The Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine at Marian University is celebrating a major national honor: Caitlyn Phillips, OMS-3, earned first place at the American College of Physicians (ACP) Conference for a case presentation that highlighted exceptional clinical reasoning and compassionate patient care.
Caitlyn’s award-winning case began during her very first clinical rotation at Ascension St. Vincent. She was part of the care team for a 75-year-old patient who wasn’t recovering as expected after a routine heart procedure. While reviewing the patient’s symptoms and medical history, Caitlyn noticed something many might overlook: a long history of Raynaud’s phenomenon, when fingers or toes change color in response to cold or stress.
That small detail became the key. It prompted additional testing that revealed a specific antibody associated with limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis, an autoimmune disease so rare it affects only 0.019% of the population. Early recognition can dramatically improve patient outcomes, making Caitlyn’s insight especially meaningful.
Her ability to connect subtle clues, ask the right questions, and advocate for her patient, especially this early in her medical training, demonstrates the high caliber of future physicians being shaped at Marian University.
MU-WCOM is incredibly proud of Caitlyn’s national recognition and the thoughtful, patient-centered care she provided. Her achievement reflects the strength of our clinical training and the kind of doctor she is becoming.