Alberto Velasco, a fourth-year osteopathic medical student at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, was appointed to the American Osteopathic Association’s (AOA) Bureau of Emerging Leaders (BEL). The appointment was confirmed by the AOA President in a letter addressed to Velasco, expressing gratitude for his willingness to serve in this significant leadership role.
The Bureau of Emerging Leaders is a critical component of the AOA, responsible for supporting the goals and priorities of the organization to advance the osteopathic profession. Velasco’s appointment to this bureau highlights his dedication to the osteopathic community and his commitment to the core values of the profession
Reflecting on his new role, Velasco stated, “I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity to continue serving the osteopathic profession—a field that has given so much to me and my family. My mother always emphasized the importance of making a difference in the lives of those we care about, and for me, that includes the osteopathic community and everyone at Burrell. I feel a deep responsibility to nurture this community, drawing on all my experiences from the military and my professional life. I plan to use this expertise to build a strong future for my family, friends, and community, while emphasizing the vital role of osteopathic physicians, particularly in psychiatry.”
During his one-year term, Velasco will collaborate with other emerging leaders in the osteopathic field, contributing to initiatives that strengthen and promote the profession. He will serve as the representative and advocate for all osteopathic medical students at the AOA. As an Emerging Leader, he will be responsible for addressing important issues that affect students, developing opportunities that enhance the osteopathic community nationally, and creating resources that support the AOA. He will work closely with and report to the AOA BOT
Velasco’s involvement in the BEL is expected to be a productive and impactful experience, furthering his contributions to the field of osteopathic medicine.
