Tuesday, March 21, 2017
LUCOM-ACOFP hosts Mini Med School event
Tue, 21 Mar 2017Asa Keimig | Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator
Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM) – American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) hosted a Mini Med School event this past month, at the Center for Medical and Health Sciences (CMHS). The event provided Liberty University undergraduate students the opportunity to experience a small portion of Liberty’s DO program.
Welcoming over 60 students, LUCOM-ACOFP provided basic education on common disease pathophysiology, physical exam techniques, introduction to osteopathic principles and treatment modalities, and how to be an advocate for primary care. “Our mission at ACOFP is to promote advocacy for primary care and to provide education on the broad avenues of application of that care as well as to serve in our local community in Lynchburg,” said Sherin Cherian, Class of 2019, LUCOM-ACOFP President. “The Mini Med School event supported all of our values by allowing us to increase the importance of primary care in the minds of future physicians.”
LUCOM-ACOFP leadership had more than 40 student-doctors volunteer to participate as lecturers, workshop station leaders, and Q&A panelists. The guests heard lectures on hypertension, diabetes, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD), and participated in workshops on vital signs and cardiopulmonary auscultation. Students were then introduced to the basics of osteopathic principles and treatment options and were able to witness a demonstration on osteopathic techniques.
The Q&A panel was led by the LUCOM-Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) and featured topics such as the difference between osteopathic and allopathic medicine, how to study for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), and why someone would choose a career in medicine.
The Mini Med School event provided student-doctors with the opportunity to put into practice their knowledge of medical processes and techniques all while educating future medical professionals.
“We received great feedback regarding this event and undergraduate students are already asking about the potential for similar events in the future,” added Cherian. “They were able to gain hands-on experience with necessary medical exam techniques, allowing them the opportunity to gain an advantage on their peers who have not had the same type of exposure.”
LUCOM-ACOFP aims to grow the event each year in an effort to reach the community and provide basic education on important disease processes. It is their hope that those interested in medicine, and even patients, have the opportunity to understand their own health that could lead to improving primary health care within the Lynchburg community.
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