Student National Medical Association

Student National Medical Association

The Student National Medical Association (SNMA) is the nation's oldest and largest independent, student-run organization focused on the needs and concerns of medical students of color. Established in 1964 by medical students from Howard University School of Medicine and Meharry Medical College, the membership includes more than 5,000 medical students, pre-medical students, residents and physicians.

SNMA is committed to increasing the pathway of students of color who consider and prepare for medical and scientific careers. Its community mentoring programs provide science appreciation and education, mentoring, and academic enrichment to elementary, junior high school, high school and college students interested in pursuing health-related careers. Working through local chapters, SNMA is proud to organize and sponsor local pathway programs that directly serve minority students at several levels of education. Within medical school, SNMA chapters provide academic preparation and recruitment and retention programming in order to assure the pathway to medicine is supported.

Community service is indeed at the heart and soul of the SNMA, which is committed to reducing morbidity and mortality in under-served communities. Its programs are primarily focused on educating and empowering local communities to make healthy lifestyle choices. SNMA also organizes initiatives that educate members about healthcare issues abroad and provides them with opportunities to engage in health care experiences in other nations.

Finally, SNMA advocates for its members and its communities as it addresses legislative and policy issues that affect medical education, health care delivery, and the health status of underserved communities. Past focus areas include funding for pre-medical recruitment and preparation programs, violence prevention, obesity, universal health care, and affirmative action.

The college's SNMA chapter is a part of Region III, which encompasses the states of Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas and is made up of 17 chapters. With its vast size and diverse populations, the region is an exemplar of the diversity intrinsic to the modern practice of medicine.

The School of Medicine's SNMA chapter hopes to accomplish many goals, including:

• Fostering closer relationships between Region III members
• Encouraging and inspiring our medical students to become involved in community health
• Defining the pertinence of health disparities, cultural collateral, and minority affairs
• Preparing undergraduates for the college-professional school transition