyoming to participate in a health fair. The event, held in conjunction with the 9Health Fair and the Health Services of the Little Snake River Valley in Southwestern Wyoming, presented the opportunity to train in the field while providing much-needed services to the community. Most of the RVUCOM participants were members of the Rural and Wilderness Medicine Honors Track. The university has an affiliation with this rural Wyoming town to help train future physicians to enter into the rural American workforce, and has provided service in this area in the past. Thomas Told, D.O., RVUCOM Professor of Family Medicine, Assistant Dean for Clinical Education and Chair of the Department of Rural and Wilderness Medicine says, "In addition to providing health care, physicians in training who participate in these events often stay with local valley residents in their homes during activities such as this, and are able to see firsthand what rural life is like."
Christopher Gilsdorf, OMS-I and Jie Casey, OMS-II, perform a foot and ankle examination on a Baggs resident at the Health Fair
Netana Hotimsky, OMS-I, prepares to begin gynecology and breast examinations in the locker room of the high school
The RVUCOM team arrived the evening prior to the event, and were treated to a welcome dinner at the Community Center. They later assisted in setting up the screening site at the local high school.
gain valuable screening skills, while delivering a vital service to this community on the Little Snake River," says Dr. Told. "Patients ranged in age from the teens to 102 years old, and presented with a variety of conditions that some students were seeing for the first time."
At the Fair, physicians in training performed a variety of health screenings including Pap smears, breast exams, prostate and colon checks. They also performed blood draws for complete cell and chemical testing, as well as skin and posture examinations. Additionally, they were given the opportunity to help answer common patient questions about proper health screening and preventive healthcare. "More advanced students assisted the less experienced students to
In mid-June, 2013, the first year class of the Rural and Wilderness Medicine Track will return to Baggs for three days of intensive training with the valley’s EMS, Fire and Rescue and Oil Rig Services. They will focus on mass causality stabilization and triage in a rural community. Realistic scenarios using the community’s emergency equipment and the Oil Rig Services' rigs and well locations will challenge the students' rescue and emergency skills.
Faculty Publication Receives Award
RVUCOM Assistant Professor of Physiology and Anatomy, Jennifer R. Montemayor, Ph.D., was recently published in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research: Staron RS, Herman JR, Schuenke MD. Misclassification of Hybrid Fast Fibers in Resistance-Trained Human Skeletal Muscle Using Histochemical and Immunohistochemical Methods. J Strength Cond Res. 26(10) p. 2616-2622. 2012 Dr. Montemayor's publication was also awarded the Dr. Gary A. Dudley Memorial Paper Scientific Manuscript Excellence Honor.
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Taking a Little Off the Top For a Good Cause Every year around St. Patrick’s Day, while some people are getting festive and planning parties, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation is gearing up for a very noble cause. The Foundation gathers volunteers to help raise money and awareness for childhood cancer research and caps-off their annual gatherings with an unusual ritual: a head-shaving event. In an effort to inspire friends and family to donate money to support childhood cancer research, volunteer ‘shavees’ show their support by shaving their heads at the event, in respect for the many children that lose their hair during cancer treatment. This year, local volunteer shavees included Jie Casey, OMSII; ACSOM President and Colorado Society of Osteopathic Medicine (CSOM) Membership & CME Coordinator, Rachel Rayman; and Olivia Heilmann, ACSOM Officer and wife of Tim Heilmann, OMS-III. With the help of family, friends and the RVU community, the trio was able to raise $1,424 for the cause and went under the razor at the event. St. Baldrick’s annual events are held worldwide, and this year, the local event was held at Fado's Irish Pub in downtown Denver. The Fado’s event earned third place in the world for the most money raised, with Denver participants raising over $300,000. “St. Baldrick's is a wonderful organization that funds not only research that seeks cures for childhood cancer, but also research for supportive and ongoing care and support during treatment,” said Jie Casey. “Children are the most fragile, innocent and deserving among us and they rely on us to care for them and protect them – a notion that becomes even more evident and necessary when they are affected by something as profoundly life-changing as cancer.” “I heard about this event some years ago when I saw it on the news,” says Rachel. “I thought it looked like fun and Chil-
Olivia Heilmann, ACSOM Officer and wife of Tim Heilmann, OMS-III; Jie Casey, OMS-II; and Rachel Rayman, ACSOM President Membership & CME Coordinator for CSOM
dren’s Cancer is a great cause. There isn’t a single person in this country who hasn’t been affected by this disease.” Rachel says this is the first time she has participated in the event and that being involved with ACOFP and SOMA here on campus affords her the chance to get, not only herself, but RVUCOM physicians in training involved in community events and philanthropic ventures. “Events like this are a great way to get out into the community to do some good,” says Rachel. “It doesn’t all have to be health care related. No matter where our physicians in training end up in residency or afterwards, they’ll still be a part of their local community, so it’s great to stay involved!” Jie says he’s excited to participate again next year and hopes to get a bigger team together and raise even more money for the cause. Anyone interested in participating should contact Jie at jeremy.casey@rvu.edu.
RVU Announces Donor Memorial Ceremony Rocky Vista University will hold its First Annual Donor Memorial Ceremony, to express gratitude and appreciation to the families of donors and to recognize those who have given their bodies to science, expanding the educational possibilities of RVUCOM physicians in training.
May 9, 2013 at 3:15 P.M. on the Rocky Vista University Campus
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Congratulations to our Class of 2013 on an Excellent Match Class of 2013 Match Results: Anesthesiology Emergency Medicine Family Medicine General Surgery Internal Medicine Internal Medicine/Emergency Medicine Obstetrics/Gynecology Ophthalmology Orthopedic Surgery
13 18 31 14 20 1 10 1 6
Pathology Pediatrics Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Psychiatry Radiology Radiology - Diagnostic Radiology - Oncology Traditional Rotating Internship Transitional
2 8 2 5 1 4 1 7 1
2012-2013 T.O.U.C.H. Award Winners Announced Congratulations to all of the 2012-2013 RVUCOM Translating Osteopathic Understanding into Community Health (T.O.U.C.H.) award recipients. In order to receive an award, participants were required to complete and submit at least 50 hours of service between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013. The Silver T.O.U.C.H. Award is presented to physicians in training who have completed at least 50 hours of service: OMS-I: Greg Gibbs OMS-II: Marissa Crawford, Ashley Curtis, Nikita Patel, Kristin Gaines Barney, Kate Lipka, Juan Arhancet OMS-III: Carissa Chalut, Jennifer Conard, Melissa Fujan, Janie Luong, Christopher Mutter OMS-IV: Mike Forte The Gold T.O.U.C.H. Award is presented to physicians in training who have completed more than 100 hours of service: OMS-I: David Baulesh OMS-III: Jesse Robertson, Vanessa Campbell, Jeffery Summers OMS-IV: Jesse Casaubon This year, one RVUCOM physician in training earned the Platinum T.O.U.C.H. Award, having completed the most hours of any student at the university, with 276 total hours. Congratulations to Lindsey Barrett, OMS-II, for achieving this honor. “I want to thank all of the students participating in T.O.U.C.H. this year for making all of us at RVU proud of your outreach and participation in the community,” says Becky Glasgow, OMS-II, SGA Vice President of Operations. “It is your hard work and kind hearts that set our school apart from the others.”
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Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Commencement Ceremony Class of 2013
Saturday, May Eighteenth, Two-Thousand Thirteen at Ten o’Clock in the Morning at the Buell Theatre, Denver, Colorado The RVUCOM 2013 Graduation Ceremony will be held at the Temple Hoyne Buell Theater, part of the Denver Performing Arts Complex in Downtown Denver. The Arts Complex is located near Speer Blvd. and Arapahoe St. at 1400 Curtis St. For more information on the Class of 2013 Commencement Ceremony, including Graduation Week activities, venue information, maps and directions and information on hotels in the area, please visit the Graduation page on the Rocky Vista University website at:
www.rvu.edu/grad
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Welcome to our New Employees Hannah Golesh
Administrative Assistant to Admissions and Marketing Hannah is a Colorado native, originally from Littleton, and currently lives in Denver. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Communications at the University of Colorado at Denver and also attended the University of Hawaii at Hilo. She also studied abroad at Sunderland University in Sunderland, England. Hannah has five years of experience working as an Office Manager and then Administrative Assistant for Sales and Marketing at DesignWorks by Dave and Mike, a medium-sized event design company. Hannah says that location initially brought her to RVU as she was commuting an hour to work and an hour back home. "Aside from location, I was intrigued to be part of a university where my work could help people achieve their dreams and goals of becoming a doctor, a highly respected profession that has a huge impact within the community," says Hannah. "The fact that RVU is just beginning to leave its legacy was also an exciting aspect of the university." Hannah is a mother to a 5-year-old daughter and an auntie to 10 nieces and 5 nephews (she is number 4 in a family of 8 kids). She enjoys comedies, crafts and most anything outdoors from throwing a Frisbee to bike riding and sledding in the snow. Welcome, Hannah!
Linda Terpenning
Executive Administrative Assistant to the President and CEO Linda is a Colorado native, originally from Northglenn and currently residing in Elizabeth. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Columbia College of Missouri, at their satellite branch in Aurora, Colorado. Previously, Linda worked for 34 years at Mountain Bell/US WEST/Qwest Communications, now CenturyLink. While there, she held various executive assistant and administrative positions, worked in the inventory management area, and was also a supplier manager for about 5 years. "After so long in the telecommunications industry, I was interested in working in a completely different environment, and I believe I have found it!" says Linda. "Everyone at the university has been so welcoming! I am very excited to be a part of RVU because of all the exciting work that is going on with the growth of the university; the meaningful paths the students are taking; and the university's overall mission, vision and goals. " Linda and her husband George recently celebrated 17 years together and live the quiet, country life in Elizabeth with their three dogs, Sammy, Duke and Moses. They also enjoy traveling and road trips. Linda's hobbies include visiting with her nieces, goofing around with her dogs, reading and shopping. She hopes to get back into golf someday. Welcome, Linda!
Promotions and New Appointments
Christine Gray - Predoctoral Training Coordinator in the Department of Clinical Affairs
Christine Gray has been appointed to the position of Predoctoral Training Coordinator in the Department of Clinical Affairs. She has been with RVU since July of 2011 and began as a Clinical Rotations Coordinator. In this new role, Christine will work with 3rd and 4th year students, helping them navigate the VSAS and ERAS systems, as well as drafting the MSPEs for each student entering their 4th year. Congratulations, Christine!
Justine Holck - Residency Program Coordinator
Justine Holck has been appointed to the position of Residency Program Coordinator for the new RVU/Sky Ridge Medical Center Internal Medicine residency. Justine previously served as the 4th year Predoctoral Coordinator, working with students as they prepare for the process of matching into residency. In this new role, she will be the primary program coordinator for one or more postgraduate training programs affiliated with RVU under the direction of the program director and the OPTI Director. Congratulations, Justine!
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Study Tips: What to Eat Before an Exam By Judy Thornton, Director of Educational Support
It is as important to prepare yourself mentally and physically for an exam as it is to learn the material. 1. Before an exam, eat a well-balanced meal. For morning exams, eat breakfast which should include protein and fruit for energy (eat something light, since heavy foods will cause you to be drowsy). 2. Caffeine is not a meal substitute – it is best to avoid caffeine altogether. Excessive coffee and energy drinks can cause you to become too jittery and then crash. 3. If you are too nervous to eat – drink a protein shake, smoothie or other healthy energy drink. 4. Always have healthy snacks. Have something like protein bars and fruit available in your bag. 5. Take a multivitamin every day, especially ones that contain vitamins like Omega-3s and B vitamins which increase brain functionality. 6. Keep alcohol to a minimum when studying for exams – NEVER drink alcohol the night before a test. It could cause fatigue, headaches, and a general lack of focus. 7. Keep yourself hydrated – drink water before and during an exam. Dehydration can cause you to lose focus or feel sick during the test.
From the W.E.L.L. Committee: Declaration of Fitness By Patty Kellison, Director of the Testing Center
The W.E.L.L. Committee is happy to announce the 2nd Quarter Wellness Challenge: Healthy Habits! As of April 1, employees can earn Wellness points toward time off in the following ways:
• Use the Tracking Sheet to log your points. All employees should have received a tracking sheet by e-mail—ask Patty Gordon to forward it to you if necessary.
• Eat one or more fruits or veggies once per day. You can only earn .5 points per day. Eating two servings in one day does not give you 1 point (but do it anyway for your health!).
• Attend a Brown Bag Wellness discussion. These are for students as well as staff members; everyone is encouraged to attend! Esteemed faculty member Dr. Dwight Hertz (and perhaps others in the future) will present these interactive discussions periodically. Receive 5 points per session. Relax with your fellow students or coworkers over lunch while you learn about a variety of wellness-related topics. The first discussion on April 3 was entitled Under the Influence: How External Cues Make Us Overeat. It was well-attended and the response was great! Students and staff who attended enjoyed the session and say they look forward to the next one. Watch your e-mail for details about future events.
• Stair climb. Participate in the stair climb at designated times. You receive 2 points for participating, as well as the .25 for 15 minutes of exercise. 2.25 points per stair climb! Scheduled Stair Climbs are at 3:00 PM Mondays, 10:00 AM Fridays.
Community service, donating blood, getting your yearly physical, and participating in the W.E.L.L. Book Club earns you points as well. See the tracking sheet for details. Embrace Healthy Habits, this quarter and always!
• Be active! .25 points for every 15 consecutive minutes of physical activity (1 point per hour). Rules are the same for this as for previous exercise challenges. Walking and stretching counts! Normal, everyday activities (walking to and from your car, etc.) are ineligible. • Drink 48 ounces of water per day for .5 (1/2 ) point per day
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The higher education accreditation process in the U.S. has an interesting, yet complex history. The assurances of quality requirements are enacted in federal statutes in a process of quality assurance called the “Program Integrity Triad” in which there are three key external stakeholders responsible for quality control: the state government, the federal government, and the regional accrediting bodies. There are six regional accrediting bodies and RVU is located in the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) region. Regional accreditation is essential for institutions for a variety of reasons, as it is viewed as a symbol to the public that the institution meets the criteria for regional accreditation and is a respected and trusted institution. Regional accreditation is considered a “gold standard” for institutions of higher education which allows our degrees and credits to be transferable, for us to enter into partnerships and shared programs with other regionally accredited programs, to receive several different types of federal and private foundation monies, and to expand our curriculum beyond our one existing program. To further complicate the accreditation world, there is also program accreditation which is achieved through the national specialized accrediting bodies which RVU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine has already achieved through COCA (Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation). Specifically regarding the HLC, there are four parts to the self-study process that must be addressed, including: Eligibility Requirements, The Criteria, Assumed Practices and Federal Compliance. Below is a brief overview of each of these four components: • Eligibility Requirements are a set of basic standards that must be met before an institution of higher education can be considered for HLC Accreditation. Examples of the requirements that must be addressed include having a mission statement, legal authorization to operate and the existence of a governing board.
• The Criteria for accreditation are covered in a five-part
document that is focused on how we meet our mission by analyzing our actions, teaching, learning and planning.
Y
RO
The five primary Criteria components are:
IV I E R S FOUN
DED 2006
T
Overview
N U
By Kathleen MacKay, Ph.D., Chief of Staff and Director of Special Projects
Y VIS TA
RVU Prepares for Regional Accreditation
CK
Criterion One: Mission
The institution’s mission is clear and articulated publicly; it guides the institution’s operations.
Criterion Two: Integrity
Ethical and Responsible Conduct — The institution acts with integrity; its conduct is ethical and responsible.
Criterion Three: Teaching and Learning
Quality, Resources, and Support — The institution provides high quality education, wherever and however its offerings are delivered.
Criterion Four: Teaching and Learning
Evaluation and Improvement — The institution demonstrates responsibility for the quality of its educational programs, learning environments and support services, and it evaluates their effectiveness for student learning through processes designed to promote continuous improvement.
Criterion Five: Resources, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness
The institution’s resources, structures, and processes are sufficient to fulfill its mission, improve the quality of its educational offerings, and respond to future challenges and opportunities. The institution plans for the future.
• The Assumed Practices document is comprised of a set of
practices that are considered “good practice” and in place at all institutions of higher education across the country. It includes items related to the University’s governance, clarification of policies and financial procedures.
• Federal Compliance focuses on HLC’s role in verifying that
institutions meet federal requirements. Essential to HLC is completing this review for the federal government. Some of the areas included are processes for verification of student identity, student complaints and contractual relationships.
(continued on next page)
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RVU Prepares for Regional Accreditation (Continued)
You can read more about each of these by visiting the HLC website at www.ncahlc.org. You can also read about the process of obtaining accreditation and see how institutions flow through this process beginning in candidacy status, then moving to initial accreditation status, then into fully accredited status. There are annual updates we must complete once regionally accredited as well as other reviews every three to five years.
RVU’s Journey to Regional Accreditation
RVU began the accreditation process by completing the Eligibility Requirements in 2009. After being approved to submit an application for candidacy, RVU completed the required self-study in 2010. In July of 2010, an HLC Accreditation Team visited the campus, and in 2011, the university received candidacy status from the HLC. The feedback regarding RVU's Self-Study and Team Visit was very positive, especially for an institution that was less than five years old at the time. The Team outlined four areas for RVU to focus on before applying for full accreditation. They were: 1. The institution’s governance and administrative structures promote effective leadership and support collaborative processes that enable the University to fulfill its mission. The Team’s primary concern was the lack of stability in the President’s Office. 2. The institution’s ongoing evaluation and assessment processes provide reliable evidence of institutional effectiveness that clearly informs strategies for continuous improvement. The focus for this area was the need for a fully-developed systematic assessment plan that integrates the plethora of exciting assessment activities. 3. The institution’s goals for student learning outcomes are clearly stated for each educational program and make effective assessment possible. The Team acknowledged the presence of clearly stated learning outcomes for the academic program, but did not find evidence of overall curricular revision based on assessment. In addition, the Team suggested RVU needed to more fully demonstrate assessment of non-curricular programmatic activities.
4. The institution assesses the usefulness of its curricula to students who will live and work in a global, diverse, and technological society. At the time of the Team’s visit RVU did not have any graduates, so it was not possible to assess how well the curricula had prepared students for their careers. RVU has made significant progress in all four areas mentioned above. A new president was hired and the President’s Office is being reestablished. The Assessment Committee has been reconfigured and a comprehensive systematic assessment plan is nearly complete. A reorganization took place, which included the appointment of an Executive Director of Institutional Planning and Assessment, who has directed efforts to assess non-curricular programs. Learning outcomes are being explicitly noted in syllabi which are anchored in what knowledge, skills and competencies are necessary to be an effective, successful osteopathic physician. Additionally, the first alumni survey has been conducted and the results indicate we are preparing our students well for their careers. Typically, it takes four years to move from candidacy to accreditation, so RVU officially has until 2015 to complete the application for full accreditation. Given the positive feedback on RVU’s application for candidacy, the RVU Board of Trustees requested the University’s full accreditation process be accelerated to two years. HLC approved the Board’s request and the site visit for full accreditation is scheduled for October 14-16, 2013. In the event RVU does not received full accreditation after the 2013 visit, we will continue moving toward full accreditation with another review in 2015.
How You will be Involved
When the HLC Team is on campus in October, they will want to talk to as many people as possible to hear directly from you about RVU. They will schedule specific meetings with faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners. In addition, they will talk with people informally during their campus visit. It is important that you all have an understanding of what will be happening and how you can contribute to the process. (continued on next page)
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RVU Prepares for Regional Accreditation (continued)
In order to try to make the HLC accreditation process clearer and answer any questions you have, there will be a series of coffee breaks and open forums scheduled between now and late September. These are opportunities for you to come and learn more about the HLC process and RVU’s application for full accreditation. The sessions will have a short overview of the process, but will primarily focus on your questions.
HLC Criteria Team Chairs
We are confident RVU will receive full accreditation, but we’ll need your help to make sure we fully present all the great things happening at RVU. If you have any questions, please feel free to talk with Adrian Clark, Executive Director of Institutional Planning and Assessment or Kathy MacKay, Director of Special Projects and Chief of Staff. You may also learn more about the HLC Criteria by talking with the Criteria Team Chairs.
Dr. Stasio/Cherise Workman
Criterion I - Mission:
Dr. Jons-Cox/Erica Whatley
Criterion II - Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct Dr. Ames/Crickett Forrest
Criterion III - Teaching & Learning: Quality Resources & Support Criterion IV - Teaching & Learning: Evaluation & Improvement Dr. McCormick/Terri McNair
Criterion V - Resource Planning and Institutional Effectiveness Lorne Thomas/Lynette Brandon
Updates From the RVU Security Team By Dan Havens, Head of Safety and Security
Last year, the RVU Student Government Association (SGA) was kind enough to purchase a BBQ grill for the campus. It has been mounted in the courtyard. All are welcome to use the grill, but there are a few requirements that the Security Department needs prior to use: - Please obtain and fill-out a waiver form from the Security Department. Then Security will need to call the county to see if there are any open fire bans that would prohibit the use of the grill. - Remember that no alcoholic beverages are allowed on campus without the Dean's permission.
The Vista View is Published by the Rocky Vista University Marketing Department.
- Please clean up after yourself. The Security Department would like to remind everyone that we are always available, 24/7, to assist you. The first quarter stats for the security department include: three 911 assists, three suspicious incidents, two non-auditable fire alarms, one vehicle accident and one facility emergency alert. If you have an event planned on campus, please notify the Security Department so we can ensure that we have sufficient officers on staff and can also notify the cleaning crew.
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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