Student Organizations Catalogue
The Student Catalogue provides the entire UMass Chan community with an accessible and consolidated form of available student opportunities offered for the academic year, including descriptions, student contacts, and faculty leaders. These student organizations are only available to students at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. If you are a student leader and want to change any of the information about your organization, please email the Office of Student Life.
** denotes that the group did not apply for renewal.
Student Leadership at UMass Chan
Graduate School of Nursing Organization (GSN)
Graduate Student Body Committee (GSBS)
MSTP Council (GSBS/SOM)
Student Body Committee (SOM)
Student Government Alliance (3-school)
Student Trustee (3-school)
Student Interest Groups at UMass Chan
Art, Music, & Wellness
Bridges**
Docapella
Medicine in Motion
MedMoth
UMass Chamber and Jazz
Soup Club
Diversity & Advocacy
Advocacy Allies
American Medical Women’s Association
Citizen Physicians
Community Garden Interest Group
DIG: Diversity Interest Group
First Generation/Low Income Student Group
Health Professionals for Human Rights
Hellenic Student Association
JewMass
Latino Medical Student Association
Medical Alliance for South Asian Learning and Advancement
Medical Students for Choice
Middle Eastern & North African Student Association
MLK Food Justice Fair
Non-English Speaking Clinical Care Interest Group
North American Indigenous Health Interest Group
Organized Medicine
Public Health Interest Group**
POC Affinity Group (Tri-School)
QMass
Refugee Health Interest Group
SAFE (Scrubs Addressing the Firearm Epidemic)
Samanvaya**
Student Exchange Club**
Student National Medical Association
UMass Christian Fellowship
UMass Muslim Student Association
UMMS Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA)
UMMS Coalition for Climate Action
Vietnamese Student Association
White Coats for Black Lives
Medicine & Surgery
Adolescent Medicine Interest Group
American Association of Neurological Surgeons at UMass
Anesthesia Interest Group
Association of Women Surgeons (AWS)
Bioethics Interest Group
Cardiology Interest Group
Dermatology Interest Group
Emergency Medicine Interest Group
ENT Interest Group
Family Medicine Interest Group
Gastroenterology Interest Group
Geriatrics Interest Group
Global Surgery Student Alliance at UMass
Hematology/Oncology Interest Group
History of Medicine Interest Group
Industry Exploration Program (IndEx)
Infectious Disease Interest Group (IDIG)
Internal Medicine Interest Group
International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology
Interventional Radiology Interest Group
Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group
MassTERi eClub**
Med/Peds Interest Group
Medical Genetics Interest Group
OB-GYN Interest Group
Ophthalmology Interest Group
Orthopedic Surgery Interest Group
Pediatrics Interest Group (PIG)
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Interest Group (PM&R)
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Interest Group (PRSIG)**
Plastic Surgery Interest Group
Psychiatry Interest Group
Radiology Interest Group
Robotic Surgery Interest Group
Simulation Interest Group
Sports Medicine Interest Group
Student Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN)
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Interest Group**
Surgery Interest Group
UMassMed American Physician Scientist Association Chapter
Urology Interest Group
Vascular Surgery Interest Group
Wilderness Medicine
Sports & Fitness
Plantation 2 Peak
Spikeball Club
UMass Med Dance**
Volunteer & Outreach
ACEing Autism**
Advocates for Healthcare Access in Worcester (Worcester Free Care Collaborative)
Best Buddies
Cardiac Health Outreach Program (CHOP)
Community Canvases**
Correctional Health Educators
Cuddle Buddies
Kelley Backpacks
Kidney Companions**
Marie's Mission UMass
Medical Professionals of Tomorrow
Mentors for Young Mothers
North High School Mentorship Program
Paths2Policy**
Power of Presence
Project Linus**
Project Prevail**
Tutoring and Mentoring Initiative (TaMI) at North High
Worcester Free Care Collaborative
Worcester Technical High School Mentoring Program
Worcester Refugee Assistance Program
Art, Music, & Wellness
Bridges**
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, any student in the UMass Medical School Community, including residents and fellows
Student Leader(s):
Faculty:
Email Contact:
Description: The vision of Bridges is to promote, celebrate, and grow the inclusive and diverse culture of UMass Medical School. Our mission is to offer opportunities for the community to discuss their unique identities and challenges. This includes monthly, confidential, and welcoming meetings for all students and community-wide events with faculty, administrators, and students to nurture and foster dialogue about race, sexuality, body image, mental health, and other difficult topics people face in school, in the United States and globally. By sharing identities and opinions, students feel supported to continue their individuality as they receive feedback and gain skills in medicine and graduate school.
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Docapella
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Ashwin Panda (co-leader, UMMS 2023, ashwin.panda@umassmed.edu), Emily Agnello (co-leader, GSBS, emily.agnello@umassmed.edu), Haley Clark (co-leader, UMMS 2023, haley.clark@umassmed.edu)
Faculty: Tracy Kedian, MD
Email Contact: ummsdocapella@gmail.com
Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/296688647335082/
Description: Docapella is an interprofessional acapella group that seeks to bring healing through song. We believe that the physician is more than a scientist, but also a person and a musician. The goals of our group are: to bring together UMMS community members of all interests through a capella singing; to bring joy to the UMMS community, including patients; and to use the power of song to promote healing and interpersonal connection.
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Medicine in Motion
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Nicole Loranger (co-leader, SOM 2024); Nicole.Loranger@umassmed.edu Katherine Salley (co-leader, SOM 2024); Katherine.Salley@umassmed.edu Madeline Hatch (co-leader, SOM 2024); Madeline.Hatch@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Dr. Michael Hirsch
Description: Our group is a branch of a larger organization that has chapters across New England. Our goal is to get healthcare students and professionals at UMass involved in fitness events. Be on the lookout for a race schedule, group training events, nutrition classes, and more! Medicine in Motion is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with multiple chapters across New England that aims to fight burnout in the medical field. Membership is composed of a diverse group of healthcare providers , and our mission is to address medical burnout through fitness, interdisciplinary community building, and philanthropy. We encourage healthy lifestyles and fitness among medical professionals so as to optimize performance and patient care, reduce medical burnout, and provide better and healthier examples for our patients.
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MedMoth
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Margaret Ruddy, Timothy Winn
Faculty: Micheal Ennis
Description: Adapted from The Moth storytelling radio show and podcast, Med Moth was established by medical students at UMMS in 2016 to provide a forum for those in the medical community to share reflections on their experiences in medicine. The goal of Med Moth is to promote humanism in medicine through storytelling by all members of the UMMS medical community. In the past we have heard from a diverse variety of voices including the Chief of Pediatric Surgery, registered nurses, and medical students. Our events are very simple. We typically have 6-8 speakers share 5-10 minute stories. Past talks have been about the speaker's journey into medicine, meaningful patient encounters, or other experiences that have shaped their personal or professional identity in health care. Some have been humorous (a horrible first day of internship) and others have been more serious (coping with the guilt of making a medical error). This provides the opportunity for individuals to not only reflect, but also learn from the diverse perspectives and experiences of their peers.
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UMass Chamber and Jazz
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Bill Coughlin, President, SOM '22
Faculty: Cynthia Ennis, DO
Website: https://goo.gl/forms/rO8bOhEKz9wx14Zo2
Description: A friendly group of musicians with backgrounds ranging from enthusiasts to closet concert musicians and interests spanning Bach to rock. Low key and open to all! We aim to put on a small informal concert in the spring for which performing is completely optional.
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Soup Club
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Nursing
Student Leader(s): Hayden Peirce (Hayden.peirce@umassmed.edu; MS3), Colin Flannelly (Colin.flannelly@umassmed.edu; MS3), Sarah Blackwell (Sarah.blackwell@umassmed.edu), Leslie Panella (leslie.panella@umassmed.edu; MS3)
Faculty: David Hatem
Description: We are a Care Committee affiliated group of students coming together to enjoy each other's company, make, and share soup. Soup = Wellness.
Diversity & Advocacy
Advocacy Allies
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): Jordan Dudley and Kassandra Jean-Marie- Class 2024
Faculty: Dr. Sarah Forrester
Description: The goal of Advocacy Allies is to increase the trust between Black community members and the healthcare system. We aim to increase trust by supplying medical students of color to act as patient advocates for Black patients. Our patient advocates will help the patient with note taking, communicate medical information, and report any instances of medical racism or discrimination. We hope that having a medically literate advocate of a similar background will increase black patients’ confidence in their ability to interact with the healthcare system.
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American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA)
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): (Natalie Sorial, co-leader, 2024, natalie.sorial@umassmed.edu) (Sarah Becker, co-leader, 2024, sarah.becker@umassmed.edu) (Niharika Kareddy, co-leader, 2024, Niharika.Kareddy@umassmed.edu)
Faculty: Dr. Marcey Osgood
Website: https://goo.gl/forms/BLPPuLFyuTl0ha1J2
Description: From the national branch: "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." Here at UMass Medical School, we hold events throughout the year that foster collaboration between women physicians and medical students, provide training workshops, strive towards accessible opportunities and mentorship, and create uplifting community together.
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Citizen Physicians**
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Emily Gentile (2022, emily.gentile@umassmed.edu), Iha Kaul (2022, iha.kaul@umassmed.edu)
Faculty: Suzanne Cashman, ScD, Jay Himmelstein, MD, MPH
Email Contact: iha.kaul@umassmed.edu
Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/240033626741667/
Description: UMass Citizen Physicians is a chapter within a larger, national non-partisan organization that is focused on increasing civic engagement and voter turnout amongst healthcare professionals and scientists. Our activities include voter registration drives and policy discussions with faculty who balance civic engagement and healthcare careers.
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Community Garden Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Ryan Fredette, 2024, Ryan.fredette@umassmed.edu; Rosie May, 2024, rose.may@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Barbara Olendzki
Description: The UMMS Community Garden is a student-run community garden growing vegetables in the Spring and Summer seasons. The student group provides fresh produce to the greater UMass community. This student interest group is perfect for anyone who enjoys gardening, nutrition, sustainability, or community advocacy.
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DIG: Diversity Interest Group
Membership: Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (all events open to Tri-School participation)
Student Leader(s): Thuyvan Luu, Abiola Ogunsola, Stephanie Becker, Cesar Bautista Sotelo
Faculty: Brian Lewis, PhD
Email Contact: DIGgsbs@umassmed.edu
Social Media: Facebook, Twitter & Instagram @DIGgsbs
Description: The Diversity Interest Group represents and promotes diversity within the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. This organization is a safe space for students from all identity groups to discuss issues that affect all graduate students through the lens of diversity and inclusion. We hold events on and off campus throughout the year that foster relationships between the students in different years as well as cultivating relationships with faculty. We are here to make sure we are all heard! We meet every second Tuesday of the month during the academic year.
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First Generation/Low Income Student Group
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Cindy Le (Co-Leader, 2023, cindy.le@umassmed.edu), Thomas Kania (Co-Leader, 2023, thomas.kania@umassmed.edu, Diana Sibai (Co-Leader, 2023, Diana.Sibai@umassmed.edu)
Faculty: Maria Garcia
Description: FLI is a student group made up of first generation college and/or low-income medical students, and their allies, that would like to provide visibility and support for these hidden identities.
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Health Professionals for Human Rights
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Grant Garcia (Director of Operations, 2024, grant.garcia@umassmed.edu)
Faculty: Payal Modi
Email Contact: umasshphr@gmail.com
Website: https://goo.gl/forms/VIMGyJs3s3DDbweT2
Description: Health Professionals for Human Rights is the UMass student chapter of Physicians for Human Rights. Through advocacy and action, we work to alleviate human rights abuses abroad and domestically. Our largest project is the student-run Worcester Asylum Clinic which provides physical and psychological medical evaluations to supplement our clients' asylum applications.
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Hellenic Student Association
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Constantine Velmahos (2024); Emmanuel Budis (2024)
Faculty: Georgios Orthopoulos
Description: The Hellenic Student Association is a group for Greeks, Greek-Americans, and anyone interested in Greek culture/history to connect! We celebrate important Greek cultural events and connect with the nearby Worcester/Boston Greek community. We welcome everyone!
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JewMass
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Gidon Salamatbad, president, 2024, gidon.salamatbad@umassmed.edu / Rosie May, president, 2024, rose.may@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Dr. Sheldon Benjamin
Description: JewMass is UMMS’ Jewish organization serving everyone on the campus. We partner with local Jewish organizations to put on a variety of events celebrating Jewish culture, holidays, perspectives, and more. Whether you’re looking to connect with Jewish peers and faculty or to learn about Judaism, we’d love to see you at any of our events!
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Medical Alliance for South Asian Learning and Advancement (MASALA)
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Pooja Dutta (Community Chair, MS1, pooja.dutta@umassmed.edu), Sravya Shankara (Community Head, MS1, sravya.shankara@umassmed.edu), Sahar Peerzade (Social Media Chair, MS1, sayedasahar.peerzade@umassmed.edu), Niharika Kareddy (Advocacy Chair, MS1, niharika.kareddy@umassmed.edu), Anisha Chauhan (Advocacy Chair, MS1, anisha.chauhan@umassmed.edu), Sri Nuvvula (Philanthropy Chair, MS1, sri.nuvvula@umassmed.edu), Paramesh Karandikar (Philanthropy Chair, MS1, paramesh.karandikar@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Dr. Manas Das
Description: M.A.S.A.L.A (Medical Alliance for South Asian Learning and Advancement) is an organization that brings students and faculty from similar cultural backgrounds together to connect via shared experiences while also showcasing our culture for increased intersectionality on campus. On top of being a social organization hoping to create a warm, hospitable setting for those coming to UMMS and wanting a space to celebrate their culture, we also hope to be able to have open discussion about particular experiences that medical students and faculty of this common background and identity may share while developing a career in medicine.
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Medical Students for Choice (MSFC)
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing
Student Leader(s): Read Allen, Co-Lead, 2024, Read.allen@umassmed.edu; Olivia Ladd-Luthringshauser, Co-Lead, 2024, olivia.laddluthringshauser@umassmed.edu; Stevie Yang, Co-Lead, 2024, Stevie.yang@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Tara Kumaraswami, MD
Description: Medical Students for Choice (MSFC) is a national organization with the goal of creating tomorrow's abortion providers and pro-choice physicians. UMass's Chapter of MSFC holds information sessions about reproductive health including abortion, hosts procedure trainings for manual vacuum aspiration and non-scalpel vasectomy, provides opportunities to shadow abortion providers, and facilitates involvement in local advocacy and policy discussion.
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Middle Eastern & North African Student Association
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing
Student Leader(s): Natalie Sorial (2024), Omar Taweh (2024), Mostapha Massaee (2024)
Faculty: Dr. Maged Soliman & Dr. Wissam Deeb
Description: The Middle Eastern & North African Student Association (MENASA) is a student group designed to create a community for all those who identify as having ties or interest in MENA-culture. We strive for an inclusive community that celebrates culture, encourages dialogue, raises awareness, and invests in the local MENA-community.
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MLK Food Justice Fair
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing
Student Leader(s): Gabrielle Carroll, 2024 Emily Gang, 2024
Faculty: Justin Ayala
Description: The MLK Food Justice Fair is the Brightwood Legacy Projects. Students involved help to plan and staff health education events at the MLK Emergency Food Pantry in Springfield, MA.
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Non-English Speaking Clinical Care Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Sabine Shaughnessy, co-leader, MS1, sabine.shaughnessy@umassmed.edu; Laura Labb, co-leader, MS1, laura.labb@umassmed.edu; Sarah Danforth, co-leader, MS1, sarah.danforth@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Maria Garcia, MD
Description: The Non-English Speaking Clinical Care Interest Group (NESC-IG) aims to teach and immerse students in medicine as seen through the eyes of non-English speaking patients. Through a variety of activities held throughout the year, including panels with interpreters and providers who work with non-English speaking patients, as well as opportunities to work with our Worcester community, we will learn about the importance of cultural humility and build a set of skills to use as future healthcare workers providing for diverse populations.
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North American Indigenous Health Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Chrissy Grech (2022), Bronwyn Wada-Gill (2022), Qiuwei Yang (2022), Paula Whitmire (2023)
Faculty: Alycia Valente
Description: The North American Indigenous Health (NAIH) Interest Group is a coalition of students working towards greater health equity by educating ourselves and other medical providers about the unique responsibilities we owe to North American Indigenous groups and the impact of generational inequities on Indigenous health today.
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Organized Medicine (OrgMed)
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): Mitin Nachu & Julia Small, co-presidents
Email: organizedmedicineumms@gmail.com
Description: As physicians we are trained to identify the factors that influence our patient’s health, many of which include social barriers, health care system delivery, and current public policy. As such, physicians should advocate for positive change on behalf of the health and well-being of our patients. Organized Medicine collaborates with organizations such as the American Medical Association (AMA), Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS), Worcester District Medical Society (WDMS), and American Medical Student Association (AMSA) to represent the physician and trainee perspectives on topics ranging from racial justice to medical education. With these partnerships, students have the opportunity to write and review policy, meet with their local or state elected officials, learn more about health care policy, and are empowered to make changes in their community.
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Public Health Interest Group**
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Sabahat Rahman, 2023, sabahat.rahman@umassmed.edu, Calvin Schaffer, 2023, calvin.schaffer@umassmed.edu, Andrew Cauley, 2023, andrew.cauley@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Michael Hirsh, MD
Description: Public Health Interest group is a chance for students to understand public health as an essential part of their careers by introducing them to physicians and scientists who work in the field. Our aim is to highlight opportunities for community collaboration with the greater Worcester community and to connect students with mentors both at UMASS and around greater Worcester. Our goals and objectives are to increase student exposure to public health, to bring mentors and resources here to UMASS, and to educate students about the ways in which any career or speciality in medicine can allow for opportunities to promote public health.
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QMass
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Austin Lachance (he/him, 2024, austin.lachance@umassmed.edu), Dina Blanter (they/them, 2024, dina.blanter@umassmed.edu), Kaan Apaydin (he/him, 2024, kaan.apaydin@umassmed.edu), Jenni LaPalme (she/her, 2024, jennifer.lapalme@umassmed.edu)
Faculty: Yasmin Carter, PhD
Email Contact: qmass@umassmed.edu
Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/qmassatumass/
Description: QMass is a student interest group committed to making UMMS a more LGBTQIA+-friendly place for students, patients, and community members. We strive to provide resources and community events to build connections, raise awareness, and promote the well-being and acceptance of LGBTQIA+ individuals both within and connected with UMMS. QMass West is the PURCH/Baystate chapter of the QMass LGBT+ group. QMass West has similar goals to the main QMass group, including advocacy for LGBT+ patients, students, and community members; LGBT+ health education; and providing resources for LGBT+ SOM community members. However, QMass West is based at Baystate and is focused on the above goals with regards to PURCH students, faculty, and community members, as well as general SOM students rotating at Baystate.
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Refugee Health Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Weaam Arman, 2024 ; Sabahat Rahman, 2023
Faculty: Dr. Olga Valdman
Description:
The goal of the Refugee Health Interest Group is to identify and serve the unique needs of new refugee arrivals and current refugee families resettled by the Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center (RIAC) in Worcester. The Refugee Health Interest group pairs UMMS students with refugee families in need of help navigating medical and social resources to assist in the resettlement process. Additionally, the Refugee Health Interest Group provides medical students with the opportunity to shadow physicians at the Family Health Center of Worcester (FHCW) to gain cultural understanding and global health clinical experiences. The Refugee Health Interest Group plans on forming a formal three-way partnership with the RIAC and FHCW to streamline all refugee health efforts between UMMS and the Worcester community.
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SAFE (Scrubs Addressing the Firearm Epidemic)
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Deniz Cataltepe (Founder/President, 2022, deniz.cataltepe@umassmed.edu)
Faculty: Michael Hirsh, MD
Description: SAFE is naming gun violence for what it is - a health threat of epidemic proportion - in order to rally the medical community to fight for the interests of our patients. It is time for us to bring the same urgency and dedication to the task of eliminating gun violence as we have to exposing other health risks, such as cigarette smoking. Gun violence threatens personal and public health. Through research, education, and support of evidence- backed policy, we can determine how best to arm our patients with facts and information that allow them to make the most informed decisions surrounding firearms.
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Samanvaya**
Student Leader: Sumeet Nayak (Sumeet.Nayak@umassmed.edu) and Neha Diwanji (Neha.Diwanji@umassmed.edu)
Description: It is a South Asian association aimed at creating a platform for students and post docs to interact, know more about the campus, various programs and make new friends and also enjoy traditional festivals like Diwali and Holi. Our goal is to create a broader network of current and UMASS alumni to benefit graduate students and post docs.
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Student Exchange Club**
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Eli Min, 2023, Eli.Min@umassmed.edu; Zilin Cui, 2023, Zilin.Cui@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Guangping Gao, PhD
Description: Student Exchange Club is an organization that welcomes and promotes cultural outreach to the Chinese Exchange Medical Students from Chengdu. We host several events every year like Chinese New Year and the Lunar festival, and will reach out to anyone interested in participating in cultural and informational exchange with the exchange students.
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Student National Medical Association (SNMA)
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): Rodney Bruno, Co-President, 2022, Rodney.Bruno2@umassmed.edu; Daniel Ugochukwu, Co-President, 2024, Daniel.Ugochukwu2@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Maria Garcia, MD, MPH
Email Contact: umass@snma.org
Website: https://www.umassmed.edu/snma/
Description: The Student National Medical Association (SNMA) is the nation's oldest and largest student organization focusing on the interests and concerns of students of color. SNMA is committed to supporting both current & future underrepresented minority medical students, addressing the needs of underserved communities, and increasing the number of culturally competent & socially conscious physicians.
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UMass Christian Fellowship
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Lael Ngangmeni (Co-leader, 2023, lael.ngangmeni@umassmed.edu)
Advisor: Vinetta McCann, NP
Description: UMass Christian Fellowship is a community of Christ-seeking students, staff, and clinicians at UMass Medical School, Graduate School of Nursing, and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. UCF is a chapter of Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA). Weekly Bible studies are available through this group.
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UMass Chan Muslim Student Association
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Omar Sorour, Azraa Amrose, Diana Sibai, Zaineb Dar
Faculty: Dr. Muhammad Ramzan
Description: The UMass Medical School Muslim Student Association provides for the first time an avenue of interaction and discourse amongst Muslims and all others throughout the medical school system within Worcester, including those in the UMass Memorial Healthcare system. We aim to be a source of local events, whether in the form of celebrating Islamic holidays, volunteering efforts for cultural immersion, or learning more about Islam and its tenets. We invite those who work or study on the campus, whether as medical students, residents, nurses, physicians, professors, or other healthcare workers. In particular, this group is open to all, as we hope to establish elements of cultural humility, understanding, and interfaith. We also aim to promote awareness of issues that affect Muslims throughout today’s world and in the process aim to shed light on our collective human nature. Welcome!
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UMass Chan Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA)
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): Jenny Gao (Co-President, Class of 2024, Jenny.Gao@umassmed.edu), Joyce Tien (Co-President, Class of 2024, Joyce.Tien@umassmed.edu)
Faculty: Adalia Jun-O’Connell, MD
Website: https://goo.gl/forms/sl8vZ6yA7oWkprsw1
Description: UMMS APAMSA is a chapter of a national organization. The Asian Pacific American Medical Students 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.
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UMass Chan Coalition for Climate Action
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Emily Gentile, President, emily.gentile@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Dr. Matt Masiello
Description: Climate change is the greatest global public health crisis of our generation as evidenced by the increasing incidence of natural disasters, heat-waves, ocean rise, food instability, and the changing patterns of infectious diseases. Importantly, rising global temperatures disproportionately affect vulnerable populations such as children, elderly, and individuals with predisposing illnesses. International efforts are lacking in attempts to curb the climate crisis so it is imperative that swift action be taken on an individual and organizational level. As future healthcare providers, we must not only be educated about the effects of climate change but also use our collective voice to generate institutional change to better serve our patients. The UMMS Coalition for Climate Action aims to bring awareness to the climate crisis, educate current and future physicians to the health effects of climate change, and collaborate with the UMass Medical School administration and other student organizations to bring more sustainability initiatives to both the UMass and greater Worcester communities.
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White Coats for Black Lives
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Zach Dyer MD/PhD, Abiola Ogunsola MD/PhD
Faculty: TBD
Email Contact: wc4blumms@gmail.com
Website: facebook.com/wc4blumms
Description: We are the UMMS chapter of the national White Coats 4 Black Lives organization. We represent a group of medical trainees including students, residents and fellows, and benefit from the support of our clinical faculty. We advocate for racism to named a public health crisis, and as such, we aim to educate folks about the unique health challenges facing Black, Latinx and Indigenous people in our nation.
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Medicine & Surgery
Adolescent Medicine Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s):
Faculty: Anne Powell, MD
Description: The Adolescent Medicine Interest Group (AMIG) provides an opportunity for interested students to learn more about treating and managing the unique needs of adolescents. Our goal is to introduce the field of adolescent medicine as a career option, as well as to supplement our medical knowledge in areas that are more focused toward teen patients. In the past, this group has offered talks about career options and issues in adolescent medicine, including eating disorders, teenage pregnancy, and adolescent sexuality.
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American Association of Neurological Surgeons at UMass
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): Oghomwen Igiesuorobo, Christopher Lee
Faculty: Mark Johnson, MD, PhD
Email Contact: oghomwen.igiesuorobo@umassmed.edu
Description: The American Association of Neurological Surgeons at UMass provides opportunities to learn about neurosurgery during both the preclinical and clinical years. This group organizes neurosurgical simulations, information sessions with faculty and shadowing experiences in both the clinic and operating room. Whether or not you are interested in applying to neurosurgery, we encourage you to join us and learn more about this exciting field.
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Anesthesiology Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): Jacob Andrew, Student Leader, 2024, jacob.andrew@umassmed.edu; Carl Adams, Student Leader, 2024, carl.adams@umassmed.edu; Khoi (Tony) Do, Student Leader, 2022, khoi.do@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Theofilos Matheos, MD
Description: The AIG is a student interest group for medical students interested in anesthesiology. We provide shadowing opportunities, clinical workshops, and informational panels/meetings for students looking to learn more about this awesome specialty!
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Association of Women Surgeons (AWS)**
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s):
Faculty: Jennifer Davids, M.D.
Description: The Association of Women Surgeons is an international professional organization whose mission is to inspire, encourage, and enable women surgeons to discover their professional and personal goals. As a student chapter, we aim to support women medical students who are interested in pursuing a career in surgery by providing informal discussions, mentoring, and skill workshops. We encourage and welcome involvement from students interested in any surgical field including subspecialties.
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Bioethics Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): Kelly Robertson, co-leader, SOM 2023, kelly.robertson@umassmed.edu. Eleni Kovatsis, co-leader, SOM 2023, eleni.kovatsis@umassmed.edu. Abhinav Prasad, co-leader, SOM 2023, abhinav.prasad@umassmed.edu.
Faculty: Catherine Dube, EdD
Email Contact: umass.big@gmail.com
Description: Bioethics Interest Group aims to provide students with a basic framework for understanding ethics as a practical endeavor central to the practice of medicine through interactive conversations with guest speakers lecturing on a range of topics from palliative care, organ donation, and genetic screening & editing to lethal injection and research ethics.
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Cardiology Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): Sarah Ferreira (sarah.ferreira@umassmed.edu), Vinaya Rajahraman (vinaya.rajahraman@umassmed.edu), Patricia Giunta (patricia.giunta@umassmed.edu)
Faculty: Matthew McGuiness, MD
Description: The Cardiology Interest Group exposes students to the diverse field of cardiology, including subspecialties, provides shadowing opportunity and connects students with research mentors.
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Dermatology Interest Group**
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s):
Faculty: Dori Goldberg, MD
Description: The Dermatology Interest Group (DIG) provides a supportive community for students considering a career in dermatology. We offer opportunities for students to form meaningful experiences and networking within the field.
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Emergency Medicine Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing
Student Leader(s): Co-leaders: Dina Blanter (2024) dina.blanter@umassmed.edu, Rachel Schneider (2024) rachel.schneider.umassmed.edu, Christian Keenan (2024) christian.keenan@umassmed.edu, Antony Tatar (2024) antony.tatar@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Alexandra Nordberg, MD
Description: Emergency Medicine Interest Group aims to expose medical and nursing students to topics in Emergency Medicine (EM) earlier in their medical education while concurrently beginning to practice the relevant skills in the pre-clinical years through simulation training sessions. Simulation sessions provide medical students the opportunity to practice the skills and techniques that are discussed in the lecture series, as well as basic skills commonly seen in the ED like suturing, airway management, and casting. To further enhance clinical problem-solving, small-group case nights and panels are held by faculty and residents. Additionally, students are able to pursue shadowing opportunities both in the ED and in EMS systems.
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ENT Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing
Student Leader(s): Vincent La (M1, vincent.la@umassmed.edu), Ashwin Panda (M2, ashwin.panda@umassmed.edu), Connor Hickey (M2, connor.hickey@umassmed.edu)
Faculty: Christopher Ito
Description: The field of Otolaryngology (ENT) covers an incredible breadth and depth of medical as well as surgical care. The field has evolved considerably and now encompasses seven subspecialties including pediatric otolaryngology, rhinology, facial plastic surgery, neurotology, surgical oncology, laryngology and sleep surgery. Our group serves as a source of didactic lectures, interactive physical exam sessions, and clinical/surgical shadowing opportunities, all with our amazing ENT attendings here at UMass who are excited to show what they love about their chosen field.
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Family Medicine Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing
Student Leader(s): Sabine Shaughnessy, co-leader, 2024, sabine.shaughnessy@umassmed.edu; Read Allen, co-leader, 2024, read.allen@umassmed.edu; Courtney McMahon, co-leader, 2024, courtney.mcmahon@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Frank Domino, MD
Description: The Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) provides interested students with an opportunity to explore the diverse field of family medicine, including the specialty's emphasis on social justice and health equity. Students will get the opportunity to network with family medicine providers and build clinical skills through panel discussions, procedure workshops, shadowing and research opportunities, and much more!
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Gastroenterology Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): Sarah Becker, leader, 2024, Sarah.Becker@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Matt Shields
Description: This group is an opportunity for students to gain experience working with GI faculty at UMass. In addition to coordinating shadowing opportunities for students, this group also facilitates student opportunities to attend faculty GI case conferences, meet with GI faculty and learn from their experiences. Faculty host monthly case conferences and discussions for students so that the students may learn from their expertise.
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Geriatrics Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Pharmacy Students
Student Leader(s): Jenna Laidley, Leader, SOM 2024, Jenna.laidley@umassmed.edu. ; Nisha Naik, Leader, DNP-1 Nursing Student, niche.naik1@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Gary Blanchard, MD, Erika Zimmons, DO
Email Contact: umassgeriatricsinterestgroup@gmail.com
Description: The Geriatrics Interest Group (GIG) is an interprofessional group that brings together nursing students (GSN), medical students, and pharmacy students to learn about caring for older adults. GIG organizes a program called the Elder Navigator elective that pairs students with older patients to "navigate" them through their primary care appointments. The group is unique in that it is interprofessional and brings together perspectives from both the GSN and SOM to learn about caring for one of our most vulnerable populations, older adults.
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Global Surgery Student Alliance at UMass
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing
Student Leader(s): Thuy Duong Doan, co-leader, 2024, thuyduong.doan@umassmed.edu; Colin Rivet, co-leader, 2024, colin.rivet@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Joyce McIntyre, MD
Description: GSSA (Global Surgery Student Alliance) is a national student run group that aims to foster awareness around global surgery. Our chapter here at UMass works to expose students to the fundamental aspects involved in achieving worldwide sustainable and accessible surgical care as well as the necessary steps in developing a career in global surgery. We welcome both medical and nursing students, as well as anyone else from the UMass community, interested in exploring the field of global surgery.
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Hematology/Oncology Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing
Student Leader(s): Alexa Nguyen (student leader, 2024, alexandra.nguyen@umassmed.edu); Rishi Makkar (student leader, 2024, rishi.makkar@umassmed.edu); Mike Rogalski (student leader, 2024, michael.rogalski@umassmed.edu); Valeria Zhu (student leader, 2024, valerie.zhu@umassmed.edu)
Faculty: Venu Bathini, MD
Description: The Hem/Onc interest group seeks to encourage interest in the field of hematology/oncology. We plan events for students that include panels, independent lectures, and opportunities to connect with residents and attending physicians with the goal of increasing student exposure to the field.
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History of Medicine Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Cameron Thomson, Founder, 2021, Cameron.thomson@umassmed.edu / Patricia Giunta, Co-leader, 2023, patricia.giunta@umassmed.edu / Jillian Belgrad, Co-leader, MD/PhD, jillian.belgrad@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Magdalena Slosar-Cheah
Description: Medicine, in one form or another, has been around for millennia, and its history is full of advancements, discoveries, and missteps. Studying medical history provides important insights into today’s medical practices, and gaining an understanding of the historical context of one’s discipline is an important complement to any healthcare professional’s medical training. Join the History of Medicine Interest Group to stay up to date on the past!
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Industry Exploration Program (IndEx)
Student Leaders: Socheata Ly (socheata.ly@umassmed.edu)
Visit: https://umassmed.edu/iep/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12000151
Description: The primary objective of the group is to provide both graduate students and postdocs an opportunity to explore PhD-level careers in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. We organize site visits in the Massachusetts and New England area to allow trainees to observe company cultures, learn about the structure and function of industry research and enhance their knowledge of careers in industry. The program also provides an opportunity to interact directly and network with industry professionals and obtain valuable career guidance.
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Infectious Disease Interest Group (IDIG)
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing
Student Leader(s): Lakhena Leang, Co-Leader, Class of 2024, Lakhena.leang@umassmed.edu. Thomas Drews, Co-Leader, Class of 2024, thomas.drews@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Read Pukkila-Worley, MD
Email Contact: UMassIDIG@gmail.com
Description: The University of Massachusetts Medical School Infectious Disease Interest Group’s (IDIG) mission is to introduce pre-clinical medical students, nursing students, and other graduate-level students to the infectious disease specialty with a focus on the multitude of career paths within the field. We provide shadowing opportunities for interested students throughout the year, host panels where students can directly interact with faculty in the infectious disease department at UMass, and invite faculty/other special guests in to talk about integral + relevant infectious disease topics.
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Internal Medicine Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing
Student Leader(s): (All Leaders are MS1s) Katya Skaritanov (ekaterina.skaritanov@umassmed.edu); Marie McGourty (marie.mcgourty@umassmed.edu); Cooper Scherr (cooper.scherr@umassmed.edu); Sri Nuvvula (sri.nuvvula@umassmed.edu)
Faculty: Dr. Nancy Skehan
Description: The Internal Medicine Interest Group aims to provide students with academically enriching experiences in the incredibly broad field of internal medicine. These experiences include panel discussions, clinical observation experiences, skills sessions, and opportunities for networking with physicians and residents within internal medicine & its subspecialties.
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International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology**
Membership: Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Yiyang Yuan, MS, MPH; Grace Masters, BS; Danni Zhao, MS; Diva Shridharmurthy, MPH
Faculty: Christine Ulbricht, PhD and Anthony Nunes, PhD
Description: The International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology (ISPE) Student Chapter provides opportunities for interested students to network and learn about pharmacoepidemiology. The chapter's overarching goals are to foster a strong sense of community among students interested in pharmacoepidemiology and facilitate discussions on recent innovations in pharmacoepidemiologic research and methods. The chapter regularly hosts journal clubs and invites speakers from academia, government, and private industry.
More Info: https://www.umassmed.edu/PHARE/education--training/ispe-student-chapter/
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Interventional Radiology Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing
Student Leader(s): Emmanuel Budis M1 Co-leader (emmanuel.budis@umassmed.edu); Alexander Morrison M1 Co-leader (Daniel.Morrison@umassmed.edu); Fiona Splaine M1 Co-leader (fiona.splaine@umassmed.edu); Mehdi Salimy M3 Co-leader (mehdi.salimy@umassmed.edu)
Faculty Leader: Aaron Harman, MD
Description: Interventional Radiology is an innovative and rapidly growing field that uses minimally invasive techniques guided by imaging to address problems of every organ system. The Interventional Radiology Interest Group (IRIG) aims to increase visibility and early exposure among medical students and promote mentorship between IR faculty, residents and students. We have formal shadowing opportunities in vascular and neurointerventional radiology, hands-on workshops as well as panel and lecture discussions with IR faculty and residents. We want to educate students about the residency program application process and varied routes of entry into IR, including the newer Integrated IR residency pathway.
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Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing
Student Leader(s): Lucyna Kogut 2024, Christine Callahan 2022, Rebecca Litwin GSN, Casey Gallagher GSN, Kristina Brewer 2024, Iha Kaul 2022
Faculty Leader: Michelle Dalal
Description: TBD
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MassTERi Entrepreneurship Club (eClub)**
Student Leaders: Radhika Joshi Radhika.Joshi@umassmed.edu; Umanaresh Nandhitha nandhitha.umanaresh@umassmed.edu; Karthik Dhatchinamoorthy Karthik.Dhatchinamoorthy@umassmed.edu
Website: https://www.umassmed.edu/massteri/massteri-entrepreneurship-club/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MassTERi_EClub
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massteri-eclub-50864a9b/
Description: eClub is a student and post-doctoral fellow-led initiative that was launched in 2014 as one of the key elements to the MassTERi program. MassTERi eClub aims to facilitate the translation of UMMS discoveries into drugs, products, technologies, and companies. The MassTERi eClub has four goals:
1) develop a community of entrepreneurs at UMMS that includes students, post-docs, staff, and faculty;
2) foster a culture of entrepreneurship at UMMS and inspire entrepreneurial ideas out of basic and translational research;
3) educate UMMS scientists in the skills required for entrepreneurship;
4) provide opportunities for networking with a global community of innovators, scientists, investors, legal and business professionals.
For more information please contact: massteri@umassmed.edu
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Med/Peds Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing
Student Leader(s): MS1 co-leaders: Evelyn Semenov (evelyn.semenov@umassmed.edu), Samantha Beck (samantha.beck@umassmed.edu), Katya Skaritanov (ekaterina.skaritanov@umassmed.edu)
Faculty: John Solomonides, MD
Email Contact: dina.roche@umassmed.edu
Description: The Med/Peds IG is designed to support students who are interested in training in combined medicine/pediatrics after graduation.
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Medical Genetics Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): Zach Strecker, President, 2024, Zachary.Strecker@umassmed.edu; Sarah Uhranowsky, Vice President, 2024, Sarah.Uhranowsky@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Dr. Helen Lyon, Dr. Lisa Hall, Dr. Patricia Miron
Description: Medical Genetics Student Interest Group aims to provide future healthcare workers with access to clinical experiences, research opportunities and education in medical genetics. This rapidly expanding and evolving field is relevant to all medical specialties, drug development, and population health. We encourage students of all backgrounds to join us as we take a deep dive into this important topic for the future of medicine.
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OB/GYN Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing
Student Leader(s): Constantine Velmahos, Co-Leader, 2024, constantine.velmahos@umassmed.edu; Rohini Loke, Co-leader, 2024, rohini.loke@umassmed.edu; Hannah Stack-Dunnbier, Co-leader, 2024, hannah.stackdunnbier@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Anne Garrison, MD
Description: The Ob/Gyn interest Group at UMass Medical School is committed to the promotion of Obstetrics and Gynecology as a future career path for UMass medical students. Our goal is to expose students to the various aspects of Obstetrics and Gynecology and provide both mentoring and clinical opportunities for those wishing to further develop their interests in the field. By giving medical students early insight into Obstetrics and Gynecology during the FOM1 and FOM2 years, we hope to provide opportunities that will create a foundation for students interested in becoming specialists in the future.
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Ophthalmology Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing
Student Leader(s): Sean Doherty
Faculty: Shlomit Schaal, MD, PhD
Description: The Ophthalmology Interest Group aims to promote an interest in Ophthalmology by providing opportunities to learn more about the specialty, interact with faculty, and facilitate research involvement. Whether or not you want to apply into Ophthalmology, this is the premier group to learn all there is to know about this innovative and exciting specialty!
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Orthopedic Surgery Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing
Student Leader(s): Co-leaders: Rebecca Sullivan (MS1 rebecca.sullivan@umassmed.edu), Kene Adigwe (MS1 Kenechukwu.Adigwe@umassmed.edu), Mike Rogalski (MS1, michael.rogalski@umassmed.edu), Stewart Maxfield (MS1, Stewart.Maxfield@umassmed.edu)
Faculty: Marci Jones
Description: The Orthopedic Surgery Interest Group seeks to to enable students to explore the field of orthopedics and get to know the UMass orthopedic surgeons. We help organize shadowing opportunities and weekends on call with residents. We also put together other events such as panels with Orthopedic Surgeons and casting workshops. We are passionate about the field of orthopedics and aim to enable students to become involved in orthopedics, as well.
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Pediatric Interest Group (PIG)
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing
Student Leader(s): Katya Skaritanov, 2024, ekaterina.skaritanov@umassmed.edu; Kamryn Jebb, 2024, kamryn.jebb@umassmed.edu; Camile Hernandez, 2024, camila.hernandez@umassmed.edu; Olivia Hanron, 2024, olivia.hanron@umassmed.edu; Pooja Dutta, 2024, pooja.dutta@umassmed.edu; Elizabeth Gootkind, 2024, elizabeth.gootkind@umassmed.edu; Sravya Shankara, 2024, sravya.shankara@umassmed.edu; Joyce Tien, 2024, joyce.tien@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Timothy Gibson, MD
Description: Whether you are someone who knows you want to become a pediatrician, or someone who is just looking to learn more about pediatric medicine you have a place in the Pediatric Interest Group! Our goal is to help pre-clinical students explore their interest in the field through various learning opportunities such as Pediatric Morning Report, Pediatric Mini-Rounds, NICU Shadowing, and more.
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Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Interest Group (PM&R)
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): co-leaders: Matt Guarino (matthew.guarino@umassmed.edu), Rachel Schneider (Rachel.Schneider@umassmed.edu), Harrison Carmichael (John.Carmichael@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Faren Williams, MD
Description: Introduce students to the field and potential career paths, provide focused lectures, research opportunities, shadowing opportunities, and skills sessions to build experience.
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Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Interest Group (PRSIG)**
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): Meghan Ferreira, Leader, Class of 2023. Jan Sjoquist, Leader, Class of 2023
Faculty: Janice F. Lalikos, MD
Description: The Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Interest Group (PRSIG) is devoted to providing educational opportunities within the scope of plastic and reconstructive surgery. Through shadowing, guest lectures, suture clinics, and journal clubs, we aim to grant students the chance to interact with residents and attending physicians in different settings to help promote consideration of plastic and reconstructive surgery as a possible career option. Early exposure to the various fields allows students more time to construct a competitive resume when applying for residencies in the 4th year of medical school.
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Psychiatry Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): Niharika Kareddy, MS1, 2024, niharika.kareddy@umassmed.edu //Marko Stojcevski, MS1, 2024, marko.stojcevski@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Anya Bernstein, MD
Description: The Psychiatry Student Interest Group was created for students who are interested in entering the field of psychiatry, as well as those who are interested in exploring current topics in psychiatry. We host faculty and resident panels, organize opportunities to shadow residents, provide students with the chance to mentor adolescents at the Department of Mental Health, hold movie nights, and have guest speakers. PSIG is a part of the national Psychiatry Student Interest Group Network (PsychSIGN), and encourages members to register with PsychSIGN and attend PsychSIGN's annual regional conference in the Fall and national conference in the Spring.
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Radiology Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): Chantal Ferguson, Co-leader, 2023, chantal.ferguson@umassmed.edu; Zachary Cartun, co-leader, 2022, zachary.cartun@umassmed.edu; Erica Christenson, co-leader, 2022, Erica.Christenson@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Chris Cerniglia, DO, Carolynn DeBenedectis, MD
Description: The Radiology Interest Group is a student led organization that exposes students to careers in radiology through panel discussions and mentorship by senior medical students, radiology residents, and radiology attendings.
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Robotic Surgery Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): Ben Palleiko, leader, 2023, benjamin.palleiko@umassmed.edu; Gidon Salamatbad, co-leader, 2024 gidon.salamatbad@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Mark Maxfield, MD
Description: The Robotic Surgery Interest Group (RSIG) is devoted to introducing students to the exciting and rapidly evolving field of robotic surgery. Through guest lectures, research opportunities, shadowing, and simulations on the DaVinci training console, we hope to educate students on the numerous applications of this cutting-edge technology.
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Simulation Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): 1. Chris Zoppo (christopher.zoppo@umassmed.edu, 2023, co-leader) 2. Jeremiah Hyslip (jeremiah.hyslip@umassmed.edu, 2023, co-leader) 3. Olivia Sears (olivia.sears@umassmed.edu, 2023, co-leader)
Faculty: Anne Weaver, MD
Description: We are a student-led organization that focuses on creating innovation simulation events for pre-clinical medical students to further their medical education with hands-on training in clinical skills and techniques. Simulation aids serve as an alternative to real patients, creating a safe environment for students to practice clinical skills with decreased risk and harm. This method of teaching, along with its many benefits, has recently gathered increased interest, and advances in technology has enabled its use to grow significantly.
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Sports Medicine Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): Matthew Guarino, co-leader, MS1, matthew.guarino@umassmed.edu; Joe Douglass,, co-leader, MS2, joseph.douglass@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Lee Mancini, MD
Description: The Sports Med Interest group aims to give students the opportunity learn about sports medicine and the various ways to enter the field. Through shadowing both in clinic and at local college and high school games, lectures, and hands-on learning, we hope provide students with the experience necessary to understand what being a sports med physician entails.
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Student Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN)
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): Darya Herscovici (Co-Leader, 2024, darya.herscovici@umassmed.edu), Muhammet Ozdemir (Co-Leader, 2024, muhammet.ozdemir@umassmed.edu), Saurabh Kumar (Co-Leader, 2024, saurabh.kumar@umassmed.edu)
Faculty: Mehdi Ghasemi, MD
Description: The Student Interest Group for Neurology is an interest group run by medical students interested in exploring the field of neurology and facilitating connections with neurology faculty. Opportunities in the interest group include exposure to neurology research at UMMS, community outreach, and our OEE - Advancement in Clinical Neuroscience.
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Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Interest Group**
Membership: GSN-founded, all students welcome
Faculty advisor: Phoebe Cushman, MD
Student Leaders:
Description: We are an interprofessional student interest group for those who are interested in learning more about working with patients with substance use disorders. We meet monthly providing workshops, panel discussions, movie screenings, and trainings addressing current topics in the field including medication assisted treatment, naloxone training, peer support, and a variety of treatment modalities. Our goal is to provide an inquisitive community in which to promote evidence-based practice in the field of addiction medicine.
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Surgery Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): Austin Lachance (Co-Leader, 2024, austin.lachance@umassmed.edu), Katie Salley (Co-Leader, 2024, Katherine.salley@umassmed.edu), Alex Richard (Co-Leader, 2024, alex.richard@umassmed.edu), Evelyn Semenov (Co-Leader, 2024, evelyn.semenov@umassmed.edu)
Faculty: James Carroll, MD
Description: The Surgery Interest Group (SIG) is a student-led organization for students interested in pursuing or exploring the field of surgery. We hope to broaden students' horizons through events around campus and organizing shadowing, research, and mentoring opportunities, such as hosting panels for 4th-year students and surgical residents to share their advice/experiences and the Pre-Clinical Surgery Program.
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UMass Chan American Physician Scientist Association Chapter
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Alex Baier alexander.baier@umassmed.edu, Mohammed Nasarallah, Mohamad.Nasrallah@umassmed.edu, Institutional Representatives
Faculty: Silvia Corvera, PhD
Description: The American Physician Scientist Association student chapter works to expand the opportunities for all medical students interested in incorporating research into their careers. The group is open to MD, and MD/PhD students. By registering as a student organization, the APSA chapter will have access to APSA national funds to sponsor and grow the careers of UMassMed students.
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Urology Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): Theo Eldore, Leader, 2023, theo.eldore@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Glenn Dunne, MD
Description: The Urology Interest Group is a student led organization that brings the students of UMass Medical School exposure to the field of Urology – an exciting specialty that blends surgery and medicine in a very unique way. Our goal is to educate students about Urology through campus events, connect students with shadowing, research, and mentoring opportunities within the field, and allow for the sharing of wisdom and advice between students and faculty to help foster the growth and development of future urologic surgeons—this is facilitated through panels with Urology residents and faculty, hands-on surgery skills clinics, and information sessions about the early AUA match.
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Vascular Surgery Interest Group
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): Constantine Velmahos (Co-Leader, 2024, constantine.velmahos@umassmed.edu) Saurabh Kumar (Co-leader, 2024, Saurabh.Kumar@umassmed.edu), Joseph LiCausi (Co-Leader, 2022, Joseph.LiCausi@umassmed.edu)
Faculty: Jessica Simons, MD, MPH
Description: The UMass Vascular Surgery Interest Group (VSIG) is dedicated to exposing medical students to the field of vascular surgery, and to providing professional mentors to those who are considering a career in vascular surgery. We also hope to connect interested medical students at varying levels of training to each other in order to provide multiple channels of advice and perspective.
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Wilderness Medicine
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Sarah Uhranowsky, Executive Board, 2024, Sarah.Uhranowsky@umassmed.edu; Ben Potee, Executive Board, 2024, benjamin.potee@umassmed.edu; Marie McGourty Executive Board, 2024, Marie.mcgourty@umassmed.edu; Tommy Drews, Executive Board, 2024, Thomas.Drews@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Dr. Hillary Irons
Description: The Wilderness Medicine Interest Group and the Wilderness Medicine OEE are the best ways to gain useful skills related to the practice of medicine in remote areas. Come to our sessions to hear from incredible speakers, take part in scenario-based learning, and go on adventures in the wilderness of the Northeast!
Sports & Fitness
Plantation 2 Peak: UMass Medical School Outing Club
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leaders: Brent Horowitz and Tasia Kellogg
Description: We aim to share our love for the outdoors with all interested members in the UMMS community - whether you are a seasoned mountaineer or you are interested in going on your first hike. We lead hikes at various levels and in all seasons, locally and in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We also host workshops and gear demonstrations to educate members on safe hiking practices in all seasons. Our monthly trips provide an opportunity to meet other students from all three schools, while enjoying safe and challenging adventures that serve as an excellent break from your studies. Email the student leaders to sign up for our mailing list.
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Spikeball Club
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Vincent La 2024 Rishi Makkar 2024 Fiona Splaine 2024
Faculty: Manas Das
Description: Our goal is to promote student and community wellness, relieve student stress and foster a sense of camaraderie amongst the school through the art of Spikeball. Whether it’s a relaxing pick-up game, or a high stakes tournament we have a variety of events around Worcester that cater to different skill levels. You never know what UMassMed celebrity you will meet on the court, it could very well be your anatomy professor.
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UMass Med Dance**
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Emily Gentile (2022, emily.gentile@umassmed.edu), Fiona Dore (2022, fiona.dore@umassmed.edu), Sahil Shah (2022, sahil.shah@umassmed.edu), Megan Fernandez (2022, Megan.Trilokekar-Fernandez@umassmed.edu)
Faculty: Peggy Wu, MD
Description: A dance interest group open to dancers of all skill levels (including beginners), ranging in dance styles (depending on the interest of the group members). Anyone in the group will have the opportunity to choreograph and to teach classes.
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Volunteer & Outreach
ACEing Autism**
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s):
Faculty: Luu Ireland, MD, MPH
Description: ACEing Autism is a volunteer organization where UMassMed students have the opportunity to teach the basics of tennis to youths with autism. The organization provides a fun, exercised-based atmosphere for individuals with autism to learn about tennis under the guidance of medical student instructors. The organization meets during the spring on Sunday nights for two hours each session at the Shrewsbury Club.
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Advocates for Healthcare Access in Worcester (Worcester Free Care Collaborative)
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Grant Garcia (Co-President, 2024, grant.garcia@umassmed.edu), Tyler Healy (Co-President, 2024, tyler.healy@umassmed.edu)
Faculty: James Ledwith, MD
Description: The Worcester Free Care Collaborative (WFCC) is the student body that oversees a range of free medical clinics in the Greater Worcester area. Our clinics offer medical care, social support services, and educational materials to improve the health and well-being of our patients. We are dedicated to serving the residents of our community regardless of their income, insurance, or housing status.
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Best Buddies
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Coleman Riordan (coleman.riordan@umassmed.edu)), Grace Ryan (grace.ryan@umassmed.edu), Vinaya Rajahraman (vinaya.rajahraman@umassmed.edu), Calvin Schaffer (calvin.schaffer@umassmed.edu) - All SOM 2023 co-leaders
Faculty: Hugh Silk, MD, MPH
Description: Best Buddies is a group dedicated to supporting members of the Worcester community with special needs through group activities and individual buddy pairings with students of the three school of UMMS.
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Cardiac Health Outreach Program
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): (Felipe Pina, Co-Leader, MS1, Felipe.Pina@umassmed.edu) (Gabrielle Carroll, Co-leader, MS1, Gabrielle.Carroll@umassmed.edu)(Christian Pineda, Co-Leader, MS1, Christian.Pineda@umassmed.edu)(Alex Morrison, Co-Leader, MS1, Daniel.Morrison@umassmed.edu)
Faculty: Joseph Sabato, MD
Description: The Cardiac Health Outreach Program (CHOP) is a student group aimed at educating the Worcester community in hands-only CPR and cardiac health. Students volunteer at different educational events around Worcester and the surrounding area, with a special focus on underserved populations. Through this initiative, the group aims to make Worcester a more heart-healthy city and improve Worcester’s out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rate.
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Community Canvases**
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Christine Yao, Emily Davenport
Faculty: Thomas Guggina, MD
Email Contact: umasscommunitycanvases@gmail.com christine.yao@umassmed.edu, emily.davenport@umassmed.edu
Description: We are a group of students who love to be creative and want to spend time expressing ourselves artistic mediums. We often do commissioned murals or paintings throughout campus and the Worcester community, as well as volunteer in annual events that involved activities such as facepainting.
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Correctional Health Educators
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): Co-Leaders: Evelyn Semenov (MS1, Class of 2024, evelyn.semenov@umassmed.edu) and Niharika Kareddy (MS1, Class of 2024, niharika.kareddy@umassmed.edu)
Faculty: Ann Sattler, MD
Email Contact: umasshealtheducation@gmail.com
Description: Correctional Health Educators is a group of students passionate about improving health education. We partner with Massachusetts Department of Youth Services to work with juvenile detention centers in the Worcester area to teach interactive health education classes. Our curriculum covers sexual education, healthy relationships, nutrition, alcohol, and drug use. This is a great opportunity to spend time with hilarious teenagers, learn about correctional medicine, and work on health education skills.
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Cuddle Buddies
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): Co-Leaders: Paula Whitmire M3 paula.whitmire@umassmed.edu, Holly Shillan M3 holly.shillan@umassmed.edu, Kelly Robertson M3 kelly.robertson@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Alex Procaskey, MD
Description: Cuddle Buddies is a student group that offers opportunities for medical and graduate nursing students to cuddle newborns at UMass Memorial Hospital’s NICU! Cuddling has been found to be very beneficial for infants, and your time and efforts are greatly appreciated by staff and family. In addition to cuddling with newborns, our group also sponsors talks each semester about various topics related to neonatal health.
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Kelley Backpacks
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): J. Harrison Carmichael, Worcester Program Leader, 2024, john.carmichael@umassmed.edu; Sri Nuvvula, Worcester Program Leader, 2024, Sri.Nuvvula@umassmed.edu; Lucyna Kogut, Worcester Program Leader, 2024, Lucyna.Kogut@umassmed.edu; Marcella Jewell, Springfield Program Leader, 2024, Marcella.Jewell@umassmed.edu; Gabrielle Carrol, Springfield Program Leader, 2024, Gabrielle.Carroll@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Phil Fournier, MD
Description: Kelley Backpacks is a student organization which provides backpacks packed with toys, games, clothes and other essentials for children being discharged from the hospital to foster homes.
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Kidney Companions**
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s):
Faculty: Pang-Yen Fan, MD
Description: Kidney Companions (KC) pairs up students interested in internal medicine, nephrology and/or transplant surgery with patients on hemodialysis at a local clinic to meet on a monthly basis. The goal of these meetings is to provide students with an opportunity to have a longitudinal relationship with an individual with chronic health issues. There will also be educational sessions throughout the year to compliment the experience by providing more in depth information on end stage renal disease, kidney transplantation, and dialysis treatments.
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Marie's Mission UMass
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): All Co-Leaders are MS1s: Katya Skaritanov (ekaterina.skaritanov@umassmed.edu); Marie McGourty (marie.mcgourty@umassmed.edi); Fiona Splaine (fiona.splaine@umassmed.edu)
Faculty: Dr. Patricia McQuilkin
Description: Marie’s Mission is a Diaper Outreach program for Worcester County families on MassHealth or WIC Insurance. Established in 2015 by lifelong Worcester resident Sarah Galvin, the goal of Marie’s Mission is to support and empower Worcester families by providing baby items needed for the health and wellness of both the baby and the entire family. UMassMed students support this Worcester community-driven effort through supplementing the monthly diaper distributions with a student-lead health education table. The Marie’s Mission Committee plans health-education sessions and activities for children and families as well as organizes yearly fundraisers.
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Medical Professionals of Tomorrow
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): Bridget (Xinmiao) Yang, MS3, xinmiao.yang@umassmed.edu. Michelle Chang, MS3, hanyan.chang@umassmed.edu. Kevin O'Conor, MD/PhD candidate, kevin.o'connor@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Robert Layne, M.Ed.
Description: Our chapter works with young men of color at North High School and other Worcester high schools. We host a series of workshops to 1) address the decline of men of color in medicine and 2) expose them to the tools required to be successful as they develop their interests in pursuing a career in the medical field.
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Mentors for Young Mothers
Membership: School of Medicine
Student Leader(s): Sophia Antonioli, Co-Leader, 2025, sophia.antonioli@umassmed.edu; Lydia Brainard, Co-Leader, 2025, lydia.brainard@umassmed.edu; Samantha Lee, Co-Leader, 2025, samantha.lee6@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Erin Barlow, MD
Description: Mentors for Young Mothers is a medical student initiative supporting teen mothers experiencing homelessness in Worcester. Students facilitate workshops at two residential facilities and present information on topics such as healthy relationships, STIs, nutrition, and job interview skills. In addition to weekly workshops, medical students may be paired with a mom at one of the residential facilities for a one-on-one mentorship relationship. The programming includes an 8-week trauma-informed parenting curriculum, devised by a UMass-affiliated professional trauma educator and a current MS3, which aims to help mothers identify experienced traumas, its impacts on their parenting, and how to use this knowledge to improve their parenting.
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Paths2Policy**
Membership: Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (all events open to Tri-School participation)
Student Leader(s): Monika Chitre, Kevin Luk, Kyle Foster, Margaret Magaletta, Xavier Gonzalez, Sneha Suresh, Sarah Anderson, Victoria Julian
Faculty: Nick Rhind, PhD and Nathaniel Hafer, PhD
Email Contact: paths2policy@umassmed.edu
Social Media: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/UMMSPaths2Policy/
Description: UMMS Paths2Policy aims to educate UMMS trainees in all three schools about career development opportunities in the fields of science and healthcare policy. We host informational panel discussions to inform trainees about the nature of these careers in addition to networking sessions that involve professionals in both science and healthcare policy. We develop projects that focus on science policy advocacy to create opportunities for trainees to learn about science policy in a hands-on manner and further expand their career development networks for a future in science policy. We meet every first Monday of the month during the academic year.
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Power of Presence
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Brian Nickley, PCIG/PoP Student Leader, SOM 2024, brian.nickley@umassmed.edu;
Alexandra Nguyen, PCIG/PoP Student Leader, SOM 2024, alexandra.nguyen@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Dr. Vandana Nagpal
Description: Power of Presence is a student group that aims to ensure no one is alone at the end of their life. Our volunteers provide a caring presence for lonely patients and respite for families who can’t always be with their loved ones. Being present with someone in this capacity is a truly intimate, meaningful experience and a great privilege. Volunteers are trained on how to provide companionship, to listen actively, and to respond to non-verbal communication. They may read out loud to patients or give therapeutic hand massage. We also hold lectures a few times a year exploring different themes pertaining to end of life care.
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Project Linus**
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader: Maureen Hester, maureen.hester@umassmed.edu
Description: The goal is to make blankets to give to Jody at UMass Volunteer services who will distribute them in the hospital, a contact at WPD to give to children who witness opioid overdoses, and to local homeless shelters.
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Project Prevail**
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing
Student Leader(s): Brittany Carney, Sardis Harward
Faculty: Margret Chang, MD
Description: Rockdale Recovery High School provides an alternative secondary education to adolescents recovering from substance use disorders. Project Prevail invites collaborators from SOM and GSN to participate in bimonthly, small group mentoring sessions on health-related topics at RRHS. Students will have the opportunity to work closely with adolescents in recovery and to learn about the unique challenges posed by pediatric SUD.
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Tutoring and Mentoring Initiative (TaMI) at North High
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Christian Keenan - SOM'24, co-leader, christian.keenan@umassmed.edu; Fiona Splaine - SOM'24, co-leader, fiona.splaine@umassmed.edu; Tommy Drews - SOM'24, co-leader, thomas.drews@umassmed.edu; Katya Skaritanov - SOM'24, co-leader, ekaterina.skaritanov@umassmed.edu; Saurabh Kumar - SOM'24, co-leader, saurabh.kumar@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Robert Layne
Description: The purpose of this initiative is to build a program to provide tutoring for students at North High in various subjects including math and science courses (including AP courses) as well as SAT exam preparation. Our goal is to help students build a solid foundation in math and science and establish learning and studying methods while in high school before heading off to college. Along with that, we hope to help students by allowing them to have a platform to establish connections with medical students to look up to and to ask questions as they start their endeavor in STEM, since people in medical school come from a wide variety of educational backgrounds.
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Worcester Technical High School Mentoring Program
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Sarah Becker, co-leader, class of 2024, sarah.becker@umassmed.edu; Irena Kuzma, co-leader, class of 2024, irena.kuzma@umassmed.edu
Faculty: Cynthia Ennis, DO
Description: Worcester Technical High School Mentoring Program serves to connect University of Massachusetts graduate students with Worcester Technical High School juniors and seniors who are enrolled in the Biotechnology pathway. Mentors work one on one with students to provide guidance and support as they begin the college application process. Mentors also provide information about potential careers pathways in science and medicine. We begin working with the juniors in their spring semester and continue working with them through the senior fall.
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Worcester Refugee Assistance Project - Teen Mentoring Program
Membership: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Student Leader(s): Vanessa Avalone, MS2, vanessa.avalone@umassmed.edu, Anushay Mistry, MS4 anushay.mistry@umassmed.edu, Omar Taweh, MS2, Omar.Taweh@umassmed.edu, Nathan Yingling, MS2, Nathan.Yingling2@umassmed.edu (Co-Leaders)
Faculty: Diane Blake, MD
Description: The Worcester Refugee Assistance Project (WRAP) is a non-profit organization composed of a network of individuals committed to assisting local refugees from Burma in attaining sustainable self-reliance. UMass Medical School students have collaborated with WRAP for the past seven years and through this partnership, UMass students work alongside refugees and social justice advocates. Students learn about social determinants of health in meaningful ways while giving back to the Worcester community. WRAP offers a wide range of programs many of which are led by UMass students. These programs include a Youth Mentoring, Teen Mentoring, Children’s Education, and Youth Group, as well as a newly established Adult Group and COVID-19 education and vaccination campaign. We look forward to developing a case management program next year.
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