STUDENT OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

WHAT IS SOMA? The student affiliate organization of the American Osteopathic Association strive to promote osteopathic ideals and unity within the profession educate future osteopathic physicians establish and to maintain lines of communication among healthcare professionals in an ongoing effort to improve the quality of healthcare

History of Osteopathic Medicine Founded by A.T. Still in 1876 Started first osteopathic college in 1897, known today at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine Became known during WWII when MDs were sent overseas and osteopathic physicians stayed at home DOs were accepted as military physicians in AMA (American Medical Association) accepted DOs fully into association and residencies DO’s currently represent 60% of all physicians

HOW ARE D.O.’S AND M.D.’S ALIKE? Only two types of medical physicians in the United States: o D.O.s and M.D.s: fully qualified physicians licensed to prescribe medication and perform surgery in ALL states D.O.s and M.D.s alike in many ways: Four-year undergraduate degrees Four years of basic medical education. Complete graduate medical education through internships and residencies. o GME typically lasts three to six years and prepares physicians for their specialty o Can practice in ANY specialty area of medicine Must pass comparable examinations to obtain state licenses. Together, D.O.s and M.D.s enhance the state of health care available in America. D.O.s, however, belong to a separate yet equal branch of American medical care. It is the ways that D.O.s and M.D.s are different that can bring an extra dimension to your family's health care. Information adapted from

WHAT MAKES D.O.’S UNIQUE? Traditionally emphasize training primary care physicians D.O.s practice a "whole person" approach to medicine, instead of just treating specific symptoms or illnesses o How have I seen this in my experiences? D.O.s receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system o What is this training like for students? o Provides a better understanding of the ways that an illness or injury in one part of your body can affect another DO’s use Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) o Use their hands to diagnose illness and injury and treat How is this not like chiropractic medicine? o Chiropractors are not physicians, cannot prescribe medicines, do surgery, etc.

OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL SCHOOLS Curriculum: o 2 years basic sciences o 2 years clinical rotations Licensure Exams o COMLEX I, after 1 st year o COMLEX II and PE during 4 th year o COMLEX III during PGY-1 year Institutions o 25 osteopathic institutions

HOW CAN I BE INVOLVED? Come to convention! A great opportunity to network with current osteopathic medical students, osteopathic physicians, and find out about current programs o Spring Convention, March 6 th -7 th in Washington D.C.  Practice OMT  Come to the osteopathic Family Medicine Residency Fair on March 4 th !  Participate in lobbying on Capital Hill on March 5 th with 1000 other physicians and students for healthcare issues and reform o Fall Convention, New Orleans, LA  Attend the AOA Annual Convention and Scientific Seminar with exhibitors from all over the United States

PRE-SOMA BENEFITS Up to date on all SOMA events through being on the Pre-SOMA listserve Opportunity to apply for a Pre-SOMA scholarship awarded at the annual Spring Convention Opportunity to attend any of the biannual SOMA conferences Receive SOMA newsletters All students interested can always contact the Pre-SOMA National Represenative: o Crystal Lenz o Our Pre-SOMA liaison is pleased to answer any questions at any time for you about osteopathic medicine!!!

NATIONAL SOMA Pre SOMA National Board Member o Coordinate with all Pre-SOMA Chapters  Contact You could be a national officer in SOMA someday! First step to a career in osteopathic medicine is to be involved in Pre-SOMA!!

Osteopathic Medicine Resources o SOMA website o American Osteopathic Association o great information for everything about osteopathic education o Osteopathic residencies and internships info o Non-profit branch of SOMA