VCOM Auburn Yearbook 2019

SOMA Student Osteopathic Medical Association

Riddhi Patodia, President; Navprett Panglia, Vice President; Kandace Williams, Treasurer; Lindsey Ellis, Secretary; Matthew Daniel, National Liaison Officer

The VCOM-Auburn chapter of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) works throughout the year to keep students up-to-date and aware of current political events affecting the osteopathic profession. SOMA is the student affiliate organization of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), representing and advocating for osteopathic medical students’ interests at the local, state, regional and national levels. The SOMA chapter at VCOM-Auburn has seen exciting growth in the past year thanks to the previous leaders. Current officers Riddhi Patodia (president), Matthew Daniel (national liaison officer), Navprett Panglia (vice president), Kandace Williams (treasurer) and Lindsey Ellis (secretary) hope to continue to establish SOMA as a solid organization. Things got off to a great start for the organization this spring with the SOMA Med Gala at the Fountainview Mansion in Auburn. The event was a wonderful time for students and faculty to come together and enjoy each other’s company in a lovely setting.

During the past year, Landry Shipman, president, and Emily Chin, national liaison, set up a booth on Auburn University’s campus to promote the osteopathic profession during National Osteopathic Week. They took questions from students interested in the medical field and provided insight on what it is like being a medical school student. The SOMA organization took three representatives to the SOMA House of Delegates and OMED conference in San Diego this past year. Attendees included Emily Chin, national liaison, Jonathon Wang, vice president and Landry Shipman, president. The conference was a success and many friendships were made. Lastly, previous president Landry Shipman and Emily Chin, national liaison officer, attended the SOMA Spring Convention and DO Day on the Hill in Washington, D.C. For DO Day on the Hill, delegates specifically advocated for the

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