The 2016 Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) Welcome Picnic saw sunny skies as faculty, staff and upperclassmen welcomed over 300 incoming freshman. The Class of 2020 was broken down into small groups where "Big Sibs" shared knowledge and answered questions from the "Little Sibs."

The annual event has grown each year, with attendees that include students, faculty, staff and vendors. "We plan on over a thousand people attending," said organizer Beth Courey, Director, Student Organizations and Special Programs.

The Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) was present to inform the new students of the MOA's mission. "I feel blessed to be working with the students of MSUCOM. Each encounter I have I am so impressed with the quality of young people who are entering the osteopathic profession," said Terry Trombley, Staff Assistant to the MSUCOM Student Liaison Committee.

As the incoming class lined up to learn about the MOA, the ever-present, Best Mascot in the Big Ten, Sparty entertained and posed for selfies. The MOA signed up over 150 new student members at the event. Good luck to the Class of 2020! #SpartansWill

Jun 4, The Macomb County Osteopathic Medical Association (MCOMA) joined with Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) and MOA,  for a Habitat for Humanity volunteer event on June 4th, 2016. MCOMA used some of the proceeds from last year's MCOMA Tiger Event to donate to Macomb Habitat for Humanity along with some help from MSUCOM and MOA. Our volunteers donned their work gloves, casual clothes and closed toed shoes to do some work on an existing home that is being renovated for an appreciative, Macomb Habitat family.

The group was comprised of MCOMA Board and student members who performed some minor demolition, removed old carpet and did some painting and landscaping.

MCOMA was grateful that the MCOMA Advocates, led by Linda Adams and Ardis Soye brought lunch for the group.

Dr. Stephen Swetech was appointed MCOMA event representative along with his daughter Maria, an MSUCOM student.  This event would not have happened if Dr. Swetech had not worked hard behind the scenes to garner the necessary funding for the two day event.

When asked, our student MCOMA board member, Rebecca Ruche commented: "As MSUCOM students and MCOMA members, we feel that integrating ourselves into our community and helping to better the well-being of the members of our community is our duty as future osteopathic physicians. Fortunately, MSUCOM prides itself on that principle as well and provides us innumerable opportunities to do so!"

MCOMA would like to take this opportunity to thank those who supported our past MCOMA Tiger Game events helping to make these community support events possible. In addition to Habitat Macomb, the funds from 2015 were also used to donate to Families Against Narcotics and 4 Paws 1 Heart.

To view the Facebook photo album from the event, click HERE.

Marijuana Interaction with Other Drugs Form

The Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) recognizes the complex issues involved in patient treatment and prescribing medications. Any patient treatment must include knowledge of prescription and non-prescription drug use. Unlike prescription drugs, there is very little research available on (and limited reliable studies) the effects of the interaction of marijuana and prescription drugs.

Due to the lack of studies/research a physician cannot predict what, if any, effects there will be resulting from using marijuana with the prescription and nonprescription drugs that are to be used in the course of treatment. The MOA offers the "Marijuana Interaction with Other Drugs" disclosure form.
 To download a PDF of the form, click HERE.

• Beware of e-mail blasts and faxes that advertise the option of buying expensive medications at a discount. Remember the adage, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."
• Emphasize to staff, especially those in charge of ordering medications for patients, that it is illegal and ill-advised to buy medications and drugs from outside the U.S. The FDA is often aware of practices that order drugs from outside the U.S. and may initiate contact with the practice in order to educate employees. The FDA's involvement may also trigger contact from a state's Board of Medicine.
• "Know Your Source" means know that a supplier of drugs and medications is legitimate. Practices can verify this through the FDA. Select a state and click on the link to the agency that can verify that the supplier is legitimate. Once you've verified a supplier, rechecking once a year is sufficient-as long as there are no changes in the name, address, and other information from the supplier.
• Keep the "pedigree sheets" that are shipped with the product. Under federal law, they should contain:

• Keep a log of drugs and medicines ordered, the supplier information, and when the legitimacy of the supplier was checked.
• Be sensitive to any complaints by patients that might indicate there is a problem with the integrity of a product.

"As physicians, we are well aware of the obesity problem facing both school-aged children and their parents," said Lawrence Abramson, DO, executive director of the Oakland County Osteopathic Association. Look for more Healthy Town Everywhere as the program has plans for expansion to communities across the state.