May 10, 2012

SNMA chapter wins award

SNMA chapter wins award

The Vanderbilt chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) was named a regional chapter of the year at the group’s recent national meeting.

With the support of the Office of Diversity, 15 Vanderbilt SNMA members were able to attend the SNMA's Annual Medical Education Conference in Atlanta. The chapter was recognized as the Region X Chapter of the Year for dedication to the region and great programming.

“I think this year's executive board did a great job of balancing our responsibility as students with our will to live up to the mission of SNMA,” said Brittney Pryor, outgoing SNMA president and second-year medical student.

“All of our hard work and dedication to the organization and the region made it possible for us to receive this recognition. The school is always supportive and we owe the Student Affairs Office and the Office of Diversity many thanks.”

Brittney Pryor

Brittney Pryor

Last October, Vanderbilt hosted a highly successful Region X Conference that was attended by students from 11 schools across Tennessee and Kentucky.

The chapter also supports two ongoing mentoring programs: Vandy Vision, which mentors minority high school students who express an interest in science and medicine; and the Minority Association of Pre-medical Students (MAPS-SNMA), which provides mentorship for undergraduate students at Vanderbilt.

The SNMA is a national organization whose mission is to support current and future underrepresented minority medical students, address the needs of underserved communities, and increase the number of clinically excellent, culturally competent and socially conscious physicians.