Monday, March 11, 2019

LUCOM student-doctor appointed as Air Force representative for AMOPS

Mon, 11 Mar 2019Asa Keimig | LUCOM Marketing

Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and SurgeonsLiberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM) student-doctor Whitney Briggs, Class of 2021, was elected the Air Force representative for the Student Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (SAMOPS) at the AMOPS 2019 Annual Conference and Meeting in Orlando, Fl., this past weekend.

“As someone entering into military medicine with the Air Force, the Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons is a great place to receive mentorship on my career ahead, both as a student now and as a junior physician in the future,” said Briggs. “The conference this past weekend allowed me to connect with other students who will participate in the military match, residents doing what I want to be doing, and senior officers who are leading our military’s medical system.”  

Briggs will be responsible for providing service-specific information to the SAMOPS membership body, she will attend all meetings of the SAMOPS Council in addition to providing guidance and oversight of proper military training, customs and courtesies to student-doctors. “My hope is to gain experience on the national board this year so I can continue to serve with AMOPS in years to come,” she added.

Briggs is excited to use her experience as an Air Force Academy graduate to provide Air Force specific guidance for the organization, since many of the students in the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) will be their first experience with the military. “In civilian medicine you have the ability to lead a relatively autonomous career, but in the military, there are added responsibilities of leadership and teamwork,” she added. “There are customs and courtesies, and really just a different way of life to take into consideration. You’re responsible to more than just yourself and your patients. I believe taking this leadership position will help me to develop those skills before entering into my career.”

Osteopathic physicians have been serving in the military with full recognition since the 1960s and for Briggs, she believes that osteopathy has an important role in military medicine. “AMOPS does phenomenal job advocating for the use of osteopathic manipulative treatment in military medicine—even with single accreditation system, because it is vital that we care for our nation’s service members” said Briggs. “It’s incredible how much each person I’ve met through this organization is invested in helping you make sure your career gets off on the right foot. I’m extremely grateful for the mentorship I’ve received thus far and look forward to being part of the board so I can contribute in the future.”

Briggs was also awarded Junior Officer of the Year for the Eastern United States (all Osteopathic schools/college east of the Mississippi) for her work as a chapter president with LUCOM-AMOPS.