August 2009 Student Association e-Newsletter

Greetings all! My name is Rebecca Lewis and I am an OMS-II at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM). Since March, I have had the honor of serving as your SAACOFP Parliamentarian. Over the past few months, I have had the joy of meeting and working with many of you whether at the national convention in Washington, D.C. or through the chapters. I have loved every minute of it and am greatly looking forward to meeting more of you.

I guess I should tell you all a little bit about myself and my love of family medicine and ACOFP. I decided to become a physician after my family was involved in a very bad car accident when I was in the fourth grade. I spent weeks in the hospital watching my family get the medical care they needed, all with successful outcomes. As I progressed through school, I began to look at different types of physicians and learned that I have a very strong passion for preventive and rural family medicine. To confirm my interest in rural care, I transferred to a college in a rural community in Kansas. I got to see first hand the need for primary care in such areas and was set on a mission to try to help fulfill this need.

I found my way to RVUCOM, whose mission emphasizes providing physicians to rural areas. At the beginning of my first year, I got involved with ACOFP and was elected president of the RVUCOM ACOFP chapter. The more I got involved with ACOFP, the more I realized that I was with the right organization and on the right career path. I have found every interaction with members of ACOFP to be absolutely delightful! I look forward to continuing to serve all members of ACOFP in the future.

By Lynn Wilson

In my last few postings I have focused a lot on education, from medical school to a new journal to Graduate Medical Education. However, ACOFP has more than one major focus for student and physician members. One major point is advocacy. Currently, ACOFP is teaming up with The Health Coalition on Liability and Access (HCLA) and Protect Patients Now to gather support for a petition including medical liability reform in any health care reform legislation passed by the U.S. Congress.

Be a part of medical liability reform to bring down health care costs for all patients, reduce the billions of dollars spent each year on defensive medicine, and to ensure patient access to quality medical care! It may not be your problem now, but we need to create our own future to support the needs of both our patients and ourselves. For more information on ACOFP's Advocacy visit acofp.org!

Have ideas or comments? Email me, I want to hear from you!

PCSOM student donating sunscreen to local pool

On July 24, the students at Pikeville College School Of Osteopathic Medicine participated in a community outreach project at the Knott County public pool. In east Kentucky many families struggle to afford proper sun protection. The PCSOM chapter was able to donate bottles of sunscreen to the local pool, along with providing flyers to pass out that outline tips to prevent skin cancer. Through chapter funds and member donations, the student chapter was able to purchase thirty bottles of sunscreen. The sunscreen and flyers will be stored on the entrance counter. In the case, that a swimmer arrives to the pool without sunscreen, the lifeguard on duty will provide the donated bottles. After working with the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event, the PCSOM chapter realized that to help prevent cancer they needed to encourage proper skin protection and help provide the resources for those who are in need.

Tiffany Thompson, OSM II is the student chapter president at PCSOM.

The student executive board is excited about the amount of involvement that each chapter has within their community. Keep up the good work and we look forward to your future events!

Keep a positive attitude throughout the year, and remember the reason you got into medical school…to become an awesome physician!

As the new school year begins, try to shine a positive light on the difficulties you encounter. Medical school is one of many hurdles we must all jump over in order to achieve our goals. When things get tough, as they inevitably will, take a minute to close your eyes, take a deep breath, and think about how this trial is making you a stronger person and a better future physician. Being involved in community service is also something that can help keep you going. There’s something about directly making a difference in the life of someone who needs a helping hand that reignites the flame of compassion in your soul. No matter how overwhelming the pace of school, no matter how tough a preceptor is, no matter how horrible life may seem at some time or another, this is all temporary. The difficult situation will pass. You will become a physician…you will change people’s lives. Hold on to that, and dealing with the daily struggles throughout the year ahead will be much more manageable. We are in this together, and we will make it through.

While playing with his friends on the playground at school, John twists his ankle. After evaluation of his ankle, he is placed on crutches and unable to enjoy recess until his ankle heals. After one week, he presents to his family physician for a "funny" sensation over the posterior arm and back of his hand. He also has difficulty extending his elbow. Which nerve is the cause of John's problems?

A. Axillary
B. Median
C. Ulnar
D. Radial
F. Musculocutaneous

For the answer to this puzzle, check out SAACOFP on Facebook or Myspace!

Answer to last month’s eNewsletter Prep Kwon DO:
Patient presents with back pain. She is an elephant enthusiast and just could not resist riding the elephant at the Bronx Zoo, five times. She admits that she may have over done it, but said she would do it again in a heart beat. For the past four days she has been experiencing a dull aching pain in her lower back. On physical exam the right sacral base is deep, the left ILA is restricted, and the L/S junction springs freely. The has a positive seated flexion test on the right. What findings are expected at L5?

Answer:
NL5SLRR- The patient’s sacrum has a L/L forward sacral torsion somatic dysfunction. The findings at L5 will be NL5SLRR.

Northeast Regional Medical Center
Family Medicine Residency and Family Medicine / Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Residency
315 S Osteopathy Ave
Kirksville, MO 63501-6401

Resident Recruiter: Brett R. DeGooyer, DO, 660.785.1000

Q: Why do you recommend your osteopathic residency program to prospective medical students?
A: Our program allows the residents to expand their skills in hospital, clinical, procedural, and academic opportunities. We also promote a well-rounded training curriculum that fully integrates Osteopathic philosophy and practice into every aspect of medicine. The program strongly encourages and schedules opportunities to be involved with organized medicine, including participation with health policy at the federal, state, and local government levels. A full scope of medical practice is emphasized--from pre-natal care to end-of-life care, and from office-based procedures like skin biopsies to hospital-based procedures such as endoscopy. An environment of mutual respect, trust, and fellowship, along with an attitude of healthy competition, is the established culture at Northeast Regional Medical Center. Aside from the great training program, Kirksville is the birthplace of Osteopathy and historical center of the profession. The community is friendly and safe, and the cost of living is one of the most affordable in the country.

Q: What advice do you give to prospective medical students trying to choose the best residency program for themselves?
A: Almost like real estate, there are three key words = Rotation. Rotation. Rotation. Even if it's just a few days, you need to visit the places you're interested in, meet the faculty and staff, tour the city, and get a good feel of how things operate. It is your time to give each program a "dry-run" to find you fit into their particular structure, and it also gives each program ample opportunity to see what you're capable of achieving. As far as deciding at which programs to do a rotation, I defer back to real estate again = Location. Location. Location....followed by one additional word = Reputation.

Q: Any other information you would like to pass on to prospective residents for your program?
A: Never be afraid to be up front and honest with each program. Playing games is more transparent than you think, and it reflects badly on your character and caliber of resident. Listen to your gut and don't be afraid to let your heart guide in your decision making process. It led you this far, and it can keep on leading you in the right direction.