SNMA hosts regional conference

BUIES CREEK, North Carolina – On Oct. 15, CUSOM Student National Medical Association (SNMA) hosted the Regional Leadership Institute with medical students from North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia – allopathic and osteopathic schools – in attendance to foster leadership within the regional SNMA membership. 

In addition to the SNMA Region IV business meeting, the conference consisted of presentations by CUSOM faculty:  “Health Disparities and Inequality in Medicine” with Tiffany Lowe-Payne, DO; “Step 1 and Step 2 Study Tips” with Yen-Ping Y Kuo, MS, PhD; and “Osteopathic Medicine” with Charles J. Smutny III, DO, FAAO.

“In a post-event survey, students mentioned how motivated they were after Dr. Lowe-Payne’s conversation about inequalities in medicine and what we as medical students and future residents can do to promote those underserved,” said Brandis Moore, second year medical student and president of the CUSOM SNMA chapter. 

“Attendees also expressed their gratefulness in hearing board prep tips given by Dr. Kuo and our upperclassmen Victor Appau, a fourth year student, and Brittany Milliner, a third year student.  The allopathic students’ excitement in seeing a musculoskeletal dysfunction treated by Dr. Smutny was wonderful, and everyone was highly impressed with our facilities in Smith and Levine Hall and the warm CUSOM hospitality. Overall, the conference was quite a success!”

The chapter looks forward to hosting a Cultural Awareness Mini-Conference and HUMP Day in the coming months.