CHSu-COM
Student organizations
COM Student Government Association (COM SGA)
The CHSU-COM SGA and its committees shall be the official communicative and mediating voice for the students with the faculty and administration and all outside agencies. It is established to uphold CHSU-COM and its mission in all aspects. While it is committed, accessible, and responsible to the student body, it is not meant to usurp communication between administration and individual classes on intra-class matters, or between clubs and their national bodies.
The MSBS program students can only join as members of the following organization or club marked with an * (asterisk). The MSBS students will not be able to join DO-specific student organizations.
2024-2025 OFFICERS
- President: Peter Ciari (Class of 2027)
- Vice President: Lakshyaa Balakrishna (Class of 2027)
- Secretary: Sarjinder Kaur (Class of 2027)
- Treasurer: Micheal Petro (Class of 2027)
- OMS-IV Class President: Khushmanjit Jawandha (Class of 2025)
- OMS-IV Class Vice President: Natalie Pena-Brockett (Class of 2025)
- OMS-III Class President: Ikroop Miglani (Class of 2026)
- OMS-III Class Vice President: Julius Vo (Class of 2026)
- OMS-II Class President: Shayan Moghisaei (Class of 2027)
- OMS-II Class Vice President: Anna Smirnova (Class of 2027)
- OMS-I Class President: Philip Pham (Class of 2028)
- OMS-I Class Vice President: Hunain Ahmad (Class of 2028)
CHSU-COM Student Organizations
Advanced Human Anatomy Club (AHAC)*
The mission of the Advanced Human Anatomy Club is to provide opportunities and experiences allowing passionate medical students to further their knowledge of the human body. Our vision is to fortify our anatomical knowledge while simultaneously working alongside the future and current medical professionals of the Central Valley.
President: Alex Cha (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Ruth Beltran (Class of 2027)
American Colleges of Osteopathic Surgeons-Medical Student Session (ACOS-MSS)
The purpose of this organization is to represent and educate future osteopathic surgeons through local chapters of ACOS-MSS. This includes:
- Increasing the understanding of osteopathic principles in relationship to disease in the practice of surgery.
- Helping to promote education and interest in the field of surgery, including gowning and gloving, scrubbing, sterile technique, suturing and tying techniques, operating room behavior, instrumentation, universal precautions, osteopathic manipulative management of the surgical patient, pre and post-operative management of surgical patients, and surgical documentation; and
- Providing a forum for discussion amongst students and surgeons.
President: Micheal Petro (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Agathe Jacobsen (Class of 2027)
American Medical Association (AMA-MSS)*
The AMA is a nationwide membership organization that empowers medical students, residents and physicians in patient care, advocacy, innovation and education. The AMA-MSS supports medical students at accredited MD and DO schools across the nation. Its goal is to connect students to resources, education and networking opportunities all along the cutting edge of medicine. Programming will be geared towards bringing in compelling speakers to address relevant topics in health care, organizing educational workshops, and generating networking opportunities with other students and physicians. Another aim of this group is to allow members to interact with fellow medical students for social and career networking. Policy-writing will also be incorporated; our goal will be to develop and write resolutions and review resolutions with other schools from around the country. Additionally, our goal will be to present at AMA conferences, which will allow students to interact with other AMA members by presenting research at national meetings.
Chair: Amitoj Randhawa (Class of 2027)
Vice Chair: Alex Bui (Class of 2027)
American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA)*
American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) membership is comprised of physicians, residents, medical students, pre-medical students, health care professionals, and supporters. AMWA is the oldest multispecialty organization dedicated to advancing women in medicine and improving women’s health. Its vision is a healthier world where women physicians achieve equity in the medical profession and realize their full potential. The mission is to advance women in medicine, advocate for equity, and ensure excellence in health care.
President: Samar Elshekh (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Katrina Knapik (Class of 2027)
American Society of Anesthesiologists – CHSU Student Chapter*
The purpose of this club shall be to organize, educate, and lead the students of our school to whatever personal goals they have pertaining to the field of anesthesiology. We students of the American Society of Anesthesiologists at CHSU pledge to come together and foster a cooperative, friendly, and professionally valuable environment through which students can pursue their interests and dreams within anesthesiology.
President: Anurag Sandhu (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Harjas Jassal (Class of 2027)
Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA)
The Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA) at CHSU-COM aims to address matters pertaining to Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. This includes a strong focus on promoting health and welfare within AANHPI communities in addition to bringing cultural awareness of such communities to CHSU-COM.
President: Emily Uyen Thai (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Pauline Tran (Class of 2027)
Association of Women Surgeons*
The CHSU COM chapter of the Association of Women Surgeons exists to inspire, encourage, and enable aspiring women surgeons to realize their professional and personal goals through support, networking, and mentorships in order to achieve equity, effectiveness, and professional development for women entering surgical specialties.
President: Emily Uyen Thai (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Negin Fadaee (Class of 2027)
Cardiovascular Interest Group*
The goal of the Cardiovascular Interest Group (CVIG) is to expose future physicians at CHSU to the exciting, diverse field of cardiology at an early stage of their training. In order to achieve this, we aim to host guest speakers to discuss different cardiovascular specialties, a variety of workshops (i.e., EKG and ultrasound workshops), help facilitate shadowing opportunities, and host mixers for students, faculty, and cardiovascular physicians. We hope this group will spark an interest in pursuing a career path in one of the cardiology specialties to balance the growing need for cardiologists both in the clinical and research realms.
President: Akash Dhillon (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Daniel Boemer (Class of 2027)
Christian Medical Dental Association*
CMDA provides an avenue for medical students to engage with God and the Christian faith in the midst of medical school, including fostering a strong community among medical students and network with local Central Valley healthcare professionals. We hope that students will be able to see how faith intersects with and informs their practice of medicine. Throughout the years past, CMDA offers students opportunities to grow spiritually and professionally through guest speaker events, bible studies, and healthcare/missions conferences. Everyone is invited and welcome to join!
President: Johnathan Newman (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Mariya Leschuk (Class of 2027)
Dermatology Interest Group*
Dermatology Interest Group at CHSU-COM is open to all students interested in pursuing or simply learning more about Dermatology. We aim to provide resources and experiences to help others explore the field of Dermatology and provide a competitive edge in residency applications. Members will have exclusive access to physician interviews, research opportunities, skills workshops, and more. DIG also aim to connect with the local community to raise awareness about the importance of skin care and regular skin cancer screenings.
President: Kaitlyn Guinin & Tyarah Trias (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Felicia Hung (Class of 2027)
DO Care Club
DOCARE is an international medical outreach organization committed to empowering under-resourced communities around the world with sustainable health care and education. As a club, we strive to learn about the unique aspects of global outreach, cultural and social determinants of health, and ways to contribute as medical students and future physicians. We offer opportunities to participate in short-term service trips as well as global rotation sites.
President: Maria Ghata (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Johnathan Newman (Class of 2027)
Emergency Medicine Interest Group (EMIG)*
CHSU Emergency Medicine Interest Group (EMIG) is an organization dedicated to exposing medical students to the exciting field of Emergency Medicine by having students engage with the field through clinical, research, and simulation settings. Our ultimate goal is to cultivate interest in this specialty by hosting various events (including hands-on activities), networking members with EM physicians, and to provide experiences that will ultimately fortify confidence in our student members.
President: Mariya Leschuk (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Jillian Day (Class of 2027)
Internal Medicine Interest Group*
Our mission is to promote the dissemination of information relative to how to pursue Internal Medicine career and to provide opportunities for CHSU medical students who are interested in Internal Medicine field to give back to their community (i.e., through service). Our goal is also to represent CHSU medical students who are interested in Internal Medicine field as a group within the health care community and to be a resource for information on matters related to Internal Medicine and its residency. Our aim is also to help in developing CHSU medical students’ skills and knowledge to be ready for Internal Medicine rotation and/or residency.
President: Alex Bui (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Maria Nguyen (Class of 2027)
Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA)*
The Latino Medical Student Association exists to unite and empower current and future physicians through service, mentorship, and education to advocate for the improved health of the Hispanic & Latina/o/x community in the United States.
President: Ruth Beltran (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Ulices Marroquin (Class of 2027)
Lavender Alliance (LA)*
The Lavender Alliance (LA) is a social and educational organization dedicated to raising familiarity of the unique health issues that LGBTQ+ individuals face and how we as physicians may deal with them supportively and helpfully. The LA also serves as a safe, accepting, and inclusive social environment for CHSU medical students and staff who are LGBTQ+ or otherwise interested in queer health issues.
President: Terry Pham (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Roma Ramirez-Buena (Class of 2027)
Muslim Student Association*
The Muslim Student Association aims to strengthen the Muslim community through service and activism by educating the community about the religion of Islam and facilitating open dialogues with our peers.
President: Donna Badr (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Musa Dajani (Class of 2027)
OB/GYN Interest Group*
The OB/GYN Interest Group provides education and resources for those interested in learning more about women’s health. We strive to expand each person’s knowledge of women’s health regardless of their future residency program through simulation days, workshops, and presentations from OB/GYNs and other birth workers. Additionally, we provide unique opportunities for those looking to pursue a career in OB/GYN as we function under the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
President: Shyenna Wongsavanh (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Ani Lao (Class of 2027)
Oncology Interest Group*
OSIG at CHSU will provide students at CHSU-COM with the opportunity to experience the field of oncology. This organization hopes to not only introduce students to oncology but provide them with firsthand experience in the field through shadowing opportunities. OSIG hopes to explore clinical, surgical, and radiation oncology.
President: Dinah Silva (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Charnpreet Kaur (Class of 2027)
Orthopedics/Sports Medicine Interest Group*
The Orthopedics/Sports Medicine Interest Group will host informational sessions in which physicians from these fields will share their academic journey, current roles and responsibilities, and the physician-athlete/patient relationship. The interest group will also host athlete/patient guest speakers who are willing to share their sports-related injuries, journey to recovery, and the relationship they have with their medical staff. The organization is also working on creating off-campus activities to help its members gain valuable experience in the workplace to better prepare them for rotation and residency.
President: Maryam Khan (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Verena Awadallah (Class of 2027)
Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California – CHSU Chapter
Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons of California (OPSC) focuses on advancing and supporting osteopathic physicians in California by engaging, educating, and advocating for the osteopathic profession. Students have a voice in the future of the osteopathic profession through representation on the OPSC Board of Directors. OPSC provides students with opportunities to connect with physicians across California through Continuing Medical Education (CME) seminars, clinical preceptorships, and guidance from physician mentors. OPSC is a chartered divisional society of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
President: Ariana Kaxon-Rupp (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Ynez Nguyen (Class of 2027)
Pathology Interest Group
Our mission is to foster interest and knowledge in the field of pathology among medical students by providing opportunities for learning, research, and networking. We aim to create a supportive community of students who share a passion for the science and art of disease diagnosis and who are committed to advancing the practice of pathology through innovation, collaboration, and service. Our goal is to inspire future leaders in the field who will contribute to the improvement of patient care and public health through their expertise and dedication to excellence.
President: Pauline Tran (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Thien An (Maria) Nguyen (Class of 2027)
Pediatric Interest Group*
The Pediatrics Interest Group strives to introduce students to the world of pediatrics, as well as provide opportunities within the community for service, learning, and clinical experiences. Through collaboration with other student organizations and community health organizations, we plan to make this group an outlet for those who are interested in learning more about pediatric medicine while making a beneficial impact in our community.
President: Aneet Grewal (Class of 2026)
Vice President: Ayesha Dhar (Class of 2026)
Persian Medical Student Association*
Our goal as the PMSA is to unite, empower, and inspire medical students who share a common interest in Persian culture and healthcare. We aim to create a dynamic platform for networking, mentorship, and cultural exchange by fostering a supportive network of students, professionals, and community members. We seek to promote diversity, inclusivity, embracing our rich heritage, and understanding within the medical field and beyond. We strive to me a positive impact on our community, bridge cultural gaps, and inspire the next generation of medical students in healthcare.
President: Niki Tabatabai (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Negin Fadee (Class of 2027)
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Interest Group
The PMRIG aims to educate CHSU-COM Medical students/future physicians on the ways to improve and restore functioning and quality of life to patients with disabilities and physical impairments. We will engage our students with learning activities to introduce medical students to the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
President: Daniel Boemer (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Christopher Chung (Class of 2027)
Psychiatric Interest Group*
The Psychiatry Interest Group at CHSU-COM aims to help students discover the field of psychiatry, explore their interests within the field, and create connections with psychiatrists and residency programs. We further aim to introduce the community of Fresno County to the field of psychiatry by creating opportunities for outreach within the community.
President: Soha Said (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Patrick Zhang (Class of 2027)
Radiology Student Club*
The Radiology Interest Club is a student-run organization at CHSU-COM. Our mission is to provide medical students with an opportunity to explore the exciting field of radiology and gain hands-on experience in various imaging modalities. The club hosts a variety of events and activities throughout the year, including guest lectures by radiologists, tours of radiology departments, and workshops on image interpretation. Radiology is a rapidly evolving field with exciting developments in areas such as artificial intelligence and personalized medicine. Joining the Radiology Interest Club is a great way to stay informed and prepare for a career in this dynamic and important specialty.
Our club welcomes students of all levels and backgrounds, and we encourage anyone with an interest in radiology to join us. Membership is open to all students enrolled in the CHSU-COM community and it offers a great opportunity to network with peers and learn more about the specialty.
President: Alexander Nguyen (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Joshua Pham (Class of 2027)
Sigma Sigma Phi Chapter at CHSU
Sigma Sigma Phi (SSP) is an honor society for osteopathic medical students at CHSU-COM. The society was founded in 1921 in Kirksville, MO, to recognize and promote academic excellence and leadership among students and foster community among its members. SSP is dedicated to promoting the principles and ideals of the osteopathic medical profession. The focus of SSP is on service to the community and the osteopathic profession at large. All members have a service requirement or risk expulsion from the honor society. Society members regularly participate in volunteer activities such as health screenings, tutoring, mentoring programs, and service projects that benefit the community at large.
SSP provides its members with professional development and networking opportunities. The society hosts guest speakers and panel discussions on various topics related to the osteopathic medical profession, as well as workshops and other events to help members develop the skills, they will need to be successful in their future careers. When inducted into SSP, students gain a sense of belonging in the community of leadership and academic excellence within their profession, honing their skills and developing valuable professional connections that will last a lifetime.
President: Anurag Sandhu (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Edwin Derek Rojas (Class of 2027)
Student American Academy of Osteopathy (SAAO) Chapter
The SAAO is a national organization dedicated to improving student understanding of osteopathic principles, theories, and practice. Become a founding member of the CHSU chapter and join our growing community of students interested in practicing and learning more about osteopathic manipulative medicine.
Members will have priority access to club hosted community engagement/networking events and OMT workshops, as well as access to discounted osteopathic and biomedical education resources (Boards and Beyond, Kaplan, Picmonic, etc.). Students with exceptional interest and/or proficiency in osteopathic medicine will have leadership and teaching opportunities as officers, event coordinators, and mock practical proctors.
President: Marco Magardichian (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Verena Awadallah (Class of 2027)
Student Art Club (Art-ery)*
Artery’s mission is to provide CHSU medical students a creative outlet and safe environment to express themselves and explore the visual arts with the greater aim of fostering a welcoming community and creative, empathetic physicians. Students will have the opportunity to create artistic works during art sessions and club events, allowing them the ability to develop their artistic skills, integrate creativity with their medical studies, and support their mental well-being.
President: Agathe Jacob (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Shyenna Wongsavanh (Class of 2027)
Student Association of American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (SAACOFP) Chapter
The Student Association of American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (SAACOFP) is a family medicine interest group that strives to promote excellence among CHSU-COM students, educate students on the family medicine specialty, support students who are interested in pursuing the specialty, and promoting preventive medicine in the Central Valley. The club is free to join and open to all students! Come be a part of the SAACOFP family!
President: Valerie Domingo (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Cason Chaffee (Class of 2027)
Student Chapter of the Military Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (SAMOPS)
The CHSU-COM SAMOPS student organization will provide members with information on military medicine in general, HPSP (and other military/government scholarships), and how one can get involved without being military. Members can participate in and facilitate fundraisers for veteran support societies as well as military-oriented events on campus! Physicians from various military branches are brought in as guest speakers for members to learn more about military medicine.
President: Alex Nguyen (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Johan Hsu (Class of 2027)
Student Interest Group in Neurology*
The Students Interest Group in Neurology provides students with research experiences in the field of neurology. The club aims to expose students to the various subspecialties within neurology, such as neurosurgery, neuropsychology, and neuromuscular disorders, and to provide them with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field. Additionally, the club will provide students with information and guidance on how to become an ideal candidate for a neurology residency, including academic and research requirements, networking opportunities, and other relevant information. Joining this club will give students a strong foundation in neurology, as well as the knowledge and skills to pursue a career in the field.
President: Alex Cha (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Laksyhaa Balakrishnan (Class of 2027)
Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA)
The Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) is the nation’s largest network of osteopathic medical students. We are an American Osteopathic Association (AOA)-affiliated, student-led and student-driven organization with direct representation to the AOA.
SOMA shall:
- Educate and prepare osteopathic leaders and advocates.
- Maintain open and transparent lines of communication to our student members as we continually adapt to the evolving needs of our members and organization.
- Advance collaborative relationships that promote osteopathic medicine in the greater healthcare community.
- Utilize our direct affiliation with the American Osteopathic Association to advance the interests and viewpoints of osteopathic medical students.
President: Ahana Chakraborty (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Deena Khoury (Class of 2027)
The Vocal Chords*
The Vocal Chords at CHSU is an a cappella group composed of students and staff. Its goal is to provide the CHSU community with a vocal music outlet to improve mental health, establish a community for developing friendships, portray the school as a well-rounded organization, and promote the school’s reputation throughout the Central Valley.
President: Tara Andrade (Class of 2026)
Vice President: Ariana Vivian (Class of 2026)
Valley Mentors*
Valley Mentors at CHSU aims to conduct educational and health-based outreach to Central Valley K-12 students through two avenues: mentorship and events. Targeted mentorship programs pair local K-12 students with CHSU medical student mentors and focus on areas like personal mentorship, college readiness, STEM career advice, standardized testing tips, and general homework help. We will also organize various events for these students, including health fairs and hands-on science experiment workshops.
President: Sonam Sehdev (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Jasman Mann (Class of 2027)
Valley Reach Club*
Valley Reach is a student organization that is dedicated to providing two main opportunities for CHSU students including Clinical Volunteer Experiences and Community Outreach Volunteer Experiences. Students involved in Valley Reach will become more knowledgeable about the needs of the Central Valley and build clinical skills as they volunteer in the community. Valley Reach intends to collaborate with local clinical and community-based organizations to provide students with volunteer opportunities throughout their years at CHSU-COM. This club will provide its members opportunities for volunteering, leadership, clinical skills practice, and ultimately, to exemplify the values and vision of CHSU.
President: Callist Wu (Class of 2027)
Vice President: Bahar Amin (Class of 2027)
Wellness and Wilderness Medicine Club*
The Wellness and Wilderness Medicine Club is a stress-free organization that promotes health and wellness. Additionally, this club provides educational opportunities to include wilderness medicine techniques and treatments, and discussion on nutritional snacks and meals. The club plans to have its members participate in local hikes and engage the CHSU-COM and local community members of the cities of Fresno and Clovis by promoting fitness and wellness through neighborhood walks, 5k runs, nutritional snacks and meal recommendations, and other projects along the lines of wellness. We plan to collaborate with other clubs on campus, other community clubs, and students to emphasize unity and togetherness.
President: Tatyana Opalko
Vice President: Agathe Jacobsen
How to Get Involved
If current students are interested in learning more about joining an organization, please visit the COM Student Government and Associations link in Brightspace. If you are interested in creating a new student organization, please contact COM Student Affairs at COMStudentAffairs@chsu.edu.