Third-year medical student Olasubomi Ayomini “Mini” Ajayi of UConn School of Medicine has been appointed Region VII Director for the National Board of Directors of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA).
Ajayi was named to the position of Region VII Director at the 2025 SNMA Annual Medical Education Conference (AMEC) held in April. The conference is consistently the largest gathering of underrepresented minority medical students at any time of the year in any place in the nation. Each year this conference is attended by medical students and professionals for a wide range of educational and networking events.
“I am honored to take on this role after years of dedication to SNMA in various capacities. As Region VII Director, I look forward to strengthening connections across our New England chapters, supporting student development, and creating opportunities that empower the next generation of physicians to thrive—even in a time when it can feel difficult to exist in the field of medicine,” says Ajayi. “My hope is that SNMA continues to serve as a safe space where minority medical students feel seen, supported, and empowered as they journey through medicine.”
UConn School of Medicine’s Ajayi is originally from Northern New Jersey. Her educational journey began at the University of Connecticut, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Sciences as an Honors Scholar.
Her Nigerian heritage and upbringing have instilled in her a deep sense of responsibility to leave a positive impact on her community. Ajayi is an active member of her local SNMA chapter and previously served as a voting student member on the 2024-25 UConn School of Medicine Admissions Committee. Her commitment to community service extends to volunteering at numerous free clinics and engaging in community-based research and global health initiatives focused on food access and barriers to preventive health screenings. Additionally, Ajayi contributes her leadership skills as the co-advocacy chair for the UConn chapter of the American Medical Association and as a Health Career Opportunity Programs (HCOP) mentor.
Ajayi was also a successful participant in the HCOP Health Disparities Fellowship and MCAT Prep Programs while attending UConn as an undergraduate. HCOP of UConn Health is where the young people of Connecticut from all backgrounds can receive in-depth education in the health sciences and career path mentorship. HCOP is home to 14 different programs of the Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative (HPPI).
“We are so proud of Mini being selected for this high honor on the SNMA National leadership team. This is a very noteworthy achievement,” shared Physician-Scientist Dr. Marja Hurley, founder and longtime director of HCOP at UConn Health who also serves as the faculty advisor for UConn’s SNMA student chapter. Hurley founded UConn Health’s SNMA chapter more than 30 years ago.
While Ajayi has a range of clinical interests, she is passionate about serving underresourced communities through research and advocacy and mentoring aspiring minority healthcare professionals. Her hobbies include playing basketball, traveling, karaoke, reading, journaling, and going for walks, activities that balance her professional pursuits with personal well-being and joy.
Founded in 1964 by medical students from Howard University College of Medicine and Meharry Medical College, the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) is the nation’s oldest and largest independent, student-run organization focused on the needs and concerns of medical students of color. Organized with chapters across the nation, the SNMA membership includes over 7,800 medical students, pre-medical students, and physicians.
