A Unique Diversity of Skillsets and Passions
PNWU’s Student Osteopathic Medical Association was recently named the 2022-2023 Golden Femur Chapter of the Year by the National Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA). The honor, which was announced during the National SOMA Spring Convention in Washington, D.C., recognizes a chapter that best demonstrates the mission of SOMA, the nation’s largest network of osteopathic medical students.
“These awards are remarkable achievements and reflect our students’ national leadership in osteopathic medicine, education, and advocacy,” said Dr. Michael Lawler, president of PNWU.
PNWU’s SOMA chapter has long been committed to maintaining an active role in health policy, with students investing in the local community through various programs and projects targeted towards mentoring underprivileged students in science, caring for special needs, advocacy panels, pre-medical outreach, resolution writing workshops, and raising awareness on topics pertaining to social justice and health disparities.
Having been limited by COVID-19-related restrictions at the start of their PNWU experiences, current PNWU Student Doctors gathered at the beginning of the school year to rebuild the name of SOMA at PNWU.
“We are very grateful to be recognized for our commitment to the osteopathic profession, community engagement, and our advocacy efforts throughout the year,” said Student Doctor Momo McLaughlin, PNWU-COM Class of 2025. McLaughlin credits her fellow SOMA board members’ unique diversity of skillsets and passions for having exceeded every goal they’d set for themselves. “We had an incredible team of dedicated students that went above and beyond their call of duty,” she explained.
Together with her classmates, Student Doctor McLaughlin reimagined what PNWU’s SOMA chapter could be. By focusing on providing tools, resources, and workshops geared toward developing the professional identity of their fellow Student Doctors as advocates – both on local and national levels – PNWU SOMA became a showcase for the passions and voices that drive the University’s mission.
“SOMA is nationally recognized, but many students did not know what we did or how we fit into the picture of representation,” explained Student Doctor Megan Nelson, PNWU-COM Class of 2025, who served as PNWU’s SOMA National Liaison. “We wanted our class and the incoming class to actually know what SOMA is,” added Student Doctor Tori McDonald, PNWU-COM Class of 2025. “We wanted to show them how they can get involved and be a voice for PNWU students on the national level.”
Making a Difference Now
Alongside their classmates, Student Drs. Nelson and McDonald helped to develop a list of event ideas that students were individually passionate about. By creating an inclusive and positive environment and connecting with local children, pre-medical students, community members and more, PNWU SOMA began working to provide a sense of belonging and contribution outside of the classroom.
“PNWU students come from many walks of life and bring perspectives that can help our future patients and communities,” explained Student Dr. McLaughlin. “We do not have to wait until we complete our degrees to make a difference – we can gain the training and experience to start making a difference now.”
By creating advocacy panels and hosting resolution workshops – which trained students on how to write a resolution for a change they wish to see in healthcare, medical education and more – PNWU’s SOMA was able to produce several resolutions for presentation at the SOMA House of Delegates in D.C., with two being approved.
“Those resolutions will have an impact on my future patients and the future of medical education,” said Student Dr. McDonald. “The issues that we are advocating for will impact and hopefully improve care in rural and underserved communities.”
One of the passed resolutions aims to incorporate a more comprehensive trauma informed curriculum into medical education. “Not only will our patients benefit from this knowledge and experience being incorporated into our practice, but medical students having experienced their own trauma will be respected in the education system,” explained McDonald.
The group also led the passage of a resolution advocating for the option for pain medication administration prior to an IUD placement, which is not a current protocol offered to all patients. With hopes of becoming an OB/GYN, Student Dr. McDonald was particularly passionate about supporting that resolution, and the shared decision-making opportunity it offered her future patients who, thanks to her effort, will be better equipped to make the best personal decisions related to their reproductive health.
“Our team of strong, resilient and determined women officers was inspiring and motivating to continue my development of becoming an advocate,” McDonald exclaimed. “Every single one of us did so much work behind the scenes, and I am so grateful to have worked alongside them to bring back these awards.”
A Great Sense of Community
In addition to their Golden Cane Award, PNWU-COM was also awarded the Promotion of Osteopathic Medicine Award for Region V, which includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Nevada, and Utah, and the Charity Miles Competition, a nationwide contest in which every mile of walking, running, hiking, cycling for participants donated funds to the charity of their choice.
During the Charity Miles Competition, PNWU Student Doctor Sabrina Do – who serves as Vice President of PNWU’s SOMA chapter – worked to ensure accessible participation for all representatives of all of PNWU’s health sciences programs, including students, faculty, staff, family and friends.
“We had COM students mountaineering the tops of the Washington mountains while MAMS students cycled at Dr. Novack’s local YMCA cycling class,” laughed Student Dr. McLaughlin. In the end, participants celebrated their hard work with a home-baked pizza party, hosted by Student Dr. Do.
“The competition created such a great sense of community!” Student Dr. McLaughlin exclaimed, adding that she was deeply inspired watching her classmates light up during their projects. “Every one of my peers taught me something that I will take with me throughout my training and future advocacy efforts. I am comforted in knowing that they will go off into the world to care for their communities and colleagues. I am grateful for the dedication they had to our advocacy efforts, our many causes and outreach, and in providing more opportunities for future students to create change.”
Beyond their advocacy efforts, PNWU SOMA hosted elevator pitch and resolutions workshops, a pen pal project, a pre-med shadowing program, organized and hosted PNWU’s Mini Med School event, and even hosted a brownie bake-off competition (in honor of renowned brownie-baker/PNWU Chair of Biomedical Sciences Dr. William Elliott).
Bring Your Visions to Life
“To be recognized as the chapter of the year is a tremendous honor for our students, the COM, and for PNWU,” said Dr. Thomas Scandalis, dean of PNWU-COM. “I sincerely appreciate the hard work and effort that our students and the chapter put in, which resulted in this national award. Everyone involved is a terrific ambassador for PNWU and for the profession.”
Current PNWU SOMA leadership expressed their deep appreciation for former SOMA leaders, including National Parliamentarian Monica Ketchum, DO, PNWU-COM Class of 2023, and former SOMA National Director of Community Outreach Polly Wiltz-Medina, DO, PNWU-COM Class of 2023.
“Our former PNWU SOMA board members paved the way for us to contribute, advocate, and keep breaking the glass ceiling for those that will come after us,” said Student Dr. McLaughlin. “We are also very grateful to Drs. Julie Randolph-Habecker, William Elliott, Emily Oestreich and Jeffrey Novack; Lynn DeVore; PNWU’s student affairs and marketing teams, every advocacy panelist and faculty that supported our events, and every student and club/association that participated in our events to bring the community together.”
A Strong Foundation for Future Generations
“If you are intrinsically motivated, creative, and action-oriented, PNWU SOMA is a great space for you to bring your visions to life,” Student Dr. McLaughlin urged current and future PNWU students. “It is an opportunity to collaborate with individuals on-campus and across the nation that genuinely aim to make a difference. There is no limit; it is a matter of establishing what your goals are to contribute to society and creating actionable steps to reach those goals.”
“I am just really proud of our teamwork and what we accomplished,” added Student Dr. McDonald, admitting that she hadn’t even realized all the chapter had accomplished until they filled out the application for SOMA’s Golden Femur Award. “We had all put our egos aside and put in the work to elevate SOMA at PNWU, which not only resulted in many progressive changes, but helped to construct a strong foundation for future generations.”