Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine

AZCOM Class of 2021 Graduation

Midwestern University celebrated graduates from the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM) with virtual commencement ceremonies at the end of May 2021. A total of 237 graduates earned their Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from AZCOM. In addition, the graduates had the opportunity to participate in a special closing ceremony held on campus.

The members of the AZCOM Class of 2021 were known for their spirit of service during their academic career and participated in health screenings for homeless populations, volunteered for mission trips, and spent countless hours providing health education to people in need. More than half (63%) of the graduates matched to primary care residencies, while the rest of the class will begin residencies in fields such as general surgery, psychiatry, emergency medicine, anesthesiology, and neurology. Twenty eight percent of the class will stay in Arizona for their postdoctoral programs with the remainder traveling to 33 other states.

As part of the virtual ceremonies, Kathleen H. Goeppinger, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Midwestern University, acknowledged the many achievements of the graduates during their years of rigorous study and clinical experiences. Dr. Goeppinger encouraged the graduates to remember the values they learned as Midwestern University students. “As students you have given back to society through many of your service projects; providing support at health fairs, raising funds for needy charities, and becoming volunteers in Operation Hope, when Midwestern became a Vaccination Center for more than 16,000 members of our communities who depended on us as a health care university. May your career reflect your care and dedication to the health care needs of society.”

The virtual commencement featured remarks from Levi Buchan, DO (AZCOM 2021) and included a special recognition for students beginning their health care careers in the military.

Operation HOPE Volunteers Help Boost Vaccination Levels

At Midwestern University’s Glendale Campus Vaccination Center, AZCOM volunteers have helped distribute nearly 17,000 COVID-19 vaccines as part of Operation Hope, Midwestern’s contribution to the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Operation Hope is a community effort to provide vaccinations for the Midwestern University community of students, faculty, staff, and their families; University clinic patients; and local businesses and organizations, in conjunction with state health departments. Over 84% of Midwestern University’s community of faculty, staff, and students are now fully vaccinated.

“The support of our Vaccination Centers has been outstanding and this has only been possible because of the support and dedication of all of our Midwestern University faculty, staff, and student volunteers,” says Kathleen H. Goeppinger, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Midwestern University.

AZCOM Selects New Group of OMM Scholars

The Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine has selected the next candidates for the College’s OMM Scholars program. Class of 2023 students Kobe Miller, Sarah Osborne, and Kathleen Wong were selected from a large group of applicants to become OMM Scholars. The OMM Scholars program allows AZCOM students to extend their clinical education from two to three years, as well as participate in teaching, research, and leadership experiences within the College. OMM Scholars hold specific responsibilities within the OMM Department in addition to their regular academic requirements, and they enjoy unique opportunities in Advanced Osteopathic Education, Osteopathic Teaching, Leadership Development, Research, and Community Service. They receive reduced tuition expenses, extra course credits, and a stipend for their OMM laboratory participation.

AZCOM Students Mentor High School Students

From July 12 - 16, 2021 AZCOM student volunteers offered their time and effort to help 48 high school students learn about health care careers at Midwestern University’s Health Careers Institute for High School Students, an in-depth summer camp program. Faculty and student volunteers taught workshops in anatomy, OMM, and introductory skills for various health professions, with a special focus on how to prepare for college and what to expect from each profession.

The program is offered at no cost to participants and is sponsored by Midwestern University and the BHHS Legacy Foundation and is open to current high school juniors and seniors. 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.

AZCOM SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED FOR 2021-2022 YEAR

MWU Spirit of Service Scholarship – An alumni, donor, and community organization-funded scholarship in recognition of service and academic achievement.

Usman Beg (AZCOM 2022) Kevin Cabrera (AZCOM 2023)

Sophia Fasani (AZCOM 2024) Mitchell Mirande (AZCOM 2023)

Samantha Shear (AZCOM 2023) Tyler Fowler (AZCOM 2022)

Brandon Nguyen (AZCOM 2022) Phuong Nguyen (AZCOM 2023)

MWU Shirley Ann Brysacz Scholarship - the Brysacz family established this scholarship fund to honor the memory of Shirley Ann Brysacz and her commitment to family values and hard work. The scholarship targets students with children who are planning on practicing primary care medicine.

Brandon Nguyen (AZCOM 2022)

Karla Purdy Memorial Scholarship - Awarded to students with academic achievement interested in oncology.

Anastasia Glazunova (AZCOM 2024)

Chanen Student Scholarship - Recognizes Midwestern University students who are committed higher education and the greater Arizona community for their achievements.

Nathan Wright (AZCOM 2024)

APS Student Scholarship - This scholarship recognizes Midwestern University students for their achievements including community service, recommendations, and academic achievements.

Sophia Fasani (AZCOM 2024)

Midwestern University Allocates 100% of HEERF Funds to Students

Midwestern University will again earmark 100% of an estimated $2.8 million in Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) apportioned to the University by recently-passed Federal legislation to support the nearly 7,000 health care professions students enrolled at its campuses in Downers Grove, Illinois, and Glendale, Arizona.

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act, passed by Congress and signed into law last year, qualifying educational institutions are required to spend at least the same dollar amount on student grants as determined in the CARES Act. This program has been designated the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds II (HEERF II).

The relief funds are to be disbursed to students in the form of cash grants for any component of their cost of attendance and emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus. The remaining funds may be used by the institution to offset additional costs related to COVID-19. Midwestern University’s administration has elected instead to apportion the entirety of its HEERF-II funding, an estimated $2.8 million, to University students as need-based grants.

Midwestern has already awarded and disbursed approximately $2.0 million in HEERF-II funds to students. This is in addition to awarding all of the $2.25 million in prior HEERF funding to students in 2020. To date, Midwestern has provided over $4 million in HEERF grants directly to students.