Trustee Chairman C. Daniel DeLawder tries out the virtual reality simulation in the Virtual Haptic Back Laboratory. Watching DeLawder are, from left, Board Interim Secretary Thomas Davis, M.S., Ph.D., interim secretary for the trustees, Trustee Vice Chairwoman M. Marnette Perry, Dean John A. Brose, D.O., and Robert R. Conatser, M.S., research associate.

Trustees tour the College of Osteopathic Medicine

The Ohio University Board of Trustees spent a day getting to know OU-HCOM

Members of the Ohio University Board of Trustees visited the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine Thursday, June 26, to meet with OU-COM leaders, learn about the college and tour its Athens campus facilities.

Dean Jack Brose D.O. welcomed the trustees with a brief history of osteopathic medicine and a detailed profile of OU-HCOM. Brose noted that the college’s emphasis on primary care, as opposed to specialty care, contributes greatly to the college’s success. “We draw a lot of outstanding students here because of our reputation for providing an excellent
foundation in primary care,” he said.

The trustees learned about the Centers for Osteopathic Research and Education (CORE), the college’s community outreach and service, and its research activities. Brose specifically cited research projects by John Kopchick Ph.D., Goll-Ohio Professor of Molecular Biology, and the revenues his work brings to the university.

The dean also outlined some challenges and opportunities facing the college, including the need to hire more clinical faculty and plans for college growth. Brose expressed concerns about declining state financial support and the debt management challenges facing medical students today. On average, he said, OU-HCOM students graduate with more than $170,000 in student loan debt—a figure that surprised many of the trustees, including board chair C. Daniel DeLawder.

After the presentation, Brose led the trustees on a tour of Grosvenor and Irvine Halls. They observed part of a class in session, visited with students in the Learning Resource Center and toured the construction site of the Academic Research Center.

Larry Witmer Ph.D., professor of biomedical sciences, showed the trustees the anatomy lab, and Steven Walkowski D.O. (’89), assistant professor of family medicine, provided an overview of the osteopathic manipulative medicine lab.

Brian Clark Ph.D., assistant professor of neuromuscular biology, and Robert Conatser, M.S., lab research associate for biomedical studies, led the trustees through the Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuromusculoskeletal Research, providing hands-on demonstrations of the Virtual Haptic Back Laboratory and the Neuromuscular Physiology Laboratory.

Nicole Wadsworth D.O. (’97), assistant professor of family medicine, and Pat Polinski M.S., educational technologist for academic affairs, demonstrated computer technology and learning classrooms used by students. The visit concluded with a luncheon with the dean, faculty and students.

During the luncheon, Trustee M. Marnette Perry complimented the college on its community outreach and service programs, adding that she was unaware of the extensive range of the effort.