National and Regional Organizations
Your DGSOM, Your Community
Your involvement—your voice—strengthens our collective impact.
At the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA, national and regional organizations bring together medical students and faculty mentors to advocate for improved awareness, health access, and research for many causes and foundations.
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- Presidents: Laila Khorsani, Niharika Duggirala, Jim Yee
- Faculty Advisor: Isaac Yang, MD
- Organization Website: AMSA
Mission Statement
DGSOM AMSA aims to create a community of future physicians committed to advocacy and social responsibility. We fulfill our mission and the mission of UCLA medical student organizations by:
- Supporting student-led advocacy initiatives on and off campus
- Raising awareness for healthcare policy issues (such as drug pricing) through informational events and advocacy projects
- Collaborating with other clubs on these projects
- Organizing voter registration drives to promote civic responsibility among our peers and offer our members opportunities to develop leadership skills
- Promoting active collaboration with the AMSA national organization through annual convention attendance, correspondence with national leaders, and incorporation of national AMSA resources into our events and initiatives
- Chair: Wesley Armstrong, Jade Cook, Thomas Issa
- Student Advisor: Yasaman Salahmand, Christian Wooten, Frank Zhou
- Faculty Advisor: Moudi Hubeishy, MD
- Organization Website: American Medical Association
- Chapter Website: AMA CMA at UCLA/CDU
Mission Statement
The American Medical Association (AMA) and California Medical Association (CMA) Chapter at UCLA DGSOM and CDU is the local chapter of the national AMA and state CMA. The AMA/CMA chapter is dedicated to informing our student body about leadership, health policy, and patient advocacy, as well as major contemporary medical issues at the regional, state, and national levels. We pride ourselves on also transforming policy into action through important initiatives that improve access to high-quality care in our local L.A. community, and resolutions for policy change at the state and national levels. We have written and passed resolutions around preventing ICE from entering hospitals, anti-racism competencies in undergraduate medical education, and LGBTQI patient rights. As part of the AMA/CMA, we hope to cultivate a group of student leaders who can become effective advocates and public figures in the future. Students have the opportunity to attend the AMA National Meetings, CMA State Meetings, and network with prominent residents and physicians who are active policymakers and health services researchers.
- Co-Coordinators: Niharika Duggirala, Annika Anderson, Michelle Ryder, Hellen Jumo, Amber Aduja
- Student Advisors: Victoria Yuan, Kathleen Kilroe, Vidhi Singh, Anais Panossian, Hayoung Ahn
- Faculty Advisor: Janet Pregler, MD
- Organization Website: AMWA
Mission Statement
The American Medical Women's Association (AMWA) is local, national and international organization of over 10,000 students and physicians dedicated to empowering women to lead in the advancement of health for all through leadership, advocacy, education, expertise, community organization, mentoring, and strategic alliances.
At the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, AMWA brings together the perspectives of medical students and faculty mentors to advocate for improved health access, women's health research, women's health education, violence prevention, and increased opportunities for all medical education, regardless of gender, race, socioeconomic status or sexual orientation. Through cooperative community projects, and policy efforts, the men and women of AMWA break down barriers to health and health education in the greater Los Angeles community. Through our selectives, trainings, networking, and mentoring events, AMWA empowers the next generation of physicians to advance women's rights and human rights in the local and national realm, and sensitizes them to the unique psychosocial experiences of women relative to their health, and the health of their families.
Our specific goals are to:
- Strengthen and expand the local network of advocates for women in medicine and medical school.
- Inform the student body of current research and policy in women's health.
- Raise funds and awareness for the most pressing women's health issues in the United States.
- Reaffirm our commitment to community service by increasing efforts to provide care for the underserved women of Los Angeles County.
- Student Coordinators: Sione Markarian, Vahagn Aldzhyan, Adam Alnihmy,
- Student Advisor: Nora Galoustian
- Faculty Advisor: Shant Shekherdimian, MD
Support and Unite Armenian Medical Students: AMSA aims to create a supportive community for Armenian medical students at UCLA DGSOM. By fostering mentorship, collaboration, and cultural identity, we help students succeed academically and personally throughout medical school. Serve the Armenian Patient Population: With Los Angeles being home to one of the largest Armenian populations in the world, AMSA will connect students with this community to provide culturally competent healthcare. We aim to improve health outcomes by addressing the specific needs of Armenian patients.Leverage Relationships with Armenian Physicians: We will collaborate with Armenian residents, fellows, and attending physicians in Los Angeles tocreate mentorship and networking opportunities. This allows our members to gain insight into medical specialties and career development, while building professional connections within the Armenian medical community. Expand Medical Education Beyond the Classroom: AMSA provides opportunities for allUCLA medical students to explore careers in medicine. We will host panels, workshops, and events with Armenian physicians and leaders to exposemembers to various medical fields, research opportunities, and healthcare issues relevant to the Armenian community. Advocate for Health in the Armenian Community: AMSA is committed to addressing health disparities and advocating for the health needs of the Armenian population. Through community outreach, health screenings, and public health initiatives, we aim to raise awareness and improve access to care for underserved populations. Develop Leadership and Advocacy Skills: We encourage our members to develop leadership and advocacy skills by taking active roles in AMSA, participating in national medical organizations, and engaging with health policy. These experiences prepare our members to become advocates for healthcare improvements and leaders in the medical field. Connect with National and Global Armenian Medical Networks: AMSA maintains relationships with national and international organizations like the Armenian American Medical Society (AAMS) and the Armenian Medical International Committee (AMIC), offering members broader opportunities for networking, research, and advocacy on a larger scale. Foster Inclusivity and Cultural Awareness: While AMSA focuses on Armenian medical students and healthcare issues, we welcome all UCLA DGSOM students interested in learning about Armenian culture, history, and medical challenges. We promote an inclusive environment that encourages collaboration and understanding across diverse groups.
- Presidents: Tiffany Chen, Jenny Kim, Justin Yun, Kathryn Huang, Trang Trin, Sabrina Jin
- Student Advisors: Hayoung Ahn, Stephanie Komura, Eugene Oh
- Faculty Advisor: Alice Kuo, MD
- Organization Website: APAMSA
- Contact: apamsa@ucla.edu
- Join the Listserv
Mission Statement
The Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA) is a national organization of medical and pre-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 these health issues and develop initiatives and projects addressing those needs. The local, regional, and national activities of APAMSA aim to promote the health of the APIA community and help healthcare workers understand how to care for APIA patients in a culturally sensitive manner. Finally, APAMSA provides an important venue for medical students to meet, exchange experiences, and develop personally and professionally through leadership and service.
- Student Coordinators: Antony Alvarado, Abigail Rieder, Ryan Han
- Student Advisors: Desiree Acosta, Logan Gunderson, Sarah Park, Ashley Washington
- Faculty Advisors: Connie H. Lin, MD, Janet Ma, MD
- Organization Website: CDMA
- Chapter Website: CMSA at DGSOM
Mission Statement
The goals of the CMSA are:
- Create a welcoming environment for medical students to grow in the community and build lasting relationships with each other
- Offer networking opportunities among healthcare professionals and students and invite speakers in the healthcare profession to share how Christianity has shaped their medical careers (explore careers in medicine)
- Provide a safe, welcoming space for medical students to reflect and engage in discussions surrounding what it might mean to be a Christian healthcare professional and an advocate for patients (stimulate interest in medical issues; develop leadership and medical advocacy skills)
Student Coordinators: Luigi Varilla, Corinne Allas, Joshua Rivera, Jerome Andres
FAiM at UCLA is an organization of Filipino-American medical students at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and healthcare providers at UCLA Health.
Our Mission
- To establish a strong network of physicians, residents, medical students, and undergraduates that will provide mentorship, support, and guidance throughout their professional careers.
- To provide a space to share and translate common values and lived experiences into developing passions in the medical field and for underserved communities.
- To educate medical students about healthcare disparities that affect the Filipino community and to share existing and potential interventions.
- To provide basic health screenings and education to the Filipino community in the Greater Los Angeles area.
- To provide mentorship to UCLA undergraduate students by increasing exposure to community engagement, volunteer, and social events.
- Student Coordinators: Corinne Allas, Joshua Rivera
- Student Advisors: Luigi Varilla, Erika Mae Bernardino
- Faculty Advisors: Jeffrey Hsu, MD and Chelsea Morinishi, MD
Mission Statement
The goals of the CMSA are:
- Create a welcoming environment for medical students to grow in the community and build lasting relationships with each other
- Offer networking opportunities among healthcare professionals and students and invite speakers in the healthcare profession to share how Christianity has shaped their medical careers (explore careers in medicine)
- Provide a safe, welcoming space for medical students to reflect and engage in discussions surrounding what it might mean to be a Christian healthcare professional and an advocate for patients (stimulate interest in medical issues; develop leadership and medical advocacy skills)
- Co-Presidents: Erika Venegas, Johanna Bedoy
- Treasurer: George Heredia
- Secretary: Maria Luna
- Social Media Chair: Nancy Garibay
- Diversity Representative: Judy Figueroa, Stacy Piva
- Community Representative: Christopher Gonzales, Kelsy Larios
- UCLA Medical Student Representatives: Karina Fing Castro, Naomi Castellon-Perez
- CDU Medical Student Representatives: Hailey Gonzales, Natalie Martinez
- Mentorship Coordinators: Andy Garcia, Frederick Jimenez, Kimberly Dominguez, Diana Amador, Esme Ruiz
- Lenox Coordinators: Melissa Venegas, Caleb Garcia, Doris Gonzales, Andrea Guevara-Castro, Maria Hernandez
- Student Advisors: Liliana Perez, Itzel Melgoza
- Staff Advisor: Emma Ledesma
- Faculty Advisor: Erica Lubliner, MD
- Organization Website: LMSA
Mission Statement
The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science is a network of students, alumni, and health professionals whose mission is to promote the development of Latino students through educational, volunteer, professional and networking opportunities to foster diversity, higher education, and the improvement of the Latino community.
- Co-Coordinators: Rose Kordahl, Zoe Adelsheim, Josh Klein, Nami Nobahar, Isoris Nivar, Nicholas Gladkov
- Student Advisors: Dyuthi Mathews Tharakan, Lorenzo Miller, Rebecca Canfield
- Faculty Advisor: Allison Diamant, MD
- Campus Resource Center: UCLA LBGTQ
- Chapter Website: Pride Alliance at DGSOM/CDU
Mission Statement
The Pride Alliance at David Geffen School of Medicine is a social and support network for UCLA medical students, residents, and faculty who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ spectrums and allies of equality in medicine. All who are interested in learning more are welcome!
- NETWORKING Lifting Each Other Up As a student and faculty organization, we strive to provide networking and educational opportunities to connect with health professionals and students. We will facilitate mentoring and both personal and professional growth opportunities for students, faculty, and staff members.
- ADVOCACY Creating Change As a student organization, we strive to hold the School of Medicine and university communities accountable and educate them about health issues facing LGBTQ+ patient. We will advocate on their behalf for competent and compassionate care. We believe that all physicians, future physicians, and medical personnel should know the health inequities faced by LGBTQ+ communities.
- SERVICE Helping the Community The LGBTQIA+ community is vulnerable to experiencing health disparities due to societal stigma and discrimination. It is up to us as future health care professionals to address them. We will work closely with the LGBTQ+ community in Los Angeles and at UCLA to address these disparities
- Student Coordinators: Pavithra Sundaravaradan, Ekta Patel, Apekshya Nepal, Sai Chelluri, Snehin Rajkumar
- Student Advisors: Akshayaa Chittibabu, Amulya Vadlakonda
- Faculty Advisor: Tara Vijayan, MD
- National Organization Email: nationalsamsa@gmail.com
Mission Statement
South Asian Medically-oriented Student Association (SAMoSA) is an organization that aims to unify South Asian medical students across the United States. As a chapter of the national South Asian Medical Student Association, we hope to increase interest in and raise awareness of healthcare issues affecting South Asian communities locally and globally and to share the rich South Asian Culture with our peers at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. We also aim to provide support and guidance to medical students of South Asian descent as they enter the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. SAMoSA strives to establish relationships with physicians to gain valuable mentorship, collaborate with other student affinity groups to hold various community-building events, and organize various social and academic events throughout the year, such that students can learn about South Asian culture and health concerns. All students who are interested in learning about South Asian culture through a medical lens are welcome to join.
- Co-Presidents: Christabel Ameyaw Baah, Margaret Mungai
- Vice President: Esther Okoroafor
- Treasurer: Michelle Nwufo
- Co-Events Coordinator: Bethel Bayrau, Kiana Reynolds
- Community and Health Liaison: Bethlehem Wolkeba
- MAPS Coordinator: Kennedi Randolph
- Social Media Coordinator: Praise Adewale
- Faculty Advisors: Omai Garner, PhD, Gail Wyatt, PhD
- Organization Website: SNMA
Mission Statement
Student National Medical Association (SNMA) 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 chapters are based at allopathic and osteopathic medical schools throughout the nation, and some colleges, implement our programs and activities locally. 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.
American Medical Association
Learn more about the AMA/CMA
American Medical Student Association
Learn more about the AMSA
Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association
Learn more about APAMSA
Latino Medical Student Association
Learn more about the LMSA