AOCPMR Starts with Students

Welcome medical students to AOCPMR.org! On behalf of the AOCPMR Student Council, thank you for your interest in our council, and it is my privilege to share with you the many resources and opportunities that are available to medical student members of AOCPMR. The AOCPMR Student Council, in many ways, is akin to the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation itself. We are a relatively young organization. Our ideas and experiences are shaping the Student Council each month, much like the dynamic medical specialty. The breadth of our work within AOCPMR is broad and our contributions are significant. As the specialty is keen on function, we are focused on delivering to student members the things they want and need to succeed. With a finger on the pulse of PM&R residency and the specialty at-large, we listen to our members and seek to provide the very best experiences, resources, and information to medical students interesting in making an impact in the field of PM&R.

The AOCPMR Student Council is comprised of more than 25 medical school chapters throughout the country, each with chapter officers- a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Research Liaison/ Journal Club Chairperson. There is one national student council executive committee- overseeing the chapters and driving development of new student programs and chapter resources. Members of the student council executive committee report to the AOCPMR Executive Board, provide student input into new College initiatives, and solicit resources and funding for chapter activities and student members. We are always looking for motivated and enthusiastic medical students to help strengthen and expand active chapters, and for students to assist AOCPMR in establishing new chapters. We’d love to hear from you, and we’d love to hear how we could better serve your chapter!

One frequently asked question, particularly with first and second-year medical students is: what exactly is PM&R? I know what it is on the surface, but I really don’t know the details of the medical specialty. Out of that question came the impetus for the first and only national PM&R student conference. From the get-go, AOCPMR strives to put the student in the drivers-seat of their residency and career. The conference is constantly evolving to meet the needs and expectations of all students, from first-year student questions about summer opportunities to fourth-year student questions about ERAS and personal statements for PM&R. We bring before you national leaders in physiatric medical education and clinical practice. We provide you with opportunities to learn hands-on skills in physical examination, diagnosis, imaging studies, and therapeutic and curative treatment modalities- taught by experts in the field. We gather residency program directors to answer your questions about resident selection, the interview process, application Dos and Don’ts, and how to succeed on clerkship electives in PM&R. Moreover, we give you the chance to network with PM&R residency programs from across the country, and talk 1-on-1 with current residents and fellows. It’s really evolved into a don’t-miss event for any PM&R interestee, and it’s just one of the dozens of reasons to become an AOCPMR student member.

Additionally, the AOCPMR Student Council provides a plethora of other student-focused resources and tools for medical students. Students seeking guidance and support in their medical school journey can take advantage of the AOCPMR Student Mentorship Program, and develop lasting professional relationships with practicing physiatrists and residents. Student members have exclusive access to new and ongoing research projects in PM&R, and can apply to these projects through the members-only portion of aocpmr.org. Student members can stay gain a sense of mastery and familiarity with the PM&R literature though the AOCPMR Journal Club each month. Additionally, student have the opportunity, through their chapters, to participate in clinical workshops, attend PM&R lectures, events, and regional activities, as well as get involved at the national student council level. The advantages of being an AOCPMR student member are many, and I hope that you truly considering investing in your own future and join today. The price is minimal- about two grande lattes a year- but the benefit is significant. And with the cost of membership going directly back to you, your chapter, and 100% student programming- it’s about one thing…value. AOCPMR values you and your membership. Thank you again for your interest in AOCPMR. Please do not hesitate to contact me or anyone on the student council- we hope to hear from you and/or your chapter, and we hope to see you soon in Philadelphia. Best of luck to you in all your endeavors, in medical school and beyond!

Kind regards,

Nick Beatty, OMS-IV
President, AOCPMR Student Council Executive Committee