Student National Medical Association
The Student National Medical Association (SNMA) is committed to supporting current
and future underrepresented minority medical students, addressing the needs of underserved
communities, and increasing the number of clinically excellent, culturally competent
and socially conscious physicians.
SNMA chapters based at allopathic and osteopathic medical schools throughout the nation,
and 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, Latino, and other students of color entering and completing
medical school.
National Organization Goals:
- To serve as a credible and accurate source of information relevant to minority issues
in the field of medical education
- To encourage and foster the development of minority faculty in order to increase the
presence of minority mentors and biomedical researchers in academic health centers
- To evaluate and cultivate the necessary measures to eradicate practices in the field
of health profession education that compromises the goal of providing quality education
to minorities and women.
Additional Goals of the UTHSC Chapter:
- To promote the development of enrichment and motivational programs which encourage
their entrance of minority youth into medical school
- To promote the recruitment, admission, and retention of minority student recruitment
in medical school.
History
Established in 1964 by medical students at Howard University and Meharry Medical College,
the Student National Medical Association is the nation's oldest and largest organization
of medical students from ethnically diverse backgrounds. The SNMA is currently celebrating
47 years of committed service to communities to advocate for improved health care
services and education to meet the needs of minorities and underserved populations.
In addition, the SNMA widely promotes diversity in medical education and encourages
the increased enrollment and retention of minority medical students.
Over 142 chapters based in medical colleges and universities throughout the United
States implement the SNMA's programs and activities. Working primarily through its
local chapters, the SNMA continues to implement programs that directly serve or educate
people about important health matters. Health professions recruitment, violence prevention,
health maintenance and screening, and substance abuse are the major program areas.
Members are also involved in premedical recruitment, community outreach and public
education.
