As a college, we have been fortunate to have our incredible students elected into national leadership positions within the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA), Student American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics (AOAO), Student National Medical Association (SNMA), and the Student American Academy of Osteopathy (SAAO) to name a few. Currently, in her third year of medical school, former Student Government Association President, Caroline Rizea, COM ’25, is chair of the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents (COSGP) which represents all osteopathic medical students before the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), and other related organizations.
As alumni, rock stars like Maria Jones, DO ’21, who was National 1st Vice Chair of the COSGP, continues to be engaged nationally as the Policy Committee Chair on the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine’s (AACOM) Resident and Fellows Council. UNE Board of Trustee member, Regen Gallagher ’95, D.O. ’99, MBA, became the first woman at the University elected as chair. Regionally, the Maine Osteopathic Association (MOA) currently has two UNE COM graduates as president (Jodie Hermann, DO ’06) and president-elect (Kathryn Brandt, DO ‘97).
To celebrate an incredible year for UNE COM, with more extraordinary stories to come, this edition of The COMmunicator is dedicated to the inspiring stories of women in medicine who, as student and alumni leaders, continue to advocate passionately for the osteopathic profession. Their stories underscore the valuable perspectives that women bring to the forefront of healthcare. As we explore the journeys of these exceptional individuals, we aim to shed light on the impact they have made and continue to make within the ever-changing healthcare landscape.
Sincerely,
Your Editors,
Marly Solebello, M.Ed. & Alessandra Haley, B.A.