MWU recently headed to Las Vegas for the annual meeting of the American Osteopathic Association. This national conference provides CME courses, leadership meetings for our students, a research competition for our students and faculty, and many opportunities for us to reconnect with our alumni.

Photo: MWU unveiled its new exhibit display, and I got to practice my yo-yo skills at the booth.

MWU staff from the Offices of Development & Alumni Relations, University Relations, and Admissions joined me in the exhibit hall to greet alumni, students, and other physicians at MWU's new display. We passed out "CCOM" and "AZCOM" name badge stickers to our alumni, along with Illinois and cactus stickers and MWU luggage grips. Several hundred people visited the booth to learn more about our campuses and our programs.



Photo: AZCOM students at the MWU luncheon.

On Monday, we hosted the annual Alumni Luncheon, with nearly 350 attendees from both CCOM and AZCOM--the largest group ever for an AOA event. Many young alumni attended this year's conference, with more than 65 AZCOM alumni reconnecting with friends and colleagues. During the luncheon, MWU President Kathleen H. Goeppinger, Ph.D., welcomed the guests and shared her excitement about all of the growth and development on our two campuses. CCOM Dean Karen Nichols, D.O., and AZCOM Dean Lori Kemper, D.O., provided the academic highlights from their respective colleges and thanked the alumni for their continued support. Students Minh-Y Canh, MS-III, from CCOM, and Mike Maruska, MS-II, from AZCOM then shared their thoughts about life as a student at MWU. The highlight of the luncheon was the video honoring CCOM alumnus Dr. Robert Kappler, who was recently honored with the OSTEE Award. The alumni and faculty enjoyed seeing the well-loved OMM faculty member and reflecting upon his successful career as a physician and teacher.


Photo: Luncheon speakers and Student Doctors Canh and Maruska.

Later that evening, MWU hosted an alumni reception on the pool deck at Kahunaville Restaurant of Treasure Island Resort. The casual atmosphere allowed alumni, students, and faculty to mingle and catch up with friends while enjoying the tropical food and drinks. All in all, the trip to Vegas as a success for the University to reconnect with so many alumni, students, and other friends of the osteopathic profession.