2025-26 National Executive Board
Mishalle Rashid
National Director
Mishalle Rashid is a fourth-year osteopathic medical student at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) in Blacksburg, Virginia, and currently serves as the National Director of Omega Beta Iota, the national osteopathic political advocacy honor society, where she previously held the role of Membership Chair. Originally from Ashburn, Virginia, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the Honors College at George Mason University. Inspired by her father’s service as a volunteer EMT, Mishalle developed a passion for advocacy and public service early on. She believes strongly in the intersection of medicine and policy as a driver of meaningful change and deepened that belief through an internship during a U.S. presidential election cycle, where she saw firsthand the power of civic engagement in shaping healthcare policy. A dedicated advocate for student involvement in both medical and political spheres, Mishalle is committed to empowering future physicians to raise their voices beyond the clinic. In her free time, she enjoys baking, creating digital media, collecting snow globes, traveling, and knitting.
Bailey Godwin
National Operations Chair
Bailey is a third-year medical student at Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harrogate, Tennessee. She earned dual degrees in Biology (B.S.) and Psychology (B.A.) from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Her passion for healthcare advocacy was shaped by her upbringing as an Army daughter and her work as a medical assistant, where she witnessed firsthand how systemic barriers limit access to care for underserved patients—an experience that sparked her commitment to advocating as a future physician. Bailey’s advocacy interests include improving medication access, supporting disabled patients and their families, and promoting education on nutrition and preventive medicine. In her free time, she enjoys reading, experimenting with new baking recipes, and spending time with her fiancé and family.
Riley Warlick
National Membership Chair
Riley is a third-year medical student at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in East Lansing, Michigan. A North Carolina native, she began her advocacy journey while earning her Master’s in Kinesiology at East Carolina University, where she served on the Graduate and Professional Student Senate. Her passion for policy continued to grow in medical school through active involvement with the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA), where she served as National Liaison Officer and campus Omega Beta Iota (OBI) Liaison before stepping into her current role as OBI’s National Membership Chair. Outside of her commitment to advocacy and medicine, Riley enjoys hiking local trails, geocaching, and spending time outdoors with her two rescue dogs, Dixie and Clover.
Myra Meade
National Advocacy Liaison
Myra Meade is a third-year osteopathic medical student at Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) in Harrogate, Tennessee. A dedicated advocate for her future patients and the osteopathic profession, Myra serves as the National Advocacy Liaison, where she works to elevate student voices and promote physician-led healthcare policy. Her passion for advocacy was sparked early in her medical education and has continued to grow through active engagement with national organizations and leadership in political advocacy initiatives. Myra is deeply committed to ensuring that future physicians are empowered to shape the healthcare system they will inherit, and she brings an enthusiastic, collaborative spirit to every opportunity for service and representation.
John Buford
National Recruitment Liaison
John is a fourth-year osteopathic medical student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, South Georgia Campus. Originally from Auburn, Alabama, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Huntingdon College. Passionate about healthcare policy, John's advocacy interests focus on protecting physician-led care by addressing inappropriate scope of practice expansion and improving patient access to high-quality healthcare. Outside of medicine and advocacy, he enjoys walking his mini poodle, Rascal, spending time with his cats, Freya and Vivian, and exploring Georgia’s state parks with his girlfriend.
Caitlyn Simtion
National Public Relations Chair
Caitlyn is a fourth-year student at Lincoln Memorial DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is originally from San Diego, CA and attended Grand Canyon University, where she completed a B.S. in Biology and Business Management. She went on to receive her Master's in Applied Nutrition and Master's in Anatomical Science before beginning medical school. Caitlyn is an active member of National SOMA and has been involved in advocacy efforts since her first year of medical school. She currently serves as the National SOMA Treasurer, is involved with the Bureau of Emerging Leaders Resolution Workgroup and is an active member in the Kentucky Osteopathic Medical Association. Caitlyn is passionate about expanding healthcare access in rural communities, reproductive care access, and continued equality for osteopathic students. Outside medical school, Caitlyn enjoys traveling with her husband, horseback riding and finding new hiking/running trails.
Annie Hoffman
OBI-OPAC Liaison
Annie Lorelei Hoffman, OMS-III, is a dedicated osteopathic medical student at the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM). She currently serves as the OBI-OPAC Liaison for the 2024–2026 term, representing the national osteopathic student voice on the Osteopathic Political Action Committee (OPAC) Board. In this role, she helps strengthen student engagement in advocacy and advance OPAC’s mission through student-led initiatives. Annie previously served as President of ICOM’s chapter of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA), where she fostered leadership and policy engagement among her peers. Passionate about advocacy, she has collaborated with state legislators and medical organizations to support efforts in psychiatry, reproductive health, and access to care. Most recently, she represented ICOM at the White Coat Ceremony and participated in Boise Pride through the school’s student outreach team, reflecting her strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and community engagement.
Dr. Amber Shirley
OSAC Resident Coordinator
Amber Shirley, DO is an incoming intern at Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto in Mississippi and a recent graduate of Lincoln Memorial University–DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harrogate, Tennessee. Her professional interests include healthcare policy, environmental health, and medical education. During medical school, she served as Public Relations Director for Omega Beta Iota, the national political advocacy honor society for osteopathic medical students, and as Region 4 Chair for the American Medical Association’s Medical Student Section, where she oversaw student chapters across the Southeastern United States. In these roles, she led efforts to strengthen student engagement in advocacy and amplify physician leadership in shaping health policy. Dr. Shirley will continue her commitment to advocacy as the incoming Resident Coordinator for the Osteopathic Scholar Advocacy Certification (OSAC) Program. Outside of medicine, she volunteers with the National Park Service and enjoys hiking, exploring national parks, and studying environmental history. She is also a dedicated fiber artist who enjoys crocheting and knitting in her free time.
Dr. Syed Rizvi
Resident Physician Advisor
Syed Rizvi, DO is an incoming Emergency Medicine/Internal Medicine resident at Louisiana State University in New Orleans (LSU-NOLA) and the Immediate Past National Director of Omega Beta Iota, where he led national efforts to expand student advocacy, build strategic partnerships, and elevate the organization’s presence in health policy. He continues to serve as Resident Advisor, mentoring future leaders and supporting OBI’s mission. Dr. Rizvi earned his DO from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he also served as National Liaison Officer for the Student Osteopathic Medical Association and worked with the Michigan Osteopathic Association on legislative advocacy. He was awarded the 2024 OPAC James M. Lally, DO Scholarship for his outstanding commitment to political engagement. His professional interests include clinical research, health policy, and medical education, with a strong focus on underserved communities and healthcare reform.
Dr. Brianne "Brie" Howerton
Resident Physician Advisor
Brie Howerton, DO, is a PGY-3 Emergency Medicine resident at Corewell Health East in Detroit, Michigan, with a strong passion for medical education, health policy, and mental health. A lifelong advocate and leader, she previously served as Student Government Association President at LECOM-Bradenton, where she championed student engagement and leadership development. In residency, Dr. Howerton has led several wellness initiatives, including creating an intern wellness team and launching the “MedUp” resiliency program. These efforts have resulted in measurable improvements in resident well-being at her training site. She currently serves as the Resident Member of the Osteopathic Political Action Committee (OPAC) Board and as the Postdoctoral Trainee Member of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Board of Trustees. Drawn to emergency medicine for its fast-paced environment and its blend of critical and primary care, Dr. Howerton remains committed to advancing her specialty, supporting future physicians, and advocating for equitable access to healthcare.