Earlier this month, a group of three PNWU military medical students and one PNWU military medicine alumni attended the Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons’ (AMOPS’s) Annual Meeting and Medical Conference in San Antonio, Texas.
“We have consistently had a PNWU presence at the conference as well as in leadership positions on the Student and Resident branch of AMOPS (SAMOPS and RAMOPS respectively),” explained PNWU Student Doctor Elizabeth Kosanke (OMS III, Air Force HPSP), who joined her fellow students and alum for the national gathering. Kosanke is the outgoing SAMOPS Assistant Conference Chair, and was recently elected as the 2022-2023 SAMOPS National Student Conference Chair.
Alongside Student Doctor Kosanke, PNWU was represented by Sam Billingslea, DO (PNWU Class of 2020, PYG-1 Emergency Medicine Resident at Naval Medical Center San Diego), Mauna Edrozo (OMS IV, Air Force HPSP, matched Family Medicine at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska), and Larissa Fischer (OMS II, Navy HPSP).
While in San Antonio, the group was able to meet with the current President of the American Osteopathic Association, Joseph A. Giaimo, DO, as well as participate in student day at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), which included presentations from the Brigadier General Clinton K. Murray, Commanding General of Brooke Army Medical Center, a BAMC residency program director panel, a resident panel, and multiple simulations. Both Dr. Billingslea and Student Doctor Kosanke also participated in the event’s research symposium.
“Kim Nguyen (Army HPSP student, PNWU OMS III) was the SAMOPS National Student Conference Chair for this year’s conference, but unfortunately was unable to attend.” Kosanke added. “Mauna Edrozo is the outgoing SAMOPS Secretary and newly elected RAMOPS Air Force Representative, and Sam Billingslea has held many positions during his time in SAMOPS and is currently the RAMOPS Navy Representative.”