WesternU Alumna Wins National Medical Award
Brooke Alexander-Bloom, DO, a 1996 graduate of the College of Osteopathic
Medicine of the Pacific at Western University of Health Sciences, has been
selected by the American Osteopathic Foundation to receive the Bristol-
Myers Squibb Outstanding Resident Award.
She will receive the award, in the form of a $2,000 check, at the American
Osteopathic Association’s annual convention October 24-28 in San
Francisco. She is one of eight award winners this year, and the only
honoree representing the West Coast.
“”I feel so honored that I’ve been selected for this recognition,”” said Dr.
Alexander-Bloom, a family practice physician in Long Beach and a resident
of Tustin. “”To me, being a doctor is such a reward in itself because I’m
able to make a difference in a patient’s life. To be recognized for that
is something I hadn’t expected.””
The award was established in 1997 to recognize exemplary osteopathic
physicians in their second or third year of a primary care residency in
family practice, internal medicine or pediatrics. To be eligible for the
award, a physician must first be nominated by their residency director,
then submit application materials and letters of recommendation.
Applicants are evaluated on their commitment to patient care, community
service, leadership and the osteopathic philosophy, among other things.
Dr. Alexander-Bloom was nominated by staff members at Pacific Hospital of
Long Beach, where she completed her residency. During her training there
from 1997 through 1999 the staff also recognized her with the Golden Apple
Award for Outstanding Clinical Teaching in 1997 and 1998, and with the
Award for Excellence in the Application of Osteopathic Principles in
Primary Care in 1999.
According to Leda Hanin, executive director of the American Osteopathic
Foundation, these previous honors as well as her ongoing community service
efforts were some of the things that set Dr. Alexander-Bloom apart from
other applicants.
“”She’s devoted a lot of her free time to service and education, she’s
involved in all levels of the community and she’s completed two scientific
papers for publication,”” said Hanin. “”We’re delighted to be able to honor
outstanding residents like Dr. Alexander-Bloom through the generosity of
the Bristol-Myers Squibb company. We hope that awards like this serve as
an incentive for other physicians as well as a thank-you to the recipients
for their continuing efforts.””
Dr. Alexander-Bloom said she knew she wanted to be a physician from the
time she was a child. She admired the way her physician was able to treat
her whole family and wanted to be able to help others, so she began
training for a pre-medical education at the age of 16. She said she chose
to study osteopathic medicine because she believes in the holistic
approach of treating a patient’s whole body and not just their illness.
“”I try to be very positive and honest with all of my patients,”” Dr.
Alexander-Bloom said. “”I really like to educate them about their illnesses
and help them understand their diagnosis and treatment.””
Outside of her job, she is the secretary of the Orange County Osteopathic
Medical Association, has volunteered at community health fairs and
performed scoliosis exams at many Los Angeles County grade schools. Dr.
Alexander-Bloom also plays the flute and has done volunteer music therapy
work at Pacific Hospital of Long Beach.
