Student Organizations and Student Life

Student Organizations

Your medical education can be enhanced by engagement with groups, activities and events outside of the school curriculum. The Hackensack Meridian Health School of Medicine at Seton Hall University offers many official programs (Committee on Student Wellness; Physician Mentoring, etc.); Advocacy/Diversity/Equity student organizations (Latino Medical Association; Student National Medical Association, etc.) and student initiated and run Clubs (Art in Medicine; Parks and Recreation; etc.). We invite you to join and/or create a student organization to engage your colleagues and contribute to your medical school experience.

To establish a group, please complete the application below and submit to SOMStudentAffairs@hmsom.org. Representatives of the Student Government Association (SGA) and the Office of Student Affairs and Wellbeing (SAW) will review your application and inform you of next steps within two weeks. Organizations must be approved by the Office of Student Affairs and Wellbeing before holding any official events or be eligible to receive funding. We look forward to all applications.

2019/2020 SOM Student Specialty Interest Groups

Students at the School of Medicine have established a variety of organizations that are an integral part of the School. These organizations provide crucial career development, service, leadership, and wellness opportunities for the student body. You are encouraged to join these groups and seek leadership opportunities. We also encourage you to develop additional groups around a specific interest you may have. To establish a new student organization, please complete this application. Approval of new student groups is conducted by the SGA. Questions regarding the process should be directed to the Office of Student Affairs and Wellbeing.

American College of OBGYN (ACOG) Student Chapter
Student Leaders:  Keren Khromchenko, Zoe Peck

The American College of OBGYN Interest Group is focused on the very exciting opportunities offered within the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Working with and learning from Dr. Parisi, who leads the OBGYN clerkship, students will get unique exposures to the field in its entirety ranging from clinical practice to women’s health advocacy. Monthly meetings focus on becoming familiar with the process of becoming an OBGYN, OBGYN procedures, working in the SIM lab, and community service projects. ACOG Interest Group’s meetings welcome all HMSOM students with different backgrounds and interests.

Anesthesia
Student Leaders:  Kunal Arora, Anmol Johal

Our mission is to foster professional growth and career development of members of the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine who are interested in the field of Anesthesiology.

Cancer and Oncology 
Student Leaders:  Jack Galfund, Nicholas Howard

The purpose of this organization is multifaceted.  We try to expose those interested in the field of oncology using our connection to the John Theurer Cancer Center, we provide our members with avenues to connect with the JTCC physicians for opportunities in shadowing and research projects.  Additionally, we bring speakers to our meetings; doctors in the field that can share insight into their respective paths into medicine and cancer.

Emergency Medicine
Student Leaders:  Marissa Heyer, Edgar Soto

The Emergency Medicine Interest Group (EMIG) aims to provide students who are interested in careers in Emergency Medicine (EM) with opportunities to explore this field further. EMIG offers a variety of resources to enrich the students’ medical school education and help better prepare them for careers in EM. These resources include clinical procedures workshops (suturing, intubation, central line placement, etc.), residency Q&A panels with current EM staff and faculty, information about fellowships in EM, and guest speaker events.

Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG)
Student Leaders:  Fatima Ahmed, Munifa Wheeler

The Family Medicine Interest Group strives to aid in professional development, cultivate interest in Family Medicine, provide an outlet for serving our community, and promote social activities for our members.

Integrative Medicine
Student Leaders:  Ora Batash, Talitha West

To raise awareness among our colleagues about IM.  We invite speakers with expertise in various integrative modalities and plan activities that will familiarize participants with Integrative approaches to wellbeing such as meditation.  Finally, we will provide members with access to learning resources related to IM, such as from the University of Arizona.

Internal Medicine
Student Leaders:  George Ayob, Andrew Trippiedi

The purpose of the Internal Medicine Interest Group is to promote and develop a profound interest in the specialty of Internal Medicine and its subspecialties. This interest group provides students with networking opportunities with the staff of a diverse array of subspecialties under internal medicine, shadowing opportunities with the same diverse staff, and provides panel and lecturing opportunities at the school for students to learn more about and engage in this field. We work closely with our local chapter of the American College of Physicians (ACP) to provide additional educational opportunities and networking.

Neurology (SIGN)
Student Leaders:  Maciej Kabat, Jordan Intrator

The Student Interest Group of Neurology (SIGN) is a student-led group that aims to facilitate activities and events with the goal of educating students about the day-to-day clinical practice of neurology, the different subspecialties, various patient populations, research opportunities, and other extra-curricular opportunities. In addition, events are organized for student and physician networking and socializing. We strive to facilitate a group that will encourage the exchanging of diverse ideas and perspectives, develops and hones student passion, and provides students an outlet that supplements their medical studies.

Neurosurgery
Student Leaders:  Erica Braun, Francesca Gualano, Andrew Trippiedi

The Neurosurgery Interest Group is an assembly of medical students who aspire to dedicate their careers to this outstanding field. We do so with the utmost respect and honor for both the artistry and craftsmanship of the discipline as well as for the humbling contribution that it must heal.  With an appetite for both the clinical and research arenas within this field, we collectively foster one another’s interests to cultivate a career driven by both heart and mind.

Organ Transplantation
Student Leaders:  Keren Khromchenko, Christina Sheedy

The purpose of the Organ Transplantation Organization is to get students early clinical experience and get them into the hospital early, allowing students to engage with transplant professionals and patients and to be exposed to state-of-the-art transplant procedures.

Orthopedic and Sports Medicine
Student Leaders:  Shaili Dixit, Martinus Megalla

The purpose of this organization is to foster professional growth and career development for members of the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine who are interested in the fields of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.  We strive to provide students with experiences enabling them to explore these fields through lectures from physicians, workshops, and opportunities to shadow.  We hope to develop our members’ interest by providing routes to conducting research with clinical faculty and attendance at professional meetings.  This club will provide an interactive and engaging look into the specialties of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, and we look forward to incorporating the ideas of new members.

Otolaryngology
Student Leaders:  Joseph Coro, Teja Makkapati

The purpose of this group is to educate medical students about the field of otolaryngology.  The group will sponsor events bringing in speakers to talk to medical students about how to enter this field, as well as events talking about issues in the field, and activities teaching the students about otolaryngology.

Pediatrics
Student Leaders:  Soindos Abdah, Hailey Connelly

The purpose of the Pediatric Interest Group shall be to increase awareness of and interest in general pediatrics, medicine/pediatrics, and subspecialties of pediatrics, as well as to provide service to the pediatric community of New Jersey through education and support. The group will encourage the collaboration of medical students and pediatric physicians to facilitate interactive presentations, panel discussions, workshops and networking events in order to explore the nuances of pediatric subspecialties with regards to clinical practice, professional development, lifestyle and research. The group will also participate in several volunteer activities within the Hackensack Meridian Health network and with local community partners to foster the well-being of children and adolescents. We welcome all medical students to participate in our events.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Student Leaders:  Maciej Kabat, Harsh Patel

The purpose of this organization shall be to foster professional growth and career development for student body members of the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM) at Seton Hall University who are interested in the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R). As an overview, this field is typically defined as one that aims to enhance and restore functional ability and quality of life to those with physical impairments or disabilities. Sub-specialties within this field include brain injury medicine, hospice and palliative medicine, neuromuscular medicine, pain medicine, pediatric rehabilitation medicine, spinal cord injury medicine, and sports medicine. The organization aims to educate students about the general practice and sub-specialties of PM&R with meetings with physiatrists, workshops, and shadowing opportunities throughout the course of the school year. The PM&R Interest Group at HMSOM also aims to promote and advance healthcare for communities by reaching out and organizing volunteer opportunities, community events, and research prospects for the students.

Psychiatry
Student Leaders:  Jordan Intrator, Allison Zuckerberg

The Psychiatry Student Interest Group serves to encourage medical students to explore psychiatry as a potential medical profession as well as a discipline to be applied in all areas of medicine. We are an official chapter of the national organization PsychSIGN, which connects students across the country to peers, psychiatry residents, and practicing psychiatrists from a broad range of subspecialties.

Radiology
Student Leaders:  Alex Beekman, Kie Fuji

The purpose of the Radiology Interest Group is to inform students of the crucial and evolving practices of medical imaging utilized by physicians in nearly every discipline. We believe that early exposure into the field of Radiology will help students to master foundations in clinical diagnostics and medical imaging interpretation through on and offsite workshops, lectures, and shadowing opportunities with Hackensack Meridian physicians. We also engage with the Radiology Interest Groups at local medical schools to organize symposiums and networking events. This interest group provides an insightful means of exploring the various career opportunities and sub-specialties of Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology. Of equal importance is guiding students to identify routes and requirements for residency applications, as well as opportunities for research and attendance at professional conference meetings. We strive to build an interactive and engaging environment for students to pursue their interests and look forward to continually evolving this interest group with new ideas!

Surgery
Student Leaders:  Joseph Coro, Anmol Johal

The Surgery Interest Group is a student-run interest group which aims to expose HMSOM students to multi-dimensional field of surgery through surgical skills workshop, conferences, research, shadowing, and mentoring opportunities. We aim to work closely with the surgeons in the HMH network to provide opportunities and a platform for all students who are interested in the field of surgery and all its surgical sub-specialties. Additionally, the goal of the organization is to provide opportunities to learn about various surgical specialties and how to best match into these residencies.

Urology
Student Leaders:  Shaw Benotakeia, Christina Caviasco

The Urology Specialty Interest Group is designed to expose and educate medical students to the evolving and diverse field of Urology. Urology is an engaging field where longitudinal patient experience through the expertise of clinical medicine and surgery allows for a multifaceted approach to diseases ranging from quality of life to malignancy. The Urology Specialty Interest Group specifically aims to expose students in Phase 1 to a field that is often underrepresented in the preclinical years of medical education through lunchtime talks by urology attending and residents, panel-based discussions, and research seminars.

Inactive:
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Interest Group

2019/2020 SOM Student Advocacy and Educational Clubs

American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
Student Leaders:  Alina Bazarian, Marissa Heyer, Francesca Gualano

The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) is the world’s largest independent student run organization. AMSA is committed to improving health care and its delivery to all people by hosting speaker events; promoting active improvement in medical education by providing research and conference opportunities; involving its members in the social, moral, and ethical obligations of the medical profession by advocating for underserved communities; assisting in the improvement and understanding of world health problems; contributing to the welfare of medical students by focusing on wellness; and advancing the profession of medicine by encouraging national leadership programs.

American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA)
Student Leaders:  Fatima Ahmad, Nicole Feigenblum, Marissa Heyer, JacqueLyn Kinney

The mission of the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) is to improve the personal and professional well-being of its members and to increase the influence of women in all aspects of the medical profession. AMWA strives to accomplish these goals by offering personal support for members through networking, action on health issues, and providing information on career options and development. We offer the Women’s Health elective to enhance awareness of women’s issues. Our community service committee coordinates volunteer activities to allow AMWA members to develop closer bonds with each other as well as with the community. We also coordinate a week of events to both empower women and raise awareness about violence against women. We would like to encourage all medical students, regardless of gender, to join AMWA, as women’s issues affect us all.

Asian Pacific American Medical Students Association (APAMSA)
Student Leaders:  Matthew Baniqued, Steven Han

The Asian Pacific American Medical Students Association (APAMSA) is a national organization of medical students committed to addressing the unique health challenges of Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) communities. APAMSA serves as a forum for student leaders to engage in these health issues and develop initiatives and projects addressing those needs. The Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine Chapter of APAMSA aims to engage in activities to promote the health of the APIA community. We hope to help fellow medical students and other health professions understand health issues within the APIA community and care for APIA patients in a culturally sensitive manner. To this end, we plan to host cultural events, a lecture series, educational sessions on eastern medicine, hepatitis B screenings, etc.

Business in Medicine 
Student Leaders:  George Ayob, Martinus Megalla, Andrew Trippiedi

The purpose of this group is to educate medical students regarding personal finance/financial literacy, entrepreneurship, healthcare (policy, etc.), practice management and other business topics that are relevant to the field of Medicine. It is important for medical students to be financially literate and develop a basic understanding of personal finance early in their careers. Empowering medical students with this knowledge will allow them to develop into leaders in their fields, advocate for patients and directly impact healthcare in a positive manner.

Chef MD
Student Leaders:  Melissa Arfuso, Evan Saini

Chef MD aims to promote culinary medicine, encouraging the use of food as a tool to improve health amongst both the student body and the greater community. We plan to hold interactive cooking and nutrition classes for fellow students at local pantries. We will create curricula with recipes that are customizable to the tasks and budget of families in the local community. We will also incorporate a food-related club.

HMSOMmeliers 
Student Leaders: Ryan Mason, Carly Swenson, Lauren Valentine

The HMSOMmeliers group was created to encourage students to enjoy the company of their classmates while learning to appreciate wine.  This educational and informative group will host events led by Dr. Boscamp, exploring the different wine regions throughout the world and their unique varieties.

Jewish Medical Student Association (JMSA)
Student Leaders:  Ally Ferber, Keren Khromchenko

As a religious minority, we would like to create a sense of community and home to Jewish students at the school of medicine. In addition, we hope to attract non-Jewish students in order to share culture to others. In our field, it is important to be aware and educated on other cultures in order to treat our patients to the best of our abilities and in the patients’ best interest. We plan on holding shabbat dinners 1-2 times a month as well as hold educational sessions with guest speakers and holiday celebrations.

Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA)
Student Leaders:  Andrew Nguyen, Edgar Soto

Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine is a chapter of the national organization. This group aims to develop a cohort of future clinicians that are culturally aware of the Latino community and the health disparities that are associated with this population. A major component of this chapter is the student-run medical Spanish program that exposes students of all Spanish levels to critical skills needed to interact with the Latino population. Monthly meetings take place with the objective of integrating our medical Spanish curriculum with all schools here at the Interprofessional Health Sciences campus. Community outreach events are another critical component to this group. With connections in surrounding towns that have a large Latino population where there are plenty of opportunities to practice skills gained from the medical Spanish curriculum, and most importantly, act on the problems that are affecting our neighbors. An example of this is our visits to local clinics to interview Latino patients. We welcome all students of different ethnic backgrounds to contribute to our goal of improving Latino health in New Jersey.

Medical Student Pride Alliance (MSPA)
Student Leaders:  Edgar Soto, Allison Zuckerberg

The Medical Student Pride Alliance (MSPA) at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine is an activist and social organization committed to empowering sexual and gender minority medical students and allies, increasing the number of physicians trained in LGBTQ-inclusive healthcare, and addressing the unique needs of LGBTQ+ communities through research, advocacy, and service. We are an official chapter of the national organization of MSPA.

South Asian Medical Outreach Student Association (SAMOSA)
Student Leaders:  Sibyl Medabalimi, Neha Raja

The purpose of the South Asian Medical Outreach Student Association is to address local and global medical concerns unique to the South Asian community; to promote fraternity and fellowship among students who identify with South Asian culture; to educate and celebrate the culture and traditions of South Asian Heritage including different religions, geographic regions; to understand the benefits and challenges that affect social and behavioral determinants of health in the South Asian population; to encourage discussion and awareness of the political climate and current news relevant to the South Asian countries; and to learn from South Asian role models in the Medical Community to acknowledge the special end-of-life preferences that are common to this population.

Student National Medical Association (SNMA) 
Student Leaders:  Alexandra Altamura, Munifa Wheeler

The Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine chapter of the Student National Medical Association is committed to developing well-rounded, culturally competent physicians of tomorrow. We focus on providing support for underrepresented minority medical students, and we’re committed to giving all students access to educational resources on – and opportunity for outreach within – underserved communities. Our chapter enjoys the full support of HMSOM, whose core mission includes learning and service through engagement of underrepresented populations among students, faculty, staff, and community. We’re committed to removing all barriers to success for minorities in medicine, and we welcome all those who aspire to be positive influences of change within underserved populations.

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