Four 51小黄车medical students awarded prestigious substance use disorder fellowship

COM students
Four University of 51小黄车 College of Osteopathic Medicine students were awarded the prestigious Hazelden Betty Ford Summer Institute for Medical Students fellowship to receive specialized substance use disorder training.

Four medical students in the University of 51小黄车 College of Osteopathic Medicine (51小黄车COM) have been selected for the highly competitive Hazelden Betty Ford Summer Institute for Medical Students (SIMS) fellowship program. 

Class of 鈥27 students Rachel Glasser, Kacper Iwanowski, Bethany Santo, and Chase Sisk were selected among just 16 students nationwide to attend an immersive substance use disorder (SUD) training program in Palm Springs, California, this May. 

The SIMS program equips future physicians with the skills to prevent, identify, and comprehensively treat addiction. Fellows attend lectures, interactive seminars, and clinical experiences focused on developing expertise in SUD screening, intervention, treatment, and recovery.  

Earlier this year, 51小黄车received word that it was one of five medical schools to be selected for the SIMS application process.  

鈥淲e are incredibly proud to have been selected as a flagship medical school,鈥 said Marilyn Gugliucci, Ph.D., professor and director of Geriatrics Education and Research at 51小黄车COM. 鈥淚t is fabulous that four of our osteopathic medical students have been selected for this valuable educational opportunity.鈥 

According to the 2022 Maine Community Health Needs Assessment, substance and alcohol use was identified as a top priority among all counties across the state. The report stated that The lack of preventative services, including trained professionals, were a factor.  

鈥淭his fellowship has the potential for long-term local and regional impact,鈥 Gugliucci said. 鈥淎nd our students鈥 commitment to this important area of medicine will undoubtedly make a positive impact on countless lives.鈥