Special Interest Groups

American Association of Neurological Surgery

National chapter, which diagnoses and treats disorders of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, cerebrovasculature, and peripheral nerves. Areas of specialty include vascular/endovascular, functional, oncological, spinal, and skull base.

American Medical Association (AMA)

The CMU College of Medicine AMA/MSMS SIG is part of a national organization that serves to bring together physicians, residents, medical students, and lawmakers to work together to change health policy and "promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health". The AMA does this at a national level and MSMS does this at the state level.

American Medical Student Association (AMSA)

Seventy years strong, with roughly 30,000 active members all across the globe, AMSA is a student-led, national association that exists to cultivate, inspire and inform medical students. With opportunities for leadership, advocacy, and networking, AMSA offers a diverse set of resources geared toward empowering and educating medical students on how they may become effective leaders in the medical field not only in the future, but also right now.

Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA)

Here at the College of Medicine, we desire to unify students towards this goal by creating a chapter of the Latino Medical Students Association (LMSA). The LMSA was founded to represent, support, educate, and unify U.S. Latino(a) medical students, but is open to people of all backgrounds.

Muslim Medical Students' Association

A group to provide support for medical students at the College of Medicine, and allow students to develop clinical skills and cultural competence in relation to patients with diverse faiths.

Student National Medical Association (SNMA)

Student National Medical Association (SNMA) is an organization committed to supporting current and future underrepresented minority medical students, addressing the needs of underserved communities, and increasing the number of clinically excellent, culturally competent and socially conscious physicians.

Global Health Equity

Physician for Human Rights

Using science and medicine to stop human rights violation.

Street Medicine

Delivering healthcare to people experiencing homelessness.

Family Medicine

The Family Medicine SIG is for those who are interested in family medicine! We provide more information about what it is and what family medicine physicians do as well as provide opportunities to participate in related to family medicine.

Geriatrics SIG

The Geriatrics SIG is committed to raising awareness for the special medical needs of our aging population. Through various speaking engagements and learning opportunities, we hope to equip future doctors with the knowledge and resources to address these needs to provide quality care.

Internal Medicine

The Internal Medicine Student Interest Group (IM SIG) is a student-led group with the primary goal to promote the field of internal medicine, as well as to expose students with a better understanding of the field of Internal Medicine. This is done through various speaker presentations, conferences, and volunteer opportunities that allow students to explore the field of Internal Medicine, as well as its subspecialties. The IM SIG is partially funded by the American College of Physicians, which provides ample opportunities for students aspiring to become future internists.

Pediatrics

The Pediatric Student Interest Group is for anyone looking to improve their understanding of pediatrics and how to communicate with children in a medical setting. We collaborate with a local elementary school, where we exchange letters with 4th and 5th grade pen pals as well as teach lessons regarding health and medicine to the students.

Surgery

A student organization founded on the principle of providing educational and hands-on experience to medical students interested in pursuing a career in surgery. Small introductory clinics are tailored towards providing demonstrative and opportunistic learning exposures in the art of suturing, cast placement and removal, as well as performing imaging studies (i.e. ultrasound).

Women's Health/OBGYN

Focus on women's health and reproductive health.

Anesthesiology

Dermatology

Dermatologists play a role in diagnosing and treating diseases of the largest organ in the body - the skin. The integumentary system, the skin, and its accessory structures work closely with other systems in the body and for this reason, its attention is applicable to many fields of medicine in preventing and treating diseases such as skin cancer. The Dermatology Interest Group at the College of Medicine values learning more about skin health in addition to discovering ways to better educate and promote prevention and detection habits.

Emergency Medicine

A group for people interested in learning more about emergency medicine. We have several events including shadowing, speakers and a procedure day where you can learn clinical skills.

Gastroenterology and Colorectal

This SIG serves to educate students on the complex dynamics underlying gastrointestinal pathologies and their impact on a patient's quality of life. Our events aim to promote a better understanding of how to manage these patients and to inform students who are interested in the career path of a GI physician.

Neurology

This SIG aims to provide medical students with educational opportunities that will further expand their knowledge in the field of neuroscience. This will be complete through interactive student-driven lectures focused on the pathophysiology or neurological disorders and discussion of the current treatment modalities utilized in practice. Students will learn more about the field of neurology through literary discussion, informational videos, and shadowing opportunities.

Oncology

The Oncology SIG is for students interested in learning more about the field as well as finding different volunteer and educational opportunities related to Oncology. Last year the SIG raised over $400 for both national and local programs and participated in events concerned with new research topics as well as content review for the M1s and M2s. The SIG is growing and looking into establishing more volunteer and shadowing opportunities, and should be considered by anyone interested in the topic of Oncology!

Ophthalmology

Focused on the study of eyes and general eye care.

Orthopedic and Sports Medicine

The Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Student Interest Group's missions is to provide exposure for students interested in pursuing or exploring Orthopedic Surgery or Sports Medicine Careers. We host the annual Casting Clinic, which provides hands-on experiences in medicine, including putting on and cutting off casts. Additionally, we host the annual M1 anatomy review which allows M2's an opportunity to tutor M1's in the anatomy lab.

Psychiatry and Mental Health Advocates

The Psychiatry and Mental Health Advocates SIG strive to promote the field of psychiatry and the importance of mental health issues among students. We believe psychiatry is an important discipline because behavioral and mental health is integral to the overall well-being of every individual. We aim to provide opportunities for students to learn more about psychiatry and get involved in advocacy for mental health. Students are also encouraged to come up with unique ideas and execute them through this group.

Rare Diseases

A group that looks at the diseases that are very low in prevalence and how to identify them.

Ultrasound

This Special Interest Group is designed to expose medical students to ultrasound techniques before their third and forth years.

Urology SIG

Focus on urology, which is the medical and surgical discipline that provides adult and pediatric care for individuals with a genitourinary tract and adrenal gland conditions. American Urological Association

Addiction in Medicine

Business in Medicine

The Business in Medicine SIG exists in order to provide business acumen to our students not otherwise provided in the everyday curriculum. The SIG is focused on providing students the opportunity to network with local physicians, hospital administrators, and business leaders. In addition, through speaker presentations and community events, we hope to provide students with valuable knowledge that can one day help them achieve their professional goals. This includes, but is not limited to, opening a practice, working as an administrator, developing a novel medical product, or starting a small business.

Cardiology

The Cardiology Student Interest Group is a student-led group that's main purpose is to promote the field of cardiology, as well as to provide students with the exposure and a better understanding of the field of cardiology. This is done via various guest speaker presentations, enriching workshops, and volunteer opportunities that allow students to delve into the cardiology field, as well as its subspecialties.

Disabilities in Medicine

Focuses on the disabilities you will encounter as a physician and how to help, treat and respond to patients with disabilities.

Evidence Based Medicine

The Evidence Based Medicine Interest Group will strengthen student's use of evidence-based medicine in their clinical knowledge. The EBM Interest Group will offer exposure and training in evaluating landmark clinical trails and surgical and exercise interventions across all areas of medicine. This type of training is currently not available to the College of Medicine students and serves to prepare students for their clinical years and beyond.

Health and Nutrition

This SIG aims to educate students about the roles of nutrition and exercise on health and quality of life. Through our events, we also intend to introduce students to ways in which they can help future patients incorporate these important practices into their lives. Past and pending events include health fairs, fitness classes, and educational session with a registered dietitian, a session on how mental health is impacted by addiction, etc.

Immersion: Spanish Culture and Language

A group to learn medical Spanish and cultural competency to ultimately implement these skills in clinical contexts in rural, urban and possibly international locations.

LBGTQ Equality in Medicine

Promoting an understanding that there are LGBTQ patients out there and helping to build a foundation on how to best treat them and provide care for them as your patients.

Medical Ethics

Provide a forum for students to learn about, explore and discuss ethical issues related to healthcare.

Medical Students for Choice

Despite being one of the most common medical procedures, abortion is not being taught to most medical students. Less than half of our members learned about first-trimester surgical abortion from their schools. When future doctors are not educated on abortion and family planning, they are unable to offer their patients the full range of reproductive health care. Medical Students for Choice fights to keep choice a reality for women by creating abortion providers and pro-choice physicians.

Native Americans in Medicine 

Native Americans are at an increased risk for developing various health conditions such as diabetes, addiction, and mental health issues. Rural tribes also may have inadequate access to care. We aim to help increase awareness. 

Otolaryngology (ENT)

Otolaryngology is a medical specialty, which is focused on the ears, nose, and throat. It is also called otolaryngology-head and neck surgery because specialists are trained in both medicine and surgery. They are often called an ear, nose and throat doctor or ENT.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R)

PM&R, or Physiatry, aims to restore functional ability, reduce pain, and enhance quality of life for those with disabilities or physical impairment. Common injuries that PM&R physicians treat include traumatic brain injuries, sports injuries, spinal cord injuries, and musculoskeletal injuries.

Research in Medicine

This SIG aims to further develop the research culture at the College of Medicine. This involves making students aware of the research opportunities available for medical students and professionals in the fields of both basic and clinical sciences. The events would include faculty members presenting their research foci and improving students' research profiles (i.e. what makes an effective poster, etc.)

Wilderness Medicine

Focus on medical care in settings with limited resources, consults, or time. Includes prevention/risk minimization, stabilizing patients, and evacuation.

Christians in Medicine

Medicine in Media

Service Trips

The Service Trips SIG allows students to volunteer for one week in another community. These trips offer the ability for students to explore social issues and to develop a diverse perspective, critical thinking and community involvement through meaningful service.

Technology in Medicine

Technology in Medicine SIG is part of an effort to help integrate the use of mobile phone applications into the treatments of our future patients.

Therapy through Music

Medical students exploring how to use music to establish a therapeutic relationship with patients. Specifically, learning to employ music in addressing the emotional, cognitive and social needs of patients.

Women in Medicine/FEMMED

Focus on women in medicine and how to navigate the healthcare system as a female doctor.