VCOM - Auburn 2018 Yearbook

SAAO Student American Association of Osteopathy

Anesia Allen, President; Christian Williams, Vice President; Jonathan Wang, Secretary; Rachel Herr, Treasurer; Miho Yoshida, DO and David Coffey, DO, FAAO, FCA, Faculty Advisors

T he Student American Academy of Osteopathy (SAAO) is the Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) club at VCOM-Auburn. Based on guidelines set by the National AAO, members strive to acquire a better understanding of osteopathic principles, theories and practices by helping students attain maximum proficiency in osteopathic structural diagnosis and treatment, fostering a clear concept of the clinical applications of Osteopathy in health and disease. The VCOM- Auburn chapter is responsible for hosting OMM practical exam reviews as well as “mock” practical examinations to prepare students for the upcoming OMM practical exams. During these reviews, students are allowed to practice their technique in the same fashion as the actual practical exam in order to better prepare them for the actual day. They can also use this time to learn from some of the OMM faculty. SAAO has also participated in events on campus like Welcome Week for the incoming OMS I students, National Osteopathic Medicine Week (NOM) and various workshops.

During Welcome Week, SAAO hosted a water balloon fight where students could come and cool off from the long week of classes. During NOM week, members gave out donuts for DO day. SAAO also hosted an OMM pregnancy workshop, which showed students different OMT techniques they could use on pregnant patients. Additionally, a dry-needling demonstration workshop was held to expose students to alternative pain-relieving techniques.

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