The Wayne State University chapter of the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students recently toured the Kado Family Clinical Skills Center at the School of Medicine to expose the undergraduate students to the training that future physicians receive.

The visit was arranged by Deborah Holland of the School of Medicine's Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Holland serves as staff advisor to the WSU chapter of MAPS.

MAPS is an undergraduate student organization belonging to a larger organization, the Student National Medical Association. The WSU MAPS chapter has a direct pipeline to the medical school, as it is directly affiliated with the SNMA chapter through the Black Medical Association. The BMA works closely with MAPS to provide mentoring to premedical students and collaborate with the undergraduate group on various events and programs. The WSU MAPS chapter was selected as the 2007 National and Regional Chapter of the Year.

MAPS supports underrepresented students who wish to achieve goals in the medical field. The group is dedicated to empowering pre-medical students to become more competitive applicants by providing tools and resources. While developing skills through community service endeavors and learning about medical issues in underserved communities, students become knowledgeable about health disparities.

In addition to serving as the MAPS staff advisor, Holland serves as consultant to the E-Board regarding the MAPS chapter's programming and activities for each year, assists with identifying mentors and resources, supports attendance of MAPS students at conferences, offers informational workshops and support needed to understand the medical school admissions process, and provides pre-medical advising to students as a part of the main campus caseload.