VCOM - Auburn 2017 Yearbook

Building Traditions in Military Medicine Serving Our Military and the Community

A s a member of the inaugural class of 2019 at VCOM-Auburn, it was a great honor to serve as the first president of the Students Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (SAMOPS). When we started this chapter of the organization, my fellow officers and I began club activities with some guidance from the other campus presidents. Being a new SAMOPS chapter, we were able to build our own foundation. We wanted that foundation to be based on training young medical officers who may not have any prior military experience, and to prepare them for their summer training and subsequent military career. We also wanted to create a “giving back” environment for our fellow veterans and their families. The officers that were elected to help me represent VCOM-Auburn were outstanding. They completed their missions with accuracy and precision. One of our biggest accomplishments was organizing an in-house espresso sales event that raised money for the Pat Tillman Foundation. Throughout the year, events were centered around giving back to the veterans since they have done so much for us. Additionally, we held a 9/11 memorial tribute event at VCOM-Auburn where a fellow classmate played Taps on his trumpet while the flag was raised to pay respect to those who had fallen. Some of the officers wore their uniforms to salute the flag during this tribute. We were fortunate enough to accomplish a number of goals throughout the year, which was made possible by the hard work of SAMOPS members. These dedicated members always came together to see the mission through. The characteristics that the men and women of SAMOPS possess are what make great leaders. Every single SAMOPS member has the capacity to excel as both a medical student and a U.S. armed forces service member. I have utmost confidence that these men and women will always exceed expectations throughout their lives. In the end, these officers and future physicians took on a challenge, worked together to see it through, and gained even more confidence during the process. America!

Timothy Morgan 2nd Lieutenant Mississippi Army National Guard SAMOPS President, Class of 2019

Meet the VCOM Military Leaders

AIR FORCE Class of 2019 Courtney Johnson Zachary Wise Class of 2020 Craig Goldhagen Audie Schmid

ARMY Class of 2019 Clayton Lester Alexander Mills Class of 2020 Zachary Jarrett Kenneth Stroer

NAVY Class of 2019 Tiffiny Cooper Alexander Dorin Class of 2020 Matthew Ferguson Hendrix LaFontant Victoria LaFontant

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