The WVSOM academic program provides students with the foundation of knowledge and skills needed by the osteopathic physician.
However, the college also recognizes the importance of extracurricular involvement. Campus student organizations can enhance the medical school experience and better prepare the student physician for eventual practice in a community setting.
All student organizations operate with the assistance of the Student Program Advisor.
All student organizations are expected to adhere to the regulations delineated in the Student Organizations Manual. The manual includes the full range of information relevant to all student organizations, including leadership, meetings and other events, community service, finances and purchasing and other topics.
The American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) Student Chapter is an affiliate of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, the largest college of the American Osteopathic Association. The founders felt that progress and advancement of the Family Physician were basic and essential for the health care needs of a community, and they were committed to the concept of excellence in education. It is in accordance with these principles that the student chapter encourages participation by WVSOM students in programs designed to promote and encourage the training of family physicians.
The objectives of the club are to develop interest in osteopathic geriatric medicine among students of WVSOM and to encourage the establishment or expansion of residency programs in geriatric medicine. The club promotes a better understanding of osteopathic geriatric medicine in the general public through education and community service.
The purpose of the student branch of ACCOOG is to educate future osteopathic physicians on issues of women's reproductive health. This organization will host lectures and professional guidance for students toward OB/GYN residencies and fellowships. The organization will promote women's health in the community by raising awareness in areas such as fetal alcohol syndrome, birth control options, breast, uterine and ovarian cancers, and the importance of obstetrical care.
The purpose of the student branch of ACN-ACONP is to educate osteopathic student physicians on the medical sciences which deal with the neuromuscular system, as well as disorders of the psyche of organic and functional nature. The goals of this organization are to provide students with activities to get involved with the community and host guest speakers to inform students of opportunities in neurology and psychiatry. We are also here to serve as an advocate for mental health and to promote mental health awareness within the community.
American College of Osteopathic Surgeons Medical Student Section (ACOS-MSS) is a student member section of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons. The purpose of the organization is to stress the understanding of osteopathic principles in relationship to disease in the practice of surgery, help promote the education in the field of surgery, and expand the interactions of WVSOM students with surgical professionals. All interested students enrolled in WVSOM are eligible to be members.
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, PM&R, became one of twenty-four official medical specialties in 1947. PM&R physicians, physiatrists, specialize in the care of patients with neuromusculoskeletal disorders, aiming to reduce pain and improve function in their patients.
The WVSOM chapter of AMOPS was established in recognition of the unique position that osteopathic physicians occupy within the United States Armed Forces.
The primary goals of WVSOM AMOPS are: to provide information concerning the practice of osteopathic medicine within the Armed Forces; to provide information concerning rotations, internships, residencies and careers in the US armed forces; to provide support to local armed forces and deployed family members; to encourage active Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP) students to maintain the highest personal, professional and military standards; and to take an active role in the Lewisburg community by participating in community service and working in collaboration with other WVSOM clubs/organizations.
The Atlas Club is the oldest national osteopathic fraternal organization. The WVSOM Chapter was first organized in 1978 and was one of the first chapters to accept both men and women as members. Atlas members are dedicated to improving osteopathic education with a special emphasis on Anatomy. ATLAS club offers numerous programs such as the Distinguished Lecturer Program, Golden Key Awards, practical review sessions, as well as tutoring and special insight on how to do well in anatomy.
Additionally, numerous social events are sponsored each year by the club like First Cut BBQ and Halloween Hoedown. ATLAS club maintains a commitment to the community. ATLAS club proudly supports the Animal Shelter and donates a substantial amount of money and volunteer time to them every year. Our members are very passionate about anatomy and willing to help out anyone in need of anatomy assistance.
The Christian Medical Association is a national professional organization of physicians, dentists, medical and dental students, who have banded together to serve Christ through their professions.
CMA helps its members wrestle with the increasing ethical problems in the professions, enhance the quality of care given to the whole person, and interact with other members of the healing professions who face common problems. CMA lives with the conviction that medicine is an avenue of ministry. For this reason, a local chapter was organized at WVSOM and hopes to be of such service to the school, students, and community.
DO Care is an organization which promotes diversity and cultural sensitivity on campus and in the Lewisburg community through education and community service while promoting global outreach. Additionally, DO Care is a support group for any WVSOM student who considers him/herself a minority or a member of a group which is underrepresented in the medical profession. DO Care is affiliated with Power of a Nickel Medical Association. Power of a Nickel provides quality healthcare and health education for underserved and medically needy persons in partnered communities globally. Membership in DO Care is open to all WVSOM students.
The mission of the Jewish Medical Student Association is to develop knowledge, understanding, and acceptance of the Jewish life and culture among students and faculty. JMSA works toward achieving these goals by creating opportunities for people of all backgrounds, races, and cultures to come together and share educational and social experiences. JMSA also encourages religious diversity among members.
The Latinx Medical Student Association (LMSA) aims its advocacy in providing education, outreach, and service to members of Latinx and Hispanic communities regionally, nationally, and beyond. In collaboration with other student organizations, LMSA aims to engage in community outreach initiatives that promote health education, preventive care, and disease management. In addition, this organization serves to create sustainable partnerships between students of all backgrounds to provide collaboration and mentorship for pre-medical and medical students.
WVSOM Chapter of Lifestyle Medicine is nationally affiliated with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM). The purpose of Lifestyle Medicine Club shall be to provide information about the specialty of Lifestyle Medicine, and educate members about evidence-based practice of helping individuals and families adopt and sustain healthy behaviors that effect health and quality of life. Membership to this club will expose members to diverse medical practices and the benefits of using alternative treatments including acupuncture, homeopathy, natural medicine, aromatherapy, and to other areas through workshops, lectures, and community activities. Members emphasize how to incorporate nutrition and lifestyle based preventative medicine into healing modalities.
Medical Students for Choice (MSFC) is nationally known non-profit organization that includes medical students and residents throughout the United States and Canada. The WVSOM chapter of MSFC is committed to ensuring that osteopathic medical students and physicians are trained to provide women patients a range of reproductive healthcare choices. WVSOM MSFC sponsors guest lectures and workshops to WVSOM students and faculty on women's reproductive health care. The club works to enhance the curriculum and residency programs to include reproductive health.
The purpose of the Medical Muslim Student Association (MMSA) is to provide a system of spiritual support, social activity, fellowship and advocacy for Muslim students and non-Muslim students with an interest in Islam. MMSA will focus on developing the relationship between Islam and medicine, through various interfaith activities. The MMSA places a particular emphasis on using the unique cultural perspective of its members to interact with populations in a way that both complements and enhances the work of other service organizations.
The purpose of the Medical Student Pride Alliance is to act as an activist and social organization committed to empowering sexual and gender minority medical students and allies, increasing the number of physicians trained in LGBTQ-inclusive healthcare, and addressing the unique needs of LGBTQ+ communities through research, advocacy, and service.
National Osteopathic Women Physicians Organization is a national organization established in 1904 by female students at The American School of Osteopathy. Its objective is the further study of osteopathy as a philosophy, a science and an art. WVSOM's Chapter of NOWPA endeavors to uphold this tradition through the organizational theme of Women in Medicine. NOWPA is the avenue through which all WVSOM students, faculty and staff are invited to listen to speakers lecturing on various aspects of women's health care and problems faced by female physicians. With membership open to all students, NOWPA wishes to make everyone at WVSOM more aware of the issues faced by women in medicine.
The WVSOM Pathology club was established to promote the practices and principles of osteopathic medicine in the field of pathology. The club exists to promote a fundamental understanding of disease processes as well as to establish a knowledge base in today's modern clinical laboratory in order to better serve, diagnose, and treat our patients. The WVSOM Pathology club follows the standards of the American Osteopathic College of Pathologists.
The mission of the WVSOM Research Club is to complement WVSOM's own Mission Statement, to advance scientific knowledge through academic, clinical and basic science research; and to promote patient-centered, evidence based medicine. The Club will work directly with the Office of Affiliated and Sponsored Programs (OASP) and the WVSOM faculty to facilitate student participation, as well as, interest in the ongoing research related endeavors carried out by the WVSOM faculty.
Sigma Sigma Phi is a national honorary osteopathic service fraternity. Objectives of the WVSOM Nu Chapter are to promote good fellowship and unity among various chapters of the national organization, continue betterment of WVSOM and the fraternity as a whole, advance a higher scholastic standing at WVSOM, promote community service as an important part of osteopathy, and perpetuate and advance osteopathic medicine. The fraternity is a non-profit organization which provides many community services through various fund-raising events. Membership is open to all students and is based upon academic standing and service.
The Student Advocate Association (SAA) exists to create support and a spirit of unity and loyalty among the student body and their families, provides support to WVSOM and the WVSOM SGA, and helps prepare members as spouses of future osteopathic physicians and members of the National Auxiliary to the American Osteopathic Association. Full membership is open to spouses of students and associate membership is available to interested members of the WVSOM family. (Associate membership is limited to four years.)
Organized under the auspices of the American Academy of Osteopathy, the SAAO's goal is to enhance the understanding of osteopathic principles and techniques, help members attain maximum efficiency in osteopathic structural diagnosis and manipulative therapy, and foster a clear concept of the clinical applications of osteopathic procedures. Membership is open to all WVSOM students.
The WVSOM Student Chapter is an affiliate of the American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians. The purpose of the organization is to encourage and promote the training of osteopathic pediatricians, increase the awareness of pediatric issues in the WVSOM population, and expand the interactions of WVSOM students with pediatric professionals. All interested students enrolled in WVSOM are eligible to be members.
The goal of the SCACOEP is to inform and educate our members in the field of emergency medicine: training, advocacy and clinical opportunities, as well as establish a network of connections between our members and practicing EM physicians. We want to provide our members with the information and access to skills training necessary to perform well in the emergent/acute clinical setting.
"Sports medicine is a branch of the healing arts which utilizes a holistic, comprehensive approach to the prevention, diagnosis, and management of sport and exercise-related injuries, disorders, dysfunctions and disease processes." (AOASM).
The SC-AOASM works to integrate the college community with the community at large. This is done by giving medical students the opportunity to involve themselves with sports-related activities in the surrounding communities. Such activities include physical exams for athletic teams, serving as trainers for football and basketball teams, and anatomy seminars. These activities serve to enhance medical training for the student while fostering positive community involvement. The WVSOM chapter organizes and hosts intramural sporting events and tournaments for students, faculty and staff.
Student National Medical Association (SNMA) is committed to supporting current and future underrepresented minority medical students, addressing the needs of underserved communities, and increasing the number of clinically excellent, culturally competent and socially conscious physicians. At WVSOM, the SNMA chapter strives to serve the health needs of underserved communities and communities of color. In addition, the SNMA is dedicated both to ensuring that medical education and services are culturally sensitive to the needs of diverse populations and to increasing the number of African-American, Latino and other students of color entering and completing medical school.
The purpose of the Student Osteopathic Internal Medicine Association is to represent those students who aspire to be osteopathic internists. SOIMA works to provide WVSOM students with an early exposure to the field of internal medicine, stressing the understanding of osteopathic principles in relationship to disease in the practice of internal medicine and its subspecialties. Through affiliation with the American College of Osteopathic Internists, the highest educational, moral and ethical standards in the teaching and practice of internal medicine are maintained.
The Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) is an independent, national, student-governed organization claiming membership in the osteopathic colleges throughout the United States. The primary objective of the national organization is to promote the osteopathic profession and to obtain benefits for its student members regarding insurance, publications, scholarships and various study organizations.
At WVSOM, the SOMA chapter takes an active part in the public relations of the osteopathic profession within the state. The chapter conducts service projects which provide the student members with valuable medical experience.
The Wilderness Medicine Club serves to bring members of the WVSOM community together who share an interest in the outdoors and its connection to providing quality medical care in limited resource (wilderness) settings. The club strives to improve medical education in the recognition, treatment and prevention of wilderness medical emergencies, as well as to increase the exposure of wilderness and outdoor activities to the WVSOM community in both a social and educational manner.