Preventive care is a cornerstone of osteopathic medicine, and students at the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) are finding meaningful ways to put that principle into practice, starting with their own campus community.
On Oct. 12, members of the Student Osteopathic Internal Medicine Association (SOIMA) brought preventive health to the forefront by organizing a campus flu shot clinic, giving students, faculty and staff a convenient opportunity to receive their annual influenza vaccinations ahead of the fall and winter flu season. The clinic also offered student physicians valuable hands-on experience in community health administration and preventive medicine.
The clinic was organized and operated by SOIMA leadership, under the guidance of Dr. Jenifer Barry, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and SOIMA faculty advisor.
“Preventive care is fundamental to osteopathic medicine, and hosting this clinic is a meaningful way for our students to lead by example,” said Dr. Barry. “It reinforces the importance of community immunity while giving student doctors practical experience in vaccine administration, clinical workflow, and health promotion.”
To ensure smooth operations, student organizers coordinated advance logistics, asking participants to complete Vaccine Administration Records and provide insurance documentation prior to their appointments. For student organizers, the flu shot clinic demonstrated how future physicians can make a difference in their communities even before completing their medical training.
“We are thrilled with the turnout and grateful to everyone who signed up to protect themselves and those around them this flu season,” said Brandon Czellecz, SOIMA President and second-year medical student at ICOM. “Events like this remind us how vital accessible preventive care is, and our team worked hard to make the experience as seamless as possible for the entire ICOM campus.”
For the ICOM community, the clinic offered a practical step toward staying healthy throughout flu season. For the student physicians who organized it, the experience was an opportunity to turn classroom knowledge into meaningful action.
SOIMA will continue its efforts with a second campus vaccine clinic scheduled for Monday, Nov. 9. Members of the ICOM community who have not yet received their annual flu vaccination are encouraged to register in advance.
