By Tasha Dowbachuk | Published by September 19th, 2019

On Sept. 11, the American Medical Womens Association (AMWA) held an interest meeting in the Miron Student Center at 11:30 a.m., welcoming students in discovering the mission and values within their organization at Kean University.

The informational event of the organization presented their commitment to promoting excellence in medical communication while providing educational resources in support of women empowerment in medicine.

According to its website, the organization was founded by Dr. Bertha VanHoosen in 1915 in Chicago. The first international organization of medical women was founded in 1919, with the intention of representing women in medicine worldwide.

Informative bulletin board of the American Medical Womens Association.Photo by Tasha Dowbachuk

Today, AMWA provides networking opportunities and in-depth discussions about the future of medicine to anyone who is interested or involved in the medical field. The event was hosted by Vice President Julia CurtisDye, who is majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology, along with the members of the association.

Through the free membership of the campus chapter, members are given the opportunity to participate in national conferences, mentorships, and scholarship benefits by joining the national branch of AMWA through a $35 payment.

I think to give some of our members their first glance of the medical field and helping them get closer to their goals through the memberships, as women in a male-dominated field, is one of our greatest achievements, said CurtisDye. Our job is to connect people to our Kean branch membership for free or connect to the national branch membership under a $35 fee to attend the national conferences, mentorships which cover for your entire undergraduate journey.

Marina Georges, a senior psychology major with a minor in biology, is serving her first year as the President of AMWA this semester. After becoming a member of the chapter, the unification of a sisterhood bond within the organization inspired her to expand and motivate members into pursuing the medical field.

When we bring great minds together, in science, we can bring better public health and hopefully finding cures through the unity within this organization, said Georges. Having that common ground, like a group of strong sisters who support each other, creates something so beautiful for the future of medicine.

The president of AMWA, Marina Georges (left) with Vice president, Julia CurtisDye (right).Photo by Tasha Dowbachuk

The association also provides guidance for admissions processing and preparing for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT exam).

According to the Princeton Review, the MCAT is a 7.5 hour exam that consists of four sections: Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems; Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems; Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior; and Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills.

We brought in Kean alumni, who shared their experiences in the field and how AMWA helped them in becoming a physician assistant. said Georges.

The academic and social aspects of the association are not restrictive to male students who are interested in joining.

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The Innovation of Women in Medicine: A Kean Analysis - The Tower