Newly Elected AAAOM-SOC for the 2008-2010 Term!

The 3rd Annual AAAOM-SO Student Caucus at the AAAOM Conference on October 18, 2008 brought a lot of exciting energy to the student organization committee, including a dozen newly elected representatives from schools across the country and a new board structure designed to streamline processes.

At our first SOC meeting during the conference, I heard a lot of great comments, from what is a remarkably diverse group of students with extensive professional backgrounds, about healthcare, communications and martial arts, law, small-business management, and public service. Everyone around the table expressed the desire to serve the AOM field by serving fellow students. While we have some collective ideas about how best to do this—including academic scholarships and professional development opportunities—our goal is to continue to develop the value of your membership. Please see the complete list of new student representatives below and let us know your thoughts on what would best serve you as a student and transitioning professional.

Finally we would like to issue forth a special thank you to our outgoing co-presidents Amanda Troelsen and Patty Fullin, who have done such a remarkable job this past year. On behalf of the new SOC, I would also like to express gratitude to all the outgoing officers: Melissa Monroe, Jackie O’Meara, Niall Sheehan, Nancy Robertson, Hilary Patzer, Margo Schaeffer, and Daljit Sachdev. Together they developed the student committee structure and operating processes, and brought student membership to its peak. Thank you for all your many efforts and contributions. You have given our new organization a strong foundation.

Sincerely,

Jolene L. Habeck, BS
AAAOM-SO National President
Minnesota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

The New Student Organization Council:

Jolene L. Habeck, President
MCAOM
jhabeck@nwhealth.edu

Jim Pastore, Vice President
Tai Sophia Institute
pastore@ix.netcom.com

Marlene Baczek, Secretary
Midwest College, Racine
marlene@lafandluv.com

Earnest Mounce, Treasurer
National University of Health Sciences
earniemo@gmail.com

Amanda Troelsen, President Emeritus
MCAOM Alum
atroelsen@comcast.net

Patty Fullin, President Emeritus
Midwest College, Racine
pfullin@aol.com

Austin Homrighaus, Vice President of Membership
Tai Sophia Institute
beaneedle@gmail.com

Elisa Behnk, Vice President of Communications
Tai Sophia Institute
behnk@mac.com

Kimberly Benjamin, Vice President of Events
Five Branches Alum
soundacupuncture@gmail.com

Nosh Marzbani, Southwest Regional Director
Samura
serenehealer@gmail.com

Irwin Tjiong, Northwest Regional Director
ACTCM
hitjiong@gmail.com

Ryan Secor, Central Regional Director
National University of Health Sciences
jetleg26@hotmail.com

Anna Suter, Mountain Regional Director
ITEA
goatsngarlic@hotmail.com

Cathlene Scoblionko, Southeast Regional Director
Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine
cscoblionko82@gmail.com

Candice Holt, Northeast Regional Director
Tai Sophia
candiceholt73@yahoo.com