SOMA accepted into AMA medical student assembly

SOMA, the Student Osteopathic Medical Association, has been accepted into the AMA Medical Student Section (MSS) Assembly.

The American Medical Association’s MSS Governing Council recently voted to accept SOMA representation into its MSS Assembly.

“We feel this move will strengthen SOMA and the voice of osteopathic medical students by giving us a broader platform for our advocacy efforts,” said SOMA President Kate de Klerk, OMS IV. “This will also lead to increased unity among medical students, which adds a greater sense of connectedness within the profession.”

The acceptance comes with a two-year probationary period, in which SOMA may participate and vote in the AMA-MSS resolution process, but is not able to vote in elections or run for elections until after the two-year period.

The new role will have no effect on the way SOMA is structured or operated, said de Klerk. “SOMA will remain the student arm of the AOA, which is an independent, student-led organization that is focused on supporting osteopathic medical students and elevating their voice.”

The representative chosen by SOMA will meet with the AMA’s Medical Student Section in June 2019.