COM Alumni Reunion highlights nursing home student immersion program and contributions by faculty, alumni and founder
October 7-10, 2010 marked the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine's annual Alumni Reunion and Continuing Medical Education Weekend.
For the first time in several years, the proceedings - organized jointly by the UNECOM Alumni Association, the COM Continuing Medical Education Office, the COM Office of Constituent Services, and the New England Osteopathic Association (NEOA) - were located on the University's Biddeford Campus, affording alumni an opportunity to visit the current medical school facilities.
For many alums celebrating their reunion year - those who graduated in the classes ending in 5's and 0's - this was their first time returning to campus since graduation, and for some, their first time seeing classmates since graduation.
Many remarked on the growth and development of the school from their days as students, when administrative offices, classrooms, and laboratories were all located in Stella Maris Hall, and tall classmates had to stoop to walk through the OMM Lab.
The weekend's events included workshops and lectures on a variety of topics from Traumatic Brain Injury and Venous Insufficiency to Interventional Pain Management Procedures for the Primary Care Physician and Chronic Headaches, as well as the annual meeting of the UNECOM Alumni Association, exhibits by vendors and local organizations, the Founders' and Alumni Celebration Reception, and a Reunion Classes Lobster Bake and Social.
All events were well attended, with more than 50 attendees at the Founders' and Alumni Celebration Reception, and nearly 40 participants in the Alumni Association Meeting and Reunion Lobster Bake.
On Friday morning, COM faculty member Marilyn R. Gugliucci, Ph.D., director, Geriatric Education and Research, delivered the Dean's Lecture, Learning by Living©:Life Altering Educational Research.
She was assisted by Matthew Sharbaugh, Amy Pratt and Jana Tencati, all members of the Class of 2013 who reflected on their experiences as ethnographic researchers during the summer of 2010, when they were "admitted" into nursing homes to live the life of an elder resident - complete with a medical diagnosis and standard procedures of care - for several weeks, and documented their experiences.
Friday evening's Founders' and Alumni Celebration Reception included remarks from President Danielle Ripich, Ph.D., Marc B. Hahn, D.O., senior vice president for health affairs and dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine, as well as recognition of the contributions made to the College by Bruce Bates, D.O. and Charlotte Bates, and David Dickison, D.O., '82.
They were presented with Heritage Society pins by Dr. Hahn and Mike Morrel, chairman of the UNE Board of Trustees. Also recognized by Dr. Hahn for his contributions to the College of Osteopathic Medicine was Dr. John Goulding, one of the College's original founders. Dr. Hahn presented Dr. Goulding with a specially commissioned blown glass blue lobster.
Renewing connections and fostering professional growth, the Reunion and CME weekend provided ample opportunities for social and educational activities, and the College of Osteopathic Medicine looks forward to next year's events, when the classes ending in 6's and 1's will celebrate their reunion.