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Student
National Organizations
The Southern Illinois University
School of Medicine (SIU-SOM) encourages student participation in national, state
and local organizations as well as campus-based student organizations.
The Organization of
Student Representatives (OSR)
is an organization for medical students developed by the American Association
of Medical Colleges (AAMC) to facilitate expression
of students' views and incorporate students into the governance of the AAMC. Members
of OSR serve as student spokespersons to the AAMC, exchanging ideas among students
from medical schools across the country. OSR representatives are responsible for
becoming informed about student issues and passing these on to the AAMC, OSR Board
and SIU-SOM administrators as well as sharing information from AAMC and OSR with
the student body. Activities include the annual AAMC meeting; regional OSR meetings;
Housing Exchange Network (to provide housing during residency interviews); letter
writing campaigns to influence Congress and other federal officials on decisions
concerning healthcare and student issues. The OSR recognizes an official and an
alternate representative. Students are elected to the position in the sophomore
year and represent SIU-SOM at the national and regional meetings in the junior
and senior years. Representatives -Tom Selby, Emily Seals
The American Medical
Association Medical Student Section (AMA-MSS) is the
largest organization at SIU-SOM. Elected delegates attend monthly state meetings
in Chicago and biannual national meetings. Attendance at these meetings allows
delegates to keep the chapter abreast of current legislative issues facing the
medical profession. Each fall, the AMA-MSS organizes a Residency Fair at SIU-SOM,
featuring residency programs from several states and multiple specialties. The
AMA-MSS provides students the opportunity to participate in community service
projects such as the AMA 5K Run, AIDS awareness, St. John's Breadline, etc. The
AMA-MSS not only provides the opportunity to enjoy and participate in local projects
and programs, but also to meet medical students from other schools. Students are
eligible for membership in the AMA-MSS by paying dues to the American
Medical Association which entitles them to receive a weekly journal, the Journal
of the American Medical Association. Membership dues are $68 for a four-year
membership. Chair: Amanda Becker
The American
Medical Student Association (AMSA) is a national student organization established in 1967 with chapters at most medical
schools in the country. It is the only national medical student organization run
at every level by medical students themselves, and it provides a unique opportunity
for leadership development at local and national levels. AMSA has several goals:
to expand the horizons of medical education; to encourage the development of more
humanistic and broad-thinking physicians; to serve the local community; and to
train advocates and activists on issues of national importance to healthcare delivery.
The SIU-SOM chapter also seeks to unify students across both campuses through
a wide range of activities, such as workshops and nationally recognized speakers.
There are no local dues. National membership dues are $60 for five years (four
years of medical school and the first year of residency). Chair: Tim Ade
The American Medical Women's
Association (AMWA)
was established in 1915 to address the unique concerns of women physicians. Today,
membership is greater than 13,000 women physicians from all specialties. AMWA
is the largest professional organization for women physicians, assisting students
throughout their education and then offering continued support in choosing a residency
and, eventually, designing a practice and addressing continuing education needs.
AMWA is very active in promoting education and research and working toward political
change to address issues related to women's health. The SIU-SOM chapter of AMWA
is active in events such as roundtable discussions with local female physicians,
mentoring and sponsoring guest speakers that address women's health concerns.
Members receive a bimonthly scientific journal, the Journal
of the American Medical Women's Association, and a bimonthly
newsletter. SIU-SOM chapter members have many opportunities to become involved
on regional and national levels with medical students throughout the country.
Student membership requires a one-time fee of $52.
The National
Network of Latin American Medical Students (NNLAMS) at SIU-SOM is dedicated to
improving the quality of healthcare in the Latino community. NNLAMS is dedicated
to better serve the needs of the medical community through additional education
about medical issues affecting the Hispanic population.NNLAMS was founded
to represent, support, educate, and unify Latino medical students in the Midwest
region of the U.S. Correspondingly, NNLAMS is devoted to maintain a support network
for Latino medical students to ensure complete retention.The NNLAMS Chapter
at SIU-SOM seeks to provide support for medical students, who have an interest
in Latino health issues. In addition, NNLAMS is committed to increasing cultural
sensitivity and awareness at SIU-SOM and the greater Springfield area.
Shoes That Fit Emily Tignor
The Student National Medical
Association (SNMA) is the oldest and largest medical student
organization dedicated to people of color and underserved communities.
Community service is the heart and soul of the SNMA and eliminating disparities
in health care delivery, disease morbidity, and disease mortality are among our
highest priorities. SNMA community service programs are implemented by
local chapters based at allopathic and osteopathic medical schools throughout
the nation. Our programs are designed to promote healthy living and stress the
preventative nature of health care delivery. Committed to increasing the
number of culturally capable and sensitive physicians, the SNMA is also dedicated
to the academic and clinical success of medical students and premedical students. Through our signature MAPS, HPREP, and YSEP programs SNMA members work
with youths from elementary school to college introducing them to science and
serving as mentors. In this way, the SNMA strengthens the educational pipeline
that leads from elementary school to medical school. The
SIU-SOM SNMA chapter is composed of minority
students committed to bridging the community with the School of Medicine. SNMA's
goal is to address the needs of the whole person - physiological, emotional, spiritual
and social components. Goals include medical education, health screenings, school
tutorials, liberal arts competitions and participation in community programs that
reinforce self-awareness and self-empowerment. Activities include a Black History
Month celebration and participation in annual national and regional meetings.
Meetings are held once a month. Membership dues are $60 for four years. Chair: Safiya McNeese
Last updated
September 10, 2012
