Student Doctor Elizabeth Kosanke Represents the State of Washington, PNWU, and Her Fellow Military Osteopathic Medical Students on D.C.’s Capitol Hill
PNWU Student Doctor Elizabeth Kosanke, 2D LT, USAFR, PNWU-COM Class 2023, recently found herself a lone Washingtonian in Washington, D.C.
Having arrived on a redeye flight from her hometown of Spokane, WA, for DO Day 2023 – an annual event that offers participants an opportunity to educate members of Congress on the issues that matter most to them and their patients/future patients – Student Dr. Kosanke was eager to represent PNWU and her fellow military osteopathic medical students.
When she learned that she was the only attendee from the State of Washington, however – physician, resident, or student – she quickly signed on to share her perspectives and passions with available representatives.
“I had meetings with legislative aids for Washington State Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, as well as a meeting with the legislative aid for House of Representative’s Congresswoman Suzan DelBene of Washington’s First Congressional District,” Student Dr. Kosanke explained. “I also delivered information on legislation the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) is advocating for to all the other congressional district offices in the State of Washington.”
In addition to those unexpected meetings, Student Dr. Kosanke joined two fellow Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) students and the Executive Director of the Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (AMOPS), Mrs. Suzie Frederick, to meet with legislative aids for the U.S. Senate Arms Committee – her original DO Day goal.
“The purpose of the meeting was to establish a relationship with the committee and showcase the amazing Osteopathic Medical Students the military has,” explained Kosanke, adding that this was the first time the military had been represented during DO Day on Capitol Hill.
“This was really an incredible event,” said Student Dr. Kosanke. “In the future, we hope to continue meeting with the U.S. Senate Arms Committee so we can continue discussing military Graduate Medical Education, as well as communication, or lack thereof, to Osteopathic programs regarding HPSP required training, the application process for audition rotations and residency, and more.”