Student Organizations

RVUCOM has a variety of student organizations to meet various student needs. Many of these clubs are Osteopathic in nature, and help students to navigate the various specialties. Others are more social or recreational, or allow students to reach out to the community and the world around them.
To learn more information about any of these (or other) clubs, contact the office of Student Services.

College of Osteopathic Medicine Student Government Association (SGA)
Sponsors: Dr. Mike Martin, Zea Moullet
The SGA is the official governing body for all osteopathic medical students. The meetings are open to all students in the college, and SGA welcomes proposals and participation from the entire student body. Responsibilities of the SGA include collecting and expressing student opinion, dispensing funds for student activities and student organizations, acting as a liaison for the student body to the administration, promoting osteopathic medicine, supporting organization and class activities, and working to improve the quality of life for all students at RVUCOM. SGA Officers include SGA President (must be OMS-II or above), SGA Vice President for Operations, SGA Vice President for Student Welfare, SGA Secretary, and SGA Treasurer.
Class Officers
Each class will elect a class President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, Curriculum Representative, and Historian during the first month of the academic year. During the 2008-2009 academic year, the OMS-I officers and SGA officers will be the same group of people, serving concurrent positions. The officers elected for the OMS-3 class shall serve as the officers for the class during the OMS-3 and OMS-4 years and will be elected during last month of the OMS-2 academic year.
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American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians (ACOEP)
Sponsor: Dr. Frank Dailey
The ACOEP exists to support quality emergency medical care, promote interests of osteopathic emergency physicians, support development and implementation of osteopathic emergency medical education, and advance the philosophy and practice of osteopathic medicine through a system of quality and cost effective healthcare in a distinct, unified profession.

American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP)
Sponsors: Dr. Matthew Harrison
The objective of the undergraduate chapter of the ACOFP is to advance the specialty of family practice in the field of osteopathic medicine and surgery. The organization works toward the advancement of family practice and recognition of the importance of the family practitioner’s role in the context of osteopathic medical services in the community. The chapter advances the role of the family practitioner as the backbone of modern medical practice. The Colorado Society of the ACOFP is the state division of the national organization and maintains a direct liaison with the RVUCOM chapter. Membership in this organization entitles students to benefits such as seminars, educational programs, and financial support to various family practice conferences.

American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOOG)
Sponsors: Dr. Robyn Weyand
ACOOG is passionately committed to excellence in women's health. With integrity we shall educate and support osteopathic health care professionals to improve the quality of life for women. In doing so, we will provide opportunities for fellowship and joy in our profession.

American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians (ACOP)
Sponsor: Dr. Duane Brandau
The purposes of the organization are: To foster and stimulate interest among osteopathic medical students in the practice of Pediatrics; To cooperate with other organizations having similar purposes either at other osteopathic schools or at other locations; To maintain the dignity of the ACOP and the Osteopathic Medical Profession.

American College of Osteopathic Physical Medicine & Rehab (ACOPMR)
Sponsor: Dr. Eric Gish

American Medical Students Association (AMSA)
Sponsor: Dr. Camille Bentley

American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine (AOASM)
Sponsor: Dr. Barbekka Hurtt
The purpose of the AOASM is to advance a mutually respectful relationship among dedicated, competent sports medicine specialists, and to provide a quality educational resource for AOASM members, allied health sports medicine professionals, and the general public.

Colleges Against Cancer (CAC)
Sponsor: Dr. Carolyn Glaubensklee
CAC is a nationwide collaboration of college students, faculty, and staff dedicated to eliminating cancer by initiating and supporting programs endorsing volunteerism, advocacy, cancer education, and survivorship.

Christian Medical and Dental Society (CMDA)
Sponsors: Dr. Lee Ann Jons-Cox
The Christian Medical and Dental Society is a national organization that began in 1931. The chapter is composed of health care professionals and students who are committed to living out their faith through their profession. Benefits of the club include seminars, journals, and newsletters.

Colorado Medical Society (CMS)
Sponsor: Dr. Frank Ames

DOCARE International (DOCARE)
Sponsor: Dr. Camille Bentley
DOCARE, a national organization founded by concerned osteopathic physicians, is dedicated to providing medical care to underserved people in any geographical area of the world. Student participation is welcomed, and the RVUCOM chapter offers exciting and unique opportunities to student physicians to participate in these medical missions.

Gays, Lesbians & Allies in Medicine (GLAM)
Sponsor: Dr. Laura Mohr

Jewish Association of Medical Students (JAMS)
Sponsor: Brian Schwartz
The Jewish Association of Medical Students will serve as a resource for Jewish students as well as educate the general student body about issues pertaining to Judaism and medicine. Membership will be open to everyone regardless of religious beliefs. This group hopes to share the rich Jewish culture with everyone at RVU by having social events as well as promote awareness and understanding by providing educational events.

National Osteopathic Women Physician Association (NOWPA)
Sponsor: Dr. Kelli Glaser
NOWPA has been formally recognized since 1988 as a service and social organization dedicated to the support and education of women in the Osteopathic profession. The goal is to provide the common link to achieve personal and professional goals, primarily using networking, with role models and fellow members, service and outreach activities, and; providing personal and professional educational opportunities.

Psychiatry Interest Group (PIG)
Sponsor: Dr. Laura Mohr
The Psychiatry Interest Group links students interested in the field of psychiatry with activities and resources pertinent to the field. The group also extends to the RVUCOM community as a whole by integrating psychiatry-related topics with other medical specialties.

Student Advocates Association (SAA)
Sponsor: Sara Harrison
The RVUCOM chapter of SAA was organized for the spouses/significant others/families of the students at RVUCOM and is chartered by the Advocates to the American Osteopathic Association (AAOA). The primary objective of the SAA is to further the goals of the college and the osteopathic profession and to promote fellowship, goodwill, and unity within the school.

Student American Osteopathic Association of Orthopedics (SAOAO)
Sponsor: Dr. D. Craig Loucks
The Mission of the SAOAO is to form a bridge between Osteopathic Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery, in order to create a holistic functioning system to provide all the members with the opportunity to change the future of Osteopathic Orthopedic medicine by being well educated and experienced health care practioners.

Student Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (SAMOPS)
Sponsor: Dr. Stephen Putthoff
The student chapter of this national organization is open to all College of Osteopathic Medicine students in the military or public health service. The chapter serves as liaison between on-campus military students and those on rotations or military alumni.

Student Osteopathic Internal Medicine Association (SOIMA)
Sponsor: Dr. Tom Mohr
SOIMA is the student affiliate of the American College of Osteopathic Internists, the national certifying board for osteopathic internists. SOIMA’s purpose is to educate osteopathic medical students about the opportunities open to osteopathic physicians specializing in internal medicine.

Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA)
Sponsors: Dr. Kelli Glaser
Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) is the official organization for osteopathic medical students and the affiliated student organization of the American Osteopathic Association. Its purpose is to advance the osteopathic profession, advocate for public health and welfare as well as represent the views and opinions of osteopathic medical students. SOMA national affiliations with similar groups at other schools provide the largest network for information exchange and interaction available today. Membership in SOMA brings many benefits including free subscriptions to Student Doctor and Medical Student and discount prices on diagnostic equipment, the Preceptorship Program, SOMA scholarships, life insurance programs, and more. Locally, SOMA is involved in the school, hospital, and citizen communities through various service projects and socials.

Student Osteopathic Surgical Association (SOSA)
Sponsor: Dr. Bryan Mahan
Those osteopathic medical students interested in surgery or its subspecialties are welcomed. The club strives to advance the both discipline and the knowledge and skills of the individual student with a career interest in surgical fields.

The Undergraduate American Academy of Osteopathy (UAAO)
Sponsor: Dr. Eric Gish & Dr. LeAnn Jons-Cox
The Undergraduate American Academy of Osteopathy is a professional organization dedicated to serving osteopathic medical students. It is the COM’s extension of the American Academy of Osteopathy, a national association established in 1937. The academy maintains the goal of developing the science and art of total health care, with an emphasis on palpatory diagnosis and the use of osteopathic manipulative medicine. Membership in UAAO allows students to receive the AAO publications and to attend the annual convocation, both at reduced prices.