by Jennifer Kowalewski

Thirty years ago, the birth of Ohio University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-COM) became official after being signed into law by Ohio Governor James Rhodes almost three months earlier. Although born because of an act of legislation, the college would not have come about without the unfailing support and push of Ohio’s osteopathic medical community.

Since then, OU-COM has become a leading provider of health care and education in Southeastern Ohio and is becoming well known for its research endeavors. The college has educated more than 2,100 osteopathic physicians (D.O.s) since accepting its first class of medical students in 1976.

“For 30 years, the College of Osteopathic Medicine has remained true to its mission of offering a distinct learning experience that prepares students to become excellent physicians while providing service to the region, the state and beyond,” says Ohio University President Roderick McDavis, Ph.D.  

“The research of our scientists and physicians is improving health care universally,” says McDavis.

“The impact of the college is not limited to this region. The college’s emphasis on community service is exemplified in the many outreach programs it sponsors that offer first-rate medical care to residents of Southeastern Ohio, where medical care is sometimes more difficult to obtain.”

The college’s 30-year legacy of service, education and research reflects the excellence and dedication of its faculty, staff and students, and supporters. It is a legacy resonant with the philosophy of the osteopathic profession.

OU-COM’s excellence in education, community service and research will continue into the future as OU-COM celebrates its 30^th anniversary Nov. 17.

Some of the college’s accomplishments over the past 30 years include:

• 1980 — First class of Ohio University physicians graduate.
• 1981 — First successful transfer of functional genetic material from one mammalian species to another performed by OU-COM scientists.
  
  Family Health^® Radio, a daily program focusing on health tips and medical information, begins. Family Health currently reaches 12 million people each day, including more than 300 radio stations.
• 1984 — Gene splicing (designer genes) research leads to the formation of a company that would become a leader in the biotech industry, Diagnostic Hybrids Inc.
• 1989 — Ohio Research and Clinical Review journal was created as a forum for reporting research done by osteopathic professionals. 
• 1993 — Barbara Ross-Lee, D.O., becomes the first African-American female dean of an American medical school.
• 1994 — The first Mobile Health Van, a clinic on wheels, begins service to the underserved and underinsured in Southeastern Ohio. Through the Mobile Health Van, Community Services Programs will deliver thousands upon thousands of immunizations, health screenings and examinations, and educational services. It is the primary vehicle of the college’s community outreach efforts to rural communities.
• 1995 — The Centers for Osteopathic Research and Education, the college’s statewide medical education consortium, is formed. The consortium’s original name was Centers for Osteopathic Regional Education.
• 1997 — Amy Tunanidas, D.O. (’82), the first alumni named president of the Ohio Osteopathic Association. She was the 90^th president and only third woman to elected president.
• 1999 — The college was ranked number one among medical schools for producing family physicians by the American Medical Student Association Foundation. 
• 2000 — The Osteopathic Heritage Foundations give $1.5 million to establish the J.O. Watson, D.O., Endowed Research Chair, which is dedicated to diabetes and cardiovascular research. Leonard Kohn, M.D., will be selected to hold the chair.
• 2003 — University Medical Associates, a privately owned medical clinic formed by OU-COM physicians, replaces the college’s University Osteopathic Medical Center.
  
  Somavert, a new class of drugs called growth hormone receptor antagonists and the only medicine designed to specifically block the effects of excess growth hormone in acromegaly, is approved by the FDA. Somavert is a discovery of John Kopchick, Ph.D.
  
  The Appalachian Rural Health Institute is founded by OU-COM and the College of Health and Human Services. The Diabetes/Endocrine Center, a part of the institute, is established to carry out diabetes research, clinical education and training, and clinical services.
• 2005 — Community Service Programs introduces the Free Clinic, which is initiated to provide medical services to the region’s uninsured families.
  
  The Osteopathic Heritage Foundation gives more than $11.4 million to OU-COM to promote research and interdisciplinary projects.
  
  The Class of 2005 scores 100 percent on COMLEX Level 2-PE, a national accreditation board examination for osteopathic physicians.
  
  The November 2005 issue of Ohio magazine features the College of Osteopathic Medicine as one of its “Ohio Heroes” in recognition of its community outreach programs

“We had absolutely nothing,” says the retired assistant dean of external affairs, Chip Rogers. “It all started with an empty dorm called Grosvenor.”

Renovations began in March of 1976, with classes starting in fall that same year. Rogers, who retired from OU-COM following 28 years of service, remembered when classes began, there was only one classroom and lab under the first dean, Gerald Faverman, Ph.D. Despite the odds against starting a functioning medical school in less than a year (‘It’s impossible,’ some would say) from the ink drying on the page, classes began that fall.

In 1980, the first class from OU-COM graduated, with 21 strong.

Ronald Black, retired associate dean for planning, says OU-COM provided stability to the region in medical care.

“It changed the nature and quality of medical care in Appalachia,” he says. “Now, there is competition among health-care providers in Appalachia that we certainly helped to stimulate. The addition of a medical school and community outreach helped revitalize the university as a presence in the community as well.”

Mary Dailey, administrative associate for academic affairs, has worked for OU-COM for 27 years. “Over the years, the college has drawn more physicians and health-care personnel into the region. Also, the internship and residency programs at O’Bleness Memorial Hospital have improved medical care for the community.”

But in addition to the increased health care the college has brought to the region, Dailey says the college also has brought a wonderful workplace to Athens. 

“I like it here,” she says. “I like the people. I have the pleasure of working with open-minded people who make everyone feel like a part of everything. It’s fun here.”

Former Dean Frank Myers, D.O., who led the school for 16 years, says the school has always recruited excellent students, with many of them remaining to practice in the state. He led the college from 1977 through 1993.

In 1993, Barbara Ross-Lee, D.O., became dean of OU-COM. During her seven-year tenure, Ross-Lee spurred many innovative developments, including the introduction of student-centered and problem-based learning curricula.

In 2001, Jack Brose, D.O., was named dean. Brose has proven to be a steady hand at the wheel, helping the college to weather drastic cutbacks in state aid to higher education and the move to University Medical Associates after the elimination of the University Osteopathic Medical Center. Brose, a former assistant dean for clinical research, also has overseen a dramatic growth in research funding at the college.

“The world of health care is changing,” says Brose. “There is an increasing emphasis on research among osteopathic physicians, which is a good trend. The better the research, the better the health care we can offer everyone in society.”