Student National Medical Association

The Student National Medical Association is a national organization that was founded in 1964 by medical students at Howard University and Meharry Medical College. It is the nation’s oldest and largest organization focused on the needs and concerns of medical students of color. SNMA consists of over 5,000 medical and pre-medical students, as well as professional and corporate members. Although SNMA is primarily African American, the organization also appeals to students and professionals from many cultures. Members are African American, African, West Indian, Latino, Asian, and Caucasians who bring a global perspective to their education and healthcare issues addressed within the organization.

SNMA operates at national, regional, and local levels. Nationally, the organization’s affairs are managed by a Board of Directors, which is led by a Chairperson and consists of nationally elected officers, regional directors, healthcare professionals, and various committee chairpersons. SNMA works through its over 160 local chapters to implement programs that address important matters such as recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority medical students, violence prevention, international health, health maintenance and screening, substance abuse, and community outreach and public education.