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The Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) held its virtual White Coat Ceremony, honoring the Class of 2025 on Sunday, November 21, 2021. Stevan A. Walkowski, DO, served as the keynote speaker. Dr. Walkowski, who recently joined ACOM as Associate Dean of Clinical Sciences, encouraged students to reflect on what led them to medicine and welcomed them to the osteopathic profession. The ceremony concluded with the students gathered on campus reciting the Osteopathic Pledge of Commitment.

White Coat Ceremony is an annual celebration that represents a rite of passage for a first-year medical student and an important step in the journey toward becoming an osteopathic physician. The traditional white coat is an outward sign of the medical profession and has been worn by physicians for more than 100 years. Formal presentation of the white coat symbolizes an osteopathic medical student’s entrance into a new academic environment, and the acceptance of the obligations and high standards of compassionate care that are expected. Each year, the ACOM marks the achievements of first-year medical students with the presentation of the white coat by each student’s faculty advisor.

The Class of 2025 is ACOM’s ninth class and represents a diverse group of students from 31 states across the nation.

The Vicodin Vikings have won the 2021 ACOM Simulation Competition (SIMComp)!

Eight teams (a total of 40 students) competed on Friday and Saturday for a chance to advance to the National SimChallenge.

Teams were presented with an emergent clinical scenario, which required medical knowledge, clinical skills, teamwork, communication, and calm nerves to overcome the challenges. One ACOM team advances to the national competition each year.

The final scenario proved to be very challenging for both teams with a fully immersive experience similar to what students would encounter during the national competition. Teams walked into an empty simulated emergency room and were greeted by sirens from EMS rushing in a patient actor in a trauma suit with an exposed leg fracture. Different than previous encounters during SIMComp, patient vitals were reported directly from the en-route ambulance requiring the team to accurately record the information. The patient presented with trauma in multiple systems, including a neck injury and what was later discovered as a ruptured spleen requiring surgery.

The event judges praised the teams throughout the competition for their use of communication huddles and decision-making that allowed them to tackle advanced patient cases.

The Vicodin Vikings are a team of second-year students led by David Cooper. Teammates included: Bobby Monaco, Case Coordinator; Jacob Gramacy, Scribe; Hannah Gregory, History Taker; Carson Woodward, Physical Exam.

In 2017, a team of second-year ACOM students won the national SimChallenge event and represented the United States at the International SimChallenge in Paris, defeating the French team in the final round to become international champions.

In 2020, the ACOM team won the first National Virtual Patient Simulation Challenge hosted by AMSA and won the national competition again in 2021. ACOM hopes to recapture the national title again this year, with the competition resuming as an in-person experience to take place in Washington, DC in April. This local tournament serves as an important step and a valuable training experience in the journey to Nationals.

James Lyons, MD, has been named Associate Dean of Medical Education for the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM). In this role, Dr. Lyons will work closely with the Curriculum Committee and institutional divisions to ensure content, format, and evaluation methods of the curriculum meet standards for accreditation as well as collaborate with faculty to support teaching and educational innovation. The Associate Dean of Medical Education position is a new role allowing the college to continue enhancing its strategic plan priority of academic excellence and explore new opportunities for advancement.

Dr. Lyons obtained his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Cornell University and his medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine. He is board certified in family medicine, anatomic and clinical pathology, and dermatopathology. Dr. Lyons received the Hoyt Vandenberg award for the top officer academically in his commissioned officer class while on active duty with the U.S. Air Force at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery. During his pathology residency, he received the Frances K. Patterson resident award.

Dr. Lyons has worked in academia, specifically medical education, for more than a decade. He most recently has served as Professor of Pathology and Family Medicine at ACOM and will continue in his teaching role as an integral part of this new position. Prior to joining ACOM, Dr. Lyons served as a medical director of a hospital laboratory and as a clinical assistant professor at an Illinois school of medicine.

Stevan Walkowski, DO, has been named Associate Dean of Clinical Sciences for the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM). In this role, Dr. Walkowski will oversee clinical curriculum, including collaboration with the clerkship chairs, course directors and the Curriculum Committee.

Dr. Walkowski earned his DO degree from Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is board-certified in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM). Prior to arriving at ACOM, Dr. Walkowski served as Chair for OMM at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine Dublin campus in Dublin, Ohio, and Director of Osteopathic Integration for the university’s campuses. He was also the Director of the OMM Primary Care Associate program for undergraduate fellows.

Dr. Walkowski has participated in grant-funded research focused on osteopathic manipulative treatment for more than a decade, including as Medical Director for two National Institutes of Health grants. He is a member of the American Osteopathic Association and American Academy of Osteopathy, as well as fellow of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture.

Wil E. Baker, PhD, EdD, has been named Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education (GME) for the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM). In this new position, Dr. Baker will lead the development of residency programs throughout Alabama to create additional training opportunities for graduates in the state.

Dr. Baker’s time with the College precedes its existence. His initial vision of a “medical school without walls” later evolved into ACOM as it is known today. Through his role with the Alabama Medical Education Consortium, Dr. Baker developed an extensive network of physicians and healthcare locations that now provides clinical training experiences for ACOM students. He has fostered relationships and promoted a greater understanding of the healthcare needs in Alabama. Dr. Baker’s commitment continues as he transitions his focus to creating new residency programs to further fulfill the College’s mission.

Dr. Baker received his EdD in Research and Psychology from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1973. He also holds an Educational Specialist degree from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1971), a Master of Science from the University of Southern Mississippi (1967), a Master of Theology from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1967), and a Bachelor of Arts from Howard College (now Samford University) (1956). Dr. Baker served in the United States Marine Corps, active duty, for almost five years as an aviator and continued his service in the Marine Reserves, Air National Guard, and Army National Guard as a pilot (retired, 1994).

Dr. Baker served in the Department of Family Practice at the University of South Alabama, College of Medicine from 1975-1996 as an assistant, associate, and full professor of Behavioral Medicine. During that tenure he also served as assistant to the Vice President of Medical Affairs, and Assistant Dean for Continuing Medical Education. Following retirement from the University of South Alabama, Dr. Baker served as the Project Director for the Alabama Southern Rural Access Program from 1999-2005.

Dr. Baker previously served as Associate Dean of Clinical Resources at ACOM. In addition to his new role at the college, he currently serves as the Executive Director for the Alabama Medical Education Consortium (AMEC).

Richard R. Thacker, DO, MACOI, has been named Associate Dean of Clinical Resources for the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM). In this role, Dr. Thacker will oversee third- and fourth-year clinical training through ACOM’s expansive network of hospitals, clinics and preceptors.

Dr. Thacker has been involved with ACOM since the college opened in 2013, as Medical Education Director for the Tallahassee clinical training site. In 2018, he accepted a position as Assistant Dean of Clinical Sciences and Clinical Resources through which he has been instrumental in the oversight and development of the robust clinical network throughout Alabama, Mississippi and Florida.  In his role as Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, Dr. Thacker assists with teaching primary clinical skills, gastroenterology, hospice-related subjects, international health, and osteopathic principles and practice.

Dr. Thacker received his DO degree from Nova Southeastern University in 1992. He completed his osteopathic residency at Delaware Valley Medical Center in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, where he served as chief intern and chief medical resident, as well as receiving recognition for Resident of the Year. Upon completion of post-doctoral training, Dr. Thacker began his career as a National Health Service Corp Scholar in Madison, Fla., at a community health center. He then went on to practice internal medicine at Capital Regional Medical Group in Tallahassee for 23 years. Dr. Thacker is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative care.

At the state level, Dr. Thacker has served in multiple capacities within the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association (FOMA) since 1988, including President in 2006-2007. In 2008, he was honored as FOMA’s “Physician of the Year”.  He continues to remain active with the Board of Trustees and both the Legislative and Finance committees. On a national level, Dr. Thacker is a member of the AOA Board of Trustees, where he has served on and chaired several committees, including Vice Chair of the Department of Education. Currently, he is a three-year member of the Executive committee, Chairman of Governmental Affairs and functions as the Treasurer for the Osteopathic Political Action Committee (OPAC).  He was most recently recognized as a Master Fellow by the American College of Osteopathic Internists for his contributions to the profession.

Southeast Health Medical Center and the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) are pleased to welcome Eugenia (Genie) Stark Thomas, J.D., CHC, as director of Compliance for both entities.

Genie most recently served as director of Compliance and Privacy at Ochsner LSU (Louisiana State University) Health Shreveport in Shreveport, Louisiana. She was responsible for oversight and implementation of all aspects of compliance programs at the 444-bed academic medical center and the 112-bed women’s and children hospital, as well as the faculty medical group and area clinics. Prior to that, she operated her own law firm and consulting practice in Jackson, Mississippi, where she advised hospitals and physician practices on a wide variety of regulatory compliance matters.  She also served as an adjunct professor at the Mississippi College of Law in Jackson, Mississippi, where she taught in the health law program.

Genie received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Virginia. She earned her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in Charlottesville, Virginia.  She is licensed to practice law in the State of Mississippi.  Genie also maintains current certification in healthcare compliance (CHC).

A team of faculty from the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) was awarded a grant this summer from the American Medical Association (AMA) to enhance medical student training through the association’s new “Student BP Measurement Essentials” online modules. The modules focus on key aspects of blood pressure measurement and are designed to be integrated throughout the medical school curriculum to improve training. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a contributing risk factor for heart disease and stroke, underscoring the need for enhanced training in proper blood pressure measurement to ensure proper treatment. ACOM was one of five medical schools nationwide and the only osteopathic college to receive the grant.

ACOM is implementing the blood pressure training modules during the first-year Primary Clinical Skills course, in second-year fall semester systems courses and during the third-year ACOM Ashford Clinic rotation. The team plans to utilize the grant to purchase equipment to help assess the student’s learning of the modules by determining how accurately they are able to measure blood pressures on simulated models in the classroom setting and real patients in clinic.

The faculty team includes: Lauren Clemmons, DO, Principal Investigator; Ronda F. Carter, MD; James Lyons, MD; Mark Hernandez, PhD; Audrey Vasauskas, PhD; and Veronica Hill, MSN, NP-C. 

“Accurate measurement of patients’ blood pressure is the first step in making sure that hypertension is recognized and treated appropriately,” Dr. Clemmons explained. “The grant will allow us to use innovative methods to assess our students’ learning of this foundational skill.”

Additional information about this grant is available here.

The Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) is pleased announce that Jamie Bell, DO, FAAFP, will serve as the keynote speaker for the Class of 2021 virtual Commencement Ceremony. Dr. Bell is a board-certified family medicine physician and a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP). She is a member of the ACOM Board of Directors and also serves as Secretary/Treasurer.

A native of Birmingham, Ala., Dr. Bell is a graduate of John Carroll Catholic High School.  After high school, she attended Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in Spanish Pre-Medicine. Dr. Bell received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine (now Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine) in Pikeville, Ky. While in medical school, she was inducted into the Sigma Sigma Phi National Medical Honor Society. She completed residency at St. Vincent’s East Family Practice in Birmingham. While in residency, she was elected “Resident of the Year” twice by the St. Vincent’s East Hospital’s doctors, nurses and staff. She is currently employed with the Birmingham Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center.

Dr. Bell is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Osteopathic Association, Mineral District Medical Society, Birmingham Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is an alumna of the 2018-2019 Leadership Hoover Class, and currently serves on their Board of Directors. Dr. Bell previously served on the Board of Directors for Birmingham AIDS Outreach, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham Minority Health Resource Center Young Professionals Board.

Dr. Bell resides in Hoover, Ala. (a suburb of Birmingham). She enjoys running, traveling, mentoring students (of all ages) interested in medicine, and spending time with loved ones.

Amir Khiabani, Class of 2022, has been appointed to the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiner’s (NBOME) Special Commission on Osteopathic Medical Licensure Assessment. NBOME is recognized both nationally and internationally for its excellence in the areas of osteopathic physician testing and evaluation. This non-for-profit organization works to create numerous assessments that are distinct to osteopathy. In addition, NBOME strives to partner with other organizations on various assessment programs in order to protect the public by providing the ability to assess the competencies for osteopathic medicine and other related health care professions.

The NBOME reached out to National Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) to submit three nominations for a representative to be on this special commission. Khiabani was eligible to be nominated for a seat on this commission due to his senior leadership position as National SOMA Treasurer.

This Special Commission works to review the COMLEX-USA examination program, evaluate defensible alternative pathways for verification or assessment of fundamental clinical skills and other competencies, and assure the COMLEX-USA licensure examination pathway continues to evolve with the rapidly changing practice of osteopathic medicine, osteopathic medical education, and health care. In addition, Khiabani will provide representation of perspectives that reflect that of National SOMA as well as his constituents, osteopathic medical students.

Through his appointment, Khiabani will have the opportunity to help ensure that the perspectives of the osteopathic student body are continuously represented during discussions that can result in impacting their future. He hopes that appointment will equip him with the experience and resources to be an osteopathic physician that will confidently advocate for the profession.

“I believe that the role of a physician includes a tremendous amount of leadership, communication, advocacy and peer interaction,” Khiabani said. “Not only working within SOMA, but now having the ability to advocate for my fellow students directly to the NBOME aids me in fulfilling my mission to become a strong and effective leader and physician.”