What is PreSOMA?
Pre-Student Osteopathic Medical Association (PreSOMA) was formed in Febraury 2009 when the founding members recognized a gap in the information and opportunities available to TCNJ students interested in an a career in Osteopathy. Our mission, as stated in the PreSOMA constitution, reads: "The purpose of PreSOMA is to promote and inform the public about osteopathic medical education, to increase the number of applicants to osteopathic medical schools, and to prepare our members for entrance into these schools." That being said, there is no reason students only interested in Allopathy should shy away from our organization: both application processes and requirements are incredibly similar, learning the differences and similarities between the two philosophies can only help in interviews and making an informed career choice, and many of our events are geared towards pre-med students in general. Because more undergraduate students are applying to Osteopathic Medical Schools and the popular health care philosophies in the US are shifting towards a greater emphasis on primary quality and holistic care, PreSOMA is a great organization to be involved with on campus. You can get a pretty good idea of what we are all about by exploring this website and attending a couple of our meetings (alternating Wednesdays at 2pm in Bio 208), but if you have any specific questions (or would like to join our mailing list), feel free to contact us a [email protected]!
What is the difference between a MD and a DO?
Osteopathic physicians (DOs) look at the "total person" and focus on preventive care. Instead of just treating specific symptoms or illnesses with drugs and other forms of medication, they look at how the whole body functions. Allopathic physicians are beginning to adopt aspects of this philosophy to provide holistic care to their patients as well, but the osteopathic philosophy (founded by Andrew Stiller, DO, MD), specifically focuses on how the human body functions normally and most effectively/efficiently and then works to restore this functionality. DOs receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system, which is comprised of the nerves, muscles, and bones. This training gives DOs a better understanding of how an injury or illness in one part of the body can affect another part of the body; therefore, DOs have a therapeutic and diagnostic advantage. DOs use what is called osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). OMT is a technique in which the DOs use their hands to diagnose injury and illness, giving special attention to the joints, bones, muscles, and nerves. Manipulations improve circulation, which in turn, creates a normal nerve and blood supply, enabling the body to heal itself.
Applicants to both DO and MD colleges typically have a four-year undergraduate degree with an emphasis on science courses. Both complete four years of basic medical education. After medical school, both DOs and MDs can choose to practice in a specialty area of medicine—such as psychiatry, surgery, obstetrics, or sports medicine—after completing a residency program (typically two to six years of additional training). DOs and MDs both practice in fully accredited and licensed hospitals and medical centers. Both are medical doctors; MD is specifically Doctor of Medicine and DO is Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Although MD qualification training is the most widely available and recognized type of medical training and is (more) internationally recognized, both can perform surgery, child delivery, treat patients, and prescribe medications in hospitals and clinic settings. In recent years there has been an upward trend in applications to Osteopathic Medical Schools, and DOs are becoming increasingly common in hospitals and medical care centers nationally (and especially in the tri-state area). DOs with comparable qualifications and experience as their counterpart MDs typically earn the same salaries.
For more information, please check out the following websites:
1. http://www.osteopathic.org/index.cfm?PageID=ado_whatis
2. http://www.studentdo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1
3. http://www.aacom.org/Pages/default.aspx
4. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002020.htm
5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osteopathic_medicine_in_the_United_States
Applicants to both DO and MD colleges typically have a four-year undergraduate degree with an emphasis on science courses. Both complete four years of basic medical education. After medical school, both DOs and MDs can choose to practice in a specialty area of medicine—such as psychiatry, surgery, obstetrics, or sports medicine—after completing a residency program (typically two to six years of additional training). DOs and MDs both practice in fully accredited and licensed hospitals and medical centers. Both are medical doctors; MD is specifically Doctor of Medicine and DO is Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Although MD qualification training is the most widely available and recognized type of medical training and is (more) internationally recognized, both can perform surgery, child delivery, treat patients, and prescribe medications in hospitals and clinic settings. In recent years there has been an upward trend in applications to Osteopathic Medical Schools, and DOs are becoming increasingly common in hospitals and medical care centers nationally (and especially in the tri-state area). DOs with comparable qualifications and experience as their counterpart MDs typically earn the same salaries.
For more information, please check out the following websites:
1. http://www.osteopathic.org/index.cfm?PageID=ado_whatis
2. http://www.studentdo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1
3. http://www.aacom.org/Pages/default.aspx
4. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002020.htm
5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osteopathic_medicine_in_the_United_States
Why should I join PreSOMA?
1. Shadow DO medical students at UMDNJ SOM!
2. Visit local Osteopathic Medical Schools!
3. Participate in DO Day at Capitol Hill!
4. Volunteer at nearby venues and expand you medical experiences/exposure!
5. Meet visiting speakers and admissions officers with a DO background!
6. Get all the benefits available from our direct connection to the national SOMA organization as well as the AOA! (We are the Alpha Epsilon Chapter in the national registry of PreSOMA).
7. Network, bond and have with our current members and our alumni members!
8. Be involved in the campus community by attending and participating in our general events!
9. Get individualized help with medical school applications!
10. Learn the difference a DO can make!
2. Visit local Osteopathic Medical Schools!
3. Participate in DO Day at Capitol Hill!
4. Volunteer at nearby venues and expand you medical experiences/exposure!
5. Meet visiting speakers and admissions officers with a DO background!
6. Get all the benefits available from our direct connection to the national SOMA organization as well as the AOA! (We are the Alpha Epsilon Chapter in the national registry of PreSOMA).
7. Network, bond and have with our current members and our alumni members!
8. Be involved in the campus community by attending and participating in our general events!
9. Get individualized help with medical school applications!
10. Learn the difference a DO can make!