OCOM Hosts Inaugural Student Research Symposium Showcasing Innovation and Discovery
Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (OCOM) recently hosted its inaugural Student Research Symposium, a landmark event that celebrated the scholarly achievements and investigative spirit of its first-year medical students. Approximately 40 OMS-I student authors presented original research posters, representing a wide range of topics and underscoring OCOM’s mission to integrate research into the foundation of modern medical education.
The symposium featured four thematic categories: Case Report, OMM Distinctiveness, Pioneers in Research, and Original Research. These categories reflected the students’ diverse research interests—from documenting unique clinical encounters and exploring the nuances of osteopathic manipulative medicine to honoring the legacy of scientific innovators and conducting novel investigative studies.
Adding to the academic atmosphere, OCOM Board Member Dr. Marlow Hernandez delivered a keynote address titled “The Joy of Discovery in Research.” In his talk, Dr. Hernandez shared insights from his career as a physician-scientist and emphasized the essential role of curiosity and perseverance in clinical research. He inspired students to pursue research not only as a scholarly endeavor but as a lifelong companion to compassionate medical practice.
Dr. Hernandez also bridged the gap between theory and practice by demonstrating how clinical encounters can serve as fertile ground for hypothesis generation, data collection, and outcome-based research analysis. His examples highlighted how real-world patient care can be transformed into evidence-based findings that contribute meaningfully to medical literature and inform future standards of care.
Each research poster was evaluated by a panel of four OCOM faculty judges, who commended the students’ dedication, scientific rigor, and presentation skills. After careful deliberation, the top three poster presentations were awarded custom-designed medals and the highly coveted “OCOM Research Jacket.” This exclusive honor is reserved for student doctors who publish their work, symbolizing their contribution to the advancement of medical knowledge.
“Events like this remind us that the future of medicine is bright,” said Dr. Robert T. Hasty, Dean and Chief Academic Officer of OCOM. “We’re proud of our students for their hard work and excited to see how their research shapes the field in the years ahead.”
The success of the first-ever Student Research Symposium sets a strong precedent for future classes, and OCOM plans to make this an annual tradition—one that continues to elevate scholarship, spark innovation, and inspire the next generation of physician-researchers.
