Alumni & Student Stories
Global Impact with the Human Touch
With over 20,000 alumni, WesternU’s mission to nurture compassionate healers results in better quality of life for patients worldwide. Our growing alumni network engages in opportunities to create change, stay connected, and give back.
Azaria Lewis, DO ’23 College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
“Thanks to the excellence of WesternU’s academics, the support of its leadership, faculty and students, and its core values of humanism, equity, diversity, and anti-racism, I wouldn’t choose any other medical school.”
Crystal Sin, OD ’23 College of Optometry
“I knew that I would be supported here and that I would flourish in this environment. I didn’t want to go anywhere else for optometry school. I know that it’s not a relationship that’ll end with graduation.”
Vania Manipod, DO ’08 College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
“Our time spent at WesternU played a huge role in our growth as medical professionals, so I wanted to be a part of the new board to help jumpstart the association and create ways to strengthen connections with alumni.”
Christine Dang, DNP ’16 College of Graduate Nursing
“I’m still clinically involved with my patients, who I believe are one of the most important stakeholders. I am grateful to be able to work with the community, provide care at bedside, and be involved in processes to improve patient outcomes.”
Zufalls’ Journey to WesternU
Husband and wife Andrew (Doctor of Dental Medicine ’22) and Lindsay Zufall (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine ’22) have different career paths but wanted to stay together as they pursued dentistry and veterinary medicine, respectively. They found the best place to fulfill their dreams: WesternU. Andrew’s brother, Blake (College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific ’23), added to the family dynamic when he joined COMP a year later.
Peter Fox, DO ’16 College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest
“The different regions of Oregon have dramatically different resources which makes treatment of even common conditions quite challenging and variable depending on where I happen to be working that day. I wanted a flexible position where I could travel and do a lot of internal medicine.”
Kevin Mancilla, PharmD ’22 College of Pharmacy
“We started this scholarship in order to support student leaders who are using the pharmacy profession as a platform to help underserved populations and make a lasting impact in their community.”
Tom Stocklin-Enright, DO ’16 College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest
“While an undergraduate, mentors motivated me to pursue a medical education and training in the Pacific Northwest. One of my favorite parts of attending WesternU was the community feel of the school. Many of my closest friends I currently have are WesternU classmates.”
Michelle Drobny, DO ’16 College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest
One thing I remember about being a student at COMP-Northwest was how the medical community was supportive and welcoming. They put on student events in Portland which allowed us time away with our friends and a way to meet other medical students from the area. It made me feel like I mattered, and that people wanted me to succeed.”