Candidates for Vice President

Song-Ah Baek, OMS-II, California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hello, my name is Song-Ah Baek (she/hers) and I am honored to announce my candidacy for the ACOI Vice President position.

I believe that great healthcare goes beyond simply solving problems—it comes from a physician who ensures no one ever feels like one. My greatest strength lies in implementing teamwork and inclusivity as foundations for my leadership. As the current President of CHSU-COM’s Internal Medicine Interest Group, I worked with my executive board at the start of our term to establish a clear set of goals. I am SO proud to say that we have accomplished all of them (plus more!)
During my time leading IMIG, my board and I worked incredibly hard to turn vision into action.

Some of our accomplishments include:

• Founding CHSU-COM’s National Primary Care Week (NPCW), featuring a six-physician panel, student wellness initiatives, and a social media campaign highlighting the importance of primary care (IG: @chsu_imig)
• Launching free healthcare screenings at the Clovis Senior Center by volunteering with the Sikh Health Network to promote preventive care and expand access for underserved elderly members of our community.
• Establishing recurring TOUCH-eligible volunteer opportunities with Hinds Hospice every Saturday, strengthening our commitment to service in the Central Valley.
• Coordinating weekend mock practicals for OMS-I students to support their preparation for clinical skills examinations.

Each of these initiatives reflects my commitment to leadership that is proactive, collaborative, and rooted in service. As ACOI’s Vice President, I will ensure that the President feels fully supported throughout the term—whether by organizing agendas, offering fresh perspectives, or stepping in wherever needed to strengthen our team’s effectiveness. As a committed ACOI member, I will also continue to promote the impact Internal Medicine can make on bettering the lives of our patients. My passion for student initiatives extends into my desire to practice primary care, a field that challenges me to address diverse health needs and examine not only the well being of an individual, but the broader community as well. I am someone who never shies away from a challenge, and am eager to expand my service to the national level with ACOI. Thank you in advance for considering me for candidacy!

Daniel Chanelo, OMS-II, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine—Moultrie

I am running for National Vice President of the Student Osteopathic Internal Medicine Association (SOIMA) because my greatest motivation in medicine has never been personal achievement. It has always been the chance to open doors for others that might not have been opened otherwise.

My path to medicine did not begin in a lecture hall. It began on construction sites, working alongside my father from a young age to help support my family. Those experiences taught me discipline, resilience, and the importance of showing up. They also shaped how I approach leadership today.

Growing up in a Latino household, I watched my family navigate a healthcare system that often felt confusing and inaccessible. Seeing those barriers firsthand gave me a clear sense of purpose. It is a large part of why internal medicine peaked my interest and why organizations like SOIMA matter to me. They create mentorship, guidance, and opportunity for students who might otherwise feel they are navigating medicine alone.

Through my roles as Class Chair and as the National SOIMA Liaison for my campus, I have had the opportunity to advocate for students while staying closely connected to the work this organization does. These experiences have reinforced an important lesson. Leadership is not about titles or visibility. It is about reliability, accountability, and making sure the people you represent feel supported.

One of the things I admire most about the American College of Osteopathic Internists (ACOI) and SOIMA is the intentional effort to reach students across every type of institution, including smaller campuses like mine in rural Georgia. Attending the ACOI Annual Convention and Scientific Sessions with my executive board allowed me to see the kind of culture this organization has built, one where students are genuinely invested in, regardless of where they train. That experience reinforced my desire to help strengthen those opportunities for students nationwide.

As Vice President, I want to do more than support. I want to contribute. My goal is to strengthen communication across every region with a SOIMA presence, ensuring chapters have access to the most current opportunities, resources, and mentorship available. I want to bring the ideas I have gathered from conferences, mentors, and community work into initiatives that benefit our members. I also want to help grow student engagement at national meetings, not just in numbers but in depth. I envision sessions that pair meaningful clinical discussion and case-based learning with hands-on community service, so our members leave not only better informed but having made a tangible impact on the communities that host us.

SOIMA gave my institution a voice within a national community of students committed to internal medicine. As Vice President, I want to ensure every student feels that same sense of belonging and support, and I am ready to contribute the time and effort needed to help make that possible.

Casey Donahoe, OMS-II, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Hi! My name is Casey Donahoe. I am a current OMS-II at West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and I am running for Vice President of ACOI-SOIMA. I am absolutely fascinated by the interconnectedness of internal medicine and have come to realize that internists are mini specialists at just about everything. I would love to know more of the daily ins-and-outs of internal medicine, and as Vice President I would like to propose the creation of a “tips and tricks” document/forum in which ACOI physicians can share what they wish medical students knew about internal medicine. These insights will be extremely valuable for rotations, and also when considering internal medicine for residency. This document would be available to all SOIMA members and would be updated as physicians report more tips, whether they are about clinical information, interpersonal communication, special tricks for evaluating patients, or anything deemed valuable for medical students to know.

Another improvement I would like to make as Vice President is building upon the information given during the Student Lecture Series on preparing for residency interviews. As osteopathic physicians, we will have a unique yet comprehensive education and skill set that makes us assets in a team. These improvements would focus on elucidating how to highlight our strengths as doctors of osteopathic medicine in residency interviews. Together we can set the precedent that osteopathic medical students are competent, valuable candidates that can shine in even the most competitive of programs.

Vice Presidents often function as the “right hand man (or woman)” of the President and I am more than prepared to do so. As the President of WVSOM’s SOIMA chapter I have organized blood drives with the American Red Cross, ran simulation labs teaching central line placement and FAST exams, coordinated fundraising events at local businesses, and connected with many lovely community members while volunteering. As the co-founder of Partner with an O’ Student, a community-based public health initiative where community members share their experiences in healthcare with medical students, I have seen the difference a good team can make in someone’s life. I believe I can bring many skills to the SOIMA executive board and will help create an efficient and cohesive team of officers whose mission is to serve you! I am extremely motivated to dedicate my time and energy into creating an inclusive and inventive team in which I serve as your Vice President and I very much appreciate your consideration.

Ian Perdue, OMS-II, Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine

Osteopathic internal medicine represents more than a specialty to me; it reflects a commitment to curiosity, compassion, and caring for the whole patient. Internists are often entrusted with managing medical complexity, guiding patients through uncertainty, and coordinating care across disciplines. Because of this responsibility, I believe osteopathic internists must also be prepared to lead within healthcare systems, our communities, and our profession.

This belief is what motivates me to seek the opportunity to serve as Vice President of the Student Osteopathic Internal Medicine Association (SOIMA). My vision is simple: preparing osteopathic internists not just to practice medicine, but to lead it.

Prior to medical school, I worked as a medical scribe and later as a Senior Chief Scribe at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, where I helped oversee operations across multiple departments and supported a team of more than one hundred scribes. That experience showed me how effective leadership, communication, and teamwork can improve both physician workflow and patient care. Since entering medical school, I have continued pursuing opportunities to serve and lead within my academic community, including roles as a student ambassador, Dean’s Cabinet representative, house leader, and executive board roles for student led on campus organizations. Beyond my institution, I also serve as a Community Outreach Coordinator with the Alabama AHEC Scholars Program, where I work with peers across the state to support service initiatives and professional development opportunities.

If elected Vice President, I hope to help strengthen three areas that I believe are essential to SOIMA’s continued growth. First, I would support opportunities that help students develop leadership skills early in their careers by connecting them with physician mentors and exposing them to the systems-based aspects of medicine. Second, I believe SOIMA can further emphasize service and community engagement by encouraging chapters across the country to participate in outreach initiatives that reflect the values of osteopathic medicine. Finally, I hope to continue strengthening student engagement by supporting programming that connects students across institutions and fosters collaboration within the internal medicine community.

Throughout my journey in medicine, I have been fortunate to learn from mentors, colleagues, and patients who have shaped my understanding of what it means to serve as a physician. If given the opportunity to serve as Vice President, I would approach the role with humility, dedication, and a genuine commitment to supporting SOIMA and the students it represents.

Together, we can prepare osteopathic internists not just to practice medicine, but to lead it!