Catching Up on Our Clubs Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA)

ABOUT THE STUDENT OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

SOMA is one of the largest networks for osteopathic medical students. At CUSOM, each of our students is automatically enrolled in the club when they begin classes in their first year. The purpose of SOMA is to educate and prepare osteopathic medical students to go out into communities and be advocates for their patients and the profession. We work closely with the American Osteopathic Association to create change in the health care setting at state and national levels.

Sarah Bowman, director of alumni affairs and health policy, and second-year Campbell med students Hannah Norton, Carrie Schropshire, Tyler Ramsey, Sarah Lassiter, Bailey Dunn and Tony Li at the 2019 OMED Conference

HOW DOES SOMA SUPPORT THE STUDENT BODY?

We encourage students to become politically involved at local, state, and national levels. Two of our SOMA leaders are delegates at the SOMA and AOA House of Delegates, and those students work on resolutions and take part in open floor debates to ensure the viewpoints and needs of osteopathic medical students are heard by AOA members. We try to help keep our student body informed of legislative change in North Carolina and at the national level so that they can each play an informed role in contacting their representatives and pushing them to make certain changes. Outside of policy and advocacy, SOMA tries to foster a warm and inviting atmosphere for our student body by organizing the annual Osteopathic Ball each January and working with Pre-SOMA to organize the White Coat Flower Fundraiser.

HOW IS CAMPBELL’S SOMA INVOLVED AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL?

Nationally we take part in and organize CUSOM's DO Day on Capitol Hill, which offers our students the ability to march on the legislative grounds in Washington, D.C. to promote certain healthcare agendas to their own representatives. National SOMA organizes many events throughout the year that we take part in, such as Opioid Task Force Naloxone Training, Charity Miles for cancer research, Resolution workshops, and the AOA House of Delegates.

WHAT ARE SOME SOMA EVENTS WE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO?

In the upcoming months, SOMA will be traveling to Washington D.C. to take part in DO Day on Capitol Hill, organizing White Coat Wednesdays at our state capitol in Raleigh, and participating in outreach opportunities. We encourage students to stay up to date on political candidates and policies throughout this election year, and ALWAYS vote!

Dr. David Tolentino; Ali Nassereddin, MS-III; Dr. Barbara Walker; Hannah Norton, MS-II; Sarah Lassiter, MS-II; Brian Gilani, MS-III at DO Day on the Hill.

2019-2020 SOMA ANNUAL OSTEOPATHIC BALL

SOMA hosted the Annual CUSOM Osteopathic Ball (OBall) at the Sheraton Hotel in Raleigh, NC, on Saturday, January 11, 2020. This year, 180 people enjoyed an 80’s themed night that included a candy bar, dancing, games, and fun. Ticket sales from the event brought in $6,200. Board games were purchased for the event and donated to the local Harnett County Boys and Girls Club.

SOMA E-board members Hannah Norton, JJ Simmons, Sarah Lassiter at the Oball.