VCOM - Auburn 2018 Yearbook

SOIMA Student Osteopathic Internal Medicine Association

Nicolas Pinones-Haltenhoff, President; John Nguyen, Vice President; Elizabeth Valdes, Secretary; Lauren Diaz, Treasurer; Juliana Arroyo-Casillas, National Liaison Officer; Zach Murphy, Cariology Committee Chair; Andy Langley, DO, Faculty Advisor

T he VCOM-Auburn student chapter of the Student Osteopathic Internal Medicine Association (SOIMA) 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 SOIMA 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 second year included a Q&A panel with a gastroenterologist, a palliative care specialist, a hospitalist and a hematologist-oncologist. During this event, specialists detailed information to students about their everyday practice. In addition, SOIMA hosted a diabetic neuropathy workshop. SOIMA members also volunteered at Mercy Medical Clinic. In 2017, SOIMA volunteered at the Auburn City Fest, providing first aid assistance when needed. 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.

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