VCOM - Carolinas 2016 Yearbook

SAAO Student American Association of Osteopathy

Jomel Jacinto, President; Bradley Kasper, Vice President; Susanne Bentley, Treasurer

T he SAAO student organization at VCOM–Carolinas spearheads exposure and interest in the field of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM). 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

medicine so the community can take better advantage of the benefits provided by this complete healthcare concept. This year proved to be the most successful year for SAAO. The organization addressed every aspect of our goals with many events, including mock practicals and class-wide technique reviews for students before OMM practical exams, and “Crunch and Munch” events for all students, faculty, and staff to take a break and experience OMM by students and supervising DOs at least once per block.

Additionally, SAAO hosted a wide variety of speakers on the VCOM–Carolinas campus, with topics including cranial osteopathy, self OMT for the student DO, pediatric OMM, and OMM in sports medicine. Eleven members of the organization traveled to VCOM- Virginia to attend a Regional Cranial Osteopathy workshop with Stephen Blood, DO, one of the most renowned osteopathic physicians in the nation. Members also attended the 2015 AAO Convocation in Louisville, Kentucky and will attend the 2016 AAO Convocation in Orlando, Florida.

and treatment, fostering a clear concept of the clinical applications of Osteopathy in health and disease. They also work to improve public awareness of osteopathic

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