Mid-Winter 2026 Agenda

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Friday, Jan. 30, 2026

7:30–8 a.m.

Registration and Sign-in

8–9 a.m.

Not an Imposter, Just Impressive: Building Authentic Professional Identity

Katie Williams, Ph.D.

Objectives
  • Define imposter syndrome including its effects on professional identity formation and development of interpersonal relationships in professional environments
  • Analyze current approaches to overcoming imposter syndrome in medical environments to help find methods that works for participants in their own professional endeavors
  • Discuss development of professional identity and provide pathways that account for imposter syndrome
  • Identify practical, mentorship-focused strategies for reducing imposter feelings in clinical settings and fostering inclusive learning environments for student doctors.

9–10 a.m.

Shoulder Examination

Vincent Morra, D.O., ‘21

Objectives
  • Review shoulder anatomy, special tests, and an organized approach to shoulder complaints, diagnosis, and treatment.

10–10:15 a.m.

Break

10:15–11:15 a.m.

Hair Loss: Evaluation and Management

Margaret Green, D.O., ‘13

Objectives
  • Suggested approach and supplies for the alopecia encounter;
  • Brief review of hair follicle biology and its relevance to different types of hair loss;
  • Learn/review common forms of alopecia, how to work them up (if needed), initial treatments, and prognosis;
  • How to choose a biopsy site.

11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

Medical Jeopardy Quiz Bowl

Aaron McGuffin, M.D.

Objectives
  • Reinforce core clinical knowledge across multiple medical specialties through interactive, case-based question review.
  • Strengthen diagnostic reasoning and rapid clinical decision-making by applying evidence-based medicine in a fast-paced, competitive format.
  • Enhance learner engagement and knowledge retention through game-based education that promotes collaboration between physicians and medical students.

12:15–12:30 p.m

Lunch Pick Up

12:30–1:30 p.m.

Value Based Care

Julie Marcinek, D.O, ‘13

1:30–2:30 p.m.

Functional Medicine in Primary Care—Optimizing Cognitive Health

Aunna Herbst, D.O.

Objectives
  • Learn why functional medicine is needed in medicine
  • Learn the genomic functional approach to preventing cognitive decline
  • Witness a case demonstration of functional medicine

2:30–2:45 p.m.

Break

2:45–3:45 p.m.

Physician Burnout: How To Reignite Your Passion for Medicine

Alan Casciola, D.O., ‘14

Objectives
  • Define burnout
  • Identify areas of imbalance in your life
  • Learn techniques to treat and prevent burnout

3:45–4:45 p.m.

David Pickering, D.O., ’09 — Rhinoceros, And Other Reasons for Hyperglycemia

Saturday, Jan. 30, 2026

7:30–8 a.m.

Registration and Sign-in

8–9 a.m.

A Clinical-Neuroradiological Bridge

Grayson Hooper, D.O.

Objectives
  • Discuss various common neurological pathologies that may emerge in the outpatient or inpatient setting and how to approach them with diagnostic imaging.

9–10 a.m.

Low Back Pain

Dwan Perry, D.O.

Objectives
  • Explain most common causes of mechanical back pain
  • Formulate differential diagnosis for back pain
  • Support use of routine and advanced imaging in back pain

10–10:15 a.m.

Break

10:15–11: 15 a.m.

Legislative Update

Tom Takubo, D.O.

Objectives
  • Update of healthcare related legislative items

11:15–12:15 p.m.

Trauma Updates 2026: A Brief Review of the Past Year’s Highlights

Jacob Smith, D.O.

Objectives
  • Review updates to newest ATLS revision
  • Discuss updates in blood product management
  • Simplify use of TXA in trauma
  • Discuss updates in head and neck trauma
  • Review updates in geriatric trauma management
  • Discuss traumatic cardiac arrest guideline

12:15–1:30 p.m.

WVSOM Alumni Luncheon and Annual Meeting

1:30–2:30 p.m.

New Drugs of 2025

Chris Terpening, Pharm.D, Ph.D.

Objectives
  • Identify situations where new drugs offer advantages over existing medications.
  • Describe the clinical utility of selected medications approved by the FDA in 2025.

2:30–4:30 p.m.

OMT for Headaches & Neck Pain

Jean Rettos, D.O.

Objectives
  • Relate anatomy, pathophysiology, and osteopathic principles for a patient who presents with a headache.
  • Describe migraines, tension, and cluster headaches
  • Recognize a patient who presents with red flags of a headache.
  • Demonstrate the following osteopathic techniques:
      Levator Scapulae and Trapezius ME Sub-occipital Release Cervical FPR Pectoralis Muscle Energy Occipital Decompressions Venous Sinus Drainage Serratus Anterior Stretch First Rib FPR

4:30–5:30 p.m

Poster Contest Presentations

Abigail Frank, D.O.

Objectives
  • Define and discuss the significance of the clinical and translational science and its value to rural populations within Appalachia.

Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026

7:30–8 a.m.

Registration and Sign-in

8–9 a.m.

Lori Tucker, D.O., ‘97 — “Menopause Management for the Primary Care Physician”

9 a.m.–12 p.m.

Healing in the Hills: Responsible Prescribing & Risk Assessment in West Virginia

Jason Kirby, D.O.

Objectives
  • Identify clinical risk factors for opioid misuse, drug diversion, and substance use disorder using validated screening tools (e.g., ORT, SOAPP-R, COMM)
  • Recognize common drug-seeking behaviors and diversion tactics and implement evidence-based responses
  • Describe current West Virginia trends in prescription opioid misuse, overdose mortality, and polysubstance patterns