Don D. Bloxham, Brigham Young University zoology professor, chief health professions adviser and director of the BYU Health Professions center, was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science Degree by the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Mo.
Bloxham is directly involved in the education of pre-health care undergraduates and medical, nursing and podiatry students.
"Dr. Bloxham has a very organized curriculum in place for pre-med students," said Shane Frazier BYU alumnus and recent KCOM graduate. "He has a very well-thought-out class that goes over the application process and timeline, the MCAT, pre-med requirements and admissions criteria."
Bloxham has been instrumental in the recruitment of numerous pre-medical students to KCOM. "He works very hard to help get BYU students into medical schools all over the country," said Frazier. "He does this by being very honest with both the admissions committees of the respective medical schools and with the applicants themselves. This way, the medical schools know just what type of person is applying to their school."
At the 2003 KCOM graduation ceremony, 14 of the 166 graduates were BYU alumni.
"His classes also included many other valuable insights into what we needed to do to get into the best medical schools. He had physicians speak to us and medical school admissions representatives and others teach us what they are looking for and what it is like to be a doctor," Frazier added.
In addition to his involvement with higher education, Bloxham has a distinguished career as a scientist with many contributions to literature and health professions, developing a keen interest in and an appreciation for osteopathic medicine.
Bloxham received his bachelor's and master's degrees in zoology from Idaho State University and his Ph.D. in physiology from Louisiana State University.
Writer: Elizabeth B. Jensen