Organizations

The International Federation of Medical Students' Associations
The International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA) is an independent, non-governmental and non-political federation of medical student associations throughout the world. The IFMSA was founded in the Netherlands as a charity organization in May 1951, and is run for and by medical students all over the world on a non-profit basis.

The mission of UK's IFMSA Chapter is "to offer future physicians a comprehensive introduction to global health issues. Through our programming and opportunities, we develop culturally sensitive students of medicine, intent on influencing the trans-national inequalities that shape the health of our planet." IFMSA sponsors several events each year, the most prominent include activities for World AIDS Day in December and an art auction that benefits "Shoulder to Shoulder Ecuador," a clinical mission trip to South America each spring.

For more information on IFMSA, contact Sam Matheny, M.D., IFMSA faculty advisor and professor and chair of Family and Community Medicine at matheny@email.uky.edu.

The Student National Medical Association
The Student National Medical Association (SNMA) is the nation's oldest and largest student organization focused on the needs and concerns of medical students of color. Membership includes more than 7,000 medical students, pre-medical students, residents and physicians. Established in 1964 by medical students from Howard University and Meharry medical schools, the SNMA boasts more than 40 years of service to underserved communities and medical students.

The mission of UK's SNMA Chapter is "to further the cause of minorities and aspiring minority applicants in the field of medicine through education, community service and mentorship while also bringing attention to the health care disparities in our world."

UK Health Occupation Professionals for Equality
UK Health Occupation Professionals for Equality (UK HOPE) is a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) advocacy group for health professional students, faculty and staff of the University of Kentucky medical campus. UK HOPE was founded in the fall of 2008 and attracts a diverse membership of LGBT students, faculty, staff and their allies. There are no requirements for joining the group; being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender is not a prerequisite, and in fact many of our members are not. The only requirement is a desire to be supportive of and interested in promoting equality for LGBT people.

For more information on UK HOPE, please visit our Web site or contact Jennifer Brueckner, Ph.D., assistant dean for Student Affairs and faculty advisor for UK HOPE, at  jennifer.brueckner@uky.edu.