Recognizing the challenges faced by minority students, the Student National Podiatric Medical Association (SNPMA) was established to identify and resolve relevant issues.

Each college of Podiatric Medicine has its own SNPMA Chapter which is under the oversight of the National Elected body.

Through the existence of SNPMA, a positive environment for professional interactions is developed and mentoring opportunities are cultivated.

2010 - 2011 SNPMA National Executive Committee/Officers

Porsha S. Melcher, SNPMA National President

Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine
Cleveland, Ohio
porsha.melcher@students.ocpm.edu

Hello and greetings to my fellow SNPMA and NPMA family! My name is Porsha S. Melcher and I am greatly honored to have been selected to serve as the National President of the Student National Podiatric Medical Association. This is a huge honor and one full of responsibilities that I welcome and hope that may leave my imprint as I work hard to represent our esteemed organization with pride. I am currently a third year student at The Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine as well as I currently serve as President of the local SNPMA chapter at OCPM in addition to being a part of many other organizations as well. Also I am a graduate of Prairie View A& M University with a BS in Biology and a native of Houston, Texas.

The goals of NPMA and SNPMA are what I want to continue to promote through unity, awareness, and continuing education for minority podiatry students. I strongly believe in working hard and it will pay off, I hope that in working hard and with one another we can bring out not only the best in each other but the best in our organization. The saying "it takes a village to raise a child" still holds true and it even pertains to us and what we stand for as an organization, but it is going to take hard work and commitment from everyone. The bond that we build with one another can be viewed as the foundation of success that as we continue to build upon the foundation that has been laid, we will grow and expanded into something that can withstand anything. I hope that we can continue to build relationships with one another through mentoring and networking amongst the students and those who are working within the field of Podiatry. As we embark upon a new year I hope that it will be our best year yet with an increase in the not just the number of minority students entering podiatry schools but we want to have a high retention rate as well. Also increasing our community service, leadership and building career skills are very important for not just the local chapters but for our organization nationally. I hope that everyone will work hard and commit to making this year our best year yet. I look forward to this year and what we will accomplish together as I know that I will work hard and I know you will too! Please feel free to contact me or any of the members of the executive board with any questions or concerns. Thanks for your time and may GOD continue to bless you all!

Linnea A. Gann, SNPMA National Vice President
Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine
Cleveland, Ohio
linnea.gann@students.ocpm.edu

Greetings, my name is Linnea A. Gann. I am honored to serve in such as National Vice President of the Student National Podiatric Medical Association. I am a 3rd year student enrolled at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine. I am from Dayton, OH. I attended undergraduate and graduate school at Alabama A&M University. I obtain a B.S. and M.S. in Biology. I am also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. My current positions include, President of S.P.A.R.C.Y. mentoring program, and SNPMA treasurer. My goals this year, as National Vice President is to promote awareness, unification, as well as communication within SNPMA. One of my inspirational life quotes that I live by is "Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed" ~ Booker T. Washington. SNPMA is a great organization that I am pleased to serve. If you have any suggestions, questions, and or comments, please feel free to contact me. God Bless

Osayamen Edigin, SNPMA National Secretary
Temple School of Podiatric Medicine
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
tuc35336@temple.edu

Greetings, my name is Osayamen Edigin. Originally from Nigeria, I moved to the United States in 2004. I completed my undergraduate education at Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas, where I obtained a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology. I am currently a 2nd year student at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, where I serve as a year book editor for the Class of 2013. I have the rear privilege of serving in the capacity of National Secretary of the Student National Podiatric Medical Association. One of my goals as secretary, is to continue in my predecessors' shoes in promoting communication between SNPMA chapters and to ensure that every member of SNPMA is promptly informed of ongoing activities and events, and provide useful information on various opportunities that are available to minority podiatry students. I intend to work with secretaries from all SNPMA chapters, to foster a cohesive network amongst ourselves to ensure that vital information that affect us as podiatry students are passed across to every member, in a timely manner. I look forward to working with every executive board member and together, we will all further the goals and mission of SNPMA.

Modupe Agunbiade, SNPMA National Treasurer
Temple School of Podiatric Medicine
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
dupe1284@gmail.com

Hello! My name is Modupe Agunbiade and I am very honored to serve as the SNPMA National Treasurer. I am a second year at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine and an active member of the TUSPM – SNPMA Chapter. I am excited and pleased to serve amongst an organization that positively contributes to the field of podiatric medicine. My goals this year include maintaining financial success in order to promote stronger ties with all the SNPMA chapter members. I look forward to working with all of you and thank you for your contributions.

Mo Eltahir, SNPMA/APMSA Liason
Barry University
Miami, Florida
moh.elta@gmail.com

Hello,
My name is Mohaned A. Eltahir, but I usually go by Mo. I was born in Sudan, grew up in Manhattan and attended high school in Saudi Arabia. I graduated from George Mason University in 2007 with a BS in Medical Technology (Clinical lab science) and a minor in Biology. Presently, I am a junior at Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. I served as VP of my class for my freshmen and sophomore year, currently I'm fortunate to serve as our SNPMA chapter president. Throughout my life, I've travelled a great deal. Seeing and engaging with diverse cultures allowed me to become pretty culture savvy. Having lived in developing countries where the majority is considered a minority here, I was able to see disparities of minority health from a global perspective. I am a strong believer that we are ALL equal but different. Ethnic groups are genetically different and are exposed to different environments and thus respond differently to medical interventions.

My position as Liaison to the APMSA allows us to have a vote and a voice in student matters at the national meetings. This means, I am representing all minorities in all the schools, so please feel free to contact me with your concerns or comments! Thank you.

The two SNPMA Scholarships honor three outstanding NPMA members, Dr. Ben Clark, Dr. Raymond Lee and Dr. Herbert Jackson. They are:

CLJ SNPMA Award for Academics
CLJ SNPMA Award for Research

These two monetary scholarships will be awarded this year to qualified recipients. All applicants must submit a Curriculum Vitae (CV) with an attached cover letter stating their intentions.

CLJ SNPMA Scholarship for Academics criteria:

Open to all dues paying members of SNPMA chapters who have participated in at least 50% of all local functions and community projects. All persons interested must maintain a GPA of 3.0. This applicant is required to submit a notarized copy of his/her transcript for confirmation of GPA.

CLJ SNPMA Scholarship for Research criteria:

Open to all dues paying members of SNPMA chapter who have participated in at least 50% of all local functions and community projects. All persons interested must submit a research paper or abstract focusing on a podiatric related topic. The winner of this award will be required to make a 30 minute presentation at the next NPMA conference and exhibit a poster abstract for our Conference attendees to view.

All information for these awards should be submitted to Dr. Denise Beach or Dr. Karona Mason via e-mail or regular mail. Student Scholarship contest Deadline is APRIL 16, 2012. NO EXCEPTIONS! . Their addresses are as follows:

Dr. Denise A. Beach
2200 Garrison Blvd. Suite #203
Baltimore, MD 21216
Email: beachfeet5@aol.com
Phone: 410-945-5400

Dr. Karona Mason
Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine
at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Sciences
3333 Green Bay Road
North Chicago, Il 60064
Email: karona.mason@rosalindfranklin.edu
Phone: 847-578-8413

The Scholarship Recipients will be contacted by May 1, 2011. This allows adequate time for preparation and travel arrangements. Please contact Ms. Debby Burton, Executive Director at 773-374-5300 after notification to advise her of your attendance. A travel stipend may be provided to the winner(s), however, financial hardship must be considered before funding is provided.

WINNER MUST BE PRESENT AT NPMA CONFERENCE TO WIN.

Barry University School of Graduate Medical Sciences
Miami Shores, FL 1-800-695-2279 x 3130
www.Barry.edu/gms/podiatry

California College of Podiatric Medicine
Vallejo, CA 1-800-334-2276
www.ccpm.edu

Des Moines University of Podiatric Medicine & Surgery
Des Moines, IA 1-515-271-7497
www.dmu.edu/cpms

New York College of Podiatric Medicine
New York, NY 1-800-526-6966 x 8098
www.nycpm.edu

Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine
Cleveland, OH 1-800-238-7903
www.ocpm.edu

Western University of Health Sciences
Pomona, CA 1-909-469-5485
www.westernu.edu

William Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Finch University
North Chicago, IL 1-800-843-3059
www.finchcms.edu/scpm/

Temple University Scholl of Podiatric Medicine
1-800-220-3338
www.temple.edu/podiatry