MAPS
Carnegie Mellon University
Mentoring students to enter health profession programs and attain a career in health
NEWS
& EVENTS
BIG LITTLE SIB PROGRAM
A joint effort with POMS to match premedical students with current medical students. A great opportunity to gain a mentor and become more aware of the life of a medical student.
PITT PRE-HEALTH SUMMIT
A yearly summit held by University of Pittsburgh aimed to provide an opportunity to network, and engage in interactive activities for every pre-health field.
MULTICULTURAL BBQ
An event aimed for incoming freshmen to become familiar and interact with all of the multicultural organizations on campus.
CAMPUS BLOOD DRIVE
In collaboration with other university organizations to support local blood banks and raise awareness of the nation's blood shortage.
HEALTH AWARENESS
An initiative to provide the entire campus opportunities to gain awareness of different health issues and efforts happening throughout the nation.
RELAY FOR LIFE
A community-based effort to raise awareness, support, and celebrate those who have been affected by cancer through a large community day-long event and relay.
OUR MISSION
Founded in 2003, the Minority Association for Pre-Health Students (MAPS) is a national organization that aims to mentor and provide pre-health students of all backgrounds the information they need to succeed in both their undergraduate and future medical school careers. The organization is also dedicated to improving the matriculation rates of minority students into health related programs with an emphasis on medicine. By joining MAPS, you are taking the next step towards becoming a stronger pre-health applicant. So, come out and join MAPS to explore the medical field in a friendly environment.
HOW WE
STARTED
MAPS began as an effort by the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), a national organization that sought to support medical students and encourage them to pursue careers as physicians. It now oversees the undergraduate MAPS program throughout the country and organizes the yearly medical conferences for pre-medical students. Working through its local chapters and regions, the organization works to implement programs that address many important matters in medical education and underserved communities. SNMA members implement innovative programs around the nation in an effort to address health disparities, as well as bridge a gap between minority students interested in medicine and those who become physicians and enter health professions. Through its programs, SNMA seeks to increase the number of clinically excellent, culturally competent, and socially conscious physicians.
OUR VISION
The Minority Association of Pre-Health Students intends to promote the awareness of healthy practices and lifestyles, as well as address medical concerns on CMU's campus through blood drives and service projects. MAPS collaborates frequently with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine to organize a mentorship program between CMU students and University of Pittsburgh Medical students, as well as with University of Pittsburgh's POMS (Pre-Health Organization for Minority Students).
MAPS members share the core vision and mission of MAPS, with an emphasis on strengthening the academic proficiency and career development of students underrepresented in the health professions and prepare them for a successful application and matriculation to health professions schools. These students include, but are not limited to, individuals who identify as African American/Black, American Indian and Alaska Native and Hispanic/Latino, and who are from socioeconomic, cultural, and educational disadvantaged communities. Executive Board Members embody the MAPS values by having the interest to eliminate disparities in healthcare and improving the health and welfare of underserved communities. MAPS does not discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, or handicap.
Sofia Zayas
Co-President
Year
Junior
Major
Biological Sciences
Career
Pre - Veterinary Medicine
​
3 Fun Facts
-
I am Puerto Rican
-
I'm on the Women's Water Polo team on campus
-
I enjoy having meaningful conversations
MAPS is important to me because
not only do I belong to a minority group, I am also a minority within my chosen pre-health field. I know there aren’t many pre-vet students at CMU, but I think my field should be represented too, and I should have the opportunity to learn about things that will help and guide me towards my chosen career path. At times it feels like I’m being excluded from the pre-health group because there aren’t many events on campus that are focused on what I’m interested in. With MAPS I hope to foster inclusion for everyone who has felt that they do not have a place because their needs have been ignored. I want to feel included and properly prepared for getting into vet school, and hopefully with MAPS I can find these things.
Melissa Greco
Co-President
Year
Junior
Major
Chemistry
Career
Pre - Medicine
​
3 Fun Facts
-
I went to kindergarten at Carnegie Mellon
-
I do karate
-
I have a dog, cat, fish, and guinea pig
I think MAPS is a wonderful way for students interested in health sciences to learn more about the diverse fields within the medical community. I believe the association enables students to establish a network and gain insight and opportunity from people who have found success within his or her career. Also, MAPS advocates minority students pursuing health interests, which I encourage greatly. I am involved with other organizations on campus that support minorities within Pittsburgh and beyond, so the purpose of the association holds value to me.
Jacqueline Hon
Secretary
Year
Senior
Major
Neurobiology, Healthcare Policy and Management minor
Career
Pre - Pharmacy
​
3 Fun Facts
-
I've always wanted a pet sea otter.
-
I love macro photography.
-
I've spent half my life in the US and the other half abroad.
MAPS is able to provide the resources and support to any student interested in a health-related career. Additionally, it aims to tackle current issues in healthcare.
Odelia Cheng
Communications Director
Year
Senior
Major
Biological Sciences and Art (BXA)
Career
Pre - Medical/Scientific Illustration
​
3 Fun Facts
-
I love birds and volunteer at the National Aviary.
-
My favorite food is fried chicken.
-
I really enjoy doing Zumba.
MAPS is such a supporting and all-encompassing community that helped me find my place among many different pre-health careers because of their inclusivity. It is important to me to continue this type of inclusive and diverse community because of the unique connection I hope to draw between my different fields of study.
Alexandra DiTommaso
Events Chair
Year
Sophomore
Major
Neurobiology with Japanese minor
Career
Pre - Medical
​
3 Fun Facts
-
I love anime and Japanese culture.
-
I've wanted to be a surgeon since elementary school.
-
My favorite food is cheesecake.
MAPS has given me the courage and support I need to pursue a career in the healthcare industry. I hope to continue this diverse community for all pre-health students who are seeking guidance and opportunities.
Jeffrey Beyon
Treasurer
Year
Junior
Major
Biological Sciences
Career
Pre - Medicine
​
3 Fun Facts
-
I played Kendo (Japanese-style Fencing) for about a year and half during high school
-
I have never stayed awake longer than 24 hours
-
My favorite film is Shinkai's Kimi no Na wa, loosely translating to Your Name.
Diversity leads to perspective and openness. In today's society, we are increasingly becoming interconnected. However, we truly are not interconnected. In addition to motivating more people into the medicinal field, I believe MAPS is a great way to promote diversity in the medicinal field.
Athena Chen
Fundraising Chair
Year
Sophomore
Major
Biological Sciences
Career
Pre - Optometry
​
3 Fun Facts
-
I explored eight countries across three continents in one summer.
-
I was born left-handed but switched to become right-handed.
-
I flew halfway across the world by myself when I was 10.
MAPS is great way to connect students interested in pre-health and provides a community and great resources for students. What sets MAPS apart from other organizations and makes it unique is its mission to help underrepresented students.
Roosha Mandal
Service Chair
Year
Senior
Major
Biological Sciences,
Creative Writing minor
Career
Pre - Medicine
​
3 Fun Facts
-
I have been dancing for 15 years
-
I really like knitting
-
I am doing a minor in Creative Writing
Having health professionals from minority groups is essential to the future of our nation, and supporting one another in undergrad through classes and activities is where I think that begins!
CONTACT
US
OUR ADDRESS
Carnegie Mellon University
5000 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Email: mapsatcmu@gmail.com
Tel: 415-342-2942
​
For any general inquiries, please fill in the following contact form:
