WCUCOM first osteopathic medical school selected for STARS program

The William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine (WCUCOM) is the first osteopathic medical school in the country to be selected to participate in the Choosing Wisely Students and Trainees Advocating for Resource Stewardship (STARS) program.

The STARS program aims to catalyze grassroots, student-led initiatives in medical education. Student scholars, selected by each institution in the program, participate in virtual leadership summits and have the opportunity to network with a large community of care experts, according to a WCUCOM statement.

Other medical schools participating in STARS 2021 include the John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Choosing Wisely STARS is supported by the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation, Costs of Care, and the University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School.

“We are thrilled to be the first, and only, osteopathic medical school selected for the Choosing Wisely STARS program. It beautifully aligns with the WCUCOM’s commitment to graduate leaders who will shape the future of primary care medicine,” said Italo Subbarao, DO, MBA, dean of WCUCOM, in a statement.

Melissa Renee Stephens, MD, WCUCOM’s associate dean of graduate medical education and population health, will direct the school’s participation in the program.

“We continually seek unique opportunities, such as the Choosing Wisely STARS program, to equip our medical students with tools to transform health care systems through novel health management,” Dr. Stephens said. “We are excited to support our STARS scholars as they develop into leaders who will advance health care value and serve as advocates to promote health and health care equity.”