Student Organizations
Students at AUC are an exceptionally active group of people, inside and outside of the classroom. There are many student groups to get involved with that will broaden your horizons and make you more aware of other people’s cultural and social backgrounds. We encourage you to explore your options by joining a student organization. Wherever your interests lie, AUC offers the resources to accommodate them.
Alpha Omega Phi – Honor and Service Society
We are a non-profit organization whose goals are to promote community awareness, support and education through community service while maintaining a high academic standard. The organization is designed to encourage and recognize academic excellence, character, morality, and conduct befitting the field of medicine. Members, inducted at the beginning of their fifth semester, have earned a cumulative GPA of 83 or higher, have a demonstrated record of school/community service, and exhibit qualities of leadership, excellence, and dedication to the community. Recent events have included the promotion of Breast Cancer awareness, fundraisers to help the Sister Basilia Center for the disabled, the domestic violence shelter “Safe Haven” and the “I-CAN Foundation” orphanage, and a number of environmental clean-up activities. Contact: Cindy Stroschein, Ph.D., LP, CRC at cstroschein@aucmed.edu.
American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
We are a student-governed, student-run, organization dedicated to giving students experiences outside of the standard medical curriculum here at AUC. We draw on the diverse background and training of our members to provide these opportunities, through the format of seminars, workshops, and forums. A few examples of events that AUC AMSA has hosted include suturing workshops, EKG clinics, phlebotomy workshops (drawing blood), case studies, diabetes workshops, and much more. Contact: Rohan Mehta, President at rohmehta@aucmed.edu, Faculty Advisor: Hans Berisch, Ph.D
American Medical Women Association (AMWA)
The American Medical Women Association is an organization consisting of over 10,000 physicians and medical students dedicated to improving women’s health and advancement of women in medicine. AMWA was founded by Dr. Bertha Van Hoosen in 1915, at a time when women physicians were an under-represented minority. Over the 90 years AMWA has been established, the organization has taken an active role to address unanticipated problems and issues that have risen in regards to women’s health. The new AUC chapter of AMWA strives to promote the goal of improving women's health through a variety of activities that will be held throughout the semesters. Upcoming events include the mentorship program, a lecture series, and community outreach programs.
Contact: Olga Rumyantseva, President at olgrumyantseva@aucmed.edu. Faculty Advisor: Susan Atchley, Ph.D.
Asian Student Medical Association (ASMA)
The goal of ASMA is to promote awareness of Asian & Pacific Islander culture by serving the community and fostering an environment where international medical students can develop culturally and professionally. In an increasingly global society, it is important to understand people from all walks of life. Developing both sensitivity and insight to the culture of Asians & Pacific Islanders is a positive trait that one should not just read about, but experience. By bringing together medical students of different backgrounds, we hope to create a better idea of the constantly evolving cultures through comprehensive participation and exchange of information. As future healthcare providers, we strive to combine the exposure of culture along with medically related and socially responsible activities. With an encouraging environment we hope that all members will develop friendships, knowledge, and understanding that will extend beyond the borders of one's location and outside of the student life.
Contact President Jennifer Chen: at jenchen@aucmed.edu. Faculty Advisor: Vivian Braciale, Ph.D.
Anatomy Teaching Assistants (TAs)
The Anatomy TAs are a select group of students who excelled in Anatomy during their 1st semester and were individually chosen by department faculty to participate in the TA program. The TAs, though treated as junior faculty, are colleagues who volunteer their time because they enjoy the subject material and want to teach others. It is their hope to be able to pass on to you a few “pearls” of wisdom that may make your transition as a 1st year medical student a successful one.
Contact: Lance Nash, Ph.D at lnash@aucmed.edu
Bisexuals, Gays, Lesbians and Allies in Medicine (BGLAM)
We are a group of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) medical students and heterosexual Allies who have a firm commitment to embracing diversity on this campus. Our mission is to ensure a safe and friendly academic environment for LGBT, Intersex and Questioning students, staff and faculty in the medical community at AUC. We work to foster understanding and tolerance of all sexualities, cultures, and ethnicities among our entire student body. Furthermore, we aim to provide LGBT-related training to our fellow students in order to improve the healthcare of our LGBT, Intersex, and Questioning patients. For more information, please visit http:// www.bglamauc.org or contact: bglamauc@gmail.com, Faculty Advisor: Vivian Braciale, Ph.D.
Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA)
The Christian Medical and Dental Association, founded more than 70 years ago, functions as a network for information, training, and fellowship, in an effort to integrate faith into the practice of medicine. The national organization offers mission opportunities as well as mentor match programs during residency. The AUC chapter provides an opportunity for community service events, ethical and current event symposiums, as well as social events. For more information, please e-mail Presidents Michelle Stuart, at micstuart@aucmed.edu & David Kwon, at davkwon@aucmed.edu. Faculty Advisor: Vivian Braciale, Ph.D.
Canadian Medical Students Association (CMSA)
CMSA is a student-run organization with three goals: to help and support the Canadian students at AUC in their pursuit of medicine, to share and celebrate Canadian culture with other students, and to respect and give back to the community of St. Maarten. Canadians at AUC face unique challenges and obstacles in their journey from medical student to practicing doctor, CMSA aims to aid them as much as possible in this respect. CMSA consists of Canadian students from across Canada but also strongly encourages students of other nationalities to join the association. CMSA has events celebrating Canada Day, Thanksgiving, and other Canadian holidays. Also, CMSA plans to hold other fundraising events such as the upcoming road hockey tournament. CMSA is constantly working towards implementing the first recycling program at AUC, which will start small and hopefully progress and spread throughout the community. Again, CMSA strongly encourages all students at AUC to join and experience Canadian culture and all it has to offer. Contact President: Aydin Tavakoli at aydtavakoli@aucmed.edu. Faculty Co-Advisors: Brian Flumerfelt, Ph.D., Hans Behrisch, Ph.D.
Diversity Council
The AUC Diversity Council (DC) was started by three organizations, MSA, SNMA, and JMSA, in order to first promote cultural or cross religion events. Over time as we shared the idea with other organizations, we developed into the AUC Diversity Council in order to be as inclusive as possible and to promote the significance of culture in medicine. Since our inception, the DC has accomplished much and has been among the best at AUC in regards to event planning, cooperation and charitable donations. We are a brand new organization at AUC and we hope to ultimately impress upon the AUC community the advantages of integrating cultural competency into our Medical Sciences and Clinical studies. We are only beginning to show that we, as students, can together move past old taboos and learn from each other. Please contact us at our email address aucdiversity@gmail.com or any of our supporters (JMSA, MSA, SNMA, IAPMSO, CMDA, AMSA, BGLAM). Faculty Advisor: Vivian Braciale, Ph.D.
Dr. Dale Van Wormer Student Judiciary Committee (VWJC)
We are a student run organization that deals with student-to-student conflicts and infractions of the AUC Honor Code. We rely on the student body to report any unethical or unprofessional behaviors and trust that our committee will handle them appropriately. Depending on the situation, we will decide if peer mediation and/or a hearing are necessary. Confidentiality and fairness are maintained at all times and we strive to resolve any issue at hand. Our goal is to promote an environment at AUC that is not only conducive to learning, but is trustworthy, respectable, and is in accordance with the ethics and values set forth by the medical community. Members consist of students in the second to fifth semesters. For more information, or how to file a complaint, please send an email to Brent McMillion, Chairman, at aucsjc@gmail.com. Faculty Advisor: Eugene Grochowski, M.D., Ph.D.
Jewish Medical Students Association (JMSA)
JMSA at AUC is a growing, enthusiastic community of students and faculty members who meet regularly to support Jewish life at AUC. It is a student run association that functions to bring Jewish awareness to the campus, unite students of Jewish and other faiths, as well as interacting with the local community in St. Maarten. JMSA plans to implement activities and network with other religious, cultural, political, community and social organizations. JMSA performs community service, holds information sessions, as well as social and holiday gatherings. JMSA looks forward to educating students on the integration between medical and Jewish religious values. We are looking forward to another exciting academic year, and invite anyone who is interested to join us- all are welcome! Contact President: Lee Kosstrin at leekosstrin@aucmed.edu, Faculty Advisor: Susan Atchley, Ph.D.
Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA)
We are a chapter of the National Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA). The purpose of LMSA is to promote the Latino culture in the field of medicine and in the AUC community, to educate medical students on Latino health issues, to be a lobbying force for Latino medical students, to assist in the recruitment and retention of Latino medical students, to inspire members of the organization to achieve academic excellence, to enforce awareness of the need for bilingual medical doctors, to make AUC students, faculty, and staff aware of the Latino culture, concerns, issues and future in medicine, to provide a bridge between the Latino community and other cultures that populates AUC, and to promote outreach to the Latino community in the surrounding area.
Contact: lmsa_auc@hotmail.com, Faculty advisor: Fernando Gomez, M.D.
Muslim Student Association (MSA)
The Muslim Students Association (MSA) was established to serve the best interests of Islam and students on the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine campus and in St. Maarten, and to meet the needs of Muslim and all interested students, bring Islamic awareness on campus, and educate AUC students on Islamic customs and values. One of the goals is to educate future AUC physicians, in particular, on treating Muslim women patients. MSA will be performing community-based projects and programs to enrich Islamic understanding, and also coordinating and managing the human and material resources of all students. MSA intends to educate the AUC community through movie nights, seminars, pamphlets, etc. For more information, please visit http://www.aucmsa.com or contact Faisel Loya, President at aucmsa@gmail.com. Faculty Advisor: Susan Atchley, Ph.D.
Phi Chi Medical Fraternity
Phi Chi is AUC's community service fraternity. It is a national medical fraternity with many chapters throughout the United States. Phi Chi does work every semester with a local soup kitchen, an orphanage, and is currently working with an elementary school in Phillipsburg to get them the supplies that they need. Phi Chi hosts events and parties throughout the semester as well. If you are interested in pledging for this fraternity, please come to the Welcome Back party hosted by Phi Chi at the beginning of this semester (signs will be posted in the Rotunda) or send an email to Justin Shin, President at aucphichi@gmail.com Faculty Advisor: Susan Atchley, Ph.D.
Spouses Organization
This organization is designed to provide fellowship and community involvement to couples and families associated with AUC through its activities, finance, and education committees. Those accompanying a student to AUC are encouraged to contact the Sponsor Program in advance for personal assistance in transitioning to island life. For further information on the Spouses Organization, please visit their Website http://aucspousesorganization.wordpress.com or contact them at aucspousesorg@gmail.com. President: Amanda Davis, Faculty Advisor: Jessica Koran, Ph.D.
Student Government Association (SGA)
The Student Government Association (SGA) is a student run organization that works closely with the administration at American University of the Caribbean School of Medicineto address student issues and serve as the interface between the student body and the faculty. SGA offers resources to make students’ educational experience a success. The SGA consist of an executive council and two student representatives for each class as well as a representative from all organizations on campus. Becoming a class representative is a great way to be involved and use your leadership skills while at AUC. The SGA would like to take this time to welcome you to AUC. We look forward to having you as part of our family as you begin your medical school education.
Contact: Naddi Marah, President at sgaauc@gmail.com. Faculty Advisor: Susan Atchley, Ph.D., Faculty Co-Advisor: Kathleen Shupe, Ph.D.
Student National Medical Association (SNMA)
Student National Medical Association is a national student-run organization that assembles and organizes individuals of multicultural backgrounds for the purpose of bridging health care disparities. The goal of the organization is to address healthcare issues faced by members of the underrepresented populations. At AUC, we have a diverse student body of more than 50 ethnic groups and our mission is to create a positive multicultural environment in our medical education and community. We seek to identify relevant and practical solutions to make changes. This newly founded AUC local chapter works to influence the awareness of our community of the rapidly evolving world of information in healthcare. SNMA also works to promote an increase in the levels of minority student recruitment admissions, and retention in schools training health professionals. Members of SNMA have participated in the following events in the past: healthcare information presentations at local schools, nutrition fair and diabetes management clinics, HIV/AIDS screenings, and program development as part of the Diversity Council. For further information please contact, Faculty Advisor: Susan Atchley, Ph.D., satchley@aucmed.edu.
