RVU Healthcare Simulation Center Reaccredited by the American College of Surgeons [July 15, 2022 – Parker, CO] Rocky Vista University’s (RVU) Office of Simulation in Medicine and Surgery (SIMS) is pleased to announce its official reaccreditation as a Comprehensive Accredited Education Institute (AEI) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) by the Accreditation Review Committee (ARC), which occurred on June 23. According to the ACS, AEI “accreditation is a demonstration of quality and a commitment to patient safety that provides real value.” As a Comprehensive AEI, RVU has “access [to] cutting edge and contemporary simulation-based surgical education” and can “train the next generation of surgical simulation leaders through fellowship program accreditation, available exclusively to AEIs,” among other benefits. “We have been able to plan, execute, and analyze successful experiential events with varied learner types,” said Susan Carter, MD, FACOG, FACS, Director of the Office of Simulation in Medicine and Surgery, which oversees the Healthcare Simulation Center. “RVU administrative support for the SIMS Staff and the multiple simulation modalities has been key, as we are able to offer state-of-the-art, hands-on training with cutting-edge technology, which has enhanced instruction to students at all levels.” According to Dr. Carter, the Office of SIMS […]

Rocky Vista University – Colorado Celebrates Class of 2022 Graduates [May 20, 2022 – Parker, CO] On Friday, May 20, Rocky Vista University (RVU) celebrated the graduation of 158 students from its College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM) program, as well as 37 students from its Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) program. The ceremony, which took place at the Buell Theater in Denver, Colorado, began with the Posting of the Colors followed by the National Anthem, performed by Madison Propp, a first-year medical student. The commencement ceremonies for each program marked the first in-person ceremony for graduates since 2019. The RVUCOM ceremony kicked off with a welcome address from RVU President, CEO, and Provost David A. Forstein, DO, FACOOG. Karen Nichols, DO, MA, current chair of the Board of Directors of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and former Dean of Midwestern University/Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, was given an honorary degree from Rocky Vista University by Dr. Forstein and Dr. Ferrill. Afterwards, Dr. Nichols delivered the keynote address, which was centered around the importance of communication, empathy, and sincerity: “You have come through one of the most stressful situations, and you have come out the other side. […]

Rocky Vista University – Southern Utah Celebrates Class of 2022 Graduates [May 25, 2022 – Ivins, UT] On Saturday, May 14, Rocky Vista University – Southern Utah (RVU-SU) celebrated the graduation of 122 students from its College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM) program, as well as 30 students from its Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) program. The ceremony, which took place at the Dixie Convention Center in St. George, Utah, began with the Posting of the Colors followed by the National Anthem, performed by Timothy Light, a second-year medical student. The commencement ceremonies for each program marked the first in-person ceremony for graduates since 2019. The RVUCOM ceremony started with a welcome address from RVU President, CEO, and Provost David A. Forstein, DO. The keynote address was delivered by Lincoln Nadauld, MD, PhD, Chief Academic Officer of Intermountain Healthcare. Dr. Nadauld’s address emphasized the importance of the doctor-patient relationship: “You have one of the [most] unique opportunities in all of the world: the opportunity to practice medicine,” he said, addressing the graduates. “[A]s physicians, you are going to have an opportunity to do something that no one else in society gets to do. You’re going to have unique relationships […]

Rocky Vista University Announces Commencement Speakers for Colorado Campus [April 22, 2022 – Parker, CO] Rocky Vista University (RVU) is pleased to announce Karen J. Nichols, DO, MA, MACOI, CS, and Hannah Puentes, DO ’21, MSBS ’17, as the commencement speakers for the College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) and Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) program ceremonies, respectively. Both ceremonies will be held at the Buell Theater (Denver Performing Arts Center) on Saturday, May 21 at 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm. Karen Nichols, DO, MA, MACOI, CS Dr. Nichols served as the Dean of the Midwestern University/Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (MWU/CCOM) from 2002 to 2018. Prior to her tenure as Dean, Dr. Nichols served as the Assistant Dean of Post-Doctoral Education and Chair of the Internal Medicine Department at MWU/Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine. She practiced Internal medicine and Geriatrics in Mesa, Arizona from 1985 through 2002. In 2015, Dr. Nichols was selected for the highest honor given by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), the Distinguished Service Award, as well as receiving a Presidential Citation in 2018. She has served as President of the AOA, President of the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association, and President of the American College of […]