Student Groups & Associations

From professional associations to cultural groups, student organizations provide a platform for leadership, collaboration, and service. At Ponce Health Sciences University, PHSU, we recognize the value of holistic development and encourage students to engage in extracurricular activities and organizations that enrich their academic journey and foster community connections.

Eligibility for Extracurricular Activities

Students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities that align with their interests and goals. To organize or participate in activities, students must obtain written approval from the Office of Student Affairs (OSA). The Vice President for Student Affairs or a designee will verify the academic standing of participants to ensure they maintain satisfactory progress. Approval for use of university facilities is required for all activities.

Student Organizations

Joining a student organization or activity is an excellent way to expand your professional network, develop leadership skills, and contribute to the PHSU community. Whether through professional associations, interest groups, or cultural activities, PHSU provides diverse opportunities for growth beyond the classroom. For more information on student organizations and how to get involved, contact the Office of Student Affairs.

Register Your Organization

All student organizations at PHSU must be registered and approved by the Office of Student Affairs to operate. Registration includes:

• The organization’s name, goals, and objectives
• Names and roles of the board members
• A description of the requirements and procedures for joining

New organizations can register between July and October each year by submitting the required information. Existing organizations must update their details annually. Participation in student organizations is contingent on maintaining good academic standing.

Student Organization Annual Registration and Email Petition Application

Please complete the Annual Registration Application and Email Petition Application.

Send both documents to: Student Organization Ponce and San Juan, Puerto Rico- bferrer@psm.edu, St. Louis- tbrewer@psm.edu, or Tórtola, BVI- klocasio@psm.edu

Activity Approval

Please complete the Activity Approval Application. If the Out of Campus Event Requires to serve Alcoholic Beverages, please download and complete this Supplemental Application send it along with your Activity Approval Application

Send Activity Approval Application to: Ponce and San Juan, Puerto Rico- bferrer@psm.edu, St. Louis- tbrewer@psm.edu, or Tórtola, BVI- klocasio@psm.edu.

Student Organization Post Activity Report

Please complete the Post Activity Report.

Send the report to: Ponce and San Juan, Puerto Rico- bferrer@psm.edu, St. Louis- tbrewer@psm.edu, or Tórtola, BVI- klocasio@psm.edu.

Extracurricular Activities Authorization Request

Please download and complete the Extracurricular Activities Request.

Send the request to: Ponce and San Juan, Puerto Rico- bferrer@psm.edu, St. Louis- tbrewer@psm.edu, or Tórtola, BVI- klocasio@psm.edu.

Current Student Associations and Groups

PHSU offers a variety of student associations and groups that cater to diverse academic, professional, and personal interests. PHSU students can select among honor organizations and associations, chapters of national associations, career or specialty interest groups and organizations focused on diversity, equity, community service, and advocacy.

Honor Organizations and Associations

Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA)

HONOR ASSOCIATION

AOA is the premier national honor society for medical students, faculty, and alumni, recognizing excellence in medicine. Membership, limited to one-sixth of each graduating class, honors academic achievement, leadership, and integrity. AOA also sponsors community service projects and educational enrichment activities.

Contact: aoa@stu.psm.edu

Learn More About AOA>>>

The Gold Humanism Honor Society

HONOR SOCIETY

The Gold Humanism Honor Society is a community of medical students, physicians, and other leaders who have been selected by their peers for their compassionate care and dedication for humanism in service.

Membership: Membership in GHHS is a significant honor, signifying a commitment to the core values of medicine and offering numerous benefits, including enhanced residency applications, networking opportunities, and a lifelong affiliation with a community dedicated to humanism in healthcare.

Selection: GHHS members are nominated by peers, faculty, and patients who have witnessed their exceptional qualities of integrity, excellence, compassion, altruism, respect, and empathy.

Impact: GHHS plays a vital role in fostering a culture of humanism in medicine, inspiring and supporting future generations of healthcare professionals who prioritize compassionate patient care.

Contact: wpietri@psm.edu
Mentor: Dr. Waleska Pietri

Learn More About the Gold Humanism Honor Society>>>

Chapters of National Associations

Graduate Students in Biomedical Sciences (GSABS)

Objectives of the Association:

· To cultivate and promote an enriching environment for conducting basic biomedical science on our campus

· To promote the self-improvement of graduate students thru both a social and an educational environment.

Contact: gsa@stu.psm.edu

Latino Medical Student Association, PHSU Chapter

Objectives of the Association:

· Create local chapters of LMSA at Puerto Rico medical school.

· Create a channel of opportunity and communication through local LMSA chapters.

· Actively expose local Latino Students to continuing education opportunities in the health field.

· Highlight local environmental and cultural determination of health, health disparities, medicolegal subjective, and health insurance processes.

· Local chapter advocate opportunity to be filled based on time availability.

· Create positions of leadership within local and regional chapters.

· Encourage a sense of proactivity and humanism within chapter members.

Contact: lmsa@stu.psm.edu

Public Health Student Association

Objectives of the Association:

· Achieve public health efforts through education and health promotion, prevention of diseases, and interdisciplinary work on the social aspects of

health. These are met through interventions, empowerment, community work, and research.

Contact: aesp@stu.psm.edu

American Medical Student Association (AMSA), PHSU Chapter

Objectives of the Association:

Participate in community health clinics and health promotion activities that target underserved communities in Puerto Rico.

Contact: amsa@stu.psm.edu

American Medical Association (AMA), PHSU Chapter

Objectives of the Association:

· We, as a chapter, want to provide support, leadership positions, opportunity for students, and a community outreach locally.

Contact: ama@stu.psm.edu

Specialty Interest Groups

These groups help students explore healthcare specialties as career options, prepare for residency matching, and engage in community activities.

Neuropsychology Association

Objectives of the Association:

· Promote the field of Neuropsychology as a career choice among students.

· Promote research and clinical knowledge in the neurophysiology area.

· Provide information about neuropsychological assessment and treatment.

· Offer PHSU student community a professional link to neuropsychology association.

Contact: anp@stu.psm.edu

Cardiology Interest Group

Objectives of the Interest Group:

· Expose our students to cardiology.

· Promote awareness about cardiovascular disease in the community.

Contact: IG-CardiologyInterestGroup@stu.psm.edu

Cardiothoracic Surgery Interest Group

Objectives of the Interest Group:

· Expose students to different pathways to CT surgery residency.

· Inform students how to become competitive residency applicants.

· Have CT surgeons elaborate on the most common cases.

· Have Q & A with current residents and CT surgeons to expose students to a “day in their life in the work/life balance.”

· Compare/ Contrast the difference between being a CT surgeon in PR and states.

Emergency Medicine Interest Group

Objectives of the Interest Group:

· To improve Ponce Health Sciences University student communication with residents and faculty members of the Emergency Medicine Profession, including (but not limited to) St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital and the University of Puerto Rico’s Medical Sciences Campus.

· To learn about the lifestyle of a resident and physician in the Emergency Medicine profession.

· To learn common knowledge and techniques used in the emergency setting, such as (but not limited to): EKG, suturing, intubation, and splinting, among others.

Contact: eig@stu.psm.edu

Gastroenterology Interest Group

Objectives of the Interest Group:

· Create a bridge between the student body and resources in the field of Gastroenterology Interest Group thru formal activities such as lectures, mentors, student/ led events, and career-building resources.

· Provide workshops to increase knowledge about different diets and lifestyles that can reduce inflammation and build a resilient gut.

Geriatrics Interest Group

Objectives of the Interest Group:

· Provide support to the elderly community.

· Expand the geriatric knowledge and the population's need by disseminating basic education, and health services focused on the health of the older people.

· Increase the number of students interested in geriatrics.

· Recruit other healthcare and non-lecture students to increase the number of people interested in contributing to the care of older people.

· Promote and create awareness about the vulnerability of the older population and how we can contribute to diminishing the healthcare risk in the population.

Contact: gerig@stu.psm.edu

Infectious Diseases Interest Group

Objectives of the Interest Group:

· Host a jeopardy-type event for microbiology course review

· Host guest lectures to discuss interesting cases and studies and give information on the infectious disease specialty's reality and antimicrobial stewardship's importance

· We hope to get involved with the outside community, such as joining other clubs to host a health fair or a specific HIV-testing clinic event

· Host school-wide events regarding important infectious decease, such as World AIDS Day where we provide pamphlets and information about the disease and where to get tested

Contact: idig@stu.psm.edu

Meds-Peds Interest Group

Objectives of the Interest Group:

· Educate future health professionals as to the roles and responsibilities of the Internal Medicine-Pediatrics specialty

· Provide health conferences conducted by experts to the students to better understand conditions, treatments, and social determinants that affect both populations

· Assist in the community needs of Ponce by hosting health fairs, participating in brigades, and more community-related projects

Contact: ig-medspedsinterestgroup@stu.psm.edu

Neurosurgery Interest Group

Objectives of the Interest Group:

· Provide facts about neurosurgery

· Provide residency-matching statistics about neurosurgery

· Guide students through neurosurgery residency application

Contact: nsig@stu.psm.edu

OB/GYN Interest Group

Objectives of the Interest Group:

· Introduction and familiarization with the specialty and sub-specialties

· Development of Ob/Gyn-focused clinical skills

· Networking opportunities

Contact: ogig@stu.psm.edu

Oncology Interest Group

Objectives of the Interest Group:

· Educate about the most common types of cancer in Puerto Rican society

· Learn about the risk factors that increase the probability of cancer

· Know the pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of the most common malignancies in Puerto Rican Society

· Educate the community regarding how to prevent cancer

· Educate about advances in cancer research

· Empower members with tools that help them increase their potential and increase their chances of entering their specialty of interest

· Provide tools to apply for summer research programs

· Increase networking with health professionals

Contact: oig@stu.psm.edu

Ophthalmology Interest Group

Objectives of the Interest Group:

· At least two guest speakers per year.

· Have at least one in-person event.

· Provide at least one opportunity of network with a faculty member that is currently working on research.

Contact: ophtaig@stu.psm.edu

Ortho- Sports Medicine Interest Group

Objectives of the Interest Group:

· To have monthly activities that will allow students to have constant exposure to Orthopedic Surgery to enhance their experience and interest in the field.

Contact: osmig@stu.psm.edu

Pathology Interest Group

Objectives of the Interest Group:

· Educate students about pathology and different sub-specialties

· Prepare students for the resident matching process

· Organize activities and conferences with various Pathologist

· Offer workshops on laboratory technique and specimen handling

· Promote community service

· Entice more medical students to pursue a career in Pathology

Contact: pathoig@stu.psm.edu

Pediatrics Interest Group

Objectives of the Interest Group:

· Provide members with volunteer work activities

· Develop academic lectures focused on pediatric topics

· Become a facilitator by which students can learn about residency programs in Puerto Rico and in the USA

· Perform monthly activities that best accommodate our students

Contact: pedsig@stu.psm.edu

Pediatric Neuropsychology Association

Objectives of the Association:

· Educate the community about neuropsychological services and practice.

· Promote education focused on managing and treating neuropsychological disorders in children and adolescents.

· Offer community services for entities that work with the pediatric population.

· Develop activities that integrate and promote education on biopsychosocial aspects of human beings in the early stages of development.

· A guide through prevention and the risks of performing neuropsychological evaluations and therapies for the pediatric population.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Objectives of the Interest Group:

· We aim to bring physiatrists with different subspecialties, residents, and fellows to discuss their field experience.

· Bring one speaker or 1 activity per month to stay active and bring our members as many opportunities as possible.

Psychiatry Student Interest Group

Objectives of the Interest Group:

· Increase income through activities to be able to pay for the Dr. Ismail Ibrahim Ali Fellowships and the Dr. Iván Vidal González Fellowship.

· Offer social activities to our members to maintain a healthy atmosphere in such a competitive field.

· Impact underrepresented communities to expose and increase interest in science-related fields.

Contact: psychi@stu.psm.edu

Technology in Medical Education

Objectives of the Interest Group:

· Discuss two programs per semester extensively, including step-by-step download process and set-up & best practices

· Hold open Q & A sessions quarterly for the most used medical resources.

· Create documentation for future classes to have readily available for use.

Organizations focus on Community Service and Advocacy

These groups foster a campus community that embraces a global perspective, promotes social justice, and empowers individuals to make a positive impact through healthcare services and advocacy for underserved communities.

Christian Fellowship

Objectives of the Organization:

· Faith: We aim to keep our focus on God and not our ourselves.

· Spiritual Health: We aim to cultivate a safe place for all students to explore spirituality and Biblical principles.

· Oneness/ Community: When we live out the model of oneness displayed by Jesus, our unity makes a compelling case for our gospel mission to the world. The result we witness include the cultivation of humility, the building of diverse relationships, and the practice of championing the voices of others.

· Growth: We are committed to the maturity of the people God has entrusted to us. This challenges us to develop multiplying leaders who care for people.

· Fruitfulness: We strive to be good stewards of what the Lord has entrusted us.

Contact: cfa@stu.psm.edu

Women Psychology Interest Group

Objectives of the Interest Group:

· Raise awareness of how social constructs affect psychological well-being.

· Provide psychoeducation from a biopsychosocial perspective.

Medical Students for Reproductive Justice

Objectives of the Organization:

· Host in-person one or more workshops where students may learn and practice procedures related to reproductive health.

· Host one or more meetings/ panels with healthcare providers to learn from their experiences and how to pave future careers providing reproductive healthcare across disciplines.

· Build alliances with providers and clinics that provide contraceptive and abortion care in PR with the goal of mentorship and potential shadowing opportunities for students.

· Connect with the other medical students for choice-associated chapters at San Juan Bautista School of Medicine and the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine to build a greater community of medical students for reproductive justice.

ENLACE

Objectives of the Organization:

1. Create a trained volunteer group ready to participate in volunteering opportunities that arise.

2. Organize activities that impact disadvantaged communities.

Proyecto Arbona (Arbona Project)

Objectives of the Organization:

· Advocate for the right of every person in Puerto Rico to have fair access to quality healthcare services without any conditions.

· Advocate for healthcare services to be brought directly to different communities to ensure accessibility.

· Support the fight to improve Puerto Rico's healthcare system and the effort to strengthen primary care and prevention services.

Getting Involved

Joining a student organization or activity is an excellent way to expand your professional network, develop leadership skills, and contribute to the PHSU community. Whether through professional associations, interest groups, or cultural activities, PHSU provides diverse opportunities for growth beyond the classroom. For more information on student organizations and how to get involved, contact the Office of Student Affairs.