The ACOM Beat - Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine

The ACOM Beat
Volume II, Issue 1 |September 2014
The Official Student Newsletter of the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Club Corner: Students in Action
Welcome, ACOM Class of 2018!
Summer Break — The Dids & Did Nots
LOCAL EVENTS
Thank you to our contributing
authors and the Student
Communications Team!
Field Focus
If you would like to be a future
contributor, please contact
sgapr@acomedu.org.
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Miller
New Students Have Arrived!
By Sarah Senn
Photo Courtesy of Kenny
It’s official. ACOM’s Class of 2018 is here!
Before starting classes, ACOM held a week-long
orientation to help the 2018ers get better acquainted with
the idea of going to medical school in Dothan. In addition
to curricular and policy overviews, this year’s student
orientation included many activities to get students up
and moving.
Craig J. Lenz, DO, ACOM’s Dean, welcomed students in his
“Dean’s Hour,” giving students an overview of what to
expect at ACOM. Kenyanita Ellis, OMS-II, ACOM’s first
student government president, greeted the new class,
giving them a few pointers about being a medical school
student. Later on the first day, Student Services shared
important policies and procedures that everyone needs to
know. Students broke into advisor groups and tackled
ACOM’s first scavenger hunt, giving everyone the
opportunity to explore the facility and make new friends.
On day two, new students got a taste of the curriculum with a practice day consisting of a DSA, BSC/CIS, mini exam
(using the technology) and TBL to help them be better prepared for the year ahead. The day concluded with an open
vendor fair where more than 20 local businesses and organizations showcased their services to new students and
their families.
Day three’s activities focused on institutional effectiveness initiatives, including academic support services, learning
resources and the quality improvement process. Each presentation referenced the importance of culture and ACOM’s
core values: Integrity, Service, Passion, Innovation, Respect and Excellence. At the end of the day, the new class had
the opportunity to create its own word cloud-like culture code based on students’ one-word reflections on ACOM’s
core values.
ACOM’s inaugural class, now OMS-II students, were eager to share their first-hand experiences and tips. Several
members of the 2017 class participated in a student panel to answer questions (and calm any fears) before classes
began.
Following a full agenda of academic-specific activities, students got a chance to unwind and experience some of the
fun things around Dothan. On Friday, Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail hosted a breakfast and golf scramble at Highland
Oaks for students and faculty. Later that night, Water World opened its doors to ACOM students and families for a
night of fun in the waves. Weekend activities included SAMC’s Internal Medicine Hospitalists hosting the second
annual ACOM 5k Race.
It was a jam-packed week of activities, but a great way to start the new school year and say:
“Welcome to ACOM’s Class of 2018!”
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Thank you to our Student Orientation Week sponsors:
Golf Outing Sponsor
HIGHLAND OAKS
Lunch Sponsors
Breakfast Sponsors
ACOM 5K Race Sponsor
SAMC Internal Medicine Hospitalists
Vendors
Comfort Inn and Suites
Dothan Chamber of Commerce
Dothan Houston County Library System
Dothan Magazine
Evans Automotive Service Inc.
Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Highland Hills Apartment Homes
Living Well Fitness
Parker Waller Insurance
Recovery Room
Ronnie’s Men’s and Boys’ Wear, Inc.
Sam’s Club of Dothan
SAMC Foundation
Sandra Jean Uniforms
Scrubs 101 Uniform Boutique, LLC
Troy University Dothan – MBA Program
Wiregrass Museum of Art
Women’s Medical Center
Thank you to LBA Hospitality for their contribution to our event.
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What I did (and did not do) this Summer
By David Murphy
Dr. Thompson likes to scare us! Whether it’s with a Katana or that smile, he loves to make sure we
know that no matter what we do in medical school to prepare us for its rigors, it’s probably not
enough! In the middle of second semester last year, he mentioned that he would recommend us
studying for boards a couple of hours every day over the summer. So, I made my decision that that’s
what I was going to do. I thought to myself, “I won’t be spending quality, uninterrupted time with my
family for the only two months I’ll ever have!” “I won’t enjoy what Utah has to offer, outside, in the
mountains or the cities, because I’ll have to set aside time to be indoors where there’s WiFi.” “I’m
gonna be able to pass COMSAE C in August! I got this.” I was pumped!
Then summer started…
The good news is that I brought my review materials with me, on the plane, taking up space and
weight, so I can look at them, as they sit on the dresser in the guest room we stayed in. Occasionally
I’d pick up First Aid, thumb through it, read the intro, and then put it away because fishing in the
Nebo Loop in central Utah is funner. That’s right! I said “funner.” Funner is a word when you don’t
want to be responsible and care! Everyday needed to be funner than the last, and I didn’t care if I was
judged by anyone, not even Dr. Thompson.
So what did I do over the summer? First, I’ll tell you what I didn’t do that others did:
I didn’t go to
Commissioned Officer
Training in Montgomery for
the Air Force. I didn’t
want to eat from MREs for 4 days
straight, or get yelled at for 2 weeks. I
didn’t wake up at 4:30…or even earlier than
6 (I still have a toddler so sleeping in
past 7 is NEVER an option). But, I’m
grateful for those who did, because they’re
the ones who are protecting our country and
freedoms therein.
Another thing that I didn’t do was, I assume,
work for the forest service, “smoking trees”.
That person left their name anonymous. What
integrity to perform great service for the
environment without the need for recognition!
I didn’t work in an OR, get
sneezed on, having a
One thing I did do was ride my bicycle, something that I
assumed everyone I know above the age of 8 can do,
except for one classmate. It’s a relief that adult
tricycles are a thing or else he wouldn’t have been
able to explore the beauty of Key West with his
family, who were all using bicycles. I admire your
courage and lack of shame, Patrick Huynh!!
mixture of blood and
snot sprayed on my face,
filling out paperwork and
making sure I didn’t
contract Mad Cow, Ebola or HIV. Been
there, done that!!
To wrap this jumble of a commentary up, I enjoyed time with my family and friends. We enjoyed the
outdoors, museums, sleeping, and barbecues. I started my journey to lose my “freshman 40” that I
packed on last year, running races and working out with Tony Horton himself…only to be rewarded by
a disc problem and neuropathy down my right leg (I’m old, fat, and too proud to run the proper way I
guess. Forefoot running, no heel strikes). But, I loved my summer. And no matter what anyone else
did, whether it was shadowing, researching, traveling, or nothing, I hope everyone got exactly what
they needed and wanted out of the summer. In the words of Peter Gibbons (whoever that is), “I did
absolutely nothing and it was everything I thought it could be.” I hope all 150+ of us could replace (or
keep) the underlined words and have it ring true…because it’ll be the last time we can genuinely say
this regarding a summer for the rest of our lives!
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Faculty Spotlight: Stephen Miller, DO
By Garrett Harrison, OMS-II
Meet Dr. Stephen Miller…
A native of Haddonfield, NJ, he completed his medical education at the
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Miller joins ACOM after
serving as the Chair of Family Medicine at Lincoln Memorial UniversityDeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine over the past five years. He now
serves as our Associate Dean of Clinical Sciences.
Dr. Miller is a highly-experienced osteopathic physician with a background
as a family medicine residency program director. He was one of two
osteopathic family medicine residency program directors chosen, from
640 programs nationwide, to direct a pilot-program for the ACGME single
accreditation system within the Lehigh Valley Hospital Network in
Allentown, Pa.
Dr. Miller started off his career as a family medicine physician in Lee
County located in southwest Virginia. He was a pioneering osteopath,
being the first D.O. to ever practice in the county where osteopathic
medicine’s founder Andrew T. Still was born. Standard of care included
house calls and porch discussions of patients’ medical concerns. He
worked as one of three physicians for a population of 30,000 while
repaying a National Health Services Corps obligation. After serving his
obligation, Dr. Miller decided he wanted to teach and continue practicing rural medicine near New Portland,
Maine. There he found his niche at the New England College of Osteopathic Medicine and Quint Memorial
Health Center, where he spent the next 20 years building a strong foundation for many osteopathic students
and physicians.
Dr. Miller has high expectations for students at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine. When asked
about his vision for ACOM students he stated, “My goal is that every student gets their residency of choice.”
He realizes this will not come without a cost, and his expectations are that students “show up every day to
work; and try to focus on the big picture.” His recommended priority for students: Learn the curriculum. From
his experiences through the single ACGME pilot-program, he stresses that competencies taught throughout
the ACOM curriculum and having a team-player attitude will be vital characteristics that attending physicians
will look for. Dr. Miller realizes there is a tremendous amount of pressure and work ahead of us. Therefore,
he is here to help, understand, and listen to students’ concerns, and work with us so that we will excel to the
best of our abilities on the COMLEX Step 1 and 2, COMLEX PE, and rotations.
Dr. Miller has a wealth of information and a perspective every medical student should understand before
going into a clinical rotation, audition rotation, or residency interview. If you have questions or concerns, he is
a strong resource.
Biggest takeaways from Dr. Miller:
1)
2)
3)
4)
Dedicate yourself to learning the ACOM curriculum. (Core science/clinical competencies!)
Ask for help. (Residency directors LOVE humility, and it may save your patient one day.)
Embrace the workload. (COMLEX-Step 1, COMLEX-Step 2/PE, Rotations, Residency!)
Enjoy it! (Dr. Miller’s hobbies include fly fishing, pickin at the guitar, and getting to know the local
culture, i.e. yodeling in the Cumberland Gap / Appalachian region.)
Faculty Spotlight is an ongoing series by The ACOM Beat
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New Faces: Meet the Professors
By Sean Godfrey, OMS-II
ACOM’s team of faculty has grown. First and second year
students may notice five new faces around the campus.
Anatomical Sciences:
Eric Johnson, PhD
Clinical Sciences:
Jerry Boland, MD
John Giannini, Jr., MD
Vance Powell, DO
Molecular Medicine:
Jonathan Brown, PhD
Left to right: Drs. Johnson, Brown, Powell, Boland, Giannini
Eric Johnson, PhD
Dr. Johnson comes to ACOM from Los Angeles, California and will be serving as Assistant Professor of Anatomy. He did
his undergrad in molecular biology at UCSD before attending the University of Texas Southwestern where he pursued his
PhD in integrative biology. He then completed post-doctoral training at the University of New Mexico in their
neuroscience department. It was there that he worked on neural stem cells through modification of the fragile X
syndrome in murine models. Shortly into his post-doctoral training, he developed a strong interest in teaching, and
began teaching anatomy at the University of New Mexico for both their physical therapy and medical students. Upon
coming to ACOM, he has a goal to set up an educational outreach program with the intention of increasing the resources
available to underserved populations.
Jerry Boland, MD
Dr. Boland was born and raised in Maryland, and is ACOM’s newest Associate Professor of Family Medicine. He attended
Bethany College for his undergrad studying biology, obtained a Masters degree in biology from Bucknell University, and
completed his medical degree at George Washington University. He finally settled in Florida after completing a family
medicine residency at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, Fla. He has held several leadership positions
throughout his career, including former president of Florida Academy of Family Physicians, and board positions for the
Big Bend Area Health Education Center. He has guided students into becoming good physicians for over 20 years
through his preceptorship, and has even had a student win the National Rural Health Association’s research award for
their research into ADHD. Dr. Boland has a passion for working in rural medicine. He encourages each student to find
balance, as being a physician is not a 9-5 thing.
John T. Giannini, Jr., MD
Dr. Giannini is the new Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Faculty Director of SIM Lab. A native Kentuckian, Dr.
G attended the University of Louisville for his undergrad studying biology, and also served in the Navy as a hospital
corpsmen. From there, he received his PA degree from Duke and served as a surgical P.A. for three years before deciding
to go to medical school at the University of Louisville upon the strong recommendation of his surgical colleagues. He
completed a residency in General Surgery at University of Florida and practiced for three years before ultimately
switching to Internal Medicine. Dr. G has extensive experience teaching at both UF as well as FSU. It is his philosophy that
the essence of being a good physician is not in how much you know, but in how much you care (and patients can tell).
Oh, and his high school band opened for the Rolling Stones.
Vance Powell, DO
Dr. Powell is the newly-installed Chair of OB/GYN, General Surgery and Trauma. Originally hailing from Michigan, Dr.
Powell attended the Virginia Military Institute where he studied English for his undergrad. It was there that he trained as
a tank officer, before ending up serving in the Medical Service Corps as a surgical assistant in the Vietnam War. Following
his service in Vietnam, he obtained another bachelor’s degree at Fairleigh University in biology, after which he attended
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine for medical school. He initially wanted to pursue pediatrics, but having
been overexposed to death and dying in a Pediatric Cancer Hospital, moved from pursuing family medicine to Ob/GYN at
the urging of a chairman at Botsford Hospital. He did his residency at Botsford and later went on to help establish and
direct an Osteopathic Postdoctoral Training Institution (OPTI). He has been a residency director as well as Director of
Medical Education at Botsford Hospital in their OB/GYN program. Dr. Powell has a strong incentive to encourage people
that being a physician is a privilege.
Jonathan R. Brown, PhD
This native Tennessean is ACOM’s new Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology. He did his undergrad in
Biology at the University of Tennessee-Martin Campus before pursuing his PhD in Biology regarding the response of TLR
to bacterial components (i.e. LPS). He did his post-doctoral training at the University of Louisville working on Multiple
Sclerosis in murine models. Dr. Brown developed a strong interest in teaching while serving as an adjunct professor at
the University of Tennessee. His philosophy mimics that of Socrates “All that I know, is that I know nothing.”
All of the new faculty’s offices are located on the second floor. Please stop by and say “hello!”
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Club Corner
By Andrew Wheat, OMS-II
Campus organizations have started fall semester off with a bang! The clubs and interest groups have wasted no time
getting active and involved not only at ACOM, but in the community as well. Let’s see what they have done!
American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
AMSA had one busy August! Members of the organization participated in the
Southeast Alabama Medical Center Men’s Health Fair, which was held August 2nd
at the Dothan Civic Center. Here, ACOM students got to show off their clinical
skills, taking blood pressure, measuring height and weight, and informing Dothan
residents about the risk factors for stroke. Okay, so maybe the blood pressure
cuffs were automated. They still pressed those buttons like champs!
On August 29th, AMSA and SGA partnered on the inaugural OMS-I vs. OMS-II
basketball showdown. The first-years battled hard, but in the end it was the
second-years that took top honors, defeating the first-years by a score of 54 to
33. Everyone’s favorite guy that wears sandals to class, Chris Perry, took home the
MVP award, and Dr. Giannini showed everyone how to play a little old school
Kentucky ball, defeating both students and faculty alike in the three point contest.
AMSA at the Men’s Health Fair
Emergency Medicine Interest Group (EMIG)
The Emergency Medicine Interest Group celebrated the first exam by volunteering at
the Coffee County Emergency Preparedness Fair, which was held on September 6th
from 10 A.M. – 2 P.M. Volunteers handed out water and Red Cross emergency
preparedness brochures.
EMIG also had a chance to ride up to the local Dothan fire station and try out a few of
the 12-lead EKGs that have plagued the second-year students. It looks like they had
an awesome time, and Peter Brooks got a chance to show off shirtless to the ladies.
EMIG in action
Public Health & Preventative Medicine Interest Group (PHPMIG)
It seems September 6th was one busy day of service. While EMIG was assisting the Red Cross, a group of students from
the Public Health and Preventative Medicine Interest Group volunteered at the 5th Annual Wiregrass AIDS Walk. The
event was held at Westgate Park and proceeds went to benefit the Medial Aids Outreach of Alabama. PHPMIG had a
team and also had students assist the organizers with the walk. That’s the way to get involved!
ACOM Billiards Club
The ACOM Billiards Club has been holding its first tournament of the year. The tournament will last throughout the
month of September. Participants play each other during their free time, with the winner advancing and the loser
scratching their name off the list. Who will win? Tune in next issue to find out!
NeuroPyschSIG/Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA)
Also on September 6th (cough, post exam day, cough), NeuroPsych and SOMA held a
fundraiser at the soon-to-be-famous Folklore Brewery. Ten percent of the night’s
proceeds went to each group, and free sodas and water were provided to the DD’s. The
event also included a raffle, cornhole games and some Hungry Hungry Hippos. This
author, for one, is sad he could not make it to the event.
Student Government Association (SGA)
On August 28th, the SGA held a Town Hall meeting in Auditorium 1. Roughly 50 students attended the meeting. Some of
the topics discussed include curriculum and scheduling, veggie options in the cafeteria, and possible ice and coffee
machines in the Bistro.
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Field Focus: Internal Medicine
By Robin Conley, OMS-II
Internal medicine is a sector of primary care focused on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of adult diseases. This sector of medicine is often the hub of many specialties as many of the issues internists face are undifferentiated and multifaceted. Physicians in this field often work with very sick patients, including and especially those requiring hospitalization
and/or ambulatory care.
Gregory Gibson, DO, is a board-certified internal medicine physician (Board Certified by the American College of Osteopathic
Internists) who has been practicing in the Dothan area for the last two years. He has served patients in both Southeast Alabama as well as Northeast Ohio, where he completed his residency training. He is not the only member of his family in
medicine. He was proud to share that his sister is in her first year of residency in ophthalmology. We asked him to share
his experiences as an internal medicine doctor. Here is what he had to say:
Describe a typical day at the office.
“I share an office with eight other primary care doctors (two of whom are DOs and have recently joined our practice). Our
office has a full-service lab, as well as an imaging department with full x-ray capabilities along with a CT scanner and ultrasound. I basically see people in the hospital and in the office for any and all adult primary care issues. Since the practice
offers comprehensive services, I am usually able to facilitate labs and imaging studies around the time of office visits, and
usually am able to get the results to them immediately or have them referred to the appropriate specialist at the time of
the encounter. I see people from around 8:00 AM until 3:00PM.
What are some of the things you like the most about practicing Internal Medicine?
“As an internist I specialize in mostly chronic disease management and preventive medicine, so unlike more daring fields
of specialty there are relatively few “heroic” moments or highly-charged situations in which someone’s life hangs in the
balance. There is always time to reassess and figure things out. I have not really ever regretted something that I did regarding patient care, only things that never crossed my mind. I would also add that, despite the lack of intensity, there is
immense opportunity to affect people’s lives by simply being there for them and offering yourself and your time (however
limited it may be). I am continually surprised at how much value people place on the opinion and care of their primary
physicians, and I am truly humbled by the blessing and the trust they bestow upon me. I know that sounds sappy, but I
have to say that the relationships that you get to have with people whom you see for months and years, through difficulties and loss, does become a very powerful and meaningful force in and of itself.”
Are there any limitations in the field?
“As for the limitations there is no shortage of gripes and complaints available to any primary care doc. Healthcare is a
business and everyone must be conscientious of this. The cost of providing care is an increasingly difficult barrier for all
practitioners. I would say no specialty is immune from the “tightening noose” of healthcare economy, but as I tell my patients when they come to me expressing worry about healthcare and reform. I will see anyone who wants to see me, and
remember that for the most part all of the physicians who are considered to be the greatest healers the would has ever
known practiced long before insurance companies or Medicare existed.”
Do you have any cool stories from residency you’d like to share?
“I don’t have a particular story from residency that really sums up my experience, but everyone does have a moment in
residency when they realize that that have truly come a long way. I remember when I began my second year and had
three
interns I was trying to train and guide through their first months. I would have guessed that this would
have
been quite a frustrating and tedious experience, but I was amazed at how much enthusiasm I had for
teaching and how much experience I had gained in one year. “
What advice do you have for medical students selecting a specialty? In general?
“Follow your heart and really focus on what you enjoy. You will wind up devoting most of your life to
whatever you chose to go into. If you don’t really enjoy your work you will never earn enough and if
you do love what you do you will always make enough. The only other piece of advice that I have is
please do not listen to any old angry doctor whom you may meet that says medicine is not a good
field to go into. Unfortunately, there are ones out there who project a very negative outlook to
young students and residents. I believe that medicine is a calling, and personally, you could not
pay me to not do this for a living. Your hard work will be rewarded. “
Though Dr. Gibson is not directly connected to ACOM, he is eager to work with students and is
slated to become the director of the Internal Medicine residency program at SAMC. This program
should be fully-operational by 2016. Currently, Dr. Gibson is currently practicing at The Southern Clinic located at 201 Doctors Drive, Dothan, AL 36301. He is accepting new patients.
Field Focus is an ongoing series by The ACOM Beat
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Wiregrass Events Calendar
Save the Date!
By Tiffanie Mann
Sept. 19
FosterFest
When: September 16th, 6-9:30PM
Where: Downtown Dothan, Foster St.
Cost: FREE
Oct. 4
When: Oct 4th, 10AM–4PM
Where: Landmark Park
Info and tickets: (334) 794-3452 or visit
www.landmarkpark.com
Downtown Dothan's Foster Fest is held
the third Friday in May through
October each year. This is a free
downtown evening celebration with
street vendors, live music, antique cars
and much more. The 100 blocks of
North and South Foster Street will be
closed to through traffic so citizens can
leisurely stroll and enjoy the shops,
vendor booths, festivities, music, food
and refreshments.
Sept. 20
Dothan Regional Airport
Aviation and Family Day
When: September 20th, 9:30AM-4PM
Where: Dothan Regional Airport, 800
Airport Drive, Suite 15, Dothan
Open to the public with free
admission; Dale County Sheriff's Dept.
helicopters on display. Enjoy
helicopter rides all day: Huey: $50.00 a
person; Cobra: $275.00 per person.
EAA Young Eagles event; Wright
Brothers history presentation in EAA
Chapter Room in Aero-One Building;
hamburgers and hot dogs available for
purchase 10:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.;
remote control helicopter
demonstrations 10:30 a.m. until 3:30
p.m.; parking at Aero-One Aviation and
in the grass overflow lot across from
Aero-One.
Sept. 26-27
Porktoberque
When: September 26th 5-10PM,
September 27th, 11AM–6PM
Where: Houston County Farm Center,
Dothan
Cost: $3 per ticket per day
Contact: www.porktoberque.com
PorktoberQue is in its 3rd year as a
KCBS sanctioned barbecue
competition and as an awesome lessthan-traditional Oktoberfest. Come
enjoy the best local BBQ around, and
wash it down with some ale at the
Biergarten. Activities include a BBQ
competition, cornhole tournament, car
show and live music.
Landmark Park’s
Wiregrass Antique and
Collector Car Show
Join Landmark Park for one of the
largest car shows in the Wiregrass
area. Approximately 200 cars on
display ranging from Model Ts to
custom classics. Presented by
Wiregrass Antique and Collector Car
Club.
Oct. 18
2014 Sandi McCool
Champions of Hope
When: October 18th, all day
Where: ACOM Campus
Cost: $25 for Spirit Walk, $35 for
5k/10k. T-shirts included with
registration
Contact: SAMC Foundation at (334) 673
-4150 or www.samcfoundation.org
SAMC Foundation will hold the 7th
Annual Sandi McCool Champions of
Hope breast cancer awareness health
event Saturday, Oct. 18, on the
campus of ACOM. The event promises
to be a fun-filled day that will appeal to
the entire family. The event includes a
5K/10K race and the Kids' Fit
Challenge. Activities also include live
radio broadcasts, food, drinks and an
opportunity to visit Champions Plaza
where area merchants and exclusive
Champions of Hope merchandise will
be available.
Up Next: National Peanut Festival
When: October 31st-November 9th
The National Peanut
Festival is Dothan’s
highlight festival, and a
great opportunity to
unwind from the stress of
exams. Come out to the
Fairgrounds and enjoy
concerts, carnival rides,
livestock exhibits, cheerleading competitions and the
best corndogs and deep-fried Snickers bars that
you’ll ever eat. Don’t miss this event!
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