Medical Student Affinity, Interest, and Networking Groups

The American Medical Women’s Association is dedicated to advancing women in medicine and improving women’s health. Their membership is comprised of physicians, residents, medical students, pre-medical students, health care professionals, and supporters.

AMWA’s mission is to advance women and gender minorities in medicine, advocate for equity and inclusion, and ensure excellence in health care and education. To support student success and professional development, their local chapter provides opportunities to connect with faculty, mentorship, peer support, and opportunities to present scholarly work at our annual regional conference.

The Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association is a national organization representing healthcare professionals within the Asian and Pacific American (APA) community. We aim to address unique health challenges affecting our community and serve as a forum for APA medical students to share experiences and develop professionally. In the past, we have organized networking events with Rochester APA faculty, volunteering events with Golisano Children’s Hospital, trips to national APAMSA conferences, internal mentorship, and a night market for URMC staff & students to sample APA cuisines.

The Jewish Association of Medical Students is a Jewish student group and program. JAMS holds a few events each semester, building Jewish community and creating opportunities for socialization, networking, and the celebration of Jewish life and traditions outside the classroom.

The Latino Medical Student Association unites and empowers medical students through service, mentorship and education to advocate for the health of the Latino community.

Some of their goals are: 1) to unify all Latino medical students into one organization, 2) to provide a voice for underrepresented medical students, 3) to actively promote recruitment and retention of Latino students at all levels, 4) to educate medical students on Latino health issues, 5) to advocate for the rights of Latinos in health care, 6) to provide leadership opportunities for Latinos, and 7) to promote volunteerism in the Latino community.

The Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS) seeks to increase exposure and opportunities to those they serve, by inspiring change and increasing diversity in the medical field. This is done by fostering an environment where Black, Latino, Indigenous, and other ethnic minority students can receive academic support, professional and leadership development, networking opportunities, peer mentoring and a lot more.

The Muslim Student Association seeks to establish a Muslim identity on campus through the interaction of the students/alumni, faculty, staff, and the community by organizing religious, academic, informational, and cultural activities to share the harmony of the Islamic way of life.

The Rochester Medical Accessibility Coalition (RMAC) aims to create a more inclusive environment for people with disabilities and chronic health conditions within the URSMD community. RMAC aims to raise understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities both in access to healthcare and medical training, support URSMD community members with disabilities and chronic health conditions. It also seeks to conduct outreach with local disability advocacy groups to improve healthcare access in our community. This is a student led affinity group open to people with disabilities and allies.

The South Asian Medical Student Association (SAMSA) is a national organization determined to unify medical students’ efforts to address South Asian health. They are committed to supporting medical students, promoting research initiatives and advocacy efforts, and addressing the needs of the South Asian American community. Join SAMSA in its mission to improve cultural competency in the next generation of physician-leaders.

The Student National Medical Association is 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.

SNMA programs are designed to serve the health needs of underserved communities and communities of color. In addition, SNMA is dedicated both to ensuring that medical education and services are culturally sensitive to the needs of diverse populations and to increasing the number of African American, Latino, and other students of color entering and completing medical school. 

SNMA is also committed to ensuring that students of color are encouraged to consider and prepare for medical and scientific careers. Our community service and mentoring programs provide science appreciation and education, mentoring and academic enrichment to elementary, junior high school, high school and college students interested in pursuing health-related careers.

Spectrum is the affinity group for LGBTQ+ and ally students at the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry (URSMD). Each year, Spectrum hosts a variety of events ranging from monthly potlucks to educational seminars, to student-created and student-run initiatives related to LGBTQ+ health and wellness. Spectrum also helps facilitate LGBTQ+ mentorship between students and URMC faculty, as well as volunteer opportunities with the broader Rochester LGBTQ+ community.