Storming the Capitol

Photo: NYITCOM students join osteopathic medical students from around the nation at the capitol in Washington D.C.

On March 7, medical students at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) at Arkansas State University (A-State) put down their books in order to listen to members of the osteopathic medical community and advocate for the policies that will shape their future profession. Known as “D.O. Day,” this annual day of activism, started by the Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), encourages physicians, students, and medical school educators from across the nation to educate lawmakers about who D.O.s are and why osteopathic medicine is important.

Sixty-one NYITCOM at A-State students heeded the call to action by visiting lawmakers and touring the state capitol in Little Rock. Back on the Jonesboro campus, more than 150 students attended information sessions featuring keynote speakers, including Assistant Dean Tammy Fowler and William Hurst, D.O., of St. Bernards First Care Clinic, speaking about the importance of advocacy in healthcare. (NYITCOM students in Old Westbury planned to go to Albany, N.Y., but were unfortunately unable to travel due to harsh weather conditions.)

Brookshield Laurent, D.O., vice chair of Clinical Specialties, poses for a selfie with NYITCOM at A-State students at the state capitol building in Little Rock.

Second-year medical student Landon McNeely, who participated in events held on the A-State campus, said, “We want to talk about health policy and get people involved. How the healthcare community looks outside the clinic or the hospital. This is a chance for us to work with local physicians and people who are in clinics.”

The same day, several students from both the Jonesboro and Old Westbury campus also descended on Washington D.C. to lend their voice to the cause on the national level. This year, the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) encouraged D.O.s to lobby for several federal initiatives. Students advocated for the protection of student loan programs in jeopardy of being cut by the Higher Education Reauthorization Act, as well as another bill known as the Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act. This second bill would enable healthcare volunteers to cross state lines during times of national disaster without the fear of being turned away by the state for liability and/or licensure reasons.

NYITCOM at A-State medical students tour the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum.

“We let students know it’s not enough just to be a physician anymore,” said Amanda Deel, D.O., assistant dean for Clinical Education, NYITCOM at A-State, to local media at the on-campus event. “You have to be an advocate for your patient. You have to be an advocate for change…And when [change] involves policy that affects healthcare (whether it’s access to it, who you can treat, or how you can treat them).”

“With their D.O. Day advocacy efforts, NYIT’s impressive students continue NYITCOM’s 40-year tradition of transforming healthcare not only on Long Island, but also now in Arkansas,” said Wolfgang Gilliar, D.O., dean, NYITCOM. “Imagine more than 7,000 physician graduates who dedicate their livelihood to making the lives of their fellow citizens better—that is truly inspirational!”

Additional coverage of NYITCOM at A-State’s D.O. Day can be found here.