The Student National Medical Association (SNMA) has been diversifying the face of medicine since 1964. We are 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 chapters based at allopathic and osteopathic medical schools throughout the nation, and some colleges, implement our programs and activities locally. SNMA is a national organization with several local chapters at various allopathic and osteopathic medical school throughout the country. At the local level, SNMA programs are designed to serve the health needs of underserved communities and communities of color. Also, In addition to addressing the needs of the community, SNMA is dedicated both to ensuring that medical education and services are culturally competent and sensitive to the needs of diverse populations and to lastly, increasing the number of African American, Latino, and other students of color entering and completing medical school. The goals of SNMA are:
- To serve as a credible and accurate source of information relevant to minority issues in the field of medical education.
- To encourage and foster the development of minority faculty to increase the presence of minority mentors and biomedical researchers in academic health centers.
- To evaluate and cultivate the necessary measures to eradicate practices in the field of health professional education that compromises the goal of providing quality education to minorities and women.
The theme of this year's Region V Medical Education Conference is “Changing Lanes: Adapting to a New Normal.” The conference will highly the importance of being able to adapt in this every changing environment in health care and further taking a dive into the complexities of our social world and the impact it has on us in health care system and most important those we vow to protect, our patients. This year more than ever, SNMA Region V conference will tackle these topics head on as we provide insight on how to navigate through these times as a student aspiring to be a physician, a current medical student or resident. We will address various topics from Racism and the impact this has within our own lives to the unknown surrounding COVID-19 pandemic. In today’s climate, the importance of increasing diversity in our healthcare workforce is paramount. The conference this year will work to emphasis our goal of reaching diversity, equity, and inclusion to all members within the medical community. At SNMA Region V conference we are inviting all to sit at the table and to be a part of the conversation as we strive towards a solution. As we strive towards change. Our goals to reach diversity, equity, and inclusion requires all members of the medical community to be a part of the conversation and the solution.