student affairs and resources

Student Organizations and Activities

American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin-Medical Students / Residents (AAPIO). This organization serves to introduce the Cultures and traditions of India to Temple’s Health Sciences Campus. In addition, we provide guidance and support for academic social and cultural purposes to all interested peoples. At present, the club is restricted to the medical school but will eventually expand to include the entire Health Sciences Campus. Meetings will be held throughout the year. New members are always welcome.

Al-Shifaa Muslim Students Organization. This newly founded organization sponsors talks and is involved in community-service activities.

American Medical Association/Pennsylvania Medical Society (AMA/PMS). The AMA/PMS works to keep medical students abreast of new medical issues and techniques, both in Pennsylvania and nationwide. We send Temple representatives to national meetings of the American Medical Association (AMA) and sponsor various activities and lectures for medical students.

American Medical Students Association (AMSA). AMSA is a national organization run for and by medical students, dealing with both medical and political issues. AMSA offers national, regional and local chapter activities for its members. Our local project STATS include Students Teaching AIDS to Students, a program to teach high school students about AIDS. It also sponsors a lunchtime lecture series at Temple as well as several publications, insurance programs and loan funds.

American Medical Women's Association (AMWA). A national organization dedicated to focusing attention on women's health issues and promoting mutuality among female professional assistance. The local chapter provides a big sister mentorship program, community education on breast self-exam and speakers and social events throughout the year.

Asians in Medicine (AIM). AIM's purpose is to create an atmosphere of mutual support among Asian-American medical students. AIM encourages networking between Asian-American students at Temple and nationwide and gives students the opportunity to explore Asian-American issues. AIM also provides community service in local ethnic areas.

Basketball. Temple University Medical School Basketball Team plays in the Philadelphia Professional School Basketball League. Representatives from Philadelphia area participate in a ten game schedule beginning in January.

Big Friends. Big Frients is a tutoring program which originated five years ago. Its aim is to provide 4th and 5th grade students of Kenderton Elementary School with assistance in various academic areas as well as social and cultural areas. Tutors donate two hours every other week for two months.

Boricua-Latino Health Organization (BLHO). This is a student organization committed to developing a network of support for minority medical students,
particularly those of Latino background. Students interested in learning more about Latino cultures are welcomed and encouraged to participate.

Christian Medical and Dental Society (CMDS). The Christian Medical and Dental Society meets weekly year-round to learn from the Bible, pray, and enjoy fellowship with one another. This fellowship may take the form of song, food, special guest speakers, or just sharing life's victories, defeats, and challenges with each other.

Community Service Outreach (CSO). This is an organization responsible for coordinating and overseeing the community/hospital service activities performed by medical students. This organization was also established as a resource center for people interested in starting new service activities. The organization's responsibilities grow and change along with the community service activities at the School of Medicine.

Curriculum Committee. Elected student members--one from each year--serve as voting committee members together with faculty representatives from all Basic Science and Clinical departments. Decisions made involve curricular philosophies, content and scheduling.

Emergency Medicine Interest Group. The goal of the Emergency Medicine Interest Group is to expose pre-clinical medical students to the field of Emergency Medicine, since students do not otherwise have the opportunity to do so until their fourth year. Activities include guest speakers, an emergency room shadowing program for first year students and an emergency room volunteer program for second year students.

Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG). The Family Medicine Interest Group at Temple University School of Medicine serves to encourage interaction between residents, faculty, practicing physicians and students who are interested in the
specialty. There are formal events such as speaker series and meetings. There are also informal events such as potluck dinners and an end-of-year reception for graduating fourth year students entering into family practice residencies. All are welcome to attend the events.

Honor Board. The Honor Board is an elected board of 20 students (five from each class) and six faculty members who deal with educational and administrative aspects of Temple's Honor Code.

Internal Medicine Interest Group (IMIG). A student-run organization that focuses on providing opportunities for those interested in internal medicine to learn more about the field. IMIG sponsors a mentorship program in which students are paired with an internal medicine physician, as well as noontime guest speakers.

Jewish Student Union (JSU). JSU provides a forum for social activity, cultural awareness and community service. Guest speakers, lunches and other activities are scheduled periodically throughout the year. The JSU is open to all members of the Temple community.

Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual People in Medicine. LGBPM is a Standing Committee of the American Medical Students Association (AMSA) that was formed 15 years ago to improve the quality of health care for lesbian, gay and bisexual patients, and to improve conditions for lesbian, gay and bisexual medical students, physicians and health care workers. LGBPM welcomes all allied health students, faculty, staff and administrators who are interested in gay,
lesbian and bisexual issues. LGBPM local and national sponsors educational workshops on homosexuality, disseminates research and materials on gay health issues, coordinates gay and lesbian preceptor-electives, reviews gay friendly residency programs, holds networking and social events for gay, lesbian and bisexual people in medicine and their friends and bisexual people in medicine and their friends. Approximately ten percent of the population is gay or lesbian. Every one of us has friends, colleagues, classmates, professors, patients and family members who are gay. However most of us have limited
information about gay, lesbian and bisexual issues. AMSA recognizes that quality professional, educational and therapeutic relationships cannot be achieved in an environment of misinformation and fear. Therefore, through educating ourselves about gay and lesbian issues, and through supporting gay, lesbian and bisexual members of our community, AMSA hopes to create an atmosphere of openness and mutual respect that is conducive to caring and learning.

Medical Students for Choice. Medical Students for Choice was founded in 1993 by students concerned about the practitioner shortage, the lack of abortion education in medical schools and escalating violence against abortion providers.
Today we represent students at more then 100 medical schools across the country.

Organization of Student Representatives (OSR) of the AAMC. A nationwide network of students whose purpose is to facilitate communication between the AAMC and the student bodies of medical colleges and universities across the United States. While the OSR will continue to concern itself with matters such as government legislation, loan repayment policy, and medical insurance, the organization looks forward to involvement in issues such as health care reform
and topics concerning study abroad.

Pediatrics Interest Group. This is a student-run group which focuses on providing opportunities to students interested in pediatrics to learn more about the field and participate in care-giving. Through it, students can volunteer in a resident-run pediatric clinic working alongside the residents to gain clinical exposure beginning in the first year. We also have a variety of speakers and participate in health fairs and immunization drives taking place at a local elementary school.

Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR). PSR believes that physicians have a unique opportunity to affect the lives of their communities. PSR approaches socio-economic-cultural issues from the special perspective that a profession in health care provides. Originally founded to address the catastrophic health problems associated with nuclear weapons (for which PSR eventually won the Nobel Peace Prize), PSR now confronts many other social issues with similarly devastating consequences to society including the environment, domestic violence and the proliferation of handguns. Lobbying, activism and community outreach are just a few of the things PSR does on both a notional and local level. National membership includes over 30,000 physicians and other health care professionals, with the Philadelphia chapter representing one of the largest chapters in the country.

Prevention Point. Prevention Point is the city’s needle exchange program. Temple students staff the Thursday site which provides basic medical care such as blood pressure screenings and flu shots, advice on care and avoidance of infection, and referral to other health care providers.

Radiology Interest Group. This group provides talks and networking for students interested in Radiology.

Students Interested in OB-GYN. Students Interested in OB-GYN (SIOG) provides opportunities for students to observe labor and delivery as well as to participate in a mentorship program with doctors and residents. In addition, the group sponsors monthly noontime speakers.

Student National Medical Association. An organization committed to developing a network of traditionally underrepresented minority medical students and to improving health care conditions of the underserved community. Nationally, SNMA has over 3100 members and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1989. Examples of programs at Temple are as follows: blood pressure screenings in the surrounding community, AIDS awareness workshops in elementary and high schools, seminars on opportunities in medicine, and the chance in interact with
colleagues from other institutions. Chapters and regional projects are designed to address the concerns of minority medical students.

Student Surgical Society. Student run group for students interested in a career in surgery. We sponsor lectures throughout the year, and allow first and second year students to gain clinical exposure in various surgical fields.

Soccer. The Soccer Team practices weekday afternoons and plays on Sunday mornings.

Student Council. The objectives of Council shall be to act as a liaison between the individual student and the faculty and administration of Temple University School of Medicine, to act as a liaison between individual classes and other elements of the Health Sciences Center, to contribute to the welfare and education of the student body, and to promote activities for the academic, social, professional, and administrative welfare of the entire student body.

Talent Show. This is an annual entertainment bonanza involving talented students and faculty members.

Temple CARES. This is a student-run health clinic, staffed by medical students and clinicians that provides health awareness, resources, education and service to members of the local community.

Transplantations. Take a study break by singing and getting to know other Temple classmates in a relaxed and informal setting. Join the Vocal Cords, the only a capella group this side of Broad and Ontario.

VOICES. Volunteer Opportunities in Interpreting and Communicating in Existing health care Services,this organization provides translation services on a part-time basis at Temple Hospital.

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