Education
MBBS, DGO, MS, Madras Medical College and General Hospital, India
Bio
Sumathi Velavan (Sumathilatha Sakthi Velavan), MBBS, is an associate professor of anatomy in the Department of Anatomy and Pathology at Marian University Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-WCOM). She is an experienced clinician and anatomist with a strong background in medical education. Dr. Velavan primarily teaches anatomy, histology, and pathology to preclinical osteopathic medical students and serves as the course director of the Essential Clinical Anatomy and Development course at MU-WCOM. Before joining Marian University, she taught osteopathic medical students at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York.
Dr. Velavan earned her medical degree in India, where she also completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology. She later specialized in anatomy by earning a master’s degree in surgery. In addition to providing patient care, she taught multiple subdisciplines of anatomical sciences in allopathic medical schools in India for nearly 10 years. Her clinical background enriches her teaching with a strong emphasis on clinical relevance in anatomy education, and she is passionate about using innovative teaching methods to support student learning.
Dr. Velavan has contributed to national osteopathic assessment as an item writer and reviewer for the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examinations (NBOME). In recognition of her excellence in teaching and evaluation, she was named a Fellow of the National Academy of Osteopathic Medical Educators (NAOME) in 2020. Her dedication to education has earned her multiple honors, including the Frank Gray Teacher of the Year Award from TouroCOM in 2017 and several faculty awards from MU-COM’s Student Government Association, including the Outstanding Biomedical Science Faculty, Outstanding Clinical Faculty, and Advisor of the Year.
Courses Taught
Research Interests
Dr. Velavan is immensely interested in researching rare yet clinically significant anatomical variations. She has presented and published her findings at many academic conferences and peer-reviewed specialty journals. Her research output has contributed to the existing knowledge of Anatomy and other clinical specialties, which rely heavily on its expertise. Dr. Velavan has guided over sixty medical students from TouroCOM and MU-WCOM in researching clinically significant anatomical variations and directed their scholarly activities. Most of her mentees have presented at annual meetings of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists and transformed their work into peer-reviewed research publications.
Dr. Velavan is also interested in research on innovative medical education. Her research on the effectiveness of integrating virtual microscopy podcasts in Histology teaching within Osteopathic medical education was recognized by the Society of Osteopathic Medical Educators (SOME) of AACOM with the SOME Innovation in Medical Educator Award. Dr. Velavan, in collaboration with her peer faculty, is currently involved in a study on integrated learning activity assessments, their impact on students’ learning outcomes, and the role of peer-guided learning in the anatomy laboratory.
Professional Service and Affiliations
Internal
Member and COM representative of the Marian University Promotion and Tenure Committee since 2025
Member of the MU-WCOM Academic Facilities and Finance Committee since 2025
Member of the MU-WCOM Dean’s Cabinet since 2025
Chair of the MU-COM Research Committee 2020-22
Member of the MU-COM Academic Facilities and Finance Committee 2020-22 and current
Member of the MU-COM Research Committee since 2018-24
Member of the MU-COM Curriculum Committee since 2018-24
External
Member of the National Academy of Osteopathic Medical Educators Fellow Mentoring Subcommittee
Member of New Fellows Selection Committee 2022-24
Membership in Professional Organizations
Fellow of the National Academy of Osteopathic Medical Educators since 2021
National Faculty of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Educators since 2018
Member of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists since 2016
Member of the American Association for Anatomy since 2015
Life Member of the Society of Clinical Anatomists since 2011
Life Member of the Anatomical Society of India since 2007
Reviewer and Judging
Abstract reviewer and judge at the AACOM Annual Conference, Educating Leaders since 2022
Abstract reviewer and judge at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists since 2016
Reviewer of grant applications for the AACOM grants since 2022
Reviewing and selection of National Academy of Osteopathic Medical Educators Fellow applications
MU-COM Research Day 2018-23
Personal Info
Dr. Velavan loves nature, enjoys travelling, and watching movies.
