From the President
Stephen C. Shannon, DO, MPH  

Meet Me in St. Louis!

I hope to see many of you later this week, when AACOM and AODME will gather in St. Louis for a first-ever joint Annual Meeting. Together, we will explore the theme “Innovation: Spanning the Osteopathic Medical Education Continuum.”

We have a great many issues to discuss. As our potential and current student populations change (see Tom Levitan’s piece below), we will need to adapt to maintain our recruitment and educational successes. With national health care policy at or near the top of the list of concerns most worrying the American public, we will need to ensure that our administrators and faculty are able to articulate osteopathic medical education’s policy perspectives in a way that unites our profession and strengthens our message. And, with a wide range of professional policy issues at our doorstep—from new accreditation standards to ensuring sufficient and appropriate graduate medical education slots for our graduates—we will need to make decisions that are most beneficial to our students and, ultimately, to the health and well-being of the nation.

Truly these are issues that span the full continuum of osteopathic medical education, and certainly there has never been a more critical need for innovation. Thus I look forward to working with you to identify our greatest challenges and pinpoint our best opportunities.

The next issue of the newsletter will highlight key aspects of the Annual Meeting. If you have ideas or comments to share emanating from the meeting, I hope you will send them to wbresler@aacom.org.

AACOM Vice President for Research and Applications Tom Levitan, MEd, Looks Ahead to Changed Applicant Picture

In mid-February, the number of applicants to osteopathic medical colleges set an all-time record (applications will continue to come in through mid-April).  As of March 31, 11,777 applicants had applied through AACOMAS to osteopathic medical schools for admission in 2008. (Additional applicants may have applied through the Texas Medical and Dental Application Service; the current system does not allow us to determine overlapping applications at this point in the process.)  This represents an increase of 3.33 percent over this time in the 2007 cycle, the lowest rate of increase since 2003.  From 1997 through 2002, the number of applicants declined each year.

This year’s applicants have designated 83,136 applications to individual osteopathic medical schools (or 7.06 applications per applicant), another record high and an increase of 9.30 percent over applications filed for 2007.  The number of places in first-year classes in 2008 will be approximately 8 percent greater than the 2007 total first-year seats, and COCA may yet approve additional 2008class size increases.

This is good news; it is a tangible manifestation of the important role that osteopathic medicine and osteopathic medical education play in today’s health care system. 

But we need to keep a close eye on what is happening outside of osteopathic medical education.  As of mid-March, the two largest doctoral-level health professions see slight declines in the number of 2008 applicants over prior years.  Many factors will influence the career choices of future medical students – the current state of the economy, uncertainty in the loan market and potential changes in health care delivery systems all will impact career choices.  The total number of 18- to 20-year-old first-time college students is likely to decline over the next decade as well, and those are the students who four years later will constitute the largest cohort of applicants to medical schools.  At the same time, the number of first-time college students who are members of historically underrepresented populations (including racial and ethnic minority group members and older students) is likely to increase. Historically, some of our colleges have been particularly challenged in attracting underrepresented populations

As part of its strategic plan, AACOM is working to maintain and increase the pool of qualified applicants, even in light of these likely developments.  Already AACOM has significantly increased its activities to recruit applicants to osteopathic medicine, both from traditional sources and from new cohorts.  As colleges of osteopathic medicine plan for the future, AACOM will continue to work with them to navigate these changes.

Government Relations Update  

Update on Economic Hardship Deferment
During the Department of Education’s third negotiated rulemaking session, it was determined that the current debt-to-income ratio would remain in effect only through June 30, 2009, and would be replaced on July 1, 2009 with an income-based repayment plan.  Last fall, the Department of Education had confirmed its intent to retain the current debt-to-income ratio pathway for borrowers to qualify for an economic hardship deferment (which is of great importance to interns and residents), after it had been eliminated by the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRA).  The pathway is being eliminated because the 10-year cost of the program is $1.1 billion.   

The Department expects the new income-based repayment plan to mitigate the adverse effect the elimination of the debt-to-income pathway would have on students.  Under this plan, total loan payments will be capped at no more than 15 percent of the amount by which the borrower’s adjusted gross income exceeds 150 percent of the poverty line applicable to the borrower’s family size.  The regulations codify a provision in CCRA that stipulates that for married borrowers filing separately, only the adjusted gross income of the borrower is included.

Pay-Go Medicaid Update
Legislation introduced this spring by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-MI) that would postpone seven Medicaid regulations proposed by the Bush administration is currently in jeopardy because of pay-go restrictions.  The Congressional Budget Office found that implementing this legislation would cost $1.65 billion in FY 2008 and 2009.  Under the pay-go rule implemented by Democrats last year, any new spending proposal must be coupled with an offset that would save or raise an equal amount of money.   

Most notably, this legislation would block the proposed cut to the Medicaid graduate medical education (GME) program.  This proposed regulation would be devastating to teaching hospitals, which act as a safety net for many patients in the community.  The Bush administration originally proposed eliminating the federal government’s longstanding practice of matching state Medicaid funds for GME programs last year, stating that it is not consistent with the Medicaid statute to pay for GME activities as a component of hospital services or separately.  However, Congress established a moratorium on implementing this rule change until May 25 of this year.  Dingell’s legislation would extend the moratorium on this and six provisions until next spring when a new president will be in office

Title VII Fiscal Year 2009 Senate Appropriations
A large group of Senators, led by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Pat Roberts (R-KS), signaled its support for restoring appropriations for the Public Health Service Act’s Title VII health professions programs to their fiscal year (FY) 2005 level of $300 million.  Along with at least 41 of their colleagues, Senators Reed and Roberts sent a letter to Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Ranking Minority Member Arlen Specter (R-PA).  In the letter, they urged that the FY 2009 funding level for the Title VII health professions programs equal that of FY 2005.  In FY 2006, the funding for the health professions programs was cut in half.  Currently, in FY 2008, the funding level for these programs is 35 percent lower than in FY 2005.

AACOM’s member colleges contacted Senators’ offices urging support of Senators Reed’s and Roberts’ initiative.  The Title VII health professions programs provide direct federal support for health care workforce development and education.  They are the only federal programs designed to increase minority representation in the health care workforce and to train providers in interdisciplinary settings to respond to the needs of special and underserved populations.

AACOM Welcomes Michael D. Adelman as Chair of the Board of Deans

Michael D. Adelman, DO, JD, Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs at West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM), has assumed the position of AACOM Board Chair.  

Dr. Adelman received his degree from the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine.  Following a residency in Podiatric Surgery, Dr. Adelman went back for his DO degree from the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He maintained a private practice prior to pursuing an academic medicine career. Dr. Adelman also holds a Law degree from the University of Toledo.  He lectures nationally on leadership, medical education issues and hospital and government regulations.

Dr. Adelman replaces Sandra K. Willsie, DO, who recently resigned her position as Dean of Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCUMB-COM). AACOM thanks Dr. Willsie for her work as Chair of AACOM’s Board of Deans (BOD). During her tenure as Chair, Dr. Willsie represented the association in myriad ways and helped guide the Board through decision making in a variety of critical areas.

Maurice W. Oelklaus, DO, FAAFP Appointed Interim Dean of KCUMB-COM
Maurice W. Oelklaus, DO, FAAFP, has been appointed Interim Dean of Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCUMB-COM) effective March 17, 2008. Dr. Oelklaus has been KCUMB-COM Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs since July 2007. Prior to joining the KCUMB faculty, Dr. Oelklaus served as a faculty member for the family medicine residency program at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Mo, and director of medical education at the Medical Center of Independence, where he also oversaw the University’s family medicine residency program. He is a 1999 KCUMB graduate and a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

WVSOM Faculty Receive State Honors 
Robert W. Foster, DO, Associate Dean for Pre-doctoral Clinical Education at West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM), recently received the Judith C. Kandzari AwardThe award was given by the statewide West Virginia Rural Health Education Partnership programs and Area Health Education Centers in recognition of WVSOM’s commitment to and accomplishments in rural health..

Karen M. Steele, DO, FAAO, Associate Dean for Osteopathic Medical Education at West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) has been named one of five finalists for the state’s most prestigious teaching honor. The “Professor of the Year Award” was established in 1984 by the Faculty Merit Foundation to honor the achievements of teachers at West Virginia’s various higher education institutions. As a finalist, Dr. Steele will receive a $10,000 cash prize.

Spanish Medical Researcher Teams with OU-COM in the Fight Against Childhood Obesity
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-COM) faculty are working in collaboration with pediatric endocrinologist and visiting professor of pediatrics Gabriel A. Martos-Moreno, MD, PhD, to research treatment for childhood obesity and diabetes. John Kopchick, PhD, Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Goll-Ohio Eminent Scholar at OU-COM, met Martos-Moreno at a conference in 2004. After discovering a common area of scientific research, Martos-Moreno concluded that problems of obese children were not being studied as well as they should be. The joint effort of the two researchers, along with Kopchick’s colleagues Darlene Berryman, PhD, and graduate student Lucila Sackmann Sala, will focus on studying human and mouse adipose tissue and serum samples. In addition, Martos-Moreno will observe patients with C. Thomas Clark, DO, Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics; lecture medical students; and collaborate with Karen Montgomery-Reagan, DO, Associate Chairwoman of Pediatrics, and Andrew Wapner, DO, a pediatric diabetologist.

New Teaching Hospital Deal Secures Future of OSU-COM Residency Program
After months of negotiations, Oklahoma State University (OSU) and Ardent Health Services reached an agreement regarding OSU Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OSU-COM)'s primary teaching hospital. Ardent will sell the medical center for a good will amount of $5 million to a public trust, allowing the medical center to become a non-profit teaching hospital for OSU-COM. The move is a win-win for all; OSU-COM will become the first osteopathic medical school in recent years with a hospital, and the medical center, previously threatened by financial troubles, will remain available to area residents.

TUCOM-NV Expands Campus to Include Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities
Medical students at Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUCOM-NV) have gained access to a new, state-of-the-art addition that includes a Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, a patient clinic and clinical research center and interactive learning facilities. The 35,000 square foot campus expansion was unveiled at a special open house on March 18. The $6 million addition will provide students with on-site opportunities to learn in a clinical setting.

The Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities will offer on site access to diagnostic, therapy and support services for young children (infant to age three) and their families. As a community partner, the Center will add needed capacity to the overtaxed autism community, allowing more children to be diagnosed and offered therapy in a timely manner. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, today one in every 150 children in the United States is diagnosed with autism.

VCOM Issues Call for Interest – Adventure Race Among COMs
Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) students are pleased to announce the First Annual Osteopathic Appalachian Challenge, an adventure race among the colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs) that will take place in May. Students from all COMs are encouraged to participate in the competition, which will include canoeing, running, mountain biking and other events in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Interested students should contact Erin Deihl, OMS I, at edeihl@vcom.vt.edu.

COM Graduation Dates

A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU/KCOM) – May 17, 2008

Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University (AZCOM) – June 6, 2008

Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University (CCOM) – May 23, 2008

Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine (DMU-COM) – May 24, 2008

Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCUMB-COM) – May 17, 2008

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) – June 1, 2008

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Bradenton Campus (LECOM Bradenton) – June 8, 2008

Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) – May 1, 2008

Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-COM) – May 25, 2008

New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of the New York Institute of Technology (NYCOM/NYIT) – May 17, 2008

Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OSU-COM) – May 9, 2008

Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-COM) – June 7, 2008

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) – June 1, 2008

Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine (PCSOM) – May 10, 2008

Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUCOM-CA) – June 1, 2008

Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUCOM-NV) – May 18, 2008

University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine (UMDNJ-SOM) – May 21, 2008

University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM) – June 7, 2008

University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNTHSC/TCOM) – May 17, 2008

Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) – June 7, 2008

Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (WesternU/COMP) – May 16, 2008

West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) – May 28, 2008

Profile: Anne Jones, OMS-IV, Osteopathic Health Policy Intern

When Anne Jones, OMS-IV, began osteopathic medical school at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine (UMDNJ-SOM), she learned about the AOA-AACOM Osteopathic Health Policy Intern (OHPI) Program from several faculty and staff members. Anne thought that she needed to experience medical school before she would be able to take full advantage of this unique developmental opportunity.

Each year, The OHPI Program selects two of the nation’s osteopathic medical students to spend time in the Washington, DC government relations offices of AACOM and the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). The program offers interns the unique chance to spend a month in each of the offices, attending health policy hearings on Capitol Hill, meeting with federal agency policymakers, cultivating a deeper understanding of the process of health care policy development and learning how to become an active part of policy formulation.

Understanding the competitive nature of the OHPI selection process, Anne took steps to make herself a good candidate for the program. Although she had avoided politics as an undergraduate student at Cornell University, she immersed herself in health policy. Anne became more concerned with the well-being of patients in the nation and with the state of the country’s health care system. Between her third and fourth years, after she had spent time on rotations and played a role in student government on both the state and national levels, Anne finally felt that she was ready to apply for the OHPI Program. She had begun research on areas of health policy that interested her, and had narrowed topics down into specific questions.

Anne was selected as a 2008 OHPI intern. Her time in Washington was busy, rewarding and memorable. By examining international systems of health care, Anne uncovered layers upon layers of factors that contribute to determining whether each country’s approach to patient care emphasizes disease and injury prevention or treatment. Anne learned about several related policy issues that she felt required deeper analysis; she says these will become continuing research questions that she likely will revisit throughout her career.

Having now completed her OHPI internship, Anne has decided that she will pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. Although she wants to become a “hometown family doctor, Anne also would like to teach osteopathic medical students and remain involved in health policy research.

Regarding her OHPI experience, Anne said, “I viewed the opportunity as a springboard to supplement my medical education. I would like eventually to be able to give back to the program by remaining involved in osteopathic government relations throughout my career.”

But she has not forgotten her other aspirations. “Even though I care very much about the health of the community and the health of the nation,” Anne says, “we cannot forget that the most important thing is the relationship between the doctor and the patient.” Her next step in pursuing her own career: Anne will be starting her residency next year at the UNECOM Dartmouth Family Medicine residency at Maine General Hospital in Augusta, ME.

Visit the AACOM website for more information about the AOA-AACOM Osteopathic Health Policy Intern Program.

AACOM President Stephen C. Shannon Appointed to Advisory Committee on Primary Care Training in Medicine and Dentistry

AACOM President and CEO Stephen Shannon, DO, MPH, has been appointed to the Advisory Committee on Primary Care Training in Medicine in Dentistry, which is supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Bureau of Health Professions. Established in 1998, the Advisory Committee advises and makes recommendations to the HHS Secretary on policy, program development, and other issues related to the HRSA Bureau of Health Professions family medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatrics, general dentistry, pediatric dentistry and physician assistant programs. 

AACOM Staff News 

AACOM is pleased to announce the hiring of two new employees to fill key positions:

Tyler Cymet, DO, as Associate Vice President for Medical Education, effective June 1, 2008. Dr. Cymet brings a superior background to this work, having spent the last 15 years overseeing residents in his role as Director of Osteopathic Medical Education at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore/Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. More recently, Sinai named him Section Head of Family Medicine. During these years, Dr. Cymet also maintained a general medical practice serving some 2,000 patients. Dr. Cymet received his DO degree from Nova-Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He fulfilled his internship with the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, and completed his Primary Care Internal Medicine residency at Yale University School of Medicine. He was honored as one of Baltimore Magazine’s “Top Docs” in 1997, 2000 and 2007, and in 1999 was recognized as Best Teacher at an Osteopathic Medical School by the Student Osteopathic Medical Association. He was also featured in a recent story in the Baltimore Sun, which can be accessed at   http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/health/bal-te.osteopath03mar03,0,2151389. 

Susan Eads Role, JD, as Director of Government Relations. Ms. Role, who joined AACOM on March 31, will coordinate with AACOM’s external consultants, Lyle Dennis and Erika Miller, JD, to develop the association’s congressional and federal policy positions; work with AACOM’s members and other associations to present unified health professions positions to policy makers; and monitor and communicate congressional developments. She joins the association with 25 years of experience in government relations positions on Capitol Hill, in law offices and at trade associations. She most recently worked as Assistant Director, Public Health and Scientific Affairs, at the College of American Pathologists. Prior to that, she was Public Policy and Partnerships Director at Children’s National Medical Center National Resource Center for Health Programs and Strategies. Ms. Role earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at Hanover College, her law degree at Indiana University and her Master of Science in Library Science at the Catholic University of America. She is a member of the District of Columbia Bar and the Pennsylvania Bar. 

Nominations Sought for Gustav O. Lienhard Award  

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) is accepting nominations for the 23rd annual Gustav O. Lienhard Award. The award—a medal and $25,000—recognizes individuals for outstanding achievement in improving health care services in the United States. Support for the award is provided by an endowment established by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The Gustav O. Lienhard Award honors individuals whose creative or pioneering efforts have appreciably improved personal health services. To encourage consideration of the widest possible range of candidates, no eligibility limits are placed on the education and profession of individuals who may be nominated; however, their achievements should be national in scope. (See a complete list of the selection criteria.)

To submit a nomination, please use the online nominations form. Online nominations will be accepted through May 5, 2008. The award will be presented at the IOM’s Annual Meeting in Washington, DC on October 13, 2008.

To learn more about the Gustav O. Lienhard Award, visit www.iom.edu/Lienhard,  or contact Lienhard@nas.edu or 202.334.2177.

AACOM Council Updates and News 

The following AACOM Councils will convene at the AACOM/AODME Annual Meeting later this week: Society of Osteopathic Medical Educators (SOME), Council for Information and Technology (CIT), Council of Osteopathic Librarians (COOL), Council of Osteopathic Medical Student Services Officers (COMSSO), Council of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Admissions Directors and Officers (COMAO), Council of Development and Alumni Relations Professionals (Dev-Alum), Marketing and Communications Advisory Council (MAC), Council of Researchers (COR), Council of Fiscal Officers (CFO) and the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents (COSGP).

The Educational Council on Osteopathic Principles (ECOP) will meet April 10 – 12 at Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine in California (TUCOM-CA).

A new website powered by COSGP, www.OsteoBook.Net, is a social networking tool for osteopathic medical students, interns, and residents. Users can post forum questions, blog entries, photos, videos, and comment on other users’ pages. The site has drawn approximately 2,295 members to date.

AACOM Job Connection
AACOM's job posting service, one of the supreme discount programs offered to AACOM members and non-members, provides a central location to post or seek positions in osteopathic medical education.  The AACOM Job Connection offers 30- and 60-day discount rates for posting single, three and five job postings.  Since the program's launch in May 2006, 23 institutions have posted 80 positions. 

Visit the AACOM Job Connection to learn more about posting job positions.

AACOM Discount Moving Service Program
AACOM’s Discount Moving Service Program, sponsored by Premier Transfer and Storage, Inc., an affiliate of Mayflower Moving Company, is a program provided for relocating faculty, staff, students and even your own family members.  Tom Graver, AACOM’s representative at Premier, will serve your institution’s needs when you take advantage of the discount moving program.

To learn more about the program, visit http://www.aacom.org/about/discounts/Pages/MovingProgram.aspx, contact Tom Graver at Tom.Graver@premier-transfer.com, or call 1-800-634-8571, ext. 111.

AACOM Wireless Phone Program
When your wireless service agreement expires, consider the many national carriers, rates, and phones (including Blackberries)/ accessories (free) offered through AACOM’s Wireless Phone Program.

To learn more about the program go to: http://www.aacom.org/about/discounts/Pages/WirelessProgram.aspx.

We Value Your Input and Feedback

Please e-mail us at wbresler@aacom.org to provide news for upcoming issues of Inside OME, along with your feedback regarding this newsletter.