Medical Specialties Commons^™

Pcom Doctor Of Osteopathic Medicine Class Of 2030 White Coat Ceremony, Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine

White Coat Ceremony

Program of PCOM Philadelphia Campus 2026 White Coat Ceremony Program for the Class of 2030.

Guest Speaker: Michael A. Becker, DO '87, Senior Associate Dean of Clinical Education, Professor, Department of Family Medicine.

Small Cell Lung Cancer In A Never-Smoking Patient: A Case Highlighting Diagnostic And Screening Gaps In Primary Care, Edward Hamilton, Alexandra She, Francis Jenney

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is best known in relation to tobacco exposure and tends to be seen in advanced disease. Contemporary guidelines in lung cancer screening demonstrate a strong emphasis on smoking exposure, which may serve as a barrier to recognition in never-smokers who lack conventional risk factors. As a result, SCLC in never-smokers remains an important but underrecognized consideration in general and primary care settings. The current case involves a 65-year-old African American man who has never been a smoker but who presented with progressive thoracic pain, shortness of breath, and unintended weight loss, leading to the discovery …

A Mild Case Of Pseudoachondroplasia In A Child: Lessons For Long-Term Primary Care, Alec J. Pupo D.O., Connor J. Stinson D.O., Autumn Dye D.O.

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Background: Pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH) is a rare autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia caused by pathogenic variants in the cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) gene. It is classically characterized by early-onset growth failure, disproportionate short stature, progressive epiphyseal dysplasia, and premature degenerative joint disease. Although phenotypic variability has been reported, PSACH is often regarded as a uniformly severe condition with predictable orthopedic morbidity.

Case Presentation: We report an eleven-year-old female with genetically confirmed PSACH who demonstrates an unexpectedly mild clinical phenotype, despite a maternal history of severe disease requiring bilateral total hip replacement during adolescence. The patient exhibited mild hip dysplasia, evolving genu …

Targeting Oxidative Stress In Cadasil: Case Insights And Therapeutic Approaches, Maria Meshreky, Richard Weinberger, Giana Johnson, Andrew Abraham, Jacob Rosendale

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a rare hereditary small-vessel disease caused by NOTCH3 mutations, leading to recurrent ischemic strokes, cognitive decline, and early-onset dementia. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathophysiology of small-vessel cerebrovascular disease, but therapeutic strategies targeting oxidative injury remain limited. We present a 40-year-old female with recurrent ischemic strokes involving the right and left middle cerebral arteries, persistent hypercoagulability of unknown etiology, and no identifiable inherited or acquired thrombophilia. Despite well-controlled blood pressure and standard medical management, the patient remains at high risk for cerebrovascular injury. An extensive review of …

Did A.T. Still, Do, Have An Md Degree?, David B. Fuller

PCOM Scholarly Works

A.T. Still, DO (1828–1917), founder of osteopathic medicine, was a licensed physician practicing in late 19th- and early 20th-century America. Although many assume he held an MD degree, the reality is more complex. Examining whether Dr. Still earned an MD degree provides important insight into the origins of osteopathic medicine and the profession that followed.

The Role Of C-Terminal Crosslinking Telopeptide Of Type Ii Collagen (Ctx-Ii) After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review., Ali Naderi, S Ali Ghasemi, Andrea Fabregas, Gene Shaffer, James Raphael

Orthopedic Surgery Resident Research

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are known to accelerate cartilage degradation and predispose patients to early-onset osteoarthritis. C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II), a biomarker of cartilage breakdown, can be detected in various body fluids, including urine, offering a non-invasive method for evaluating cartilage degeneration. This systematic review aimed to assess existing evidence on urinary CTX-II (uCTX-II) levels following ACL reconstruction (ACLR). A systematic search of two medical databases was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Studies were screened for inclusion based on their assessment of CTX-II in human subjects undergoing ACLR, and methodological quality was evaluated using …

Rectal Adenocarcinoma Presenting As Full-Thickness Prolapse With External Haemorrhoids: Case Report., Samantha Temucin, Sean Singh, Valerie Bauer, Roy Sandau

General Surgery Resident Research

We present a case of a 51-year-old male with a colonic adenocarcinoma that presented as a full-thickness rectal prolapse with external haemorrhoids. This patient had no significant medical or surgical history and presented to the emergency department with a rectal prolapse which had become incarcerated and increasingly painful over the previous 2 weeks. A computed tomography (CT) abdomen and pelvis appeared benign, demonstrating a full-thickness rectal prolapse with no definite rectal mass. A colonoscopy was performed, revealing anterior rectal mucosal edema, fibrosis, and a possible mass. This prompted the patient to be taken to the operating room for a low …

Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Reduce Bone Resorption In Postmenopausal Women With An Intact Uterus?, Ashley Harding

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not hormone replacement therapy reduces bone resorption in postmenopausal women with an intact uterus.

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three double blind randomized control trials (RCTs) published from 2016 to 2022.

DATA SOURCES: All RCTs were published in peer reviewed journals in English and were found on PubMed and Google Scholar. Articles were chosen based on relevance to the clinical question.

OUTCOME MEASURED: Level of bone resorption was measured via assessment of bone turnover markers at baseline and after use of hormone replacement therapy in all …

Primary Dural Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Report Of A Rare Case And Review Of The Literature., Adetola G Mowo-Wale, Ozo Akah, Shaileshkumar Jagdishbhai Prajapati, Parita Shah, Kaushalendra Mani Tripathi, Neeraj Kancherla, Rohan Raj

Internal Medicine Resident Research

Primary dural lymphoma (PDL) is a rare subtype of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), accounting for fewer than 1% of cases. It originates from the dura mater with no evidence of parenchymal or systemic involvement and is usually a low-grade marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (MZL). High-grade variants, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), are extremely uncommon and clinically more aggressive. We describe the case of a 65-year-old immunocompetent man who presented with progressive headaches and right-sided weakness. Brain MRI revealed a right frontoparietal dural-based enhancing lesion with a dural tail, closely mimicking meningioma on imaging. Subtotal resection was performed, …

Disparities In Health Insurance And Delayed Care Among Hispanic Immigrants In The United States., Temitope Ayodele, Connor Fletcher, Kirk B Beredjiklian, Michael Valenzuela, Zane Mazur

Orthopedic Surgery Resident Research

BACKGROUND: Hispanic immigrants in the United States face persistent barriers to healthcare, including lower rates of insurance coverage and a greater likelihood of delaying care due to cost. Clarifying the independent effects of ethnicity and nativity on these disparities is essential to inform effective policy.

METHODS: We analyzed pooled data from the 2019-2023 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), accessed through the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS). Primary outcomes were being uninsured and delayed medical care due to cost in the past 12 months. Key independent variables were Hispanic ethnicity and nativity (US-born vs. foreign-born). Covariates included survey year, age, …

Incidence And Risk Factors Of Developing A Dysrhythmia After Blunt Thoracic Trauma., Jessica Jowers, Kevin Van Derveer, Katherine Moore, Nathaniel Harshaw, Julie M Reichert, Hannah Karr, Urhum Khaliq, David J Cziperle, Lindsey L Perea

General Surgery Resident Research

Background/Objectives: The incidence of dysrhythmia after blunt thoracic trauma varies in the literature from 8-75%, and the complication rate from these dysrhythmias is not well studied. The aims of this study are to (1) identify the incidence of dysrhythmia following blunt thoracic trauma, (2) identify risk factors associated with developing a dysrhythmia, and (3) identify the incidence of cardiac intervention after developing a dysrhythmia. We hypothesize that blunt thoracic trauma may result in post-injury dysrhythmias. Methods: This is a retrospective review of trauma patients ≥ 18 years with a blunt mechanism of injury at a Level 1 Trauma …

Malignancy-Associated Renal Infarction: A Case Of Prostate Cancer Presenting With Flank Pain And Hematuria., Connor J Stinson, Alec Pupo, Patrick Laird

Internal Medicine Resident Research

Renal infarction is an uncommon but critical diagnosis that is frequently overlooked due to its nonspecific presentation and overlap with more common causes of abdominal or flank pain. Patients with malignancy, including metastatic prostate cancer, are at increased risk of thromboembolic events due to the intrinsic hypercoagulable state promoted by cancer, yet arterial events, such as renal infarction, remain underrecognized. We present the case of a 74-year-old male with metastatic castrate-sensitive prostate cancer who developed acute abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Evaluation revealed elevated blood pressure, microscopic hematuria, and increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis …

Ethical Considerations Of Deep Brain Stimulation For Treatment Refractory Schizophrenia: Surveying Stakeholders., Judith M Gault, Nicola Cascella, Nidal Moukaddam, Stephanie Lehto, Patrick Hosokawa, Paul S Appelbaum, Akira Sawa, Jocelyn Lippman-Bell, William S Anderson, Wayne Goodman, Sameer A Sheth, Daniel Kramer, John A Thompson, Elyn R Saks, Rachel A Davis

PCOM Scholarly Works

INTRODUCTION: Ethical concerns have been raised by both current and historically controversial neurosurgical interventions for treatment-refractory schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder (TR-SZ). Considering advances in next-generation deep brain stimulation (DBS), initial success in treating a few cases of TR-SZ, and how challenging trial enrollment is, transparency and disseminating knowledge about DBS is important, as is input from involved groups. Here information was presented about DBS as an experimental treatment option for TR-SZ to stakeholders to gauge enthusiasm after consideration of potential risks and benefits.

METHODS: Stakeholders were presented with information about DBS (total

RESULTS: Most (83%) research participants and presentation audience …

A Case Of Culture-Proven Cutaneous Atypical Mycobacterial Infection Caused By Mycobacterium Immunogenum, Faraz Yousefian, Aysham Chaudry, Francesca Ceci, Charay Jennings-Dover, Dionne Louis

Dermatology Resident Research

No abstract available

Commencement, Philadelphia (2025), Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine

Commencements

Philadelphia Campus Commencement Program, 2025. Degrees include Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology, Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology, Doctor of Psychology in School Psychology, Educational Specialist in School Psychology, Master of Science in Applied Behavioral Analysis, Master of Science in Applied Positive Psychology, Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling, Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences, Master of Science in Forensic Medicine, Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant Studies.

Commencement Speaker: John J. Lynch III.

Pcsk-9 Inhibitors Treatment: The Cardiovascular Disparity, Julia Lees, Seana-Pierre Williams, Tahir Razzaq, Michael B. Roberts

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Introduction: According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Heart Association (AHA), cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. This phenomenon disproportionally affects the African American population, who have a 31% higher mortality rate than non-Hispanic Caucasian individuals. A retrospective review of PCSK-9 medication use, specifically in a patient population that had minimal representation in the large, landmark clinical trials, can lead to better understanding about the therapeutic potential in cardiovascular disease reduction and patient outcomes attributed to medication use. Education regarding this novel drug class, medication access and patient support, …

Literature Review Of Stiff Person Syndrome, Mustafa Ansari, Adam Davis, Donald Penney

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Background: Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) is a rare, debilitating autoimmune neurological disorder characterized by progressive muscle rigidity, painful spasms, and gait disturbances. It is strongly associated with autoantibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), leading to impaired GABAergic neurotransmission. SPS exists on a spectrum, with both classical and paraneoplastic variants, the latter often linked to malignancies such as breast cancer.

Methods: This review synthesizes current literature on the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic criteria, and treatment modalities of SPS. We examine emerging therapies, including immunomodulatory approaches and antibody-targeted interventions, to address the heterogeneity of disease progression and treatment response.

Results: SPS remains …

Commencement, South Georgia (2025), Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine

Commencements

South Georgia Campus Commencement Program, 2025. Degrees include Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences.

Commencement Speaker: Joseph A. Giaimo, DO '87.

Anterior Vocal Fold Scar., Arianne J Abreu, Omar Ramadan, Robert T Sataloff

Otolaryngology (ENT) Resident Research

No abstract available

Notalgia Paresthetica: Case Report, Emily M. Garelick, David Kasper

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Notalgia paresthetica (NP) is a dermatologic condition that causes pruritus of the skin on the medial border of the inferior scapula and/or upper back. It is a chronic neurologic dysesthesia caused by pain from nerve fiber damage at the thoracic spine, levels two to six. Patients can also experience paresthesia, allodynia, and pruritus that is exacerbated by heat. It has been shown in multiple case reports that thoracic nerve impingement could be responsible for this problem, specifically herniated intervertebral discs, vertebral changes, and osteoarthritic lesions. Multiple methods of treatment have been reported to be effective including topical steroids and anesthetics, …

Prospective Receptivity And Acceptability Of Brief Alcohol Interventions Among Women And Racial/Ethnic Minority Veterans In Primary Care, Jacob L. Scharer, Robyn Shepardson, Brandi Roelk, Julie C. Gass, Laura Wray, Stephen A. Maisto, Jennifer Funderburk

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Brief alcohol interventions (BAIs) are an evidence-based practice for addressing hazardous drinking among primary care patients, yet implementation of BAIs in practice has been difficult and disparities have been identified regarding implementing BAIs with women and racial/ethnic minority patients. Further, patient engagement is a commonly identified barrier to BAI implementation. This mixed methods study aimed to assess acceptability of BAIs among women and racial/ethnic minority primary care patients and to identify factors that may impact their receptivity to engaging in a BAI. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 17 patients who had screened positive for hazardous alcohol use. Patients reported neutral …

Improving Patient Engagement Through Whole Health: Veteran Perspectives On A Values Assessment Tool, Luke D. Mitzel, Robyn Shepardson, Emily M. Johnson, Jennifer Funderburk

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Amidst rising rates of costly chronic diseases, a growing emphasis for integrated primary care settings is offering proactive, person-centered, and whole-person care. Through its Whole Health approach, the Veterans Health Administration (VA) is a leading force in this movement. VA’s Whole Health focuses on delivering patient-centered care that engages and empowers Veterans to improve health outcomes. The Personal Health Inventory (PHI) is a brief, whole-person focused, values assessment of what matters most that can lead to personalized health planning. Using a concurrent triangulation (convergent) mixed methods design, we examined the perspectives of 25 post-9/11 Veterans using semi-structured telephone interviews. Qualitative …

The History Of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation And Where We Are Today, Maren Downing, Eren Sakarcan, Kristen Quinn

General Surgery Resident Research

Cardiac arrest remains a leading cause of death worldwide and is a global health crisis. First described in the medical literature in the 18th century, modern cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with closed chest compressions has remained the standard of care since 1960. Despite exponential advances in basic science research and technological innovations, cardiac arrest survival remains a dismal 10%. The standard of care closed chest compressions provide only 20–30% of baseline cardiac output to the body. Have modern therapies plateaued in effectiveness? This article reviews the history of cardiac arrest, its therapies, and opportunities for future treatments. Through an exploration into …

Time To Measure: A Proposed Theoretical Model For Head And Neck Cancer Intervals Of Care, Mary Jue Xu, Hannah Decker, Arianne Abreu, Rolvix H. Patterson, Hirwa Nteyumwete, Pier-Luc Beaudoin, David W. Hamilton, Aslam Nkya, Willybroad Massawe, Nicholas Correia, Furahini Yoram Paulo, Katherine Van Loon, Susan D. Emmett, Christina Reaves, Samuel Okerosi

Otolaryngology (ENT) Resident Research

Head and neck cancer care delays are challenging, given the complexity of cancer care pathways, which leads to delays throughout the patient journey, from the symptom onset to treatment completion. Current models and literature addressing cancer care are limited by heterogeneous definitions of care intervals, a focus on specific aspects of the patient journey instead of the whole care continuum, and limited use of implementation science to target gaps in implementing evidence-based interventions. Here, we propose the Head and Neck Cancer TImely aCess TO Care Model as an approach to conceptualize, measure, and address delays in diverse health systems.

A Holistic Approach To Treatment Of Rosacea During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review, Emily Garelick, Margaret Hurley, Lauren Noto-Bell, Stefanie Cubelli

PCOM Scholarly Works

Background: Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that is commonly exacerbated during pregnancy. Many patients suffer from emotional distress as a result of their rosacea, but the standard treatment options can cause harm to a developing fetus.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted on PubMed and EMBASE using the keywords “rosacea,” “pregnancy,” “treatment,” “holistic,” “edema, and “osteopathic manipulative treatment” (OMT). 113 papers were extracted and screened to determine eligibility based on inclusion criteria: primary sources, rosacea diagnosis, and documented treatment. Those that did not meet criteria were excluded and 20 papers remained for this review.

Results: The 20 included …

Surgical Repair Of An Atypical Midsubstance Distal Biceps Tendon Partial Tear: A Case Report, Michael M. Valenzuela, Genoveffa R. Morway, Christopher M. Jones

Orthopedic Surgery Resident Research

[No abstract available]

Pseudoachondroplasia, A Case Report (Preprint), Alec J. Pupo, Connor J. Stinson, Autumn Dye

Internal Medicine Resident Research

No abstract available.

Wearable-Derived Heart Rate Variability Reveals Autonomic Dysfunction In Schizophrenia (Preprint), Alec J. Pupo, Stephanie H. Felgoise

Internal Medicine Resident Research

Autonomic dysfunction has long been implicated in schizophrenia, yet objective physiological markers remain underutilized in psychiatric research. Heart rate variability (HRV), a noninvasive measure of autonomic regulation, is conventionally derived from short electrocardiographic recordings. In this study, we tested whether continuous, wearable-derived HRV can identify physiologic alterations in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. Using the NIH All of Us database, we analyzed second-level Fitbit heart rate data from 26 individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum diagnoses and 26 matched controls. Frequency-domain analyses focused on ultra-low frequency (ULF), very low frequency (VLF), and truncated low frequency (tLF) bands, given sampling constraints. Schizophrenia participants showed significantly reduced power …

Elevated Neutrophil-To-Lymphocyte Ratios In Schizophrenia: Insights From A Precision Medicine Cohort (Preprint), Alec J. Pupo, Connor J. Stinson, Chinwendu Madukwe, Stephanie H. Felgoise

Internal Medicine Resident Research

Systemic inflammation has been increasingly implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a readily available marker of systemic inflammation, has not been thoroughly investigated in large, demographically-matched schizophrenia cohorts. Using data from the All of Us Research Program, we analyzed participants with schizophrenia (n = 396) matched to controls (n = 396) by sex, race, and age. NLR was calculated as the ratio of each participant’s median neutrophil count to median lymphocyte count across all available measurements, excluding extreme values (NLR > 7). Distribution normality was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test, and group differences were evaluated with the …

Conservative Management Of A Rare Clinical Phenomenon: Paraspinal Compartment Syndrome - A Review Of Existing Literature., Mark Lagreca, Arash Badragheh, Nathan Jones, Thomas Falconiero, Brian Danshaw

Orthopedic Surgery Resident Research

INTRODUCTION: This review of case series and case reports explores conservative management strategies for paraspinal compartment syndrome (PCS), a rare clinical condition. Extremity compartment syndrome has been shown to be managed most effectively with emergent surgical release of the fascial compartment. Given the rarity of PCS and the paucity of research in the literature, some authors have suggested the possibility of conservative treatment. There has been no study to date that has specifically investigated the cases of non-operative management of PCS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: There are 16 case reports in the literature with 22 cases of PCS treated conservatively. The …