Roberto Fernandez, a D.O. student in the class of 2013 at Des Moines University, received the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) National D.O. Student of the Year award.
The award recognizes one outstanding student each year from among more than 19,000 osteopathic medical students in the country. AACOM considers several core criteria, including leadership experience, commitment to community service, professionalism and embodiment of the osteopathic philosophy.
Fernandez is the son of Joaquin and Cheri Fernandez of Prole, Iowa. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Martensdale, Iowa, and earned his bachelor and master of public health degrees from The University of Iowa.
A third-year D.O. student, Fernandez is a scholar in DMU’s Pathways of Distinction Program and is heavily involved in research, community service and global health. He also serves as the National Legislative Affairs Representative for the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents (COSGP), the National Student Representative to the American Osteopathic Association Council on Osteopathic Post Graduate Training Institutes, the class representative to the DMU Alumni Association and the founder and chair of the COSGP Global Health Ad-Hoc Committee.
Fernandez was chosen for his incredible achievements and dedication to the advancement of the osteopathic profession. He is the first Des Moines University student to receive the prestigious award. He was honored at AACOM’s Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet in Washington, D.C., on March 30.
AACOM represents the administration, faculty and students of all the colleges of osteopathic medicine in the country, serving as a unifying voice for osteopathic medical education. For more information, visit www.aacom.org.
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