HOW TO START A PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM
Over the past few years, many local SOMA chapters have expressed an interest in reaching out to their communities. The wide range of topics covered by the SOMA Public Health Program, including AIDS awareness, domestic violence, minority affairs as well as public health topics such as smoking cessation and injury prevention-- offers educational and outreach opportunities for every community. Conducting preventive health screening and physicals offer students an excellent opportunities to practice their history and physical techniques while providing valuable services to the public. Overall, this program trains osteopathic medical students in effective prevention education.
The best time to begin a Public Health program is when the new officers are elected and they begin planning for the upcoming year. A great way to increase publicity is to tie-in the events with national programs such as National Osteopathic Medicine Week, the Great American Smokeout, World AIDS Day, National Hispanic Heritage Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Black History Month, and the Yellow Ribbon Project.
STEP 1: Electing or appointing Local Public Health Coordinator(s)
The Local Public Health Coordinator's job description includes maintaining contact with the SOMA National Public Health Director, organizing and maintaining program materials, and coordinating programs at a local level. The coordinator(s) should not be expected to work alone but rather to coordinate the efforts occurring on their campus.
STEP 2: Brainstorm Public Health goals for the year
Start by investigating the needs of your community and determining the talents and resources available at your school. Many classmates have prior experience in Public Health, AIDS education, teaching, etc. Work together with organizations such as National Osteopathic Woman's Association, SNMA, and the AMA.
Some of the wonderful programs that have already been implemented around the country include smoking cessation, AIDS awareness projects, medical education for minorities, shelter for domestic violence victims, educational materials on STD's, and a hotline for any individual considering suicide. Many of these ideas can be instituted with minimal planning, resources or funding; yet, they provide valuable information to students, medical personnel and the community. As the Public Health Coordinator, I would like to see as many chapters as possible participate in The Yellow Ribbon Campaign. A reward of $2,000 in grant funds is available for any SOMA chapter who desires to organize a service project. Again, I ask you to consider the Yellow Ribbon Campaign as that service project for several reasons. The AOA will give National SOMA $5,000. The AAOA will match that $5,000. It is a way for your chapter to earn $2,000 in grant money. It is a topic that we as health care providers need to be educated in. Last but most importantly, you can save someone's life. Please utilize the videotape and information distributed at the Fall Convention to initiate this program at your institution.
STEP 3: Implement your plans
I hope these three steps help make this process less daunting and get every chapter on its way to hosting Public Health programs. For those schools that already have active Public Health programs, keep up the good work. For more information on Public Health, please contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Chapter Preventive Medicine Projects
Click to download a list of projects: PMP List (Word Document)
