KCOM hosts National Primary Care Week lectures

A.T. Still University’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) held a series of lectures Nov. 5-9 for National Primary Care Week.

National Primary Care Week is an annual event to highlight the importance of primary care and bring healthcare professionals together to discuss and learn about generalist and interdisciplinary healthcare, particularly its impact on and importance to underserved populations. This year’s theme included a variety of topics, including primary care in medical education and healthcare policy and reform.

The public was invited to attend the lectures, which were given by health professionals of various specialties. The lecture series was sponsored by ATSU-KCOM and Missouri Area Health Education Centers, along with student organizations and co-sponsors for each lecture.

The students appreciated the format of the event, with time at the end of each presentation for Q-and-A. They also enjoyed the personal stories shared by the speakers, noting that all of the speakers are so passionate about their work.

The speakers included several young physicians who talked about their chosen field and shared personal stories about why they chose pediatrics, family medicine, OB/GYN, or internal medicine. Lecture topics also covered National Health Services Corps, Indian Health Services, and post-traumatic stress disorder in older adults.