VCOM-Louisiana moves past a year of COVID-19, prepares to open labs at greater capacity
The News-Star (Monroe) 3 hrs ago Sabrina LeBoeuf, Monroe News-Star
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After years of physician shortages in Louisiana, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine opened the doors to its newest campus at the University of Louisiana Monroe in the fall of 2020 – the same time doctors, nurses and other medical staff were hit with restrictions and lockdowns designed to battle the deadly coronavirus.
One year later, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, more commonly known as VCOM, still stands despite the circumstances. For all of the craziness that we went through and having to start really not being able to interact with each other on a face-to-face basis that we re used to, we actually did, I think, a really good job building communication and community in our school, said Dr. Larissa Collier, VCOM-Louisiana discipline chair
To get students back in-person, VCOM-Louisiana requires students to either be fully vaccinated or wear a mask. Now that students are on campus, VCOM s Student Government Association President Natalie Regian said being part of the school s first class is an opportunity to pave the way for how VCOM students find their place on campus. Through student government, Regian said they want to work toward bolstering student community through clubs and traditions on campus. We re really just focused on founding the campus and setting it up the way we want it to be set up for years to come, Regian said.