Groups & Clubs
ACOM Addiction Information Coalition, AAIC, is the organization working toward an ACOM community free of drug and other addictive substance misuse, addiction, and related problems
President: Bre Wolfenbarger
President: Hersh Patel
President: Abby Tavallai
AMSA’s mission is to equip medical students to become passionate advocates for their future practice and for the collective culture of medicine. When you become a member, you will have access to resources that will allow you to network with other professionals, workshop your clinical skills, develop as a leader, partner with mentors to explore medical careers, and prepare for the residency match. Through the Scholars Program and various health policy teams, you can learn about social barriers to medicine and how you can work to make a difference. With participation in the simulation challenge, you can hone your clinical skills and apply critical thinking outside the classroom. As the oldest and largest independent association of medical students in the country, AMSA has the power to transform student idealism into meaningful public service, innovation, and institutional change. Leadership opportunities are offered through various committee chairs including: SIMComp Committee Chair, Community Service Committee Chair, Public Relations/Fundraising Committee Chair, Mentorship Program Committee, Gender and Sexuality Action Committee, and other committee chairs based upon need.
President: Valerie Pichkhadze
American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) is designed to bring together those in medicine and health-related fields to promote women’s health and to support members’ professional and personal development.
President: Skylar Nollenberger
Anesthesiology is a dynamic field in medicine that provides a variety of practice options and sub-specialties with which many medical students are unfamiliar. The Anesthesiology Interest Group is a student organization dedicated to promoting familiarity with and understanding of the field of anesthesiology through educational opportunities for students including community service activities, skills workshops, shadowing opportunities, conference participation, first-year student leadership, and more.
President: Elaine Hapa
Arts In Medicine (AIM) intends to broaden the knowledge of medical students to include a focus on the interest, diversity, and therapeutic use of arts in the field of medicine.
President: Ryuma Naito
The Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA) is a national organization of medical and pre-medical students committed to addressing the unique health challenges of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities.
President: Priyanka Kunda
Christian Medical Ministry of Alabama (CMMA) offers students a chance to interact with local medical professionals in the healthcare world while finding a place for community, support, and growth both spiritually and professionally. Our purpose is to help students know Christ more through discipleship, relationship, and strive to send them out well equipped into an ever-changing world.
Points of Contact:
Stephanie Consuegra
The Dermatology Interest Group (DIG) is a student organization at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine. Our mission is to provide a means for students to learn about the field of dermatology and to form a community for discussion and education about the specialty. The Dermatology Interest Group also aims to educate the Dothan community about prevalent dermatological issues, including skin cancer and sun safety. This year’s goals of the organization aim to encourage medical students’ interest in the specialty of dermatology by holding educational meetings with guest speakers, faculty, and dermatology residents; highlight the multifaceted aspects of dermatology; and raise awareness about skin cancer and promote sun safety among students and staff of ACOM and the surrounding Dothan community.
President: Natalie Ann Tam
President: Kayleigh Lunsford
The mission of Emergency Medicine Interest Group, EMIG, is to provide meaningful exposure, hands on experience, and preparation for rotation/residency application in Emergency Medicine.
EM is a multi-faceted, fast paced, cutting edge field which treats anyone with anything, anywhere, and anytime. It includes hospital, pre-hospital, wilderness, and tactical medicine as well as many diverse sub-specializations. It is a front-line specialty that interacts with the community heavily. As such, we also seek to facilitate that community education and involvement for our club members. Resourcefulness, decisiveness, and teamwork are defining virtues in EM. Through skills workshops, simulations, and guest lectures we seek to give students hands on experience in developing these traits highly sought by residency program directors. In addition, we provide exposure and experiences through our affiliations with national EM organizations, ACOEP and EMRA.
Wilderness Medicine Subcommittee:
This subcommittee organizes events and discussions that are designed to foster students’ interests and passions in wilderness medicine. The subcommittee will work to coordinate events that challenge its members to try new things as they experience a unique opportunity to deliver emergency medical care in demanding and remote regions.
President: Karla Urgiles
Geriatrics Interest Group (GIG) provides students with experiences in geriatric medicine, hospice medicine, and palliative care. With the rapid increase in the elderly population nationwide, elder care will be a major focus of many specialties. We have many TOUCH point eligible volunteer opportunities throughout the year within the community. Members previously held a bake sale to provide fans for SARCOA seniors, hosted a Senior Prom at Wesley Place, participated in ACOM’s annual health fair, tabled for SAMC during National Health Decisions Week, helped education the hospice healthcare community about osteopathic medicine, provided the elderly Wiregrass population blood pressure checks during Older Americans Day (a SARCOA event), and spent time with Covenant Hospice patients to improve their quality of life. Information on free national membership in the American Geriatrics Society is available to members.
President: Tyler Ethan Jahraus
The purpose of GPHA is to cultivate an awareness of and appreciation for global and public health topics, as well as preventative medicine topics among ACOM students and faculty. To highlight the impact that osteopathic physicians and the osteopathic ideology are having on global and public health issues, promote the collaborative exchange of current research, practice, and advancements in global and public health. To educate and promote healthy living to students and the community and facilitate opportunities for health service in medically underserved areas locally, as well as globally. Promote and support the outreach programs of DOCARE.
President: Kara Daskiewich
President: Miller Roberts
Internal Medicine Interest Group is an organization committed to empowering student physicians with the experience, connections, and skill set necessary for a career in a wide variety of medical specialties. Through volunteer opportunities, shadowing opportunities, networking events, and skill workshops, this organization’s primary goal is to equip each and every ACOM student with what it takes to find success within the field of internal medicine and its many sub-specialties.
IMIG subcommittees include the following: Cardiology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Hematology/Oncology, Palliative Care, Pathology, Pulmonary Medicine/Critical Care, Sports Medicine/Rheumatology, and ARK House
ARK House is our newest subcommittee. It is a residential program in Dothan for men and women seeking to overcome homelessness, addiction, or achieving a successful transition from prison. This program offers people a safe space to stay and receive the necessary training and tools to successfully re-enter society.
President: Sara Thomas
Point of Contact:
N/A
President: Rurik Rondan
The ACOM chapter of Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group seeks to incorporate therapeutic lifestyle interventions as the primary modality in the treatment of chronic conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and inflammatory conditions. The goal of our organization is to educate and empower the members of the Dothan community to take control of their own health via lifestyle modifications.
Medicine in Motion
Medicine in Motion aims to form connections between ACOM medical students, various healthcare professionals, and the local Dothan community to enhance overall community wellness. In addition, Medicine in Motion will promote the benefits of physical fitness for medical students to incorporate into their lives and be better equipped to prevent burnout. Lastly, Medicine in Motion plans to organize fun, physically engaging activities for ACOM students to participate in and enjoy. Overall, MIM seeks to prevent medical burnout through fitness, community building, and philanthropy.
President: Sean Beggan
Our mission is to foster an environment of spiritual growth, strengthen the networking efforts between Muslim students and promote awareness of Islam through community service, prayer and education at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine.
President: Faraz Ahmed
Our mission is to guide the specialization and development of ACOM students interested in pursuing a career in the field of Neurology or Psychiatry by facilitating opportunities for outreach, education, and leadership. We are committed to promoting awareness of topics in neuroscience and psychiatry throughout the Dothan community. This organization also aims to provide resources and information regarding residency requirements and professional development.
President: Sahith Kasireddy
The Obstetrics and Gynecology Interest Group is a branch of the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOOG). The goal of our organization is to help students explore the many aspects of the field while helping them gain the skills and knowledge to pursue the residency of their choice. Through guest speakers, mentorship, hands-on simulated medicine, and community outreach, GOBIG gives unique experiences to students and empowers those in the community through women’s health and preventive care education.
Our organization also has multiple subcommittees, EASE into Motherhood, The Perinatal Committee, and Medical Students for Choice. These groups respectively focus on support for new mothers, perinatal loss, and education about family planning.
President: David Boose
The mission of the Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Interest Group is to promote the fields of orthopedics and sports medicine as it pertains to research, clinical practice, and graduate medical education. OSMIG will provide a forum for ACOM medical students to discuss pertinent topics, engage in educational activities, and meet guest speakers representing orthopedics, sports medicine, and other related fields. Our goal is to provide exposure and a wide array of experiences to interested students to better prepare them for a potential future in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine.
President: John McCarus
The Pediatrics Interest Group is a group for ACOM students who are interested in the Pediatrics specialty, want to become active in the Dothan community, and enjoy serving the healthcare needs of local children. Members volunteer locally to benefit patients young and old while working to further our medical knowledge through speakers, workshops, and engaging in additional medical training.
President: Madelyn Debski
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), also known as physiatry, is a medical specialty that emphasizes the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of people disabled by disease, disorder or injury. The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Interest Group aims to introduce ACOM students to the field and enhance their musculoskeletal and neurological clinical skills. We provide educational lectures and workshops, as well as guidance to those interested in pursuing the specialty.
President: Michelle Volis
The purpose of RIG is to promote communication among group members regarding radiology. RIG will obtain accurate and up to date information regarding the profession of radiology, including diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology and radiation oncology. RIG will provide information to its members regarding residency and ideal candidacy for resident placement. RIG will hold informational sessions with local radiologists and hold meetings to relay any and all information regarding the medical advancements in the field of radiology.
President: Thomas Wagner
The objectives of the SAAO are for its members to acquire a better understanding of osteopathic principles and practices; to attain maximum efficiency in osteopathic structural diagnosis and manipulative treatment; and to foster, in themselves and others, a clear concept of the clinical application of osteopathic principles and practices in health and disease. Membership serves to broaden and expand students’ understanding of osteopathic concepts in practice.
Point of Contact: Shenavi Jain
The ACOM chapter of the Student Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (SAMOPS) is an organization for ACOM’s military community; those currently serving, interested in commissioning, or arriving as a student veteran. SAMOPS provides support and guidance for those in the process of applying for military scholarships, preparing for officer training, learning customs and courtesies, and many other aspects unique to military service and medicine. As part of a national organization, we have access to an incredible network of military physicians and residents eager to teach students about military medicine, rotations/auditions, mentorship, research, and the military MATCH.
Point of Contact: Noah Gawthorp
SAACOFP is for students interested in family medicine. Members regularly volunteer at the Samaritan Clinic and Samaritan Pantry. SAACOFP strives to help students explore the field of family medicine through speakers, shadowing, and volunteer experiences.
President: Maya Kedmi
The Student Diversity Council (SDC) is a group of motivated students dedicated to fostering a welcoming environment for all. Members of the SDC work to educate and engage the ACOM community and beyond to create a supportive and respectful atmosphere for all students, faculty, and staff. The SDC serves as a student platform working alongside the ACOM Council on Institutional Core Values to promote ACOM’s core values in all aspects of ACOM culture.
President: N/A
The mission of the Student Osteopathic Association for Research (SOAR) is to inform medical students at all stages of training about the rewards and opportunities of participating in research during their medical education and as future physicians. SOAR seeks to (1) engage medical students to participate in different types of research opportunities during their medical education; (2) equip medical students with resources and guidance to find success in future endeavors; and (3) serve as a platform of communication between students, faculty, and alumni to share experiences, find mentors, and encourage greater participation in the field of medical research.
President: Corrinne Hickman
The Student Osteopathic Medical Association is the nation’s largest osteopathic medical student-run membership organization. We are dedicated to transforming motivated osteopathic medical students into dynamic health-care leaders who advance patient-centered health care within the United States and abroad.
President: Walter Johnson
The Surgical Interest Group (SIG) at ACOM is a student-led organization dedicated to the academic and professional enhancement of its members who are interested in surgery. SIG is composed of two national organizations: 1) American College of Osteopathic Surgeons-Medical Student Section (ACOS-MSS) and 2) Association of Women Surgeons (AWS). Both are invested in helping medical students explore the field of surgery. Members of SIG will be given the opportunity to attend various surgical specialty lectures, create mentorships with medical students who are in surgical rotations, and develop rapport with physician-surgeons. Moreover, SIG conducts surgical skills workshops to provide its members with early exposure to the procedural aspects of surgery. The mission of SIG is to better prepare its members to succeed in future rotations, residencies, and surgical careers.
Surgical Skills Committee
The Surgical Skills Committee includes surgical skills, laparoscopic surgery and surgical scrub chairs. These chairs function to educate and prepare SIG members to excel while on surgical rotations during clinical years.
Surgical Specialties Committee
The Surgical Specialties Committee facilitates communication between the SIG executive board and the various subspecialty committee chairs, to provide support to committee chairs with regards to events, and to represent the interests of each surgical specialty committee chair.
President: Melissa Fadini