VCOM - Carolinas 2016 Yearbook

SAA Student Advocates Association

Jennifer Lohmann, President; Stephanie Lakin, Vice President; Sara Rountree, Treasurer

T he Student Advocate Association (SAA) is an organization for the significant others of VCOM students. The SAA mission is to promote community activities and offer support to members and to students. The organization strives to prepare members for their future as spouses and partners of osteopathic physicians; to promote work that benefits VCOM, the local community and the osteopathic profession; and provide a platform for members to network, learn from each other and grow alongside their medical students. SAA is currently enjoying its fourth year as an organization with a record 27 members.

events and has done a great job providing support for VCOM students and members. For the first time, SAA introduced a big sibling program to significant others of first year students, providing them with a seasoned SAA member point-of-contact for support and general questions. All incoming first year members were provided with the SAA assimilation guide outlining some of the members’ favorite places in the area. Also, for the first time, SAA offered food preparation and catering service for student organization events. During the holiday season, the organization hosted its first complimentary holiday children’s event with gingerbread house decorating, festive music, fun crafts for

the kids, and a special guest appearance and book reading with Santa. Finally, this year marked the launch of the SAA Parents of Students Facebook Facebook, the organization has been able to expand outreach to parents of students outside the Upstate area, provide them with useful information about schedules and important dates, and take orders for VCOM approved and branded merchandise. This year was indeed a year of great firsts; however, SAA also hosted equally important legacy events and services for students and members. “Bake for Finals” events were held at the beginning of each finals week, page and the first Parent Representative. Through

Throughout the past year, SAA hosted several successful

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