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Campus Life: Student Groups


The Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) provides students with opportunities to experience the full-spectrum of this specialty through several different activities, including community service. Volunteers for Get Up, Get Out, Get Fit, one of FMIG's ongoing community programs, encourage healthy lifestyles by sharing the benefits of regular exercise with local elementary school students.

Student working with a boy doing a sit-up, Decorative image

Make the most of your experience at USU - join a university-sponsored club. There are many to choose from, each one appealing to the unique interests of our diverse student body - from music to service to academics.

Browse the comprehensive selection of Student Groups below and find a niche that's right for you.

Aerospace Medical Student and Resident Organization (AMSRO)

The AMSRO is an affiliate of the Aerospace Medical Association. The USU chapter's goal is to advance the science and art of aviation and space among medical and graduate students by educating about career opportunities, disseminating knowledge through lectures, and providing experience through research and clinical clerkships. The club meets on a monthly basis and features guest speakers on a number of topics.

Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA)

The AOA is the only national honor medical society, and its singular purpose is to recognize and perpetuate excellence in the medical profession. The members of USU' Gamma Chapter are active in tutoring and assisting other students as they adjust to the rigors of medical school, and they sponsor several educational events throughout the year. Students are eligible for election to the society during the spring term of their third year and the fall term of their fourth year. Criteria for election include overall academic achievement, contributions to the university and the community, and a high standard of character and personal conduct. An induction fee payable to the national office is required, as are modest annual national and local chapter dues. The latter fee includes a subscription to Pharos, the society's publication.

The American Medical Association Medical Student Section (AMAMSS)

The primary functions of AMA MSS are to keep students informed on national issues concerning medical education, to provide an outlet for voicing ideas, and to aid in career planning. The organization is an affiliate of the AMA and the Medical and Chirurgical Society of Maryland. Meetings are held every two months after classes. Annual dues include a subscription to The Journal of the American Medical Association and a copy of the Drug Evaluation Handbook.

Anesthesiology Interest Group (AIG)

The ultimate goal of AIG is to assist students in the process of discovering which specialty best fits them. Members of AIG are provided early exposure to anesthesiology, and are therefore better able to develop or confirm their interest in this specialty. The basic information and resources are provided for students who seek to advance their interest. The AIG is meant to be a lasting organization that will carry this opportunity on to future classes of USU.

Asian Pacific American Student Association (APAMSA)

This national organization's goal is to address those issues important to Asian American medical students. They are interested in both directly promoting the health and well-being of the Asian community as well as helping health care providers working with these communities understand how to care for the Asian patient in a culturally sensitive manner. APAMSA provides a forum for APA medical students to meet, exchange information and experiences and develop personally and professionally. Membership is open to the entire student community.

Association of American Medical Colleges Organization of Student Representatives (AAMC OSR)

The AAMC coordinates the medical educational system, from national board exams to the standards that accredit medical schools. The OSR is the student voice to the AAMC. As a student representative, you represent the unique perspective of USU students at national and regional conferences. Once becoming a representative, there are many opportunities to participate in higher levels of leadership to help the promotion of medical education.

Association of Military Surgeons of the United States (AMSUS)

The mission of AMSUS is to promote all areas of federal health care. The USU students participate in the Baltimore-Washington Student Chapter, whose goals are to stimulate interest in and discussion of military medicine, to provide special opportunities for medical and military education, and to develop leadership. Meetings are held monthly and annual national dues include a subscription to Military Medicine.

Cadusuhs

The Cadusuhs is the yearbook for the university, produced totally by students. The editor-in-chief is a fourth-year student responsible for the overall design and production of the yearbook, as well as its senior section. The club has a number of other positions which require volunteers. These positions include class section editors and co-editors and students to collect digital photos and utilize online resources to create layouts. Members' work loads vary throughout the year, becoming a little heavier just before publication deadlines. There are no fees to participate in this group.

Catholic Medical Student Association (CMSA)

The Catholic Medical Student Association serves to bring the Roman Catholic community together at USU. The goal of the CMSA is to engage each Catholic student spiritually, intellectually, and religiously. CMSA hosts several speakers throughout the academic year on topics related to the church, medicine, and the military. In addition, CMSA hosts small-group lunch meetings where discussions range from topics of faith to controversial issues in bioethics. Finally, CMSA wants to bring the Catholic community together outside the confines of USU through community service, outreach, and social events. Membership is open to the entire USU community.

Christian Medical Association (CMA)

The CMA is the USU chapter of the national organization known as the Christian Medical & Dental Association (CMDA). The purpose of the CMDA is to motivate and equip Christian doctors and medical students to practice their faith in Jesus Christ in every aspect of their lives. The USU chapter is specifically dedicated to providing opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to grow spiritually, encourage one another through Christ-centered relationships, and reach out to our communities. CMA at USU offers weekly Bible study and fellowship, regular family gatherings and other opportunities for community service. There are no dues for CMA and medical students can join the national CMDA at no cost. For more information, please refer to www.cmda.org (national CMDA) and the bulletin board outside the Student Community Center (USU chapter).

Club Med Internal Medicine Interest Group

Club Med exists to bring together senior faculty members and students for the purposes of learning about internal medicine careers and lifestyles. The club meets once or twice a month for panel discussions on what military internists do, interactive clinical scenarios, and clinical workshops. The club also arranges for interested students (even in their first two years of studies) to make rounds with doctors in hospitals and to identify a mentor to help guide one's future in internal medicine. Information on Club Med is available on the university's computer bulletin board. There are no fees association with participation in this group and everyone is welcome. The Cutting Edge Surgical Interest Group The Surgical Interest group seeks to provide students interested in pursuing a career in surgery with the latest and most pertinent information about residencies and sub-specialties within the field. A shadowing program is available for those wanting to see surgeons at work. The group also hosts special talks where a variety of surgeons are invited to speak about their specialties, career tracks, and family life. Opportunities are also available to learn some basic surgical skills and techniques. Meetings are held every other month.

Dermatones

The Dermatones is an a cappella singing group, consisting of both men's and women's voices in barbershop and traditional choral arrangements. The group performs at numerous university functions throughout the year (including mess dinners, social occasions, and memorial services) and special functions (such as Christmas caroling at the Soldiers and Airmen's Home of Washington, D.C.). The Dermatones meet weekly for practice and enjoyment. There is no cost to participate in this group.

Emergency Medicine Interest Group

The EMIG exists to foster interest in the medical specialty of emergency medicine. With regular meetings, EMIG will discuss relevant topics in emergent care focused on paralleling real medicine with the lessons learned in USU classes. The group utilizes emergency medicine physicians, journal articles and students experiences. It also sponsors a program whereby students may shadow an emergency medicine physician to see the specialty in action.

Endocrinology Interest Group

The Endocrinology Interest Group exists to introduce undergraduate medical students to the subspecialty of endocrinology within the wider spectrum of clinical practice. The EIG meets to discuss relevant issues in both pediatric and adult endocrinology and encourages networking with attending endocrinologists through shadow opportunities and by inviting faculty to present special topics. To emphasize the overlap between endocrinology and other specialties, EIG also collaborates with other groups to present topics of shared interest.

Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG)

The goal of the FMIG is to expose students to the specialty of family medicine, a discipline which stresses the comprehensive and continuous care of patients. The club is an affiliate of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physicians. Through community activities and department workshops, members learn about the diverse field of family medicine, its residency programs, and the challenges facing future primary care physicians. Meetings and programs occur throughout the year. More information on individual programs can be found on their website at http://www.usuhs.edu/fap/fmig.html.

Health Disparities Interest Group (HDIG)

The HDIG is focused on exposing students to the special challenges and opportunities of under-served and uninsured populations, such as those in urban areas or in deployed environments. The HDIG also provides service opportunities for students to shadow physicians working with uninsured populations in the area.

Latter-Day Saint Student Association (LDSSA)

The LDSSA is an approved program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It serves to help all Latter-day Saint students stay closely affiliated to the church, find fellowship among those of common belief, succeed in their studies, and balance their secular education with spiritual development. The organization acts to motivate each student to become a powerful influence for good on the campus and in the university's affiliated hospitals. The LDSSA also attempts to provide students with service opportunities, as well as meaningful social activities which are consistent with the standards of the church. All members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who are students at USU are automatically members of LDSSA at USU. Membership is also open to the entire student community.

OB/GYN Interest Group

The OB/GYN Interest Group meets monthly to learn more about the specialty and to explore women's health care issues in general. Guest speakers are invited to discuss relevant OB/GYN topics, deployment opportunities as an OB/GYN, current women's health issues, OB/GYN as a primary care specialty, and residency opportunities. MS I and MS II members have an opportunity to get hands-on clinical experiences by shadowing at the Labor and Delivery ward at the National Naval Medical Center, have the opportunity to select a mentor through the new mentor program and can also become involved in many other new surgical shadowing opportunities. Anyone wishing to explore their interest in caring for the female patient is encouraged to attend. There are no dues associated with participation in this group.

Operational Medicine Interest Group

The Operational Medicine Interest Group is a tri-service organization dedicated to the discussion of all topics that are specific to military medicine in an "operational" or deployed setting. The group conducts monthly meetings on a wide variety of topics. In the past, these meetings have included discussions with invited speakers from operational units and presentations from senior level medical staff members responsible for planning and executing military medicine in austere environments. The group places heavy emphasis on the occupational aspects of military medicine to include flight medicine, undersea medicine, and the overall practice of first world medicine in a third world setting. Pathology Interest Group The Pathology Interest Group educates students about pathology as a career and provides opportunities for students to practice skills pertinent to pathology and medicine as a whole.

Pathology Interest Group

The purpose of the Pathology Interest Group is to inform students about careers in Pathology while teaching them skills that will be helpful in medical school and beyond. The group is intended for all medical students, not just those who have a long-term interest in pathology. The group meets once a month, schedules permitting. There are no dues, just the hope that members will show up, eager to learn and gain new experiences.

Pediatric Interest Group

The purpose of the Student Pediatric Society is to provide students with information about careers in military pediatrics and allow students to spend time with pediatricians in an office environment. The group meets several times a year and is involved in a service project at a local hospital. Students pay no dues, but receive the quarterly newsletter of the Uniformed Services Section of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Preventive Medicine Interest Group

The Preventive Medicine Interest Group meets periodically to learn more about the specialty and to explore issues in public health and the prevention of disease. Guest speakers are invited to discuss relevant and current preventive medicine and health promotion topics, including international health, operational medicine, outbreak investigations, disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, health policy and advocacy, etc. Specialty training and career opportunities in preventive, occupational, and aerospace medicine are included. MS1 and MS2 student members are encouraged to recognize the impact of preventing disease in both military and civilian populations. Anyone wishing to explore their interest in practicing preventive medicine and applying preventive medicine strategies to any other medical discipline is encouraged to attend. There is no fee to participate in this group.

Student National Medical Association (SNMA)

The SNMA is a forum which addresses problems associated with race relations and minority groups, with particular attention given to minority health issues. It also provides a support network for minority students in medicine and is actively involved in exploring ways to increase both minorities' admissions to and retention in medical school. Activities include lecture series, community-based programs, speaking to local high school students, and social gatherings. The SNMA is an affiliate of the national organization based in Washington, D.C. Membership is open to all. Chapter dues and optional national dues include a subscription to The Journal of the Student National Medical Association.

Student Spouses Club

The Student Spouses Club is an organization for the spouses and significant others of the students at USU. The club exists primarily to provide support, friendship, and community for student families through a variety of social and service activities throughout the year. All USU spouses and significant others are welcome to participate.

Wilderness Medicine Interest Group (WMIG)

The WMIG is unique among the student interest groups. Given that there is no formal graduate medical education available in wilderness medicine, the WMIG exposes students to clinically oriented material fundamental to the treatment of acutely injured patients in an operational or wilderness environment. These clinical vignettes are presented through a variety of mediums including lectures, labs, and outdoor activities including hiking, camping, and orienteering. Additionally, due to WMIG's affiliation with the Wilderness Medical Society, a wealth of additional information is available for those students interested in medical care in austere environments. Meetings and other activities occur throughout the year. Membership is free, and students as well as family involvement is encouraged.

Women in Medicine and Science (WIMS)

The WIMS, USU's chapter of the American Medical Women's Association, provides a support group for women in medicine and a forum for discussion on medical topics which affect women specifically and health care providers in general. There are no chapter dues and the optional national dues are a one-time student fee and include a subscription to The Journal of American Medical Women's Association.