ACOM Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) Chapter president Melanie Weyers, OMS-II, participated in Advocacy Day, hosted by the national SOMA organization and the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), on Friday, July 24, 2020.
Weyers and two SOMA members from VCOM-Auburn were able to speak to five Alabama Senators and Representatives to advocate for three important items on the agenda. Those issues included increased funding and access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), accurate data collection to address health disparities highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic and student loan debt relief. The three students had the opportunity to speak with Sen. Richard Shelby, Sen. Doug Jones, Rep. Martha Roby, Rep. Mo Brooks and Rep. Terri Sewell.
“As a student at ACOM, I was excited that when I introduced myself to many of these legislators, they were already very familiar with ACOM,” Weyers said. “I appreciate the relationships and history that ACOM has with Alabama legislators as it has made it easier for SOMA and me to maintain these relationships and establish increased advocacy efforts. I look forward to continuing to build these relationships and continuing our advocacy efforts.”
The SOMA and AOA Advocacy Day took the place of DO Day on the Hill that was previously scheduled for March.