Candidates for Region IV Representative

              
Stella Anagnos, OMS II, University of North Texas Health Science Center/ Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine              

My name is Stella Anagnos and I am a second year medical student at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth. My admiration of primary care and interests in a variety of areas within medicine has helped me choose internal medicine as my specialty of interest early in my medical career. I desire to make meaningful connections with my future patients and coordinate their hospital care in the most efficient and efficacious way possible. As president of my medical school class and former treasurer of my Medical Student Government Association, I have learned how to be a charismatic and service oriented leader. I am always trying to help students access the resources and guidance they need to someday achieve their dream specialties. Furthermore, for those who are not sure what they are interested in, I constantly advocate for internal medicine and the variety of opportunities it encompasses. I explain the rewarding relationship one gets to make with a patient as they handle their case, serving as the mediator who directs them to any specialty services that may be required. As an active SOIMA member within my school’s chapter, I believe I will bring a lot of passion and dedication to this role as region IV representative. I am highly organized, and when I make a commitment to something I always remain accountable, not just meeting the expectations of the role but exceeding them. I look forward to getting more involved in this organization so that I can build relationships with students from other medical schools. Together, we can advocate for osteopaths in the field of internal medicine and bring our specific skill sets and holistic approach to a specialty that astronomically benefits from these practices. Please consider me for this position and feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Saiyara Baset, OMS II, Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine - Kansas City

Hello! My name is Saiyara Baset, and I am a second-year osteopathic medical student at Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine. I am excited to run for the position of Region IV Representative for the American College of Osteopathic Internists (ACOI) Student Division.

This past year, I had the privilege of serving as Secretary of the Internal Medicine Club at my school. Through this role, I deepened my appreciation for internal medicine by engaging with practicing physicians and connecting with peers who share the same passions. My interest in internal medicine first began when I shadowed a hospitalist and saw firsthand the critical thinking, patient connection, and comprehensive care that impacts patients so greatly. Since then, I have envisioned myself thriving in this field—working alongside patients and colleagues to make a meaningful impact.

I am a highly organized and motivated individual who values the depth and diversity that internal medicine offers. I love how it integrates all systems of the body, challenges us to think holistically, and allows for lifelong learning.

As a student at one of the largest DO schools in the country, I believe I can bring a strong voice and unique perspective to the ACOI. Strengthening the connection between KCU and the national organization will not only benefit our student body but also enrich the broader ACOI community. I am eager to contribute, represent, and grow with this incredible network.

Thank you for considering my candidacy!

Raechel Davis, OMS II, Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine              

I would be honored to represent Region IV’s Internal Medicine Interest Groups as a liaison to ACOI. My passion for Internal Medicine has driven me to serve as the President of ARCOM’s IMIG, and I would love the opportunity to continue in a leadership role at the national level. I am eager to foster collaboration among IMIGs, advocate for student interests, and strengthen engagement with ACOI.

Akshat Dayal, OMS II, University of North Texas Health Science Center/ Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine

The definition of leadership has been ever-changing for me. With each new experience, I uncover a new aspect to the meaning of being a leader - and I hope to represent this understanding as the ACOI Region IV SOIMA representative.
At first, I saw it as a necessary responsibility that one person is bound to take up - it was just how the world worked. A friend encouraged me to run with him for the presidency of our high school’s sports club. We eventually got the position, and I found myself creating tournaments and realizing the fruition of our work with each ball I kicked. I uncovered the feeling of accomplishment and pride that leadership provides us with. 

As I transitioned to college, I found myself wanting to recreate the feeling that my first leadership position gave me. For all four years preceding my initiation of medical school, I was the president and founder of my organization: Business and Philosophy in Medicine (BPM). I led a team of 6 peers on my executive board to create multiple charitable and informative events. The charitable events each raised over $3000 - a couple of these were during the adversities of the pandemic. This period helped me grow as a leader as I urged my team to use the vital skills of adaptability and cooperation to persevere. I uncovered the importance of eliciting cohesiveness and embracing teamwork to create a well-functioning organization. 

As the temporary Director of Marketing for a start-up education company, I learned valuable lessons in communication and regularly practiced cold-contacting to collaborate with other organizations. One example is when I made a successful contact with a school in South Asia to use our educational platform for activity-based learning, making them one of the largest clients for the start-up’s early days. It was through this that I realized the importance of communication and the vital inter-connectivity that a leadership position demands to elicit positive growth without geographical restrictions. 

I have tried my best to represent these learnings in medical school as well. As the President of our SOIMA chapter, I am delighted to have been part of the team that has created the most opportunities and events out of any other organization at our school. Given how heavily our school matches students into Internal Medicine, I knew my position was of importance for the majority of my peers in learning and understanding our possible future. I am grateful to have these efforts recognized through my nomination and selection as the ACOI student of the month for August of 2024. This is when I truly understood that a leader is not a singular term at all. A leader is a representation of everyone around them, and this representation holds thorough importance. 

I have grown to understand that my voice is a reflection of the many around me. This responsibility is a privilege I hope to carry forward to ensure the best of my peers and the field’s present and future. My name is Akshat Dayal, and I am a student of UNTHSC Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and a grateful member of ACOI. I hope to embody my growth as a leader, and more importantly, a representative of those around me as a candidate for the ACOI Region IV SOIMA representative. 

Edmond Ling, OMS III, Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine - Colorado

My name is Edmond Ling, and I am honored to submit my candidacy for Region IV Representative of SOIMA. This role serves as a vital link between the national organization and local chapters, ensuring that the voices of osteopathic medical students are heard while fostering collaboration and growth within our community.

As a former Treasurer of the Internal Medicine Club at Rocky Vista University, I had the opportunity to manage finances, organize fundraisers, and coordinate events that provided me valuable learning experiences. A particularly meaningful initiative I organized was an outreach event for high school students in underserved communities, introducing them to osteopathic medicine and inspiring the next generation of physicians. This experience reinforced my commitment to leadership, service, and advocacy—qualities I will bring to this role.

The mission of SOIMA and ACOI resonates deeply with me. As osteopathic medical students, we are called to uphold the highest standards of education, ethics, and professionalism while staying true to the holistic principles that define our field. If elected as Region IV Representative, I will work to strengthen communication between local chapters and national leadership, ensuring that our members have access to the resources, mentorship, and educational opportunities needed to thrive.

I am passionate about amplifying the voices of our members, advocating for the well-being of future osteopathic internists, and ensuring that SOIMA continues to be a supportive and dynamic organization. I look forward to the opportunity to serve, connect, and represent Region IV with dedication and integrity. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Heavin Oh, OMS II, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State

Throughout my life, I had the valuable opportunity to live in many different countries such as Venezuela, Mexico, South Korea, Spain, and now the United States. Some of the challenges I encountered were related to language barriers, cultural nuances, and societal stigmas. These obstacles in effective communication made me realize that despite good intentions, messages can be misinterpreted or underreported. By recognizing the importance of clear communication early on, I focused on developing skills in active listening and empathy as key components of my personal growth.  

Throughout my journey, these skills were essential in creating meaningful change—whether by mentoring others, advocating for those without a voice, or bringing people together to work toward a common goal. To me, leadership serves as a guidance to foster people’s growth and ideas around me. 

As a medical student, I had the opportunity to further develop my leadership skills through the role of National Outreach for Diversity Director. In this position, I was able to coordinate with fellow osteopathic students and local school districts to arrange STEM programs for children in the community. This experience taught me the value of professionalism, prompt communication, and the ability to adapt to my audience’s needs. I implemented these skills to guide my work as a Delta Population Health Institute Ambassador, where I worked to promote health awareness among Arkansas communities. These experiences showed me how effective communication and leadership skills can have a lasting impact on individuals and the wider society. 

The next step in my journey is to expand my influence and advocate for the needs of osteopathic students on a national stage. This opening to act as SOIMA Regional Representative aligns with my passion for service, advocacy, and leadership. As a liaison between the national organization and local chapters, I am eager to amplify the voices of my region while helping shape SOIMA’s direction through close collaboration with national leadership. I am confident that my experience navigating relationships across institutional and community levels will allow me to effectively fulfill this responsibility.

Ultimately, I hope to contribute meaningfully to the future of osteopathic internal medicine by promoting communication, strengthening chapter engagement, and ensuring every member has a seat at the table. I am excited about the opportunity to serve, to grow alongside dedicated peers, and to play a role in the continued success of SOIMA.

Makayla Parsons, OMS II, Kansas Health Sciences University/ Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine              

My name is Makayla Parsons and I am currently an OMS-II at Kansas College Of Osteopathic Medicine in Wichita, KS. My passion for medicine started at a young age, as my older sister was born with an extremely rare and complex medical disorder and developmental disability. I grew up attending countless doctor appointments with my family and became interested in the medical field and wanted to be like the physicians who provided such high quality and compassionate care for my sister. This passion that began when I was child followed me throughout my years of school and drove me to join the pre-medicine track in college. During my time in undergrad, I worked patient care jobs in multiple internal medicine subspecialties, including neurology, psychiatry, and pediatric emergency medicine. My exposure to hospital and outpatient medicine in college increased my passion for internal medicine and caring for patients with a variety of ailments. Since starting medical school, I have continued to grow my knowledge and curiosity for hospital medicine and begun to see myself pursuing a career in internal medicine and specifically the subspecialty of neurology. I have had the opportunity to serve as secretary of my school’s chapter of ACOI where I organized a guest lecturer with the Visiting Professor Program and sparked the interest of my classmates for internal medicine. As representative of Region IV, I would continue my efforts to advocate for internal medicine as a speciality and work closely with student ACOI chapters to ensure clear communication from the national organization. I would love to work with members of school chapters who are also passionate about internal medicine and assist them with anything they may need to make their clubs successful. Being a national ACOI representative would be an honor and I would remain dedicated to the goals of the organization and help others stay true to why they pursued medicine.

Emalie Petersen, OMS II, A. T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine

As the Region IV representative for SOIMA, I would bring strong leadership qualities to the organization and work diligently to be a strong advocate for our region.  As a second-year medical student, I have held myself to high standards academically and professionally.  I have been in the top quartile of my class and serve as a mentor to a first year student in addition to student positions including Vice President of Cardiology and Vascular Surgery Club.  As a non-traditional student, I am experienced and knowledgeable in the healthcare field in multiple aspects.  I started as a Certified Nursing Assistant at the age of 16, got my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and then my Doctorate in Nursing Practice degree.  For the past 8 years prior to medical school, I have worked in an acute care setting with a hospitalist program, focused on assessing, treating, and collaborating with others to treat acutely ill patients.  Working among the hospitalists, our role was largely focused on collaborating with other healthcare team members, specialties, therapies, care management, and nurses.  Utilizing this team approach allows the highest level of care to those in need and through this I developed excellent communication skills through other professionals, colleagues, patients, and families.  I have a passion for leadership, as well as research and teaching others.  I was the advanced practice provider representative for a Critical Care Council where we focused on Evidence-Based Practice and ensured we kept our policies and procedures up to date.  I often volunteer to serve as a preceptor to nurse practitioner students and have been chosen to speak at two conferences.  For nearly 20 years I have worked in healthcare in Nebraska in some capacity, with the last two years also being in school full time in Missouri.  The Midwest culture, needs, and values are something that I feel confident in being prepared to represent.  Since beginning medical school, I have been interested in Internal Medicine and have been a member of ACOI and our local Internal Medicine Club.  A primary goal of mine as Region IV representative would be to not only bridge communication between local midwest chapters and SOIMA but work to advocate for student membership of ACOI and highlighting the useful resources that are offered to students.  I would be honored to represent SOIMA as the Region IV representative and would be happy to discuss my background and qualifications further if needed.

London Scotto-Damiano, OMS II, Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine - Colorado             

As a second-year osteopathic medical student at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine and Co-President of our Internal Medicine Club, I am honored to run for Region IV Representative of NSOIMA. I am deeply committed to advancing the mission of osteopathic internal medicine through collaboration, education, and advocacy.

My journey in medicine is rooted in service and connection—whether that’s through mentoring peers as a tutor in OPP and Anatomy, volunteering as a Big Sister with Big Brother Big Sister of Colorado, or working with individuals with disabilities to foster inclusive care. As an OMM Fellow and participant in the Honors Global Medicine Track, I strive to bridge the art of hands-on healing with evidence-based internal medicine—pursuing a future in cardiology that embraces both technical excellence and human connection.

Being the first in my family to pursue a career in healthcare, I value the power of representation and mentorship. If elected, I will bring that same drive to amplify student voices, support initiatives that enhance educational and clinical opportunities, and strengthen connections across Region IV and beyond.

I would be honored to serve and collaborate with passionate peers who are equally committed to shaping the future of osteopathic internal medicine.

Sincerely,
London Scotto-Damiano, OMS-II
Rocky Vista University COM-CO

Prarthna Shah, OMS III, Kansas Health Sciences University/ Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine

My name is Prarthna Shah, and I am excited to run for Region IV Representative. As a medical student at Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, I’ve come to deeply appreciate the values of community, collaboration, and compassion that define internal medicine.

Throughout my medical education, I have been dedicated to fostering connections among peers and advocating for initiatives that empower students. Whether through mentoring, organizing educational opportunities, or simply being a sounding board for ideas, I strive to create environments where everyone feels supported and inspired to grow.

As your Region IV Representative, my goal is to ensure that every student in our region has access to the resources, opportunities, and support needed to thrive. I want to amplify your voices, celebrate your successes, and address the challenges we face as future osteopathic physicians. Together, we can build a stronger, more connected community within NSOIMA.

Thank you for your consideration and support. I’m excited to represent you and work alongside all of you to make Region IV a leader in internal medicine!

Aarsh Sheth, OMS III, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State             

Hello! My name is Aarsh Sheth. I'm an upperclassman at NYIT-Arkansas applying for Internal Medicine this upcoming fall. NSOIMA is an excellent organization that serves medical students throughout the country in their pursuit of Internal Medicine and overall excellence in the clinical field. I'm applying for the position of Region IV Representative in this organization to serve my fellow medical students and act as a liaison between the numerous local chapters and national SOIMA. The amazing opportunity to represent medical students in their official communication with the parent organization of ACOI is an exciting endeavor that I would love to partake in. I believe I am the best fit to become part of the strategic leadership team due to my leadership qualities and the positions I have been part of and held in my medical program. If given the chance to serve as Region IV Representative, I will ensure that I serve the local chapters in this region to the best of my capabilities and voice their requests and appeals on the national stage. One of the core tenets of my ideology is to serve, not only my patients but also my fellow physicians. As we are all physicians-in-training at this stage, we have tremendous power to shape the future of Internal Medicine as we best see fit for us and our patients. If given the chance to serve, I would connect the local chapters in their objectives to the correct resources and assist in making their plans a reality. It would be a great honor to serve as an asset to my fellow students and raise their concerns and issues at a higher level if need be. I  humbly thank you for taking the time to read my candidate statement and I look forward to your support, as you see fit. Thank you! 

Weston Stokey, OMS II, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine - New Mexico

To my fellow colleagues of the ACOI community,

My name is Weston Stokey and I am a rising OMS-III at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine in Las Cruces, NM. I am running for Region IV Representative with the goals of inclusion, progressiveness, and healthcare for all. In this position, to serve as a liaison for other chapters, I am going to conduct routine chapter check-ins and establish a forum (e.g., Discord) for chapter collaboration about expanding club events, integrating new healthcare guidelines, and implementing ACOI initiatives.

During this past year, I was the Vice President of the BCOM SOIMA Chapter. In my role, we planned three health fairs at our local farmer’s market. We provided screenings for blood pressure, height and weight, blood glucose, vision, nutrition counseling, and made referrals for a PCP. All together, we served around 100 members of the community! Additionally, I established a monthly journal, where we are currently exploring various IM specialty topics, diseases, and treatments.

I am passionate about primary care because of how closely it is intertwined with overall health, and as we have seen from the pandemic, how imperative it is that people are informed about their health, informed about community health, and have proper access to care. I believe that IM provides the perfect opportunity to combine my public health background with healthcare, and if elected, I will continue being an advocate and a resource para la gente y para el futuro.