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Student
National Medical Association (SNMA) members of the
University of Toledo College of Medicine, sponsored their
quarterly banquet while celebrating accomplishments and
planning for the future.
During
the banquet several members of the university administration
welcomed guests and shared the joint progress directed by
members of SNMA and administration. “There are plans to
attend Oberlin College, Wilberforce University, Central
State University, Xavier College and Gramblin State
University; we also plan to host more second look weekends
in Spring 2007,” explained Dr. James Kleshinski, Associate
Dean of Admissions.
The
guests were also enlightened by a slide presentation by
Frederick Cason Jr, MD, who works in the Department of
Surgery at the University Medical Center. His statistics
showed that currently 46 million Americans are without
health coverage, also by the year 2020 there will be a great
need for more medically trained personal and that the United
States may have to hire international medically trained
personal to meet the high demand.
During
the December 15 event, members of SNMA connected and
networked with local organizations such as the NAACP, the
Links, Inc. and the Stewart Academy for Girls who are ready
to aid organization’s five main areas of focus. The areas
are recruitment, retention, on-campus seminars for the
College of Medicine, educational pipeline programs and
community programs off campus.
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“The
community is here for you,” began WillieAnn Moore, Toledo
NAACP president and Links member, during a portion of the
program that was dedicated to updating the community
networking with the SNMA. “You don’t have to look for
resources, I brought them to you. Last year was the first
wave and some are here from that wave, but here is the
second wave of resources for you.”
Moore
conveyed to the guests that members of the community
organizations represented there that night were ready to
help the SNMA with events dealing with AIDS, mentoring
Toledo Public School students through current university
pipeline programs like Gear Up and even with assisting
members with living arrangements.
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WilliAnn Moore and Bernice Rumala |
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The SNMA
is the nation’s oldest and largest independent, student-run
organization focused on the needs and concerns of
African-American, Hispanic and Native American medical
students. The
University
of Toledo’s chapter has sponsored this banquet each quarter
since December 2005 and plans to continue with their five
areas of focus in 2007. “Our plans are to incorporate the
community in the planning of our events in 2007 and
definitely increase the number of enrolled minority medical
students,” said SNMA University of Toledo College of
Medicine Chapter President Bernice Rumala.
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