For more information about any of the student organizations, contact Edith Pereda at 909-558-4630 or EPereda@llu.edu.

Organizations

The purpose of the Loma Linda University School of Medicine student organizations is to:

  • Create an avenue through which students may seek constructive solutions to problems and enhance their educational experience;
  • Develop ways to further the mission of the school and add to the medical school experience by organizing social, spiritual, and service activities;
  • Engage students in issues related to medical education and health care through participation in regional and national professional organizations.

At registration into the School of Medicine, students automatically become members of the Loma Linda University School of Medicine Student Association (SMSA).

The SMSA Senate includes the following individuals: president, vice president, pastor, secretary, treasurer, and community services coordinator of SMSA; president and two elected senators of each of the four classes; the School of Medicine’s representative to the Organization of Student Representatives (OSR) of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC); president or designated representative of each School of Medicine student organization, with the exception of the medical specialty interest groups.

Student organizations that operate within the School of Medicine and that are represented on the School of Medicine Senate include the following:

  • American Medical Association-Medical Student Section (AMA-MSS), Loma Linda University chapter
  • American Medical Student Association (AMSA), Loma Linda University chapter
  • American Medical Women's Association (AMWA)
  • Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA)
  • Organization of Student Representatives (OSR) to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
  • Running Club
  • Student National Medical Association (SNMA), Loma Linda University chapter

Other student organizations are based in the School of Medicine but are not required to have representatives at Senate meetings. These service-focused organizations, which involve students from a number of schools within the University, are as follows:

  • the Healthy Neighborhoods Project
  • the Mission Interest Group

Loma Linda University students are represented by peers at the San Bernardino County Medical Society, the California Medical Association, the American Medical Association, the American Medical Student Association, the Association of American Medical Colleges, and the Student National Medical Association.

Each class holds annual elections for class officers using procedures approved by the Office of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. Class offices include, but are not limited to, the following: president, vice president, social vice president, pastor, secretary, treasurer, a sports coordinator and two senators to the School of Medicine Student Association (SMSA),. If the class chooses to produce a senior class yearbook, the yearbook editor serves as a class officer from the time s/he is elected.

During the freshman year, the first-year class officers meet with the associate dean for student affairs to select a class representative to the Student Affairs Council of the Alumni Association of the School of Medicine. The selected student serves a four-year term provided s/he remains in good and regular academic standing and continues to be a member of the original class. This representative serves as a class officer.

The associate dean for student affairs of the School of Medicine is the official liaison between the Office of the Dean and all School of Medicine student organizations, excluding medical specialty interest groups that are under the direction of the assistant dean for career advisement. Officers of student organizations, including editors of student publications such as class yearbooks, are expected to work closely with the associate dean for student affairs to ensure that their plans are in harmony with School of Medicine policies. Students are required to receive prior approval for activities and events before they are finalized or announced to the class.

Funds belonging to student organizations are held by the Office of the Dean. Students responsible for the use of an organization’s funds are required to submit appropriate documentation to the Office of Student Affairs for approval and processing. Students who wish to be reimbursed for personal funds spent for organizational purposes are required to submit original receipts as soon as possible after the purchases are made, but no later than 60 days after the expenditure is made (LLU policy).

Representatives of student publications or student organizations are not allowed to make financial agreements or contracts on behalf of an organization or publication without prior written authorization from the Office of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs.

Activities of student organizations that involve off-campus travel or that involve off-campus (non-faculty) speakers or entertainment must be preapproved by the Office of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs before the event is advertised. The start time for off-campus events that are sponsored by student organizations should be scheduled and announced to begin at the off-campus location and not involve organized carpooling.

Any organizations that identify themselves with the School of Medicine or Loma Linda University must be approved by the Office of the Dean. Students who wish to start a new organization should contact the associate dean for student affairs.

Policy for Selling or Distributing Materials

Students or student organizations must not advertise or sell goods or services or promote business opportunities on University property or via the University’s computer network without the permission of the Office of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. This includes the selling of textbooks and educational materials other than what a student owned for his/her personal use. Students who wish to sell personal property may advertise in the Trading Post or submit a small announcement to the Office of the Dean for posting in the student lounge.

Loma Linda University Health has guidelines governing the design of any materials representing any aspect of the organization, whether or not they include the LLU logo. These guidelines may be found at llu.edu/gig. Assistance in complying with these standards is available from the dean’s office graphic design representative. Organizations or individual students who wish to sell or distribute articles (such as T-shirts, pens, etc.) that are identifiable with the School of Medicine or University must have the designs approved by the Office of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs prior to ordering or distribution. Authorization for students to charge such articles on student accounts must be made through the Office of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs.

The sale of goods or services on the property of the Loma Linda University Medical Center or any of its affiliated hospitals—including Children’s Hospital, East Campus Hospital, Heart and Surgical Hospital, Behavioral Medicine Center—is not permitted without permission of Medical Center and/or LLUAHSC administration.

Additional Organizations

Junior Medical Auxiliary

The School of Medicine Dean’s Office maintains a close working relationship with the Junior Medical Auxiliary (JMA) to the Alumni Association. The JMA primarily functions to support married students and their spouses and families.

Student Interest Groups

Visit the LLUSM Career Advising website for a list of interest groups.