Bronwyn Sing
DO, Class of 2011
Time commitment: Most of the time classes are scheduled in a manner that allows a lot of study and free time in the afternoons and evenings. What I choose to do with the time usually varies. I try to balance my time between studying, working out or playing a sport, and social time. Studying often takes up the larger chunk of my free time. I take short breaks to relax and then work hard when its time to study.
WesternU distinctive: I enjoyed the Pilot Interprofessional Program since we were exposed to other health professions by working together on a case. We learned how each person approached the problem differently, discussed it, and came to mutual conclusions that we all felt good about.
Beyond the classroom: APHHSA runs a clinic in downtown L.A. each semester to do physicals and some osteopathic manipulation on the Asian community. It's great to see how much the people in the community like the OMM treatments.
Favorite WesternU professor: Dr. Thrush is really invested in his students and shows how much he cares. He attended every lecture for the courses he was directing. He understands how overwhelming the information can be and he does his best to make sure we understand it. He even will make review PowerPoints and discussion boards to help us understand how to study, how to approach test questions, and get the big picture.
Career impact: The clinical experience at WesternU and focusing on the person, not just the disease, will have a positive affect on my career. I think we will be well prepared for clinic interaction when rotations start!
Courtney Beth Martin
DO, Class of 2011
Research experience: I have been thrilled with the grant coordination and encouragement the school provides for students to do research projects. I started my own research on parental attitudes toward the HPV vaccination and have been supported endlessly by Dr. Mackintosh, Dr. Thrush, and Matt Katz.
Most memorable clinical experience: The Montclair Clinic. It has helped me to see where I need to be, what more I need to learn, and inspired me to work hard to get there. The best part was that I was donating my time and helping real patients in a unique situation—people who aren’t poor enough for Medi-Cal but not wealthy enough for insurance. This is the most underserved group in my opinion, and Western University provides a way for us to directly affect this patient group.
Academic environment: The review sessions provided by second-year students were very helpful, especially in the beginning of the year when we were new to med school.
Beyond the classroom: I have been involved in PHOP, PCHAT, Montclair Clinic, and the Humor and Medicine (HAM) club. Besides the aforementioned Montclair Clinic, the HAM club visits to the Montclair Manor Senior Center have been the most illuminating. Some of these people have been forgotten about. But when you talk, sing, and spend time with them, you can see a glimpse of who they really are. I am always touched and reminded of how short life is and of the need to slow down and volunteer in the community. I have developed a passion for elder care, because of how cheered the residents are by the visits of our club. I’ve been so touched by these experiences. I am now President of the HAM club and we are looking to expand our visits to Alzheimer's facilities and facilities for disabled adults.
Favorite WesternU professor: Dr. Thrush. He is incredibly devoted, honest, and hard working. He goes out of his way to help and encourage students and I have experienced this myself. Also, the courses where he has been the course director have been well-organized, well-presented, and enjoyable.
Best advice: Don't hesitate to apply and do everything you can to get in!
Benjamin Hudson
DO, Class of 2009, North West Track
Why WesternU: They were more approachable and understanding about the stresses of the interview process. I was also really impressed with the administration and their vision. They are not content with just churning out graduates, they are really striving to make WesternU a better-than-average program.
Time commitment: If you budget your time wisely there is plenty of time to attend classes, study, and still have a bit of a life. My strategy was to attend every class and really be engaged. I found if I was intent on listening in class, I did not have to spend an inordinate amount of time outside class studying. This is with the exception of the weekend before tests - I spent the whole weekend studying.
Most memorable clinical experience: A great clinical experience is offered by the California College of Family Physicians. You can apply for a one-month clinical experience during the summer between your first and second year. If accepted, you will work with a preceptor in an experience very much like your third- and fourth-year rotations. This is a great way to get a head start on what to expect for your final two years— not to mention there is also a stipend.
Beyond the classroom: Montclair Clinic is a great program. I highly recommend volunteering at least once a month. It is personally rewarding and it really prepares you for your third and fourth year.
Favorite WesternU professor(s): Drs. Rega and Thrush really care about the students and their experience. Dr. May and Dr. Foley are very organized and that is also much appreciated.
Julianna Duchesneau
DO, Class of 2009, Northwest Track
I chose WesternU because of the Northwest Track that it has initiated for DO students from the northwest area of the U.S. It will allow me to do my rotations in the Northwest where I know I want to practice some day. I think it is a great program, due to the lack of osteopathic medical schools and osteopathic physicians there. I think that the unique training that the osteopathic medical school provides will definitely set me apart from my counterparts in my future medical practice. The OMM training is helping me gain a better understanding of the human body and is enabling me to become a more confident student-doctor.
Seth Criner
DO, Class of 2010
On time commitment: I spend on average about 4-5 hours a day in class. Then another 3-4 hours a day studying. It is pretty much the same schedule as when I worked full time. The curriculum is not made more difficult than it needs to be, which is great. Every other week we have exams, which means the opposite weekends get spent with friends and family. In addition to school, I am also very active with several different clubs, travel to conferences, shadowing in trauma centers, and helping out with first aid at Angel's games during the season.
Blake Busey
DO, Class of 2011, North West Track
“My days revolve around the class schedule. Depending on the day's work load, I may get up early to preview for a few hours before class, then go to class, study while eating lunch, finish classes in the afternoon, and then go home"
“That is basically a normal day. Some days are rough, some, a lot are easier... When we're out of class earlier, I can be done with my work by 2 p.m. leaving me time to either get ahead in studies, exercise, or even have a social life. On the weekends I practice osteopathic manipulation on my family and friends, its great bonding time and good practical experience.”
“The thing about medical school is that it's all about repetition. No single concept so far has been truly difficult to understand, but there are a lot of facts and concepts to know. This means that after I get home, I usually quickly run through my notes for the quick recall and then go for a run, hike, or exercise session. Everyone needs to relax from time to time. When I get back from my exercises, I usually look through the books."
Arriel Atienza
DO, Class of 2009, North West Track
Western University gives me the chance to live my life the way I like, to "work hard and play hard". I see my academic program to be quite challenging, and I find myself dedicating a number of hours in its execution. The rigors of my program, balanced with equally rigorous (and stress relieving) extracurricular activities like SCUBA diving, running, rock climbing, horseback riding, off-road driving, and worldwide travel. WesternU gives me the opportunity to exercise my whole self -- to aggressively challenge my mind and spirit.
Keval Shah
DO, Class of 2010
The most engaging aspect of my program has to be the Standardized Patient program for my Essentials of Clinical Medicine (ECM) course. Actors are brought in and serve as models for certain disease systems as first and second year DO students sharpen their triage skills. The program is well run and the Standard Patient actors are well versed. A detailed feedback session is also given to each student following each session. The standardized patient program has allowed me to feel clinically competent as I approach my clerkship years of medical school.
Clinton E. Adams, DO, MPA, FAAFP
Dean, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Professor of Family Medicine & Retired Rear Admiral, United States Navy
Education: DO, Midwestern University - Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine; MPH, University of Oklahoma; Interned at Doctor’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Family Practice residency, U.S. Naval Hospital, Charleston, S.C. and Anesthesiology Residency, George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
Past experiences: Served in the Office of the Attending Physician to Congress; Staff Anesthesiologist, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD; Director of Surgical Services, U.S. Naval Hospital, Okinawa, Japan; Commanding Officer, US Naval Hospital, Beaufort, SC; Naples, Italy and Portsmouth, VA; Command Surgeon, United States Joint Forces Command and Allied Command for Transformation (NATO). Rank-- Rear Admiral.
Other notable items: Fellow, American Academy of Family Physicians; Fellow, American College of Healthcare Executives; Former president and life member of the Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons; Defense Superior Service Medal for distinguished service while assigned as Surgeon in Joint Forces Command, Allied Command for Transformation (NATO) and Combined Fleet Forces Command.
Why WesternU: “We start with the interview process. Not only are we looking for people who exhibit our values of caring and compassion, we also treat students with care and compassion from the moment they begin the admission process.”
Read more about me...
Read A Message from the Dean...
Susan Mackintosh, DO, MPH
Assistant Professor & Curriculum Advisor
Unique aspect of the DO program: The ECM course combines a multitude of different areas that will affect the future physician in his or her lifetime career. We teach everything from communicating with patients and taking a history and physical, to developing a diagnosis and plan, to the business of medicine, and even topics such as disaster response.
Beyond the classroom: I am personally involved in the Christian Medical Society and the Dance Club, but I deal with many of the clubs by participating in their activities such as health fairs and other community outreach project. Additionally, since many of our clubs are service oriented, many of the community based projects in the Service Learning Course are under the umbrella of the different clubs, so I work with those clubs as part of Service Learning.
On interprofessional education: I firmly believe IPE is very important. In this day and age of medicine, there are a wealth of resources available to your patient, and it is important to understand not only what those resources are (including the many health care professions), but it is critical to understand the scope of practice of those professions. It is also imperative that the future healthcare professional knows what role each of the professions will play to maximize the team based approach to patient centered care.
Read more about me...
Raj Kandpal, PhD
Associate Professor
WesternU distinctive: A unique aspect of COMP is its size. In terms of student strength, COMP is comparable to any other medical school. However, we have the opportunity to interact with or know pretty much every student in the college. I don’t think that it happens or is possible in any other school.
I came to Western University because of the vision: be it the expansion of its research program or the proposed opening of the newer colleges such College of Biomedical Education or the inter-professional education (IPE) curriculum.
Our students get a high quality education because students are our first priority and the members of our faculty are committed to mentor, motivate and challenge our students. Not only do our students get there first patient encounters (through standardized patient program) early on in their first year of the program, they also have an opportunity to participate in research directly relevant to the practice of medicine.
Research Interests: My laboratory is interested in the regulation of gene expression in human health and diseases. In particular we are taking advantage of gene profiling to describe molecular differences in normal and disease tissues. The following projects are being actively pursued.
- Aberrant regulation of Eph receptors and their ephrin ligands in breast, prostate and ovarian carcinoma. We are taking advantage of epigenetic changes in invasive breast carcinoma cells to develop diagnostic markers and to identify targets for therapeutic intervention.
- Transcript maps of human chromosomal regions harboring loci for genetic deafness and characterization of candidate gene expression in mouse inner ear.
- In collaboration with the Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory at National Eye Institute we are involved in defining the molecular changes associated with diabetic retinopathy.
Read more about me...
Anna Yeung, DO
Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, Division Chief of Geriatric Medicine
WesternU distinctive: Enhancement of the geriatric curriculum is currently underway. This will provide a unique opportunity for students to participate in the expansion of medical student exposure to senior care. The college fosters innovative development of curricula which is both relevant and practical for its students in their future careers.
Why WesternU: As a graduate health sciences academic institution, Western University provides a unique opportunity for both faculty and students from varying healthcare disciplines to learn about and from each other. Provision of optimal healthcare requires a multifaceted team approach which underlies the core of how this university operates.
Most valuable aspect of a WesternU education: Integration. With each new college, Western University is committed to providing an integrated education in which students are exposed to one another to foster a deeper understanding of the resources each discipline has to offer on the healthcare team. Within each college, students are encouraged to learn how to learn; the goal is to graduate a proactive self-motivated lifelong learner.
Read more about me...
Dat Trinh, DO, MS
Assistant Professor
WesternU distinctive: The Clinical Performance Evaluation is an examination involves taking histories and physical examinations. Each second medical student (OMSII), is required to pass before going on to the third year or taking the national board.
Best advice: You will grow as a person and a professional by being in the environment WesternU presents - of scholarship and diversity.
Read more about me...
Alan Cundari, MS, DO
Chair, Department of Family Medicine, Director Medical Education Physician Assistant Program
Value of a WesternU education: The opportunities of early involvement with patient interactions that will aid in the educational process that students are studying.
On Interprofessional education: I have been a strong advocate for interprofessional education since I came here. I have worked to include all programs in the various clinical outreach and community service projects I have been involved in to bridge the professions with which we are connected. Each program has unique characteristics and services that impact and assist the daily lives of the community and patients that we serve.
Read more about me...
Rajivinder Brar DO, PhD
Assistant Professor
Value of a WesternU education: I think one of the most valuable parts of a WesternU education is the commitment to life long learning and the exposure that students will get to other health related fields.
On interprofessional education: IPE curriculum at Western University will be valuable for students after they graduate as they will be familiar of the roles that other health professional play which ultimately will improve patient care.
I personally chose to teach at Western University because of its strong dedication to student needs and faculty development.
Read more about me...
Amber Misseijer, DO
DO, Class of 2008
Time commitment: During first and second year, my weekly schedule was: Monday— test then rest; Tuesday—class and church activities; Wednesday—class and church activities; Thursday—class and study four to five hours; Friday—class, Bible study, and school study two to three hours; Saturday—study eight to 12 hours; Sunday—church, choir practice, study eight hours.
Third year, I found I had to study more, at least one to two hours a night, sometimes more, sometimes less; however, I felt very prepared for my shelf exams. By fourth year, it was less studying, but more clinic time.
Throughout it all, I was able to stay involved with my church by singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school, and working with the youth group as well as attend regular services. I also found time to spend with family and friends.
WesternU distinctive: My classmates are a great mixture of people from all walks of life, very intelligent, and fun to be with. I really enjoyed the opportunity to rotate through many different hospitals and private offices (and learn all of the Southern California freeways besides). It gave me a unique perspective on the various practices of medicine, and it also helped me to focus on how, where, and what I want my practice to be like in the future.
Most memorable clinical experience: One of my surgery patients and I had friends in common. I was in her surgery when the surgeon closed because there was nothing to do secondary to the extent of her cancer metastasis. I was with her through blood clots, pain, and jaundice. I listened to her husband's denials of her condition and her calm, joyful acceptance of her prognosis of weeks to a couple of months. I was able to pray for her and with her and her family. I grieved when she passed away three weeks after her surgery.
Taking care of this patient, I realized that I could have an impact not merely on the physical self of a person, but more importantly, on her mental and spiritual care. Here was a lady that I could do nothing for physically, but I could help in other ways that would make the remainder of her life more full, whether it was encouraging her, comforting her family, or praying for them.
This is a lesson that I have taken into account with many of my clinic patients in various ways. I have observed that doing something as simple as listening to my patients about their lives eases some of their anxiety and lifts some of their depression and the physical manifestations associated with their moods.
Beyond the classroom: I’ve worked in the Montclair Clinic and PCHAT. During my first year, the experiences of seeing real patients helped to serve as a reminder of why I was in medical school. They were my first exposure to true community medicine.
Anna Ryabets-Lienhard, DO
DO, Class of 2008
Time commitment: My first two years were very intense in terms of study time, but I was still highly involved in extracurricular activities. It was very manageable, but I had to be very organized and not procrastinate.
The clinical years were different. In addition to studying for didactics, I was physically tired from the day's clinical work
Most memorable clinical experience: At CHLA I participated in a liver transplant surgery for a seven-month-old baby. I had to fly to Oakland, CA to harvest a liver and fly back to transplant it. It was the most amazing experience I've ever had.
Beyond the classroom: I was very involved with Peds Club - helping and serving the underpriveleged pediatric population of Pomona.
William Fraser, DO
DO, Class of 1989
About me: I have been the director of an emergency medicine residency in central Ohio for 10 years. The Western University graduates I have accepted into the program are easily in the top 20 percent of all other residents I have trained. From day one, WesternU grads seem better prepared for residency than those of most other schools. I rank WesternU in the top three or four osteopathic schools in the country.
Most memorable clinical experience: Working with Dr. Alan Rosenthal, an internist who has since left the area. He was a brilliant diagnostician and really challenged me throughout my months in his service. Also, I really felt like the faculty and administration cared about my success.
The academic environment: I liked the small, family like campus. Even during the interview, I felt like WesternU was looking out for me. They seemed truly interested in making my academic career as stress-free as possible.
Favorite WesternU professor: Duane Foley, PhD. He was my advisor. He is also an excellent teacher. He seemed to really enjoy being a faculty member at WesternU.
Best thing about WesternU: I was challenged to think for myself, rather than just regurgitate facts on an exam. This was especially helpful during clinical rotations.
Career impact: WesternU stressed acquiring the ability to think, assess, evaluate, and plan. Medicine is very easy from the standpoint of learning facts and memorizing lists of information. The practice of medicine is very different and emphasizes thinking.
Interprofessional collaboration: From my colleagues in behavioral health, I have learned how to maintain a happy, healthy lifestyle. It is amazing how inner peace and happiness translate into happier healthier patients.
Charles Maynard, DO
DO, Class of 1983
WesternU distinction: The small class size and relationship to other students and faculty.
Most memorable clinical experience: At University Heights/Heights General Hospital in Albuquerque, we were given a chance to manage patients as soon as we showed we could safely do so.
Once, while on an anesthesiology rotation, a family practitioner in town had a heart attack. In the afternoons, after doing cases in the morning, the anesthesiologist and I went to the stricken doctor's office and I would see his patients (always presenting each to the anesthesiologist before letting the patient go). It was great training and helped me fall in love with family practice.
Beyond the classroom: Dr. Steven Horowitz and I would connect again years after graduation, this time I was a very ill patient and he was the physician who kept me alive for years. His compassion and clinical knowledge are the reason I am alive today.
Why WesternU: My family doctor and mentor, Dr. Travis Ferguson, suggested I apply. (Growing up with Dr. Ferguson a few doors away, I didn't really understand what an MD was. I thought all doctors were DOs!)
Best thing about WesternU: Getting early patient care responsibility.
Best advice: I meet prospective students all the time and recommend Western University as an exceptional institution.
|
