STUDENT OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

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

HOW ARE D.O.’S AND M.D.’S ALIKE? If you're like most people, you may not even be aware that there are two types of complete physicians in the United States. Both D.O.s and M.D.s are fully qualified physicians licensed to prescribe medication and perform surgery. Is there any difference between these two kinds of physicians? Yes. And no. Dhow are D.O.s and M.D.s alike in many ways: Applicants to both D.O. and M.D. medical colleges typically have four-year undergraduate degrees with an emphasis on scientific courses. Both D.O.s and M.D.s complete four years of basic medical education. After medical school, both D.O.s and M.D.s obtain graduate medical education through such programs as internships and residencies. This training typically lasts three to six years and prepares D.O.s and M.D.s to practice a specialty. D.O.’s may do M.D. residencies, known as “allopathic”, and osteopathic residencies, whereas M.D.’s may only do “allopathic” residencies. Both D.O.s and M.D.s can choose to practice in any specialty area of medicine-such as pediatrics, family practice, psychiatry, surgery or obstetrics. D.O.s and M.D.s must pass comparable examinations to obtain state licenses. D.O.s and M.D.s both practice in fully accredited and licensed health care facilities. 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. Info from

WHAT MAKES D.O.’S UNIQUE? Osteopathic medical schools traditionally emphasize training students to be primary care physicians. D.O.s practice a "whole person" approach to medicine. Instead of just treating specific symptoms or illnesses, they regard your body as an integrated whole. D.O.s receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system- your body's interconnected system of nerves, muscles and bones that make up two-thirds of your body mass. This training provides osteopathic physicians with a better understanding of the ways that an illness or injury in one part of your body can affect another. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is incorporated into the training and practice of osteopathic physicians. With OMT, osteopathic physicians use their hands to diagnose illness and injury and to encourage your body's natural tendency toward good health. By combining all other available medical options with OMT, D.O.s offer their patients the most comprehensive care available in medicine today.

OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL SCHOOLS Curriculum: 2 years basic sciences 2 years clinical rotations Licensure Exams COMLEX I, after 1 st year COMLEX II and PE during 4 th year COMLEX III during PGY-1 year Institutions 30 osteopathic institutions, new schools opening every year!

HOW CAN I BE INVOLVED? Come to convention! Spring Convention, Washington D.C. April 7-9, 2011 Practice OMT Participate in lobbying on Capital Hill on DO Day with 1000 other physicians and students for healthcare issues and reform Fall Convention, San Francisco, CA 0ct 22-24, 2010 Participate in all SOMA functions and events as Pre- SOMA registrant! Attend the AOA Annual Convention and Scientific Seminar with exhibitors from all over the United States Come to the osteopathic Family Medicine Residency Fair!

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

NATIONAL SOMA Pre SOMA National Board Member 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!!