UConn School of Medicine’s Chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) hosted the Region VII Medical Education Conference over the weekend of Nov. 23.
The conference’s more than 150 attendees included from across New England medical students, pre-medical and undergraduate students, and physicians. There were exhibits highlighting both medical and graduate medical programs, a research symposium, and workshops ranging from preparing medical school applications, advice on how to excel in third-year clerkships, and hands-on clinical experiences inside UConn’s high-tech Simulation Center.
UConn School of Medicine’s SNMA Chapter co-presidents, Tije Oni and Lemuel Gordon Hackshaw, organized the successful conference which centered around the theme of “The DOC is Here: Making Your Presence Known.”
“The privilege of hosting this regional medical educational conference is immeasurable,” shared Hackshaw, UConn’s SNMA Chapter President and Class of 2022 medical student. “We brought some of the most dedicated and hardworking physicians, and medical and pre-medical students from all of New England to UConn Health for two days of learning and networking. The conference was a huge success, connections were made, advice and contacts were shared, and lessons were learned.”
“I am so proud of UConn School of Medicine’s SNMA Chapter and its successful hosting of this year’s regional SNMA conference,” shared Dr. Marja Hurley, professor of medicine and orthopaedics and associate dean and founding director of the Health Career Opportunity Program at UConn Health. In fact, in 1972 Hurley started the first SNMA Chapter at UConn School of Medicine.
UConn School of Medicine Dean, Dr. Bruce T. Liang, couldn’t agree more: “UConn’s medical school was excited to host this exceptional group of medical students, professionals, and educators to advance the national discussions on the significant issues that are affecting us, our diversity, and our excellence in the delivery of health care to our nation’s citizens.”
Liang added: “This year’s theme, ‘The DOC is Here: Making Your Presence Known,’ is essential to raising greater awareness of the challenges groups underrepresented in medicine face daily as well as educating us on how to better enhance the health of the underserved communities we serve.”
The mission of SNMA is 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. With over 8,000 members in chapters throughout the nation, the SNMA dedicates its programming to serving the health needs of underserved communities and communities of color.
