Student Interest Groups

The goal of Asian Pacific American Medical Students Association (APAMSA) is to foster community, promote mentorship, and celebrate diversity among AANHPI students. We are dedicated to addressing unique health challenges of AANHPI communities through engaging student leaders and medical professionals, promoting AANHPI research in medical education/post-graduate training, and making health services more available to our communities.

APAMSA brings medical students of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) backgrounds, so together we can address and serve the needs of our communities.

The Association of Native American Medical Students (ANAMS) is a student organization representing Native American graduate and undergraduate health professions students throughout the US and Canada. The goals of ANAMS include providing support and a resource network for all Native Americans currently enrolled in various allied health professions schools. ANAMS strives to increase the number of Native American students in medicine and other health professions. Since our founding in 1975, ANAMS has aimed to support and foster a sense of community for Indigenous students on their path to medicine.

ANAMS seeks to promote the success of Native American medical students as physicians, researchers, and community members as well as creating opportunities for students to meaningfully serve their Indigenous communities throughout their training.

The UCSD SOM chapter of the Global Surgery Student Alliance (GSSA) will aim to raise awareness of global health surgical needs, provide opportunities for medical students in global health initiatives, and facilitate mentorship between students and global health surgeons.

GSSA will be dedicated to advocating for equitable access to surgical care across the globe. The range of disciplines we aim to reach includes students who are interested in surgical specialties, anesthesiology, public health, and health policy. Through hosting speaker events, surgical workshops, and socials, we hope to inspire the next generation of physicians and healthcare professionals to get involved in global health initiatives. This chapter will also be part of a bigger national organization, which will help medical students at UCSD network with global health leaders across the nation.

The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) aims to support and empower Latine medical students in order to improve healthcare for Hispanic and Latine communities and advocate for a diverse physician population.

The UC San Diego LMSA chapter aims to support Latine medical students through mentorship, community building, and education. Through these efforts, we hope to contribute to increasing the representation of physicians from underrepresented backgrounds and contribute to decreasing health disparities faced by these communities. We work towards these goals through our Spanish language practice sessions, mentorship programs with undergraduate students, and events connecting medical students to physician mentors. LMSA is part of a regional and national network comprised of diverse and dedicated medical students.

The Student National Medical Association (SNMA) is dedicated to supporting underrepresented minority students in their pursuit of medicine by fostering academic excellence, mentorship, and community. We are equally committed to addressing health disparities through advocacy, outreach, and service that uplift the communities we come from and serve.

The SNMA was founded in the wake of the National Medical Association (NMA), the physician led organization that was created during the Jim Crow Era to promote the collective interests of Black physicians and patients. The goals of the UCSD SNMA chapter are to increase representation of Black students in medical school through mentorship and recruitment, to promote understanding of systemic inequities that create health disparities, and to provide safe spaces for the School of Medicine at large to discuss these issues in order to identify implicit biases and provide quality care to diverse patients over the course of our career.

The purpose of the Anesthesiology Student Interest Group is to foster enthusiasm for the field of anesthesiology among medical students. We are focused on increasing early exposure to the specialty through informative panels, and providing mentorship opportunities with UCSD attendings and residents. We also aim to support students in their pursuit of anesthesia by creating a collaborative and inclusive environment. Ultimately, our goal to is cultivate a space for all interested students to gather and grow in their journey to become skilled and knowledgeable anesthesiologists.

The purpose of the Infectious Diseases Student Interest Group (ID SIG) is to promote awareness, education, and career exploration in the field of infectious diseases within the UCSD medical community.

ID SIG is dedicated to fostering student engagement in the dynamic field of infectious diseases. Through clinical experiences, research opportunities, and mentorship, the group aims to deepen understanding of pathogen biology, antimicrobial resistance, epidemiology, and global health challenges. By connecting students with faculty experts and facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration, the group supports the development of future leaders in infectious disease medicine.

The Out-of-State Student Interest Group (OOSIG) will help incoming students from other states tackle the California in-state residency application process through the mentorship of older students. It will also allow incoming students who have moved far from home to make and sustain meaningful connections with other out of state students. 

The mission of OOSIG is to foster a supportive and inclusive community for students who have relocated from outside California. The process of obtaining an in-state residency classification is oftentimes convoluted and without proper guidance can be overwhelming for first year medical students. The MS2 leadership of OOSIG will help to advise out of state MS1s as they navigate the residency process. Moving across the country to California can be a daunting and isolating experience for students who are leaving behind friends, family, and community support networks. We aim to ease the transition into medical school life by providing resources and peer mentorship to out-of-state students. 

The purpose of the Psychedelics and Cannabis in Medicine SIG is to introduce students to the new and rapidly growing use of psychedelics and medicinal cannabis in clinical practice, focusing on novel research findings and the potential for use of psychedelics and cannabis for our patients. Through collaboration with the UCSD Psychedelic Science group, we will also hold social and networking events for students interested in this field and promote interprofessional collaboration.

The use of psychedelics, including cannabis, has been a longstanding tradition of cultures across the world for millennia, one that has recently enjoyed a resurgence in popular culture and the scientific community. The Psychedelics and Cannabis in Medicine SIG is committed to exploring the therapeutic potential of these substances, across all modalities and patient settings. Our ultimate mission is to expand the breadth and depth of knowledge on psychedelics' utility in medicine, catalyzing new avenues for research awareness and elaboration, and transmuting the excitement of the current zeitgeist of psychedelic utility into responsible and accessible medicinal usage.

The Ultrasound Student Interest Group aims to cultivate enthusiasm for ultrasound imaging among medical students and provide hands-on opportunities for students to refine ultrasound skills that can be applied to future clinical practice and research.

The goal of Ultrasound SIG is to demystify the ultrasound to our fellow UCSD medical students! We aim to provide hands-on workshops for students to practice and refine their ultrasound skills and create opportunities for students to explore ultrasound in clinical and research settings.

The American Muslim Medical Student Association (AMMSA) aims to American Muslim medical students by providing opportunities for excellence in spiritual growth, professional development, and community building. The aim is to provide a dedicated space that empowers Muslim medical students by nurturing faith, enhancing professional skills, and strengthening community..

The aim of the Disability & Chronic Illness (DCI) is to raise awareness of all forms of (dis)ability, advocate for integrated disability education within the medical school curriculum and promote inclusion of persons living with disability in care, medical settings, and systems. The mission of DCI is to raise awareness of all forms of (dis)ability, advocate for integrated disability education within the medical school curriculum and promote inclusion of persons living with disability in care, medical settings, and systems.

The purpose of the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Student Interest Group is to promote awareness, career exploration, and collaborative opportunities in the field of Otolaryngology. The aim is to promote enthusiasm for the field of otolaryngology among medical students. We are focused on increasing early exposure to the specialty through informative panels and providing mentorship opportunities with UCSD attendings and residents. Our goal to is cultivate a space for all interested students to gather and grow in their journey toward otolaryngology!

The aim of Filipinx Americans in Medicine (FAM) is to connect Filipino-American medical students with fellow students, faculty, physicians, and the broader San Diego Filipino community.The aim is to connect Filipino American medical students, a historically underrepresented group in medicine, with other Filipino students, faculty, and physicians. Our hope is to create a supportive community and network for those involved in FAM. This is done through community events, panel discussions, film screenings, and our annual meryenda.

First Generation in Medicine (FGiM) is a student-led community committed to uplifting those who are the first in their families to pursue medicine. We strive to break barriers through mentorship, advocacy, and connection—creating space for first-gen students to thrive, lead, and redefine what it means to belong in medicine.

The mission of FGiM is to support and empower medical students who are the first in their families to pursue a career in medicine. We aim to foster a strong sense of belonging through community-building events, mentorship across all levels of training, and professional development opportunities. By partnering with undergraduate programs like Tritons First, we also work to strengthen the pathway to medicine for first-gen students at every stage. Our organization is committed to advancing equity, celebrating resilience, and creating a space where first-generation voices are seen, heard, and valued.

The mission of the Middle Eastern North African Medical Student Association is to cultivate a strong, supportive community for MENA-identifying students at our medical school. We are committed to promoting professional growth through events with faculty mentors, engaging in meaningful community outreach initiatives, and creating opportunities for social connection and cultural celebration. Our mentorship program aims to uplift the next generation of MENA healthcare professionals, forging bonds across undergraduate and medical school levels. Through these efforts, we seek to build an inclusive space that empowers MENA students to thrive personally, academically, and professionally.

MENA MSA is dedicated to supporting MENA-identifying medical students through professional development, community outreach, social connection, and mentorship. The SIG fosters a space for cultural celebration, networking, and advocacy both within the medical community and beyond.

Southeast Asians in Medicine (SEAM) aims to connect the community of medical students who come from Southeast Asian backgrounds, not only with each other but with mentors who share similar stories and backgrounds. We also hope to connect with the local Southeast Asian communities around San Diego and host outreach and volunteering events.

SEAM's mission is to foster a supportive and inclusive community for Southeast Asian medical students, physicians, and allies. We aim to promote cultural identity, mentorship, and professional development while highlighting unique health disparities faced by Southeast Asian populations. Through outreach, mentorship, and community, we strive to empower members and contribute to providing culturally congruent care.

The Vietnamese Medical (VietMed) Student Association is dedicated to empowering Vietnamese medical students by fostering a supportive community focused on mentorship, cultural identity, and professional development. We aim to uplift an often underserved population in medicine by creating spaces for connection, guidance, and collaboration among peers and mentors. Through outreach, networking events, and career-building opportunities, we strive to cultivate leadership and representation within the field of medicine.

The purpose of VietMed is to promote Vietnamese diversity within the UCSD School of Medicine community and provide both outreach and mentorship for students and undergraduates within the UCSD community.

The American Medical Women's Association (AMWA) Student Interest Group (SIG) is dedicated to advancing women in medicine at all stages of training. We aim to build a supportive community among premedical students, medical students, residents, and physicians. Our mission is to foster mentorship, promote leadership development, advocate for gender equity in medicine, and inspire excellence in health care. Through community-building events, advocacy initiatives, and professional development opportunities, we strive to empower the next generation of women leaders in medicine. 

AMWA aims to advance women in medicine, advocate for equity, and ensure excellence in health care. We work with undergraduate premed girls and female residents and doctors to form a community of women in medicine.

The Association of Women Surgeons (AWS) Student Interest Group at UCSD School of Medicine seeks to support and empower women and gender-diverse individuals pursuing careers in surgery through community, advocacy, and mentorship. 

The mission is to promote equity and excellence in surgery by fostering a supportive environment for aspiring surgeons of all backgrounds. We provide mentorship, educational programming, and professional development opportunities to address the unique challenges women and underrepresented genders face in surgical training and practice. Through collaboration with faculty, residents, and national AWS initiatives, we aim to build lasting networks and cultivate leadership in surgery. We are committed to advancing diversity, inclusivity, and advocacy within the surgical field at UCSD and beyond.

The purpose of Believe in Art is to use art therapy as a tool for connection and healing by creating and distributing mini art kits to patients in clinical settings. We aim to support the emotional well-being of patients experiencing challenging health concerns while providing medical students with meaningful opportunities to engage with patients.

The mission is to promote healing through creativity by bringing arts and crafts to patients undergoing intensive treatments. We design and assemble art kits—including materials for origami, coloring, and other accessible creative activities—to provide moments of comfort and distraction during hospitalization or treatment. By collaborating with existing volunteer initiatives like those at UCSD’s Infusion Center and Rady Children’s Hospital, we aim to connect medical students and patients through shared creative expression.

The Bioethics SIG aims to promote awareness of the various ethical challenges faced by healthcare workers and patients alike in the medical setting.

The mission is to foster thoughtful dialogue and critical thinking around ethical issues in medicine and healthcare. We aim to create an inclusive space where students can explore the moral dimensions of clinical practice, research, and health policy. Through lunch discussions, medical ethics education initiatives, book club, and case discussions, we seek to cultivate ethical awareness and compassionate leadership in future healthcare professionals.

The Data SIG will help students learn more about health data science research, grow their data analysis skills, and connect with faculty conducting cutting-edge research.

Health data science and biomedical informatics are exciting and rapidly expanding fields of research in health sciences. However, for many students--especially those new to research--these fields can seem daunting. This SIG aims to promote student engagement with applications of data-driven research in health care, including AI and clinical informatics. We hope that students, regardless of their previous familiarity with data science research, will discover new areas of investigation, deepen their understanding of quantitative analyses, and connect with UCSD faculty passionate about research.

The Gardening Student Interest Group at UC San Diego School of Medicine seeks to promote wellness, community, and environmental stewardship through hands-on gardening activities. We aim to provide students with a space to reconnect with nature, reduce stress, and foster mindfulness amidst the rigors of medical training.

Our mission is to create a supportive and inclusive environment where medical students can engage in sustainable gardening as a form of wellness and community building. We offer opportunities for students to learn about plant care, nutrition, and the therapeutic benefits of working with the earth. By cultivating a shared garden space, we encourage collaboration, reflection, and connection to both nature and one another. Through workshops, volunteer projects, and seasonal events, we aim to promote long-term well-being and environmental awareness among future healthcare professionals, all while growing our own flowers, fruits, and veggies!

The Habesha Health Initiative is dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of Ethiopian and Eritrean communities in San Diego and globally through culturally informed health education, engagement, and advocacy. The group also seeks to raise awareness of health crises affecting these communities and highlight broader global health disparities.

The mission of the Habesha Health Initiative is to promote the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of Ethiopian and Eritrean communities both locally and abroad. Through education, community outreach, and culturally sensitive engagement, we aim to address pressing health issues and empower individuals with the tools to lead healthier lives. We strive to foster meaningful dialogue around global health disparities and elevate the visibility of health crises in Ethiopia and Eritrea. By building partnerships and creating safe, inclusive spaces, we seek to uplift our communities and contribute to long-term health equity.

Our student interest group aims to educate and empower middle and early high school students in conversations about healthy relationships, boundaries, and consent. By partnering with Your Safe Place and local Boys and Girls Clubs in San Diego, we aim to promote early awareness and prevention of relationship harm and intimate partner violence.

We aim to empower middle and early high school students with the knowledge and tools to build healthy, respectful, and safe relationships. Through interactive, age-appropriate workshops focused on communication, boundaries, and consent, we aim to create spaces where young people feel heard, valued, and supported. In partnership with Your Safe Place and local Boys and Girls Clubs across San Diego, we are committed to fostering early conversations that promote empathy, self-awareness, and mutual respect—laying the foundation for healthier communities now and in the future.

The purpose of the Holistic, Integrative, and Lifestyle Medicine (HILMED) SIG is to provide a space for students interested in holistic, integrative, and lifestyle medicine to connect and learn about new medical approaches.

Lifestyle medicine is a medical specialty that uses therapeutic lifestyle interventions to treat chronic conditions. Such clinicians employ whole-person, prescriptive lifestyle changes in order to treat and potentially reverse said conditions. The HILMED SIG's mission is to embody the values of this specialty by advocating for the six pillars of lifestyle medicine: a whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connections. By adopting these qualities during their training, student doctors may mature their experience with them into their career for the full benefit of their patient populations.

Impact Melanoma SIG would be UCSD SOM's centralized means to organize outreach for Impact Melanoma. This has been passed down through informal means but through creating the SIG, we hope to have things more streamlined for future classes and to hopefully involve others across San Diego.

IMPACT Melanoma is the nation’s leading non-profit dedicated to significantly reducing the incidence of melanoma in the United States and saving lives. As medical students, we are active with IMPACT Melanoma and its programs working with community leaders, corporate sponsors, public health officials, schools of public health, outdoor workers, and professionals to increase awareness of the dangers of the sun’s UV rays, the importance of using sunscreen, wearing protecting clothing, and the power of shade.

Iron Meds offers students who enjoy swimming, running, and biking can gather to strengthen social support networks while exercising outside.

The mission of Iron Meds is to:

• Build community: help students foster social support networks over shared interests
• Promote health and wellness among students
• Encourage students to develop healthy outlets for managing stress.

The purpose of Lit SIG is to foster reflection, empathy, and personal growth through shared reading and discussion of books related to medicine, humanity, and the lived experience. It provides a supportive space for students to explore diverse perspectives, connect beyond the classroom, and deepen their understanding of the human side of healthcare.

The mission of Lit SIG is to cultivate a space where medical students can engage with literature as a means of exploring the humanistic dimensions of medicine. Through thoughtful discussion of both fiction and nonfiction works, the group aims to enhance empathy, critical thinking, and cultural awareness among future physicians. By connecting students through stories, we seek to promote reflection on personal values, patient experiences, and the moral complexities of healthcare. The group also encourages community-building and wellness by offering a creative and reflective outlet amidst the rigors of medical training.

This was an existing club from 2022-2024 at UCSD SOM and during times of stress, we were able to host many wellness events to bring the student community together across multiple MS levels and in different stages of their training. The purpose of this SIG remains the same -- to promote wellness, community-building, and creativity.

The mission of the crafting club is to give medical students a fun and relaxing break from their busy schedules. We want to create a space where people can unwind, be creative, and hang out with friends. Our goal is to help students feel less stressed and more connected through simple craft projects and activities--our focus in the past has been to bring back nostalgic crafts (ie, shrinky dinks, perler beads, etc.) and we hope to continue to do so in our upcoming events. Our mission is also to encourage people of all craft experience to learn from others.

The Muscle Medicine Interest Group aims to cultivate a supportive and inclusive community of medical students dedicated to physical and mental wellness through strength training by promoting evidence-based exercise practices, fostering camaraderie in the gym, and encouraging balance amidst the rigors of medical school.

The mission of our Muscle Medicine SIG is to foster a supportive and inclusive community where medical students of all experience levels can engage in strength training, improve physical wellness, and build lifelong habits that promote health and resilience. We recognize the unique demands of medical training and aim to offer a constructive outlet that enhances both physical and mental well-being.
Through guided workouts, educational workshops, and peer support, we strive to equip our members with knowledge of proper lifting techniques, injury prevention strategies, and balanced fitness principles. Our goal is to empower students to lift safely and confidently, whether they’re stepping into the gym for the first time or building on years of experience.

By prioritizing health, community, and personal growth, the Weightlifting Club aspires to instill a culture of wellness that our members can carry into their future practice as physicians. We believe that stronger doctors—both physically and mentally—are better equipped to care for others.

The Pickleball SIG exists to foster student wellness, stress relief, and camaraderie by creating a formal community around an activity that many UCSD SOM students already enjoy together. Our goal is to promote balance, connection, and inclusivity through a fun and accessible sport.

The Pickleball SIG will organize regular play sessions, host beginner-friendly clinics, and create opportunities for friendly competition through casual tournaments. We aim to provide a supportive, low-barrier way for students of all skill levels to stay active, build community across classes, and practice teamwork outside the classroom. Leadership will coordinate scheduling, equipment sharing, and communication to ensure participation is inclusive and consistent. By formalizing this group, we hope to expand access and strengthen our school’s culture of wellness.

The mission of Points Doctors is to empower medical students with the knowledge and tools to navigate the world of credit card points, travel rewards, and personal finance with confidence and responsibility. We aim to promote financial literacy by demystifying reward systems, teaching strategies for maximizing benefits, and encouraging mindful spending habits. Through workshops, peer discussions, and expert-led sessions, we seek to make travel more accessible during the rigors of medical education. Ultimately, our goal is to help students find balance, enjoy enriching experiences, and develop lifelong financial skills.

This student interest group explores how to strategically use credit card points and travel rewards to make travel more accessible and affordable during medical training, with a focus on financial literacy, smart spending, and maximizing benefits.

This student interest group supports the greater county-wide Revive & Survive San Diego initiative that aims to save lives by training 1 million people in hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Trainers will engage diverse communities across San Diego County in various instructional settings to teach this life-saving skill. The SIG will engage UC San Diego students, faculty, and staff to raise awareness of the initiative, create new avenues for cross-sector collaboration, focus activities on traditionally underserved groups that experience health disparities, and increase the amount and frequency of available CPR training opportunities.

The Scrubs Addressing the Firearm Epidemic (SAFE) chapter at UCSD SOM aims to raise awareness and educate healthcare provdiers regarding discussing gun violence, safe firearm practices, and injury prevention with patients and parents.

In the United States, the firearm homicide rate is greater than 25 times that of other comparable developed countries; furthermore, 2020 and 2021 data showed that the leading cause of death for individuals aged 1-19 was firearm violence. As healthcare providers, we can have a direct impact in addressing this worsening epidemic. Discussing firearm safety habits with patients and parents increases the number of firearms that are kept locked and unloaded in homes, which improves safety. However, many healthcare professionals do not feel comfortable counseling patients regarding safe firearm ownership. Scrubs Addressing the Firearm Epidemic (SAFE) is a nationwide organization with the goal of helping educate medical students and professionals in firearm safety counseling to mitigate risk for injury and deaths from firearms. The UCSD chapter is dedicated to ensuring all healthcare providers feel comfortable talking to patients and parents about gun violence and injury prevention in the San Diego community.

The purpose of Special Olympics Healthy Athletes (SOHA) would be to increase awareness for inclusive health practices for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) amongst medical trainees. This will be achieved through active partnership with Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC), a branch of the largest sports organization for athletes with IDD.

The mission of Special Olympics Healthy Athletes (SOHA) at UC San Diego is to foster an active alliance with athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to promote positive health outcomes through sports advocacy. This will be achieved through: 1) collaboration with local San Diego Special Olympics chapters and Healthy Athletes volunteer clinicians, 2) education of medical trainees on inclusive health practices for members of the IDD community through faculty-led workshops, and 3) service/advocacy opportunities for medical students to partner with Special Olympics athletes to promote a culture of inclusion. SIG events might include providing free medical screenings to Special Olympics athletes through MedFest, offering health education events through SOSC, hosting faculty panels on inclusive care for patients with IDD, and participating in Special Olympics "Spread the Word to End the Word" advocacy initiative.

The Wilderness Medicine Student Interest Group (WMSIG) is a student-run organization dedicated to providing medical students with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe and effective care in a resource limited environment. WMSIG accomplishes this mission through a variety of activities, including:
Education: WMSIG hosts a variety of educational events throughout the year, such as panels, workshops, and outdoor events. These events provide students with the opportunity to learn about a wide range of wilderness medicine topics such as first aid, Wilderness First Responder, and Advanced Wilderness Life Support.

Service: WMSIG volunteers its time and expertise to support wilderness medical organizations. This service includes providing medical care at outdoor events and working with local land management agencies to improve wilderness safety.

Fun: UCSD brings in a lot of students to their medical school who love the outdoors. The WMSIG provides a place for students to meet other like-minded students and share in the joy of spending time outdoors while learning Wilderness Medicine practices.