Four PNWU Student Doctors have been selected to serve on national Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) committees.
As SOMA committee members, Student Doctors Carley Murphy, Otmar Borchard, Hannah Cornwell, and Johan Velo will bring their passions and perspectives to the nation’s largest network of osteopathic medical students.
SOMA Professional Development Committee
Student Doctor Carley Murphy, PNWU-COM Class of 2025
Student Doctor Otmar Borchard, PNWU-COM Class of 2027
The Professional Development Committee will involve collaborating with students and speakers across the country to develop the skills necessary to be successful physicians in the workforce, explained Student Dr. Carley Murphy. This will include guidance with board exams, CV and personal statement review, mastery of public speaking and interview skills, effective email communication, and improvement in interactions with preceptors and staff.
“Medicine, in any specialty, requires us to be strong leaders, effective teachers and great teammates,” said Student Dr. Murphy. “I hope this role will allow me to continually improve upon these key qualities because I know they will be useful in my role as a physician and co-worker.”
SOMA Research Committee
Student Doctor Hannah Cornwell, PNWU-COM Class of 2027
Student Dr. Cornwell initially heard about the application for the research committee through the SOMA weekly email. “[I] just happened to catch a glimpse of the title and became interested,” she explained,
With two years of background in research, Student Dr. Cornwell hopes to expand her current experience in research and ultimately integrate it into her future practice.
“My previous experience in research has motivated me to involve some aspect of it into my career,” said Student Dr. Cornwell. “The Research Committee will help me gain more insight on the fundamentals of designing research.”
Some of her responsibilities as a SOMA Research Committee member will include planning for symposiums, workshops, and journal clubs, promoting osteopathic student research publicly via the SOMA Research Website, and embarking on a national research initiative to offer a cohort of SOMA members the opportunity to conduct research on a nationwide scale, with the ultimate aim of publication.
SOMA Grassroots Advocacy Task Force
Johan Velo, PNWU-COM Class of 2027
As a member of SOMA’s Grassroots Advocacy Task force, Student Doctor Johan Velo will continue SOMA’s existing work to amplify the voices of SOMA members in advocacy campaigns. This will include taking completed resolutions that passed in SOMA House of Delegates meetings and putting them into practice.
SOMA is a student-led, student-driven national osteopathic medical organization with direct representation to the AOA. The non-profit aims to “ensure a high quality of education for osteopathic medical students, to promote unity within the osteopathic medical profession, and to improve the delivery of healthcare by Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine.”
SOMA is a student-led, student-driven national osteopathic medical organization with direct representation to the AOA. The non-profit aims to “ensure a high quality of education for osteopathic medical students, to promote unity within the osteopathic medical profession, and to improve the delivery of healthcare by Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine.”
Story via Student Doctor Otmar Borchard, PNWU-COM Class of 2027