STUDENT OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
Commitment to Osteopathic Pride and Excellence
SOMA Minority Leadership Award
The Minority Affairs Department of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association established this
award to recognize those students who demonstrate initiatives pertaining to minority issues and its
relationship to professional medical education. The department of Minority Affairs is committed to
increasing the awareness of pre-medical and current osteopathic medical students about diversity.
The committee addresses minority student issues such as recruitment and retention. In addition to
developing programs targeted toward minority high schools students, undergraduate minority
premedical students and various osteopathic medical colleges, it is also a source of education to all
osteopathic students about diversity and related issues.
Details of scholarship
Purpose
The purpose of the SOMA Minority Leadership Award is to recognize an osteopathic student who
has outstanding character, a commitment to promoting/attending multicultural events and education,
and a commitment to the Student Osteopathic Medical Association. The goal of this award is to
promote continued leadership in the development of programs and events which targets the
awareness of multiculturalism and its relationship to medicine, and to increase awareness of the
osteopathic medical profession among minorities interested in becoming physicians.
Eligibility
Any osteopathic student who will be entering his or her second-, third- or fourth-year of studies,
during the fall of 2009, at an AOA accredited college/school of osteopathic medicine is eligible to
receive this award. Nominees shall exhibit the following characteristics and meet the following
criteria:
Current membership in the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA)
Have demonstrated leadership in his or her chapter in implementing programs, events, or
presentations pertaining to multiculturalism in medicine and diversity
Award Information and Announcement
Two recipients will each receive a $250 award, sponsored by past SOMA Minority Affairs Directors,
Raul Mirza and Vivien Fongue. Each recipient will be announced during the SOMA Dinner and
Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. Award recipients are not required to be present. A letter
of appreciation to the contributor(s) of this scholarship is required prior to receiving the award.
Further instructions regarding the appreciation letters will be provided to the final recipients.
Application packets must be postmarked or electronically submitted by February 5th, 2010.
142 East Ontario Street • Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 202-8193 • (800) 621-1773 Ext. 8193 • Fax (312) 202-8200
E-Mail: scholarships-grants@studentdo.com • Website: www.SOMAFoundation.org
STUDENT OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
Commitment to Osteopathic Pride and Excellence
Please include the following in your scholarship application:
1. Application form (Section I)
2. Letter of Membership: (sealed) from a SOMA executive officer from your
college of osteopathic medicine’s local chapter confirming your membership status
and involvement with your SOMA chapter
3. Essay response (Section II)
4. Curriculum vitae or resume
Application Requirements
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SOMA Membership
Not a previous recipient of the scholarship
Completed application packet postmarked by the deadline date of February 5th, 2010.
Mail completed application to:
SOMA National Office
Attn: Scholarships & Grants
142 East Ontario Street
Chicago, IL 60611
For more information or questions regarding the scholarship, please contact Kathryn Miner,
Foundation Associate Director of Scholarships & Grants at:
scholarships-grants@studentdo.com
142 East Ontario Street • Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 202-8193 • (800) 621-1773 Ext. 8193 • Fax (312) 202-8200
E-Mail: scholarships-grants@studentdo.com • Website: www.SOMAFoundation.org
STUDENT OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
Commitment to Osteopathic Pride and Excellence
Section I:
Application Form
Scholarship Title
Name of Applicant
AOA #
Date of Birth
Gender
M/F
Email address
Mailing address
City
State
Phone number
Alternate number
Osteopathic Medical school
ZIP code
Graduation yr
Section II:
Essay response
Please provide the following:.
A brief statement (no more than 1000 words) describing what initiatives you feel should be taken
to promote the awareness of multiculturalism & diversity as it relates to medicine.
142 East Ontario Street • Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 202-8193 • (800) 621-1773 Ext. 8193 • Fax (312) 202-8200
E-Mail: scholarships-grants@studentdo.com • Website: www.SOMAFoundation.org