At first glance, medicine might not seem like a profession in which leadership skills are essential for success. But the reality is that most physicians are required to guide junior medical personnel as early as residency, and strong leadership later in a physician’s career can help a hospital or health care facility have a positive impact on an entire population of patients. The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) has dozens of student chapters of organizations in which aspiring physicians can take officer roles to gain experience in managing teams. Some medical students go even further, being selected as leaders for student organizations at a national level.
At WVSOM, seven students currently serve as national leaders.
Linda Boyd, D.O., WVSOM’s chief academic officer, said many medical organizations recognize the need to include the voices of future physicians in framing their initiatives.
“Medical students are the future of our profession,” Boyd said. “We are proud to have seven current WVSOM students in leadership roles at national organizations. Their experience working with leaders of all ages will help them learn from seasoned physicians and encourage them to continue to seek leadership opportunities throughout their career.”
One student in an important national role is Jacqueline Shoemaker, who is president of the Student Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (SAMOPS) in addition to serving as WVSOM’s Student Government Association president. Shoemaker was elected to the SAMOPS position in February.
She said her work as president includes presiding over meetings of the SAMOPS Council;running, recording and reporting the results of votes for the SAMOPS Executive Board; and serving as a national student liaison, among other responsibilities.
“My job is to run the monthly meetings and oversee the leadership team. We help manage social media, press releases and education dissemination. I also serve as a liaison to the AMOPS board and get to sit on the American Osteopathic Association’s House of Delegates. It’s exciting that I get to serve on a national level,” the Class of 2027 student said.
SAMOPS’ mission includes advocating for military students and educating them about patient health issues other physicians might not face, such as how to address certain battlefield wounds. Shoemaker, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force West Virginia Air National Guard who has worked at the Pentagon as a legislative liaison to the chief of the National Guard Bureau, said many military students need guidance on making the most of their medical school experience.
“I was fortunate to have prior military experience, but many students have just received acceptance to medical school and are new to the military,” she said. “Our goal is to advocate for them and connect them with the appropriate services. We help entering students navigate the military world, because being a military medical student has different nuances than other students. For example, there are several routes to pay for medical school through the military, and we help educate students in different branches about the options available.”
Shoemaker thinks her national leadership role will help her advance in her career following medical school.
“Residency applications want to see that you are a leader in some capacity. I think this will help me stand out in a crowd of applications. Making connections, networking and getting to meet people like the surgeon generals of the Army, Navy and Air Force has been incredible. I want to be part of the legacy of great WVSOM students,” she said.
Another WVSOM student with a national leadership position is Gaspareantonio Fabio Greco, president-elect of the Student Osteopathic Internal Medicine Association (SOIMA). Greco, of the Class of 2027, has spent the past academic year supporting SOIMA’s president in executing the organization’s vision and initiatives, collaborating with its executive board and preparing to assume the role of president during the next academic year by engaging in leadership discussions, policy planning and long-term strategic initiatives.
SOIMA’s mission is to provide osteopathic medical students with early exposure to internal medicine and its subspecialties while emphasizing the principles and practices that define osteopathic care. Greco said his time as president-elect has given him opportunities to grow, work with others and meet medical professionals who support him in reaching his goal of having a career in internal medicine.
“I’ve connected with an inspiring network of motivated, intelligent and accomplished physicians who have forever shaped my perspective on medicine,” he said. “The organization has bestowed on me a mentor who has helped guide me toward a path to a future fellowship in gastroenterology. I’ve also had the privilege of meeting some of the sharpest student doctor minds across the country, engaging in thought-provoking lectures and collaborating at the American College of Osteopathic Internists’ convention.”
Greco’s time as president-elect has been productive, working with others on SOIMA’s leadership team to establish committees focused on spotlighting volunteerism, recognizing student excellence, expanding scholarships and increasing research opportunities. He hopes to also improve the organization’s ability to pair students with experienced physicians.
“One of my personal missions is to revamp the SOIMA mentorship program, ensuring that other student doctors receive the life-changing support I’ve experienced. Strong mentorship can open doors, shape careers and foster the next generation of osteopathic internists. Our work is not done, but we have more than doubled our mentee applications from last year,” he said.
Medical school is intensely demanding, making it difficult to find time for other pursuits. Greco said balancing his academic studies with a leadership role takes commitment and good time management skills, but the rewards are immeasurable.
“Anything worth doing requires time, dedication and passion,” he said. “When guest lectures or workshops are offered through SOIMA, I see them as learning opportunities, allowing me to compare different approaches to medical education and gain insights into how internal medicine is practiced across different institutions and in the real world. It enhances my education rather than detracts from it, reinforcing why I chose this path in the first place.”
Other WVSOM students who currently serve in national leadership positions with student organizations include: