Our mission began in 1906, and it continues thanks to you.
For over a century, we’ve had one objective: helping medical professionals to provide the best possible care for their patients. That help comes in many forms, including thousands of hours of premium continuing education; as well as more than 46,000 peer-reviewed articles in the Southern Medical Journal. But we believe it takes more than that.
If we can boast a long history — and we can — it’s because we’ve always had an eye on the future. We’re able to do what we do because past generations had the foresight to look out for us. We want to make sure we can do the same for the generations that come next.
The SMA Research & Education Endowment Fund
Since the fund’s inception in 1986, we’ve been able to provide more than $1.2 million in financial support to our members in the form of scientific research grants, loans, and scholarships. We see every one of these initiatives as investments in the future of medical innovation and healthcare delivery. We continue this legacy by supporting young physicians at the outset of their careers — through mentoring relationships, abstract competitions, scholarships, and more — we’re also investing in the futures of our individual members.
Society of 1906 Scholarship
The Society of 1906 recognizes major contributors to the Research and Education Endowment Fund, and awards annual $2000 scholarships (along with $500 travel stipends to the Scientific Assembly, should they attend) to third-year medical students who demonstrate both superior abilities and financial need.
"This is the first time I truly felt like I was supposed to be a physician because I'm being recognized by my peers. The little black boy in me is screaming, you found your place! I know Master Chief Carolina is proud of me. To be in a position to graduate, become a triple board child psychiatrist, and take care of children in marginalized communities means so much to me."
Dr. Russel J. Ledet is a fourth year dual MD/MBA candidate atTulane School of Medicine and Freeman School of Business. Dr. Ledet completed his Bachelor's degrees in Chemistry and Biology at Southern University and A&M College and his PH.D. in molecular oncology and tumor immunology from NYU School of Medicine. His scientific work at NYU focused on prostate cancer biology and therapeutic development utilizing proteomics and bioinformatics.
Society of 1924 Scholarship
The SMA Alliance established the Society of 1924 to provide annual $2000 scholarships (along with $500 travel stipends to the Scientific Assembly, should they attend) to third-year medical students who exhibit outstanding academic and leadership qualities, as well as demonstrable financial need.
"Thank you Southern Medical Association for the opportunity to present our research. For us its not just being able to present a case report or presenting a study that we did, its about giving us the opportunity to learn about and get excited about engaging in research. Being able to actually come to the conference, we get to learn about advancing medicine from physicians and role models."
Nidhi Patel is a fourth year MD candidate at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Last year, she was a Medical Research Scholar Program (MRSP) fellow at the National Institutes of Health, where she studied the effects of inflammation of cardiovascular disease under the mentorship of Dr. Nehal Mehta.
Scholarships
Grants
Loans
Support the Fund, Support the Future
Learn more about the many programs the Fund supports:
- Public Abstracts
- Physicians-in-Training Competition Sponsorship
- Society of 1906 Scholarship
- Society of 1924 Scholarship
And please consider supporting them yourself.
Our members’ contributions go far beyond financial support. When you donate to the Fund, you’re helping to provide someone else with the opportunities you’ve enjoyed; they, in turn, will help advance our profession in the coming decades. Thanks to you, we’re able to keep giving back to our family of medicine.
Abstract Competitions and Awards
Another way SMA supports the future of medicine is through the development, hosting and publication of Medical Abstract competitions through oral or poster presentations. Providing opportunities in a collegial supportive environment is a big part of the training that goes into becoming a physician. Each year we provide opportunities (live and online) for medical students, residents, fellows, opportunities to present their research projects and to compete for cash prizes.
