Creating Culturally Competent DOs (C3DO) at VCOM-Carolinas is a seven-part lecture series designed to prepare students to serve patients with empathy, cultural awareness, and integrity. Offered outside of the regular curriculum but counted toward credit, the lectures take place once a month and reflect VCOM’s mission of training physicians who are well equipped to meet the needs of rural and underserved communities.
Launched in 2022, the lecture series is now in its fourth year, and it continues to evolve in response to student feedback and the needs of future physicians.
Through sessions that emphasize compassion, inclusion, and cultural competency, the program helps students understand the diverse backgrounds and health disparities that shape patient experiences. The series reinforces the osteopathic principles of whole-person care that students learn during the coursework and ensures that future VCOM-trained physicians are prepared to build trust and provide effective, patient-centered treatment for patients with a broad range of lived experiences.
Tackling Complex Issues in Healthcare
The current series opened in September with “Food, Culture, and Dietary Considerations for Different Populations,” featuring VCOM-Carolinas Dean Matthew D. Cannon, DO. In his session, Dr. Cannon explored the cultural significance of food and how traditions can influence health decisions.
Future sessions will take on topics that directly impact the quality of care physicians provide, including:
- Impacts of Systemic Racism on the Health System – Doralyn Jones, DO, will highlight historical and current events that have contributed to patient mistrust and explore solutions for strengthening provider-patient relationships.
- Healthcare Challenges with Language Barriers – Students will examine the obstacles faced by patients who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, visually impaired, or non-English speaking, and learn techniques, technologies, and legal considerations for improving access and understanding.
- Dermatologic Manifestations in Darker Skin – This session will focus on conditions that predominantly occur in patients with skin of color, explore treatment considerations, and highlight ongoing research aimed at reducing disparities.
- Health Disparities and Effects on Populations Who Menstruate – Presented in partnership with student organizations focused on women’s health, this lecture will address topics such as maternal mortality, reproductive health stigma, and the impact of policy on women’s healthcare, all from a clear and academic perspective.
- Inclusive Healthcare: Health Challenges in the LGBTQIA+ Population – In collaboration with the Inclusive Healthcare Club, this session will explore the unique challenges LGBTQIA+ individuals face in accessing and receiving quality healthcare, and provide strategies for creating supportive, affirming clinical environments.
A Student-Driven Effort
The C3DO lecture series reflects the dedication of both faculty and students. Dr. Jones provides faculty support to the initiative, while student leaders Maile Carroll, Tarah Anasseri, Allie Bonagura, Harshpreet Kaur, Shadika Panta, and Alexis Mocek-Elrod organized the 2025-2026 program with the goal of offering relevant, practical, and thought-provoking content.
By engaging with challenging topics outside of their required coursework, VCOM-Carolinas students demonstrate their commitment to becoming skilled physicians and compassionate advocates for their patients. The C3DO lecture series underscores VCOM’s dedication to preparing globally minded, community-oriented doctors who will bring empathy and cultural awareness into every patient interaction.
