Western University of Health Sciences’ College of Podiatric Medicine (CPM) recently received a $120,000 gift to establish the Dr. Thomas Rambacher Reconstructive Surgery Endowed Scholarship. This gift was donated by Thomas Rambacher, DPM, FACFAS, FAPWCA (pictured, right).  

The goal of the endowed scholarship is to support students and further the field of podiatric medicine through an emphasis in reconstructive surgery. The Dr. Thomas Rambacher Reconstructive Surgery Endowed Scholarship will support incoming DPM students with a strong interest in biomechanical reconstructive surgery who are committed to the humanistic practice of restorative care. The endowed scholarship is open to students from places Dr. Rambacher has personal ties to: Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Orange County, California, and Los Angeles County, California.  

“Dr. Rambacher’s generosity is truly admirable. This gift helps us alleviate the stress and financial burden students are encumbered with while pursuing their podiatric medical education,” said CPM Dean Jonathan Labovitz, DPM, FACFAS, CHCQM. “Dr. Rambacher is leading the way in helping make a difference in the lives of his patients, and now, in partnering with WesternU CPM, to educate the next generation of podiatric physicians.” 

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Each year a new class of future health care professionals descends on the small, tight-knit community of Lebanon, Oregon. In the town that prioritizes friendliness, community, and optimism, these new Western University of Health Sciences students are welcomed in with open arms. This warm welcome is shown through the Tools of the Trade program.  

The Tools of the Trade program dates back to before WesternU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest (COMP-Northwest) even opened its doors to students. In 2009, Shelly Garrett, an active community volunteer and Executive Director for the Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce, met with the founding Dean and current WesternU Provost, Paula M. Crone, DO ’92, looking for a meaningful way to welcome students to the community. Garrett, a tireless supporter and champion for the Lebanon community, was eager to welcome students to their new home. It was decided that providing medical bags for the students would be a fitting gesture, equipping them with an essential tool for their future roles as physicians and community servants. Garrett passed away in 2019, but her legacy continues to impact and support the WesternU community and the city of Lebanon.  

Today, WesternU Board of Trustees member Heather McDaniel and community volunteer Doris Modderman oversee the Tools of the Trade program. McDaniel and Modderman, known locally as the “bag ladies,” donate their time to run this program with a committee of local volunteers. Together, they have raised tens of thousands of dollars over the last five years. For the bag ladies, the donations are personal. 

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CHS-Northwest faculty Neha Dewan, PT, MPT, PhD, and her colleagues published a new paper in Alzheimers Dement (NY): Dewan N, Sommerlad A, Chapman H, Banerjee S, Corazzini K, Edvardsson D, Liougas MP, Livingston G, McGilton KS, O'Rourke HM, Bethell J. Assessing social connection for long-term care home residents: Systematic review using Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments guidelines. Alzheimers Dement (N Y). 2024 Aug 5;10(3):e12492. PMID: 39104764; PMCID: PMC11299077. The open-access paper is freely available at https://doi.org/10.1002/trc2.12492

The organizing committee of the XXIII meeting of the Federation of European Physiological Societies and XLI meeting of the Spanish Society for Physiological Science invited Dr. Devendra K. Agrawal, Professor and Director, COMP Department of Translational Research, to organize a symposium titled “Environmental Factors in the Pathophysiology of Cardiovascular Diseases.”

The scientific conference was held in Granada, Spain Sept. 4-7, 2024. Dr. Agrawal co-chaired the session and as a keynote speaker delivered a lecture on the “Pathophysiological effects of the environmental factors and treatment strategies in cardiovascular diseases."

Please join WesternU's Military Medical Student Association in its annual 9/11 memorial service, to be observed in-person at noon Wednesday, Sept. 11 in Ethan Allen Park on the WesternU California Esplanade.

Let's pay tribute to the heroes and vow never to forget the tremendous loss of life suffered 23 years ago.

Light refreshments will be provided. Questions? Email MMSAClub@westernu.edu.

We're thrilled to announce that Western University of Health Sciences is a co-presenting sponsor of the 8th annual Pomona 5K and 10K, set to take place on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024!

To make this event even more exciting, we are offering limited FREE registrations exclusively to WesternU students and employees who want to be part of Team WesternU.

Enter the drawing by filling out this survey: Pomona 5k Team WesternU (qualtrics.com)

Don't wait too long! The giveaway will conclude at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024.

Winners will be selected through a random drawing by Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, and notified by email with a special code by Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. To participate, winners must be enthusiastic about joining the Pomona 5K or 10K, and they should be prepared to have fun photos and videos taken to share on our social media and marketing platforms.

We can't wait to see our WesternU community come together for this exciting event! Lace up your sneakers and get ready for a memorable day of fitness and camaraderie.

Public Affairs and Marketing is holding an open studio portrait day:

9 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17

Please sign up for a timeslot that works for your schedule if you would like a new studio portrait.

We will schedule additional portrait days for those who cannot come to the studio on this day.