This month, to mark the end of this academic year and the beginning of the next, we’re sharing reflections from a few of our SOIMA officers on what being part of this community means to them. Thanks to these student doctors as well as all of our SOIMA members for everything they do—and best of luck in all that's to come!
Keep reading for welcome letters from Maya Berger, OMS-III; Troy Holsworth, OMS-II; Ananya Devajaran, OMS-III; Mia Hudanich, OMS-II; Laura Carlson, OMS-III; Heavin Oh, OMS-III; and Robert Burns, OMS-II.
Maya Berger, OMS-III, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine; President
Serving as NSOIMA President has been one of the greatest privileges of my medical school journey. While I am proud of the initiatives we launched and the progress we made as an organization, what I will cherish most are the people. Through NSOIMA and ACOI, I have built friendships, found mentors, and worked alongside students who continually inspired me with their passion, kindness, and dedication. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who supported, encouraged, and challenged me throughout this year. Although it is bittersweet to step away from a role that has meant so much to me, I am excited to watch the next generation of leaders continue to grow and strengthen this organization. Thank you for allowing me the honor of serving as your president—it has been an experience I will always treasure, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for NSOIMA.
Troy Holsworth, OMS-II, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine; Secretary (and President-elect for 2026-27)
Serving as SOIMA Secretary this year has been an incredibly rewarding experience and one of the highlights of my medical school journey. Through this role, I had the privilege of working alongside an outstanding group of student leaders from across the country, contributing ideas for student-focused events and initiatives. One of my favorite experiences was serving as a moderator for a panel on insights for successful residency interviews. I found it especially rewarding to help facilitate conversations between students and program directors, creating an opportunity for attendees to gain valuable advice and perspectives on the residency interview process. The experience also challenged me to develop as a communicator and leader, helping me become more confident in guiding discussions and engaging with others in a professional setting. More broadly, serving as a SOIMA officer shaped me in ways I never could have expected, both personally and professionally. I am leaving this position with lifelong friendships, a deeper appreciation for student advocacy and organized medicine, and a greater understanding of how students can make a meaningful impact within our profession. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and proud of everything our team accomplished together this year. I look forward to continuing to serve as SOIMA President over the next academic year.
Best, Troy
Ananya Devajaran, OMS-III, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine; Region I Representative
Serving as the ACOI Region I Representative this year has been one of the highlights of my medical school experience. It has been incredibly meaningful to connect with students across the region, share ideas, celebrate each other's successes, and advocate for the needs and perspectives of our chapters at the national level. One of the most meaningful parts of this experience was seeing how students from different institutions could come together with a shared commitment to supporting one another and strengthening our osteopathic community. I am so grateful for the friendships, mentorship, and memories that came from this experience, and I could not be more proud of everything our student leaders accomplished this year. It has truly been an honor to represent Region I, and I am excited to see all that this organization continues to achieve.
Mia Hudanich, OMS-II, Nova Southeastern University Kiran Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (Clearwater); Region II Representative
As my term as ACOI Region II Representative comes to an end and I reflect on the last year, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have served alongside such dedicated student leaders and physicians. I am especially thankful for the mentorship, collaboration, and lifetime friendships I have gained throughout this experience. Serving in this position has strengthened my commitment to osteopathic medicine and reinforced the importance of leadership, service, and professional advocacy. It has truly been an honor to represent the ACOI as the Region II representative, and I am excited to carry these experiences forward in my future career. Once you are a part of the ACOI family, you always will be, and though my term in NSOIMA is coming to an end, I will always continue to do my best to represent this incredible organization. To the incoming NSOIMA cohort-congratulations on this incredible achievement, and I am so excited to see what you all will do. If you ever need anything, I am always just a phone call/text/email away!
With Love, Mia Hudanich, OMS-II, NSU KPCOM (Clearwater)
Laura Carlson, OMS-III, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine; Region III Representative
As the NSOIMA Region 3 Representative, I worked with other members to brainstorm new ideas and help improve the organization’s activities and outreach. I connected with students and leaders from other schools to share ideas and strengthen collaboration between chapters. I also contributed ideas and content for the regional newsletter, helping keep members informed and engaged with opportunities and events in internal medicine. Overall, it was a rewarding year that allowed me to build connections, support my peers, and contribute to the growth of NSOIMA.
Heavin Oh, OMS-III, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine – Arkansas; Region IV Representative
Serving as the ACOI Region IV Representative this year has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside dedicated students and mentors while promoting educational, research, and professional opportunities within our osteopathic community. I especially appreciated being part of an organization that welcomed new ideas and encouraged members to take an active role in shaping initiatives. Through this experience, I gained a deeper appreciation for teamwork, leadership, and service while building meaningful connections with fellow osteopathic students and physicians. I am thankful for everyone who contributed to such a positive experience and look forward to continuing to support the osteopathic profession throughout my medical training and beyond.
Robert Burns, OMS-III, Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine; Region V Representative
Serving Region V has been a tremendous privilege! This year, NSOIMA focused on fostering collaboration among Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (COMs) and strengthening connections between students across the region. We advanced these goals through a series of virtual subspecialty events and by launching our first Region V–specific program, Your Path to Internal Medicine. These initiatives have been especially valuable for our region, which includes many newer COMs. By creating opportunities for mentorship, networking, and career exploration, we have helped empower students to pursue the rewarding and diverse field of internal medicine. I am excited about the future of ACOI and SOIMA and confident that their continued success will be rooted in supporting students as they discover and pursue their calling in internal medicine.