Student Body Organizations
Baylor students have also created various organizations focused on a particular interest. These links will take you to each organization's web site.
Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
The membership of this honor medical society is composed of undergraduates who have shown promise of becoming leaders in their profession, graduate members who later have attained such leadership, honorary members consisting of physicians who have attained national distinction, and persons, whether physicians or not, who have gained unusual recognition in fields related to medicine. At least twice a year medical students are elected to membership. To be considered for membership, a student must have completed the Pre-Clinical Sciences and at least four quarters of clinical work and must stand academically in the top 25 percent (based on grades alone) of the class. Generally, one-sixth of the graduating class is elected to membership.
Gold Humanism Honor Society
The membership of this humanism honor society is composed of undergraduates who have been nominated by their peers to have shown promise of becoming leaders in their profession by exemplary of caring (both interpersonal skills and humanism), community service, and clinical competence. Only 25 percent of the graduating class can be nominated for this award and nomination occurs in the summer of the fourth year of education and only 15 percent of the class ultimately gets inducted to this society.
AMA/TMA Baylor Medical Student Section
The Medical Student Section of the Texas Medical Association is comprised of interested students from all seven Texas medical schools. The TMA has local MSS chapters at each school to increase medical student exposure, participation, and most of all, representation in the TMA. The TMA/AMA-MSS also sponsors activities such as luncheon lectures on various topics, involvement in community activities, and opportunities to interact with local physicians.
By joining the TMA/AMA-MSS, each student gains opportunities for grants and loans based on need as well as outstanding professional potential. Other services and benefits which exist include insurance plans, automatic subscriptions to several medical publications such as the state journal, Texas Medicine, and participation in medical conferences and conventions sponsored by the TMA.
Membership in the TMA/AMA-MSS is free and is an excellent opportunity to participate in organized medicine and meet a most dynamic group of medical students from across the State of Texas. The TMA/AMA-MSS application requires the signature of two physicians. The administration of Baylor will complete this portion of the application for you. The Harris County Medical Society is the local branch of the TMA and joining the HCMS is a prerequisite to becoming a member of the TMA/AMA-MSS. Completion of a single application, available from TMA/AMA-MSS offices or the HCMS officers, fulfills requirements for joining both organizations.
American Medical Student Association
The American Medical Student Association (not affiliated with the AMA) is the nation's largest national organization representing medical students. AMSA represents medical students in all forms of legislation and lobbies for important issues regarding health care in its delivery to the nation. The organization has programs that range from implementing health care in rural areas, Appalachia, and on Indian reservations, to overseas programs for students to learn about medicine in other nations.
The Baylor chapter is very active. The organization has several blood drives, pays for representatives to attend the annual national convention and has a mixer with The University of Texas Health Science Center students. It also runs the Big Sibling/Little Sibling program that all first and second year students are involved in and prints the annual AMSA Survival Manual (a treasure of facts, places, and things to do in Houston, as well as information about Baylor and life in general as a medical student). Many members are involved in task forces and community projects involving drug and sex education, mental health and preventative health education, and AIDS awareness and education.
The one-time fee entitles membership for four (4) years, and also includes a subscription to the New Physician magazine. Also, many perks are available for members (i.e. a student health insurance policy).
American Medical Women's Association
The Baylor Student Branch of the American Medical Women's Association seeks to: Bring together women medical students and physicians. Promote their education and training. Promote education on issues of women's health. Encourage women to study and practice medicine, and promote equal opportunities to do so. AMWA holds noon lunch forums with guest speakers from various specialties. Members are also given the opportunity to have a female physician mentor. All Baylor AMWA members have a standing invitation to attend dinners every other month at the Doctor's Club as a guest of the Houston branch of AMWA. AMWA also participates in community service projects with organizations such as the Houston Area Women's Center. Baylor membership is free, but students are encouraged to join the national organization for a reduced four year fee. Included in this fee is a subscription to a bimonthly journal (JAMWA), and eligibility for various scholarships, loans, and grants. Meetings are open to both males and females, students, and faculty.
Asian Pacific American Medical Association - BCM Chapter
To provide a forum in which to exchange ideas with other medical students and colleagues from around the country through resources such as e-mail, letters and conferences. To promote the awareness of medical problems facing the underprivileged Asian American community in the United States. To address cultural barriers (e.g. belief systems and traditions) as it pertains to their views on health and health care. To address the unique concerns facing Asian Pacific American Medical students and physicians in their role as an ethnic and professional minority in the United States.
Association of Indian Medical Students
AIMS is a true source of international flair, an expression of the culture of the Indian sub-continent, an organization that is active both at Baylor and in the community and which promotes camaraderie amongst the student body and faculty. Events vary from potluck dinners, picnics, get-togethers with faculty and residents, partaking in the Indian Doctors' Club activities, AAPI conferences, participation in the Baylor Coffeehouses/talent shows, community education, blood drives, social mixers and cultural activities of Indian origins.
Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S.
The Objective of this chapter is to further the Association's objective of contributing to the efficiency and effectiveness of its members and of the federal medical services both in peace and war.
Baylor Association of Minority Medical Students
The Baylor Association of Minority Medical Students is an organization that provides educational and social programs for the community and promotes an atmosphere of friendship and support for Baylor minority students. The organization is strongly committed to community service. Projects include speaking to local public school students, clothing drives, and sponsorship of an annual health fair.
BAMMS is dedicated to the recruitment of African-American, Mexican-American, Mainland Puerto Rican, and Native American students, the underrepresented in medicine. Members work closely with both the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs in facilitating entry and successful completion of medical school by minority students. BAMMS also provides educational forums and mentorships to high school and college students through various well established summer enrichment programs. Membership is open to the entire Baylor community.
Baylor Badminton Club
This organization is based in the Baylor Athletic Facility and provides free skill improving lessons, regular badminton play twice a week and the annual Baylor Badminton Tournament.
Baylor Hillel Jewish Student Organization
Baylor Hillel works to provide social, educational and religious programs for the Baylor student community, and helps to promote an atmosphere of friendship and support for Baylor Jewish students. Membership is open to any interested person associated with the Baylor community, without regard to age, sex, color, or religion.
Baylor Hispanic Interest Association
Baylor Orthopaedic Surgery Society
The mission of the Baylor Orthopaedic Surgery Society is to cultivate medical students’ interest in orthopaedic surgery through interaction and networking with fellow students, residents, faculty, and orthopaedic surgeons in the community. A secondary goal of the BOSS is to assist those students in their preparation for the competitive residency application process
Baylor Performing Art Society
The purpose of the organization is to enhance the intellectual and cultural environment of the Baylor College of Medicine through participation in the performing arts.
Baylor Social Dance Club
Mission: To teach various types of social dances to the student body.
Baylor Students for Classical Ethics and Thought
Mission: BSCET is dedicated to promoting classical ethics and thinking based on a transcendent natural ethic. BSCET affirms that justice, truth, mercy, right and wrong, and the value of human life transcends culture, and therefore rejects the idea that medical ethics and ethics in general are based on societal impulses or constructs. BSCET is non-sectarian and is open to medical and allied health students of all backgrounds.
Baylor Student Pediatric Association
The BSPA is the first student-run organization dedicated to serving the Houston pediatric community and offering medical students career guidance in the field of pediatrics. Activities include community service projects, lecture series, and participation in the Texas Pediatric Society and American Academy of Pediatric Society and American Academy of Pediatric Activities.
BCM Student Oncology Interest Group
BCM World Health and Human Rights
The mission of World Health is to educate students about global health issues and to help students obtain well organized, high quality experiences in international medicine.
BSPA Substance Abuse
Outreach and education in the area of substance abuse under the Baylor Student Pediatrics Association.
Christian Medical Association
The mission of this organization is to motivate, educate, and equip Christian medical students to glorify God -by living out the character of Christ in their homes, classrooms, clinics, communities and around the world-by encouraging and supporting participation in the medical missions both through brief trips and longer international away clinical electives-by pursuing professional competence and Christ-like compassion in their daily work-by influencing their families, colleagues, and patients toward a right relationship with Jesus Christ-by advancing Biblical principles in bioethics and health to the Church and society.
Collegium Aesculapium
This is a nationwide organization of medical professionals, residents, and students that belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Our motto is “Empathy & Ethics,” and the national organization participates in connecting LDS health professionals to do good worldwide. At BCM, we participate as the Houston chapter of the national organization. Our chapter has the following three goals: provide a venue for students of any faith to gather for family-friendly activities, help students balance their professional life with their spirituality and family life, and to perform meaningful service.
Consistent Ethic of Life
We maintain that medical care should be based on the following principles:
- Love of the patient.
- Life is divinely entrusted, thus it is inherently dignified from conception to natural death.
- We, as medical professionals, are pledged to nurture human life from conception to death.
Our objective is to provide a forum for prayer, study, discussion, and action based on a consistent ethic of life. The group is open to persons of all faiths espousing or positively challenged by the belief in a consistent ethic of life. We necessarily espouse a position of peaceable and non-violent (and hopefully productive) dialogue with persons who hold different beliefs
Crawford Long Society
Mission: Promote interest in anesthesiology at Baylor College of Medicine and give students a greater understanding about the practice of anesthesiology through information dissemination, meetings and activities. Activities include inviting speakers from different fields of anesthesiology to promote interest and educate students about their respective fields; holding scheduled society meetings and inviting classmates to attend and participate in society functions; acting as a liaison to the anesthesiology department to aid in curriculum improvement. Assist students in pursuing anesthesiology as a career, including providing both general anesthesiology residency information as well as creating an accessible information exchange to aid in nationwide residency selection; reviewing elective options; assessing applicants' strengths and areas for enrichment; and other means of guiding applicants or student with in interest. Build student skills through sponsored activities, including: providing workshops on monitoring, airway management, and intravenous access and on residency selection.
Dermatology Club
The mission of the Dermatology Club is to promote and aid Baylor students and members in pursuing a career in the field of dermatology and to provide interesting learning opportunities to both members and students in general.
Emergency Medicine Interest Group
EMIG is for students interested in a possible career in Emergency Medicine. The goal of the organization is to act as a liaison between the students and the broad and exciting field of EM found only in a limited capacity at BCM. The society's primary purposes are to: promote interest in EM at Baylor; extend clinical opportunities to basic science and core medical students; expose students in EM research; certify students in CPR and as CPR instructors; and provide information for applying to EM residency programs.
Family Medicine Interest Group
The Family Interest Group strives to acquaint all students with the role and responsibilities of the family physician. Although its major goal is encouraging student selection of family practice as a career choice, the group seeks to support student interest in all primary care specialties.
The Baylor Family Medicine Interest Group accomplishes these goals through the following:
Membership in the American Academy of Family Physicians/Texas Academy of Family Physicians and subscription to the American Family Physician Journal are free. The $15 membership for four years of medical school is paid by TAFP and the Harris County Chapter. Luncheon lectures sponsored by the FMIG and the Department of Family and Community Medicine and Medicine. Social gatherings for students, residents and faculty members. Workshops on clinical procedures and residency selection. Clearing house for information on state and national conferences, residencies and local and national preceptorships.
Hunger Lunch Program
The objective of this organization is to provide a sustainable development project in Santa Ana, Honduras through Baylor's "Shoulder to Shoulder" project.
LAMBDA
The primary mission of the TMC Lambda Network is to provide a forum for individuals who identify with the lesbigay community to network with other such individuals in the various health care fields; also offer our members the opportunity to receive much-needed support and informal mentoring. The Baylor Chapter of the TMC Lambda Network focuses on individuals here at Baylor College of Medicine.
MD/MBA Club
The mission of this club is to serve as a recruiting and information body helping to increase medical student's interest in the joint program through club meetings and invitations to the Jones School weekly parties.
Medical Students for Choice
Medical Students for Choice is dedicated to ensuring that women receive comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion. One of the greatest obstacles to safe, legal abortion is the absence of trained providers. Abortion and reproductive health care must be a part of standard medical training and practice. As medical students and residents, we are committed to ensuring that medical practitioners are prepared to provide their patients with the full range of reproductive health care choices.
Medical Students with Children
To provide social, emotional and financial support for medical students with children and their loved ones.
MEDS-PEDS Student Interest Group
The mission of the Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Student Interest Group is to provide information, opportunities and programs to students interested in combined Med-Peds training. This group provides a forum for the sharing of information between medical students, residents, faculty and physicians concerning residency planning, career development and mentorship opportunities in Med-Peds. The group promotes student, resident and faculty interaction and encourages a career path towards Med-Peds.
Middle Eastern Student Association
Mission: To raise awareness about public health issues and crises currently in the Middle East; organize elective opportunities for 4th year medical students at university hospitals and medical schools in the Middle East and to offer students of Middle Eastern descent a support group to foster their heritage and culture.
Muslim Health Professional Society
MHPS is dedicated to serving the community. We conduct two health fairs at area mosque. We provided general health and dental screening for adults and children. We also visit the local schools to speak with children on various topics such as cleanliness and good manners. As an organization we raised foodstuffs, clothing, and furniture for refugees in Houston as well.
National Network of Latin American Students
Our organization of medical students interested in issues relevant to the Latino community was formed with the mission to: Unify all Latino medical students in one organization, Actively promote recruitment and retention of Latino Students at all levels, Educate medical students on Latino health issues, Act as advocates for the rights of Latinos in health care, Provide leadership opportunities for Latinos and Promote volunteerism in the Latino community.
Obstetrics and Gynecology Interest Group
The purpose of this group is to assist students interested in women's health area to gain understanding of career's in ob-gyn and to Learn concepts in women’s health issues related to wellness and health maintenance/disease prevention.
Operation Smile
The purpose of this organization is to raise funds and awareness for children living with facial deformities in the United States and developing countries. The effort targets primarily students, but general meetings and lectures are open to interested physicians and health care professionals. Many of our activities will focus on public relations, Operation Smile promotion and awareness, and member drive activities. Efforts will be made to increase student membership as well as promote the involvement of professionals within the Texas Medical Center.
Ophthalmology Club
The purpose of the organization is to promote interest in ophthalmology amongst the student body members of Baylor College of Medicine.
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Student Interest Group
Since it's inception in 2005, the PM&R Student group has worked in conjunction with the departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at both BCM and UT-Houston to promote student awareness of this subspecialty. Visit their web site for insight on the rapidly growing field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Physicians for Human Rights
The purpose of this chapter is to increase awareness of human rights violations and educate the Baylor community about pressing global issues. Our intent is to facilitate involvement of the Baylor community in alleviating atrocities in developing countries.
Pre-clinical Resource Network Advisor Program
Groups of incoming students are matched with upper class students, residents, and faculty members. These advisors offer academic advice, organize informal gatherings, and provide general support for their groups. (And to make sure they are becoming acclimated to Baylor Student Life).
Public Health Interest Group
The Public Health Interest Group is composed of medical students and allied Health professional students who are interested in promoting public health issues at Baylor College of Medicine.
Radiology Club at Baylor College of Medicine
Mission: Provide a forum for students interested in pursuing a career in radiology while helping all medical students develop a working knowledge of the field.
Robert J. Luchi Society
The purpose of the RLS shall be to serve as the official Baylor College of Medicine organization for the PA students, to serve as the officially recognized student society with the Student Academy of the American Physician Assistants of the American Academy of Physician's Assistants and the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants. In addition, the RLS is to serve as the official student society representing the interests of PA students at BCM, to promote academic achievement and clinical experience, and to promote the physician assistant as a member of the health care delivery team.
Social Dance Club
The social dance club regularly gets together to practice different styles as well as to organize outings to local dance clubs.
South Asian Medically Oriented Students Association
The South Asian Medically Oriented Students Association is an organization of South Asian medical students at Baylor College of Medicine. Our chapter has several specific goals, including fostering professional networking amongst American medical and dental students, residents, and fellows of Indian heritage in the greater Houston area, providing students with mentoring and career development resources, implementing community service projects to serve the healthcare needs of all people living in the greater Houston area, and encouraging dialogue between professional students in different fields.
Student Health Clinic - (HOMES)
Houston Outreach, Medicine, Education and Social Services is a student-run clinic program that is a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional effort to provide health care and social services to the homeless of Houston at a local service site. Students from Baylor, UT-Houston School of Medicine, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, and University of Houston Graduate School of Social Work together and with community leaders run the clinic in which medical students get hands-on medical training from the beginning of their medical education and work with students from other institutions in multi-disciplinary teams.
Student Interest Group in Neurology
The Student Interest Group in Neurology brings together medical students who are interested in exploring the fields of neurology and neuroscience. The SIGN chapter at Baylor College of Medicine was founded in affiliation with both the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and the Baylor Department of Neurology. The SIGN program is a network of 129 chapters in medical schools across the United States and Canada, and intends to foster medical student interest and awareness in neurology and the AAN by providing opportunities to participate in clinical, research, and service activities in neurology.
The SIGN chapter at Baylor College of Medicine was founded by medical students with a deep interest in the fields of neurology and neuroscience, and over the years these interests have been fostered through hosting speakers, organizing community events, and taking part in educational outreach programs. In addition, the SIGN chapter at BCM is involved with fostering interest in neurology at the undergraduate level through our relationship with the University of Houston CoSIGN Chapter.
SIGN membership is FREE, and allows medical students to take advantage of free membership with the American Academy of Neurology. If you would like more information regarding our group, please visit our website, and click the 'Contact: SIGN' button at the bottom our homepage.
Student Internal Medicine Society
Exists to give Baylor medical students a greater understanding of the field of Internal Medicine by providing a forum for the sharing of information about the many opportunities in the Department of Medicine, including early professional development, elective opportunities, and future career/residency opportunities, and by promoting Baylor student-faculty interactions. SIMS encourages a career path towards Internal Medicine, encompassing General Internal Medicine/Primary Care as well as the Medicine Subspecialties.
Student National Medical Association
Baylor College of Medicine has a local branch of the organization founded by Howard and Meharry Medical Schools in 1968. Nationally, the SNMA has a membership of over 2500 and is dedicated to furthering the cause of the medically underserved and the underrepresented. The Baylor chapter continues this tradition of service to those groups with inequitable access to medical treatment and medical education. Membership is open to all enrolled students of Baylor College of Medicine, regardless of ethnicity.
Student Surgical Society
To promote an interest in general surgery and the surgical subspecialties. Increase interactions between students, residents and faculty. Provide services, opportunities, and vehicles for advancement within the field of surgery.
Students Teaching AIDS to Students
STATS sends groups of medical students to community middle and high schools to give presentations on AIDS, including topics such as the biology of AIDS; how AIDS is spread; living with AIDS and AIDS prevention. The purpose of these presentations is to educate the students in an interactive fashion and promote behaviors that prevent the spread of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. Additionally, the program gives medical students the opportunity to develop skills as educations and become involved in community health.
Texas Geriatric Interest Foundation
The Texas Geriatrics Interest Foundation is a joint organization of medical students interested in geriatrics and aging at Baylor College of Medicine and at The University of Texas Medical School, both of which are located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas. TGIF is a student chapter affiliated with the American Geriatrics Society. Current and future medical students can learn more about geriatrics as a professional career choice and about the care of older people by visiting the Huffington Center on Aging web site.
The Couch (Student Psychiatric Organization)
The purpose of the Couch will be to serve as a forum for the discussion of topics related to Psychiatry as a medical specialty. To serve as an information resource for students interested in Psychiatry as a medical specialty. To achieve both of the above in a way that encourages participation through maintenance of a relaxed, social atmosphere.
Ultimate Frisbee Club
The Baylor College of Medicine Ultimate Frisbee Club was formed to create a support camaraderie among the student population through an athletic activity. By participation in a cooperative team sport, Baylor students learn to rely upon each other while forming bonds of friendship that ease the difficulty of medical school. This past year, several Baylor teams participated in both the Texas Medical Center Ultimate Frisbee League, and the Houston Area Ultimate Frisbee League. Due to the increasing interest in the sport, an organized club is necessary to optimize the participation of Baylor students.
Wellness Advocates
To organize and provide opportunities to obtain clinical experiences serving the underprivileged. To provide information concerning the impact of cultural traditions and spiritual beliefs on health and the practice of medicine. To provide presentations and demonstrations pertaining to the various forms of complementary medicine and their relation to allopathic medicine. To provide current, comprehensive information relating to nutrition, exercise physiology, and other aspects of health promotion. To encourage the active pursuit and practice of wellness by providing accessible, supportive means such as classes, discussion groups, and workshops.
Wilderness Medical Society
The objective of this organization is to facilitate interdisciplinary interaction among students and faculty expressing interests in issues relating to health and the wilderness.