2006 CHAPTER REPORT

 

Sigma Sigma Phi

Theta Chapter

 

Oklahoma State University

College of Osteopathic Medicine

 

AOA Convention

Fall 2006 – Las Vegas, Nevada

 

Submitted by Shannon Ward

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006-2007 Officers:

 

President: Shannon Ward

 

Vice President: Miranda Trebilcock

 

Treasurer: Jonathan Dunker

 

Secretary: Monica McLaren

 

 

Introduction:

 

This past year has been another successful year for the Theta Chapter of Sigma Sigma Phi at Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine.  We have continued to grow in regards to our community projects and involvement, as well as our membership.  We initiated 17 new members from the Class of 2009 into our chapter this past year.  We are proud to see they are just as dedicated as our past members in keeping the spirit of Sigma Sigma Phi and Osteopathic Medicine strong and thriving.  We would also like to recognize the graduation of 15 members from the class of 2006 who have helped to strengthen our chapter.

 

Member Selection:

 

Our membership eligibility is based purely on academic standing although acceptance and continued membership is based solely on community service.  We send out applications at the beginning of the spring semester to eligible first year students based on their academic performance during their first semester.  Applications are sent out during the fall semester for 2nd year students who were eligible either semester of their 1st year.  Once applications are turned in, it is up to the officers to select anonymously those who stand out in areas of community service.  We require that our members participate in 6-8 hours of community service per semester of membership.  These can include school sponsored activities and other campus club activities, as well as those sponsored by Sigma Sigma Phi.  We also encourage participation in community service apart from official school activities and thus we are always striving to extend the potential for our influence.

 

Monthly Meetings:

 

Officer meetings are held on an as needed basis in order to keep up to date with paperwork for nationals and our monthly financial statements, as well as for membership selection.  The meetings are kept casual and informal, and most often are held during a lunch hour.  We also use this time to brainstorm and discuss ideas for future activities.

 

 

Service Projects / Activites:

 

Initiation Dinner – This past year we held the spring initiation dinner at P.F. Changs, and old and new members were invited to attend.  New members were presented with lapel pins engraved with the Sigma Sigma Phi letters.  The new officers were also selected and visited with the past year’s officers.  We anticipate adding new members of the class of 2009 in the coming weeks and will be holding an initiation dinner to welcome them.  Shannon Ward will give a brief speech about the goals of the upcoming year and will encourage everyone to continue their academic achievement and community service involvement.

 

Health Fair Booths:

 

Members of the Theta chapter of Sigma Sigma Phi have committed to being present at several of the health fairs sponsored by the school.  This spirit of commitment from our members and others in the student body has made these health fairs a great success.  Last spring, SNMA and the current 2nd year class sponsored a health fair at Eugene Field Elementary School in Tulsa.  Eugene Field is the worst performing public elementary school in Tulsa and about 99% of the students at the school qualify for the free lunch program.  OSU-COM has committed to assisting the children and families of the low income, underserved school in multiple ways including mentoring and providing access to health care at a yearly health fair.  Last spring our members were present and helped at numerous booths to pass out health information and give mini-physicals to all participants.  It was a privilege to serve the needs of the community and use the skills we have learned from our studies.  Last year our members were also involved in providing physicals at the SOMA health fair in the small town of Mounds, Oklahoma.  Already this semester we have had the opportunity to participate in the SOMA health fair in the rural town of Drumright, Oklahoma. Our chapter is specifically in charge of informing the public about the hazards of cigarette smoking and providing them resources for smoking cessation. Other services included blood pressure and glucose screenings, vision screens, osteopathic manipulative treatment, and numerous booths with general health information.  Once again, we were able to reach groups of people who were in need of medical professionals and promote awareness of the uniqueness of osteopathic medicine.

 

Osteopathic Run:

 

Last spring, OSU-COM sponsored the 27th Annual Osteopathic Run, an 8 km race and 2 km fun run.  Several Sigma Sigma Phi members participated in the run.  In addition, we had volunteers passing out water at water stations. We plan to continue this tradition and are currently working with SOMA in order for us to participate in the 28th annual run.

 

 

 

 

Christmas Toy Drive:

 

Last Christmas, we sponsored a toy drive collecting new and used toys from students, faculty and staff.  These toys were donated to the Toys for Tots campaign held by the U.S. Marines and to children in Tulsa Regional Medical Center’s children’s unit.  This project has been a long tradition here at OSU-COM and it is something that students and faculty alike look forward to every year.  It is always a huge success and this year we hope to surpass the amount of toys that we raised last year.

 

Other Service Projects:

 

Members of the Theta chapter are also very involved in other service programs including mentoring students at Eugene Field Elementary School and participating in the Spook-O-Ween carnival for children of student, faculty.  Members are also getting more involved with other students on campus. This year our campus lost all paid student tutors, except for OMM. Our members have stepped up and have donated many hours to help the OMS-I. They set up mock anatomy and histology practice exams as well as provide one on one tutoring. The first year students are also given the opportunity to participate in a stress management program, where many of our members serve as the leaders.

 

Upcoming Events:

 

  • We will have our fall and spring initiation dinners for new members.  New members will be informed of all the projects we are dong for the year and encouraged to participate.  Also, I would like to encourage the members to seek out other volunteer opportunities in the community and keep the other members informed of upcoming events.
  • We will encourage all students at OSU-COM to become involved in the Eugene Field Buddy Program. This program has become largely sponsored by the Pediatric Club on Campus, and they have invited each of our members to become more involved.
  • 2006 Christmas Toy Drive.  Some of the toys will be donated to the Toys for Tots campaign and some of the toys will be used for a Christmas part for either the children at Eugene Field or Tulsa Regional Medical Center.
  • We will have a booth for the runners at the Osteopathic Run/Health Care Classic where we will offer water stations and provide osteopathic manipulative treatment.
  • We will participate in the SNMA health fair in the spring
  • We hope to initiate a new clothing drive at the school. These clothes will be donated to one of the many homeless shelters in the Tulsa area.

 

 

 

Current Membership:

Class of 2009, Second year students                        17

Class of 2008, Third year students                           16

Class of 2007, Fourth year students             19       

Total                                                                           52

 

Travis Brown

Amanda Cain

Dustin Cupp

Karen Gaber

Michael Gearhart

Joseph Hackler

Michael Justice

Brandy Keener

Brian Kelley

Sarat Kunapuli

Jean-Maria Langley

Brad Liston

Toby Moore

Timothy Nokes

Susan O’Rourke

Holly Dean Patton

Michael Schiesel

Andrew Sperling

Jeffrey Williams

 
 
Class of 2009                  Class of 2008                            Class of 2007   

Nick Carroll                                  

Justin Chronister

Chelsey Coburn

Benjamin Cornwell

Brent Dressler

Steven Dyer

Kelli Herlihy

Kari Hopfer

Erin Kratz

Peter Mostert

Elaine M. Ramos

Moira Redcorn

Ryan Seals

Robert (Ryan) Shaffer

Savannah Stumph

Trevor Vaughn

 
 
Janna Burkus

Sara Burnett

Bradley Doles

Jonathan Dunker

Kyle Flowers

Brenda Jeffrey

Cara Johnston

Nicole Mayes

Monica McLaren

Michael McLaughlin

Guy Peterson

Chris Robertson

Casey Snodgrass

Steffany Steinmetz

Miranda Trebilcock

Shannon Ward

Brooke White