Melanin & Medicine
at UCLA
About Melanin & Medicine
Melanin & Medicine is a UCLA student-run pre-med organization seeking to enrich scholars of the Afrikan Diaspora with the skills needed to excel in their health professional careers. Our mission is to revolutionize the future of medicine by dismantling the institutional barriers posed against Black students. As an undergraduate organization, we aspire to support our members throughout their university experience and increase the retention, graduation, and matriculation rates of Black students at UCLA and beyond.
Our Objectives
At Melanin & Medicine, we aim to:
1. Provide a supportive community for Black pre-med students.
2. Equip pre-med students with the necessary skills and resources to complete their undergraduate degree and get into medical school.
3. Give Students the opportunity to expand their knowledge about various topics in medicine that are crucial to the black community.
4. Advocate for equity and justice in healthcare
The
Four
Pathways
We put an emphasis on four pathways of medicine and health that have been known to have a paritcularly potent impact on the black community over history. These are Cardiology, Neurology, Infectious Disease, and Women & Community Health.
Cardiology
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death for persons of the Black diaspora. This pathway will provide its members with practical tools needed to not only combat heart disease and cardiology-related incidents, but also the education and empathy necessary to make lasting change in our community. Physiological Science, Biology, and Public Health Majors are encouraged to join.
Infectious Disease
The infectious Diseases Pathway of Melanin and Medicine exists to overcome the stigma associated with infectious diseases while educating students on the knowledge necessary to go into the field of infectious diseases. Pre-HBS, Public Health, MIMG, and MCDB Majors are encouraged to join.
Neurology
The neurology pathway serves as a space for students to advance their preexisting knowledge by exploring the different branches of neuroscience.​ Through the integration of the different subfields within neurology and past advancements in the neurobiology field, this pathway aims to increase the number of black students that pursue careers in neurobiology. Neuroscience, Psychobiology, Psychology, and Physiological Science Majors are encoraged to join
Women and Community Health
As a member of the Women & Community Health Committee, you will be immersed in an experience that advocates for opportunities, access, and resources for women -- particularly Black women -- of which have been historically and systematically overlooked in healthcare spaces. Pre-HBS, Public Health, and Environmental Health majors are encouraged to join.
Service Project
Our organization additionally has a community service component.
In February 2023, Melanin & Medicine was awarded our 501c3 status after demonstrating a dedication to serving the community. This recognition will help us in our quest to foster equitable access to education, healthcare, and empowerment within disadvantaged communities, as well as open up more opportunities for students to be more engaged in the community and have a diverse range of experiences under their belt.
Become a Member
Join Melanin & Medicine Today!
Membership at Melanin & Medicine is open to all UCLA students who are interested in pursuing health professional careers. Our members receive exclusive access to research opportunities, mentorship opportunities, Princeton Review workshops, and more. Join our community of future healthcare leaders today!
The best way to stay up-to-date with our week to week events is to follow our social media pages!
Follow @uclamnm on Instagram.
Reach Out!
If you would like to reach out for us for a possible collaboration, or if you have any additional questions, please use this form or feel free to email us at uclamnm@gmail.com! Thank you!
UCLA Campus, Los Angeles, CA 90024