Rowan student named 2018 national Student Doctor of the Year

The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents (COSGP) is proud to announce the winner of its 2018 National Student DO of the Year: Ashley E. Sam, fourth-year medical student at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine (RowanSOM). 

The National Student DO of the Year award is presented each year to one osteopathic medical student who demonstrates superior leadership capabilities, robust research experience and a strong commitment to community service. 

“The entire RowanSOM community joins me in congratulating Ashley for her well-deserved selection for this prestigious award,” said Dr. Thomas A. Cavalieri, Dean of RowanSOM. “Besides being a phenomenal student, Ashley’s dedication to serve her fellow students, her community, her profession and her country reflect the values of our school and set an example that medical students everywhere can follow.” 

A resident of Mt. Laurel, Student Doctor Ashley Sam is the first RowanSOM student to be selected for this national award. At RowanSOM, she has served as Student Council President, most notably advocating for student well-being through her efforts on the Mental Health Awareness Project. She has elevated osteopathic student voices as a delegate to the New Jersey Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, and discussed the practice and future of osteopathic medicine at the American Osteopathic Association House of Delegates. She currently serves as the National 1st Vice Chair of AACOM’s COSGP. In addition to her contributions to osteopathic medicine, Ms. Sam also serves as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.

About AACOM 

The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) represents the 34 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States. These colleges are accredited to deliver instruction at 49 teaching locations in 32 states. In the current academic year, these colleges are educating nearly 29,000 future physicians—more than 20 percent of all U.S. medical students. Six of the colleges are public and 28 are private institutions. 

AACOM was founded in 1898 to support and assist the nation's osteopathic medical schools, and to serve as a unifying voice for osteopathic medical education. AACOM’s mission is to promote excellence in osteopathic medical education, in research and in service, and to foster innovation and quality among osteopathic medical colleges to improve the health of the American public.