For the second year in a row, PNWU’s Student Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (SAMOPS) club was named Chapter of the Year at the Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons’ (AMOPS’) national conference, which was hosted virtually from March 4-7. PNWU SAMOPS was selected for the award out of all 37 osteopathic medical schools in the United States.
“This award is a result of all of our SAMOPS members, faculty, and staff who have continued to stay involved, supporting our members and our community throughout this challenging year,” explained Elizabeth Kosanke, OMS II, 2D LT, USAFR.
Despite the considerable challenges associated with adjusting to a global pandemic, PNWU’s SAMOPS club successfully hosted an impressive array of activities this year, including the club’s first annual military medicine panel, the first ever PNWU Hero Challenge (which raised $1,525 for Team RWB and had 103 participants from 10 different countries), a variety of educational virtual events, and even sponsorship of local frontline healthcare workers.
“I’m excited and proud to learn that the SAMOPS chapter at PNWU has been recognized again this year as the AMOPS’s Chapter of the Year,” said Dr. Thomas Scandalis, dean of PNWU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. “It speaks to the dedicated efforts of the chapter members, and to the value that we place on those students’ commitment to serving their country.”
Additionally, numerous members of our PNWU SAMOPS club were elected to the National SAMOPS 2021-2022 board, including Mauna Edrozo, PNWU OMS III, as secretary; Kim Nguyen, PNWU OMS II, as conference chair; and Elizabeth Kosanke, OMS II, as assistant conference chair. The Resident Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (RAMOPS) also elected Sam Billingslea, OMS IV, as Navy representative on their National RAMOPS 2021-2022 board.
AMOPS organizers are currently planning next year’s annual conference to be held in San Antonio, dependent upon the status of the pandemic.