The Student National Medical Association

The Student National Medical Association

The Student National Medical Association (SNMA) is the nation's oldest and largest student organization focused on the needs and concerns of medical students of color. Membership includes over 5,000 medical students, pre-health students, residents and physicians. Established in 1964 by medical students from Howard University and Meharry medical schools, the SNMA boasts over 35 years of service to underserved communities and medical students. SNMA chapters based at allopathic and osteopathic medical schools throughout the nation and at some colleges implement our programs and activities locally. SNMA programs are designed to serve the health needs of underserved communities and communities of color. In addition, SNMA is dedicated both to ensuring that medical education and services are culturally sensitive to the needs of diverse populations and to increasing the number of African-American, Hispanic, and other students of color entering and completing medical school.

The mission of SNMA is as follows:

• To create an atmosphere wherein professional excellence and moral principles can find the fullest expression
• To promote the dissemination of information relative to minority issues in the field of medical education
• To take the necessary and proper steps to eradicate practices in the field of health profession education that compromises the goal of providing quality education to minorities and women
• To promote the development of workable programs of legislative policies for the provision of enhanced access to better health care
• To promote the sponsorship of programs for minority youth to encourage their entrance into the health professions
• To promote increases in the levels of minority students recruitment, admissions and retention in schools training health professionals
• To encourage and promote the development of minority faculty in order to increase the presence of minority mentors and biomedical researchers in academic health centers

The OSU chapter shares the missions of the national organization. Through our interaction with undergraduate students, we actively guide and support those who wish to follow in our footsteps. In addition, we are active in the Columbus area and can be seen interacting with the community at several venues. We have implemented a Community Hypertension Project as well as began working alongside the Central Ohio Diabetes Association. Monthly, SNMA members visit a local barbershop to perform blood pressure and diabetes screenings. Throughout the year we also can be found at local health fairs providing those same screening services to those who may not otherwise receive them.

Advisors

Leon McDougle, MD, Assistant Dean,
Office for Diversity and Cultural Affairs

Muntaqima Furqan, Associate Director,
Office for Diversity and Cultural Affairs
furqan.1@osu.edu