SOMA
Student Osteopathic Medical Association
Student Organizations Cleveland
Our Mission
The Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) is the nation's largest network of osteopathic medical students. We are an American Osteopathic Association (AOA)-affiliated, student-led and student-driven organization with direct representation to the AOA.
SOMA shall:
Educate and prepare osteopathic leaders and advocates.
Maintain open and transparent lines of communication to our student members as we continually adapt to the evolving needs of our members and organization.
Advance collaborative relationships that promote osteopathic medicine in the greater healthcare community.
Utilize our direct affiliation with the American Osteopathic Association to advance the interests and viewpoints of osteopathic medical students.
Officers 2019-2020 |
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President |
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National Liaison |
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Vice President |
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Treasurer/Secretary |
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Dues: $75 annually
Services Provided
As an organization, SOMA prides itself on being able to directly shape our osteopathic profession by using our representation within the AOA. We prepare students to become leaders and advocates for our profession. For example, as a member, you will have the opportunity to write resolutions if you desire to make a change in medical education, healthcare policy, our profession, and so on. These resolutions are then taken to national conferences by your SOMA chapter leaders to be debated and voted on. If passed, the resolution is then sent for consideration to the AOA. Few other student organizations, if any, have this type of influence on our profession. SOMA can also be used as a networking tool. By joining, you become connected to other osteopathic medical students, residents, and physicians all across the country.
Political advocacy is only a fraction of what SOMA is all about. SOMA can be used as a networking tool. By joining, members become connected to other osteopathic medical students, residents, and physicians all across the country. Additionally, SOMA chapters provide their members with different opportunities to engage in community service events. These events are a great way to give back to the community. As an organization, we also serve as mentors for not only our own medical students, but for undergraduate students as well through Pre-SOMA clubs.
The national SOMA board decides on philanthropic goals each year, and the e-board members will have a better idea on what we will pursue after the July 2019 conference in Chicago.
In addition, SOMA also partners with SGA and the Lifestyle Medicine club to maintain and harvest vegetables from the community garden.
Tentative Schedule for 2019-2020
Fall 2019:
- Member drive and kickoff event
- Resolution brainstorming session
- Brown Bag Health Policy and Current Events Discussions
- Resolution writing workshop
- SOMA Opioid Taskforce: Narcan training
Spring 2020:
- Resolution writing workshop
- SOMA Spring Convention and DO Day on the Hill
- Health policy speaker
- Networking event