VCOM - Auburn 2017 Yearbook

SOMA Student Osteopathic Medical Association

Patrick McKeny, President; Dilsa Souffrant, Vice President; Valerie Staples, Secretary/Treasurer; Benjamin Pare, National Liaison Officer Sean Johnson, National Liaison 2016 2017

Brigette Meyers, President; Marissa Lee, Vice President; Candace Ibarra, Secretary; Chirag Patel, Treasurer; Anna Stamas, National Liaison Officer

T he VCOM-Auburn chapter of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) works throughout the year to keep students up-to-date and aware of current events affecting the medical field. SOMA is the student affiliate organization of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). SOMA had an exhilarating year! SOMA is a student affiliate organization that represents and advocates for osteopathic medical students’ interests at the local, state, regional and national levels. SOMA President, Brigitte Meyers, National Liaison Officer (NLO), Anna Stamas, and outgoing Vice President (VP) and NLO, Mike Oberle and Kelsey Kenaan, respectively, attended the SOMA Spring Convention and DO Day on the Hill, making strides in advocating for Teaching Health Center legislation with Congressmen and Senators.

SOMA hosted ShaDO Day 2017, where pre-medical students took part in a day in the life of a medical student, attending a medical school class, touring the school and attending demonstrations of OMM and presentations such as a pathology case report, anatomy lab, standardized patient, procedural skills and admissions panel. Students also participated in activities such as a mock anatomy practical and a laparoscopic surgery simulation. SOMA received great feedback and hopes to further improve the experience next year. The Doctoring Committee, lead by VP Marissa Lee, hosted a mock standardized patient experience to help students prepare and practice with classmates. Candice Ibarra, Secretary, lead the kick-off of Charity Miles, supporting multiple foundations. As a parting token for second-year students, SOMA

designed Alabama coat lapel pins. Chirag Patel, Treasurer, created new merchandise and helped sell business cards to both student classes. SOMA held general body meetings and sent out weekly emails to keep students informed about national and local opportunities, emphasizing the importance of writing resolutions. SOMA had the opportunity collaborate with SGA on events such as National Osteopathic Medicine week to promote the osteopathic profession — the chapter’s most important goal. Chapter members want to thank the previous SOMA executive board for establishing a great chapter at VCOM-Auburn and for their support. We hope to continue the strong SOMA legacy and further propel VCOM-Auburn and the osteopathic profession to even more success!

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