THE BEST MEDICINE KYCOM professors look back
WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT THE FIRST CLASS?
“They were pioneers and took a leap of faith to come to our new school. I got to know each of them and still keep in touch with almost a third of them mostly because they have been teaching our current students. Many in that first class were from our area and practice in Pikeville or surrounding communities. That’s what our school is all about – meeting the mission of placing primary care physicians in rural and underserved areas.” Steve Harris, Ph.D. Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Professor of Pharmacology and Physiology
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST YEAR OF MEDICAL SCHOOL LIKE?
“Those were challenging days … a lot of unknowns and ‘What ifs?’ Will I be able to handle the work? Will I get exhausted and burned out? Will I be a good doctor? Thankfully, the faculty and staff at KYCOM were welcoming and helpful. I always felt that I had plenty of support and people who really cared about making sure every student had the chance to succeed. I’ve always loved KYCOM and what it did for me.” Joe Kingery, D.O., CPE, FAAFP Associate Professor of Education KYCOM Class of 2006
HOW HAS OSTEOPATHIC MANIPULATIVE THERAPY IMPACTED YOUR CAREER?
“I saw the benefits of osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT) early on and wanted to utilize it in my practice. My Osteopathic Principles and Practices Fellowship was one of the best years of my life. My hope for the future is that allopathic physicians (M.D.) will become more aware of OMT and its benefits through the new single accreditation system for graduate medical education. Many allopathic physicians in the area refer patients for OMT once they experience it for themselves or see the benefit.” Antoinette Justice, D.O. Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Osteopathic Principles and Practices KYCOM Class of 2010
SPRING 2017 | UPIKE MAGAZINE
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