VCOM - Carolinas 2016 Yearbook

SOMA Student Osteopathic Medical Association

Kelsey Wilson, President; Lauren Little, Vice President; Aria Behrouzi, Treasurer; Kristen Coleman, Secretary; Sean Johnson, National Liaison

T he chapter of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) at VCOM– Carolinas works throughout the year to keep students up-to-date and aware of current events affecting the medical field. Medical school is a stressful time, to say the least. The priorities of the SOMA student chapter are keeping students updated about pertinent information affecting their careers and professional development, and also helping them maintain wellness through participation in campus events. This year, SOMA helped VCOM students with professional development by offering personalized business cards for students to increase networking ability and to

communicate with others in the medical field. The organization has also worked to boost student morale by planning fun events, including Pancakes for Parkinson’s Event, Dress up Docs Day, Mr. VCOM pageant, and the annual Winter Gala. The organization fulfilled its duty to stay apprised of news and changes in the field of osteopathic medicine by attending the fall, summer, and spring SOMA conferences. During these events, members received information pertinent to the field of medicine, including the resolutions passed by SOMA House of Delegates and the AOA House of Delegates. It is encouraging to know that students have the ability to

affect the way medicine is taught, managed, and practiced nationwide. Similarly, students are informed of events such as DO Day on the Hill, and resources available to students. At the national level, SOMA strives to provide and nurture an environment for osteopathic medical students to best grow professionally and in their ability to expertly practice medicine in the future. The seeds of a successful career are planted now, and SOMA has shown that students have the ability today to partake in the shaping and cultivating the future of medicine.

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