Student Advocate Association
The purpose of the Student Advocates Association (SAA) is to support and educate the spouses and partners of students studying osteopathic medicine. The advocates plan various educational and social programs for its members as well as fund-raisers for students and the University. SAA is also active in the schools around the United States. SAA’s often are involved in community planning, and many philanthropy projects supporting local children and non-profit organizations.
Apply for Special Projects Funding
Interested in applying for funding for a special project? Successful AAOA Special Project recipients are eligible for up to $3,000 in funding.
Learn about Special Projects here.
Why start a SAA at your school?
The Student Advocates Association is a non-profit organization comprised of the spouses, significant others, family, and friends of Osteopathic Medical students. As a group, we provide services to the students as they face the challenges of medical school as well as services to the community while promoting the osteopathic profession. We also provide support and friendship to each other and encourage participation in social activities.
Who do I contact?
If you are interested in starting a SAA at your College of Osteopathic Medicine, please email the aaoasaaliaison@gmail.com. The SAA Liaison will provide you some guidance, contacts, forms, and help you with the process of starting a SAA at your school.
So What Next…?
Contact your COM and inquire about making a student group. Read the SAA Guide and AAOA Bylaws SAA Highlights. Contact the aaoasaaliaison@gmail.com. Fill out the New Group Form and membership list and return them to the AAOA.
Each Year’s SAA groups Should do the following:
Send in membership to the AAOA using Dues Form and submit to aaoasaaliaison@gmail.com and advocates@advocates4dos.org. Please print form and send in with dues, $5.00/member for your SAA. When you change your bylaws, your bylaws must be electronically submitted to advocates@advocates4dos.org and aaoasaaliaison@gmail.com. They will go to our bylaw committee for approval.
Benefits for Being Part of the Advocates for the American Osteopathic Association.
Opportunity to attend the annual AAOA House of Delegates meeting and also National SAA Workshop (usually held at OMED).
Newsletters/Networking Nationally with other SAA Members and Medical Spouses/Significant others.
Your SAA chapter falls under the AAOA 501c3 status so will not need to obtain its own non-profit status with the IRS.
Networking (Example: A former SAA member contacted our president and was able to help her husband find a job in the state they wanted to live in).
Opportunities to learn more about osteopathic medicine, and advocate for the profession by serving on state and national Boards.
AAOA provides special grants/Donna Jones Moritsugu to SAA groups. Please look here for details.
AAOA also provides financial aid to SAA’s in special circumstances (Example: Donating bags/hats/shirts/pins to raffle off or to give away to their new members).
More on networking: These are people you are going to be in touch throughout your significant other’s career, and it is a wonderful way to get to know people at different points in their careers within our profession from around the country.
Most importantly, the SAA chapters, along with the AAOA serve not only as a reminder that we are all in this together, but as one of the most valuable and long-lasting ways that OMS spouses and significant others can support each other when they need it the most, both during medical school and throughout their career.
Resource Links
SAA Guide 2024 Word Document
This document will give you ways to fulfill this mission of support and promotion of SAA. This is a resource of information which includes tips on starting your own chapter, ideas for raising funds and supporting philanthropy projects, and suggestions for increasing your membership. In the appendix, you will also find a variety of samples that you may copy and edit to use for your specific chapter’s purpose.