The DO would like to express our gratitude to all osteopathic physicians and medical students who have contributed articles to our site this year.

As the premier news publication of the osteopathic profession, we rely heavily on the unique insights and frontline perspectives that our guest writers bring to the site with every contribution. So to everyone in the osteopathic family who has taken the time to share their perspective in The DO, we say thank you.

If you are a DO or student who is interested in writing for The DO, please send an email to thedo@osteopathic.org. Our submission guidelines are available here.

Below is a complete list of osteopathic physician and medical student-written pieces this year, organized by topic. Authors’ designations reflect their status as of their article’s publish date.

Mental health

Jan. 22
My victory over burnout: How leading a sustainable life changed everything for me
Jamian Reed, DO
Owning my autonomy at work helped me give up several unhealthy coping mechanisms I was employing to deal with overwork and exhaustion.

March 18
COVID-19: Maintaining your mental health during a pandemic
Katherine Gantz Pannel, DO
Here are some ways health care professionals can safeguard their wellbeing during this turbulent time.

Journeys to medicine

May 26
He told my sister her seizures and migraines were ‘made up’
Melissa Saganich, OMS I
I chose to become a physician because I wanted to become the type of doctor my sister needed.

June 1
I learned how to be a doctor by working at Disney World
David Shumway, OMS IV
As I make my way through medical school, I keep running into lessons I learned working for The Mouse.

Medical training

Jan. 8
What price do DOs pay for delaying medical school?
Nathan Holmes, OMS III
There are financial and career consequences to delaying matriculation, and students should know about them before they decide to take gap years.

Jan. 14
To get into the residency program of your dreams, know what your No. 1 priority is
Miko Rose, DO
Here’s a list of some of the common top priorities and steps to take to find the best residency program for each.

Feb. 12
6 tips for maintaining a long-distance relationship in med school
Brian Le, OMS III
Long-distance dating is even more difficult when you’re a med student. Here’s how my fiancee and I make it work.

Feb. 26
How to plan your fourth year of med school
Nicolet Finger, OMS IV
Here’s what you need to know about planning audition rotations, housing and travel logistics, and fourth-year finances.

Aug. 12
Moving for med school: Bloom where you are planted
Jane Datinguinoo, OMS II
Uprooting yourself is a challenging endeavor, but an opportunity for growth at the same time. Here are my tips for a smoother transition.

Sept. 30
How I made med school work without cell service or Wi-Fi
Bailey Wolding, OMS IV
Living without these modern amenities has been extremely freeing. I’d like to share how other med students and physicians can reap the benefits of a low-tech lifestyle without fully committing.

Professional perspectives

Feb. 5
Are you happy with your decision to go into medicine?
Erin O’Laughlin, DO
As a mother and a full-time physician, I’m often asked if I’d support my children becoming doctors.

Sept. 23
Moving to a nonclinical job: 3 things to do first
Michelle Mudge-Riley, DO, MHA, RDN
A seismic career shift can be a daunting prospect. Taking these steps can help you get started.

Nov. 23
Op-ed & AOA response: AOA leadership must become more inclusive
Larry Suess, DO, PHD, FACN
It is time for the AOA to show a commitment to gender, LGBTQ and racial equity.

COVID-19

May 6
COVID-19: How to optimize your immune system with prehabilitation
Denice Franco, DO, Nikki Petrocelli, RD, Taner Celibi, OMS III, and Ravi Chinsky, OMS III
Take a page from the physical medicine and rehabilitation playbook and prepare your mind, body and spirit to withstand this pandemic as best as you can.

July 15
6 ways to combat medical misinformation during COVID-19
Raj H. Patel, OMS I
From false cures to conspiracy theories, medical misinformation has been rampant during this crisis. Here’s what you can do to fight it.

Nov. 4
Coping during a crisis: The impact of COVID-19 on medical students
Polly Wiltz, OMS III
As every single aspect of our medical education has changed, I have struggled. Here are the things that have helped me adapt.

The DO Book Club

July 29
The DO Book Club, July 2020: The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
Hiroe Hu, DO
Traumatic stress expert Bessel A. van der Kolk, MD, discusses his lifelong research on psychosocial trauma. His insights have surprising parallels to osteopathic medicine.

Sept. 22
The DO Book Club, September 2020: Fallible: A Memoir of a Young Physician’s Struggle with Mental Illness
Sherri Eldin, OMS II
Kyle Bradford Jones, MD, opens up about his struggles with depression and anxiety while advocating for the destigmatization of physicians seeking help when facing their own mental health struggles.

Oct. 28
The DO Book Club, October 2020: The Beauty in Breaking
Joan Naidorf, DO
Emergency physician Michele Harper, MD, writes candidly about systemic racism and gender bias in the health care system through the lens of her own experience.

Dec. 8
The DO Book Club, December 2020: The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down
Joan Naidorf, DO
Anne Fadiman tells the tragic story of a cultural conflict between a Hmong immigrant family and a team of American physicians.

If you are interested in writing a review for The DO Book Club, please contact Andy Brown at abrown@osteopathic.org.

Patient care

Feb. 5
Let’s celebrate survival, not apologize for uncertainty
Kathleen Lundeberg, 2nd LT, USAFR, OMS II
As the daughter of a Stage IV cancer patient, I’ve learned a few things about discussing treatment and prognosis with cancer patients and their loved ones.

April 24
Disordered eating: The overlooked, actionable public health crisis
Ryley Mancine, OMS II, Jacob Babb, OMS II, and Donald Gufsa, OMS II
Learn the common signs of disordered eating in student athletes and how to prevent progression to a clinical eating disorder.

Aug. 12
Mindful eating: Building a healthier relationship with food
Andrea Weir, OMS IV
The simple acts of taking the time to meal prep, meditate and sit in gratitude as I eat a meal have kept me grounded as a student.