Your education extends beyond the classroom.

Get involved. Make a positive impact on the lives of those around you. Improve the system for the greater good. 

Student organizations add further layers of interest to our community. Some may focus on community service or a particular profession, but all help to strengthen the connection between practice and people.

Student Government Association (SGA)

  • President - Carina Dillon, DPT
  • Vice President -  Marisa Cicione, GC
  • Secretary - Alexia Nachtigal, DPT
  • Treasurer - Ashley Schena, DEN

BSN

  • Mackenzie Church, BSN SP 2023
  • Tara Harris, BSN SP 2023
  • Helen Van Riel, BSN SU 2024
  • Julia Gorgol, BSN SU 2024

CSD

  • Joycelyn Wang, 2024
  • Dania Mohtadi, 2024
  • Nan Lu, 2023
  • Samantha Grubb, 2023

DEN

  • Ashley Schena, 2025
  • Galina Smith, 2024
  • Leah Rothchild, 2024
  • Vanessa Lapitan, 2023
  • Massa Sammah, 2023
  • Olivia Dimarco, 2023 

DPT

  • Mathhew O'Hara, 2025
  • Alexander Weimer, 2025
  • Carina Dillon, 2024
  • Daniel Winters, 2024
  • Ian Randle, 2023
  • Madison Markey, 2023

OTD

  • Alice Lee, 2023
  • Hannah Jacobs, 2023
  • Ariana Cardona, 2023
  • Claire Brehm, 2024
  • Ashley Long, 2024
  • Alice Lee, 2025 

PA

  • Matt Reinemann, 2024
  • Anna Wahl, 2024
  • Courtney Evans, 2024
  • Andrew Chau, 2024

GC

  • Kari Thorsen, 2023
  • Charlotte Byrne, 2024 
  • Marisa Cicione, 2024 

Contact: studentlife [at] mghihp.edu (Student Life)

The SGA Students Today Alumni Tomorrow Committee (STAT) works to prep current students and new alumni to be ready for the work force. The committee has revamped to prepare you for both in-person and virtual clinical care. Join today to network with experienced providers in the field and work on interprofessional projects that benefit the IHP community.

Contactstudentlife [at] mghihp.edu (studentlife[at]mghihp[dot]edu)

The SGA Social Outreach Committee coordinates exciting social events and fundraisers within the IHP community. The committee is run by students who are impassioned by building a strong school community regardless of virtual, hybrid, or in-person format. This year the committee has put on several virtual events like Harry Potter and Carnival-themed Escape Rooms, and just recently launched a Cultural Diversity series to highlight important cultural holidays. Bring your creative ideas to the table and join to create a fun, inclusive community at the IHP.

Contactstudentlife [at] mghihp.edu (studentlife[at]mghihp[dot]edu)

Focus on Healthcare

In partnership with Harvard Medical School and several neighborhood clinics, the Crimson Care Collaborative (CCC) pairs IHP students from nursing and physician assistant studies with Harvard’s medical students, overseen by faculty clinicians from both schools, linking the allied health and medical worlds. The program operates in seven community-based clinical sites providing care to underserved populations.

Contact: studentlife [at] mghihp.edu (studentlife[at]mghihp[dot]edu)

The purpose of the MGH Institute chapter of the IHI Open School is to foster dynamic interprofessional collaboration to empower students to proactively improve the quality of health care. As a member, you will have opportunities to learn about health care quality improvement science through IHI courses and chapter events, build an interprofessional network and grow your collaborative skills through service learning and social activities, and participate in or develop Quality Improvement (QI) research initiatives with other members of the IHI Open School team.

Mission:

The MGH Institute's chapter of the IHI Open School fosters dynamic interprofessional collaboration to empower students to proactively improve the quality of health care.

Objectives:

  • Educate members about healthcare quality improvement science through IHI resources and chapter events
  • Empower members to build an interprofessional network through events and an alumni member directory
  • Enhance members’ interprofessional collaborative skills through service learning and social activities
  • Encourage members to join or develop research initiatives and Quality Improvement (QI) practicum opportunities

Membership:

Open to all students. We welcome your ideas as we develop our chapter. Currently, chapter membership is free and you can sign up by kdempsey1 [at] mghihp.edu (emailing Katherine Dempsey). Take advantage of this opportunity to become one of the 200,000+ international members of IHI Open School.

What’s the big deal about quality?

Quality-based interventions deliver longer-term, more sustainable solutions. Quality-infused systems achieve better outcomes. Quality-driven health professionals and organizations yield higher patient and job satisfaction.

A definition of quality (IOM): “The extent to which health services provided to individuals and patient populations improve desired health outcomes. The care should be based on the strongest clinical evidence and provided in a technically and culturally competent manner with good communication and shared decision making…” (Pelletier & Beaudin, 2008).

How do we achieve quality?

QI science teaches us how to go from broken to functional to exceptional. Much of our healthcare delivery system is broken. In order to fix it, we need every health professional to learn about quality. Our goal is to learn about this as an interprofessional team in school; after all, that is how we will care for patients in our careers. Join IHI Open School, a catalyst for interprofessional education, and become a leader in quality improvement.

What is the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)?

“IHI was founded in the late 1980s by Dr. Don Berwick and a group of visionary individuals committed to redesigning health care into a system without errors, waste, delay, and unsustainable costs” – www.ihi.org

Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, IHI is a leading source of QI learning materials and a major policy driver with a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice and interprofessional communication.

What is IHI Open School?

The IHI Open School launched in September 2008. The ultimate goal is for every student entering the healthcare workforce to have the necessary skills to become an agent for improving healthcare and patient safety. IHI Open School provides useful online courses in QI science and patient safety available at no cost to current students and faculty. Learn more about the IHI Open School.

References:
Pelletier, L.R., & Beaudin, C. (2008). QI Solutions: Essential resources for the healthcare quality professional (2nd ed.). Glenview, IL: NAHQ.

NSSLHA is a nonprofit organization for graduate and undergraduate students interested in the study of human communication and related disabilities (Speech-Language Pathology). Graduate students in the Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) program have an active NSSLHA chapter.

Along with participating in community service projects, the group is active in fundraising in order to reduce the cost for students attending the annual American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention.

The annual ASHA Convention provides a place for professionals and students involved in speech-language pathology and related fields to present research, listen to speakers, and learn about new remediation techniques. By attending the convention, NSSLHA members gain more knowledge about communication disorders and observe the leaders of our field.

Contact: studentlife [at] mghihp.edu (studentlife[at]mghihp[dot]edu)

The purpose of the Physical Therapy Club is to increase awareness of the physical therapy profession to the general public. In addition, the club will seek to improve the involvement of MGH Institutes students in the APTA.

Possible ways to become involved are through the Marquette Challenge and attending the Student Conclave. Also, students may get involved by providing health screening, information sessions, community lectures, mentoring, student forums, and other community outreach. The club will also mentor new entry-level DPT students.

Contact: studentlife [at] mghihp.edu (studentlife[at]mghihp[dot]edu)

This group’s mission is to promote activities that enhance the knowledge of the PA profession across the disciplines at the MGH IHP and is affiliated with the AAPA.

Contact: studentlife [at] mghihp.edu (studentlife[at]mghihp[dot]edu)

The Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) is a non-profit organization, founded at MGH Institute by the inaugural OTD class of 2017. The purpose of SOTA is to enhance knowledge about occupational therapy as a powerful, widely recognized, science-driven, and evidence-based profession (AOTA, 2006). SOTA is a student-run organization that promotes occupational therapy through community service, public relations, fundraising, and campus activities. Our mission is to serve the community in areas related to occupational therapy, while simultaneously advancing members' skills in areas such as professional development. SOTA provides its members the opportunity to connect with each other, faculty, and the community at large. SOTA meets once a month.

100% of OTD students are current members of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), earning the Institute Gold Level recognition in the AOTA's Student Membership Circle.

Contact: studentlife [at] mghihp.edu (studentlife[at]mghihp[dot]edu)

Focus on Service

Best Buddies IHP is open to all students at the MGH IHP. The purpose of this Best Buddies chapter is to empower individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our initiatives include building one-to-one friendships, as well as promoting leadership development and integrated employment opportunities for this population.

Contact: studentlife [at] mghihp.edu (subject: Best%20Buddies) (studentlife[at]mghihp[dot]edu)

AOS seeks to unite individuals with a passion for serving others by providing them with guided opportunities to positively impact the Greater Boston community and establish meaningful connections. While the umbrella lens of our club is health care, our monthly topics are multi-focal, targeting a plethora of subtopics that are relevant to today’s society.

Contact: studentlife [at] mghihp.edu (subject: IHP%20AOS) (studentlife[at]mghihp[dot]edu)

I-CARES provides the IHP community with a student organization that promotes interest in pediatric health care and research. Members from all disciplines are welcome. We promote awareness of pediatric healthcare topics through community involvement, as well as educational and professional events. Throughout the academic year, the club collaborates or engages with various non-profit organizations dedicated to the research of and care for patients with pediatric illness and/or disability.

Contact: Miranda Milunsky (mmilunsky [at] mgb.org), Kate Donohue (kdonohue [at] mghihp.edu)

The IHP Musicians was founded in 2012 to enrich patients’ experiences and quality of life during recovery through musical entertainment, enhance students’ clinical and professional development and promote interdisciplinary skills. The club is comprised of members from all IHP programs and performs a variety of musical genres with solo, duet, and group performances. Each semester the club performs at Spaulding Rehab and will be expanding to other venues. Rehearsals are held weekly on Fridays from 5:30–6:30 p.m.

Contact: studentlife [at] mghihp.edu (studentlife[at]mghihp[dot]edu)

Focus on Inclusive Community-Building

COTAD is an organization that works to empower occupational therapy leaders to engage in practices that increase justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI). Their mission includes an emphasis on building relationships and connections between these current and prospective international students.

Contact: studentlife [at] mghihp.edu (studentlife[at]mghihp[dot]edu)

The IHP International Student, Scholar, and Alumni Club (ISSAC) are dedicated to supporting its members in the pursuit of academic and social achievements at the IHP, promoting the diverse international cultures to the rest of the IHP community, providing networking opportunities for students scholars, and alumni, advocating for the rights and interests of international students, scholars, and alumni, and encouraging social, intellectual and cultural interactions between the international student community and other organizations at the IHP. All IHP international students, alumni, visiting scholars, faculty members and anyone who is interested in the diverse cultures and lifestyles of the global community is welcome to join the society.

Contact: studentlife [at] mghihp.edu (subject: ISSAC) (studentlife[at]mghihp[dot]edu)

Formed in 2005, this club provides a forum for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer-identified students and allies. The club is open to any student who has an interest in LGBTQ-related health.

Each academic year, the club invites speakers to address LGBTQ health-related issues. The club also gives presentations on LGBTQ issues for the IHP community. The club is active and has regular meetings and social events. The club also networks with MGH LGBT's Employee Resource Group and has participated in volunteer events at Fenway Community Health in Boston.

Contact: studentlife [at] mghihp.edu (studentlife[at]mghihp[dot]edu)

Committed to establishing and strengthening relationships between People of Color at the IHP. MEDS provides a space for community building via dialogue, networking, and service.

Contact: studentlife [at] mghihp.edu (studentlife[at]mghihp[dot]edu)

A group to facilitate dialogue about racial justice, both within the IHP community and beyond.

Contact: studentlife [at] mghihp.edu (studentlife[at]mghihp[dot]edu)

Focus on Wellness and Advocacy

This club is for all disciplines to show mental health support and awareness on campus. It is also an opportunity to network through the mental health community.

Contact: studentlife [at] mghihp.edu (studentlife[at]mghihp[dot]edu)

We are a Veterans for Veterans union that is dedicated to providing an environment where Veterans can find success and feel supported throughout their professional and personal lives. We extend our hands to our nation’s heroes to create a unified voice to be heard, an opportunity to share resources together, and establish a community based on unity and comradery.

Contact: studentlife [at] mghihp.edu (studentlife[at]mghihp[dot]edu)

Student Organizations - Inactive/Up for Revitalization

Dedicated to advancing and securing reproductive health and justice for all and is affiliated with the national chapter of Nursing Students for Choice (NSFC).

Contact: studentlife [at] mghihp.edu (studentlife[at]mghihp[dot]edu)

IHP Nursing Club is open to all students in the School of Nursing. The club's mission is to help students foster professional development and promote growth in the nursing profession. The club aims to encourage high personal and academic standards among nursing students through educational workshops and initiatives as well as volunteering and leadership opportunities. IHP Nursing Club also works to bring together nursing students from different academic and career backgrounds through social and networking events.

Contact: studentlife [at] mghihp.edu (studentlife[at]mghihp[dot]edu)

Upcoming Events

26 Mar
Mar 26 2024 12:00pm-1:00pm
Shouse 305A/B
26 Mar
Mar 26 2024 12:00pm-1:00pm
Virtual - Zoom