The Bureau of Emerging Leaders (BEL) is a bureau of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and is housed within the Membership Department. The BEL represents osteopathic medical students, residents, fellows and new physicians in practice. The BEL has several representatives from each group of constituents. This month, we are highlighting one of our student members, Idamys Sáez Acosta, OMS II.
Student Doctor Acosta was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Apollo Beach, Florida where she spent most of her life. She decided to stay local for her undergraduate degree at University of South Florida, where she majored in biomedical sciences with a minor in public health. After college, she was ready for a change and decided to pursue her Master of Medical Sciences degree at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Bradenton. She has continued her journey at LECOM-Bradenton as a medical student part of the Class of 2027.
Here, Student Doctor Acosta found her passion for advocacy. She currently serves in many leadership positions, such as president of the LECOM Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) chapter and vice president of LECOM’s American Medical Association, Florida Medical Association and Florida Osteopathic Medical Association chapters. Her interest in advocacy has also led her to state and national appointments. She is the current vice chair of the Florida Medical Association Medical Student Section and sits on the National Junior Resolutions Committee for SOMA, helping draft and push for resolutions to advance osteopathic medicine and help DO students. She recently co-authored Florida Medical Association (FMA) Resolution 24-403, “Improving refugee access and utilization of health care resources” that was passed into FMA policy this past August.
Student Doctor Acosta is currently interested in pursuing OB-GYN and is working on research looking at building low-cost cardiac auscultation trainers/models. Outside of school, she describes herself as a huge foodie; someone who is always ready to try out new foods and restaurants with friends and family! She is also a dog mom to her dog Bronco and loves spending time outdoors with him. She is incredibly excited to continue her advocacy journey with the osteopathic family.