Learning to Lead, Learning to Care The History of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA)

Since 1964, the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) has been the guardian of the recruitment, retention, and graduation of minority medical students. Learning to Care, Learning to Lead: The History of the Student National Medical Association is the story of how SNMA came to prominence and continues to be the organization most directly responsible for enhancing the numbers of culturally sensitive and clinically excellent physicians in the United States.

Learning to Care, Learning to Lead reviews the sixty-year history of SNMA by telling the individual stories of several of its prime-mover leaders, by reviewing the key aspects of programmatic and philosophical development, and by placing its mission and growth in the context of changes occurring nationally.

Dr. Jeffrey Sterling is a past three-term Chairman of the Board of the SNMA and its first emeritus officer. In 1991, SNMA created its first endowment fund in his honor. Dr. Sterling is President and CEO of Sterling Initiatives, a global healthcare consulting and implementation firm assisting entities in incorporating best practices.

Dr. Sharon Allison-Ottey is a past Chairwoman of the Board of the SNMA and its first female emeritus officer. Dr. Allison-Ottey is the Founder and CEO of Carlden Media, Marketing and Publishing, and of Beautiful Woman Inside and Out, Inc.

Mrs. Annette McLane served SNMA between 1991 and 2021. She was both the organizations longest tenured Executive Director and Convention Planner.