The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)-Louisiana and the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) have strengthened their longstanding partnership through a new Preferred Admission Track agreement. The agreement establishes a structured pathway that provides early support for highly qualified ULM students who demonstrate academic excellence and a desire to make a meaningful impact in their communities, offering a clear path to medical school at VCOM-Louisiana.
For the second year in a row, VCOM has received the 2026 Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award from Insight Into Academia magazine. The award recognizes institutions that make student and employee mental health and well-being a campus priority.
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) student leaders from all four campuses—VCOM-Virginia, VCOM-Carolinas, VCOM-Auburn, and VCOM-Louisiana—recently gathered in Chicago, Illinois, to represent their peers and advocate for the future of the osteopathic profession through participation in several national leadership and policy meetings, including the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) Summer Leadership Meeting (SLM), National Osteopathic Student Caucus (NOSC), and the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) House of Delegates.
Tiffany Carpenetti, PhD, describes herself pretty simply. “I’m just a big nerd.”
It’s an apt description for a woman who can talk enthusiastically about the beauty of a well-dissected network of intestinal arteries or the intricacy of the human hand. But before Carpenetti became an anatomist, the subject of her fascination was considerably smaller: mosquitoes.
Just months after being named VCOM-Carolinas’ Global Health Scholar, Robert Blake Eysler has received more recognition for his work in global health.
After 22 years of teaching, healing, and mentoring at VCOM, David G. Harden, DO, is retiring as discipline chair for Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) and associate professor of OMM and Family Medicine at the Virginia campus. Although he is hanging up his white coat, Dr. Harden remains committed to the life of service that has defined his career as a physician, educator, mentor, and missionary.
When Tal Carmy-Bennun ‘29, joined VCOM-Carolinas' medical outreach team in Honduras this summer, she launched a new glaucoma screening effort aimed at identifying eye disease before it leads to permanent vision loss.
For Drs. Ishani and Shivani Sharma, the road to becoming physicians has always been one they have traveled together. From growing up in Dallas, Texas, to earning biology degrees from the University of Texas at Dallas and master’s degrees in medical sciences from the University of North Texas Health Science Center, the fraternal twins have shared every milestone of their academic journey.
It is well known that the U.S. is facing a physician shortage, with one study from the Association of Medical Colleges painting a bleak picture: There will be a shortage of 86,000 physicians by 2036.
In June, future physicians connected with future opportunities at VCOM's annual residency fair.
A new healthcare clinic is poised to expand access to care, strengthen physician training, and serve as a long-term investment in the health of Northeast Louisiana.
The St. Francis Family Medicine, Sports Medicine, and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Clinic —operated by FMOL Health | St. Francis in affiliation with VCOM-Louisiana—will offer family medicine, osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), sports medicine services and serve as a training site for future physicians.
Determining how to pay for medical school can be stressful for students across the country. But at VCOM, our financial aid staff is part of the community that supports students throughout their medical education. Jan A. Belton, who serves as director of financial aid for VCOM-Carolinas, recently earned the FAAC® designation from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators' accredited Certified Financial Aid Administrator® (CFAA) Program.
On June 17, VCOM-Carolinas proudly recognized two outstanding resident physicians for their commitment to humanism, teaching, and patient-centered care through the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award (HETA).
Construction has begun on the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)-Louisiana CAREPATH mobile medical unit storage and disaster response facility. CAREPATH—short for “VCOM Supports the Community: Assess, Respond, Engage, Provide Access, Treat, Heal”— reflects VCOM-Louisiana’s commitment to meeting community needs through outreach, access, treatment, and compassionate care.
From national student awards to research recognition and leadership appointments, the 2026 Annual Clinical Conference of the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine (AOASM) became a showcase for VCOM’s growing influence in osteopathic sports medicine — culminating in the election of VCOM-Virginia discipline chair Mark Rogers, DO, CAQSM, FAAFP, FAOASM, as AOASM president.
The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2026 this spring as students across the College’s four campuses officially became physicians who will serve communities across the country.
Faculty from the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) have earned national recognition and a $30,000 award through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) All In! Vegas Pitch Showdown, held at AACOM’s annual conference in April.
On May 16, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM-Louisiana) proudly celebrated the graduation of its third class of physicians. After four rigorous years of study, service, and clinical training, these new graduates have earned their Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degrees and will now begin the next chapter of their medical journeys in residency programs across the nation.
Twenty years after opening its doors in Blacksburg, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) celebrated a milestone moment on May 8, 2026: the graduation of VCOM-Virginia’s 20th graduating class.
