Student Doctors Brooke Crosswhite and Dominic Giuliani Deliver an Oral Presentation at AACOM Educating Leaders 2024

Contributed by Brooke Crosswhite and Dominic Giuliani

Third-year osteopathic medical students, Brooke Crosswhite and Dominic Giuliani, presented their group’s project titled, “Integrating Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose Prevention Training into Medical School Education,” at the Educating Leaders 2024 conference. Educating Leaders is an annual conference hosted by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) which gathers national leaders in osteopathic medical education to discuss how best to shape the future of healthcare.

The two students presented their group’s model for increasing opioid use education through their chapter of the Overdose Prevention Task Force (OPTF). The OPTF is a Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) committee that was established in 2019 by Resolution S19-02 “SOMA Overdose Prevention Task Force and Overdose Prevention Project” in response to the rise in preventable overdose deaths across the nation. Brooke and Dominic discussed CHSU-COM’s unique framework for their OPTF chapter, highlighting the importance of student-led initiatives in shaping medical education and preparing future physicians to address substance use disorders effectively. Their model not only addresses the need for increased education, but also emphasizes the practical application of knowledge through student-run events and collaborations with the local medical community. Their project was featured as part of the osteopathic healthcare delivery category, marking the second consecutive year CHSU-COM students have delivered an oral presentation at the conference.

“It’s been an incredible experience being involved in OPTF and working alongside future physicians eager to learn more about managing opioid use disorder. By setting up the framework at CHSU, we are hoping future classes will continue to serve the Central Valley and better treat those struggling with substance use disorder,”

Dominic Giuliani regarding his work as the 2022-2023 OPTF Education Subcommittee Chair.

Topics discussed included the OPTF’s origins and Fresno County’s specific needs regarding overdose prevention. Student-run events hosted by the OPTF were featured as part of the discussion, such as the integration of naloxone training into The Developing Physician’s (TDP) first-year basic life support (BLS) curriculum and the continuing medical education event coordinated alongside the Fresno Madera Medical Society. Their work also serves as a blueprint for other medical schools looking to establish similar initiatives. By sharing their experiences, challenges, and key insights, they aim to inspire other students to take proactive steps in addressing opioid use disorder within their respective institutions.

“We have the ability to empower medical students with knowledge to help better serve the growing number of individuals diagnosed with substance use disorder. As future physicians, managing opioid use disorder is a challenge that we can anticipate in any medical specialty. By sharing our model for opioid use education in medical schools, we hope to inspire other students and create a lasting impact on the next generation of physicians,”

Brooke Crosswhite, the 2022-2023 OPTF Chair.

Over the last four years, CHSU-COM’s OPTF has evolved to organize many on-campus and community events surrounding opioid use disorder. This group aspires to continue sharing their knowledge and building upon these events. Future CHSU-COM students are encouraged to take part in their mission.