VCOM - Auburn 2017 Yearbook

student organizations

Cardiology and Infectious Diseases Committee Special Interest Group of SOIMA

Amber Bux, Infectious Disease Chair; Niles Phillips, Cardiology Chair

T he VCOM-Auburn student chapter of the Student Osteopathic Internal Medicine Association strives to enhance student knowledge about the field of internal medicine and its many exciting specialties. SOIMA’s mission is to serve the student body by preparing future physicians for a career in internal medicine. SOIMA is an organization for the students.Students gain valuable experience and knowledge through guest speakers, workshops and community service. SOIMA is a branch of the American College of Osteopathic Internists (ACOI). ACOI focuses on providing the most valuable and important resources to students pursuing a career in internal medicine. As an organization, SOIMA prides itself on serving the community of Auburn through numerous volunteer and outreach programs. The overall goals are to not only prepare fellow members for a career in internal medicine, but to help serve the city of Auburn, the state of Alabama, the United States and the World. Another goal of the organization is to establish relationships with local physicians practicing in the many

medical sub-specialties in order to provide better insight into what each specialty entails. By learning about the different training paths offered through internal medicine, it is hoped that students will be aided in thinking about future career goals. The IM organization hopes to continue to grow and act as a valuable resource for not only VCOM students, but for the entire community. SOIMA events during the first year included guest speaker Shaista Walji, DO a resident physician in internal medicine, VCOM Grad Class of 2016 and a diabetic neuropathy workshop. SOIMA members also volunteered at Mercy Medical Clinic, they made Valentine’s Day cards for residents of Oak Park nursing home and made care packages for the Opelika, Alabama Fire Department. In 2017, SOIMA held a kickball tournament where proceeds were donated to the Joy to Life Foundation. SOIMA subcommittees include the Cardio subgroup and the infectious disease subgroup. SOIMA has greatly enjoyed serving the students of VCOM and members of the community.

85