AOA President runs with COMP

More than 70 students, faculty and staff from WesternU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific joined American Osteopathic Association President Peter B. Ajluni, DO, on a 5-K fun run that began at 7 a.m. in Claremont on Friday.

The run was organized by COMP and the Student Osteopathic Medical Association to promote Ajluni’s “DOs: Fit for Life” initiative.

Before a physician gives a patient advice about exercising and eating healthy, they must embrace that lifestyle themselves, said Ajluni, an avid marathoner and triathlete.

“Physicians have to be role models for their patients, for their communities and for their own families,” he said.

Obesity is one of the biggest issues in health care, said Allan Belcher, DO 2011. The fun run is an activity everyone can participate in, and this type of activity unites the class, he said.

“We’re honored to have Dr. Ajluni come out,” he said.

Ajluni followed the run with a visit to campus and a lunchtime talk with COMP students among other activities.