Student organizations

The Wayne State University School of Medicine offers a broad selection of organizations that encourage collaboration and camaraderie among students in underrepresented populations in medicine.

Africans in Medicine
Africans in Medicine, or AIM, is a national organization uniting African medical professionals in an effort to confront medical, cultural and societal complexities that affect the health and well-being of Africans and Africans in the diaspora. The Wayne State University chapter of AIM, founded in 2008, is a culturally empowered network of medical students who promote the mission of the national organization and seek to increase student awareness about these issues. AIM has a diverse student member body and welcomes students from all backgrounds.

American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin
American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, or AAPI is a national organization committed to addressing pertinent issues and providing academic opportunities for current and future Indian-American physicians. The Wayne State University School of Medicine's student chapter strives to integrate and support students of Indian origin while enriching and educating the greater community. AAPI is dedicated to community service, student collaboration and cultural exploration. Events include Diwali lunches, charity fundraisers and community outreach screenings.

Amigos Médicos
The mission of Amigos Médicos is to help students understand and meet the health care needs of the medically underserved members of the Hispanic community through education and community service. These goals are achieved through medical Spanish language sessions, volunteer experiences in bilingual health care settings such as the Covenant Community Clinic and the Community Health and Social Services Clinic, and travel opportunities to Mexico and South Carolina.

Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association
The Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association, or APAMSA, promotes awareness of issues that affect Asian/Pacific American medical students and assist others in understanding Asian cultures and lifestyles. The organization sponsors and participates in many universitywide events, such as Ethnic Cultural Week, guest speaker presentations and clothing drives. APAMSA also is active in outreach programs to the Asian community in metropolitan Detroit. Members attend regional and national conferences focused on issues affecting Asian-Americans, including health, immigration and cultural/language barriers. APAMSA welcomes all who are interested in participating in its activities.

Black Medical Association
Founded in 1969, the Black Medical Association is the local affiliate of the Student National Medical Association. The association is one of the oldest and most active student organizations in the Wayne State University School of Medicine, supporting the development of academic excellence and professionalism among African-American and minority students, and encouraging communication between the school's student organizations and the student body in general.

Chaldean American Medical Student Association
The Chaldean-American Medical Student Association, or CAMSA, is a student-run nonprofit organization established to promote Chaldean culture and language through the fabric of diversity. Along with providing medical students volunteer and networking opportunities, CAMSA focuses on promoting higher education for future health professionals. CAMSA also provides community service and aid to underserved Chaldeans and non-Chaldeans in metropolitan Detroit.

Christian Medical Association
The Christian Medical Association 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 Wayne State University School of Medicine chapter is an interdenominational fellowship of believers who consider themselves Christians first and medical students second. Members believe that Bible study, worship and fellowship are essentials that cannot be neglected during medical school. Everyone is welcome to attend the organization's weekly meeting, held Wednesdays at noon.

Islamic Medical Student Association
The Islamic Medical Student Association serves the social, professional and spiritual needs of Muslim medical students and the broader Wayne State University School of Medicine community. The association's events highlight the importance of social engagement through volunteer work, with a keen focus on:

Volunteerism through work at Gleaners Food Bank
An annual Fast-a-Thon dinner in the fall and an annual spring banquet
Clinical service learning through work at the HUDA Clinic and community health fairs
Deeper appreciation for the vibrancy and diversity within Islamic practice across the globe through monthly halaqas, or educational learning sessions

The association hopes to inspire medical students to make positive, effective and ongoing contributions to the medical and social needs of the local and global society.

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

Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA)
The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) at the Wayne State University School of Medicine is committed to addressing issues in health care and medical education in the Latin American community.

To understand and address these issues, the organization focuses on:

Networking between medical students and medical professionals statewide and nationally
Coordinating guest speakers for cultural events at the School of Medicine
Academic support for medical students
Community outreach
Working with the Wayne State University administration on Latinx concerns

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People in Medicine
The LGBT People in Medicine group has a three-fold mission:

Support: To foster an accepting and supportive environment for LGBT students and their allies in the Wayne State University medical community. This involves establishing professional contacts with LGBT faculty members, residents and area physicians.
Advocacy: To educate our peers at the School of Medicine about health and social issues in the LGBT community by inviting speakers and sponsoring awareness and visibility programs.
Community: To serve the LGBT community in metropolitan Detroit through volunteering, increasing awareness about health issues and working with other community organizations to maximize our effectiveness.

Men of Color Aspiring in Medicine
Men of Color Aspiring in Medicine (MOCAIM) is a group of determined, motivated and ambitious individuals who are aspiring to become phenomenal health care providers.

The organization's purpose is to help men of different ethnicities by motivating, supporting and mentoring them to become successful nurses, physicians, physician assistants, psychologists, dentists, physical therapists and more.

MOCAIM aims to:

Mentor and encourage young men from diverse backgrounds who are considering careers in medicine.
Build a network of determined individuals with similar goals to foster unity and brotherhood.
Increase diversity among men in medicine.

MOCAIM provides members with opportunities for volunteer work, job shadowing, paid MCAT training and more. For more information and to learn how to join, email mofcolor.a.i.m@gmail.com.

Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students
We maintain a close relationship with Wayne State University's chapter of the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS), which offers collaborative support and unique opportunities for minority students pursuing degrees in medicine. For more information, contact MAPS advisor Deborah Holland or visit the MAPS website.

National Arab American Medical Association
With 26 chapters in the United States and Canada, the National Arab American Medical Association, or NAAMA, is an organization of physicians, medical students and other health professionals with goals that encompass a wide range of professional, educational, charitable, humanitarian and cultural activities. NAAMA offers a venue for medical students of Arabic descent and those with a close affinity with individuals of Arabic origins to socialize, interact, share and learn about Arabic traditions and culture.

Timmy Global Health WSU
Timmy Global Health WSU expands access to healthcare and empowers students and volunteers to tackle today's most pressing global health challenges. To achieve this goal, Timmy WSU sends a medical service team every August to support the work of our international partner Banelino. Timmy WSU also channels financial, medical and human resources to community-based health and development projects here in Detroit and in Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic.