Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine

AZCOM CELEBRATES THE CLASS OF 2020 IN VIRTUAL COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES

On Friday, May 22, 2020 Midwestern University celebrated the graduations of master’s and doctoral degree recipients who are beginning their professional careers in health care, including the AZCOM Class of 2020. Graduates participated in online commencement ceremonies featuring video addresses from University administration. Graduation celebrations for the students were hosted on social media platforms the week leading up commencements.

As part of her keynote address, Kathleen H. Goeppinger, PhD, President and CEO of Midwestern University, acknowledged the many achievements of the graduates during their years of rigorous study and clinical experiences. She encouraged them to remember the values they learned as Midwestern University students. “If you could be one thing, be kind. Be kind to your patients, be kind to your families, be kind to your new colleagues, and most importantly, be kind to yourself,” Dr. Goeppinger urged.

The AZCOM Class of 2020 celebrated 237 new DOs in their virtual commencement ceremony. Each ceremony featured remarks from members of the graduating class and a special recognition for students pursuing military health care careers.

Congratulations to the Class of 2020!

GLENDALE CAMPUS DEDICATES SCIENCE HALL

On June 22, 2020 members of the Midwestern University community met together with University President and CEO Kathleen H. Goeppinger, PhD, to dedicate the campus’ newest building: Dr. Arthur G. Dobbelaere Science Hall. The edifice honors the longtime Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Midwestern University, who passed away unexpectedly in

Arthur G. Dobbelaere September 2018.

The new facility will house administrative offices, classrooms, and laboratory spaces for the College of Graduate Studies.

Dr. Dobbelaere was a beloved figure in the University community for decades. In his administrative role, Dr. Dobbelaere was directly responsible for coordinating the construction of new campus buildings, and the Science Hall that bears his name was one of them.

“This building is the last of our Glendale Campus buildings that Dr. Dobbelaere had planned and for which he laid the foundation before his untimely passing,” Dr. Goeppinger remarked. “As recommended by our faculty, the Board of Trustees thought it fitting to name this beautiful building after him. ”

AZCOM STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR NEW MPH PROGRAM

Students from the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine have the opportunity to enroll in a new online educational program designed to enhance their future practice opportunities.

The new Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) Program at Midwestern University is a 56 quarter-credit hour online program that offers interprofessional opportunities to join health care teams that link human, animal, and ecosystems health management and employ One Health principles. The program is rolling out this summer as a dual-degree option for the University’s osteopathic medicine, dental medicine, optometry, and veterinary medicine students.

Seven Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM) students have already been accepted into the dual-degree program.

AZCOM CLASS OF 2020 MATCHES BY THE NUMBERS

Although the COVID-19 pandemic precluded public Match Day gatherings, AZCOM students from the Class of 2020 still celebrated the next step in their health care careers by opening their coveted match envelopes. Ninety-six percent of AZCOM’s graduating class successfully matched this year.

The largest AZCOM graduate matches were to internal medicine (63 students), family medicine (47 students), emergency medicine (24 students), surgery (19 students), and psychiatry (10 students). The total number staying in Arizona for postgraduate training is 50 students (21% of the class). Congratulations to the Class of 2020!

AZCOM STUDENTS VOLUNTEER DURING IN-DEPTH SUMMER CAMP

For five days in July, AZCOM student volunteers offered their time and effort to help high school students learn about health care careers at Midwestern University’s Health Careers Institute for High School Students.

Faculty and student volunteers taught workshops in anatomy, physiology, and introductory skills for various health professions, with a special focus on how to prepare for college and what to expect from each profession. Due to restrictions in place concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, the Health Careers Institute was adapted this year into an online-only format. Midwestern University shipped each participant a care package full of materials to practice handson skills during each presentation, such as suturing, taking vital signs, studying anatomical structures, and more.

The program is offered at no cost to participants and is open to current high school juniors and seniors. Thirtyfour participants were selected based on their interest in science and the health professions, as demonstrated by coursework, volunteer activities, high school transcript, a teacher recommendation, and an application.

The annual Institute is sponsored by Midwestern University and the BHHS Legacy Foundation. BHHS Legacy Foundation works to help communities in ways that make them healthier for everyone. Its goal is to improve the population’s health and prepare the state’s workforce through highly effective programs and services.

AZCOM STUDENTS RECEIVE LOCAL, NATIONAL RECOGNITION

Two Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine students have recently received awards at the local and national level for their commitment to osteopathic excellence.

Jay Olson (AZCOM 2021) received the Distinguished Student Service Award from the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association (AOMA). Student Doctor Olson is a current Student Trustee with the Association and was previously a student delegate to AOMA’s House of Delegates. The awardees are nominated by the Deans of Arizona osteopathic medical schools.

Jason Hirshberg (AZCOM 2020) earned the Excellence in Public Health from the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Physician Professional Advisory Committee. Mr. Hirshberg is one of 110 medical students from across the country chosen to receive the award that recognizes medical students who advance public health in their communities and who exemplify the USPHS mission to protect, promote and advance health and safety.

Jay Olson, MS AZCOM 2021

Jason Hirschberg AZCOM 2020

AZCOM STUDENTS CHOSEN FOR AzAFP EMERGING LEADERS DAY PROGRAM

Four Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine students were selected to participate in the Arizona Academy of Family Physicians (AzAFP) Emerging Leaders Day Program, held in late February at the Arizona State Capitol. Yanjin Li (Class of 2023), Irena Grauzinis and Selina Martinez (Class of 2022), and Allison Walen (Class of 2021) were selected by AZCOM to attend the event in downtown Phoenix.

The event’s first day featured a briefing on issues of legislative importance to the AzAFP, as well as a dinner for all From left to right: Selina Martinez (AZCOM 2022), participants. On the second day, students Irena Grauzinis (AZCOM 2022), Yanjin Li (AZCOM met with Arizona legislators and had the 2023), and Allison Walen (AZCOM 2021) attend opportunity to sit in on a meeting of the the AzAFP Leaders Day Program iat the Arizona Arizona Senate Health Committee. State Capitol.