VCOM - Auburn 2017 Yearbook

student organizations

T he Student National Medical Association (SNMA) was established in 1964 by medical students from Howard University College of Medicine and Meharry Medical College. National membership includes more than 7,000 allopathic and osteopathic medical students who work together to build upon SNMA’s 40 years of service to underserved communities and medical students. In 2016, SNMA was able to set up the first annual “Melting Pot,” which combined both community outreach and cultural awareness within VCOM-Auburn. Attendees were asked to offer a favorite dish from their culture. If they weren’t able to cook for the event, they were asked to provide canned food donations that could be offered to the local food bank. In addition to that, SNMA asked physicians from various backgrounds and life

experiences to sit in as a panel. Students were able to ask them questions about how they survived medical school and questions about their experiences being a physician. It was a great way to not only learn more about each other’s backgrounds and give back to the community with the canned food. It also helped ease the stress of attendees as these successful physicians provided anecdotes of their own struggles and reminded everyone of what was yet to come. The Student National Medical Association Auburn Chapter started off the block with the Executive Board attending the National SNMA Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. The conference provided insight about the 2017- 18 SNMA National Agenda, which includes monthly community service initiatives such as obesity

and violence prevention. SNMA also participated in the Recruitment Fair as representatives for VCOM- Auburn. At the Recruitment Fair, SNMA worked alongside faculty and students from the sister campuses to inform interested students about the opportunities available at VCOM and share experiences as first-year Medical Students. The conference ended with chapter member Sergeine Lezeau being elected as the National Publications Co-Chair and serving as editor-in-chief of the SNMA Journal. SNMA also collaborated with the Hispanic Community Medical Outreach to help celebrate Cinco de Mayo, hosted a Piñata Pop to raise money for mission trips and worked with the Muslim Student Association. A celebratory end of year banquet was held as well.

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