Ohio Osteopathic Symposium showcases medical student research

The effectiveness of augmented reality to help patients with Parkinson's disease walk normally, an examination of hospitals’ support of addiction treatment services and the use of growth hormone to heal wounds were the three research studies shared by Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine dual degree students at the 2024 Ohio Osteopathic Symposium. Held annually in April, the symposium is a continuing medical education event for osteopathic physicians and a showcase for research.

Each year Heritage College students who are also earning a master's or doctoral degree share their innovative research during a panel session at the conference. A poster competition is also held. This year, 70 abstracts were submitted by residents, interns, medical students and D.O. or M.D. fellows from five osteopathic medical schools, one allopathic medical school and five hospitals. The abstracts included case reports and topics in biomedical and clinical research, social and behavioral medicine and medical education. The poster competition is sponsored by the Heritage College's Office of Research and Grants and the Ohio Osteopathic Association.

The presenters and poster competition winners are listed below:

Emerging Osteopathic Research Presenters

Brendan Baugher, MS, OMS III, Cleveland Campus

“Reimagining an AR Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease, and a Reflection on Inter-Institutional Collaborations”

Lauren Donovan, MBA, MS, OMS IV, Athens Campus

“Alignment of Substance Use Community Benefit Prioritization and Service Lines in US Hospitals”

Christopher Walsh, OMS IV, Athens Campus

Novel Manual and Endocrine Avenues for Targeting the Lymphatic System”

2024 Ohio Osteopathic Symposium Research and Scholarly Activity Competition

Biomedical/Clinical Research

First Place

Caroline Kruithoff, OMS II

Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Efinaconazole as a Potent Antifungal against Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes

Second Place

Kushanth Mallikarjun, MD, PGY-1

Mount Carmel Health System

Ultrasound versus Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Evaluation of Axillary Lymphadenopathy in Breast Cancer

Social/Behavioral Medicine/Medical Education Research

First Place

Daria Kuperberg, OMS II

Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Exploration of Ukrainian Female Refugees’ Perceptions of Mental Health

Second Place (TIE)

Suzanne Chaar, OMS II

Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Foundational Knowledge Regarding Childhood Obesity: A Review of Medical Providers

Second Place (TIE)

Jessica Chebra, OMS II

Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Children's emotional and physiological responses to images associated with COVID-19

Second Place (TIE)

Kieran Gormley, OMS II

University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine

Patient-Physician Communication Gaps about Chronic Disease in Rural Appalachia

Case Reports

First Place

Tillie Schumann, OMS III

Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine

SMARCA4-deficient carcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction

Second Place

Kara Renner, PGY 2

Cleveland Clinic Family Medicine    

Breaking Through Barriers: Osteopathic Treatment for Patients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

People’s Choice Award

Breanna Santoso, OMS II

Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dublin Campus

Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy with Gastrocnemius Recession