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Meet The Dean of Noorda-COM

By Campus News

Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM) is excited to welcome Dr. Lynsey Drew, DO, MBA, FAAFP, as its new Dean and Chief Academic Officer! Dr. Drew is a well-respected physician, educator, and leader in the osteopathic medical community, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have her at the helm.

Dr. Drew is no stranger to Noorda-COM. She joined us in 2019 as Assistant Dean for Clinical Education and served as Acting Dean for the past year, playing a key role in advancing the college’s mission and making significant strides in enhancing academic transparency and improving student outcomes. Under her leadership, Noorda-COM successfully completed a crucial site visit by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), paving the way for continued growth and excellence in osteopathic education.

Dr. Norm Wright, President of Noorda-COM, praised her leadership, saying, “Dr. Drew has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to our students, team members, and the broader community. Her leadership has been invaluable, and her appointment as Dean is a testament to her dedication, vision, and the trust she has earned from her colleagues and students.”

A native of Utah, Dr. Drew brings a wealth of experience to her role. She’s a graduate of Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA, and has served as a family medicine physician. In addition to completing a Faculty Development Fellowship, she has been a residency program faculty member for the Family Practice residency at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo. Dr. Drew has also served on the Osteopathic Medicine Board for the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing for eight years and is currently President-Elect for the Utah Academy of Family Physicians Board of Directors.  In July 2024, Dr. Drew also was appointed to the Intermountain Health Utah Valley Hospitals Governing Board.

“It’s an incredible honor to take on this challenge as Dean of Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine,” said Dr. Drew. “I’m deeply humbled by the trust placed in me and am committed to leading our students, faculty, and staff toward a future of excellence and compassion in healthcare for all of Utah.”

Dr. Drew’s appointment follows a national search, unanimously endorsed by the Noorda-COM Board of Trustees and approved by COCA. Her passion for academic excellence, commitment to student success, and dedication to the medical community make her the perfect fit to guide Noorda-COM into its next exciting chapter.

We look forward to the positive impact Dr. Drew will continue to make as she leads Noorda-COM toward becoming Utah’s largest medical school and a leader in osteopathic education. Join us in welcoming Dr. Drew to this prestigious role!

October 2, 2024
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Get to “Gnome” Me: Julian J.

By Culture + Community

Noorda-COM faculty, students, and staff are more than their job title or student status. They’re also parents, novelists; professional athletes–and the list goes on! That’s why we created “Get to Gnome Me”: to spotlight our campus members’ personalities, achievements, and lives beyond Noorda-COM.

Introducing Julian J., a second-year medical student at Noorda-COM!


What motivates me every day, on my journey to becoming a physician?
I have a picture of someone very special on my desk—a picture that tells a beautiful story of love and basketball. Whenever I need a little extra motivation to push further, I glance at that photo of her, taken when we were at Santa Monica beach together. Even though it’s been a few years since she passed, her memory continues to inspire me every day.

Julian testing muscle reflexes for Kaufusi’s Keikis health outreach program.

One thing I am most proud of is…
Seeing how far I have come since being that little boy, dreaming of an NBA career. I am most proud of my journey, because of the little to no support, I had. From being cut from my high school basketball team and being told I would not excel by my coach, to eventually being a collegiate athlete with a national team selection. Similarly, when choosing to leave athletics, and focus on my education, support was very scarce in my choice to pursue medical school. But eventually, with the support from one academic counselor and one research principal investigator, I am finally achieving my dream of becoming a physician. There is so much beauty in the journey, that I implore everyone to take a minute and realize how far we have all come, especially in the face of our unique adversities.



____ has had the greatest impact on my life…
My father… Every first-generation, non-traditional kid can relate to seeing their parent work tirelessly day and night to help them succeed. Watching my father face the odds taught me how to persevere, stay determined, and remain hopeful. These qualities will translate into my practice, and I hope to make the same impact on those around me and the community I hope to serve in the future.

Jefe, if you’re reading this. I cannot express how thankful for everything you have done. And I cannot wait to see your face as I walk across the stage, being the first Doctor in the family. Te amo, Papa.

Julian y Papa

I’m most passionate about…
The transformative nature of health and fitness on the body.

One thing I wish people knew about osteopathic medicine is…
How often we incorporate it into our daily lives without realizing it.

Currently, I’m looking forward to…
The next exam. This might get a lot of negative reactions, but it’s something we should always look forward to. As medical students, every exam brings us one step closer to our ultimate goal—graduating with ‘Dr.’ in front of our names.

My motto for life is…
“Mamba Mentality.” What better way to live than by striving to get better every single day and inspiring the next generation in the process? This motto resonates deeply with me because I know the impact I’ve had on my community back in Los Angeles. I’ve been fortunate to inspire many athletes to pursue higher education alongside their athletic pursuits. Since the image of minorities is often limited to athletic opportunities, I hope to shift that narrative by showing that student-athletes can pursue professional careers. Now, as a medical student, I aim to motivate and inspire even more people, regardless of their background, to always strive for greatness—just like the late, great Kobe Bryant.

October 2, 2024
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Carrying on the Legacy of Veterans

By Culture + Community, Events

Over Memorial Day weekend, the Noorda-COM Student Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons Club (SAMOPs) hosted a Wounded Warrior Project “Carry Forward 5k” in Provo Canyon. All of campus was invited to participate and faculty, students, staff, and family members showed up to support SAMPOPs’ efforts.

Wounded Warrior participants are encouraged to walk, jog, or run with a U.S. flag to show support. Some participants of Saturday’s event even ran with weights, to represent the responsibility that veterans bear. Erik Jones, a second-year, HPSP student doctor who organized the event, was one of those participants who went the extra mile.

“As a future military physician, I find it essential to connect with those actively defending our country,” Jones explained. “While I may not be the one carrying a fellow soldier to safety, running the 5l with extra weight has given me a deeper appreciation for those who perform such remarkable feats. Remembering those who have been injured physically or mentally, or who have made the ultimate sacrifice, has motivated me to work harder. Carrying the extra weight served as a reminder of why I chose to become a physician and serve in the military.”

Erik Jones (second to left) poses with a group of participants.

Noorda-COM is proud to call itself home to a variety of military members, supporters, and professionals, including employee veterans, active-duty members through the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), and Veteran Affairs HPSP students.  

HPSP is a scholarship agreement between medical students and the Army, Navy, VA, or Air Force, where students receive a full tuition scholarship and a stipend for living expenses. Among other requirements that follow after graduation, HPSP recipients are on active duty 45 days per year and in the reserves the rest of the year. (Though VA HPSP students are not active duty members.) Depending on their branch, students are also required to serve as a military physician for several years after completing their residency program.

Noorda-COM has a high number of HPSP students–56, to be exact. Aveline Langmead, a first-year and the vice president of SAMOPs, shared why she chose to enroll in the Health Professions Scholarship Program.

(Some of Noorda-COM’s HPSP students in fall of 2023; Aveline Langmead pictured on the far right corner.)

“Growing up playing sports, I was always drawn to working within a team and working towards something much greater than myself,” Langmead explained. “Thus, when the HPSP scholarship opportunity presented itself, I felt that it aligned with many of my goals, while allowing me to play a role in one of the biggest ‘teams’ in the world. I believe serving in the military after medical school will allow me to not only care for my future patients, but to care for those and their families that work to protect our country. Being the first person in my family to serve in the military, I was fortunate to have an incredible community at Noorda-COM to learn from and navigate this journey with. Alongside the incredible career, character building, and leadership opportunities, the HPSP scholarship provides financial peace of mind while traversing your medical education. I am beyond proud and fortunate to serve as a member of Noorda’s HPSP program and the U.S. Navy.” 

Whether in white coats or branch uniforms, we are proud of our students and their dedication to serving our country.

June 4, 2024
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Supporting Provo Elementaries’ Health

By Culture + Community, Events

Noorda-COM launches first “Kaufusi’s Keikis” health screening event at Timpanogos Elementary

Our students and faculty supervisors conducted the first Kaufusi’s Keikis health screening event on May 1 at Timpanogos Elementary School.

The primary benefactor of the 2023, and upcoming 2024 Provo Open, Kaufusi’s Keikis, is a preventative health program managed by Noorda-COM and named in honor of Mayor Kaufusi.

“Mayor Kaufusi’s personal experiences growing up in this community, where access to health screenings was lacking, along with her unwavering dedication to the well-being of Provo’s school children, made it clear that establishing this program as the Kaufusi’s Keikis Health Outreach Program was the right choice,” said Dr. Norman Wright, president of Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Kaufusi’s Keikis will continue to expand, offering free, optional health screenings to elementary-aged children in Provo, Utah. May first’s screenings included six stations for checking vital signs, conducting cardiopulmonary tests, neurological exams, scoliosis checks and basic dental and vision inspections.

Ram B., a first-year student at Noorda-COM, completes a blood pressure check on a Timpanogos Elementary child.

Student doctors and faculty were able to assess several hundred children and offer additional health support to parents. Regan Caldwell, the parent of a Timpanogos Elementary School child, shared her experience with us:

“One thing we love about living in Provo is the variety of little-to-no-cost activities and programs available to young families. And the Kaufusi’s Keikis event was one that did not disappoint! My daughter was absolutely thrilled to explore the emergency vehicles and meet the first responders. I was also amazed at the gentleness and fun-natured personalities of the students who administered the health screenings. All in all, everyone definitely made my daughter’s day!”

Timpanogos Elementary was chosen as the first school for health screenings because of its Title 1 status.

“Provo is more than just a college town. It has a diverse community and population and home to immigrants, people below the poverty line, and English-as-a-second-language speakers,” explained Dr. Namealoha Hekekia, clinical faculty lead on the Kaufusi’s Keikis program.  “In fact, seven out of thirteen of Provo’s elementary schools are Title 1 schools.”

Dr. Hekekia (far left), posing with three Noorda-COM students and a member of the Utah Valley Pediatrics team.

Title 1 schools are given Medicaid access, but Dr. Hekekia explained that the hope for Kaufusi’s Keikis is that it will be a supplementary program, giving parents direction for their child’s health and empowering them to navigate the healthcare system.

Kaufusi’s Keikis is made possible by donations of time and service, as well as private donations and sponsorship gifts, made to the Noorda-COM Foundation (an IRS-approved 501 (c)3 public charity). The Noorda-COM Foundation is also receiving annual support from the net proceeds of the Provo Advantage Pro-Ams, including the upcoming Provo Advantage Golf Tournament on June 24 and 25. Click here to contribute to Kaufusi’s Keikis through the Noorda-COM Foundation. Or, learn more about sponsorships available through the Provo Advantage below.

Provo Advantage Sponsorships
June 4, 2024
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Get to “Gnome” Me: Roshni J.

By Culture + Community

Noorda-COM faculty, students, and staff are more than their job title or student status. They’re also parents, novelists; professional athletes–and the list goes on! That’s why we created “Get to Gnome Me”: to spotlight our campus members’ personalities, achievements, and lives beyond Noorda-COM. Today we’re spotlighting Roshni J., an (almost) fourth-year who loves spending time with her cat Oliver, cooking, and trying new foods.

If you scroll through my camera roll, you’ll find… my cat Oliver! He’s my pride and joy, and far more
photogenic than I am.

My favorite thing about third-year rotations has been… engaging with patients! I love talking through different diagnoses and preventative measures with patients so they can take on an active role in developing their care plan and feel empowered to lead healthier lives.

My mom has had the greatest impact on my life. I’d be lost without her sacrifices and endless
support.

A physician I admire is… Dr. Hekekia. She was one of the first faculty members I met at Noorda COM
and she even cooked the tastiest meal for us during our first semester! It has been so wonderful to have such a warm and talented female physician to turn to for advice through medical school and I’ll be forever grateful for her guidance.

Currently, I’m looking forward to… away rotations. I’m excited about the opportunity to explore a new
city for a while and interact with different patient populations–but I’m equally excited to try out
new places to eat!

I find life meaningful when… I get to visit my family and friends. Med school has been challenging and
spending time with my support system has definitely helped get me through the more rockier bits.

My favorite place on-campus is… the pods! The view of the mountains is the perfect study backdrop–they’re quite calming after a tough uWorld block.

My go-to wellness activity is… a good post-dinner walk. I love grabbing a good bite to eat and then
going on an evening stroll to stave off the food coma and get some steps in. Walking by the lake or
on a trail in the canyon are probably my go-to’s!

June 4, 2024
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Get to “Gnome” Me: Elle G.

By Culture + Community

Noorda-COM faculty, students, and staff are more than their job title or student status. They’re also parents, novelists; professional athletes–and the list goes on! That’s why we created “Get to Gnome Me”: to spotlight our campus members’ personalities, achievements, and lives beyond Noorda-COM. Kicking off our first feature is Elle G., a first-year interested in PM&R and sports medicine.

A core memory of mine is… earning a place on the U.S. Aerial Ski Team* (based in Park City, Utah) and competing on the full World Cup Circuit and World Championships Teams in 2015.

My favorite aspect of Grand Opening was… showing attendees of our gala how awesome our school is and being able to connect to people behind the scenes of Noorda-COM who make it possible for us to be here! Being a first-year, I saw a lot of things I haven’t been introduced to yet (like the simulation center), so it makes me excited for the future! But overall, it was so cool to see everyone come together and celebrate all the hard work that was put into our much needed school! 

My favorite place on campus is… pod 4026 with fellow students, specifically at night with a fake fireplace playing on the TV.

My first (memorable) experience with medicine was… my first day as a certified nursing assistant (CNA), I walked into a patient’s room so shy and nervous that I could barely get words out of my mouth. I very quickly realized that medicine is all about communication and patient connection.

If I haven’t texted you back in a while, I’m probably… out of service or taking a nice long nap.

If you scroll through my camera roll, you’ll find… a bunch of pictures of Ram’s** cat, Ham, and hundreds of screenshots of schoolwork so I can study on the go.

I’m most passionate about research surrounding… traumatic brain injury and concussion! I personally suffered for many years from countless brain injuries acquired from my sport and understand the effects it has on your quality of life! Healthy brain: happy life.

One thing I wish people knew about osteopathic medicine is… how beneficial OMM can be for some patients!

My motto for life is… “NEXT”. It started as an inside joke with my mom and I and now I say it to all situations in life.

My pod mates… keep med school fun. They make me laugh every single day while keeping me in line with studies by constantly quizzing me.

My go-to wellness activity is… getting outside! Whether it be skiing, camping, climbing, biking, I always feel better when outdoors.

*For those unfamiliar with aerial skiing, Elle provided the following explanation of her sport and background:

“Aerial skiing consists of skiing 35+ miles per hour straight off a 15-20 foot jump, propelling yourself 30-40 feet in the air while doing flips and twists of varying difficulty and hopefully landing on your feet on an inclined landing hill. In 2013, when I was 15, I was recruited to join the U.S. Elite Aerial Development Program where I lived, trained, and did online school full-time at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, New York with my coaches and 11 teammates. In the summer, we trained twice a day (not including 2 strength training and trampoline sessions) on water ramps, where we skied off of jumps made of plastic and landed into a pool of water instead of snow, giving us a safe place to progress our tricks for the winter.

During competition season, we traveled around the United States, Canada, and Europe competing in North American and European cups, which are a stepping stone into the official World Cup Circuit. Starting in 2015, at 17 years old, I competed on the full World Cup Circuit and World Championships Teams, traveling and flipping worldwide.

Through my years of aerial skiing, I was fortunate to have minimal injuries, however, my brain did not have the same durability as my body. After multiple traumatic brain injuries and concussions, I made the decision to step away from the sport to rebuild my cognitive and mental health. Without my career as an aerial skier, I would have never found my way to medicine.”

**Ram is a friend from Elle’s cohort and president of COM 2027.

March 25, 2024
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Grand Opening Week’s Events

By Campus News, Events

While Saturday, March 9th was our largest event for the public, there were also internal celebrations leading up to the grand opening of our new academic building. With the assistance of nearly 200 faculty, student, and staff volunteers, our campus hosted several events before the open house, including:

  • A “Community Partners Party”, for all the preceptors, business owners, city and county officials, chamber members, and other partners of Noorda-COM
  • An unveiling of the Noorda family wall—to honor the primary benefactors and stalwart supporters of our college
  • A gala for our founders, board members, donors, opinion leaders, and distinguished guests, featuring guided tours, dinner and remarks, a simulated car crash, and a drone show
  • A dedication ceremony for the Michael D. Elton Library and to recognize the generosity of Jo Searles and the Elton Family Foundation

Here’s a few photos from each event:

Library Dedication & Ribbon-Cutting
Noorda Wall Unveiling
Community Partners Party
Community Partners Party
Community Partners Party
Gala
Community Partners Party
Gala
Library Dedication & Ribbon-Cutting
Community Partners Party
Library Dedication & Ribbon-Cutting
Noorda Wall Unveiling
Gala – Simulated Car Crash
Gala – Drone Show
March 25, 2024
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Recapping our Grand Opening

By Campus News

Saturday, March 9th will be remembered as the day Noorda-COM celebrated the opening of its new academic building with 1,500 family members, friends, volunteers, community members, government officials, founders, physicians, and other visitors!

This historic event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony and remarks by founders. Then, our doors opened for visitors to enjoy activities in practically every nook, cranny, and classroom.

In addition to offering a “mini med school” for children on the first floor, we repurposed 13 of our OSCE (objective structured clinical examination) rooms into escape rooms. Each room featured décor, clues, and a patient actor to interact with.

Participants solving a final clue in an OSCE escape room.

“Adults, kids, and everyone in between were so excited to ‘solve the mystery’ of the ‘ill’ patient,” explained Diane Gabriel, first-year student and escape room volunteer. “What many don’t realize is that student doctors get to practice solving a multitude of ‘mysteries’ during our education and practice communication, diagnosing, and treatment skills. While the escape rooms were indeed just for fun, they also sparked conversation regarding the importance of practicing clinical skills in a simulated environment and illustrated the unique educational opportunities Noorda-COM has to offer.” 

OSCEs look identical to an urgent care (or primary care physician’s) examination room and begin near the end of a Noorda-COM student’s first year. Rubric (communication skills, diagnosis aptitude, and treatment plan formulation) expectations increase with each semester.

Visitors also experienced portions of a Noorda-COM education through patient simulators (life-sized robots) and other task trainer demonstrations, including a live (robotic) birth, a heart attack, and ultrasound-capable trainers.

A young visitor tests out an ultrasound-capable task trainer.

“The task trainer demos during the open house were so fascinating,” explained visitor Jessica Blaine. “I also really liked the Holodeck screen demonstrating how ultrasounds work. Seeing the 3D render of how a baby is nestled inside of the womb was honestly captivating. As someone from a tech background focused on creating VR/AR games, I was surprised at how interesting and engaging medical technology can be to interact with!”

Saturday’s events also featured an augmented reality tour, live demonstrations of OMM techniques, a service project, and a wellness activity. This wellness activity included take-home affirmations for participants to reflect on their strengths, consider their weaknesses, and apply the eight dimensions of Noorda-COM wellness.  

Visitors watching an osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) demonstration.

Breanna Palmer, Administrative Assistant in Clinical Affairs, recounted a moment she shared with a physician at the wellness activity:

“A visitor expressed how impressed they were with the focus on student wellness at Noorda-COM,” she explained. “He mentioned that the medical school he attended had nothing like this program, and he hoped that other schools could learn from our example.”

Wellness at Noorda-COM includes monthly activities (sound baths, trail mix “make n take” bars, etc.) and a curriculum that requires all students to complete at least one hour of wellness per week. Wellness is also supplemented by psychological resources from Student Affairs. This commitment to self-care originates from the osteopathic philosophy.

It was amazing to see the community and our volunteers rally around us. This grand opening was one for the history books!

March 25, 2024
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Harnessing the Power of AR

By Technology

It’s been an exciting time for our campus! We moved into our brand-new, state-of-the-art academic building and tested out new technology, learning spaces, and (anatomy, OSCE, and osteopathic manipulative medicine) labs.

This campus was designed with a commitment to remaining at the forefront of technology. Through advanced patient-care simulators, early engagement in research opportunities, and our flexible curricular model, students can learn essential skills from the newest resources possible.

We wanted this commitment to innovation and non-traditionalism to be reflected in our grand opening. That’s why we partnered with Continuum: to create six unforgettable touring experiences. Dispersed throughout the building, these augmented reality experiences help explain our medical school through videos, animation, “holographic” designs, and more.

The beginning of our AR tour.

“In pursuit of a distinctive touring experience, we harnessed Continuum’s cutting-edge expertise in the world of AR,” explains Ally Pack, marketing manager. “Every individual has different interests when touring our building and we wanted the experience to be a technological marvel for all visitors. Smartphones act as a gateway at our fingertips, facilitating exploration not only of our physical building but also of our purpose and vision.”

Nick Curtis, a first-year medical student from Utah, was asked to participate in the tour’s first stop. Using video editing and Continuum technology, we turned him into a holographic welcome.

Filming for Nick’s holographic segment.

“It was really cool to be part of something that will stand out for ages,” he explained. “I’m super excited for prospective students and visitors to experience this AR tour and learn more about what Noorda-COM has to offer them.”

Our campus welcomed nearly 1,500 visitors on Saturday, March 9th. Didn’t make it to campus last weekend? Fill out this form and we’ll mail you an AR tour card to enjoy from the comfort of your home!

March 25, 2024
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Preceptor “Do’s and Donuts” Event

By Events

Visit Noorda-COM on Friday, June 2nd, and share your clinical advice with student doctors via in-person conversations or (pre-recorded) video.

Your experience is incredibly valuable! Come to Building 1 on Friday, June 2nd, to share your do’s and do “nuts” with students. Lunch and donuts will be provided. If you can’t attend in person, make a quick, informal video and upload it here.

Save-the-Date Info:

Friday, June 2 | 12-2 pm

Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine, Building 1

Share your advice in person or record a video for students to watch.

RSVP
May 3, 2023
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