SNMA and MAPS
BHPO is the official Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS) Chapter at the University of Texas at Austin. As a chapter of MAPS, BHPO is committed to supporting current and future underrepresented minority medical students, addressing the needs of underserved communities, and increasing the number of clinically excellent, culturally competent and socially conscious physicians. All pre-medical students within BHPO are able to attend events hosted by the Student National Medical Association.
Established in 1964 by medical students at Howard University College of Medicine and Meharry Medical School, the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) is the nation’s oldest and largest, independent student organization committed to the needs and concerns of medical students of color. SNMA’s strength has been committed to serving others and today, the SNMA includes over 8,000 medical students, premedical students, residents, and physicians among its membership. The SNMA’s community service and mentoring programs provide science appreciation, health care education, mentoring, and academic enrichment to elementary, junior high school, high school and college students interested in pursuing health-related careers.
SNMA programs are designed to serve the health needs of underserved communities and communities of color. In addition, SNMA is dedicated both to ensuring that medical education and services are culturally sensitive to the needs of diverse populations and to increasing the number of African-American, Latino, and other students of color matriculating into and completing medical school.
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Region III of the SNMA encompasses the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Colorado, and New Mexico. We are one of the largest and fastest-growing regions in the country!
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