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

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

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.  For details regarding membership requirements, please see the OBI website (linked below).  Induction ceremonies for new members are held annually in Washington, DC surrounding DO Day on the Hill events.  Applications for the class of 2012 will be due at a date to be determined in the spring of 2012.  (The application deadline will likely be earlier than usual this year because DO Day on the Hill is much ealier than usual (March 8, 2012).

Please visit the new Omega Beta Iota website for more details, including the application process for spring of 2012.

Questions can be addressed to either Christopher Perry, National Director of Omega Beta Iota, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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 2013 internship program is February 24, 2012.  For additional information, visit the AACOM website.

SOMA House of Delegates (HOD)

One way for you to make an impact on your profession and your future practice of medicine is by writing resolutions to be discussed and voted on at the SOMA House of Delegates (HOD) which is held twice each year in conjunction with the SOMA Convention. Here are two documents that will help you write policy changing resolutions. It is important to remember that resolutions passed in the SOMA HOD can be submitted to the AOA HOD for discussion and voting.

• How to Write SOMA Resolutions

Please check out the SOMA House of Delegates details tab for important details regarding SOMA's 2012 Spring House of Delegates!

Parliamentary Procedure in a nutshell

The following two documents outlines basic parliamentary procedures to be used at SOMA's biannual House of Delegates during the review of resolutions and the July National Osteopathic Student Caucus, which is run by the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents (COSGP) and is held in conjunction with the AOA House of Delegates meeting.

• Click Here for a basic overview of Parliamentary Procedure
• Click Here for Robert's Rules of Order
• Click Here for a chart of Robert's Rules of Order motions