School of Medicine

Student Organizations

Student Organizations Office

Ms. Tracey Eady, B.B.A., Secretary
1369 Scott Hall
313.577.1465
313.577.0361 fax
teady@med.wayne.edu

Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Medical School Student Affairs/Student Organizations Office provides services designed to serve all students. The office provides medical student housing information and assists student organizations.

The objectives of extra curricular programs include:

• To increase an awareness of health issues between the community and medical students through mutually beneficial projects.

• To provide medical students with experiences that will sensitize them to the medical practice.

• To enhance medical student leadership skills to better serve society in the future.

• To provide sources of information about health care developments and innovation. In achieving this objective, the student programs invite noontime speakers to address the special needs and concerns in the medical profession.

• To offer opportunities for medical students to work closely with medical leaders in professional organizations.

• To provide to metropolitan area youth proper information and an awareness of harmful effects of drugs and give them an incentive to withstand destructive peer pressure.

• To promote and reinforce the importance of self- respect and how to be effective role models and mentors for area youth.

The Wayne State University School of Medicine Office of Student Affairs is the umbrella under which all Student Organizations function. In order to qualify as an official WSU SOM Student Organization, a group must:

• Name a Faculty Advisor. No group will be approved as an official student organization without having designated a Faculty Advisor.

• Submit a written mission statement and roster of proposed officers for approval to the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs.

• Once the organization is approved,

• The President (or his/her designee) of the organization must meet with Ms. Tracey Eady to obtain a designated storage bin, room reservations and audio/visual equipment in the Student Organizations Office.

• The President (or his/her designee) must meet with Ms. Allison Gherardini in the Office of Student Affairs, to submit a budget request.

Medical School Housing Program

It is the students’ responsibility to find housing, however, the Office of Student Organizations annually publishes a WSU/School of Medicine housing guide. Student recommendations are accepted to help meet students’ needs in finding housing. Please note: WSU Housing Office is different than what is provided by the Office of Student Affairs for more information call: (313) 577-2116.

Housing guides are available in the Office of Student Organizations, 1369. Roommate/apartment mate forms can be picked up in the Office of Student Organizations.

Please contact Ms. Tracey Eady at (313) 577-1465 or email at teady@med.wayne.edu

Roommate Request Form

Adolescent Substance Abuse Prevention Project (ASAP)

Currently, the Adolescent Substance Abuse Prevention Project is aimed at preventing the use and abuse of addictive drugs among pre-teens and teens, particularly those in the 4th-7th grades. Medical students work with elementary and junior high school students and serve as role models to area youth and in so doing help them recognize and resist peer pressure to try drugs. The program offers a series of three one-hour lecture/discussions at each school site. A group of trained medical students work in the same classroom for the entire series. ASAP activities are directed by the WSU School of Medicine, Addiction Research Institute

Aesculapians

Aesculapians is an honorary service organization.  Members are selected by their peers for their interest and participation in extracurricular activities.  The Aesculapians sponsor the annual medical school Lampoon, assist with Commencement, and a number of other medical school activities and community programs.

Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA)

Alpha Omega Alpha is the national medical academic honor society. Students are eligible for election to AOA at the end of Year II and Year III. Membership is limited to the top 16% of each graduating class. Membership selection criteria are determined by the national governing board of AOA.

American Medical Association (AMA - Student Section)

This group's goal is to promote and maintain programs which enhance the quality of health care in the community. The objective of the AMA Student Section is to encourage and support the active participation of medical students in professional organizations including the Michigan State Medical Society and the Wayne County Medical Society and to provide a representation of student opinions and ideals in organized medicine. Student Section members serve on MSMS and WCMS committees and attend national, statewide and local meetings and programs.

American Medical Student Association (AMSA)

AMSA is the largest national organization of medical students. It is politically active at the local, regional and national level. AMSA offers various opportunities for students to become involved in the community either via affiliation with one of its task forces or via independent AMSA sponsored community activities. The task forces are listed below. Community activities include blood pressure screening program clinics, lectures on venereal disease at public schools in the Detroit area, blood drives and summer preceptorships in Michigan.

Task Forces and Standing Committees:

American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA)

The objectives of AMWA are to promote an understanding of the health issues of women, to address the present and future positions of women in medicine, and to be receptive to the needs and challenges faced by professional women in general. Our participation as a student branch of The American Medical Women's Association provides the benefit of affiliating with a national organization of women physicians and medical students.

Amigos Mèdicos

Mission: To better understand and meet the health and wellness needs of the medically under-served Hispanic community.

Education

Amigos Mèdicos is beginning a pilot program of 10 Spanish language education modules to be presented at Wayne State University School of Medicine during lunchtime seminars. Additionally, Amigos Mèdicos sponsors lunchtime speakers to teach about cultural issues pertaining to Hispanic patients. Healthcare - Amigos Mèdicos in conjunction with Covenant Community Clinic is launching a hands-on program where students can practice language and clinical skills in a bilingual healthcare setting. Research - Amigos Mèdicos is working with the People of Detroit project to expand the demographics of the current project by including interviews with Hispanic residents.

Arab and Chaldean Medical Association (ACMA)

Arab and Chaldean Medical Association was established with the purpose for fulfilling the social needs of Arabic students at Wayne State University's medical school.

ACMA intends to build friendship with people of the same ethnic and academic backgrounds and to address the special needs and concerns of students entering medical school. Furthermore, ACMS will strive to be a valuable asset to the School of Medicine in building benevolent relationships and promoting continuity efforts between the students and the faculty.

Arie Foundation

The Arie Foundation is an outreach program dedicated to helping kids with cancer and is new to Wayne State this year. It began as a student run organization at NYU School of Medicine as a non-profit organization, relying on tax-deductible donations from people interested in making a difference. The Arie Foundation was created by medical students and gives donated sports cards and other collectibles to terminally ill, hospitalized children.

Our chapter will work closely with Children's Hospital of Michigan. Four or five members per week will visit the children and deliver donated items. Additionally, we plan to establish a web site with home pages for kids with cancer.

Asian/Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA)

APAMSA aims to promote awareness of issues that affect Asian/Pacific American medical students and to assist others in understanding about the Asian cultures and lifestyles. This organization sponsors and participates in many university wide events, such as: the Ethnic Cultural Week, guest speakers and clothing drives. APAMSA is also active in its outreach programs to the Asian community in Metro Detroit. Members attend regional and national conferences regarding issues affecting Asian Americans, such as health, immigration, and cultural/language barriers. APAMSA welcomes all who are interested in participating in its activities.

Association of Medical Students in Research

This organization established in 1995 is dedicated to helping students in any aspect of research. Its goals consist of establishing a common organization through which they can help each other in obtaining research projects primarily in the Detroit area and expanding to benefit the students coming to WSU from other states.

Black Medical Association (BMA)

Founded in 1969, the BMA is the local affiliate of the Student National Medical Association. The BMA is one of the oldest and most active student organizations in the medical school. The BMA supports the development of academic excellence and professionalism among African-American students and encourages communication between the school's student organizations and the student body in general. The BMA participates in the general community through a variety of outreach programs aimed at youth development.

Cass Clinic Program

On Saturday mornings, WSU medical student volunteers actively engage in health care services at the Cass Clinic located in the downtown area. The purpose of the Cass Student Health Clinic Program is to provide opportunities for WSU medical students to gain true "hands-on" experience in procedures and patient care under the guidance of an attending physician. The Cass Health Care Clinic focuses primarily on providing medical care to a medically indigent population living in the university/medical center area. The Cass Student Health Clinic Program is sponsored by the Aesculapians.

Christian Medical Society (CMS)

The Christian Medical Society is a national professional organization of physicians and medical school students who have joined together to help men and women both physically and spiritually. The WSU chapter is an interdenominational fellowship of believers who consider themselves Christians first and medical students second. The participants believe that Bible study, worship and fellowship are essentials that cannot be neglected during medical school. Everyone is welcome to come to its weekly meeting held every Wednesday at noon.  

Code Blue

Code Blue is a phrase used in hospitals to designate a life-threatening emergency. In 1989, the National Association of State Boards of Education and the American Medical Association issued a "code blue" in response to the adolescent health crisis in the United States including substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases (including but not exclusive of AIDS) and teen pregnancy. Highland Park Public Schools and Wayne State University School of Medicine entered into a partnership in September 1992 to form the Code Blue mentoring outreach project. The goals of the project are to help children avoid risky behaviors, make informed healthy decisions, and to build positive self esteem.

Covenant House

We are a group of students, faculty, and staff dedicated to the lives of homeless youth in Metro Detroit through our involvement with Covenant House Michigan. Our involvement gives us the opportunity and responsibility to make an immediate, positive difference, and hence, a long-term impact upon the health and welfare of the struggling homeless and adolescent population of Detroit. We hope you will join us in accomplishing the five main goals of our organization: 1) develop a foundation for School of Medicine and Detroit Medical Center, 2) increase accessibility of Detroit's homeless youth to medical care, 3) increase preventative medical education in the homeless population, 4) mentor and inspire Covenant House Michigan "kids" and recipients of care, 5) work with existing student groups to facilitate community awareness of the School of Medicine's dedication to the City of Detroit.

Deaf Outreach Community Service (for children) D.O.C.S.

ENCOMPASS

ENCOMPASS, in conjunction with the diversity division of NCCJ*, is an organization dedicated to building a socially conscious community addressing the topics of diversity and prejudice in the School of Medicine. ENCOMPASS provides a forum for students to discuss and act upon current issues affecting the social and academic relationships between students and the medical community.

*NCCJ (National Conference for Community and Justice) is providing the "Different People/Common Ground" program for this diversity initiative.

Functional Medicine Interest Group

The mission of the Functional Medicine Interest Group at Wayne State University School of Medicine is to inform the students and faculty about “individualizing” the practice of medicine. Realizing that every person has a diverse biochemical make-up and unique metabolic processes, and utilizing basic physiological and biochemical principles, we will learn how to optimize their health. We will listen to the Functional Medicine Monthly Update CD by Dr. Jeffery Bland, and will focus on topics such as autoimmune and inflammatory illness, the effect of food and allergies, and ways to fight these problems through eating healthy. We believe that looking at each patient as an individual being is on the forefront of modern medicine. We will strive to develop a broad and solid knowledge base to carry into our future practices with the intention of supplying the best possible care to all of our patients.

Health Focus

The mission is to promote awareness of the challenges involved in providing medical care to children in urban settings. We aim to provide a forum for networking among community organizations, area residents, and the health professionals that serve them. It is our hope that we educate and inspire others to action. Finally, we strive to promote Children's Hospital of Michigan and Wayne State University School of Medicine, in recognition of their effort to improve the health of the community's children.

Hispanic Medical Association

Humanities and Ethics Group

Indian-Pakistani Medical Student Association (IPMSA)

IPMSA offers an opportunity for students from the many different parts of India and Pakistan to interact with each other in a variety of contexts. Forging this social bond serves many purposes. For one, it carries over into the classroom where students can assist and support one another in whatever capacity. In addition, this bond will remain with students long after graduation. IPMSA also aims to augment the educational experience of students by means of symposia and lectures on issues relevant to the Indian-Pakistani community.

Islamic Medical Student Association

Islamic Medical Sciences Association is an organization created to provide for the spiritual, social and professional needs of Muslim students in medical science. One of its main objectives is to counteract the damaging myths and stereotypes commonly held about Islam and which alienate those who practice the religion. Membership in IMSA is open to all medical students.

Jewish Medical Student Association (JMSA)

Membership in the Jewish Medical Student Association is open to Jewish medical students as well as students of other religious and racial backgrounds. The chief goal of JMSA is to provide a forum for medical students to socialize, interact, share and learn about Jewish traditions, culture and beliefs.

Leonardo Da Vinci Society

The purpose of this group is to promote an interest in the arts and cultural activities among medical students.

Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual People in Medicine (LGBPM)

Educates health professionals about the health issues of sexual minorities, and acts as an advocate for lesbian, gay and bisexual medical students and physicians. This organization offers support, networking, and social opportunities for WSU medical students.

Medical Ethics Discussion Group (MEDG)

Formed in 1994, MEDG seeks to prepare medical students for the ethical considerations they will encounter in their practices; not necessarily in terms of giving students ready-made answers to ethical questions, but rather to encourage thought, discussion, and openness to new ideas.

Medical Students for Choice (MSFC)

Medical Students for Choice is dedicated to ensuring that women receive the full range of reproductive health care choices. MSFC recognizes that one of the greatest obstacles to safe and legal abortion is the absence of trained providers. As medical students, we work to make reproductive health care, including abortion, a part of standard medical education and residency training. More specially, these are our goals: a) to build a network of support and resources for the medical students and residents who are working to become tomorrow's abortion providers, b) to reform medical school curricula and training to include abortion and reproductive health as a standard part of medical education, c) to increase education and training opportunities for medical students and residents in abortion and reproductive health and d) to educate students, the public and policymakers in medicine and government in order to raise awareness of the vital need for abortion training.

Military Medical Student Association (MMSA)

The Military Medical Student Association was established with the following goals: 1) to develop lines of communication within the military medical student community; 2) to serve as an information source for military medical students and others interested in military medicine; and, 3) to develop pride, teamwork, and esprit de corps among military medical students.

Phi Beta Pi

Phi Beta Pi is a social fraternity of Wayne State University medical students. Phi Beta Pi plans and provides off-campus social activities that the medical school itself does not offer. Activities sponsored by Phi Beta Pi include parties following exams, an annual ski weekend and a golf outing. Everyone is welcome to join the membership.

Physician Mentor Programs

The Physician Mentor Program initiated by the American Medical Association (Student Board), affords current medical students the opportunity to work with alumni mentors. Established in 1990, the response from WSU School of Medicine alumni has steadily increased to include over 200 volunteers in almost thirty different specialties ranging from Anesthesiology to Urology. The purpose of this program is to provide students with a direct, first-hand experience of the daily activities in various fields of interest.

Project H

The mission of Project H is to provide resources to the Wayne County Family Center, a homeless shelter for men, women and children in Westland, so that all residents have the opportunity to reach and/or maintain their physical, emotional, spiritual and environmental wellness.

Public Health Student Organization

The Public Health Student Organization (PHSO) provides opportunities for students to work on projects dealing with major public health issues including, but not limited to, asthma, diabetes, and working to increase adult physical activity. Most of this year's volunteer activities are part of larger public health research projects, so eventually the outcomes of the interventions will be evaluated. Students can learn more about important health issues, see healthcare provided in the community setting, and acquire intervention skills that may be useful in their future medical careers. PHSO also tries to create an awareness of public health thinking in the medical and community settings and provide information on career opportunities in public health.

ReDetroit

ReDetroit is intended to be a civic and social organization that will take care and take advantage of various resources in Detroit. This organization will be doing Habitat for Humanity outings, Adopt-A-Park and trips to places like the DSO and the DIA. The activities of the group are largely open-ended so that the members of the group will make the group what they want. The whole idea is to get the student body excited about Detroit as a community.

SafeWalk

The Safewalk program is a student-run volunteer escort service for students, faculty and staff between Scott Hall, the Shiffman Library and the parking structure/surface lot after daylight hours. The program is available between 5 p.m. and 11p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Students work in groups of three and are scheduled to work approximately one night a month. Individual schedules are set up to avoid assignments during exam weeks.

SCOP

The Senior Citizen's Outreach Program was founded as an activity by the Christian Medical Society in 1992. It is the only student program that is specifically designed to aid the elderly. Our purpose is to reach out to the senior citizens and help them in every way we can now that they need us the most. As a member of SCOP, you DO NOT need to be a Christian nor be a member of the Christian Medical Society. All you need to be is a compassionate and caring person willing to commit some of your time to bring a smile to another human being.

Selma’s Home

Selma's home is an emergency shelter for medically fragile children with HIV/AIDS or drug addictions. This home cares for underprivileged minority children who have been either abandoned or seized from their parents. Often the parents of Selma's Kids are abusive, neglectful or drug addicted. This organization has worked one on one with these children to help them learn basic skills and concepts and worked at the Selma's Home to make it more child-friendly.

Sexually Transmitted Disease/AIDS Prevention Program (STD/AIDS)

STD/AIDS is a national community outreach program. Its emphasis is on educating middle and high school students on the importance of contraception and dispelling myths involving pregnancy, STD and AIDS. This Program is funded under the administrative agent of Michigan Department of Public Health - Grant Agency; WSU Department of Community Medicine and Southeastern Michigan Health Association.

Shape Up

Shape Up is a program designed to both educate and motivate students to stay physically active, to eat healthier foods, and to maintain mental well being while undergoing the rigors of medical training. The purpose of the program is to have fun, to get a bit of exercise, and to sponsor wellness centered events during the school year.

Spanish for Health Care Professionals

The Spanish group was started based on the interest of many students to learn and practice Spanish that would be useful in a clinical setting. The group is open to anyone with any background level of Spanish. Activities include service projects, translation projects, cultural activities, small group tutorials, language activities including medical vocabulary, lunch-time conversation practice, and mock patient interviews in Spanish.

Students for Healthy Communities

To promote student involvement in building community-campus partnerships for healthier communities in urban Detroit. We will link the healthcare needs and resources of the community, the WSU-SOM students, and the DMC; in doing so, we hope to forge a sense of unity and equality amongst all partners. We will work with Detroit community members to design and develop health-promoting programs. We will also acquire communication and community service skills to complement our medical education.

Student Parents and Rug Rats

To provide a line of communication between medical students with children, and all students interested in family issues and to serve as an information source and support group.

Student Physicians for Social Responsibility (SPSR)

This energetic organization is dedicated to education and outreach on all aspects of violence. We focus on domestic violence, childhood sexual abuse and handgun violence. We educate our peers on these topics through workshops and speakers. We also run outreach programs in the Detroit area schools to educate youths on issues of violence and conflict resolution. In the academic year 1995-96, SPSR participated in the Board of Student Organizations Coalition Against Violence program and sponsored the Silent Witness, Matrix Theatre: Toxic City and Clothesline Project programs.

Student Promoting Education, Awareness and Knowledge about Eating Disorders (SPEAK)

This energetic organization is dedicated to education and outreach on all aspects of violence. We focus on domestic violence, childhood sexual abuse and handgun violence. We educate our peers on these topics through workshops and speakers. We also run outreach programs in the Detroit area schools to educate youths on issues of violence and conflict resolution. In the academic year 1995-96, SPSR participated in the Board of Student Organizations Coalition Against Violence program and sponsored the Silent Witness, Matrix Theatre: Toxic City and Clothesline Project programs.

Student-Faculty Council

(See program information under University Services, Student Government)

Student Society for Stem Cell Research (SSSCR)
Stem Cell research and medical treatments are becoming increasingly promising areas in modern medicine.  The Student Society for Stem Cell Research (SSSCR) is a club for medical students that are interested by the current advancements, bioethical issues, and controversies involved with stem cell research. Various speakers will come and present on different topics in the field. There are numerous opportunities to volunteer in the bone marrow drive and umbilical cord collection program that is collaborating with Karmanos Cancer Institute.  Specifically, the umbilical cord collection program seeks to raise awareness in soon-to-be mothers about the opportunity for cord blood donation. Opportunities also exist for obtaining consent from mothers for umbilical cord donation as well. For those interested in research involving stem cells, there is a research coordinator who will be able to place you in contact with doctors looking for students interested in stem cell research.  This is a club that is great for students interested in any specialty in medicine since an interest in stem cell issues can bolster any application and can be applied to just about any specialty.

Student Team Enabling Peers (STEP)

Peer support amongst all medical students who consider themselves to be disabled, mentorship between disabled students, establishing contacts with advocates for disabled students amongst faculty, staff and administration of the School of Medicine in Scott Hall and at remote hospital locations. Development of standard policies and procedures regarding situations arising from disability to be carried out by the Office of Student Affairs by an appointed person. Working towards the integration of support services for disabled students into standard student affairs services.

Synapse

Synapse is the student newspaper of the medical school. It is run by the students and for the students. Over the years, the Synapse has evolved from a purely informative paper to the heart and soul of the medical school. The editorial staff encourages all students to use the Synapse as a forum for expressing themselves, be it lifestyle issues, cynicism, frustration, or even information.

The World Health Student Group

The goals of the World Health Student Group are to educate and provide information about issues concerning public and international health and to increase awareness of medical students about career opportunities in this field.

Ultra Sounds Acapella Group

The Ultra Sounds is an acapella group that has been designed by those, and for those interested in sharing music with other singers, their school, fellow students and their community. Our objective is to perform in organized school functions, local hospitals, nursing homes, and just about anywhere that people will enjoy listening to music sung by Wayne State University School of Medicine students. In addition to community outreach, this group is meant to be a fun and rhythmic way to enhance the overall medical school experience.

The Violence Awareness organization is dedicated to increasing awareness of the presence and effects of violence in our community and in the practice of medicine. We sponsor a one-week lunchtime lecture series with a variety of community leaders speaking on a host of topics, as well as special presentations and displays throughout the year.

Yearbook

Yearbook staff of Wayne State University School of Medicine produces an annual publication, which reflects the academics, student and faculty committees during the calendar school year. While emphasis is placed on the graduation class, all four classes are included in the School of Medicine yearbook. Participation from each class level in the production of this publication is actively encouraged. Special sections that feature a portion of the school's history are frequently inserted to focus attention on where the school has been, as well as where it is currently going. Besides containing a wealth of memories, the Yearbook serves as a public relations piece for those interested in learning about the Wayne State University School of Medicine.

Young Doctors of Detroit