events

 

Heritage College Homecoming Tailgate 

Saturday, Oct. 11,  

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Pepsi Tailgreat Park, Athens, Ohio. Tailgate party celebrates the reunion of Heritage College Classes of 1984, 1994, and 2004.    


 

AOA OMED Alumni Reception  

Monday, Oct. 27, 6 p.m. Pacific Science Center, Seattle, Washington.

 


announcements
Nominations Sought for Alumni Board
The Heritage College Society of Alumni and Friends is seeking new board members. Nominate an outstanding colleague or former classmate (non-alumni "friends" of the college are welcome). Nominations are due Sept. 15. Members serve a three-year term beginning Jan. 1, and participate in three annual board meetings.

Nominations can be submitted here.

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A Day in the Life 

From attending lectures to participating in clinical skills training or community service activities, a day in the life of a medical student can be exhilarating, hectic, challenging and fun, as you'll see in the "day in the life" series we're introducing on this page. 

 

Attending medical school can also be quite expensive.

 

In fact, though the Heritage College's tuition is among the lowest for medical schools in the state, a day in the life of one of our students still costs around $91.

 

Scholarships help us recruit outstanding students, ensuring that they can afford to attend and stay. We depend largely on private support to attract these promising young people and ensure that their dream of becoming a physician is within financial reach.

 

Please join us in supporting a day in the life of a medical student by making a $91 contribution to student scholarships today! Make an online gift here, by choosing "Make a One Time Gift" and selecting "A Day in the Life" from the drop down menu.


college news

Ohio University celebrates new medical school campus in central Ohio 

Hundreds of people from throughout the state joined with the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine for a weekend of activities designed to commemorate the opening of its new Dublin Campus.

The main event on Saturday, Aug. 23, drew more than 500 people to the new campus for a day of celebration and tours. Calling the event a day that was "years in the making," Heritage College Executive Dean Kenneth H. Johnson, D.O., said the "stunning" campus is only the most visible part of a much larger transformation for the college.

"We are transforming osteopathic medical education and realizing our vision of being the national leader in training osteopathic primary care physicians," he said.
 

Dublin golf event raises nearly $25,000 for Heritage College scholarships

The Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine raised nearly $25,000 for student scholarships on Aug. 25 in its inaugural Dublin Open at Tartan Fields Golf Club.

  

The event, one of several the college hosted to celebrate the launch of its Dublin campus, drew 84 Heritage College alumni and friends. Golfers paid to participate, and the college's Society of Alumni and Friends was the largest sponsor, contributing $10,000. All proceeds went to student scholarships.

  

"The Dublin Open provided a great opportunity for our alumni and friends to support our students while reconnecting with each other," said Kenneth H. Johnson, D.O., the Heritage College's executive dean, who participated in the outing. "We plan to make this an annual event, and I hope even more of our Heritage College family will join us on the links next year. It's a lot of fun."

  

While the event indeed offers a fun outing on a pristine course, its deeper purpose is to increase scholarship funding, which is a cornerstone in the Heritage College's larger mission of growing the number of primary care physicians in Ohio, said Laurie Lach, the college's director of alumni affairs.

  

"Though our college's tuition ranks among the lowest of Ohio's seven medical schools, training to become a physician leaves today's graduates carrying an average debt of more than $174,000," said Lach, who helped direct the tournament. To pay off those loans, she said, many graduates feel pressured to choose higher-paying medical specialties rather than primary care.   

  

The winning team in the tournament - a four-person scramble - logged a 58. The team members were John Meyer, Jack Norris, Dan Eddingfield and Larry Kuhlman, all friends of the Heritage College who represented Ray Meyer Signs, maker of the signs and banners for the Dublin Open.

  

In addition to the Heritage College Society of Alumni and Friends, other sponsors of the event included OrthNeuro; Ruth L. Anker, D.O.; OhioHealth; the Ohio Osteopathic Foundation; Doctors Hospital; Daniel Roncone, D.O., ('01), and Jennifer Roncone D.O., ('01); and Jerry Chellini, D.O., ('03), and Keri Chellini. The course was also filled with about two dozen signs from hole sponsors, including some from parents of current Heritage College students with words of encouragement to their son or daughter.

 

Check out the online photo album here   

a day in the life 
Hands-on course gives Heritage College students a head start in clinical training
When it comes to suturing a cut, performing a spinal tap or filling out an electronic health record, a medical student can learn only so much from reading and observation.

That's why all physicians-in-training entering their third year at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine must complete an intensive, hands-on course that engages them in more than a dozen common clinical procedures, from scrubbing for surgery to splinting a limb.

The five-week summer course, known as Osteopathic Clinical Rotation Orientation (OCRO), is designed to bring together everything the students have learned during their first two years, which in turn helps prepare them for their next two years of clinical rotations in hospitals or clinics throughout the state.
message from the society of alumni and friends 
A message from Shelby K. Raiser, D.O.   

Hello friends!

 

I couldn't be more excited to represent you as a "friend" on the Society of Alumni and Friends board. I am forever grateful to my own alma mater for my education, but I couldn't be more proud and excited of the Heritage College and its future.

 

I first became involved with the Heritage College in 2002 when I started my internship/residency at Doctors Hospital. It was there that I met my mentors, colleagues and friends. Over the years, I slowly became more involved, teaching students, attending student-based co-sponsored activities with the Columbus Osteopathic Association, and finally on the Society of Alumni and Friends board.

 

The energy and enthusiasm of the students, graduates and staff is palpable. It's contagious. I feel like it's where I am meant to be. I want to help continue this excitement.

 

This year, I was privileged to attend the white coat ceremony for the class of 2018. A couple things stood out. First, to watch Executive Dean Kenneth H. Johnson, D.O., hug Dean William J. Burke, D.O. ('88), between their speeches was heartwarming. I am so proud to be a part of a program that shows its love. Secondly, it was stated to the students - not once, not twice, but three times throughout the event - that you are meant to be here. It brought years to my eyes. Remember that first week of medical school? It was overwhelming. I would have loved to hear those words, to know I was cared about in the school.

 

Care leads here. The new campaign speaks volumes. "This is where Ohio's primary care physicians learn, grow and go forward." That care does not just stop at physicians and patients. I have felt that care as I have been accepted and loved by all of you at the Heritage College. I am proud to be your friend. Thank you for caring and sharing your love. I look forward to the future of the school at this exciting time.  

 

Go Bobcats!


Shelby K. Raiser, D.O. is a graduate of the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and is a family medicine practitioner in Thornville, Ohio. She is a member of the Heritage College Society of Alumni and Friends Board of Directors.