The Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) is the largest osteopathic student organization in existence and is the student affiliate of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).  The LMU-DCOM chapter, although only two years old, has established a strong presence both on the campus and within SOMA nationally.

The LMU-DCOM SOMA chapter organizes programs aimed at improving student involvement within our profession.  Perhaps our largest event is the Fall Osteoblast which is an event designed to unite faculty and students at the beginning of each school year to promote fellowship within the osteopathic community.  It includes various outdoor activities including a volleyball tournament, a dunk tank for your favorite professors, relay races, and lots of food!  This year, we welcome our third class to LMU-DCOM – the class of 2013.

In addition to events on campus, the LMU-DCOM SOMA chapter also frequently partners with the AOA to reach out to our community and participate with programs such as D.O. Day on the Hill.  D.O. Day on the Hill is an annual event that takes place in the spring at our nation’s capitol in Washington, D.C. which gives the opportunity for osteopathic physicians and students to lobby for healthcare reform and continuing graduate medical education.  Last year, LMU-DCOM sent 56 medical students and we hope to increase that number even further next year.  Another AOA sponsored event with which our school participates is Mini Medical School.  This program introduces osteopathic medical students into local elementary schools to discuss topics such as nutrition, exercise, germs, and doctor’s tools in a fun and interactive way.  To find out more about our expansive activities, events, and fundraisers, we invite you to check out our committees page as well as our monthly newsletters, found on this website.

This year’s leadership is hoping to grow and build on the strong foundation that our founding members have established.  It is important to us that all SOMA members have a chance to be involved in various activities and that the character of the LMU-DCOM chapter reflects our student body.  Please feel free to contact any of the SOMA leaders with any input, comments or suggestions.  Thank you for visiting our SOMA chapter website!

Jessica M Barnes, OMS-II
Chapter President
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