Make the Most of Your Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine Experience – Get Involved.
Medical school is a life changing experience and we want you to make the most of it. The Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine takes a holistic approach to health care and education. In addition to an innovative curriculum and rich hands-on experiences, the College of Medicine and UH also offer a diverse array of student organizations.
These organizations give students the opportunity to connect with others that share their same interests, make lifelong friends, and learn more about their chosen field or interests. Our Fertitta Family College of Medicine student organizations work together within the community and encourage public engagement outside of the classroom.
For additional information about UH student organizations that are open to College of Medicine students, please visit: https://www.uh.edu/csi/
Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine Student Organizations
Student Council
Description: The Fertitta Family College of Medicine Student Council serves as the official representative of the student body to the administration and faculty of the College of Medicine and the University system. The organizational work is done through several committees which include Diversity and Inclusion, Wellness, and Curriculum. This organization also works to sustain and strengthen the mission of the College of Medicine through community service and engagement. Additionally, the COMSC plans and hosts educational and social events.
Presidents (by class): Ashlynn Mills (2024), Salik Tehami (2025)
Contact Email: Comsc@central.uh.edu
Advisor: Trina Barker, M.Ed.
American Medical Association and Texas Medical Association (AMA and TMA) Chapter at the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine
Description: The American Medical Association and Texas Medical Association chapter at the Fertitta Family College of Medicine, or AMA/TMA, promotes the science and art of medicine and the betterment of public health at the local, state, and national level. AMA/TMA wants to encourage Medical Student Section leadership at the local level for better continuity of programming and servicing, advocacy for the development of leaders at the AMA/TMA level, and communication between medical students and county medical societies.
Presidents: Cenk Cengiz (AMA President)
Contact Emails: ccengiz@CougarNet.UH.EDU
Advisor: Kimberly Pilkinton, M.D., M.P.H, FACOG
Black Men in White Coats
Description: The primary purpose of the Black Men in White Coats' chapter at the University of Houston is to increase the number of black men in the field of medicine by exposure, inspiration and mentoring.
President: Isaiah Carter
Contact Email: iccarter@cougarnet.uh.edu
Advisor: Brian Reed, M.D.
Christian Medical Dental Association (CMDA)
Description: Christian Medical Dental Association (CMDA) is a support group for Christian health care professionals. It promotes serving with excellence and compassion, caring for all people, and advancing biblical principles in terms of health care.
President: Christyn Harkins
Contact Email: charkins@cougarnet.uh.edu
Advisor: Kimberly Pilkinton, M.D., M.P.H, FACOG
Emergency Medicine Interest Group (EMIG)
Description: Emergency Medicine Interest Group (EMIG) facilitates and fosters interest in emergency medicine within the College. The group hosts lectures, provides hands-on experiences, and other opportunities to promote experience and interest in emergency medicine.
President: David Jacobson
Contact Email: dbjacobs@cougarnet.uh.edu
Advisor: Summer Chavez, D.O., M.P.H.
Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG)
Description: Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) educates students and fosters interest in the specialty of family medicine. FMIG offers opportunities for social engagement, continued learning, professional development, service, and advocacy.
President: Brianna Gonzalez
Contact Email: fmiguhcom2021@gmail.com
Advisor: Donald A. Briscoe, M.D., FAAFP
General Surgery Interest Group (GSIG)
Description: General Surgery Interest Group promotes outreach to pre-medical students, medical students, and the community to encourage interest in surgical specialties. GSIG encourages interactions with residents, doctors, and other surgical medical professions.
President: Christian Colin
Contact Email: cicolin@CougarNet.UH.EDU
Advisor: Mike Liang, M.D.
Global Health Interest Group (GHIG)
Description: The Global Health Interest Group is dedicated to educating students about different global health issues, particularly those pertaining to the immigrant populations in Houston.
President: Maya Fontenot
Contact Email: mgfonten@cougarnet.uh.edu
Advisor: Jerome Crowder, Ph.D.
Houston Outreach Medicine Education and Social Services (HOMES) Clinic and Street Medicine Interest Group
Description: HOMES is a student-run group that operates a clinic to provide urgent care to the homeless while educating medical students about health care needs of the underserved. HOMES also organizes educational and service opportunities related to issues of homelessness. Furthermore, this interest group seeks to organize educational and service opportunities related to the realm of Street Medicine.
Co-Presidents: David Jacobson and Jonathan Lall
Contact Email: jslall@cougarnet.uh.edu
Advisor: David Buck, M.D., M.P.H.
Internal Medicine Interest Group
Description: The Internal Medicine Interest Group increases awareness of the internal medicine specialty and career opportunities, promotes, and fosters interest in the field of internal medicine, exposes medical students to internal medicine leaders and mentors, and provides opportunities for medical students to network with colleagues locally and nationally.
Presidents: Diamondneshay Ward
Contact Email: dward2@cougarnet.uh.edu
Advisor: Frené LaCour-Chestnut, M.D., M.P.H.
Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) Chapter at Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine
Description: The primary purpose of the Latino Medical Student Association is to represent, support, and unify Latinx/a/o medical students. This group is dedicated to increasing the proportion of all underrepresented minority medical students and faculty, providing education on issues affecting the Hispanic community, serving underserved communities through volunteerism and advocacy, and creating an environment conducive to the extraordinary success of Latinos at the Fertitta Family College of Medicine.
President: Iliana Oberkircher
Contact Email: uhcomlmsa@gmail.com
Advisor: Daniel G. Rosen, M.D.
Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group (LMIG)
Description: The Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group is an organization that strives to equip medical students with the knowledge and skills necessary to counsel patients about exercise, diet, behavior change, and preventative medicine, while considering motivational interviewing and the social determinants of health. The group will host speakers, participate in lifestyle medicine conferences and do community outreach highlighting the six pillars of Lifestyle Medicine: healthy eating of primarily whole-grain/plant-based food, physical activity, management of stress, cessation of smoking, improvement of sleep, and forming and maintaining relationships.
President: Taylor Jackson
Contact Email: tbjacks2@CougarNet.UH.EDU
Advisor: Winston Liaw, M.D., M.P.H.
Muslim Medical Students Association (MMSA)
Description: The Muslim Medical Student Association at the College of Medicine aims to provide a platform to emphasize dialogue and understanding of religion's role in health and health care. Members will receive mentorship and provide mentorship to undergraduates and high school students interested in medicine. MMSA's goals are to raise awareness about Muslim patient populations and the diversity in thought and tradition across the Islamic world, as well as unite group members through volunteerism, social activities, and religious services.
President: Salik S. Tehami
Contact Email: sstehami@CougarNet.UH.EDU
Advisor: Amber Zulfiqar, M.D.
Pediatrics Student Interest Group
Description: The Pediatric Student Interest Group fosters enthusiasm for the field of pediatrics by promoting student exploration of the field and awareness of issues related to children and their families. The group provides opportunities for education, community service, advocacy, and career guidance for medical students interested in pursuing a career in pediatrics.
President: Yahaira Guerra
Contact Email: yvguerra@CougarNet.UH.EDU
Advisor: Joel S. Blumberg, M.D.
Psychiatric Interest Group
Description: The Psychiatric Interest Group enhances the education of the students and faculty at the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine on psychological and psychiatric issues impacting patient populations.
President: Sylvia Omozee
Contact Email: osomozee@CougarNet.UH.EDU
Advisor: Kristin Kassaw, M.D.
Queering Medicine (QMed)
Description: QMed is a student-run social and educational organization dedicated to the practice of medicine through the lens of intersectional LGBTQIA+ health justice.
President: Skye Johnson
Contact Email: smjohn26@CougarNet.UH.EDU
Advisor: Kathleen Gullion
Radiology Interest Group
Description: The Radiology Interest Group connects medical students with valuable experiences in Diagnostic Radiology, Interventional Radiology, and Radiation Oncology.
President: Farnaz Karimighovanloo
Contact Email: fkarimig@CougarNet.UH.EDU
Advisor: Thomas Gest, Ph.D.
Student Interest Group Neurology (SIGN)
Description: SIGN connects medical students with mentors, clinical/surgical experiences, and research opportunities in neurology and neuroscience.
President: Sierra Cowan
Contact Email: slcowan@CougarNet.UH.EDU
Advisor: Thomas Thesen, Ph.D.
Student National Medical Association (SNMA) Chapter at the University of Houston
Description: Student National Medical Association chapter, or SNMA, serves the health needs of underserved communities and communities of color. In addition, SNMA is dedicated both to ensuring medical education and services are culturally sensitive to the needs of diverse populations and to increasing the number of underrepresented minorities in the medical field while providing opportunities for professional development. This chapter of SNMA strives to interact with members of the community to provide area minority students an early exposure to medicine.
President: Rosemary Agwuncha
Contact Email: uhcom@snma.org
Advisor: Kenya Steele, M.D.
Volunteer Organization Involving Community Engagement and Service (VOICES)
Description: Volunteer Organization Involving Community Engagement and Service organization, or VOICES, focuses on service learning, community engagement and volunteerism. VOICES provides students valuable opportunities to work in healthy living, mental health, health education, mentorship, community development and advocacy to better serve underserved populations. Members also build connections with communities in the Greater Houston area and surrounding neighborhoods.
President: Kennedi Wilson
Contact Email: voices@central.uh.edu
Advisor: Steven Starks, M.D., FAPA
Women’s Health Interest Group (WHIG) at the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine
Description: Women’s Health Interest Group, or WHIG, brings together students interested in wanting to learn more about women’s health as well as those interested in the specialty of OBGYN and offers the Future Residents of OBGYN (FROG) Subgroup. WHIG provides education, support, leadership opportunities, networking, workshops, and community service opportunities in the Houston area. The group is also focused on promoting women’s health, raised awareness about women’s health issues, and address gender disparities in the medical field through advocacy and volunteerism.
President: Breanna Chachere
Contact Email: whig@central.uh.edu
Advisor: Kimberly Pilkinton, M.D., M.P.H, FACOG