National Director of Political Affairs: Phil Eskew

Student Doctors,

Would you like to work to shape the political future of our profession and our country?  There are many ways to get involved! At SOMA, we work with the AOA to keep you aware of political developments, but we hope you will become involved by directly contacting your politicians and by pursuing one or more of the many opportunities highlighted below:

1) Omega Beta Iota

2) Osteopathic Health Policy Internship Program

3) OPAC Scholarships

4) DO Day on the Hill

5) Serve your SOMA chapter as the local Director of Political Affairs

Omega Beta Iota

Omega Beta Iota, the National Osteopathic Political Action Honor Society, was founded in 2007 to emphasize the importance of the work osteopathic medical students do for our political system. Induction into OBI requires the completion of several requirements, including membership in various organizations, grassroots political activism, and participation in political events at the national level.  Applications for 2011 induction will be due at a date TBA in the spring of 2011.

Questions can be addressed to either Owen Vincent, National Director of Omega Beta Iota, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or Phil Eskew, National Membership Chair of Omega Beta Iota, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

OBI Documents (updated versions coming soon)

Background information

Outline of requirements

Student application form

OBI Recommendation Form

OBI Constitution

Osteopathic Health Policy Internship (OHPI) Program

The OHPI is a program enabling two osteopathic medical students to spend two months in the government relations department at AACOM headquarters in Washington, D.C. Throughout the intern's two months, he/she will attend various meetings and hearings, conduct health policy research, and obtain hands-on experience within the federal legislative setting. The objective of the program is to allow selected student interns to develop an understanding and operational knowledge of how federal health care policy is developed and how to have an effective impact on public policy formulation. A $3,500 stipend and housing are provided.  Any osteopathic medical student in good standing is able to apply for an OHPI position.  The deadline for the 2012 internship program is February 28, 2011.  For additional information, visit the AACOM website.  

Additional Health Policy Opportunities

If you are interested in other fellowship and internship opportunities, AACOM provides a listing here.

OPAC Scholarships

Two prestigeous scholarships are offered by OPAC: $1000 for the most politically active chapter & $1000 for the most politically active student. The application deadline for the  2010 scholarships was June 30, 2010.  The links below are for the 2010 application materials.  We expect OPAC to offer similar scholarships again, with a slightly earlier application deadline in the spring of 2011.  If you have any questions about these scholarships, please contact OPAC via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

• 2010 Campus Scholarship Application

• 2010 Student Scholarship Application

D.O. Day on Capitol Hill

Registration: Check the AOA's website here.

Date: April 7, 2011

Information:

D.O. Day on Capitol Hill is an annual event where AOA leadership, osteopathic physicians, and osteopathic medical students convene in Washington, DC to lobby legislators on issues important to the osteopathic profession, physicians, students, and patients. It is an awesome opportunity for members of the osteopathic community to join together and lobby federal legislators and their staff members face-to-face. We make quite an impact when we walk around Washington, D.C. in our white coats!  SOMA chapters are encouraged to help facilitate student participation in D.O. Day on Capitol Hill by fundraising and providing transportation. DO Day on Capitol Hill is held on a Thursday, and the Spring SOMA Convention is the following Friday-Saturday (April 8-9).  We hope that you will participate in both DO Day and the spring convention by planning to arrive in DC on Wednesday evening (April 6) and departing Sunday morning (April 10).

Reasons to participate in D.O. Day on the Hill (edited version: original contributed by Alfredo Rabines):

• This is a chance to actively participate in democracy. You will meet with your members of congress and discuss information pertinent to our country's federal health care system. You will have opportunities to network with leaders in your state, school, the AOA, and fellow students from across the country. This is an opportunity to learn advocacy techniques from experienced lobbyists.
• What to expect at your first D.O. Day on the Hill:
  • Expect anything; you never know where a meeting will take place or who you will meet. You may get an impromptu tour of the Capitol with a Legislative Assistant. Expect to hold a meetings with legislative assistants, but many fortunate students get to meet their Congressman face to face.
  • Do not be intimidated by the physicians in your group. They may have more medical experience, but you should make an effort to be proactive and jump in when you feel comfortable! Students can contribute a different perspective on the issues.
  • Ease your nerves about the political discussions by reading the briefings from the AOA. Incorporating real-life examples often makes for a more compelling and memorable story.
  • You never know who will make up your group. Some groups may be all students with no physicians.  Always be prepared to speak.
  • If you have business cards, bring them. Most people will be leaving their cards with their Senators and Representatives.
  • Bring 1) comfortable shoes, 2) a camera, and 3) your white coat.

Local SOMA Director of Political Affairs Position Responsibilities

Each SOMA chapter should have a Director of Political Affairs. The candidate can be selected either by election or appointment. The general recommended responsibilities are as follows:

• Inform students of pertinent local political issues, events, and news. Is a politician putting on a townhall meeting on healthcare? Is there a presidential debate in town? Put on your white coats and go! Scan the local news for events and inform the student body.
• Work with your state osteopathic society.  Inform them of your interests, and ask if there are any events that students might attend, or if they would like to speak to the student body. Examine the possibility of a state DO Day on the hill at your state capital. Ask your dean about any local political issues are facing your school.
• Remain in contact with national OPAC, the AOA, and the National SOMA Director of Political Affairs. We will inform you regarding nationally relevant events in your area or prominent AOA members visiting your school. Contact us if you have questions regarding local issues meriting national attention.
• Write an article about a local political event DO students attended (with pictures) and we'll put it on this website, the SOMA newsletter, or even try to get it in the DO magazine.  Your chapter could win the SOMA SAM award for political involvement!
• Assist the SOMA officers with DO Day on the Hill and attend if possible.
• Encourage debate and the generation of student opinion on political matters. Are all students registered voters? What issues matter to students?
• Have fun!

Areas of Political Interest:

Internship Requirement

Four States (Michigan, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Oklahoma) still require that the osteopathic internship be completed before DOs are permitted full practice rights. If you plan to practice in one of these states, and have an opinion regarding this requirement, make sure that your both your state osteopathic leaders and state legislators are aware of your position.

Recommended links

• GOAL (Grassroots Osteopathic Advocacy Link) - receive key political updates from the AOA - signup here.
• D.O. Advocacy Action Center - write legislators, track Senate or House bills, review elections and candidates - here.
• Join the OPAC (Osteopathic Political Action Committee) Student Chairman's Club here.
• Follow developments at AACOM here.

If you have any questions or comments about any of the information above, please contact Phil Eskew, SOMA National Director of Political Affairs, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it