SNMA Banquet Program - Final (1)

The African American 

National Anthem 

The hymn, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is known as the national anthem 

for African Americans. It places emphasis on the history of people of 

color which includes many triumphs and struggles. This great song is 

known across the world, but the history behind the song’s creation and 

first performance is often unknown. 

James Weldon Johnson was born in 1871 in Jacksonville, Florida. He 

was a poet, lyricist, lawyer, government official, and a lover of the 

spirituals. He was the first African American to be admitted to the 

Florida Bar in 1897. He and his younger brother, John Rosamond 

Johnson (1873-1954), a musician, wrote musical comedies and operas. 

Their best known composition is “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” This song 

was written as a special tribute to honor almost forty years of freedom 

for people of color in America. 

Annual Cultural Banquet 

Celebrating Diversity: 

Embracing Our Common Humanity 

Lift Every Voice and Sing 

“Lift every voice and sing, till earth and heaven ring, 

Ring with the harmonies of liberty; 

Let our rejoicing rise, high as the listening skies, Let it 

resound loud as the rolling sea. 

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has 

taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present 

has brought us; 

Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, 

Let us march on till victory is won.” 

Eagle Eye Golf Club February 28, 2015 Bath, Michigan

Program 

Meet & Greet 

Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . Samantha Brown 

Co-President, East Lansing 

Opening Remarks . . . . . . . . . Wanda D. Lipscomb, Ph.D., 

Senior Associate Dean, Diversity and 

Inclusion; Associate Dean, 

Office of Student Affairs 

Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . Amirror 

Musical Selection 

Formal Dinner 

Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . Laya Charara 

Spoken Word 

Aron Sousa, M.D., 

Senior Associate Dean, 

Office of Academic Affairs and Services 

Rimsha Iqbal & Nikki Senapati 

Musical Selection 

Introduction of Speaker . . . . . Olufunke Ogunfolami 

Co-Vice President, East Lansing 

Keynote Speaker . . . . . . . . . Sabrina Ford, Ph.D., 

Assistant Professor, Obstetrics, 

Gynecology and Reproductive 

Biology, MSU 

Closing Remarks . . . . . . . . Myah Ray 

Co-President, Grand Rapids 

Celebrating Diversity: Embracing Our Common Humanity 

SNMA 

Would like to extend a 

Special Thank You 

to our donors: 

From the Michigan State University 

College of Human Medicine: 

Student Medical Education Enrichment Fund (SMEEF) 

Office of Student Affairs and Services (OSAS) 

Minority Association of Premedical Students (MAPS) 

Department of Psychiatry 

Institute for Health Policy 

Department of Family Medicine 

Center For Ethics and Humanities 

Department of Emergency Medicine 

Department Of Pediatrics and Human Development 

Celebrating Diversity: Embracing Our Common Humanity

Photo Gallery 

Who We Are - 

Our Role 

SNMA Executive board 

2014-2015 

PRESIDENTS: Samantha Brown, Myah Ray 

Vice Presidents: Mid-Michigan Medical 

Omar Gonzalez-Vega Society Liaison: 

Olufunke Ogunfolami Semera Shemsu 

Unconscious Bias 

Elective Chair: 

Adena Hicks 

Pipeline Program 

Co-Chairs: 

Giselle Mahoro 

Samir Kirmiz 

Bryanne Standifer 

Adena Hicks 

Historian: 

Ji-Sun Shin 

Treasurer: 

Kendall Bell 

Secretary: 

Nadya Ali 

2015-2016 

PRESIDENT: Ugochukwu Agbakwuru 

Vice President: 

Sumira Stein 

Unconscious Bias 

Elective Co-Chairs: 

Nadya Ali, 

Natalie Blake 

Pipeline Program 

Chair: 

Nadya Ali 

Mid-Michigan 

Medical 

Society Liaison: 

Shanequa Highsmith 

Health Policy 

Legislative Advocates: 

Brittney Ajegba 

Shanequa Highsmith 

Secretary: 

Aatirah Holmes 

The Student National Medical Association (SNMA) 

The nation’s oldest and largest independent student-run organization is focused on the needs 

and concerns of medical students of color. Membership includes more than 6,000 medical 

students, pre-medical students, residents and physicians. Established in 1964 by medical 

students from Howard University and Meharry Medical College, the SNMA boasts over 40 

years of service to underserved communities and medical students. 

SNMA chapters, such as ours at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, 

are based at medical schools and colleges throughout the nation and have been organized 

to implement the national 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. 



Our Mission & Purpose 

Photo Gallery 

T 

he MSU-CHM, Chapter of SNMA 

is on target with our national goals and 

programs. We are especially proud of 

the creative and innovative ways our chapter 

implements the national protocols in the 

Lansing and Grand Rapids Communities. 

SNMA is committed to increasing the 

pipeline of students of color that consider 

and prepare for medical and scientific 

careers. Its community 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. Working through 

local chapters, SNMA is proud to organize 

and sponsor local pipeline programs that 

directly serve minority students at several 

levels of education: the Minority Association 

of Premedical Students (MAPS), the Health 

Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program 

(HPREP), and the Youth Science Enrichment 

Program (YSEP). Within medical school, SNMA 

chapters provide academic preparation and 

recruitment and retention programming in 

order to assure the pipeline to medicine is 

supported. 

Community service is indeed at the heart 

and soul of the SNMA. SNMA is committed 

to reducing morbidity and mortality in 

underserved communities. Its programs 

are primarily focused on educating and 

empowering local communities to make 

healthy lifestyle choices. SNMA pilots and 

implements community service programs – 

national protocols – that directly serve minority 

communities through health education and 

screening programs. Chapters and regions 

educate both the young and the old through 

protocols entitled Sexual Health Awareness, 

Violence Prevention, Tissue and Organ Donation 

Education and Recruitment Program (TODER), 

Smoking Prevention/Cessation, and Mental Health: 

Treatment, Awareness and Prevention. SNMA also 

hosted Healthy People 2010 Health Fairs that are 

consistent with the former U.S. Surgeon General’s 

call to action for the 21st century and are targeted 

to underserved communities and those with limited 

access to health care. 

SNMA also hosted a representative from the Kent 

County Health Department to educate and equip 

student doctors on minority health disparities. 

SNMA introduced new curriculum into the 2014 

Fall semester for Block I and Block II students. The 

Unconscious Bias course worked on discovering 

and evaluating the perspectives through which 

students view the world. This 1-credit course 

continued discussion on ‘cultural competency’ 

within the context of the individual. The class 

consisted of guided discussion through topics in 

culture, race and identity in a safe space. 

Finally, SNMA advocates for its members and its 

communities as it addresses legislative and policy 

issues that affect medical education, health care 

delivery, and the health status of underserved 

communities. Past focus areas include funding for 

premedical recruitment and preparation programs, 

violence prevention, obesity, universal healthcare, 

and affirmative action. 



Photo Gallery 

Introducing Our 

Keynote Speaker 

Remembering 

2014 SNMA 

Annual Cultural 

Banquet 

Sabrina Ford Ph.D. 

Assistant Professor 

Obstetrics, Gynecology and 

Reproductive Biology, MSU 

Dr. Sabrina Ford is an Assistant Professor in Obstetrics, Gynecology and 

Reproductive Biology at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. 

Dr. Ford works with Dr. Karen Patricia Williams on a NIH R01 funded research 

project entitled, “The Kin KeeperSM Cancer Prevention/Intervention” that utilizes 

Community Health Workers to disseminate intense breast and cervical cancer 

education to African American, Latina, and Arab women. Her background in 

the study of behavioral medicine informs research design to improve in health 

behaviors and promote positive mental and physical health outcomes. 

The primary focus of her research includes sexual risk behaviors throughout the 

lifespan pertaining to addressing health disparities particularly among vulnerable 

populations such as women, ethnicities, and children who are gravely underserved 

and face serious health risks. 

Dr. Ford received a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Michigan and a 

Ph.D. in Counseling and Human Development from the University of Iowa. She 

completed post-doctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania 

Department of Psychology. 

MAPS & SNMA Blood Pressure Clinic 



SNMA 

Board Members 

Mentors 

Needed for SNMA 

East Lansing 

Samantha Brown Olufunke Ogunfolami Nadya Ali Semera Shemsu 

Co-President Co-Vice President Secretary Mid-Michigan Medical 

Society Liaison 

Adena M. Hicks Kendall Bell Bryanne Standifer Ji-Sun Shin 

Pipeline Program Co-Chair, Treasurer Pipeline Program Co-Chair Historian 

Unconscious Bias Elec. Chair 

Grand Rapids 

Myah Ray Omar Gonzalez-Vega Giselle Mahoro Samer Kirmiz 

Co-President Co-Vice President Pipeline Program Co-Chair Pipeline Program Co-Chair 

Change A 

Life — Be A 

Mentor 

Medical Students 

Needed. Gaining 

admission into medical 

school while balancing 

a pre-health curriculum 

is a difficult task. The 

proper guidance can be 

the difference that leads 

to a successful admission. 

The Minority Association 

of Premedical Students 

(MAPS) is an organization 

that represents the 

interests of underserved 

and underrepresented 

minority pre-health 

students. They need your 

guidance. If you would 

like to become a MAPS 

mentor, please email us at 

msuchm@snma.org 

Coach them through: 

Application process 

Balancing academics 

Positive extracurricular 

activities 



Black Physicians 

Our Mentors 

Dr. Matilda A. Evans 

1872-1935 

AreYou 

ready 

for the 

challenge? 

Leadership: The 

capacity to translate 

vision into reality 

SNMA National 

Elections: The 

election packet and 

application are now 

available. 

Grow The Leader 

Inside of You 

National Positions: 

Chairman of the Board of Directors 

National President - Elect 

Speaker of the House 

National Vice President • National Treasurer 

National Parliamentarian • National Secretary 

Regional Positions: 

Regional Director • Assistant Regional Director 

Regional Secretary • Regional Treasurer 

Dr. Charles 

Richard Drew 

1904-1950 

Community Service Liaison (Committee Chair) 

Regional MAPS Liaison (Committee Chair) 

Charter Positions: 

Co-President (GR) • Co-President (EL) 

Vice President (GR) • Secretary • Treasurer 

Dr. William Augustus 

Hinton,1883-1959 

Dr. Francis Nathan 

Mossell,1856-1946 

Please email us 

at snma.chm@ 

gmail.com for the 

Election Application 

Packets for National 

Positions. 

Webmaster • Publicity Chair • MAPS Liaison 



SNMA Ad Pages 

College of Human Medicine 

Center for Ethics and Humanities in the Life Sciences 

Featuring 

MSU Bioethics in the News 

Bioethics This monthly blog feature 

comments on recent bioethics 

Blog 

news items. Contributors include 

faculty and friends of the Center, and 

each commentary invites responses to 

create discussions rich with insights from diverse 

perspectives. 

Join the discussion at 

msubioethics.com 

Bioethics Brownbag & Webinar Series 

Join us each month for a new webinar featuring any 

number of diverse topics in bioethics. Webinars are free 

and open to the public with no registration required. 

Archive of Recorded Lectures 

All bioethics lectures are recorded and available to 

watch at any time! Our archive is a great resource, with 

lectures dating back to 2010, featuring internationally 

known speakers. 

Get connected and join our mailing list at 

bioethics.msu.edu 

@MSUbioethics | facebook.com/bioethicsmsu 

The Michigan State University Chapter 

of Minority Association 

for Premedical Students (MAPS) 

MAPS Executive Board 

President: Ronald Roseman 

Vice President: Michella McCormick 

Secretary: Michelle Aguwu 

Treasurer: Herve ´ Nonga 

Event Coordinator: Cedrena Davis 

Webmaster: Kyle Bivins 

Liaison: Dominique Johnson 

Community Service Chair: Michelle Walls 

Faculty Advisor: Jerry Caldwell PhD 

MAPS is dedicated to increasing the number of underrepresented minority 

physicians. We provide mentorship and pipeline outreach, and are invested in 

community service in the greater Lansing area. We provide an environment where 

students that are striving to accomplish the same goal can network and establish 

lasting friendships, while also connecting students with SNMA members around the 

country. MAPS is dedicated to ensuring that the 

needs of premedical students are met. 

MAPS holds biweekly meetings on Mondays from 6-7 pm (location TBA). 

If interested, MAPS officials can be contacted at mapsmsu@gmail.com. 

www.msumaps.org/about-us 



SNMA 2014-2015 Completed Events 

The SNMA E-board 2014-2015 has worked hard to create programming for the student body. 


2014 ACTIVITIES 

May 9 . . . . Senior Recognition Banquet, 

Event 

Aug. 22 . . . Apparel Sale at Student 

Organization Fair, Fund raiser 

Aug. 24 . . . Apparel Sale at White Coat 

Ceremony, Fund raiser 

Sept. 1 . . . . Mentor Program with MSU 

MAPS Chapter, Mentor 

Sept. 5 . . . . Welcome Back Mixer in EL and 

GR, Social event 

Sept. 22 Thru 

Nov. 3 . . . . Unconscious Bias Elective, 

Leader: Adena Hicks 

Sept. 22 . . . MSU MAPS Panel and Case 

Study Session, Volunteer/mentor 

Oct. 24 . . . . Minority Health Disparity 

Luncheon, Ms. Karyn Pelon, 

Kent County Health Department, 

Educational Event 

Oct. 29 . . . . Bone Marrow Drive, APAMSA, 

Community service 

Oct. 29 . . . . Mentor/Mentee Mixer, 

MAPS Chapter, Mentor 

Oct. 31 . . . . Halloween Celebration, Helen 

Devos Children’s Hospital, 

Volunteer 

Nov. 17 . . . Bowling, MSU Black 

Law Student Association, 

Networking 

Nov. 22 . . . East Lansing Ronald McDonald 

House, Volunteer 

Dec. 3 . . . . Bake Sale in EL, Fund raiser 

Dec. 3 - 5 . . Holiday Grams in EL, Fund raiser 

Dec. 14 . . . Pizza Sale in GR, Fund raiser 

2015 ACTIVITIES 

Jan. - Dec. 

SNMA National Community 

Service Protocols 

School Students in GR, 

Community service 

Jan. 19 . . . . Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 


Annual Event, Panel 

Feb. 17 . . . . Health Fair for Elementary 

Students, Pipeline event 

Feb. 18 . . . . LESSONS, Black Diaspora 

discussion group 

Feb. 26 . . . . #alllivesmatter Forum, 

Collaboration with medical 

muslim student group and 

MedFlag 

Feb. 28 . . . . SNMA Annual Cultural Banquet 

Fund raiser and social event 

Reach Out To Youth Program, 

Youth mentoring event 

Apr. 1 - 5 . . . Annual Medical Education 

Conference 





Michigan State University 


Department of Emergency Medicine 

IMPROVING 

Partnering with Public & Private Sectors to 

Shape The Future of Health Policy 

HEALTH 

The mission of the Institute for Health Policy is to improve the 

health care available to Michigan residents through research, 

policy analysis, education and outreach, and support of 

quality improvement activities. 

Phone: 517-432-4325 | On line: ihp.msu.edu 

INSTIT UTE for 

HEALTH POLICY 

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12/11/13 11:02 AM 

www.chmfamilymedicine.msu.edu

SNMA Banquet Program - Final (1)

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