Student Organizations

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) was founded over 100 years ago to improve the quality of American medical education. It now includes membership of 125 medical schools, 85 academic societies such as the American College of Physicians, and 435 teaching hospitals. It maintains numerous data sources available to its members and works cooperatively with other medical organizations such as the American Medical Association as well as providing information and testimony to the U.S. Congress and other federal agencies concerning medical and health-related issues.

The Organization of Student Representatives, the AAMC's student voice, is composed of one student representative from each medical school choosing to participate. OSR members gather at an annual meeting each autumn to discuss matters of concern to the nation's medical students and to elect an Administrative Board. The twelve-member Administrative Board meets quarterly with the boards of other AAMC Councils to formulate AAMC programs and policies reflecting student views. OSR business is also conducted at regional spring meetings. The OSR delegate operates to channel information from the AAMC to the medical student body-at-large and vice versa on issues of medical education such as the Match, changes in medical curriculum and student indebtedness. Thus, the OSR serves as an effective liaison between the nation's students and medical policy-makers to ensure consideration of student views.

AMRIG is a student-run organization whose goal is to generate student interest in academic medicine and research, and hopefully inspire some students to incorporate research into their careers as physicians. This group will hold events through the year where students will have the opportunity to listen to speakers and engage in discussions concerning interesting topics in academic medicine and research. The group will also focus on providing resources for students interested in pursuing an internship or a career in academic medicine.

AEP (Adolescent Empowerment Program):

We provide physical, mental, and social health education to at-risk adolescents at the Juvenile Justice Detention Center, Baltimore YO! and Mountain Manor Treatment Center. We lead workshops on sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy & contraception, parenting, healthy lifestyles, nutrition, and healthy relationships with the youths at these centers.We hope to expand this program to other facilities in Baltimore City that work with at-risk adolescents.

Contact us: aepumsom@gmail.com

Election to AOA, the national medical honor society, is based on scholastic achievement, service to the school, qualities of leadership, integrity and fairness to colleagues. Students are elected at the end of their junior year or the beginning of their senior year.

The national organization mandates that the top 25% of the class is eligible. Up to 1/6th of the class, picked from this top quartile, may be voted in by current members.

AOA was formed in 1902 to "foster honesty and formulate higher ideals of scholastic achievement." At University of Maryland, the organization is responsible for several service projects annually. These include the Theodore Woodward Lecture, the History of Medicine Lecture Series, Medical Student Research Day, medical school applicant tours, and Junior-Senior Night.

The medical student section of the American Medical Association (AMA-MSS) is a division of the national AMA that is dedicated to helping expose students to various aspects of careers in medicine. At the University of Maryland, the AMA-MSS provides opportunity for involvement in medical policy-making, lobbying and the overall medical political process. Policy, Business, Ethics and Service committees also plan regular medically-oriented activities for students and the community. Members of the AMA-MSS receive the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) as well as Netter’s Anatomy Flashcards or Stedman's Medical Dictionary.

The Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association is open to all students, teaching staff and employees regardless of race, cultural background, sex and country of origin. The goals of the association are to encourage dialogue among fellow students of different cultural backgrounds, and to provide a platform for those who appreciate Asian culture and health-related issues affecting Asians around the world. APAMSA also sponsors educational and social activities for its members and friends.

“Balance” is a student run organization that allows dancers in medical school to share their knowledge and skills with their peers in a weekly beginner dance class. In the past we have learned the styles of Jazz, Modern, Hip-hop, Salsa, and Indian dance, but we are always adding new styles. At the end of the school year, we prepare acts to be performed at the “Freshman Follies” and “Sophomore Sillies” celebrations to show off what we have learned. Getting involved with “Balance” gives students an opportunity to take a break from studying and to get our hearts pumping. It also allows us to share our skills with our peers to learn something new.

Each year an upperclassman (usually a sophomore) "adopts" an entering freshman as his/her little sib. Newly admitted students receive correspondence from their fellow big brothers/sisters during the summer prior to their entry. The program is sponsored by students with support of the admissions committee, and is designed to allow entering students to address their questions and concerns to fellow students who have already experienced "life of the medical student." Moral support from big sibs often makes the transition easier for incoming students.

The goal of the Cancer Interest Group (CIG) is to introduce students to the various fields of oncologic medicine. These include: Pediatric Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, and Surgical Oncology. In order to accomplish this goal, we will be holding talks with faculty and physicians from these specialties throughout the year and work to connect students to research and shadowing opportunities. Additionally, we hope to recruit participants for various events around the city and state that promote cancer support and awareness (such as the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure).

CTSIG provides students with information regarding the specialty of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Since students get very little exposure to this exciting surgical specialty in their four years of medical school, this group will give those interested the opportunity to meet and hear lectures from the faculty, fellows, and residents from University of Maryland Divisions of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery. Importantly, we would also like to expose students to the new Integrated Cardiothoracic Residency Training Program offered by the University of Maryland, one of the few of its kind available in the United States. Students will be able to hear more about this from the first two residents to matriculate into this program, and ask questions about the structure of the program, as well as other aspects of the residency and specialty. In addition, there are numerous research opportunities available for students within the Divisions of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery. CTSIG has the privilege of having the Chief of the Division of Cardiac Surgery, Dr. Bartley Griffith, as our faculty advisor. Dr. Griffith is a world-renowned heart and lung transplant pioneer and in 2010, he was awarded the UMB Founders Week Research Lecturer of the Year.

For any questions, please contact Randall Cooper at charles.cooper@som.umaryland.edu

The University's Catholic Medical Student Association is an organization seeking to promote spiritual and moral values, to foster the development of spiritual life and worship, and to provide an opportunity for medical students to congregate and share their experiences. The organization is interested in integrating medical education with faith and ethics. We sponsor events and activities for medical students, assist with the Catholic spiritual life of our community through service and volunteerism, and cultivate a spirit of community and camaraderie. Our organization is affiliated with and supported by the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Catholic Medical Association, our parent organization.

The Christian Medical Society (CMS) at UMB is a local chapter of a national organization, CMDA, which meets every other week for fellowship, prayer and discussion. CMS is committed to providing Christian fellowship and support for medical professionals, encouraging Christians to mature in their faith, challenging them to integrate their medical careers into their lives in Christ and providing an environment in which non-Christians can explore the claims of Christ. CMS presents meetings on Bible study, short-term missions, ethics, Christian family life within the medical profession and evangelism. Dinner is shared every month. Members also have the opportunity to participate in local, regional and national conferences and serve the local community. All students, faculty and hospital personnel are welcome.

CHAT is a service organization that provides opportunities to learn about health care issues in our urban Baltimore community. This year, our lecture series will introduce students to issues including addiction, homelessness, nutrition & obesity, sex trafficking, and HIV. The goal of these lectures is to present different issues, what is currently in place to address such issues, and how this impacts us as students and future physicians. In the past, this organization was involved in service projects that provided students with hands on experience in community health issues. These projects included the Mountain Manor Initiative and the Powell House Project. Whether these services projects will be restarted remains to be seen.

Questions? Contact chat.umb@gmail.com.

CIMIG is devoted to educating University of Maryland medical students about the diversity and advantages of complementary and integrative medicine. The group holds meetings and classes throughout the year to present the therapy options that blend conventional and complementary medicine. Acupuncture, aromatherapy, reiki, massage therapy, meditation, nutrition and yoga are some of the topics explored at our events. Complementary and integrative medicine is a fresh topic in the field of medicine and has proved to have much potential as a healing resource. CIMIG is dedicated to spreading awareness about complementary and integrative medicine modalities, and more importantly, bringing healers together.

The Dermatology Interest Group is for students who are interested or would like more exposure to Dermatology. The group aims to broaden student's understanding of what comprises the field of Dermatology as well as provide the tools to explore the field as a career. Students can attend events where speakers will discuss the different disciplines in Dermatology and lecture on relevant information. The group will also provide students with opportunities to shadow physicians in the field.

Diagnostic radiology and various imaging services are a vital part of clinical diagnosis and management in today’s medical field. DTRIG’s mission is to provide a vehicle for SOM students to explore the opportunities in the fields of Diagnostic Radiology, Interventional Radiology, and Radiation Oncology, as well as develop clinical skills and gain early exposure to the field. This will be achieved through faculty-student interaction, conferences and seminars, shadowing and clinical opportunities, research opportunities as well as community based services. DTRIG will also work to sponsor review sessions geared towards the student’s success in radiology and imaging, as well as, continue exposure to the fundamentals of anatomy.

The Emergency Medicine Interest Group is a student organization whose mission is to expose students to Emergency Medicine as a career and to give students an opportunity to learn skills commonly used in emergency situations. To this end, EMIG sponsors blood drawing, suture, knot-tying, IV and EKG labs, and emergency room observation time. EMIG also sponsors talks and luncheons with Emergency Medicine residents and faculty on topics such as applying for Emergency Medicine residency and current issues within Emergency Medicine. EMIG members are actively involved in research in the emergency department and have attended Emergency Medicine physicians' national conferences.

EQUIP’s vision is to reduce waste of medical supplies from UMMC ORs while equipping health care facilities around the world. Through this project, we also aim to increase awareness of global health issues among UMB students and UMMC staff. Students will collect, sort and maintain records of materials that would otherwise be discarded from the OR. Faculty, students and staff going on medical missions trips, rotations or organizing training at UMB have access to the recovered materials. EQUIP is partnered with an international relief and development organization called Humanity First (http://usa.humanityfirst.org/) that picks up surplus supplies from us and ships them around the world. EQUIP is based on models of such projects at other university/hospital systems, including Johns Hopkins (Project Share) and Yale (REMEDY).

The Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) is sponsored by the Maryland Academy of Family Physicians and the Department of Family Medicine. Membership fees for first-year members are paid by the Maryland Academy and members receive monthly professional journals free of charge. FMIG sponsors events and lectures relevant to family medicine throughout the year. FMIG also encourages student leadership at the state and national levels.

The Geriatrics Interest Group, a student chapter of the American Geriatrics Society, introduces students to the unique issues surrounding treatment, disease prevention, and quality of life in aging populations. Through talks,  volunteer and research opportunities, the group aspires to raise awareness of these issues and expose future physicians to the discipline of geriatrics. Caring for older adults is interdisciplinary in nature, and therefore many of our events occur in collaboration with other professional schools, as part of the larger, school-wide interest group.

Contact Susanne Miller or Elizabeth Balraj (geriatrics.umb@gmail.com)

The purpose of the Global Health Interest Group is to create a forum for medical students to participate in projects, discussions, and advocacy regarding the advancement of Global Health and to connect with mentors working internationally. Our mission is to increase awareness of Global Health issues through education and service. The group's vision is to promote a multidisciplinary approach to Global Health, which incorporates the knowledge and expertise of each of the professional schools on campus. We will work collaboratively both within the UMB network (facilitated by the Global Health Resource Center) and throughout the Baltimore community as a whole, to contribute to the advancement of Global Health, as well as to broaden the scope of our own global perspectives.

Contact ghig.umd@gmail.com for more information.

Healthy Choices for Baltimore is a community service initiative in which medical students (and interested students of other disciplines) go to Midtown Academy, a Baltimore City public charter school, and teach elementary students about different components of nutrition and health. The aim is to inform the students about caring for their bodies and learning how to make healthier choices about food and exercise. Volunteers will go into classrooms for a maximum of one hour a week and teach lesson plans that have been designed for these different age groups. Lessons include reviewing the food pyramid, making healthy choices based on nutrition facts labels, learning about food from other cultures. In addition, the students will discuss current health issues such as diabetes and obesity in children. We hope to teach lessons of moderation and encourage students to take ownership of their bodies and health decisions by providing information, skills and options for healthy living in Baltimore. Most of all, we want to make nutrition and health education fun and accessible for the students while providing medical students another outlet for getting involved in the community.

The High School Mini-Medical Program is an entertaining, educational program designed to provide high school students with interactive classroom instruction on a variety of medical subjects. The courses are taught by University of Maryland School of Medicine Medical Students.

High School student participants in the High School Mini-Medical Program will learn:

• About different health issues that affect themselves, their families and their community,
• How they can break cycles of health care disparities and create positive changes in their family and community, and
• How one can take an active role in maintaining their individual health

Medical student participants will have the opportunity to:

• Create or alter a previous seminar on a topic of interest to the student
• Teach a basic science or a topic of interest
• Interact with high school students and their teachers

The HIV and Human Virology Interest Group is open to all medical students and aims to expose medical students to potential careers, research opportunities, and community service programs in the fields of HIV and human virology in Baltimore city and abroad.

The Internal Medicine Interest Group is a student run organization that focuses on community outreach and student education. The IMIG is under the guidance of a faculty advisor, holds informational meetings on key health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, kidney disease and immunizations. Students will also develop a basic understanding of medical subspecialties and have the opportunity to meet area specialists. The IMIG also hosts simulation labs at the MASTRI Center where students can practice things such as: lumbar punctures, central line placements, taking blood, and much more! Members of IMIG are provided opportunities to work with physicians or community organizations in these fields to assist in providing health care to target populations. In the past, the IMIG has measured blood pressure in the community and helped underprivileged Baltimore residents find health care. The IMIG welcomes all interested students and faculty to participate.

For further information contact Melissa Schmidt

The Jewish Student Association (JSA) encourages all medical, and other UMB students, regardless of specific affiliation or background to join and participate in the group's activities. The association works to support the Jewish presence on campus through various learning programs, social gatherings and Jewish holiday-themed events. As the Jewish Student Association is a group that caters to the student body's interests, please contact The JSA board at JSA.umb@gmail.com with ideas, suggestions or feedback. We look forward to seeing you at our next event!

The LGBTIQ health interest group is a group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, questioning/queer individuals, and their allies at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. We are dedicated to maintaining and developing an even more accepting environment for diversity at the University of Maryland, and in Baltimore such that no one, queer or otherwise, is afraid to express themselves however they choose.

We believe that LGBTIQ individuals enhance the University of Maryland community in a unique way. Our goal is to provide a welcoming environment for LGBTIQ students and faculty, their loved ones, and allies. We sponsor educational and social events focused on LGBTIQ subjects for all interested parties and engage in open dialogue with other advocates and advocate groups in Baltimore, and beyond. Our most recent efforts involve advocating for additions to the medical school curriculum to emphasize the critical needs of this unique population and enhance LGBTIQ health education for future physicians.

If you wish to be informed in the future about our events, whether social or informational, or wish to be involved in our advocacy efforts please send an email to UMSOM.lgbtq@gmail.com and we would be glad to include you in our email list. Any questions, comments, or concerns may also be addressed to the above email address. If you would prefer to anonymously contact the group, we ask that you please email Dawn Roberts in the Office of Student Affairs (droberts@som.umaryland.edu). We hope to see you at one of our events very soon! 

Link Maryland engages the University of Maryland medical community by creating unique professional networking opportunities for its students, residents, physicians, and alumni.

The Mission of MedChi (pronounced med-kī), The Maryland State Medical Society, is to serve as Maryland's foremost advocate and resource for physicians, their patients and the public health. As part of the student section of MedChi, we work to help represent physicians-in-training on the state level. This organization is a collection of medical students from all 3 state schools: University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins University, and Uniformed Services University. Each year leadership in this organization rotates so that a member from each school holds office as either President, Vice-President, or Secretary/Treasurer. The main goals of this organization are to foster collegiality, service, and professionalism between these three schools and practicing physicians in the state.

The Medical Genetics Interest Group (MGIG) is a student run organization which strives to provide students of all medical interests with a better understanding of the field of medical genetics. Medical genetics, an AMA recognized specialty which involves the diagnosis, management, and counseling of hereditary disease, is a field of medicine which is often applicable to other fields of medicine, particularly OB/GYN, neonatology, pediatrics, and internal medicine. The MGIG aims to promote the field of medical genetics through events such as interactive lecture series, discussion panels, and journal clubs. The MGIG also strives to offer clinical exposure to interested students through mentorship programs and shadowing opportunities with genetic counselors and physicians. Finally, the MGIG will focus on providing resources for students interested in applying to medical genetics residency programs.

The University of Maryland’s Medical Students for Choice Chapter is part of an internationally-known non-profit organization of over 10,000 medical students and residents around the United States and Canada. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that women receive the full range of reproductive healthcare choices. MSFC recognizes that one of the greatest obstacles to safe and legal abortion is the absence of trained providers, and works to make full reproductive health care a part of standard medical education and residency training. The University of Maryland Chapter hosts educational events, creates partnerships with other student groups and local pro-choice organizations to bolster support and activism, and works to incorporate abortion issues into the medical school curriculum.

The Medicine-Pediatrics Student Interest Group (MPSIG) is a student run organization dedicated to increasing exposure to and awareness of the combined field of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics (Med-Peds). The group will strive to create opportunities for mentoring by providing a venue for students to meet and interact with faculty and residents in the field of Med-Peds. MPSIG will also hold events throughout the year where students will have the opportunity to listen to speakers, participate in discussions about current clinical topics in medicine and pediatrics, and engage in hands-on clinical events. This group will also focus on providing resources for students interested in applying to medicine-pediatrics residency programs. You can view our upcoming events on our website, http://www.umm.edu/pediatrics/med-peds/mpsig.htm

If you have any questions, feel free to contact medpeds.umaryland@gmail.com

The goal of the group is to teach students general principles of orthopedic surgery, introduce students to fracture recognition and management, orthopedic reconstructive surgery and to expose students to common outpatient conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system. They receive practical instruction in the use and application of various splints and casting techniques. Students will receive opportunities to gain experience in the field of orthopaedics as well as gain basic surgical skills.

Do you play a string, woodwind, or brass instrument? Do you sing? Do you love music?  All skill levels are welcome.  We have opportunities to perform in both groups and individually, as well as opportunities for the music lover in all of us.  

The purpose of the ENT interest group is to expose students to and foster interest in the field of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. We plan to invite speakers to lecture on relevant topics and to help connect interested students with mentors in the department for research and/or shadowing.

For more information, contact Erin Haser and Sona Chaudhry at ENTIG.umdsom@gmail.com

The purpose of the Pathology Student Interest Group (PSIG) is to provide medical students exposure to the fields of clinical and anatomic pathology.  The group aims to expand the understanding of what comprises the field of pathology and what opportunities exist for a career as a pathologist.  The PSIG is unique in that residents plan to be in attendance at every meeting and available to answer any questions that students might have about pathology, residency, career opportunities, or about liver function tests or glomerular nephropathies or whatever you might be studying at the time.  Meetings will consist of seminars aimed at answering questions, such as, “what to pathologists do?” or “what comprises the field of clinical pathology?” or “what is forensic pathology?”  In addition, we plan to hold workshops on microscopy, grossing pathological specimens, brain cutting, microbiology, and on various other areas of clinical, anatomic, and forensic pathology.

The goal of the Pediatric Interest Group is to serve the pediatric community and promote interest in Pediatrics here at the University of Maryland SOM. Our members seek to promote awareness of issues dealing with children's health and education. In addition we sponsor a variety of forums and lunchtime talks during the school year along with service projects related to child health. We also seek to create a more cohesive community between UM pediatricians and medical students interested in the health of children. The department of Pediatrics has traditionally been and continues to be very receptive to the idea of working closely with students. With their enthusiasm and the students' eagerness, our members are able to gain hands-on experience and exposure to careers in pediatrics by shadowing local physicians in both out-patient and in-patient settings. For more information or to get involved, email umbpeds@gmail.com

Peds Pals is a community service organization created by medical students for medical students. It provides a convenient, flexible and FUN community service organization. Peds Pals has been an established volunteering program for medical students to volunteer with Child Life here at the University of Maryland.  Students play games, do crafts, read books and spend time with the children in the In-patient pediatrics unit.  Working with Child Life and interacting with the children in the pediatric unit is an amazing, humbling and incredibly rewarding experience for Medical Students.  The patients also appreciate having someone there as a friend who helps their days be more filled with laughter.  Peds Pals provides students with the opportunity to help make the children’s stay in the hospital as pleasant as possible.  Each student volunteers every other week for two hours in the pediatric department throughout the academic year. 

The purpose of the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Interest Group (PMRIG) is to educate students about the medical specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). Various speakers and student activities throughout the year will highlight the different disciplines within PM&R, such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Stroke, Pediatric, and Orthopedic Rehabilitation. Subspecialties such as Sports Medicine and Chronic Pain Management will also be discussed. Issues and characteristics of patients with disability will also be a focus of the group, as being an advocate for the patients with disabilities is an important aspect of being a physiatrist.

Physicians for Human Rights is committed to the belief that all human beings are entitled to have their needs for basic health and safety met. The University of Maryland chapter of this national organization focuses on achieving these goals through education, community and international projects, and activism. If you are interested in human rights and/or international work please join our efforts!

Physicians for Social Responsibility aims to educate medical students and our community on social issues, specifically the prevention of violence, the elimination of weapons of mass destruction, and the improvement of our environment. The organization is a collaboration of efforts from both medical students and physicians. We also provide opportunities for direct involvement in these social issues, such as lobbying on Capitol Hill, organizing environmental clean up projects, and implementing workshops on violence prevention. 

Through education and advocacy, Physicians for Social Responsibility asserts a strong medical voice towards promoting peace, abolishing the use of nuclear weapons, and abating global warming.

PSIG is an organization for students interested in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Members will have the opportunity to attend interesting presentations by speakers from faculty at the University of Maryland. In addition to learning about the field, PSIG will work hand-in-hand with the division of Plastic Surgery at University of Maryland Medical Center to provide members with opportunities to shadow surgeons at UMMC and the Baltimore Washington Medical Center.  The organization will also provide members the opportunity to contribute to the efforts of Medical Mission Group which provides specialized healthcare services to those without sufficient access to financial resources.

The medical school, with help from other University of Maryland professional schools, organizes a Thanksgiving feast for the homeless community every year. The event is held at Booker T. Washington Middle School from 11am-3pm. Along with providing turkey, stuffing, pies, and drinks, we also hold clothing, toiletry, and food (non-perishable and fresh) drives in the weeks before Thanksgiving. Students can participate on one of the various committees (e.g. Food, Publicity, Shelters, Donations, Logistics & Volunteers, Legal, etc.), cook a turkey, and/or volunteer on Thanksgiving Day.

For more information, please contact Liz Coe, Andrew Dubina, or Grace Kim, or email us at ProjectFeastUMD@gmail.com.

The goals of the Rural Interest Group are to inform students about living and practicing primary or specialty care in rural areas and to educate students on the healthcare needs and issues associated with rural populations. Guest speaker and panel presentation topics will include: lifestyle and practice as a primary care or specialty physician in different rural areas, AHEC elective experiences, National Health Service Corps, Indian Health Service, and various scholarship and loan repayment programs. In addition to monthly presentations, RIG will provide students with information on opportunities for summer public health and clinical experience projects, weekend trips combining shadowing and site visits with recreational outdoor activities in Western Maryland or the Eastern Shore, and opportunities to mentor high school students from rural areas who are interested in medicine.

Questions? Contact rigumb@gmail.com

SAHIL seeks to educate the UMB and UMMC community about health issues concerning the South Asian American community in the area through lunch talks, community service, and workshops.

We hope to inform students about:

• Health problems in the South Asian American patient population, including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, and mental health issues
• The use of South Asian medical principles in everyday life, including vegetarianism, yoga and meditation
• Community service opportunities in the area to benefit this patient population
• Infectious and tropical diseases encountered commonly in South Asian countries, such as malaria, cholera, dengue fever, and typhoid fever.

Salud's goal is to educate medical students about the healthcare needs of the Latino population.  We address the language barrier by educating students about interpretation services, and by teaching basic Spanish phrases.  We promote outreach through community service programs that serve Baltimore's Spanish-speaking patients, as well as educating students about opportunities to work and volunteer abroad.  One of the aims of Salud is to enhance and support the University of Maryland's Medical Spanish Program, so that interested students feel they graduate more capable of addressing the needs of the growing Latino patient population.  We also strive to educate the medical student community about the varied and rich cultural contributions of Baltimore’s Spanish-speaking communities.

Prospective Events:

1. Community Service Opportunities in Baltimore
2. Informational Session on Joining Medical Spanish
3. Spanish for Beginners Brown Bag Lunches
4. How Baltimore's Immigrant Population Accesses Healthcare
5. Obstacles Facing Baltimore's Latino Population
6. How to Work/Volunteer Abroad

SIGN is a student chapter of the American Academy of Neurology. SIGN provides shadowing opportunities, lectures, panel discussions, and social events. These are opportunities for students to learn about Clinical Neurology, Clinical Neurosurgery, and current Neurological Research. This year, we hope to sponsor three lunchtime lectures, two grand rounds style pot luck dinners, and an introduction to performing a Neurological exam. In addition, students will have the opportunity to shadow Neurologists and Neurosurgeons and to provide community service in the form of free blood pressure screening at the Student Health Fair. SIGN members are eligible for summer research grants from the American Academy of Neurology.

You can email us at SIGNumd@gmail.com.

Community service is at the heart and soul of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA). Established in 1964 by medical students from Howard University and Meharry medical schools, the SNMA boasts over 40 years of service to underserved communities and medical students. The University of Maryland Chapter of SNMA is primarily focused on educating, serving and empowering underserved communities through health education, screening, and youth enrichment programs. The youth enrichment programs include: Minority Association of Premedical Students (MAPS), where SNMA members act as mentors to pre-medical undergraduates and post-baccalaureate students in efforts to increase the medical school matriculation rates of underrepresented minorities. Health Professions Recruitment Exposure Programs (HPREP) Youth Science Enrichment Program (YSEP) HIV Intervention/Prevention Corps (HIP Corps), which is a culturally sensitive HIV/AIDS prevention education and community outreach program. In addition to these programs, the SNMA is committed to providing academic and social support to its members 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.

 Email Chapter President Alanah Webb at Alanah.Webb@som.umaryland.edu for more information.

The Student Sight Savers Project is a nationally recognized glaucoma screening program originally founded at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Our group has three primary objectives. First, to provide glaucoma screenings/referrals for local Baltimore residents who otherwise would not receive care. Second, to provide first and second year medical students with hands-on clinical experience. Third, to provide information for those interested in ophthalmology and other eye specialties. 

Glaucoma screenings will be held once a month from 10am-2pm. Regular emails will be sent regarding these events.

SIG provides students with information about the professional activities of surgeons in the major, recognized surgical specialties. Surgical resident panels will enable members to learn about the timing, structure and core competencies of residency training programs in the various surgical specialties. Members will discuss cultural and lifestyle issues related to post-graduate career choices, as well as sociopolitical issues facing surgical specialists today. Presentations by attendings will give members perspective on the day-to-day of surgical specialists. Other activities including knot tying, suturing, and laparoscopic workshops as well as a shadowing program provide access to individual clinical experiences with surgeons at UMMC.

Students interested should contact:  UMB.SIG@gmail.com

The Wilderness Medicine Interest Group aims to introduce medical students to the issues and medical techniques specific (but not limited to) activities in the outdoors. Our scope of interest ranges from the provision of basic first aid for trauma situations to exploring the intricacies of exposure illness. We also promote the idea that such techniques engage common sense and personal improvisation in the face of unexpected emergency, whether one rock climbs or drives on the freeway.

• Providing female students with access to mentors and role models within the University of Maryland medical community;
• Celebrating strong women leaders and distinguished females in the University of Maryland Medical System;
• Addressing lifestyle concerns unique to women in medicine and the medical sciences;
• Sponsoring meetings, panels, lectures, and seminars on professional development, career opportunities, and work/life balance for women in medicine and the medical sciences;
• Strengthening opportunities for women to pursue traditionally under-represented specialties;
• Providing students with a historical context of the role of women in medicine;
• Serving as a focus for the discussion and resolution of issues of interest to women in the University of Maryland School of Medicine community.

The Women’s Health Interest Group (WHIG) aims to provide education for both male and female medical professionals related to both the woman patient and the roles of the physicians that care for them. Our purpose is to offer resources to students interested in a possible career related to women’s health, as well as to provide avenues for community involvement and mentorship connections. Our group’s activities include monthly seminars/speaker series, a shadowing/mentorship , community outreach activities, and hands-on procedure and exam technique workshops.

 Contact: umdwhig@gmail.com