The Student National Medical Association is the nation's oldest and largest organization focused on the needs and concerns of medical students of color. The organization was established to improve recruitment and retention of students of color, to increase the numbers of minority physicians, and to improve access to health care in under-served communities.

The SNMA has chapters at virtually every medical school in the United States , and the WFUSM-SNMA has been particularly active in the greater Winston-Salem community. We have formed alliances with various community organizations including: the Sickle Cell Association of the Piedmont , with whom local SNMA members sponsor a Christmas party for children with Sickle Cell Disease and their families, and The Paragon Foundation, where members educate the community about smoking prevention and cessation.

Our members have participated in five local health fairs, providing blood pressure and blood glucose screenings, education about breast and prostate cancer, and getting members of the community involved in the North Carolina Strive for Five Program. We are proud to report that in 1997 we were chosen as "National Chapter of the Year," our second honor in five years.