The COM Pod: an unfiltered look at life at Idaho's first medical school

We're baaaaack! Hosts Brian Atkinson, Stephanie Dillon, and Dr. Sarah Davis are joined by Ellie Matthews (Assistant Director of Admissions) and Kyler Cochrane (Admissions Recruiter) in the first episode of Season 3 of The COM Pod. Ellie and Kyler share new updates with ICOM admissions, answer frequently asked questions, and Links Mentioned in this Episode:Learn more about the admissions process at ICOM + AACOMASContact Kyler CochraneFollow ICOM on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok (@idahocom)If you have suggestions for episode topics or general questions about the podcast, send us an email at podcast@icom.edu. 

From the classroom to the kitchen, a new course at ICOM is giving medical students an opportunity to learn about the interplay between nutrition, medicine and patient care. Hosts Brian Atkinson, Stephanie Dillon, and Dr. Sarah Davis are joined by special guest Chef McKenzie Joyner to discuss how this 6-lesson elective course is providing in-the-kitchen instruction to guide medical students in improving health with food. Links Mentioned in this EpisodeLearn more about Culinary MedicineWatch Culinary Medicine in action!Chef McKenzie's website + Instagram

Co-hosts of The COM Pod, Brian Atkinson, Stephanie Dillon, and Dr. Sarah Davis chat with Student Doctors Haik and Kristen as they reflect on their clinical years and look ahead to Match Day.   Links mentioned in this episode:Clinical Experience at ICOMMatch Day 2022Have a question or topic suggestion for The COM Pod? Connect with us on social media:Facebook: Facebook.com/idahoDOcomInstagram: @idahocomTwitter: @idahocomEmail: podcast@idahocom.org

Co-host of The COM Pod, Dr. Dennis Rau, sits down for his final episode. So naturally, in the spirit of friendship, his co-workers send him off with a roast. Hosts Brian Atkinson and Stephanie Dillon are joined by Dr. Sarah Davis, Chris Wilson, and Ellie Matthews. Have a question or topic suggestion for The COM Pod? Connect with us on social media:Facebook: Facebook.com/idahoDOcomInstagram: @idahocomTwitter: @idahocomEmail: podcast@idahocom.org

 ICOM's Behavioral Health Specialists provide confidential and culturally-sensitive services including counseling, crisis intervention, outreach and prevention for medical students. In this episode, hosts Brian Atkinson and Stephanie Dillon chat with Jake Price, LPC and Shatae Mullins, LPC, ICOM's Behavioral Health Specialists.  Links mentioned during this episode:  Behavioral and Physical Health Services at ICOMHave a question or topic suggestion for The COM Pod? Connect with us on social media:Facebook: Facebook.com/idahoDOcomInstagram: @idahocomTwitter: @idahocomEmail: podcast@idahocom.org

The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine has launched a new program for current students called the OPP Undergraduate Fellowship. Third-year student, Spencer Fitch, is one of the first students who have been accepted into this new program and joins hosts Brian Atkinson, Stephanie Dillon and Dr. Dennis Rau to discuss the Fellowship.  Links mentioned during this episode:  OMT Video LibraryHave a question or topic suggestion for The COM Pod? Connect with us on social media:Facebook: Facebook.com/idahoDOcomInstagram: @idahocomTwitter: @idahocomEmail: podcast@idahocom.org

Prior to his departure from ICOM, former Dean and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Thomas Mohr, joined the podcast to recap exciting milestones achieved during the 2021-22 academic year. Links mentioned during this episode:  Dean Announces Departure from ICOMICOM Celebrates First Match DayICOM Graduates Inaugural ClassICOM Achieves Full Accreditation Have a question or topic suggestion for The COM Pod? Connect with us on social media:Facebook: Facebook.com/idahoDOcomInstagram: @idahocomTwitter: @idahocomEmail: podcast@idahocom.org

Forming a strong social circle in medical school can help students maintain a nice work-life balance and excel academically. Depending on your personality, making friends can either be easy or daunting; but once you've created your friend circle, you'll have a great support system. Third-year ICOM students, Dorothy Yen, Kristie Nguyen, and Madison Summers share their experiences with making friends in medical school and how they curated their seven-member "girl gang" that helps them through the highs and lows of med school.Links and emails mentioned in the podcast:Clinical Experience: https://www.idahocom.org/academics/clinical-experience/ Have a question or topic suggestion for The COM Pod? Connect with us on social media:Facebook: Facebook.com/idahoDOcomInstagram: @idahocomTwitter: @idahocomEmail: podcast@idahocom.org

The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) -- also known as "The Match" -- is used to place U.S. medical school students into residency training programs, and occurs during a student's fourth-year of medical school. ICOM alumni Jenna Farmer, DO and Marcus Capizzano, DO  join Brian, Stephanie and Dr. Rau to discuss their experiences navigating the NRMP and offer advice to med students.  Dr. Farmer is currently completing her Family Medicine residency with the Family Medicine Residency of Idaho in Nampa, ID; and Dr. Capizzano is currently completing a Family Medicine residency at the Osteopathic Medical Education Consortium of Oklahoma in Tulsa, OK. Links mentioned during this episode:  National Resident Matching ProgramICOM Celebrates First Match DayWATCH: Match Day Party at ICOMICOM's Match RateHave a question or topic suggestion for The COM Pod? Connect with us on social media:Facebook: Facebook.com/idahoDOcomInstagram: @idahocomTwitter: @idahocomEmail: podcast@idahocom.org

We're baaaaaaaack! The COM Pod -- the official podcast of the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) has returned for its second season. Hosts Brian Atkinson, Director of IT; Stephanie Dillon, Director of Communications & Marketing; and Dr. Dennis Rau, Assistant Dean of Osteopathic Integration are excited to bring you some fresh content this season! Have a question or topic suggestion for The COM Pod? Connect with us on social media:Facebook: Facebook.com/idahoDOcomInstagram: @idahocomTwitter: @idahocomEmail: podcast@idahocom.org

Now that ICOM's inaugural Class of 2022 is nearing the end of its first year of clinical rotations, Student Doctors Yalda Chalabi and Nick Scapini share their experiences with hosts Brian Atkinson, Stephanie Dillon and Dr. Dennis Rau. Get advice, words of wisdom, and learn about “pimping” -- the OTHER kind of pimping --  from these experienced third-year students. Links and emails mentioned in the podcast:Clinical Experience: https://www.idahocom.org/academics/clinical-experience/ Have a question or topic suggestion for The COM Pod? Connect with us on social media:Facebook: Facebook.com/idahoDOcomInstagram: @idahocomTwitter: @idahocomEmail: podcast@idahocom.org

Dr. Todd Coffey, Chair and Associate Professor of the Department of Research and Biostatistics chats with hosts Brian Atkinson, Stephanie Dillon and Dr. Dennis Rau about the research landscape at ICOM. Listen to this episode to learn about research opportunities available to students throughout the pre-clinical and clinical years. Links and emails mentioned in the podcast:Research: https://www.idahocom.org/research/ Dr. Coffey's email: tcoffey@idahocom.orgHave a question or topic suggestion for The COM Pod? Connect with us on social media:Facebook: Facebook.com/idahoDOcomInstagram: @idahocomTwitter: @idahocomEmail: podcast@idahocom.org

Hosts Brian Atkinson, Stephanie Dillon and Dr. Dennis Rau are joined by Nicole McMillin, ICOM's Director of Financial Aid, to discuss financing your medical school education. From information on loans and scholarships to tuition and fees, consider this episode as “Financial Aid 101” for prospective ICOM students. Links and emails mentioned in the podcast:Financial Aid: https://www.idahocom.org/admission-aid/financial-aid/ Nicole's email: nmcmillin@idahocom.orgCarlene's email: cwallace@idahocom.orgTuition & Fees: https://www.idahocom.org/students/student-accounts/ Have a question or topic suggestion for The COM Pod? Connect with us on social media:Facebook: Facebook.com/idahoDOcomInstagram: @idahocomTwitter: @idahocomEmail: podcast@idahocom.org

Hosts Brian Atkinson and Stephanie Dillon are joined by returning guest, Ellie Matthews, ICOM's Recruiter Extraordinaire. On this episode, Ellie answers a variety of frequently asked questions from prospective students. If you're looking to apply to ICOM, you'll want to listen to this episode! Links and emails mentioned in the podcast:FAQs: https://www.idahocom.org/about/faq/ Ellie's email: ematthews@idahocom.orgAdmissions email: admissions@idahocom.org"Beyond the Minimums" episode: https://bit.ly/2VRyPuM Virtual Tour: https://youtu.be/xy3KkGMM1jI Have a question or topic suggestion for The COM Pod? Connect with us on social media:Facebook: Facebook.com/idahoDOcomInstagram: @idahocomTwitter: @idahocomEmail: podcast@idahocom.org

Hosts Brian Atkinson, Stephanie Dillon and Dennis Rau are joined by Kristie Nguyen, OMS-I and Christopher Thompson, OMS-I. These first-year students share how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted and influenced the medical school experience.  Have a question or topic suggestion for The COM Pod? Connect with us on social media:Facebook: Facebook.com/idahoDOcomInstagram: @idahocomTwitter: @idahocomEmail: podcast@idahocom.org

Classes have resumed at ICOM with a hybrid of virtual and in-person learning. Hosts Brian, Stephanie and Dennis chat with ICOM Dean and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Thomas Mohr, and ICOM Director of Facilities, Chris Wilson, about safety precautions and procedures amid the COVID-19 pandemic.Have a question or topic suggestion for The COM Pod? Connect with us on social media:Facebook: Facebook.com/idahoDOcomInstagram: @idahocomTwitter: @idahocomEmail: podcast@idahocom.org

While this episode of The COM Pod was recorded back in June of 2020, the stories and information shared are timeless. Hosts Brian Atkinson, Stephanie Dillon and Dennis Rau are joined by Celine Tran, OMS-II and Phil Zeek, OMS-III to recap their first and second years of medical school. Student Doctors Tran and Zeek share the "peaks" and the "pits" of the academic year, and give advice to incoming medical students.Have a question or topic suggestion for The COM Pod? Connect with us on social media:Facebook: Facebook.com/idahoDOcomInstagram: @idahocomTwitter: @idahocomEmail: podcast@idahocom.org

Hosts Stephanie Dillon and Dr. Dennis Rau chat with Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs, Dr. Kevin Wilson, and Clinical Clerkship Coordinator, Sara Reiter, about the clinical years at ICOM. If you're interested in learning about the rotations ICOM has to offer, what the third and fourth-year curriculum looks like, and what student physicians can expect to see and do during these rotations, then this episode is for you! Have a question or topic suggestion for The COM Pod? Connect with us on social media:Facebook: Facebook.com/idahoDOcomInstagram: @idahocomTwitter: @idahocomEmail: podcast@idahocom.org

With medical school fairs and other recruitment-type events cancelled due to COVID-19, what can pre-med students do to connect with medical schools during these unprecedented times? ICOM's Director of Admissions, Janette Martin, and Recruiter, Ellie Matthews, join this episode of The COM Pod to share how recruiting strategies have altered and what virtual medical school interviews will look like this fall. Links mentioned in the episode:https://choosedo.org/ https://www.idahocom.org/admission-aid/admissions/ https://www.idahocom.org/events/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy3KkGMM1jI&feature=youtu.be Have a question or topic suggestion for The COM Pod? Connect with us on social media:Facebook: Facebook.com/idahoDOcomInstagram: @idahocomTwitter: @idahocomEmail: podcast@idahocom.orgBTW....PROMO CODE: ALLIGATOR HAS EXPIRED ;-) 

The trajectory of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has stunned the medical profession and has changed the medical school experience, both for current and prospective students. ICOM President Dr. Tracy J. Farnsworth, and Dr. David Pate, Vice Chairman of the ICOM Board of Trustees and member of Governor Brad Little's Coronavirus Task Force, make a guest appearance to discuss COVID-19 and its impact on the medical landscape.Links mentioned in the episode:https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/ https://drpatesblog.com/  Have a question or topic suggestion for The COM Pod? Connect with us on social media:Facebook: Facebook.com/idahoDOcomInstagram: @idahocomTwitter: @idahocomEmail: podcast@idahocom.org

Among the many challenges presented during the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of medical students across the U.S. are experiencing delays in board exams. In this episode, hosts Brian Atkinson, Stephanie Dillon and Dr. Dennis Rau chat with two of ICOM's second-year students, Student Doctors Erica Latorre and Eric Hall. They discuss how learning and studying remotely is influencing their preparation for the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) and/or the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).Have a question or topic suggestion for The COM Pod? Connect with us on social media:Facebook: Facebook.com/idahoDOcomInstagram: @idahocomTwitter: @idahocomEmail: podcast@idahocom.org

Learning and working remotely has become the "new normal" for educational institutions and businesses across the country due to COVID-19 -- including ICOM. In this episode, hosts Brian Atkinson, Stephanie Dillon and Dr. Dennis Rau share their thoughts and experiences with this new workflow. They are joined by Student Doctors Kristen Parks and Bridger West, two first-year students who have had to adapt new learning and studying strategies, which they share. Have a question or topic suggestion for The COM Pod? Connect with us on social media:Facebook: Facebook.com/idahoDOcomInstagram: @idahocomTwitter: @idahocomEmail: podcast@idahocom.org

Due to the progression of COVID-19, many -- if not all -- schools, colleges, universities and other educational institutions have transitioned to online learning in an effort to ensure the health and wellbeing of their students and educators. In this episode, ICOM Learning Specialist Jennifer Ross shares information on how to become a successful virtual learner. Her tips and advice are suitable for students in all stages of their learning career! Have a question or topic suggestion for The COM Pod? Connect with us on social media:Facebook: Facebook.com/idahoDOcomInstagram: @idahocomTwitter: @idahocomEmail: podcast@idahocom.org

We'll be back in two weeks!In the meantime, let us know what you think and what you want to hear more of at podcast@idahocom.org.

Host Dr. Dennis Rau chats with second-year medical students Jenna Farmer, Kiefer Starks, Arman Israelyan and William Ketterer about their journey to medical school, thoughts on osteopathic manipulation and patient outcomes they've seen through using osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT).Have a question or topic suggestion for The COM Pod? Connect with us on social media:Facebook: Facebook.com/idahoDOcomInstagram: @idahocomTwitter: @idahocomEmail: podcast@idahocom.org

What is osteopathic medicine? What does "DO" stand for? Hosts Brian Atkinson, Stephanie Dillon and Dr. Dennis Rau, alongside returning guest, ICOM Dean Dr. Thomas J. Mohr, answer those questions and many others related to osteopathic medicine. If you've ever wanted to know what the difference is between DOs and MDs, then this episode is for you!It was incorrectly stated in this podcast that A.T. Still's family passed away due to influenza. Rather, two of his children passed away from meningitis. Please reference Still's biography in the link below.Links mentioned in the episode:https://www.aacom.org/ https://www.atsu.edu/museum-of-osteopathic-medicine/museum-at-still https://icomtvids.uscreen.io/Have a question or topic suggestion for The COM Pod? Connect with us on social media:Facebook: Facebook.com/idahoDOcomInstagram: @idahocomTwitter: @idahocomEmail: podcast@idahocom.org