RVU Celebrates Simulation Initiatives During Healthcare Simulation Week RVU Office of Simulation in Medicine and Surgery (SIMS) held a day of celebration during Healthcare Simulation Week on Thursday, September 19th. At the event, students, faculty and staff learned about upcoming projects and the role of simulation in healthcare education. As the first osteopathic medical school to receive accreditation as a Comprehensive Education Institute with the American College of Surgeons, RVU offers cutting-edge technology that advances simulation in healthcare education. The program has greatly expanded in the past ten years, and is dedicated to providing hands-on education to all members of the healthcare team, including RVU’s own medical and physician assistant students, local EMS and paramedic students, and residents in general surgery and family medicine programs. Practicing physicians can also refine their laparoscopic and robotic surgery techniques. The program employs specialized manikins and technology such as the Cut Suit®, a human-worn body suit that contains battery-operated, blood-filled vessels and organs that accurately replicate the look and feel of actual intra-abdominal and intra-thoracic contents.  Students can also practice and develop their communication and clinical skills in the Standardized Patient lab, where trained actors portray realistic scenarios and symptoms for students to diagnose. […]

RVUCOM-SU Announces Keynote Speaker Dr. Mark Briesacher [September 16, 2019] Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine Southern Utah (RVUCOM-SU) is pleased to announce that Mark Briesacher, MD, will be providing the keynote address at the University’s 2019 White Coat Ceremony. During his time as Senior Vice President and Chief Physician Executive at Intermountain Healthcare, Dr. Briesacher has advanced the organization’s long-standing efforts to be a leader in care that is centered on patient safety, quality, extraordinary experiences, great access and affordability. He is currently a member of the SelectHealth Board of Trustees, the Intermountain Medical Group Board, the American Medical Group Association (AMGA) Board, and the Board of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Intermountain Area. In earlier roles, Dr. Briesacher led the implementation of KidsCare, served as a Region Medical Director, and then as Senior Administrative Medical Director for the Intermountain Medical Group. He also led innovative initiatives as iCentra, the organization’s clinical and business information system, and Model Healthcare System, which is the digitally-powered, transformational patient experience that Intermountain Healthcare is building. “As a primary care pediatrician, Dr. Briesacher has made tremendous contributions to the health and well-being of countless patients and their families,” said David Park, […]

RVU Announces Pioneering Digital Health Track Like a scene from a science fiction movie, a patient pulls up her EKG stats on a smart watch and sees an alert due to an irregular heart rhythm. She immediately schedules an appointment with her physician and, after additional tests, receives a diagnosis for arrhythmia. The ability to monitor her own health vitals in real-time prompted this patient to seek medical attention before experiencing more serious or potentially fatal symptoms. In the rapidly growing field of digital health, this is but one of the many devices already available to the public that will improve the delivery and quality of healthcare services. This technology will also create a need for physicians who are knowledgeable about the various applications of digital technology and who are cognizant of emerging digital tools. Students at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM) having an interest in digital health will soon have the opportunity to join the Digital Health Track, a new specialized educational track that will be the first program of its kind in the nation to be offered at an osteopathic medical school. Available on both the Colorado and Southern Utah campuses starting in January of […]

HealthONE’s Family Medicine Residency Receives Top Score Among Programs Nationwide [August 20, 2019] HealthONE’s Family Medicine Residency Program received the highest scores on the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education’s (ACGME) annual survey. The survey – completed each year by residents and fellows – is part of Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) Healthcare’s evaluation of its twenty-four family residency programs nationwide. The residency program is one of several collaborations between Rocky Vista University’s (RVU) Center for Medical Education Excellence (CMEE) and HealthONE. Every year from January through April, the HCA’s family medicine residencies are surveyed by the ACGME to ensure compliance with guidelines for clinical experience and education, faculty evaluation, educational content, work environment, patient safety, and teamwork. Reports are generated that aggregate the survey data to provide an anonymous comparison. “It is a great honor for our program to have the highest scores amongst all of the HCA Healthcare family medicine residencies,” said Dominick Ruybal, DO, a resident at HealthONE. “It is a testament to the countless hours of hard work that our faculty and residents have put in to make this a top residency program in the country. I know that this recognition is going to be the […]

MSBS Class of 2020 Inducted into RVU [August 13, 2019] On the morning of August 7th, Rocky Vista University (RVU) welcomed a new class of students to the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences program. During the nine-month-long program, the MSBS students will expand upon their foundation in the biomedical sciences through an integrated curriculum of service learning, block testing, and simulation experiences with osteopathic medical students and standardized patients. After crossing off the more formal items from the Orientation Day checklist, such as curriculum overview and policies and procedures review, the MSBS students dove into a fun icebreaker challenge designed to test t heir communications and problem-solving skills. They arranged a story from a set of sequential images (without revealing their own assigned image) that zoomed in from a satellite image of Earth to a close-up of the red comb of a rooster on a farm. Other activities included a scavenger hunt and a leadership luncheon with osteopathic medical students — some of whom are graduates of the MSBS program. Luncheons with students in the College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) prove to be particularly insightful, as MSBS students will most likely apply to medical and dentistry programs upon the […]

RVUCOM Welcomes Class of 2023 [July 25, 2019] Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM) welcomed its twelfth class of medical students to the program. The students were officially matriculated into the school at the annual White Coat Ceremony, held at the University of Colorado South Denver on Friday, July 19th. The White Coat Ceremony is a traditional way to welcome new students to their medical careers. The keynote speaker was Bruce Dubin, DO, JD, FCLM, FACOI, who served as the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Provost, and Dean for the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine. During his keynote address, Dr. Dubin, who also served as Dean and Chief Academic Officer at RVUCOM until 2013, emphasized the battle against disease that physicians willingly undertake in service to others, and the legacy that precedes the Class of 2023. Additional speakers included Joseph Nathanson, OMS II, President of RVU’s Student Government Association; Thomas N. Told, DO, FACOFP-dist., Dean of RVUCOM; and Clinton E. Adams, DO, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer for RVU. Upon being coated (the act of officially receiving their medical school white coats) by physician faculty members, the students recited the […]

Dr. Joseph Stasio Receives RVU’s Faculty Innovator Award [July 24, 2019] Rocky Vista University (RVU) is pleased to announce that Joseph Stasio, DO, FACOFP, Chair and Professor for the Department of Primary Care, was awarded the Faculty Innovator Award. During his time at RVU, Dr. Stasio has been a champion for innovation and excellence in medical education, embracing new teaching models such as physical exam training models and the Harvey Cardiac Sound Trainer. He has helped to expand and improve upon the standardized patient component in the Department of Primary Care Medicine (PCM), ensuring that students receive high-impact patient care training early on in their medical education. Dr. Stasio has also collaborated with peers on both the Colorado campus and the Southern Utah campus, encouraging each member of the Department of PCM to be innovative in their respective roles. This has led to significant changes, including a more robust Early Clinical Experience Program, an increased use of technology in didactics, and the integration of PCM course content with simulation training. For his significant contributions in the development of course work to train future osteopathic physicians, one student lauded Dr. Stasio’s compassion and continuous service. “He has amazing stories that help […]

Rocky Vista University Celebrates Commencement Ceremony [May 29, 2019] Rocky Vista University (RVU) celebrated the graduation of 151 medical students from the College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) and that of 23 students from the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) program at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in Denver, Colorado. The ceremony began with the Posting of the Colors, and was followed by the National Anthem, performed by Garrett Smith, OMS II. RVU President and CEO Clinton E. العاب ماكينات Adams, DO, FACHE, welcomed the audience and congratulated the graduates on the completion of their respective programs. “Each of you should enjoy the overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment as you now look to the next chapter of your professional development – residency training. It is in this chapter that you will complete your formal education and begin the journey as a caring and compassionate life-long learner.”  The keynote address was then delivered by Scott Ellner, DO, Group President for Physician Alignment at Centura Health. “Our healthcare system does have its flaws, and it does dramatically impact the physicians of today. The healthcare delivery model fundamentally has to change, and you are the physicians of the future who will […]

Rocky Vista University Announces Commencement Speaker Dr. Scott Ellner [April 2, 2019] RVU is pleased to announce that Scott Ellner, DO, will be providing the keynote address at the University’s 2019 Commencement Ceremony. A board-certified physician specializing in general surgery, Dr. Ellner serves as Group President for Physician Alignment at Centura Health where he provides leadership to Centura Health Physician Group, Colorado Health Neighborhoods, and FullWell. He is also an educator and public health leader, having authored 20-plus publications and 200-plus speaking engagements. Previously, he served as CEO of Centura Health Physician Group, providing whole-person care at the multi-specialty group. Dr. Ellner is committed to ensuring a collaborative environment between physicians, patients and hospitals to achieve optimal patient care outcomes. He is responsible for multiple patient safety initiatives, as well as guiding Saint Francis Medical Group (a 400-povider multi-specialty practice in Connecticut) to be adaptable in the face of a changing reimbursement and regulatory environment. “When we select commencement speakers we are focused on role models who exemplify RVU’s Mission and Core Values,” said Clinton E. Adams, DO, FACHE, RVU President and CEO. “Scott is an osteopathic physician who has used his education to serve others with excellence, integrity and […]

Dr. Jill Pitcher Named 2019 Outstanding Female Leader of the Year [March 27, 2019] Jill Pitcher, DO, FACOFP, Associate Professor of Family Medicine at Rocky Vista University (RVU), was named the 2019 Outstanding Female Leader of the Year by the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP). She was presented the award on Thursday, March 21st at the Opening Session of the 56th Annual Convention and Scientific Seminars in Chicago, Illinois. A certified physician in osteopathic family medicine, correctional medicine, and holistic medicine, Dr. Pitcher has over thirty years of broad clinical experience that includes wide spectrum family medicine, urgent care, and chronic pain management. She is a Founding Diplomat of the American Board of Holistic Medicine, and has served as a lead physician treating fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue and as a correctional facility medical director. In addition to continuing practice experience precepting family medicine residents, Dr. Pitcher has merged her love of medicine and teaching as a faculty member in RVU’s Department of Primary Care Medicine. For the past eight years, she has dedicated herself to teaching the next generation of osteopathic physicians. لعب روليت She believes in providing compassionate care to people from all walks of life, and […]