Medical Student Organizations
The Office of Student Affairs provides oversight to more than 50 medical student organizations, from the Women in Medicine Student Organization to the Cardiology Interest Group to everything in between.
Register a Student Organization
All student organizations must register with the Office of Student Affairs. This not only recognizes that the organization has agreed to abide by the VCU School of Medicine’s guidelines, but also makes the organization eligible to apply for funding through the Medical Student Government.
Find a Student Organization
Search the A to Z index below to find a specific VCU School of Medicine student organizations.
This list is updated annually after the September 30 registration deadline for currently established student organizations.
New or reactived oganizations may submit student organization registration forms anytime during the academic year. These organizations will be added to the list once the request has been processed and approved.
A
AMA Medical Student Section
E-mail: VCUAMA@gmail.com
Purpose: To unite medical students and represent VCU student concerns to AMA National.
President: Peter Jackson
Treasurer: Dawn Butler
Faculty Advisor: Isaac Wood, M.D.
(AMSA) American Medical Student Association
Web site: www.amsa.org
Purpose: To improve health care and its delivery to all people, and involving its members in this process.
President: Kristin Moosmann and Talene Keshishian
Treasurer: Ryan Gabriel
Anesthesiology Interest Group (AIG)
E-mail: thakrasp@vcu.edu
Purpose: To gather fellow students and faculty in the hope of discussing topics relating to and or affecting Anesthesiology.
President: Shilen Thakrar and Scott Wiese
Treasurer: Shilen Thakrar and Scott Wiese
Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association - VCU/MCV Chapter
E-mail: nguyenat6@vcu.edu
Purpose: To increase understanding and awareness relating to health issues in A.P.A. communities and to enable future physicians to provide culturally competent care.
President: Annie Nguyen
Treasurer: Brandon Babock
Faculty advisor: Christine Huynh, M.D.
B
Big Buddy - Little Buddy
Purpose: To foster relationships between M1 and M2 students.
President: Jonathan Katz
C
Cardiology Interest Group
E-mail: adusumallis@vcu.edu
Purpose: To promote the field of cardiology.
President: Sri Adusumalli
Treasurer: Sri Adusumalli
Catholic Medical Student Association
E-mail: tmmullin@vcu.edu
Purpose: To give catholic medical studets an opportunity to be involved with people with similar beliefs.
President: Tom Mullin
Child Health Advocacy Program (CHAP)
E-mail: kellydr@vcu.edu
Purpose: CHAP is a medical-legal collaboration between MCV Children’s Hospital, University of Richmond Law and the Legal Aid Justice Center. Their purpose is to improve the health and welfare of families with children in the Richmond area.
President: Daniel Kelly
Faculty Advisor: Sean McKenna, M.D.
Class of 2009
Web site: www.vcu2009.com
Purpose: To unify and support the class of 2009.
President: Stuart Bertsch
Treasurer: Jimmy Ebertowski
Faculty advisor: Chris Woleben, M.D.
Class of 2011
Web site: www.studentorg.vcu.edu/somcv2011/
Purpose: To organize class, social and community service events; fundraise for and organize fourth year graduation party.
President: Justin Cross
E-mail: crossjw@vcu.edu
Treasurer: Sasa Espino
E-mail: espinosm@vcu.edu
Class of 2012
Purpose: Student government for class of 2012.
President: Andrew Junkin
E-mail: andrewjunkin@gmail.com
Treasurer: Ashton Goldman
E-mail: goldmanah@vcu.edu
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Purpose: To increase awareness, understanding and appreciation for complementary and alternative medical practices.
President: Allie Lynch
Treasurer: Dan Fitzgerald
Crossover Clinic
E-mail: mksprinkel@gmail.com
Purpose: Venue for medical students to volunteer at a free clinic.
President: Katie Sprinkel
Faculty Advisor: Vivian Bruzzese, M.D.
Cycling Interest Group
Purpose: To provide a non-competitive forum for MCV students that are interested in cycling as a means for mental and physical well-being among the medical student population.
President: Saad Amin and Russell Powell
D
David Hume Society
E-mail: davidhumesociety@gmail.com
Purpose: To spread awareness and interest about surgery and related sub-specialties of surgery.
President: Dave Ravi
Faculty advisor: Brian Kaplan, M.D.
Dermatology Interest Group
E-mail: deemvcu@gmail.com
Purpose: To increase student awareness concerning the growing field of dermatology, and expose students to new techniques in dermatology and its variety of specialties.
President: Patricia Williams
Treasurer: Sharon Pao
Faculty advisor: Calvin McCall, M.D.
Dogs on Call Student Organization
Purpose: To educate students about Animal Assisted Therapy at VCUHS and to provide students with the opportunity to participate in the program.
President: Kathleen Thornton
Faculty Advisor: Denice Ekey
E
(EMSA) Emergency Medical Student Association
Purpose: To introduce emergency medicine to first and second year medical students.
President: Duy Phan
Treasurer: Duy Phan
Faculty advisor: Francis Chuidian, M.D.
F
Fan Free Clinic
E-mail: mcvfanfree@gmail.com
Purpose: To support the mission of Fan Free Clinic.
President: Mary Ellen Cleary
Treasurer: Sri Adusumalli
French Table
E-mail: rachelw714@gmail.com
Purpose: To encourage the development of the French langauge among students wishing to do so.
President: Rachel Whitney
Treasurer: Modjulie King
G
Golf and Recreation Student Interest Group
E-mail: golf.mcv@gmail.com
Purpose: To promote a balanced lifestyle and overall wellness with emphasis on recreation.
President: Nate Sharp and Nick Hatch
Treasurer: RJ Willmore and Tim Sanford
H
Hematology/Oncology
Purpose: To expose medical students to the field of oncology.
President: Sare Trigero and Inzhili Abed
Treasurer: Dawn Butler
Faculty advisor: Laurie Lyckholm, M.D.
I
Improve Health Care Organization
Web site: www.improvehealthcare.org
E-mail: jacksonpd@vcu.edu
Purpose: IHL seeks to raise awareness about policy affecting health care.
President: Peter Jackson
Treasurer: Anna Goroncy
Infectious Diseases Interest Group
E-mail: bottinorw@vcu.edu or farahmandt@vcu.edu or ngmiller_2006@yahoo.com
Purpose: To inform the student body of career opportunities and the training required to enter the field of infectious diseases.
President: Wendy Bottinor and Tais Farahmand
Treasurer: Nathan Miller
Faculty advisor: Gonzalo Bearman, M.D., M.P.H.
International Trauma System Development Program (ITSDP) - Student Chapter
E-mail: aerialstudents@gmail.com
Purpose: To create and analyze data for trauma registation in Ecuador.
President: Jolyn Hill
Faculty advisor: Michael Aboutanos, M.D.
J
K
L
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI) Health Collective
E-mail: LGBTQIHealth@gmail.com
Purpose: To advocate for sexual and gender minority students and to educate fellow classmates on LGBTQI issues to better serve our patients.
President: Jeremy Kidd
Treasurer: Sahar Lotfi-Emran
M
M1 Community Service Task Force
Purpose: To organize and promote community service.
President: Kathleen Dipasquale
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Christopher Woleben
Mattaponi Healing Eagle Clinic
E-mail: moorera2@gmail.com
Purpose: To organize student volunteers for the bi-weekly clinics held on the Mattaponi reservation and to help raise awareness about health issues for American Indians.
President: Richard Moore II
Treasurer: Sang Kim
MCV Latin Club
E-mail: chitnavismv@vcu.edu or banderson2011@gmail.com
Purpose: To familiarize medical students with Latin-derived medical terms and to discuss medicine as it pertains to ancient Roman and Greek civilizations.
President: Blake Anderson and Maithili Chitnavis
Treasurer: Blake Anderson and Maithili Chitnavis
MCV Spanish Table
E-mail: mcvespanol@gmail.com
Purpose: To proide a comfortable environment for students to learn and practice conversational Spanish and medical Spanish as well as involve MCV students in service to the Spanish-speaking underserved community in Richmnd.
President: Michelle Johansen
Treasurer: Lori Walsh
Medical Students for Choice
Purpose: To inform medical students about the abortion provider shortage and the technical aspects of abortion care.
President: Erin Strauss
Treasurer: Susan Demarest
Faculty advisor: Joseph Borzelleca, M.D., M.P.H.
Medical Students for Health Activism
Purpose: Medical Students for Health Activism is an organization which we envision serving as both an umbrella organization for the many student organizations on campus as well as an initiative to develop both a physical and idealogical space at MSBII for those students interested in improving healthcare worldwide. We also strongly believe that it will bring to light the philanthropy of MCV’s medical student community, drawing both prospective students and faculty to the school, particularly in the new atmosphere of change in the US.
President: Aditi Hendi
Treasurer: Rachel Titerence
Faculty Advisor: Richard Wenzel, M.D.
Medical Student Government
E-mail: engornbm@vcu.edu
Purpose: To facilitate the exchange of information and ideas between the five MCV Campus schools and all of those students comprising the MCV Campus Student Body of VCU.
President: Branden Engorn
Faculty advisor: Isaac Wood, M.D.
Military Medical Student Association
E-mail: bjulich@vcu.edu
Purpose: To make information on medical careers in the military available to the VCU SOM students and aid those alreadt in the HPSP program.
President: Brian Julich
Faculty advisor: Lori Sweeney, M.D.
N
O
Ob/Gyn Student Interest Group
Purpose: To introduce students to the field of Ob/Gyn as a career choice. Activities allow students to meet faculty and residents in the department, to learn more about the health care issues of Ob/Gyn and to gain a perspective of how rewarding a career in Ob/Gyn can be.
President: Paul Stoddard
Treasurer: Rachel Abbott
Faculty advisor: John Pierce, M.D.
Operation Helping Hands
Web site: www.ohh.vcu.edu
Purpose: Every year during spring break, the student chapter of OHH goes on a humanitarian mission to Taisha in Ecuador.
President: Kasia Trebska-McGowan
Treasurer: Steve Tandberg
Faculty advisor: Michael Aboutanos, M.D.
Ophthalmology Interest Group
E-mail: mcvoptho@gmail.com
Purpose: To provide information and educational opportunities to students interested in the field of opthalmology.
President: Huma Farooq
Treasurer: Amy Keech
Otolaryngology Interest Group
Purpose: To promote an understanding of the field of Otolaryngology among MCV students. Monthly lunch lectures will introduce topics such as residency training, subspecialties and shadowing opportunities.
President: Sharon Pao
Faculty advisor: Evan Reiter, M.D.
P
Pediatric Interest Group
E-mail: mcvpig@gmail.com
Purpose: To educate medical students interested in pediatrics.
President: Kristal Edelman
Treasurer: Jennifer Pitotti
Faculty advisor: Guari Gulati, M.D.
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Student Interest Group (PM+R SIG)
Web site: www.pmr.vcu.edu/residency/interestgroup/default.aspx
Purpose: To increase learning opportunites regarding the PM+R specialty, and to enhance clinical and academic exposures to the field.
President: James Wilson
Treasurer: Courtney Ross
Faculty advisor: William McKinley, M.D.
Physicians for a National Health Program
E-mail: adusumallis@vcu.edu
Purpose: To discuss issues related to a single payer healthcare.
President: Neena Gupta and Sri Adusumali
Treasurer: Srinath Adusumali
Physicians for Human Rights
E-mail: mcvphr@vcu.edu
Purpose: To educate future healthcare professionals of health disparities and to make aware the health needs of impoverished peoples in the U.S. and abroad.
President: Mark Henin
Treasurer: Beatta Evans
Public Health Interest Group (PHIG)
E-mail: shivani2@gmail.com or rosehi@vcu.edu
Purpose: To raise awareness of public health issues.
President: Shivani Shodhan
Treasurer: Hannah Rose
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kate Lapane
Q
R
Radiology Student Interest Group
Purpose: To educate and inform medical students about the discipline of radiology.
President: Ryan Clayton
Richmond Academy of Medicine - Medical Student Section
Web site: www.ramdocs.org
E-mail: studentdirector@ramdocs.org
Purpose: To promote the art and science of medicine through the enhancement of medical education.
Student trustee/director: Jeanette Hankins
Rx (Prescription) Change
E-mail: Rx_change@gmail.com
Purpose: To promote and encourage progressive political initiatives.
President: Vincent Ruddy
S
SMILE
Purpose: We play with children who have cancer, bringing a little bit of fun into their lives.
President: David Barney
Treasurer: Huma Farooq
Sports Medicine Student Interest Group
E-mail: mcv.smig@gmail.com
Purpose: To introduce students to the field of sports medicine and the different opportunites within and to hold worshops to instruct on certain skills.
President: Timothy Sanford
Treasurer: Nicholas Hatch
Faculty advisor: Michael Petrizzi, M.D.
Stethoscoop Newsletter
E-mail: stethoscoop@gmail.com
Purpose: Monthly newsletter highlighting news and events within VCU SOM.
President: Isha Duggal
Treasurer: Duy Phan
Student Family Medicine Association (SFMA)
Web site: www.courses.vcu.edu/MED300FP-gso/sfpa/index.htm
Purpose: To expose medical students to the specialty of family medicine through luch lectures, workshops and more, hopefully leading to a greater appreciation of this particular field.
President: Sarah Corley
Treasurer: Gay Olsen, M.D.
Faculty advisor: Gay Olsen, M.D.
Student Interest Group in Neurology
E-mail: mvcsign@gmail.com
Purpose: To educate MCV students about the field of neurology and its subspecialties.
President: Kathleen Thorton
Faculty advisor: Andrea Persghin
Student National Medical Association
E-mail: vcu@snma.org
Purpose: To support and bring awareness to issues affecting underrepresented minorities in medicine.
President: Mellisa Manson
Treasurer: Neema Hardeman
Faculty advisor: Donna Jackson
Student Psychiatry Society
Purpose: To facilitate interest in psychiatry among medical students.
President: Amanda Scheffman
Faculty advisor: Rashida Gray, M.D.
Students for Advancements in Medical Imaging
E-mail: rblayser@gmail.com or singhns@vcu.edu
Purpose: To introduce medical students to the latest advancements in medical imaging techniques and to serve as a resource to students expressing interest in imaging specialties that are redefining medicine.
Co-Presidents: Robert Layser and Neera Singh
T
U
Urology Student Interest Group
E-mail: urologymcv@hotmail.com
Purpose: To introduce students to the specialty and to encourage participation in clinical research.
President: Ann Miller Wilson
Faculty advisor: Chris Cost, M.D.
V
W
Wilderness Medicine Society
E-mail: meyersks@vcu.edu
Purpose: To facilitate outdoor activities for medical students (Hiking, kayaking, camping, rafting, etc...).
President: Kenneth Sadler Meyers
Treasurer: Kenneth Sadler Meyers
Women in Medicine Student Organization
Web site: WIM Student Organization
E-mail: mcvwims@yahoo.com
Purpose: To discuss women’s health topics, increase awareness of obstacles facing women in professional careers and promote the advancement and achievement of women in medical education.
President: Nisha Gupta
Treasurer: Dawn Butler
Faculty advisor: Michelle Whitehurst-Cook, M.D.
X
Y
Yoga Physiology and Medicine Club
E-mail: fitzyoga@gmail.com
Purpose: To expose students to the practice and principles of yoga with the intent of gaining an appreciation of the benefits of yoga.
President: Daniel Fitzgerald
Treasurer: Allie Lynch
