The Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine has been ranked in U.S. News & World Report “America’s Best Graduate Schools 2008.” OSU Medicine is ranked 14th in rural medicine and 30th in primary care, up from rankings of 20th and 45th in these areas in the 2007 publication.

Founded in 1972, the college has graduated 2,157 osteopathic physicians. Approximately eight out of 10 OSU physicians practice primary care, and approximately one in four are in Oklahoma communities of 10,000 or less. This is the seventh consecutive year the OSU medical school is listed by the publication.

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education held a spring retreat and monthly meeting at the OSU Center for Health Sciences in March.

At the retreat they covered several topics and programs to provide focus for their initiatives and priorities. At the regular meeting the regents convened to discuss and approve several agenda items including approval of new degree programs at East Central University, Northeastern University and Rogers State University and changes to existing degree programs at OSU-Oklahoma City, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College and Oklahoma City Community College.  Other agenda items included fiscal allocations for various programs and reports from standing committees.

The Office of Clinical Education has added a career development specialist to aid osteopathic medicine students in exploring career choices. Its purpose is to help students get involved in their education and identify a specialty early in their training.

Terri Blevins, career development specialist, said physicians and educators can help by being mentors, providing job-shadowing, participating on panels or at meetings, and providing information about research or summer education opportunities.

Students benefit by being able to:

• Explore available options and make informed choices
• Meet informally with clinicians and others to ask questions
• Have opportunities for early clinical experiences
• Consult those who can provide career counseling in student’s area of choice
• Get assistance with the match process
• Access tools to make successful residency match and career choices

For more information go to: Osteopathic Medicine | Office of Clinical Education | Career Development

Dr. Doug Foster, chair of the OSU-CHS Department of Surgery discuss colonoscopy with screening program participant Clotee Nabors.

A new Colorectal Cancer Screening Project provides free colonoscopies to qualifying individuals.  The program is a collaborative effort between the OSU Center for Rural Health and the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

The colonoscopies are performed by the OSU-CHS Department of Surgery at the OSU Medical Center. Oklahoma Senators Johnnie Crutchfield and Debbie Leftwich secured funding from the state legislature to fund the free colonoscopies.  Their goal is to make colonoscopy screening available to Oklahomans regardless of their ability to pay.  Senator Crutchfield is a survivor of colon cancer.

Tulsan Clotee Nabors was excited to learn about the free colonoscopy screening.  “I had a friend die from colon cancer, so when I heard about this program I wanted to participate,” Nabors said.

To qualify for the free procedure, individuals must be between the ages of 50 and 64, be considered low-income, not be covered by health insurance and be an Oklahoma resident.  Individuals who are younger with a high risk of colon cancer and who meet all the other guidelines may also be eligible.

To see if you qualify and to make a consultation appointment, call (918) 747-5322.  For more information about the Colorectal Cancer Screening Project, contact the Chronic Disease Service at the Oklahoma State Department of Health at (405) 271-4072.

During the 2006-07 school year OSU-CHS faculty, staff, alumni and students assisted Eugene Field Elementary School with seasonal celebrations, a garden project, a health fair and more. The school is our adopt-a-school. Here are some highlights:

The OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine Alumni Association donated $500 to Eugene Field for the purchase of school supplies at the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year.

Excitement filled the campus when students enjoyed Halloween activities.  About 150 children were treated to snacks and the movie, “It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.”  Students made Halloween masks and then paraded on the ground floor and first floor, trick-or-treating from faculty and staff.
Elizabeth Nokes helped students construct a garden plot, plant seeds, and grow vegetables as part of a project about food sources.

OSU-CHS once again supported the Eugene Field Angel Tree to provide holiday gifts to students.  Gifts were provided for 56 third and fourth graders at Eugene Field Elementary School.  In addition, the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine Alumni Association adopted an entire class of students, purchasing gifts for each of them.

Student National Medical Association health fair, “Growing in Good Health,” raised awareness and educated students, parents, and members of the surrounding community about health, hygiene, and community programs. OSU physicians and student doctors offered health screenings such as eye and ear exams, blood pressure checks, hearing screening, cholesterol screening, glucose screening, and bone density testing. 

OSU-CHS faculty, staff and students donated 300 boxes of cereal for children attending the health fair.

Nancy Van Winkle, Ph.D., and her daughter led an effort for OSU-CHS to purchase nearly two dozen books for the Eugene Field Library. Many of the books deal with the subject of diversity.

It’s back and better than ever

Friday, June 1
11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
on the College Green

Sporting a sombrero and a smile,
Jim Hess welcomed guests
at the 2006 picnic. 

Recent Oklahoma Department of Commerce approval of the Red Fork Main Street project is expected to help spur revitalization of the Southwest Boulevard and Red Fork areas. Main Street communities use both private and public partnerships along with private and government funding to stimulate economic growth, increase community pride, implement beautification projects and initiate other activities that enhance the livability and appeal of their downtown areas.

OSU-CHS has provided support for the project through promotional and event coordination assistance.  In February, OSU-CHS hosted a luncheon honoring Southwest Tulsa businesses and individuals who contributed funds to the project.

Emily Brown and Lisa Jenkins attend the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine Residency Fair. Jenkins is administrative director of the Osteopathic Medical Education Consortium of Oklahoma (OMECO) and Brown is associate director of academic affairs at OSU-CHS.

OSU Prevention Programs professionals and Westside Community Coalition met on campus to discuss Oklahoma Turning Point program and how it may benefit the Tulsa Westside area. Among those attending were (from Left) Tracy Norsworthy of Turning Point - Northeast Health; Darren DeLaune, Creek Nation Circle of Care; Pat Ward, Chandler Park activity director; Rick Westcott, Tulsa city councilor; Becky Kirk, Addams Elementary School counselor and Bruce Singer, OSU Prevention Programs. Oklahoma Turning Point is an Oklahoma Community Partners in Public Health Innovation aimed at strengthening public health infrastructure through community-based action.

Marty Coleman catches up on light reading
while he waits to give blood.