Welcome Students
Don Afful
President, AOCPMR Student Council Executive Committee
The American Osteopathic College of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AOCPMR) Student Council was founded with the vision of creating an advocate for the Osteopathic Medical Students (OMS) in the rapidly evolving field of Physiatry. In recent years, much like the specialty itself, our Student Council has grown, and our resources have expanded, allowing our ideas and experiences to shape the direction of the organization and drive the programming we produce. As a Student Council, we are focused on providing all the resources that an OMS could need to succeed as an aspiring Physiatrist. To produce the best results, we ensure that all feedback is analyzed to provide the best experiences, resources, and information to OMS interested in pursuing and making an impact in the field of PM&R.
The AOCPMR Student Council is comprised of OMS from around the country, organized into various committees, each with a distinct purpose and aimed at accomplishing specific goals to further the development of aspiring Physiatrists. With over 40 separate medical school chapters, the Student Council unites all aspiring Physiatrists under one umbrella to drive the development of new student programming and chapter resources. Members of the Student Council report to the AOCPMR Executive Board, providing student input into new College initiatives and soliciting resources for chapter activities and student members.
We are always looking for motivated and enthusiastic medical students to help strengthen and expand active chapters, as well as for students to assist the 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!
The AOCPMR Student Council provides a plethora of other student-focused resources and tools for medical students. Joining the AOPCMR as a student member will put at your fingertips a vast array of benefits that you can use to get to where you want to be in Physiatry while having fun and making long-lasting relationships along the way.
- 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 both practicing physiatrists and residents, as well as other like-minded students.
- Through this program, you will have access to one-on-one mentorship with physician members of our College, in order to have someone help guide you in the process to matching to your ideal residency and becoming the physiatrist you want to be.
- You will also have exclusive access to a new initiative – Project Ask – that will put you into contact with a resident(s) from one or more of your desired PM&R residency programs, who will be there for you to ask those important questions that you have regarding their program(s).
- Student members can stay gain a sense of mastery and familiarity with the PM&R literature through the AOCPMR Journal Club each month, and the Student Research Initiative and Journal of Osteopathic Physiatry are at your fingertips, in order to pursue your research goals.
- Membership in the AOCPMR allows access to recordings of all live events with the Student Council, enabling you on-demand programming for moments you cannot make live.
- Additionally, students 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.
- We are currently working on various new initiatives that we plan on rolling out for student access next year – we are always looking to create new programs to help students!
The advantages of being an AOCPMR student member are many, and I hope that you truly consider investing in your own future and join today. The price is small, relative to the value that our College provides its members! And with the cost of membership going directly back to you, your chapter, and 100% student programming because, for us, it’s about one thing…value for our members. The AOCPMR values you and your membership. Thank you again for your interest in the AOCPMR.
Please do not hesitate to contact me or anyone on the student council! We hope to hear from you and/or your chapter. Best of luck to you in all your endeavors, in medical school and beyond!
Best,
Don Afful
President, AOCPMR Student Council Executive Committee