East West Dinner honors Law
WesternU honored longtime San Gabriel Valley pharmacist and entrepreneur Victor Law, RPh, BPharm, at the University's 7th annual East West Scholarship Dinner April 13, 2013, at the Hilton San Gabriel. The University also awarded scholarships to 34 health professions students in the colleges of Allied Health, Dental Medicine, Graduate Nursing, Optometry, Osteopathic Medicine, Pharmacy, Podiatry, and Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Law was lauded for his broad and sustained service to his community, including terms as president of the San Gabriel Valley chapter of the California Pharmacists Association, chairman of the board at Garfield Medical Center, and as a member of the governing board at San Gabriel Medical Center. The University also honored East West Committee Chairman Stanley K. Wong, PhD, for his many years of service to the committee and to the University. Dr. Wong is retiring at the end of the 2012-13 academic year.
WesternU preparing for historic Commencement
During five ceremonies over three days next month, the Pasadena Civic Auditorium will see a record 934 students graduate from WesternU as part of the University's 2013 Commencement. Among those walking across the stage May 15-17 will be the charter classes of the College of Dental Medicine, the College of Optometry, and the College of Podiatric Medicine, as well as the University's 10,000th alumnus/a! Thousands of family and friends will join alumni, students, faculty and staff to celebrate the graduates at several celebrations taking place throughout the week.
WesternU lecture by Sen. Hernandez to focus on health care changes
State Sen. Ed Hernandez, O.D., presented "The Changing Face of Health Care in California" at 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 12, 2013 at Western University of Health Sciences' Health Education Center. The presentation, which was free and open to the public, included a brief history of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), state legislation, special session, options, obstacles and Covered California. Sen. Hernandez is Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, and has authored several health care-related bills, including legislation addressing the serious shortage of primary care providers in California and legislation that would help implement the ACA in California by protecting consumers and expanding Medi-Cal coverage to include more than one million previously ineligible Californians. The lecture was video streamed to WesternU's COMP-Northwest campus in Lebanon, Ore., and was also available for public viewing on WesternU's website. Watch a recording of the video.
WesternU's College of Dental Medicine to receive $8.4 million from First 5 LA
The College of Dental Medicine will receive $8.4 million from First 5 LA to provide dental care to uninsured and underserved children. The First 5 LA Commission approved the initial 19-month contract for $3.1 million with WesternU, part of a five-year, $38 million project in cooperation with UCLA and USC. The total awarded to WesternU through the full five-year implementation of the program is anticipated to be $8.4 million. The program will emphasize getting children into the oral health care delivery system, or dental homes, by age 1, said Timothy Martinez, DMD, College of Dental Medicine Associate Dean for Community Partnerships and Access to Care. College of Dental Medicine faculty and students will assess patients and provide dental care and preventative and educational services. The College will work with the San Gabriel Valley Foundation for Dental Health, WesternU's Patient Care Center, and the Center for Oral Health, which is now housed on WesternU's Pomona campus. It also plans to work collaboratively to establish four school-based dental oral health centers.
WesternU to hold Preview Day April 27, 2013
Registration is open for the WesternU Preview Day from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27, 2013, highlighting health education 
opportunities offered at Western University of Health Sciences. Preview Day, held in and around WesternU's Health Education Center, provides potential students an opportunity to get more information about a health profession program of interest, hear about the admissions process, learn about financial aid, see curriculum firsthand, discover how to become a competitive applicant, and meet students and faculty. A Resource Fair providing information on services provided at WesternU will be held from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. in the Esplanade area in front of the HEC. Resource Fair participants include Financial Aid, Pumerantz Library, Harris Family Center for Disability and Health Policy (CDHP), University Student Affairs, Learning Enhancement & Academic Development (LEAD), Admissions, numerous student organizations and more. Outside organizations, including representatives from the United States Armed Forces, also will be participating. Prospective students and guests will attend information sessions that run concurrently from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by optional campus tours. The program-specific information sessions include presentations, student panels, and admissions Q&A.
WesternU Admissions is also now on Facebook! "Like" our pages to stay current on Admissions, Recruitment, and University Student Affairs-related information and to connect with current and prospective students. The WesternU Admissions Facebook pages are an excellent resource for anyone interested in learning more about the programs offered at WesternU. Be sure to spread the word!
WesternU President receives Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation's Founders Award
Western University of Health Sciences Founding President Philip Pumerantz, PhD, received the Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation's Founders Award for Exceptional Accomplishment. The Founders Award honors an individual whose achievements and contributions enhance the health of communities. Paula Crone, DO '92, Vice President, Oregon Campus Operations and College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Interim Dean, accepted the award on behalf of Dr. Pumerantz. The award was presented at the Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation's Founder's Gala and Award Evening March 2, 2013 in Portland, Oregon. The Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation is a public charity serving the people of the Northwest by providing resources for programs to improve the health of the community and to promote a greater understanding of the distinctive aspects of the osteopathic medical profession. Click here to view the Foundation's website.
WesternU Alumni Association Scholarship recipients
Chad Colby Gage, DMD '13, and Tyler Phan, OD '14, have been selected out of more than 30 applicants as the 2013 WesternU Alumni Association Scholarship recipients. These scholarships are awarded annually to two humanistic, caring, and dependable Western University of Health Sciences students who both excel academically and exemplify the qualities of an engaged alumnus or alumna through their extracurricular involvement. They will each be recognized as part of their respective college's Honors Day ceremony in April with a plaque and $1,000.
More Headlines
WesternU holds Free Community Health Fair
Virtual Pre-Health Advisor Conference
WesternU holds free Women's Clinic March 2
See more on the WesternU News page
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Upcoming Alumni Events
April 18: WesternU's College of Pharmacy presents the Ray Symposium on campus. Dr. Patricia Crawford, RD, director of the Dr. Robert C. and Veronica Atkins Center for Weight and Health at UC Berkeley, and a Cooperative Extension Nutrition Specialist, will present "Accelerating Progress in Obesity Prevention," at 5:30 p.m. in Lecture Hall 1 of the Health Education Center on WesternU's Pomona campus.
May 4: WesternU/COMP – 6th Annual CME Conference on campus, 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Earn up to 7 AOA Category 1-A Credits and participate in a student/alumni networking lunch.
May 15: WesternU Alumni Networking Mixer, 7:00-9:00 p.m. at McCormick & Schmick's in Pasadena (111 N Los Robles). Meet up with other WesternU alumni and join us for an evening of complimentary appetizers, drinks and lively conversation. RSVP by May 10 to Austin Braunwalder.
May 15-17: WesternU's 32nd Commencement at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium
May 23: WesternU College of Pharmacy Scholarship Golf Classic at Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon in Beaumont, CA
June 10: WesternU's 2013 Towne & Gown Golf Tournament, benefiting student scholarships, will be held Monday, June 10, 2013, at the Red Hill Country Club in Rancho Cucamonga.
June 20: WesternU Reception, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach (200 S Pine Ave) during the California Veterinary Medical Association's Pacific Veterinary Conference. (CVM students and alumni: Register for the conference by April 30 to save up to $75 off registration fees.)
June 21: WesternU Reception, 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the Disneyland Hotel (1150 W Magic Way, Anaheim) during the California Podiatric Medical Association's Western Foot and Ankle Conference. (CPM students: Register by May 5 to save up to $50 off registration fees.)
June 28: WesternU Reception, 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina, Point Loma Room (333 West Harbor Dr, Level 1) during the American Optometric Association's Optometry's Meeting. (CO students: Register by May 1 to save up to $100 off registration fees.)
July 13: Save the date to join your fellow alumni for complimentary drinks and snacks at WesternU's "Day at the Beach" in Malibu on Saturday, July 13, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
See a full list of upcoming events on the Online Alumni Events page.
For more information or to RSVP for these events, please contact the Alumni Office at (909) 469-ALUM or alumni@westernu.edu.
Pumerantz Library
Life and Limb: The Toll of the American Civil War Exhibition
The perspectives of surgeons, physicians, and nurses are richly documented in the history of Civil War medicine, which highlights the heroism and brutality of battlefield operations and the challenges of caring for the wounded during wartime. Yet the experiences of injured soldiers during the conflict and in the years afterwards are less well-known. Life and Limb: The Toll of the Civil War focuses on disabled veterans and their role as symbols of the fractured nation.
The Harriet K. & Philip Pumerantz Library will be hosting the Life and Limb: The Toll of the American Civil War traveling exhibition created by the National Library of Medicine from April 15-May 18, 2013. Please contact the library at (909) 469-5323 for more information. Click here to view announcement.
From the Archives:
Do you have any information on the jacket shown at the right (taken from the Neocortex 1991 yearbook of the DO Class of 1992)? It was worn by students for class photographs, rites of passage and even SANUS plays. If you have any information regarding the jacket please contact the University Archives at acamacho@westernu.edu or (909) 469-8489.
University Archives
The University Archives serves as the official memory of the University, identifying and preserving documentation of continuing significant and historical value of the University. The Archives are open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please contact University Archivist Olivia Solis for more information at (909) 469-5304 or osolis@westernu.edu
WesternU Advi$or
Did filing your federal and state tax returns prompt any thoughts about reviewing or creating an estate plan? There are many charitable gift techniques that can be incorporated into your plan that will fulfill your philanthropic wishes while reducing your tax obligation. If you would like to learn more about other options when making a charitable gift to WesternU that will benefit you as well as the University, please contact the Office of Planned giving.
Olive B. Stephens, Planned Giving Administrator ~ (909) 469-5211 ~ ostephen@westernu.edu
Tim Bamrick, CSPG, Director of Development ~ (909) 706-3455 ~ tbamrick@westernu.edu
Faculty for Autism Collaboration and Education
A conference on autism at Western University of Health Sciences provided vital educational and networking opportunities for parents, educators and those involved in autism treatment. The 11th annual Trends in Autism Conference was held on Saturday, April 6, 2013 in WesternU's Health Education Center. The conference was organized by Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation, with WesternU serving as a Community Partner. The one-day conference was an excellent introduction for parents, educators and those involved in autism treatment. Participants learned about the latest research, most effective treatment approaches, how to access services, and what the opportunities are for those on the autism spectrum. WesternU faculty members Dee Schilling, PT, PhD, Kristy Remick-Waltman, OD, FCOVD, and Gail Singer-Chang, PsyD, MA, MS, presented "An Interprofessional Approach to Autism: Oh, the Possibilities" at the conference. Their presentation included excerpts from the show "Autism Intersection," which depicts WesternU faculty members interacting with children with autism and problem-solving in a multidisciplinary way.
WesternU Seeks Subjects for Clinical Study
ARTHRITIS: Have you or someone you know been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis? Drs. Yumori, Finley, Gordon, and Trinh are conducting a study to investigate how rheumatoid arthritis affects your eyes. We will do an extensive evaluation of the front part of your eye, evaluate your joints, and pay for blood samples to measure the levels of inflammation in your body. We will explain all of your results and share recommendations on how to keep your eyes healthy. Participation takes about 2 hours and you will be compensated $25 at the end of the study. Please contact the study coordinator at 909-706-3899 or eyecarecenter@westernu.edu to schedule an appointment.
DIZZINESS: Are you suffering from dizziness? WesternU is conducting a clinical research study to investigate the effectiveness of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) and Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) in treating patients suffering from dizziness. You may qualify for the study if you have suffered from dizziness for more than three months. For more information, contact research coordinator Michelle Yim at vertigoresearch@westernu.edu or (909) 469-8463.
ASTHMA: We are recruiting volunteers between the ages of 18 and 55 to participate in a clinical research study in the Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine/Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Department to investigate the efficacy of osteopathic manipulation techniques on patients with Asthma. You may be eligible to participate if 1. You have episodic symptoms of coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and airway obstruction or airway sensitivity that is reversible; 2. You are able to provide consent and perform pulmonary function tests; 3. You do not have any other medical conditions that can contribute to shortness of breath (for example: COPD, pneumonia, congestive heart failure, or pulmonary fibrosis); 4. You do not have any known heart conditions and/or osteoporosis. Participation will require a one-month period of weekly visits to an experienced, licensed osteopathic physician at WesternU. If you are interested and/or would like more information, please email AsthmaStudy@westernu.edu.
Harris Family Center for Disability and Health Policy
Click here for the latest news from the Harris Family Center for Disability & Health Policy.
Patient Care Center
WesternU's Public Affairs, Marketing and Graphics and Branding team has for the first time created a billboard showcasing the Patient Care Center. You can see the billboard heading south on Garey Avenue at Alvarado Street in Pomona.
WesternU's Willed Body Programs Need Donors
The willed body programs at WesternU serve a vital role in educating health professions students, and the University is always in need of more human and animal volunteer donors. For human donors for the Pomona campus, please contact Willed Body Program Director Nina McCoy at (909) 469-5431 or nmccoy@westernu.edu; or for the Oregon campus, contact Steven Carmichael at (541) 259-0256 or scarmichael@westernu.edu. For animal donors for the Pomona campus, please contact Willed deceased Animals for Veterinary Education (W.A.V.E.) Director Tamara Miller at (909) 469-5597 or cvm.wave@westernu.edu.
New Hire in LEAD Office
Stella Galarza was recently hired as a Learning Skills Specialist in the University's Learning Enhancement & Academic Development (LEAD) Office. Stella will play an important part in LEAD's Wellness Program, be instrumental in gathering and managing crucial information for LEAD's Board Assistance Request Program (B.A.R.) and use her experience in conducting expert academic counseling. She has been teaching and counseling college students for more than 20 years; and before joining the LEAD team, she worked as a PBL facilitator for our College of Veterinary Medicine. Stella earned her MS in Psychology from John F. Kennedy Argentine University; she also completed a Substance Abuse Counseling Program at UCLA and is currently finishing the MS degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
Austin Lectureship gifts
Gloria L. Austin and her three adult children - Doug, Charles and Lynette - and their families recently gave two generous gifts totaling $75,000 in continuing support of The Dr. Robert L. Austin Endowed Lectureship in Pediatric Medicine and Pediatric Health Care Policy.
Jobs for Alumni:
Interested in finding a new job or just seeing what is out there? Check out the job postings for alumni at the Alumni Career Resources Center. New jobs are posted almost every day!
Share Your News and Revise Personal Information:
Have you recently married, started a new job, had a baby, or received a fantastic promotion? Update WesternU on your achievements so that we can share them with your fellow classmates. Please send any news to alumni@westernu.edu.
Suggestion Box:
The Office of Alumni Relations would like to hear your views about alumni services at WesternU. If you have any thoughts about alumni events, participation, or would like to propose ideas, please contact us at (909) 469-5274 or alumni@westernu.edu.
News from the Colleges
Osteopathic Medicine (COMP)
Allied Health Professions -- HS, PA, PT (CAHP)
Pharmacy (COP)
Graduate Nursing (CGN)
Veterinary Medicine (CVM)
Dental Medicine (CDM)
Optometry (CO)
Podiatric Medicine (CPM)
Biomedical Sciences (GCBS)
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