Events Luncheon
At the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, national and regional organizations bring together medical students and faculty mentors to advocate for improved awareness, health access, and research for a myriad of causes and foundations. Please choose the organization you have interest in to learn more!
Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society American Medical Association (AMA) American Medical Student Association (AMSA) American Medical Women Association (AMWA) Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA) Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA) Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) Pride Alliance at DGSOM/CDU Student National Medical Association (SNMA)
Presidents: Yvonne Lei, Rigoberto Hernandez Faculty Advisor: Clarence Braddock, M.D.
Chapter Website: http://dgsomama.wordpress.com/ Organization Website: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama
Mission Statement: The AMA Chapter at UCLA DGSOM is the local chapter of the national AMA. The AMA chapter is dedicated to informing our student body about health policy and the major issues both at the state and national level. We pride ourselves on also transforming policy into action-- we look to support important initiatives that improve access to high quality care in our local LA community. As part of being in the AMA, we hope to cultivate a group of student leaders who can become effective advocates and public figures in the future. As part of the AMA board, students have the opportunity to attend the AMA National Meetings and network with prominent residents and physicians who are active policy makers and health services researchers.
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Professional Society Student Coordinators: Mariam Khan, Alex Vesling
Advocacy Director: Rachel Wahhab Faculty Advisor : Isaac Yang, M.D.
Organization Website: http://www.amsa.org/AMSA/Homepage.aspx
Mission Statement:
The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) is a student-governed, national organization committed to representing and addressing the concerns of physicians-in-training. AMSA comprises a membership of medical students, pre-medical students, interns, residents and practicing physicians working in collaboration and all striving to improve medical training and healthcare delivery. AMSA involves all its members in the social, moral, and ethical obligations of the profession of medicine. AMSA plays a role in transforming the lives of medical students and empowering them to take action and create change about issues surrounding them through community activism and career development. The American Medical Student Association is committed to improving health and healthcare delivery to all people; assisting in the improvement and understanding of world health problems; contributing to the welfare of medical students, premedical students, interns, residents and post-MD/DO trainees; and advancing the profession of medicine.
Professional Society
Student Coordinators: Aishwarya Karlapudi, Naseem Rangwala Faculty Advisor: Janet Pregler, M.D. Organization Website: http://www.amwa-doc.org/
Mission Statement: The American Medical Women's Association (AMWA) is local, national and international organization of over 10,000 students and physicians dedicated to empowering women to lead in the advancement of health for all through leadership, advocacy, education, expertise, community organization, mentoring and strategic alliances.
At the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, AMWA brings together the perspectives of medical students and faculty mentors to advocate for improved health access, women's health research, women's health education, violence prevention, and increased opportunities for all medical education, regardless of gender, race, socioeconomic status or sexual orientation. Through cooperative community projects, and policy efforts, the men and women of AMWA break down barriers to health and health education in the greater Los Angeles community. Through our selectives, trainings, networking and mentoring events, AMWA empowers the next generation of physicians to advance women's rights and human rights in the local and national realm, and sensitizes them to the unique psychosocial experiences of women relative to their health, and the health of their families.
Our specific goals are to: Strengthen and expand the local network of advocates for women in medicine and medical school Inform the student body of current research and policy in women's health Raise funds and awareness for the most pressing women's health issues in the United States Reaffirm our commitment to community service by increasing efforts to provide care for the underserved women of Los Angeles County.
National Organization
Co-Presidents: Michael Le, Howard PyoVP Community Health: Michelle Shu
VP's Health Disparities: Gloria (Eun Jin) Yu, Eric Lin, Evelyn Shen
Minority Health Liaisons: Jenny Huang, Angela Pham
Mentorship Coordinator: Chris Yang Faculty Advisors: Ka-Kat Hui, M.D. & Marjorie Kagawa-Singer PhD, Robert Oye, M.D.
Chapter Website: http://education.medschool.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=63#APAMSA/ National Website:http://www.apamsa.org Contact: apamsaucladgsom@gmail.com Join our listserve: http://lists.ucla.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/apamsa-members
APAMSA is a medical student-run organization at UCLA DGSOM dedicated to the establishment of a medical system that provides culturally competent services, resources, support, and community education to underserved APA communities as well as the larger underserved population. We are committed to political advocacy, improving APA representation in the bone marrow registry, and providing services to those at risk for hepatitis B. We seek the professional development of medical students and undergraduates interested in APA health though building a community with other medical students, faculty, physicians, and other health professionals.
Student Coordinator: Yoon Lee, Michael Gongwer Student Advisor: Vincent Arriola and Daniel Arriola Faculty Advisor: Janet Ma, MD
Chapter Website: http://education.medschool.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=63#CMDA National Website: http://www.cmda.org/
The Christian Medical and Dental Association at UCLA aims to encourage and equip future physicians and dentists with the heart of Jesus and the wisdom of knowing the Lord so that they may be faithful witnesses and healers.
Whole person care is an approach in medicine that includes addressing a patient's faith and beliefs with respect to their health and illnesses. CMDA aims to help students integrate faith into medicine to provide whole person care by teaching them how to respectfully talk with patients about their beliefs and how that affects their illness and healing.
We are a diverse group encompassing many different life paths but a common love for Jesus Christ. We meet to support each other in the faith as we share in the unique experience of being health professional students. Events include weekly fellowship meetings, Bible studies, prayer and devotionals, guest speakers, quarterly bioethics symposia, social events, and community outreach events. All are welcome, including non-Christians who would like to learn more about Christianity. We look forward to meeting with you.
National Organization UCLA Co-Chair: Karla Prodigue
CDU Co-Chair: Veronica Gonzalez
Treasurer: Lauren Rosas
Med Student Rep: Amanda Davis Juarez
Med Student Rep and Mentorship Team: Christina Valdovinos, Raul Salazar
Secretary: Rocio Garcia Faculty Advisors: Erica Lubliner, MD and Margaria Loeza, MD Staff Advisor: Emma Ledesma
Chapter Website: http://education.medschool.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=63#LMSA National Website: https://lmsa.site-ym.com/
Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) is a network of students, alumni, and health professionals whose mission is to promote the development of Latino students through educational, volunteer, professional and networking opportunities to foster diversity, higher education, and the improvement of the Latino community. Development of Students through:
1) Education: Lunch talks, monthly general meetings, mentorship with undergraduate premed organizations including CCM 2) Volunteer/ Community involvement: Bi-annual Lennox community health fairs, UCLA MEDPEP mentorship 3) Professional and Networking opportunities: Welcome BBQ with SNMA, APAMSA and MedGlo, Faculty mentorship mixer, LMSA regional/national conference
National Organization President: Amanda GongMentorship Chair: Ryan Elliot
Social Chair: Sara Blagburn
Education Chair: Natalie Hawken Faculty Advisor: Dr. Allison Diamant
Campus Resource Center: http://www.lgbt.ucla.edu/ Chapter Website: https://pridedgsom.wixsite.com/home Vision Statement: Our vision is to have a strong community at David Geffen School of Medicine that supports LGBTQ+ individuals and can meet the health needs of LGBTQ+ patients with compassionate and competent care. Mission Statement: Pride Alliance is a support network for UCLA medical students, residents and faculty who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, asexual, two-spirit, questioning, and allies. Our mission is based on three pillars: Networking: As a student and faculty organization, we strive to provide networking and educational opportunities to connect with health professionals and students. We will facilitate mentoring and both personal and professional growth opportunities for students, faculty, and staff member Advocacy: As a student organization, we strive to educate the School of Medicine and university communities about health issues facing LGBTQ+ patients and advocate on their behalf for competent and compassionate care. We believe that all physicians, future physicians, and medical personnel should know the health inequities faced by LGBTQ+ communities. Service: The LGBTQ+ community is predisposed to experience health disparities such as with mental health, cancer, and access. It is up to us as future health care professionals to address them. We will work closely with the LGBTQ+ community in Los Angeles and at UCLA to address these disparities.
Co-Presidents: Katherina Tanson, Zara Oparaugo
VP: Leslie Ojeaburu
Treasurer: Georgina Dominique
Community Service Chair/Health Equity Hub Liaison: Jordan Edwards
MAPS Coordinators: Yusra Amehdin, Okpara Kelechi Faculty Advisors: Tumaini Coker, M.D., Gail Wyatt, Ph.D.
Chapter Website: http://snma.dgsom.ucla.edu/ Organization Website: http://www.snma.org/
Student National Medical Association (SNMA) is the nation's oldest and largest student organization focused on the needs and concerns of medical students of color. 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 has a long history of mentoring, leadership, and advocacy both for medical students and the community. SNMA also purposely seeks to bring focus on those healthcare issues that disproportionately affect underserved patient populations. This organization believes that it has a duty to enhance the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minorities in medicine.
While the focus of Student National Medical Association is on the needs of medical students of color, anyone is welcome to join. Because this organization is committed to the community and not race, its service to humanity transcends ethnic lines. This group fits in the School of Medicine because it provides an outlet for its members, both future and current, to come together, uplift and empower one another and the community.