Louisiana

Following His Calling: How Thomas McKinley Found His Way to Med School at 51

ebailey — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 17:07:13 +0000

Following His Calling: How Thomas McKinley Found His Way to Med School at 51 ebailey Thu, 11/20/2025 - 12:07

Following His Calling: How Thomas McKinley Found His Way to Med School at 51

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From Rural Roots to a Lifelong Calling

For Thomas McKinley, VCOM-Louisiana ‘28, the path to medical school has been anything but ordinary. Born and raised in rural northeast Louisiana, McKinley graduated from a high school class of just 10 students. “Let’s just say I wasn’t top of the class,” he said with a smile. “In fact, there were people who weren’t sure I’d graduate at all.”

After high school, McKinley didn’t have a clear plan, but he knew one thing for sure: He wanted to serve others. He explored many jobs, from construction to restaurant work, before discovering his true passion for emergency medicine. “Becoming a paramedic changed everything,” he said. “Not only did I love the work, I thrived in it.”

For over 30 years, McKinley served rural communities across northeast Louisiana. In the final decade of his career, he worked as a flight paramedic and educator, providing vital access to care and training others to do the same. “Every life saved, every student taught—it all came down to improving care in the communities I called home,” he said. Yet, through all those years, one dream never faded: becoming a physician.

A Conversation That Changed Everything

With five children to raise and multiple jobs to manage, medical school always seemed beyond reach. “For a long time, the dream and the means weren’t enough,” McKinley said. “I kept telling myself it was too late, that the path was too long.” That perspective changed during a conversation with a close friend, a hospital director of nursing.

“I told her I was thinking about going back to school to become a nurse practitioner,” he recalled. “Without missing a beat,” she said, ‘Thomas, stop wasting your time. Just go to medical school.’ It hit me like a brick.”

Later that week, he brought up the idea again at his mother’s Sunday dinner. Testing the waters, he told her he was thinking of retiring from being a flight paramedic and going back to school, but even with that degree in critical care paramedicine, it could take nearly ten years to become a doctor. She looked at him and said, "Son, that time is going to pass either way. You can either still be a paramedic in ten years, or you can be a doctor.”

That simple truth changed everything. “I’d spent years saying, ‘If I were younger, I’d go to medical school,’” McKinley said. “But the truth was, the only thing holding me back was me.”

Fueled by the Strength of the Women Who Support Him

McKinley draws strength and inspiration from the people closest to him, especially his mother and his wife. “My mother was a nontraditional student herself,” he said. “She earned her master’s degree later in life and worked into her eighties, not because she had to, but because she loved it. She showed me that passion doesn’t have an expiration date.”

His wife, he said, has been his steady foundation. “I tell people all the time, ‘Find a partner who brings out the best version of you. That’s exactly what she does,” he said. “She doesn’t push or prod. She leads by example. Her strength, her heart, the way she carries herself—it makes me want to be a better man, father, and husband. She’s supported every wild idea I’ve chased, from launching businesses to becoming a flight paramedic, and now, at 52, going to medical school.”

While McKinley studies, his wife continues to work full-time and helps run their family businesses. “I’ve always had the passion for patient care and the belief that I could do more,” he said. “But having someone who believes in you just as deeply, that keeps the fire lit.”

Lessons from Life in Service

Decades in emergency medicine have given McKinley a grounded perspective on learning and life. “Like they say, you don’t know what you don’t know,” he said. “Even when you think you’re at the top of your game, there’s always more to learn.” That humility shapes his approach to medical school. “The more I’ve seen, the more I’ve realized how much I still don’t know,” he said. “That mindset keeps me open, curious, and grounded.”

McKinley also connects deeply with the osteopathic philosophy of treating the whole person. “Healing isn’t just physical,” he said. “People aren’t just symptoms or vital signs. They’re whole human beings, and every part of their story matters.”

Though life experience hasn’t made medical school easier, it has given him a clear sense of purpose. “I know exactly why I’m here,” McKinley said. “I’m not just chasing a degree. I’m preparing for the kind of physician I want to be.”

Reflection on Two Wheels

Outside the classroom, McKinley finds his balance riding a motorcycle on the open road. It’s an unexpected choice for a paramedic. “It’s my peace,” he said. “There’s something about being on the motorcycle—just me, the bike, and the wind—that clears my head like nothing else. No noise, no pressure, just the rhythm of the ride.” For him, it’s more than a hobby; it’s a form of therapy. “It’s where I reset,” he said. “It keeps me grounded, especially when life gets overwhelming. Riding is therapy on two wheels.”

It's Never Too Late to Pursue Your Passion

When classmates learn that McKinley has five children and seven grandchildren, or that he is older than some of their parents, they’re often surprised. For him, though, those experiences are part of what makes his journey meaningful.

“My path to medical school hasn’t been straight. It’s been full of sharp turns, detours, mistakes, and hard lessons. I come from a colorful family, I’ve worked in every kind of job you can imagine, and I’ve lived a lot of life,” he said. “Every hard moment, every wrong turn, every unexpected shift—it’s all shaped the person I am and the provider I’m becoming,” he added.

Now, as a second-year student at VCOM-Louisiana, McKinley hopes his journey will encourage others who feel it might be too late to follow their calling. “It’s never too late to go after what matters to you,” he said. “I spent decades building a life, raising a family, and serving my community. And now, I’m finally getting to chase the dream I’ve carried all along.

“That time is going to pass either way,” he continued. “You can either keep wondering ‘what if,’ or you can finally do it. You’re never too old to pursue your passion.”

Louisiana

By Danielle Voumard -

VCOM-Louisiana Class of 2028 Honors Their Anatomy Donors

ebailey — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 18:43:14 +0000

VCOM-Louisiana Class of 2028 Honors Their Anatomy Donors ebailey Thu, 11/13/2025 - 13:43

VCOM-Louisiana Class of 2028 Honors Their Anatomy Donors

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The VCOM-Louisiana Class of 2028 came together on Sept. 29, 2025, to honor the ultimate act of generosity from their anatomy donors. The Donor Memorial Ceremony, a deeply meaningful tradition, gave students the opportunity to reflect on the lessons, experiences, and personal growth inspired by working with their donors throughout the past year’s anatomy curriculum.

Starting with the Anatomy Donor Symposium, where students presented posters highlighting their donors, which are often referred to as their “first patients.” Each poster summarized the invaluable lessons learned from the hands-on experience in the anatomy lab. Awards for Best Poster and Best Spirit were presented, celebrating both academic rigor and respect for the donors’ contributions.

Later, the Donor Memorial ceremony commenced. The solemnity of the occasion was enriched by the Class of 2028’s Trinity Smartt, who shared her original poem, “Thank You,” capturing the ways in which patients guide and impact a medical student’s journey. The VCOM-Louisiana SOAP Notes a cappella group performed Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” adding an emotional, reflective tone to the program.

An exhibit of student artwork, alongside a piece by Jasmine Belton, MLS, anatomy lab supervisor, honored the donors and the lessons they inspired. These works were a tribute to both the donors and the faculty who guided students in understanding the intricacies of the human body.

Lindsey Brierre, a member of the ceremony committee, contributed four paintings representing the blocks in which students worked with their donors. Reflecting on her experience, Lindsey shared: “Every dissection not only deepened our understanding of anatomy but revealed how each intricate detail of our donors’ anatomy shaped their daily life and made them who they were. I want to thank my donor for this incredibly selfless gift—this experience will shape how I care for every patient.”

Faculty and student reflections underscored the profound educational and human impact of donor-based learning. Belton emphasized the trust placed in students and faculty by donors’ families: “If I could share one message with the families of our donors, it would be that we are immensely grateful. It takes a truly special person to donate themselves to our program. And the families, too, place their trust in us during a time when they don’t have their loved one with them. That is incredibly meaningful.”

In today’s world, much learning can be simulated through technology, but it’s rare to gain such a tangible, personal connection to the human body. This hands-on experience has been both empowering and deeply moving, shaping me into a more thoughtful and compassionate physician in training.

Sydni Kinnard , VCOM-Louisiana Class of 2028

Savannah Newell, PhD, VCOM-Louisiana’s discipline chair for anatomical sciences, highlighted the unique educational value of donor-based instruction. “Textbooks can’t truly capture human variation. Even when two people look alike on the outside, dissection reveals unique internal differences. Working with donors allows students to see 3-D relationships firsthand, opening doors to research and publication opportunities. Beyond academics, it teaches humility, compassion, and the importance of treating donors as our first patients—allowing students to learn without the pressure of perfection.”

Uzochukwu Adabanya, MD, MPH, BSc—affectionately known as Dr. Uzo—added: “If I had the opportunity to speak to the families of our donors, I would simply say, ‘thank you.’ The chance for our students to practice fundamental skills and develop as future physicians is invaluable. Donors’ generosity truly shapes the next generation of medical professionals.”

The Donor Memorial Ceremony serves as a poignant reminder that learning in medicine extends far beyond textbooks. Through their donors’ generosity, the Class of 2028 gained not only anatomical knowledge but also lessons in empathy, respect, and appreciation for the human experience. The ceremony celebrated those who gave the gift that will resonate in their patients’ care for years to come—the ultimate legacy in shaping the physicians of tomorrow.

Awards Presented at the Donor Memorial Ceremony

Spirit Award

Taylor Raff

Academic Excellence Award for Anatomical Sciences

Gage Dawsey
Sophie Gresh
Tori Chang

Best Posters

Table 1A:

Bruce Hukins
Jerry Bourdreaux
Megan Bickmann
Richard Younge
Tori Frazier
Vignesh Ravichandran

Table 3A:

Hallie Vo
Jared Garrison
Matthew Badeaux
Seth Bouvier
Torrie Douglas
William Graham

Peer Tutors

We are also thankful for our Peer Tutors:

Block 1

Anatomy Lecture: Lindsey Brierre and Caitlin Canova
Anatomy Lab: Lindsey Brierre and Caitlin Canova

Block 2

Anatomy Lecture: Alexandria Bondi
Anatomy Lab: Lindsey Brierre

Block 3

Anatomy Lecture: Kristina Kellogg & Cole Higginbotham
Anatomy Lab: Lindsey Brierre and Lucas Thibodaux

Block 4

Anatomy Lecture: Kristina Kellogg & Cole Higginbotham
Anatomy Lab: Lindsey Brierre and Lucas Thibodaux

Block 5

Anatomy Lecture: Kristina Kellogg and Abby Mock
Anatomy Lab: Lindsey Brierre and Lucas Thibodaux

Louisiana

By Danielle Voumard -

Elizabeth Cline

ebailey — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 20:08:21 +0000

Elizabeth Cline ebailey Mon, 11/10/2025 - 15:08

Elizabeth Cline, JD, PhD

Attorney; VCOM Board of Directors Vice Chairman and Member of the Executive and Finance Committee

Campuses: Virginia, Auburn, Carolinas, Louisiana

Ray Morrison

ebailey — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 18:26:19 +0000

Ray Morrison ebailey Mon, 11/10/2025 - 13:26

Ray Morrison, DO, FACOS, DFACOS

Dean for Louisiana Campus

Ex Officio

Campus: Louisiana

Lester Wayne Johnson

ebailey — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 16:39:48 +0000

Lester Wayne Johnson ebailey Mon, 11/10/2025 - 11:39

Lester Wayne Johnson, MD

Vice Chancellor of Academics, Ochsner/LSU

Campus: Louisiana

Tom Gullatt

ebailey — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 16:33:51 +0000

Tom Gullatt ebailey Mon, 11/10/2025 - 11:33

Tom Gullatt, MD

President, St. Francis Health

Campus: Louisiana

Carrie Castille, PhD

ebailey — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 16:29:25 +0000

Carrie Castille, PhD ebailey Mon, 11/10/2025 - 11:29

Carrie Castille, PhD

President, University of Louisiana Monroe

Campus: Louisiana

Louisiana Research Day 2026

ebailey — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 19:06:25 +0000

Louisiana Research Day 2026 ebailey Tue, 10/28/2025 - 15:06

Louisiana Research Day 2026

Tags: Research

Location: VCOM-Louisiana, 4408 Bon Aire Dr, Monroe, LA 71203

��TV (VCOM) – Louisiana Campus will hold its Annual Via Research Recognition Day on Friday, February 27, 2026. Research Day is a significant event for VCOM and supports the mission of the College to provide medical education and research that prepares globally-minded, community-focused physicians and improves the health of those most in need.

Registration

Registration is FREE and is required for all participants, including students and poster presenters. Registration is now open and the deadline to register is Monday, January 12, 2026.

With registration for this event, you get:

Program materials
A meal will be provided during the event
Full access to all event activities

For any problems with registration, please email researchday-lc@ulm.vcom.edu

Agenda

TBA

Program

TBA

Speaker

TBA

How do I participate?

Attendees are invited to share their research in poster format. Poster abstracts must be accepted for the event for posters to be displayed. The Via Research Recognition Day features an optional poster competition with distinct categories; Research by a medical resident can be in the following categories: Biomedical Research, Clinical Research, Clinical Case Reports, Educational Research and Simulation Research.

Guidelines for Writing Research Abstracts for Posters (DOC)

Submit Your Abstract

Abstracts must be submitted electronically using the Abstract Submission Form at the link above. The deadline for abstract submission is Monday, January 12, 2026, at 5 PM.

Please note: In the interest of professionalism and fairness, no extensions for abstract submission will be granted.

For questions about abstract submissions or participation in the poster competition, please email the Research Day Committee at researchday-lc@ulm.vcom.edu.

When an abstract is accepted, the submitting author will receive further instructions on poster submission via email.

VCOM provides free poster printing for any meeting attendee with an accepted abstract. Details will be sent to submitting authors with the abstract acceptance email.

Poster Template (PPT) *(Please save poster file name as: lastname,firstname-VCOM-RD26)

Poster Submissions are due by Friday, February 6th, 2026, at 5 PM.

What will this conference offer?

The Via Research Recognition Day is a forum for health professionals and scientists at academic institutions, teaching hospitals and practice sites to present or benefit from new research innovations and programs intended to improve the health of all humans. By attending the oral presentations and poster sessions, participants will have the opportunity to learn cutting edge information in the physiological bases of osteopathic manipulative therapy efficacy, new trends in physician-based research networks, and how to develop innovative research projects with high impact for human health. By attending the poster session, participants will also learn about the biomedical, clinical and educational research activities at VCOM and its partner institutions and will have an opportunity to identify new collaborative research opportunities.

Who should attend?

Medical and pharmacology students, physicians, physician assistants, biomedical researchers, nurse practitioners, public health professionals, medical residents, and other health profession students and others interested in primary care issues and research.

Disclosure Statement

It is the policy of the VCOM Medical Education Department to ensure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor in all its educational programs. All participating faculty are expected to disclose to the participants any real or apparent conflict of interest related to the content of their presentations.

Campus: Louisiana

When: February 27, 2026 All day

Marcie Young

ebailey — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 17:54:39 +0000

Marcie Young ebailey Wed, 10/22/2025 - 13:54

Marcie Young

Director for High-Fidelity Manikin and Virtual-Based Simulation and Clinical Procedural Skills

Office: 402

Department/Discipline: Center for Simulation and Technology

Campus: Louisiana

Phone: 318-342-7163

Email: myoung@ulm.vcom.edu

VCOM-Louisiana’s Mobile Medical Unit Brings Care and Connection to Local Seniors

ebailey — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 12:43:18 +0000

VCOM-Louisiana’s Mobile Medical Unit Brings Care and Connection to Local Seniors ebailey Thu, 10/16/2025 - 08:43

VCOM-Louisiana’s Mobile Medical Unit Brings Care and Connection to Local Seniors

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VCOM-Louisiana’s large mobile medical unit hit the road last month to deliver clinical care to local seniors. The unit, made possible through a collaborative partnership with the Ouachita Parish Police Jury, is fully equipped for patient care, featuring private exam rooms with diagnostic equipment, work and phlebotomy stations, and a lavatory. It includes a wheelchair-accessible door and lift. Wrapped in vibrant VCOM graphics showcasing local students, the bus serves as a rolling symbol of hope and compassion for the communities it visits.

The September visit to the West Ouachita Senior Center supported a health fair hosted by Communities Acting to Benefit Louisiana’s Elderly (CABLE). It was the first time the mobile unit was used to deliver clinical care. Two fourth-year students joined Jonah Flowers, DO, discipline chair and assistant professor for rural and medically underserved areas at VCOM-Louisiana, and a practicing family medicine physician.

Dr. Flowers not only provided care but also drove the large bus. She reflected on the experience, saying, “I’m excited for the opportunity to take VCOM’s mission beyond our campus and into the community. This outreach allows us to continue preparing community-focused osteopathic physicians who are dedicated to meeting the healthcare needs of rural and medically underserved patients in Northeast Louisiana. It is also a meaningful way to share some of VCOM’s core values—duty, altruism, and compassion—through direct engagement with those we are committed to serving.”

With supervision from Dr. Flowers, students performed blood pressure checks, blood sugar testing, height and weight measurements, temperature checks, lung and heart exams, and even HENT (head, eyes, ears, nose, throat) exams. For many senior citizens who stopped by, the visit was as much about connection and reassurance as it was about clinical care.

VCOM trains future doctors to make a difference in their communities—especially in rural areas where healthcare is limited—while contributing to research that improves lives around the world. The care provided on the mobile unit embodies this goal. “It shows the community that we want to be here and that we want to serve them,” says Holly. “Every time we come out with a smile and offer these screenings, it encourages more people to take part. It also helps us start conversations about when someone may need to see their primary care physician for a more thorough exam.”

Providing care in this setting for older adults is so important because many don’t always receive preventative care. Preventative care can help them live longer, healthier, and happier lives.

Holly Jarkzynka , VCOM-Louisiana Class of 2026

The impact was felt not only by seniors, but also by community partners working at the health fair. Tasha Williams, a client care supervisor at Leading Home Care, had her blood pressure and glucose screened during the event. “Such a great service to provide to the community,” she said. “I was feeling a little down this morning, and I feel better after visiting with the medical student. I’ve been concerned about my blood sugar levels because they tend to run low. This was a great reinforcement that I need to get checked regularly.”

Savannah Collins ‘26, a Tallulah native, understands firsthand how challenging it can be for rural residents to access care. “Many people really just wanted interaction and engagement,” she says. “It was great to listen to them, reassure them, and let them know that there are people who care and want to help.”

For patients like Monroe senior Cathy Trichell, the visit was both reassuring and convenient. Concerned about fluctuating blood pressure, she appreciated the time Savannah spent reviewing her readings. “It was a wonderful experience to speak with the medical student today,” Trichell says. “I track my blood pressure because I have several health conditions. She was so thorough in going over the log I keep. She was patient, knowledgeable, and truly made me feel cared for.”

Through the mobile medical unit, VCOM-Louisiana is extending its reach beyond the classroom and clinic walls, ensuring that rural and underserved communities have access to quality care. Each patient interaction reflects the College’s mission: preparing compassionate physicians who not only treat illness but also foster trust, prevention, and wellness in the communities they serve.

outreach

Louisiana

By Danielle Voumard -