VCOM - Carolinas 2016 Yearbook

SNMA Student National Medical Association

Ishmail Saccoh and Tarah Henderson, Co-Presidents; Bukola Famikinwa, Vice President; Leah Ishmael, Treasurer; Nana Efua Wilmot, Secretary

S NMA seeks to carry out the mission of the national chapter by supporting underrepresented minority students, raising culturally competent physicians, and serving the needs of underserved communities. The organization places a strong emphasis on forming lasting partnerships with local organizations, with the Upstate Fatherhood Coalition being its strongest alliance. Under the guidance of faculty advisor Doralyn Jones, DO, and Petra Warren, MD, SNMA has engaged in numerous health screening activities in the community including clinics for Mount Moriah Baptist Church, Church of the Epiphany, the Hmong community, and the Adult Wellness Fair at VCOM. The

organization’s partnership with the Upstate Fatherhood Coalition includes a monthly educational series on health topics including substance abuse, men’s health and sexually transmitted diseases. SNMA also provides health assessments to benefit the population served by the Upstate Fatherhood Coalition. The SNMA organization has a partnership with VCOM– Carolinas to co-host the Summer Enrichment Experience (SEE) Program for local youth. This program, a week-long mini- medical school “summer camp,” aims to introduce high school students from rural and underserved areas to the practice of medicine and encourage them to rise above social determinants and seek higher education.

In order to share knowledge and experiences, SNMA hosted a number of speakers from different organizations in the community. This fall, a representative from the South Carolina School for the Deaf & Blind visited VCOM–Carolinas to speak about their organization, the obstacles they face, and also hosted speakers from the Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) to shed light on some of the barriers faced by members of and those close to the LGBT community, especially in respect of healthcare needs. SNMA partnered with VCOM Admissions to encourage prospective students to complete ways SNMA can become involved. The organization

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