Boonshoft School of Medicine students named to Student National Medical Association board

Two Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine students were named to the board of directors of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) at the organization’s 2014 annual Medical Education Conference in Washington, D.C.

Topaz Sampson, a fourth-year medical student at the Boonshoft School of Medicine

Topaz Sampson, a fourth-year medical student at the Boonshoft School of Medicine, was installed as national president of SNMA, the nation’s oldest and largest independent, student-run organization focused on the needs and concerns of medical students of color.

Sampson was born in Guyana, South America, and raised in Brooklyn. She graduated from Spelman College with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science. As a medical student, Sampson is passionate about serving the underserved and hopes to continue her medical career as a psychiatrist. As president, she plans to engage SNMA members and the community in learning about the health needs and disparities of the LGBT and immigrant/refugee community. She also will focus on encouraging minority men to study medicine. She will serve a one-year term as president of SNMA.

Jasmin Scott-Hawkins, a third-year medical student at the Boonshoft School of Medicine

Jasmin Scott-Hawkins was appointed co-chair of the SNMA publications committee. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she earned a B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 2010. Scott-Hawkins is a dual-degree student in the Physician Leadership Development Program (PLDP) at the Boonshoft School of Medicine. She completed her master of public health in May 2014 and will continue as a third-year medical student this fall.

Scott-Hawkins is co-chair of the PLDP executive council, a representative on the Wright State University Interdisciplinary Health Care Council, class of 2015 Medical School Student Council cultural chair, and a 2013–2014 American Psychiatric Foundation Helping Hands Grant Award recipient. She intends to pursue a career in child and adolescent psychiatry focusing on wellness and working in an interdisciplinary health care environment.