Vol. 2, No. 6, July 2010 - Rocky Vista University

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RVU’s Class of 2013 Broadens Banquet Tradition
Newsletter Vol. 2 No. 6 July 2010
The RVU Class of 2013 held its Gala on the evening
of May 28, 2010, the final day of classes before summer
break. This awards presentation, dinner and dance
raised the bar from last year’s event in scale, programming,
noise and even raucous energy.
The grand ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Centennial,
Colorado was again the scene for this year’s
event.
Although it was designated a “Gala” by the Class of
2013 program organizers, the event was also affectionately
dubbed the medical school “prom”. Regardless of
what the event may have been called, it was an opportunity
for everyone to dress up and wind down from another
rigorous academic year. It was also a chance for
the University to recognize students who had demonstrated
outstanding academic performance and service
and for the Class of 2013 to recognize faculty and staff
who they felt enhanced their experience at the University.
It was also a time for the inaugural Class of 2012
to say goodbye to everyone.
The group of nearly 400 people began to assemble
outside the hotel ballroom at 6:00 PM in anticipation of
the evening’s activities. At about 7:00 PM the ballroom
doors opened and all were seated for dinner. Within
minutes after everyone settled in their seats, dinner
was served and the evening’s program began. As photos
Class of 2012 Top 10% in Academic Standing: Paul Moullet, Jeremy Kenison,
Bobby Bahadorani, Rick Carlson, Morgan Campbell, Brittany Ganser,
Tyler Anstett, Anderson Hu & Slade Bigelow
of students from both classes flashed on two large
screens at the front of the room, various student and
administration speakers commented on the events of
the past academic year and the prospects for the future.
The awards began with recognition of the top academic
performers from each class and continued with additional
student awards and awards presented by the
students to University staff and faculty members. The
specific award categories, along with all of the student
award winners who were honored for 2010, are listed on
page 8 of this issue of Vista View.
The evening ended with dancing to music
provided by a DJ and more conversation in
the lobby outside the ballroom. The dancing
and conversation continued until all left
around 11:00 PM. It was another great evening
and the culmination of the University’s
second complete academic year. It was also
the beginning of a transition for both classes of
students and for the University staff as everyone
went their separate ways to prepare for
the challenges of board exams, summer break
and the beginning of the next
academic year.
Class of 2013 Top 10% in Academic Standing: Casey Bitting, Erika Penabaker,
Brent Ennis, Michael Allender,Thomas Githens, Bonnie Hunt, Lauren Tobin & Tyler Voigt
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Over the past month or so, we have all seen many
of our second year students in the library, in the
third floor study rooms and in their favorite reading
‘nooks’. When you ask them what they’re up to, the
universal response is almost always, “I’m studying
for the Boards.” Here at RVUCOM, students must
take their osteopathic board exams prior to beginning
patient contact in their third year. Passage of
the boards is a requirement to continue at the third
year level.
What really are the “Boards”, and what does that
mean? It’s much more than a rite of passage that
all medical students must go through. The mission
of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical
Examiners (NBOME) is to protect the public by providing
the means to assess competencies for osteopathic
medicine and related health professions.
The role of protecting the public is something they
take very seriously. We as a University take it seriously
as well.
Dean’s Notes
Ever since their foundation in 1934, the NBOME has
dedicated their organization to patient safety. This is
currently accomplished by a series of examinations
usually taken at the end of the second year and during
the fourth year of medical school. These examinations
are called respectively the Level I and Level II Boards.
Passing the Level I and Level II examinations are requirements
for graduation at RVUCOM. A Level III examination
is taken during the post-graduate years as a
condition of licensure.
The NBOME examinations are the primary pathway
by which osteopathic physicians apply for licensure to
practice osteopathic medicine and surgery. A passing
score on these examinations indicates that the candidate’s
medical knowledge and clinical skills have met a
national standard. The COMLEX-USA examination sequence
is accepted for licensure in all 50 states.
Student performance on the examination is also another
metric by which they are judged, and in turn indicates
how good a job we are doing as a medical school. Application
to residency programs around the country will
often begin their screening process of resident selection
based upon performance on the Board examinations. A
passing but low score may prevent a graduating medical
student from getting accepted into a competitive program.
A high score may open doors for candidates as
well.
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As a school we are judged based upon the collective
performance of our students on these examinations. A
high pass rate and strong performance overall by our
students is indicative of a strong medical school curriculum.
As a new school, our current second year class is
the first group of students ever to take this examination.
In many respects, this is the first real test for RVUCOM
faculty, staff and administration as well. Rest assured,
we will be judged by the overall performance on these
exams nationally.
Unlike many other schools around the country, we will
be very transparent about our board scores. All students
are required to have taken this examination prior
to their first clinical rotations in year III. I am hopeful that
we will have the data on all the exams no later than September
of this year, and I will release our ‘report card’
once all the information is all received. Until then, let’s
wish our medical students all the best as they prepare
for this important examination.
Bruce D. Dubin, D.O., J.D., FACOI
Dean, CAO, Rocky Vista University
College of Osteopathic Medicine
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Vista View
RVU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine Hosts Pre-Orientation for New Students
In July, new students arrive on
campus for orientation. They
may be excited, enthusiastic
and perhaps even a little
frightened as they approach
the beginning of a new academic
challenge in a new environment
and often in a new
city and state. They also come
with many questions regarding
life at RVUCOM, life as a medical
student, life in Colorado,
housing, finances and so on.
In order to give students and their
families a head start in answering
some of these questions, RVUCOM
held a Pre-Orientation in April. More
than 140 Class of 2014 students, family
and friends were in attendance.
The special event was organized and
hosted by the RVUCOM Department
of Student Services and was designed
to give incoming students an
early introduction to medical school
and the Colorado community. Students
were invited to come to pose
questions, learn about medical school
and take care of some of the details of
setting up a new home in Colorado.
The day began with a continental
breakfast sponsored by the United
States Army. Then, students and their
guests attended morning presentations
from members of the College of
Osteopathic Medicine administration,
faculty and current students that gave
them an overview of the medical
school curriculum, students’ perspectives
on life as a medical student and
a sample of the typical classroom experience.
They also learned about
the innovative RVUCOM Health Professions
Loan program and the typical
costs of attendance.
A catered Mexican luncheon was
provided for the group by the United
States Navy. In addition to afternoon
presentations, the incoming students
were also able to visit a number of
booths set up on campus that provided
information about rental housing,
home purchasing, the military’s medical
student scholarship program and
the quality of life in the Parker,
Colorado community. Members
of the RVUCOM Student Ambassadors
along with other student
volunteers provided building
tours and assisted with logistics.
Some students opened their
homes to visitors for tours.
For visitors with an interest in
sports, that evening there was
an outing to a Colorado Rockies
major league baseball game
at beautiful Coors Field in downtown
Denver. For those who decided not to
attend the game, there was the option
to enjoy any of the many attractions,
restaurants, theaters and other venues
available to visitors throughout
the Denver area.
Although this was the first event of
its kind for RVUCOM and also considering
that attendance at the event
was optional for the incoming class
members, the response to this Pre-
Orientation event was so enthusiastic
that it may be continued as an annual
event. It seems to have emerged as
an ideal vehicle to help new students
become acclimated to the University
and its surrounding communities before
they are required to arrive to begin
classes.
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RVU Sponsors Parker’s Independence Day Celebration
RVU and the Town of Parker co-sponsored the 2010 Independence
Day Celebration. The celebration which was
themed “Let Freedom Sing” was held on Saturday, July 3
at Parker’s Salisbury Park. In addition to a variety of food
and gift vendors, the celebration featured performances
by several local bands that provided a wide range of music
for the thousands of people who occupied nearly every
square inch of available space in the park.
RVU Interim President, Robert R. Roehrich, Ph.D., had
the opportunity to address the crowd twice during the
event. He first spoke during a break in the music where
he briefly discussed RVU’s educational mission, its history,
goals for the future and its place in the Parker community.
Later, Dr. Roehrich had the opportunity to speak to
the group a second time following an address by Parker’s
Mayor, David Casiano, and preceding the beginning of a
spectacular Independence Day fireworks display.
Scott Coduto and Megan Young help staff the RVU exhibit table
Julie Rosenthal, Executive Director of Admissions and
Marketing; Stephanie Osborne, Admissions Recruiter/Diversity
Specialist; Adrian Clark, Director of Communications
and Public Relations; along with incoming first year
medical students Scott Coduto and Megan Young, staffed
an RVU exhibit table at the event. During “Let Freedom
Sing”, they distributed more than a thousand RVU branded
gifts, talked with visitors entering the celebration and
fielded questions about the University, its osteopathic
medical school and the new Rocky Vista Health Center.
Breakfast with Dr. Roehrich
RVU Interim President, Robert R.
Roehrich, Ph.D. recently sponsored
two informal breakfast meetings
with employees. Both breakfasts
which were open to all employees
and held in the University’s Board
Room included a broad selection
of pastries, fruit, coffee and orange
juice. Employees were invited to
attend at their leisure throughout
the morning for each event.
The extended hours of the two
events, Dr. Roehrich said, were
specifically designed to give everyone
an opportunity to attend
the breakfasts. “The theme of
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these breakfasts is about encouraging
dialogue and communication
throughout the University. People
from different work groups or departments
can talk with each other
in a comfortable setting and perhaps
even begin collaborating on
new ideas or resolving problems.
The breakfasts give me an opportunity
to get to know everyone and
to talk with people informally. University
employees also get the opportunity
to talk with me outside of
a formal office setting.”
“So far”, Dr. Roehrich continued, “I
think that I’ve received some excellent
recommendations and some
very interesting ideas as a result
of my participation in these breakfasts.
Of course, the other more
tangible benefit of these breakfasts
is the food. We all know that conversations
somehow seem just a
little more productive when they
are accompanied by good food.”
Dr. Roehrich plans to have at least
one of these breakfasts each quarter
with the next breakfast currently
scheduled for the fall after students
have returned for classes.

Vista View
A Journal of Wilderness Medical Education By Thomas N. Told, D.O. FACOFP dist.
The culmination of the first six months of
study for the inaugural Rural and Wilderness
Medicine Track at RVUCOM was
held at Seely Ranch in remote Northwest
Colorado.
The ranch was originally homesteaded by
Peter Fibbs, an Irish immigrant who came
to America at the end of the 19th century
with his future bride-to-be. He left her in
New York where they landed and traveled
to the Yampa Valley frontier in Colorado to
establish their new home. He cleared the
land and built a large two story rustic log
Irish castle for his soon-to-be wife. When
he returned to New York to marry and bring
his new wife home, he found that in his
absence she had married someone else.
Heartbroken, he came back to his ranch
and never married.
In 1920, David R. Seely, a cowboy and
sheep rancher from Castledale, Utah, was
delivering livestock to the area and met
Mr. Fibbs who offered the ranch for sale.
Mr. Seely raised the money to purchase
the ranch and moved to the home where
the fifth generation of the Seely family lives
today.
The area around the ranch has a varied
terrain that ranges from sage brush covered
slopes to lofty alpine meadows dotted
with pine and aspen groves. It is the perfect
place to see all types of wildlife including
large herds of elk and an occasional
bear or mountain lion.
On Thursday, May 20th, ten RVUCOM students,
Dr. Ben Schnell and I piled into two
four-wheel drive vehicles for the five-hour
trip from Parker that crosses the continen-
tal divide twice, winds past the slopes of
Steamboat Springs and ends up at the foot
of Horse Mountain.
We settled into two of the homestead cabins
and then explored the ranch before
supper. Meals at Seely ranch are crafted
by Ann Seely, a true artisan in the kitchen
who has fed legions of hungry hay crews
and elk hunters over the years. That
first evening we discussed the next day’s
course materials and the syllabus that
had been prepared by Dr. Schnell. We
also discussed how people survive in the
wilderness in addition to the philosophy
of successful search-and-rescue operations.
Medical preparedness, assembly of
a medical kit and resources available to the
wilderness physician were reviewed.
Each subsequent evening, Dr. Schnell
would lead extensive discussions covering
a variety of wilderness medicine topics
including treatment of hypothermia and
frostbite, physiology and pathophysiology
of injuries and preventive measures.
These discussions extended well beyond
two hours. We also learned fishhook removal
and wilderness pain control including
the use of regional blocks for fracture
and laceration treatment. We covered
swift water rescue and the basic skills
needed before we went to the field for trials.
These formal lectures helped us organize
the next day’s activity.
Whenever the weather was not favorable,
we returned to our study hall for work on
bandaging and splinting and making litters.
Friday May 21st was a beautiful, warm
sunny day for our first lesson in horsemanship
and packsaddle training. After a brief
breakfast discussion on horse safety, we
all headed to the horse corral to learn the
proper way to catch and halter our mounts.
Once all the horses were caught, we took
them to the saddling area of the barn and
learned the proper way to tie up a horse for
saddling. Grooming techniques in preparation
for saddling were covered in detail.
The students learned what to look for
during saddling to prevent injury to themselves
or to their horses. Once the horses
were saddled, they learned the proper way
to mount and techniques for riding safely in
the mountains. For the rest of the trip, students
were allowed to catch their horses
during their free time and ride where they
wished.
The other portion of the horsemanship experience
was to learn the proper technique
for using a pack saddle. The pack saddle
is much more complicated than the western
saddle and there are many more steps
to remember. Each student learned how to
pack medical gear to prevent damage and
load the horse so the pack rides evenly.
They also learned techniques of working
with both horses and mules when using
them to carry loads into the back country.
The warm afternoon proved to be a perfect
time to do swift water rescue techniques.
We moved our white water class to a
small, but very swift and swollen stream
near the ranch.
The students practiced the skills discussed
the night before on how to avoid rocks and
dead fall trees called “strainers”. They
learned techniques to free a victim’s feet
that may be lodged in swift water. They
then used the strong swimmer technique
to get a rope to the other side of the swollen
stream and anchor it for passage of
a high line to transport a litter. The students
passed a Stokes Stretcher across
the stream loaded with rocks to simulate
a patient. At one point the large hemp
rope broke and plunged the load into the
stream. The students were impressed at
how much force was exerted on the litter.
(continues on next page)
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It took a tremendous amount of strength to
retrieve the litter from the raging stream.
After many techniques at stream crossings
we found that hanging on to a static overhead
line was the best way to cross the
stream. The students practiced numerous
crossings until they were comfortable with
the process. Everyone gained a new respect
for the power of flooding mountain
streams.
Friday evening the topic was compass
reading and orienteering, as well as emergency
signaling. Lessons involved using
a compass and a map for navigation in
the wilderness. The students also learned
proper techniques for signaling aircraft.
Journal (continued)
Saturday morning was grey and rainy. The
students used their time to discuss lightning
safety and the types of lighting injuries
suffered by people and animals. The
rainy and foggy afternoon was perfect for
learning to build natural shelters in the wild.
Mostly natural materials were used, supplemented
by plastic bags, parachute cord
and duct tape to create spaces to shelter
ourselves from the elements. Students
built one person and multi-person dwellings
and periodically checked them for
leaks and dampness. Various design patterns
were tested and the students learned
what looks good in a book may not always
be the best in the field.
Students also tested various water purification
methods and built a solar still using
a clear plastic sheet, a rock, a cup and field
greens.
Sunday morning, May 23rd, was foggy
and cold, but later the weather improved
enough for the students to test some of the
skills they had learned during the past few
days. Most of the class saddled horses
and rode while other students practiced
maneuvering all-terrain vehicles up canyons
and over small hills.
At a luncheon debriefing on the final day of
the course, everyone agreed that the week
in the wilderness at Seely Ranch had been
an experience they would remember for
some time. It had been the perfect opportunity
for a real world test of what they had
been taught in the curriculum.
For more than two weeks
temperatures in and around
Denver had been mixed. The
days had alternated between
cloudy, partly cloudy and sunny.
There had been rain, chill
and even a few snow flurries.
In other words, we had been
experiencing the usual eclectic
weather patterns that typically characterize what some affectionately
call “springtime in the Rockies”.
Amazingly, however, the day that the University chose to
dedicate its new Memorial Garden was bright, sunny and
clear with a temperature that hovered near the mid-sixties.
The garden had been created to honor the memory of RVU
Class of 2013 student, Brandon Trusell, who died tragically
in an automobile accident along with his sister during the
2009 holiday break.
Brandon’s classmates decided to plant a tree in his honor
on the RVU campus. University officials decided to use this
gesture from the students as a basis for developing memorial
garden that would enhance the prominence of the tree
planting and establish a lasting addition to the campus. The
garden was designed by Chuck Flood who heads up Facilities
and most of the work of developing and planting the garden
was accomplished almost single-handedly by Andrew
Flood of the Facilities department.
Memorial Garden Dedicated
,
At a ceremony dedicating the garden, RVU students and
staff joined with Brandon’s parents and brothers to view the
garden and the tree planting. In one of his final official duties,
outgoing RVU Interim President, D. Robert Black, Esq.
led the ceremony and commemorated the tree planting as a
celebration of Brandon’s life. Dean of Student Services, Michael
Martin, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Laura Mohr, Ph.D.
and several students also spoke during the ceremony.
At the end of the ceremony Brandon’s parents were asked
to unveil a plaque that was affixed to a large rock at the base
of a young maple tree. The inscription on the plaque read:
“This tree grows here in memory of the life of Brandon Trusell
RVUCOM Class of 2013”. Brandon’s father who is also
an osteopathic physician thanked the University for honoring
his son and his family with the garden.
It is up to those of us who remain at the University to make
sure the tree and the garden receive the proper care they
need to flourish. As
the years progress and
the University grows
in size and scope we
can watch the tree expand
its branches and
produce beautiful red
leaves every autumn
as each new class of
students arrives on
campus.
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D. Robert Black, Esq. Says Farewell to RVU
During a reception and luncheon
held in his honor, D.
Robert Black, RVU’s Interim
President for nearly
18 months, said farewell to
employees and students.
Delivering a brief message
to the group, he talked of
how he had been positively
changed by his experience
at the helm of the University
and about the growth that
the school has experienced
since he arrived on the campus.
He admitted that his
decision to leave had been
a difficult one because he
felt that he had made many
friends since he had arrived at the school. However, he
added that it was time for him to return to Florida in order
to spend more time with his wife and teenage daughter.
Mr. Black recounted some of the changes that the university
had experienced during his tenure and indicated
that he believed the University was now well-positioned
for growth and that the current management team leading
the University was knowledgeable, experienced and committed
to the success of RVU.
At the end of Mr. Black’s remarks,
Dr. Thomas Saban, Vice President
of Finance and Administration,
talked about some of the
work Mr. Black had done “behind
the scenes” to improve operations
at the University during its
formative period.
Robert R. Roehrich, Ph.D., the
then incoming interim president,
thanked Mr. Black for his contributions
to the University, for his
accessibility to students and staff
and for arranging a smooth transition
of leadership.
The Employee Events Committee
that organized the event presented Mr. Black with a
parting gift on behalf of the University – a large, framed
photograph of the building with signatures of University
employees on the matting surrounding the picture.
Upon his departure, Mr. Black said that he would like to
remain connected to the University, most likely on a special
project or contract basis. He admitted that since he
had become a part of the University, it would always remain
a part of him and that he hoped to continue to be
involved with RVU in one way or another.
Social Committee Members Erin Palazzolo, Patty Gordon, Erica Whatley,
Holly Kaspar & Linda Cairns, along with Dr. Robert Roehrich, new
Interim President, present a signed plaque to D. Robert Black.
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Student & Faculty Award Winners
Top 10% of Class – 2012 (listed alphabetically)
Tyler Anstett Bobby Bahadorani Slade Bigelow Morgan Campbell
Rick Carlson Brittany Ganser Anderson Hu Jeremy Kenison
Kristen Knowles Lauren Majcher Danielle McDonald Jerry McQuain
Paul Moullet
Scott Reeder
Top 10% of Class – 2013 (…as of the end of HBMH - listed alphabetically)
Michael Allender Casey Bitting Brent Enniss Joshua Garfein
Thomas Githens Bonnie Hunt Tyler Hurst Eric Mast
Erika Penabaker Sheena Ray Justin Stoll Lauren Tobin
Katie Truettner Jon Vaux Tyler Voigt Kayleigh Zerr
Department Awards – One award – chosen by faculty, based on grade in course, attitude, work ethic & support of classmates.
FSM (first-year student)
OPP Student (second-year student/culmination)
PCM Student (second-year student/culmination)
Research Recognition
Ben Foreman
Jeremy Kenison
Heather Katz
Cecily DuPree & Brent Barbour
Student Leader – based on involvement, leadership roles & contributions to RVUCOM; must be in good academic standing
Class of 2012 Winner: Rick Carlson
Class of 2103 Winner: Josh Gazzetta
Service Award – based on involvement, leadership, & contributions to service efforts; must be in good academic standing
Dan Sheffield
Military Award – based on involvement, leadership & contributions to military medicine/impact at RVU
Matt Malivuk
Student Doctor Congeniality – based on attitude, work ethic & support of fellow students
Class of 2012 Winner: Kay Yien
Class of 2013 Winner: Amanda Jo Cameron
Class Clown – based on attitude & contribution to class well-being
Class of 2012 Winner: Kasey Welch
Class of 2013 Winner: Russell Pieper
Faculty Award Winners
A.T. Still Award for Excellence in Clinical Medicine
William Osler Award for Excellence in Biomedical Sciences
RVUCOM Administrative Faculty Award
Unsung Hero Award
Dr. Joseph Stasio
Dr. Walter Buck & Dr. Richard Garrison
Lisa Bolstad - Pod C
Matt Griebel – IT
New Employees
Dr. Qamrul Choudhury – Assistant Professor of Physiology
Dr. Jennifer Herman – Assistant Professor of Physiology and Anatomy
Dr. Amber Ondricek – Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology
Dr. Jason Wells – Associate Professor of Structural Medicine
Published by the
Rocky Vista University
Admissions & Marketing Department
8401 S. Chambers Rd.,
Parker, CO 80134
303-373-2008
Editor: Adrian R. Clark, Director,
Communications and Public Relations
Graphic Design: Holly E. Kaspar
Marketing & Admissions Coordinator
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