SMNA Cultural Banquet Program 2016 Final

ANNUAL
Student National Medical Association, Inc. Presents:
Cultural
BANQUET
A CELEBRATION OF CULTURE AND DIVERSITY
EAGLE EYE GOLF CLUB | FEBRUARY 6, 2016 | BATH, MICHIGAN

Program
Introduction..................................... Ugochukwu Agbakwuru
SNMA Co-President; East Lansing
Opening Remarks............................. Judy Brady, PhD
Asst. Dean for Student Wellness and Engagement
Director of Student Counseling
Introduction of Speaker........................ Aliyya Terry
SNMA Co-Vice President; East Lansing
Keynote Speaker.................................... Donyale Padgett, PhD
Associate Professor, Wayne State University
Diversity, Culture & Communication
Formal Dinner & Reflections from Sponsors
Introduction of Speaker........................ Byranne Standifer
SNMA Representative
Keynote Speaker.................................... Eric Ayers, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Wayne State University
Division of Internal Medicine
Division of General Pediatric/Adolescent Medicine
Closing Remarks................................... Miguel Joaquin
Co-President; Grand Rapids
STUDENT NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
A CELEBRATION OF CULTURE AND DIVERSITY

MSU CHM SNMA
Mission and Purpose
The 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) and the Reach Out to Youth Program. 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. 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 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.
STUDENT NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
A CELEBRATION OF CULTURE AND DIVERSITY

SNMA Executive Board: East Lansing
President: Ugo Agbakwuru Vice President: Aliyya Terry Pipeline Programs Chair/
Unconscious Bias Course Facilitator:
Nadya Ali
Unconscious Bias Course Facilitator:
Natalie Blake
Secretary: Aatirah Holmes
Health Policy Legislative Advocate:
Brittany Ajegba
Health Policy Legislative Advocate:
Shanequa Highsmith
STUDENT NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
A CELEBRATION OF CULTURE AND DIVERSITY

SNMA Executive Board: Grand Rapids
President: Miguel Joaquin Vice President: Chelsea St. Claire Pipeline Programs Chair:
Zena Salim
Pipeline Programs Chair:
Deirdre Davis
Pipeline Programs Chair:
Emmanuella Joseph
Mid-Michigan
Medical Society Liaison:
Meron Meshesha
Treasurer: Annie Dinh Secretary: Afshin Humayun Health Policy Legislative Advocate:
Charlene Ofosu
STUDENT NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
A CELEBRATION OF CULTURE AND DIVERSITY

Featured Speaker
Donyale R. Padgett, Ph.D.
Donyale R. Padgett is an educator and communications professional with 20 years of progressive industry experience
and over 15 years of teaching experience at the college level. She currently serves as Associate Professor
of Diversity, Culture, and Communication in the Department of Communication at Wayne State University
(WSU), where she has worked since 2002.
Professor Padgett holds a doctorate degree from Howard University, in Washington, D.C., in rhetoric and intercultural
communication. She also holds a master’s degree in organizational communication/public relations
and a bachelor’s degree in journalism – both from Wayne State University. Her academic interests parallel her
professional experience in culture, crisis and communication. Professor Padgett is specifically interested in the
public dialogue that stems from crises and how meaning is shaped in the aftermath of these events. Much of
her research focuses on issues of race and culture, with particular emphasis on crises that affect marginalized
and underrepresented groups. She has published numerous articles in academic journals, including research
on Hurricane Katrina and 911, the BP oil spill, and the Kilpatrick text message scandal. Most recently, Professor
Padgett’s work has taken her in a different direction. Her current project explores challenges underrepresented
students at predominantly white institutions (PWIs) face toward graduation. She hopes this project
yields strategies universities can use to create more inclusive environments for these populations.
Dr. Padgett is very active as a researcher, presenting at regional and national conferences in her discipline. She
is a sought-after speaker on the topic of diversity and culture, and has given talks for numerous organizations
and groups, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Compuware, the Public Relations Society of America
(PRSSA) and Wayne State University. She is also a very active practitioner, presenting professional development
workshops, serving on panels and giving research talks to community groups and professional associations.
In addition to her academic work, Professor Padgett continues to consult in the field, and has worked
with numerous organizations in Metro Detroit across various industries.
STUDENT NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
A CELEBRATION OF CULTURE AND DIVERSITY

Featured Speaker
Eric W. Ayers, MD, FACP, FAAP
Eric W. Ayers, MD currently serves on the academic faculty at Wayne State University School of Medicine. He
is an Assistant Professor with a dual appointment in the departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. He
has been employed at Wayne State University for over 21 years. He serves in the roll as Program Director of
the Combined Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Residency Training Program. He has received recognition for
his teaching by the School of Medicine and several medical student groups such as the Black Medical Association
and Gold Humanism Honor Society. Currently, he is overseeing the development of a comprehensive
transitional care program. This program aims to help adolescents and young adults with congenital illness be
better served medically as they mature into adulthood in relation to their congenital medical issues.
He serves on several local and national boards. He currently serves on the Gold Humanism Advisory Board.
He has been on the Black Family Development Board of Directors for the last three years and was recently
elected to serve another three-year term. In these positions, he adds his expertise in pediatrics, adolescents
and young adult health issues. Dr. Ayers served as the National Medical Association Speaker on Urban Adolescent
Health during the Pediatric portion at the most recently passed NMA meeting.
In 2009, Detroit Area Parents voted Dr. Ayers as Detroit’s Top Pediatrician by the Nickelodeon online magazine
“Parents Connect.” He was honored by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated at the 64th Province
meeting for his years of dedicated service and outstanding accomplishments in Health Advocacy. Dr. Ayers
has received multiple accolades from teaching to community service. He was named the MSU Drew Enrichment
Program Alumni of the year 2015.
His research interests include hypertension, issues regarding sexuality, adolescent health, men’s health, asthma
and lung disease, transitional care, and resident life issues. He is published and has served as a reviewer
for the National Medical Association Journal and Journal of Clinical Outcomes at Wayne State University.
Dr. Ayers is the proud father of Symone and Bradley Ayers. Symone recently graduated with a BS in Education
at Michigan State University. She is currently pursuing her Master in Education. Bradley is a senior at
Howard University pursuing his BA in Business Finance.
STUDENT NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
A CELEBRATION OF CULTURE AND DIVERSITY

Event Sponsors
Always remember, you have within you the
strength, the patience, and the passion to
reach for the stars to change the world.
-Harriet Tubman
STUDENT NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
A CELEBRATION OF CULTURE AND DIVERSITY

Event Sponsors
STUDENT NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
A CELEBRATION OF CULTURE AND DIVERSITY

Event Sponsors
STUDENT NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
A CELEBRATION OF CULTURE AND DIVERSITY

Celebrating Black History Month
Dr. Alexa Canady
First African American
Neurosurgeon
Dr. David Satcher
US Surgeon General
(1998-2002)
Dr. Charles Drew
Physician, Surgeon, and
groundbreaking medical
researcher
STUDENT NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
Dr. Marcy L. Street
First fellowship-trained
African American female
Mohs Surgeon
A CELEBRATION OF CULTURE AND DIVERSITY

SNMA 2015-2016 Completed Events
Senior Recognition Banquet; May 15; Event
Apparel Sale at Graduation; May 16; Fundraiser
Apparel Sale at Student Organization Fair; August 28; Fundraiser
Unconscious Bias; Sept. 14- Nov. 10; Elective Course
SNMA Fall 2015 Kick-off Meeting; September 23; Event
Ronald McDonald House; October 7; Community Service
SNMA/ BLSA Bowling Mixer; October 30; Networking
Canned Food Drive; Oct. 19- Nov. 19; Community Service
How to Get to Medical School 101; November 11; Mentoring
Undocumented Students in Medicine; November 16; Event
Taste of the Town; December 3; Philanthropy & Fundraiser
Blood Marrow Drive Collaboration; December 7; Community Service
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration; January 18; Event
48 for Flint; January 25-27; Philanthropy
Annual Cultural Banquet; February 6; Event
Reach Out to Youth; February 20; Community Service
...And more to come!
STUDENT NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
A CELEBRATION OF CULTURE AND DIVERSITY

Photo Gallery
STUDENT NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
A CELEBRATION OF CULTURE AND DIVERSITY

SNMA would like to extend a special thank you
to our donors:
Student Medical Education Enrichment Fund (SMEEF)
Office of Student Affairs (OSAS)
Doctor’s Approach
Department of Obstetrics Gynecology, and Reproductive Health
Department of Emergency Medicine
Department of Pediatrics and Human Development
Dr. Judy Brady
Dr. Wanda Lipscomb
Dr. Anthony Paganini
STUDENT NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
A CELEBRATION OF CULTURE AND DIVERSITY