Skip to main content

CMSRU Student Group Earns National Recognition

A photo featuring youth from Camden and throughout South Jersey learn about careers in science and medicine during CMSRU's annual MLK Day of Service, which is organized in part by the Student National Medical Association (SNMA).Youth from Camden and throughout South Jersey learn about careers in science and medicine during Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU)’s annual MLK Day of Service, which is organized in part by the Student National Medical Association.

The CMSRU Chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) was recognized as a regional Chapter of the Year during the 50th Anniversary National SNMA Banquet in Washington, D.C.

CMSRU also took second place nationally for its community service poster highlighting an outreach program to school children in Camden, and CMSRU second year student Imoh Ikpot was elected the SNMA regional community service representative for 2014-2015.

"These are amazing accomplishments given that CMSRU just became an SNMA chapter last year," explained Jocelyn Mitchell-Williams, MD, PhD, Associate Dean for Diversity and Community Affairs at CMSRU.

The SNMA is the oldest and largest student-run organization focused on the needs and concerns of medical students of color. Founded in 1964, at Howard and Meharry Medical Colleges, the SNMA is firmly committed to supporting current and future underrepresented minority medical students, addressing the needs of the underserved community, and to increasing the number of clinically excellent, culturally competent, and social conscious physicians. Membership includes more than 6,000 medical students, pre-medical students, residents and physicians at over 150 chapters around the nation.

Members of CMSRU’s Student National Medical Association with their Chapter of the Year recognition award.
Members of CMSRU’s Student National Medical Association with their Chapter of the Year recognition award.

CMSRU's SNMA Chapter includes 14 first and second year students. Members engage in an array of activities, ranging from developing strategic community service projects in the City of Camden, to running CMSRU's pipeline programs for high school and college students, to hosting a range of networking, professional development and social events. In addition, SNMA organizes a portion of the annual campus-wide MLK Day of Service event, which over the past two years has brought in hundreds of youth from Camden and South Jersey to CMSRU for a day of educational activities designed to generate enthusiasm for the fields of science and medicine.