First TCC Students Graduate from Residencies

The first seven students to complete the Transformative Care Continuum (TCC), a unique educational collaboration between Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and Cleveland Clinic, will graduate from their residencies this month. The innovative program offers an accelerated curriculum designed to align physician training with the evolving demands of modern health care delivery.

In 2018, the first cohort entered the TCC program.

Students at the Heritage College Cleveland campus are granted early admittance to family medicine residency programs at Cleveland Clinic Akron General or Cleveland Clinic Lakewood Family Health Center. They then spend three years in medical school, instead of the traditional four, before entering their residencies. While in medical school, the students work with health care teams in Cleveland.

Heritage College faculty and Cleveland Clinic residency directors jointly developed the curriculum, forming a collaboration between medical education and health care to align physician training with what medicine needs.

A key component of the TCC is working in the community. In the third year of the TCC, students complete research, quality improvement or programmatic projects they design in partnership with community organizations and aimed at addressing local health challenges. By working in the Cleveland community, TCC students can gain a wider understanding of all of the factors that can impact a patient’s health.

See a video here of students and faculty discussing the program.

Welcome Future DOs with Their First White Coat

As we eagerly anticipate the start of a new academic year for first-year students at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, we invite you to join us in warmly welcoming the Class of 2028.

For a donation of $45, you can make a meaningful impact by sponsoring the purchase of a white coat for a new student. Along with your contribution, you have the opportunity to share words of inspiration or advice directly with a student. Your personalized message will be printed on an OOA notecard and placed in the coat pocket at the Convocation & White Coat Ceremony, creating a lasting connection from donor to recipient.

Receiving their white coat is a first milestone in their medical education, symbolizing their commitment to compassionate care and learning. Your support ensures that these future osteopathic physicians begin their journey with a sense of community and encouragement.

To make your donation and write your message, visit the OOA website here. 

With One Week Left Before Summer Recess, Committees Continue Hearings

The Ohio House Public Health Policy Committee held hearings on a pair of bills to boost awareness for Alzheimer’s Disease and Lupus. HB 397 (Alzheimer’s Awareness) and HB 538 (Lupus Awareness) could see movement next week and additional Senate consideration later this month.

The committee also heard testimony and adopted a substitute bill for HB 356. Sponsored by State Rep. Sara Carruthers (R-Hamilton), this legislation seeks to build on Ohio’s Sudden Cardiac Arrest Law for youth athletes by strengthening requirements for sports physicals and coaching staff training. OOA previously supported the enactment of Lindsay’s Law in 2017 (SB 252, 131st) which established requirements for training and monitoring of students with cardiac conditions during sports and activities. Committee Chair Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) is expected to hold a final hearing next week and could move HB 356, various awareness bills, or HB 452 (Hospital Violence Prevention).

The Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee held a second hearing on HB 536, legislation that seeks to make seat belt violations a primary offense in Ohio. Sponsored by State Reps. Kevin Miller (R-Newark) and Jon Cross (R-Findlay), HB 536 was introduced with the hopes of reducing fatalities and serious injury from lack of seat belt use in vehicle accidents. Gov. Mike DeWine called on lawmakers to pass this legislation in his State of the State address in March. Members of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus have raised concerns that such laws result in a disproportionate increase in traffic stops for minority drivers.

The Ohio House Health Provider Services Committee passed SB 144. Sponsored by State Sen. Mark Romanchuk (R-Ontario), SB 144 initially dealt with pediatric vaccinations in pharmacies. However, the House added several amendments dealing with reimbursements for nursing homes. The bill now heads to the House floor for final passage next week.

Lastly, the House and Senate Finance Committees will be wrapping up work on the State Capital Budget. HB 2 will be the final vehicle for a package of appropriations aimed at supporting construction at state facilities, institutions of higher education, and community assets such as hospitals, parks, zoos, and museums. The State of Ohio will typically allocate between $150-$180 million during each two-year cycle for community projects, along with hundreds of millions for construction at higher education institutions. This year’s capital budget is significantly larger due to the inclusion of $700 million in one-time strategic community investment funds. Medical schools, hospitals, and other health care training and care facilities are among the entities receiving appropriations this year.

Medical Board Rejects Petitions

The State Medical Board of Ohio met on Wednesday, June 12, and discussed the petitions to add two new qualifying conditions to the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program (OMMCP). After the discussion, the full board voted to reject the petitions for autism spectrum disorder and female orgasmic difficulty disorder.

The next submission period is scheduled for November 1 -December 31, 2024. Anyone may submit a petition requesting a condition be added to the OMMCP. If a condition has been previously rejected by the board, the new petition must contain new scientific information that supports the request.

Under Ohio law, the following 26 medical conditions are eligible for a medical marijuana recommendation: AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cachexia, cancer, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy or another seizure disorder, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, hepatitis C, Huntington’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, pain that is either chronic and severe or intractable, Parkinson’s disease, positive status for HIV, post-traumatic stress disorder, sickle cell anemia, Spasticity, spinal cord disease or injury, terminal illness, Tourette syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and ulcerative colitis.

Separately, recreational marijuana is expected to be available for sale in Ohio in the coming weeks. In November, Ohio voters approved Issue 2 to legalize adult cannabis use.

Loan Repayment Programs Accepting Applications

The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) is currently accepting applications for three loan repayment programs:

Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery (STAR) Loan Repayment Program

This initiative offers loan repayment assistance to physicians and other healthcare professionals dedicated to treating substance use disorders. The STAR program is a vital resource for osteopathic physicians, providing significant financial relief while supporting their commitment to delivering high-quality care to patients struggling with substance use disorders. The deadline is June 27.

Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Program

Eligible clinicians providing pediatric medical subspecialty, pediatric surgical specialty, or child and adolescent mental and behavioral health care including substance use disorder (SUD) prevention and treatment services may apply. The deadline is July 9.

Faculty Loan Repayment Program

The program provides assistance to faculty members from economically and environmentally disadvantaged backgrounds with eligible health professions degrees to serve at eligible academic institutions. The goal is to decrease economic barriers associated with pursuing careers as academic faculty. The deadline is June 27.

Get the details for these LRPs here.

Final Call for The VOC

Due to popular demand, registration for The VOC (Virtual Osteopathic Conference) is being extended to June 25. Over the past three years, more than 2,000 physicians throughout the US have participated in The VOC. And 98% of attendees recommend it to colleagues.

Developed by a team of physicians from six states, The VOC offers high-quality, relevant CME in a fully virtual and on-demand format. Up to 48 credits are available, but you can purchase in 8-credit increments. Credits must be completed by June 30.

Get the on-demand conference here.