Kick off your journey to becoming a DO by gaining valuable leadership skills, advocating to improve health care, and educating the public about DOs.
While studying is important, it’s also good to make time to get involved in your new profession. If you can only spare a little time, consider taking part in advocacy by writing a letter to your local representatives. Have more time to give? You can also join the Student Osteopathic Medical Association.
Becoming a leader
Support the osteopathic medical profession by joining your COM's student government, your state osteopathic affiliate or the specialty college for the area of medicine you hope to pursue. You also can help shape policy at a national level by applying to serve on the AOA's Bureau of Emerging Leaders or joining the Student Osteopathic Medical Association.
Making connections
Participate in OMED, DO Day on Capitol Hill or state osteopathic conferences to network with other students, resident physicians and DOs from around the country.
Promoting osteopathic medicine
Support the AOA's Doctors That DO campaign by promoting the campaign on your social media pages. You also can help promote the osteopathic medical profession by taking part in National Osteopathic Medicine (NOM) Week, held each April.
Being an advocate
Be aware of issues that affect your community and organize letter writing campaigns on campus to educate your local representatives. Participate in physician lobbying days through your local and state medical societies as well as the AOA's DO Day on Capitol Hill.
