WesternU COMP and COMP-Northwest among top COMs in research

The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) recently released its first College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) Research Report, a comprehensive analysis of research activity across U.S. COMs

Western University of Health Sciences’ College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP) and COMP-Northwest, which is transitioning to the name Heatherington College of Osteopathic Medicine, were among the top COMs in research publications and applications to National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants.

“This is an important recognition of the growing strength and trajectory of research at COMP and COMP-Northwest,” said WesternU Senior Vice President for Research & Biotechnology Andrea Giuffrida, PhD, MBA. “It also reinforces the strategic investments we have made, and continue to make, in building a robust research enterprise and make our faculty more competitive in securing extramural funding.”

The report, titled Research at Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine: Inventory, Analysis and Future Directions, is the first comprehensive national examination of research activities across AACOM’s member institutions and showcases the distinct and vital role COM research plays in shaping better health for patients and communities.

Key insights include:

• COM-affiliated researchers publish actively, in a wide range of institutions, topics and journals. The top five COMs (MSUCOM, UNT Health Fort Worth TCOM, WesternU/COMP, OU-HCOM and LECOM) and their campuses account for 37 percent of all unique works.
• The top five parent institutions by application volume—OU-HCOM, Rowan-Virtua SOM, WesternU/COMP, OSU-COM and UNT Health–TCOM—account for 60.4 % of all institute-level applications.

COM-affiliated research plays a critical role in advancing research that improves care delivery, supports physician training and addresses our country’s needs for health and wellness, according to AACOM.

The findings document a growing, mission-driven research portfolio that is deeply aligned with community health needs and generates evidence that advances patient care, medical education and population health.

“We are proud to see WesternU COMP and COMP-Northwest recognized among the top five osteopathic medical schools for research productivity in AACOM’s inaugural Osteopathic Medical Research Report. This recognition reflects the dedication of our faculty, students, and collaborators, supported by a comprehensive research enterprise spanning biomedical sciences, anatomical sciences, clinical and translational research, osteopathic research, and educational research,” said COMP and COMP-Northwest Dean Lisa Warren, DO ’01, MBA. “We are further strengthened by a dedicated Office of Student Research that provides extensive mentorship and support, enabling our students to contribute in meaningful ways. Our scholarship is aligned with national priorities and advances osteopathic medicine, neuroscience, population health, mental and behavioral health, and education—ultimately improving patient care in our communities and across the nation.”