Kristina Manion
-OMS3 KCUMB
Elective in Guatemala with DO Care International Mission

Jared Pikus
-OMS3 PCOM-GA
Elective in rural Cottonwood, Idaho

Michael Barakat
-OMS4 PCOM
Elective in Uganda

Sloane McGraw
-OMS3 PCOM
Elective in inner city Boston, MA

". . .this rotation was one of the most rewarding, educational a hands on clinical experiences of during my four years of medicine . . . many of them [the patients] don't have family to go back to or social support to turn to for help. . .third world living conditions could exist even in the richest country in the world. . ."

Than Lin
-OMS4 UMDNJ
Elective rotation Alameda County Medical Center, Oakland, CA

". . .This experience allowed me to begin to see first hand the multiple barriers that need to be overcome and the many factors that must come together in order to provide a community of people with quality healthcare. . .This clinical experience in Kenya had a large impact on my career goals. . ."

Christina Gonzalez
-OMS4 OUCOM
Elective roation in Masara, Kenya with SHARE Kenya

SOMA Unity Project to NYC

During December 26th-30th 2007, over one hundred osteopathic medical students gathered in New York City for the 3rd Annual SOMA Unity Project. This year's project was targeted towards serving the homeless population, who are often forgotten during the holiday season. Students stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel near La Guardia Airport and traveled in groups via public transportation to their various destinations. With the aid of HELP USA, an organization that runs many of the city's homeless shelters, students were able to meet with shelter residents of all ages and situations, including victims of domestic violence, children and senior citizens. Some participants worked on maintenance projects for the shelters, while others prepared hot meals for shelter delivery and provided childcare and blood pressure screenings. Many others had presented workshops on asthma, diabetes, nutrition, fitness, hygiene, sexually transmitted diseases and resume building to the residents. Students learned quickly that rather than lecturing residents on what is healthy and what is not, it was more productive for them to listen to the residents' concerns and come up with solutions together. Through interactive and informative games, shelter residents became increasingly receptive to the students and were touched by the small prizes students brought for them. Unity Project Director, Nicole Daver even received a phone call from one shelter asking if the students could fulfill an unscheduled return to the site the very next day, as requested by the residents. As a result of this continuous interaction, students learned from the residents and rejected negative stereotypes they possessed about the homeless. Students comprehended that many of them were educated and previously held jobs but simply fell on hard times and were now trying to regain their independence. They gained a clearer understanding of the residents' circumstances because they understood that the residents could represent their future patients. This, in turn, would cultivate them into more compassionate and knowledgeable osteopathic physicians.

For more on the Unity Project, please read the article in the SOMA newsletter.

2008 Research Award Opportunities

The American Osteopathic Foundation has several awards and scholarships open for students with deadlines in March and April. Go to http://www.aof-foundation.org/stu.asp for more information.

Also available are the research grants listed below.

Forms are available on the AOF Website:
www.aof-foundation.org

SOMA Welcomes Three New Osteopathic Colleges

A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

ATSU School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona began classes in Mesa, Arizona on July 30 with 107 students from across the country. The school's unique curriculum and teaching methods emphasize cutting-edge technology and individualized, active, self-directed learning. One of ATSU-SOMA's primary aims is to increase the amount of osteopathic physicians at community health centers in underserved communities across the country. In support of this goal, ATSU-SOMA's unique curriculum places its students in community health centers located in these communities for years two through four. The community health centers excitedly preparing for their arrival next August are in Oregon, Washington, California, Brooklyn, Alabama, Ohio, Hawaii, South Carolina, and three sites in Arizona.

Please visit us at http://www.atsu.edu/soma for more information!

(left) Officers photo left to right: Mike Valleta, Dr. Gregg Silberg, Jenny Demos, Linda Shuler, Shannon Harrelson, Jennifer Lizcano (right) Photo of our first general meeting

TOURO College of Osteopathic Medicine - New York

The National Student Osteopathic Medical Association would like to welcome and congratulate the inaugural 2011 class of Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (TOUROCOM)! This school is located in the heart of Harlem, NYC and one of its aims is to improve medical care in the surrounding communities and increase the number of minorities practicing medicine. Dr. Bernard Lander, founding president of TOUROCOM, hopes that the new school will "function as an integral part of the New York City/Harlem community and work with the community, local schools and other colleges and universities to promote the increased availability of medical services in Harlem, the study of medicine, and to deliver osteopathic medical services in a variety of settings." Please visit their website for more information and join us in welcoming the 24th member of our osteopathic colleges family! www.touro.edu

Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine

Students at Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) are very excited to be a part of the inaugural class of one of 3 brand new SOMA chapters! LMU-DCOM is not a branch of any other osteopathic school but is affiliated with Lincoln Memorial University - a small liberal arts college in Harrogate, Tennessee nestled in the Appalachian Mountains in the Northeastern part of the state right at the Cumberland Gap where Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia all meet. DCOM's namesake, Pete DeBusk, is the founder and president of the DeRoyal medical product manufacturing company, which is one of the leading medical supply manufacturers in the world. Our dean, Dr. Ray Stowers, is an osteopathic family physician who received his training from KCUMB and has been in private practice in Oklahoma for many years while also directing the division of rural heath at Oklahoma State University.

Our inaugural class consists of 160 students - 93% of which are currently SOMA members. LMU-DCOM's primary mission is to improve access to healthcare and overall quality of care for people throughout the underserved Appalachian region and our DCOM SOMA chapter hopes to contribute greatly to this effort through various outreach projects throughout the community as well as in working to recruit aspiring osteopathic physicians to receive their education here in the heart of Appalachia and serve the people of this area! The included picture represents our current officer team including the executive board: President Crystal Lenz, NLO Nick Perkins, VP Ryan Scott, Treasurer Ben Goins and Secretary Andi Wenner. Other officers elected/appointed at this point include: Minority Affairs, Kyle Gonzales; International Medicine, Kellee Taylor; Volunteer Coordinator, Jennifer Ralston; and Pre-SOMA Coordinator, Elizabeth Brewer. We have 2 faculty advisors: Dr. Howard Teitelbaum and Dr. Peter Zajac.

(left) Back row, from Left: Dr. Howard Teitelbaum, Kellee Taylor, Jennifer Ralston, Elizabeth Brewer, Kyle Gonzales and Dr. Peter Zajac. Front Row, from Left: Ben Goins, Nick Perkins, Crystal Lenz, Ryan Scott, Andi Wenner (right) Front row, from left: Nick Perkins, Jennifer Ralston, Crystal Lenz, Kellee Taylor; 2nd row: Dr. Peter Zajac, Andi Wenner, Elizabeth Brewer; 3rd /4th Rows: Kyle Gonzales, Ryan Scott, Dr. Howard Teitelbaum, Ben Goins

AHRQ announces audio newscast series: Healthcare411 The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has a new audio newscast series to help keep you informed of the Agency's latest health care research findings, news, and information. AHRQ's mission is to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care for all Americans. AHRQ is the lead Federal agency in the effort to improve patient safety and reduce medical errors. Go to www.healthcare411.org to hear the newscasts through your computer or download them to a portable digital player such as an iPod¨.