Student Organizations
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine Students Have the Opportunity to Charter and join established student organizations. Many of these clubs are osteopathic in nature and focus on specific medical specialties, while other clubs focus on broader topics. These clubs are very active, and offer speakers, service projects, and outreach, while helping students to lean important lessons in a non-academic setting. See Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine’s list of student organizations below:
Starting a Club or Organization at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
ACOEP Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine chapter is a group of students interested in the field of Emergency Medicine with views in line with the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians. The American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians (ACOEP) promotes patient-centric, holistic emergency care consistent with the osteopathic philosophy, practiced by all emergency medicine professionals.
Advisor: Dr. Oliver Hayes | ohayes@burrell.edu
President: Emily Crone | emily.crone@burrell.edu
- Familiarize and education osteopathic medical students about the Mission, Vision and Core Values of the ACOOG.
- Provide and opportunity for fellowship among osteopathic medical students interested in osteopathic obstetrics and gynecology.
- Educate osteopathic medical students of opportunities for post graduate education and research in the field of women’s health.
- Foster communication between the ACOOG and locally sanctioned OB/GYN student interest groups at accredited COMs.
Advisor: Dr. Traci Groening | tgroening@burrell.edu
President: Kelle Diaz | kellee.diaz@burrell.edu
ACOP is an organization for students interested in pediatrics as a potential future specialty. Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine ACOP is focused primarily on working with children in the community to promote health sciences.
Advisor: Dr. Scott Cyrus | scyrus@burrell.edu
President: Kyle Drzka | kyle.drzka@burrell.edu
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine’s American College of Osteopathic Surgeons’ purpose is to represent and educate the future osteopathic surgeon. ACOS-MSS stresses understanding of osteopathic principles in relationship to disease in the practice of surgery and provides a forum for discussion among students and surgeons.
Advisor: Dr. Kamran Kamali | kkamali@burrell.edu
President: Samantha Lester | samantha.lester@burrell.edu
AMSA is a student-governed national organization that encompasses thousands of medical students, pre-medical students, interns, residents and physicians from across the country. AMSA provides education and leadership training, networking, resources, and a platform for students to share their knowledge and experiences in hopes of enhancing the quality of the medical profession. The goal is to help medical students think beyond drugs and diagnoses, in order to promote physicians that can make a difference. AMSA offers mentorships, leadership programs, and scholarships for chapters. For example, AMSA has an annual event for National Primary Care Week to help promote primary care by emphasizing its importance. They also have a Health Equity Week of Action to help bring awareness to health disparities that exist across racial, ethnic, cultural, and social groups. Their events are geared towards the holistic betterment of all medical students.
Advisor: Dr. Muhammad Khan | mkhan@burrell.edu
President: Noel Farmer | noel.farmer@burrell.edu
The American Medical Women’s Association is an organization which functions at the local, national, and international level to advance women in medicine and improve women’s health. We achieve this by providing and developing leadership, advocacy, education, expertise, mentoring, and strategic alliances.
As a local chapter, our goal is to provide support and fellowship for members, as well as give back to our community through service.
Advisor: Dr. Karen Vaillant | kvaillant@burrell.edu
President: Radha Patel | radha.patel@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Daniel Dodson | ddodson@burrell.edu
President: Samea Chaudhry | samea.chaudhry@burrell.edu
The American Society of Clinical Oncology Student Group at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine is committed to spreading awareness, knowledge, and passion for the study and practice of Oncology. The organization accomplishes its mission through research, seminars, and community events.
Advisor: Dr. Sheeba Varughese Tano | vstano@burrell.edu
President: Sejal Sampat | sejal.sampat@burrell.edu
The American Society of Hematology Student Interest Group (ASH SIG) at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine offers a comprehensive platform for students interested in hematology, focusing on research, professional development, and clinical knowledge. Through workshops, journal clubs, and ASH-sponsored mentorship, students engage in hematology research and active initiatives. Professional development emphasizes community-building, patient-centered care, and volunteerism, while hands-on learning experiences enrich clinical knowledge, covering topics such as CBC interpretation and cellular therapies.
Advisor: Dr. Mary Lacaze | mlacaze@burrell.edu
President: Mehrshad Keivan | mehrshad.keivan@burrell.edu
Animal Helpers is an organization that works with local shelters, like Animal Service Center of the Mesilla Valley, to bring awareness and opportunities for students to help the shelters find permanent, loving homes for its current furry residents. We would also like to help the school coordinate Pet Therapy Days, so that students can take a break from their schedules and focus on their mental health.
Advisor: Dr. Mary Lacaze | mlacaze@burrell.edu
President: Sierra Holmes | sierra.holmes@burrell.edu
Arab-American Medical Association at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine works to share Arab culture with the surrounding community and highlight the medical struggles of Arab patients within the United States and globally. We strive to introduce the culture and traditions with the goal of increasing cultural competency and advocacy for this community while providing a space for our Arab students.
Advisor: Dr. Muneer Assi | massi@burrell.edu
Co-President: Ojeni Touma | ojeni.touma@burrell.edu
Co-President: Rewa Almughawish | rewa.almughawish@burrell.edu
This organization unites Asian American medical students and people interested in helping the APIA community face in healthcare. Additionally, this club provides a space where minority students can share their experience or struggles they may have face/d to become a medical student and as a medical student. This organization is a way for students of similar backgrounds to connect and uplift each other.
Advisor: Dr. Victoria Chang | vchang@burrell.edu
President: Andy Hoang | andy.hoang@burrell.edu
To provide students of Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine with insight into anesthesia and perioperative medicine as career options through educational lectures, guest speakers, and clinical skills workshops
Advisor: Dr. Harald Stauss | hstauss@burrell.edu
President: Alexander Morris | alexander.morris@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Wendy Innis | winnis@burrell.edu
President: Emma Kiaie | emma.kiaie@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Kristin Gosselink | kgosselink@burrell.edu
President: Mazella Sloan | mazella.sloan@burrell.edu
Advisor: Austin Gentry | agentry@burrell.edu
President: Brandon Snyder | brandon.snyder@burrell.edu
Advisor: Art Guzman | aguzman@burrell.edu
President: Daniel Fernandez | daniel.fernandez@burrell.edu
The mission of Burrell’s Christian Medical Association is to tend to students’ spiritual well-being, serve the Las Cruces area, and assist local churches through community outreach events.
Advisor: Dr. Pedro Del Corral | pdelcorral@burrell.edu
President: Carolyn Robert | carolyn.robert@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Kathleen Rooney-Otero
President: Jaine Onwezi-Nwugwo | jaine.onwezi-nwugw@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Robert Goldsteen | rgoldsteen@burrell.edu
President: Jordyn Richardson | jordyn.richardson@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Harald Stauss | hstauss@burrell.edu
President: Larissa Blazek | larissa.blazek@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Michael Frederich | mfrederich@burrell.edu
President: Kelle Diaz | kellee.diaz@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Bonny Ford | bonny.ford@burrell.edu
President: Simran Bhakta | simran.bhakta@burrell.edu
The mission of the American Academy of Family Physicians is to engage, foster, and support Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine’s medical students and their interest in family medicine. The group will facilitate this mission in a variety of ways such as, community engagement, mentorship, and focused clinical experiences.
Advisor: Dr. Karen Vaillant | kvaillant@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Daniel Dodson | ddodson@burrell.edu
President: Ali Tajkarimi | ali.tajkarimi@burrell.edu
Gifted Hands is a club dedicated to serving the families and individuals with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities in Las Cruces and the surrounding area. We aim to interact with and learn more about the special needs community while educating future physicians on how to care for and treat individuals with special needs.
Advisor: Dr. Scott Cyrus | scyrus@burrell.edu
Co-President: Dalia Gazallo | dalia.gazallo@burrell.edu
Co-President: Janae Petipas | janae.petipas@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Layla Townsend | ltownsend@burrell.edu
President: Alexis Thompson | alexis.thompson@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Muneer Assi | massi@burrell.edu
President: Brandon Cunningham | brandon.cunningham@burrell.edu
Health and Wellness Club exists to monitor and improve the physical and mental wellness of the student body at BCOM, providing the resources, activities, and experiences to promote students’ health.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1188104274610063
President: Emily Stern | emily.stern@burrell.edu
Our interest group is dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of the concepts behind microbiology and providing opportunities for students to engage in relevant discussions, community service events, and learning activities.
The IDGH interest group aims to help Burrell students solidify their knowledge and understanding of microbiology and global health efforts.
Advisor: Dr. Michael Woods | mwoods@burrell.edu
President: Adriana Gonzalez | adriana.gonzalez@burrell.edu
To unite and empower medical students through service, mentorship and education to advocate for the health of the Latino community.
Advisor: Dr. Benjamin Gonzalez | benjamin.gonzalez@bcomnm.org
President: Carolina Prado | carolina.prado@burrell.edu
Advisor: Miley Grandjean | mgrandjean@burrell.edu
President: Angelina Van Sprang | angelina.vansprang@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Daniel Dodson | ddodson@burrell.edu
President: Jumana Roufail | jumana.roufail@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Bonny Ford | bonny.ford@burrell.edu
President: Emmalee Pockat | emmalee.pockat@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Michael Woods | mwoods@burrell.edu
President: Sara Becker | sara.becker@burrell.edu
The purpose of this organization is to increase education, awareness, and open discussion regarding issues of reproductive health and to support those within the medical community who are working to ensure freedom of choice. While MSFC supports education in contraceptive methods and family planning, in contrast to similar organizations, this organization seeks to focus on the utilization and provision of abortion services. MSFC recognizes that abortion services are an important facet of medical care, and we encourage awareness of resources available in local communities to allow each medical provider to provide the best care possible to individual patients.
Advisor: Dr. Bonny M. Ford | bford@burrell.edu
President: Emma Kiaie | emma.kiaie@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Joseph Benoit | jbenoit@burrell.edu
President: Mazella Sloan | mazella.sloan@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Kristin Gosselink | kgosselink@burrell.edu
Co-President: Noel Farmer | noel.farmer@burrell.edu
Co-President: Dorsa Kashanian Jones | dorsa.kashanianjon@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Baraki | Austin.Baraki@burrell.edu
President: Marco Cardone | marcoantonio.cardo@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Joseph Benoit | jbenoit@burrell.edu
Co-President: Jeffrey Briggs | jeffrey.briggs@burrell.edu
Co-President: Komal Khokhar | komal.khokhar@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Bonny Ford | bonny.ford@burrell.edu
Co-founder: Sheena Bettis | sheena.bettis@burrell.edu
Co-founder: Brianna Perkins | brianna.perkins@burrell.edu
Our mission is to expand the interest of pathology and its subspecialties to the BCOM student body. We hope to engage our fellow colleagues through community outreach, possible shadowing experiences, and learning opportunities.
Advisor: Dr. Angelica Oviedo | aoviedo@burrell.edu
President: LaShay Taylor | lashay.taylor@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Preetpal Grewal | pgrewal@burrell.edu
President: Nima Saghafi | nima.saghafi@burrell.edu
The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Club (PM&R) at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine is charged with educating future physicians on pathways to restore and improve functional ability and quality of life for patients with disabilities or physical impairments. In efforts to holistically develop our members, we take part in community service, clinical opportunities, and mentorship.
Advisor: Miley Grandjean | mgrandjean@burrell.edu
President: Isac Lee | isac.lee@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Kamran Kamali | kkamali@burrell.edu
Co-President: Simran Bhakta | simran.bhakta@burrell.edu
Co-President: Veronica Pozdal | veronica.pozdal@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Nancy Minugh-Purvis | nminugh@burrell.edu
President: Kiran Rao | kiran.rao@burrell.edu
Burrell PsychSIGN is affiliated with the national organization of the Psychiatry Student Interest Group Network or PsychSIGN within the American Psychiatric Association (APA). PsychSIGN is a psychiatry interest group which intends to encourage student interest in the field of psychiatry, foster networking between students with an interest in psychiatric medicine and allow a platform with which to exchange information concerning planning a career in the psychiatric field. The club aims to foster connections between students and psychiatry faculty while also working to eradicate the negative stigma associated with mental illness. PsychSIGN seeks to promote the importance of mental health among students and future medical professionals as well as provide students with leadership and community outreach opportunities.
Advisor: Dr. Kristin Gosselink | kgosselink@burrell.edu
President: Janae Petipas | janae.petipas@burrell.edu
Advisor: Jacob Woods | jacobwoods@npw.edu
President: Thien Huynh | thien.huynh@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Spencer Mattingly | smattingly@burrell.edu
Co-President: Charlotte Lenz | charlotte.lenz@burrell.edu
Co-President: Emily Muhlenhaupt | emily.muhlenhaupt@burrell.edu
Sigma Sigma Phi (SSP) is an honorary osteopathic service fraternity that aims to further the science of osteopathic medicine, improve scholastic standing and bring about a closer relationship and between the students and community.
Advisor: Dr. Scott Cyrus | scyrus@bcomn.org
President: Tyler Peters | tyler.peters@burrell.edu
Provide mentorship and tutoring for local elementary students;
Aid in improving the medical student experience by providing community service opportunities;
Provide basic age appropriate health education for the elementary students;
Build relationships between BCOM and the community.
Advisor: Christa Vaudrey | cvaudrey@burrell.edu
Co-President: Ngoac Doan | ngoc-lien.doan@burrell.edu
Co-President: Ginger Johns | ginger.johns@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Mary Lacaze | mlacaze@burrell.edu
President: Jake Harb | jake.harb@burrell.edu
The South Asian Medical Student Association (SAMSA) is a national organization dedicated to unifying medical students and promoting South Asian health initiatives across the United States of America. We aim to provide support and guidance to South Asian medical students and others who wish to support and uplift our community.
Advisor: Dr. Sheeba Varughese Tano | stano@burrell.edu
President: Simran Mahant | simran.mahant@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Bonny Ford | bford@burrell.edu
President: Joseph Brinza | joseph.brinza@burrell.edu
The Student American Academy of Osteopathy (SAAO) has been organized by students of the accredited American osteopathic medical colleges under the auspices and guidance of the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) for the purposes of helping osteopathic medical students:
1. Acquire a better understanding of osteopathic principles, theories and practice to include:
- Helping students attain a maximum proficiency in osteopathic structural diagnosis and treatment.
- Fostering a clear concept of clinical application of osteopathy in health and disease.
2. Improve public awareness of osteopathic medicine so the community may better take advantage of the benefits provided by osteopathic medicine.
http://www.academyofosteopathy.org/students-landing
Advisor: Dr. Adrienne Kania | akania@burrell.edu
President: Anamaria Ancheta | anamaria.ancheta@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Spencer Mattingly | smattingly@burrell.edu
President: Lato Nguyen | lato.nguyen@burrell.edu
SAMOPS Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine chapter is a group for students interested in military medicine that seeks to provide osteopathic education, mentorship, and advocacy to the United States Uniformed Services.
Advisor: Dr. Robert Goldsteen | rgoldsteen@burrell.edu
President: Jessica Fernandez | jessica.fernandez@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Angelica Oviedo | aoviedo@burrell.edu
President: Christopher Feng | christopher.feng@burrell.edu
Student National Medical Association (SNMA) is committed to supporting current and future underrepresented minority medical students, addressing the needs of underserved communities, and increasing the number of clinically excellent, culturally competent and socially conscious physicians.
Advisor: Dr. Steven Ontiveros | sjontiveros@burrell.edu
President: Melody Adindu | melody.adindu@burrell.edu
The Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine Student Osteopathic Internal Medicine Association’s (SOIMA) goals are to promote interest among osteopathic medical students in the practice of Internal Medicine and its subspecialties. We aim to educate and inform on the path towards becoming a Doctor of Internal Medicine and or subspecialties while allowing members to practice and learn applicable skills for future practice.
It is the purpose of the Student Osteopathic Internal Medicine Association (SOIMA) to represent aspiring osteopathic internists. This is accomplished through the following activities: 1) Providing osteopathic medical students with an early exposure to the field of internal medicine; 2) Stressing the understanding of osteopathic principles in relationship to disease in the practice of internal medicine and its subspecialties; 3) Affiliation with the American College of Osteopathic Internists as well as the American College of Physicians to establish and maintain the highest educational, moral and ethical standards in the teaching and practice of internal medicine. 4) Serving as a liaison with the AOA, the ACP, and the ACOI for the provision of information on training and career opportunities in internal medicine to osteopathic students. 5) Keeping members informed of the latest developments in the field of internal medicine.
Advisor: Dr. Muneer Assi | massi@burrell.edu
President: Priya Patel | priya.patel@burrell.edu
SOMA strives to provide its members with an independent, cohesive voice and the power to effect relevant change. BCOM SOMA is particularly concerned with supporting its student’s development as osteopathic physicians, and implementing policy that will improve healthcare in New Mexico.
Advisor: Dr. Scott Cyrus | scyrus@burrell.edu
President: Jeffery Scott Briggs | jeffrey.briggs@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Angelica Oviedo | aoviedo@burrell.edu
Co-President: Ashna Nayyar | ashna.nayyar@burrell.edu
Co-President: Lakshmi Meenakshi Immaneni | lakshmimeenakshi.i@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Harald Stauss | hstauss@burrell.edu
President: Kaili Sudweeks | kaili.sudweeks@burrell.edu
Advisor: Miley Grandjean | mgrandjean@burrell.edu
President: Dhruv Patel | dhruv.patel@burrell.edu
Advisor: Harald Stauss | hstauss@burrell.edu
President: Deepthi Mohanraj | deepthi.mohanraj@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Bonny M. Ford | bford@burrell.edu
President: Dalia Gazallo | dalia.gazallo@burrell.edu
The purpose of this club is to expose the student body to the field of urology and increase its awareness across campus. We provide students with a vast array of opportunities ranging from increasing experience in the field to networking with current urologists across the nation.
Advisor: Robert Goldsteen | rgoldsteen@burrell.edu
President: Nellie Fisher | nellie.fisher@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Michael Woods | mwoods@burrell.edu
Co-President: Claire Ochsner | claire.ochsner@burrell.edu
Co-President: Stephen Small | stephen.small@burrell.edu
Advisor: Dr. Bonny Ford | bonny.ford@burrell.edu
Co-President: LaTricia Velasquez | latricia.velasquez@burrell.edu
Co-President: McKenna Then | mckenna.then@burrell.edu
