Erika Levy, a third-year medical student at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University, won first place in the A. Hollis Wolf Case Competition at the American Academy of Osteopathy's (AAO) annual conference held March 23-27 in Orlando, Fla.
The competition featured 15 students from osteopathic medical schools across the country. Students were required to demonstrate their understanding and application of osteopathic principles and treatment, their knowledge of pathophysiology and clinical aspects of their cases, and the impact of osteopathic care. Presenters were judged on their presentation style, skill, and slide design in addition to the students’ involvement in decision-making and delivering treatment.
“We are all incredibly proud of Student Doctor Levy for her work and for the exemplary way she represented our medical school,” said Regina Fleming, DO, chair of osteopathic manipulative medicine at NYITCOM at A-State. “This is a tremendous achievement that required a lot of work on Student Doctor Levy’s part, and we’re thrilled to see that work rewarded.”
Levy’s presentation was titled, "That's the Last (Copper) Straw.” As part of the competition, Levy articulated her approach to treating a patient that presented to the Scholar's Osteopathic Educational Service with uterine induced lower back pain.
Levy developed her presentation with the assistance of Joy Skaug, MD, and Amy Suessle, DO, both of whom serve as assistant professors in NYITCOM’s Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. Skaug and Suessle provided Levy with feedback and enhanced her understanding of the pathophysiology behind the use of copper IUDs.
Levy received a $500 scholarship to be applied to osteopathic continuing medical education, a ticket to 2023 AAO convocation in Colorado, and a percussion hammer (a tool used in osteopathic manipulative treatment).
“It was an honor to have the opportunity to share my hard work with so many physicians and students from around the country, but it is an even bigger honor to win first place,” Levy said. “I’m extremely grateful to our faculty for their support, and for the prizes that will enable me to continue learning and practicing osteopathic manipulative medicine.”
Levy won the opportunity to compete in the national event after finishing first in NYITCOM’s Stanley Schiowitz Case Competition last November. A native of Kansas City, Mo., Levy recently completed NYITCOM’s Academic Scholars program, which allows select students to add a year to their medical education to focus on teaching and research while earning a Master’s degree in Academic Medicine. Levy earned her undergraduate degree from Hendrix College prior to attending medical school at NYITCOM at A-State.