Affinity Groups

Student National Medical Association (SNMA) 

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 based at medical schools implement 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.

MedPride and Allies

MedPride is the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and allies student organization at the Whiddon College of Medicine.

Our goal is to increase visibility of LGBTQ students, develop a supportive and welcoming community throughout the healthcare system, and increase awareness of the need of LGBTQ patients.

American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA)

The American Medical Women's Association is an organization which functions at the local, national, and international level to advance women in medicine and improve women's health. We achieve this by providing and developing leadership, advocacy, education, expertise, mentoring, and strategic alliances.

Muslims in Medicine (MIM)

MIM’s purpose is to provide an opportunity for spiritual and academic growth and fellowship among the Muslim medical student, resident, and attending population within the Whiddon College of Medicine and health system. The group will also serve as a resource to educate the greater College of Medicine community about healthcare considerations pertinent to Muslim patients.

Medical Spanish Interest Group (MSIG) 

MSIG at the College of Medicine is a student organization that consists mainly of medical students who are interested in learning, practicing or teaching other students medical Spanish. The group saw this as an important service that would help to improve patient experiences and comfort.  The group meets monthly with medical students, undergraduate students, Spanish speaking individuals from the community, and faculty from South Alabama. We review a vocabulary list to provide students with helpful phrases to utilize in a patient interview. We break into groups, according to comfort level, with Spanish speaking individuals serving as our standardized patients as we work through a prepared medical case in Spanish. This is an excellent opportunity to learn from community members.