VCOM Auburn Yearbook 2020

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

SAMOPS Student Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons Denisia Thomas, President; Jacob Harrison, Vice President; Collin Vargas, Secretary; Blaire Borisoff, Treasurer

T he Auburn Campus of VCOM continues to be the pinnacle of military pride in the medical education community. Our chapter of SAMOPS focuses on facilitating unique military- focused activities that showcase the quality of the veterans and future military physicians at VCOM. Every morning, SAMOPS students raise the flags at the front of the school and lower the flags to half-staff when ordered by the President or Governor. SAMOPS established and maintains a shelf in the library dedicated to military memorabilia and history. Hosting Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) recruiting events, we help our non-military peers explore the opportunities of serving as a physician in the armed forces. A ubiquitous concept held across all branches of the military is preparedness. SAMOPS at VCOM-Auburn brings that idea to the campus by taking responsibility for one of the most basic procedures in medicine: hemorrhage control. By partnering with SOSA, SAMOPS helped conduct one of the largest Stop the Bleed classes in the country during the annual surgical conference. No one wants to be in a situation where the use of tourniquets or hemostatic gauze is necessary, but members have taken it upon themselves to help classmates prepare for emergent situations. The chapter developed custom trauma kits for our classmates. Our goal is for all VCOM- Auburn students to be mentally prepared and technically equipped for emergencies. Future goals of the chapter include partnering with local veteran groups, fundraising for non-profits and nurturing a healthy and patriotic community of service members who are dedicated to our nation’s safety and security. The United States’ Armed Forces serve as a positive force for good in a world of uncertainty. Comprised of three branches, the service members at VCOM-Auburn are motivated to meet the call to serve this great nation inside and outside

of active duty service. Our members include the most committed and diligent students at VCOM. The chapter is proud of the students’ creativity, resilience, depth of knowledge and accomplishment. It is an honor to serve, and it is an honor and pleasure to belong to the VCOM-Auburn SAMOPS family. Not only will our students show excellence as their careers develop, but they will make VCOM proud as a pillar in the military medical community.

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