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OMS and the AMA PDF Print E-mail

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 Robert Schneidewend, MS, OMS-III

Executive Student Council President

Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

 

As an osteopathic medical student, one is given very unique opportunities to become involved in medicine.  Some may hold positions in National COSGP or SOMA, while others may participate in their individual State Osteopathic Medical Societies under the direction of the AOA.  What many Osteopathic Medical Students (OMSs) may not know is that there exists a duplication of such representations:  the allopathic counterparts of these organizations, which are associated with the American Medical Association (AMA).  Thus, OMSs have an amazing opportunity to represent and serve both the American Osteopathic Association and the American Medical Association.

 

Through my position as CCOM Delegate to the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) and to the AMA-Medical Student Section (AMA-MSS), I have learned a great deal about medical policy and medical student representation.  Sadly, however, I must report that there was great deficit in the representation of the Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (COMs) to the Annual AMA-MSS meeting this past June.  This experience, I must admit, left me a bit stunned.  How could the fastest growing medical profession with such a strong heritage be underrepresented?  After researching this dilemma, I found that half of the COMs did not have an AMA Chapter in which they can report to their respective State Medical Society and the National AMA-MSS.

 

As your colleague in the osteopathic medical profession I challenge you to show your pride in the profession and work with your COM and/or your student government in helping to establish a AMA-MSS Chapter (or reviving one if it so exists).  Through this type of student involvement, on a State and National level, Osteopathic Medicine will gain more recognition and public interest—things that may only benefit us as we continue to expand as a profession.

 

For additional information, please contact your COSGP representative or me, Robert Schneidewend

 
 
The Road to a Healthy America: One Student-Doctor at a Time PDF Print E-mail

 

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UNECOM SGA President Liz Coviello,

Culinary Doctor Co-Presidents Matthew Dietz and Samir Majmudar

 

What did you have for lunch today? A serving of trans fat washed down with a healthy glass of high fructose corn syrup? Grandé caramel mochacinnos for breakfast, quarter pounders with super sized fries for dinner—not uncommon in the life of a medical student.

 

Medical students’ hectic schedules do not allow time for preparing fresh, nutritious meals. Students at the University of New England’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM) have found a way to combat this problem with a new doctor, the Culinary Doctor.

 

The Culinary Doctor’s goal is to combine the art of cooking with student’s passion for medicine to create an important dish—A Healthy America. The club promotes fresh, quick and balanced meal ideas for busy students on a tight budget.

 

Osteopathic students will practice the whole-body approach to medicine; it is imperative that student-doctors first learn to prepare affordable, healthy food before they can educate patients about balanced diets and lifestyles.

 

Throughout the last year, the club has sponsored themed cooking classes at Southern Maine Community College’s Culinary School, about 15 minutes from campus. Eating by color and learning how to use fresh, local Maine produce and seafood were just two of the creative classes.

 

This year the club plans to include the surrounding community, including a Fall Harvest Cooking Contest. Students who enter the cook-off must use local, fresh ingredients with the caveat that the meals must be within the parameters of the federal grant program Women, Infant and Children (WIC). WIC foods are high in calcium, iron, protein and Vitamins A and C.

 

The judges at the Fall Harvest will taste at least 20 different student-prepared, healthy, economical dishes. The judging is open to all students who pay a small fee that the Culinary Doctor will use to educate the community. The funds this year will be used to distribute cookbooks to WIC and other local organizations like the Biddeford Free Clinic.

 

Within the cookbook there will be tips on how to trim fat, calories and sugar from daily diets. Want to cut half the calories and fat from your morning coffee? Try switching from cream to 1% milk. How about substituting avocado or hummus for mayonnaise in your next sandwich or salad?

 

Culinary Doctor was created one year ago by Angie Senese, OMS III, Susan Dadaian, OMS III, and Jennifer Blau, OMS III, with a grant from Maine’s Coastal Healthy Community Coalition. The Coalition’s goal is to educate and prevent chronic disease and encourage healthy lifestyles among the community.

 
To discover more about the Culinary Doctor please email 
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BON APPETITE!
 

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