Silvia M. Ferretti, D.O., Provost, Senior Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs of the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) joined more than 80 other professors and graduate students from universities throughout the U.S. and around the world to participate in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) course, “Dietary Supplement Research Practicum 2010.” The Practicum was held on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland, June 14-18, 2010.

ODS offers this annual intensive course to provide essential knowledge of dietary supplements to academic faculty and their doctoral or post-doctoral students with a serious interest in this subject. Experts from NIH, academic institutions, and Federal regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) served as speakers.

The ODS practicum provides a thorough overview of issues, concepts, unknowns, and controversies about dietary supplements and supplement ingredients. It also emphasizes the importance of scientific investigations to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and value of these products for health promotion and disease prevention and treatment, as well as how to carry out this type of research.

On Wednesday, June 16th, participants spent the day in Washington, D.C., to meet with representatives from the U.S. Congress, the dietary supplement industry, media, and consumer advocacy groups that study, advocate, regulate, or educate about dietary supplements.

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The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and LECOM School of Pharmacy offer innovative and affordable education in osteopathic medicine and pharmacy. From campuses in Erie, Pennsylvania, Greensburg, Pennsylvania and Bradenton, Florida, LECOM provides student-centered pathways to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals. Prepare yourself for medicine as your life’s profession.