National Undergraduate Fellows Association (NUFA)WHO WE AREThe National Undergraduate Fellows Association (NUFA) was created in 1993 at the urging of several undergraduate fellows from colleges of osteopathic medicine to serve the needs of undergraduate osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) fellows. NUFA is a division of the SAAO that connects and enhances the learning of the undergraduate teaching fellows who are members of the SAAO. NUFA’s mission is to support, advocate, and seek opportunities for students to advance their practice of osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM). WHAT WE DONUFA hopes to deepen students’ understanding of the science, art and philosophy of osteopathic medicine. NUFA supports opportunities for students to learn and practice OMM skills through workshops and classes. These are designed to expose students to a variety of OMM techniques that supplement the regular curriculum. In turn, NUFA members help to pass along the knowledge and experience that they have gained to the osteopathic students that they serve across the country. Most importantly, the SAAO and NUFA provide unique opportunities for students to interact with their colleagues across the nation as they work together to develop their osteopathic careers. Being a member of NUFA has several benefits:
GET INVOLVEDStudents must be members of the SAAO in order to be a part of NUFA. Students should contact their local SAAO chapters for information on registration. Once a student is a member of SAAO, they are automatically updated to be a NUFA once they begin their fellowship. NUFA CONTACTSNUFA Liaison NUFA Advisor NUFA OF THE MONTH
Payal Morari - Kansas City University
OMM undergraduate teaching fellow Payal Morari was nominated for her genuine passion for OMM and her excellence in teaching. She is known for supporting all of her students by holding them to a high standard of excellence while giving them all the tools they need to reach it, often far surpassing what is expected of her. Payal was nominated multiple times for this award, and we certainly understand why! Her goal in medicine is to treat patients with the best care possible by combining Eastern and Western care within her practice. Fun fact: Her favorite Disney movies are Moana, Tangled, and Frozen, which she saw in theaters 7 times! Just like Moana, there's no telling how far she will go! Rodolfo Zevallos - Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine
Student Doctor Zevallos was nominated multiple times for being an extraordinary teacher and mentor, always going above and beyond for all those learning from him! He has a sweet 4-month-old baby girl and when he is not taking care of her, helping his family, or teaching, he can be found making sourdough bread! December 2024 Tanaya was nominated for her passion and dedication to her students and patients, often spending hours of her personal time researching complex disease processes to better support them. Her bright personality inspires others to go the extra mile in school and in clinical settings! She has also been a key player in her chapter's formation and development, encouraging students to pursue their own interests in the realm of osteopathic principles and practices. Fun fact: She has been a dancer her entire life. January 2025 During this cold month we are recognizing someone who was nominated for their warm heart! Our NUFA of the Month is Pedro De Castro from Kansas City University! Pedro is known for making all of his students and peers feel like a family. His excitement for sports medicine and osteopathic medicine spreads to all those around him. Thanks for all you do, Pedro. Fun Fact: He is a competitive soccer player who loves to photograph birds! February 2025
Natialie Pang - Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine
We are proud to announce that our February NUFA of the Month is Natalie Pang, from Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine! Natalie was nominated for the way she spreads her passion and enthusiasm for OMM to all those around her.
Fun Fact: She is also a Hula dancer, and her students appreciate the way she incorporates the mindfulness techniques she employs in Hula to the tenets of osteopathic medicine! March 2025 We are LUCKY to announce of March NUFA of the Month, Jessica Bennett from Kansas City University! Jessica was nominated for her passion for student success, often taking a special interest in determining each student's learning style and catering her lessons to them. Many students attribute their success in OMM to her teaching skills! Thank you to all of our members for allowing us the opportunity to celebrate your amazing teaching fellows throughout this year! Fun Fact: She also has a special passion for spreading joy through music! She has even played in DOLLYWOOD! April 2025 Justin Blankenbaker from AZCOM is the April NUFA of the Month. He was nominated by several peers for his hard work, dedication to osteopathy and student education, and inspiring others to embrace the osteopathic philosophy. Fun Fact: He is a 5th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, as well as an internationally certified instructor and tournament judge in the American Taekwondo Association!
Looking for the nomination information for NUFA of the month? Check the Student Notebook! |
