Hello OU HCOM Class of 2029!

I’m writing to request your applications to the Pride Club’s board.

The mandatory positions to be filled this March are:

  • President
  • Treasurer
  • Secretary
  • These positions need to be filled, otherwise the club becomes dormant.

Other optional positions to run for:

  • Vice-President
  • Community Outreach Coordinator
  • Events Coordinator
  • Mentorship Coordinator
  • Membership Coordinator
  • Curriculum Reform Coordinator
  • We are also ready to entertain/create positions not here listed

The goal is for you to come together as a group, however many you want or need to be, share the work, and create/maintain a vibrant and safe space for yourselves and your fellow students. 

Application

  • Prepare a short statement of interest, around 150-250 words.
    • Why you are interested in serving on MSPA’s board?
    • What position are you running for?
    • What is your leadership vision for the organization next year?
    • How would you plan to work with an MSPA alumni association? (see below)
  • Email your statement to me, Jason D’Aoust, at ja979223@ohio.edu by Sunday, March 8th. 
  • I will submit your statements to the board anonymously. They will vote on them anonymously and results will be announced at the following meeting. 
  • If you are not selected for the position you applied for, you will be offered an unfilled position.

We look forward to receiving and reviewing your statements! 

(You should read the next part before you apply!)

If you haven’t been following the association’s activities this year, here’s a summary.

Recent Realizations

  • Growing Membership
    • Ghazal Abidi and the board of 2024-2025 did foundational work in reinstating the Pride Club in Cleveland after years of hiatus.
    • Noah Jagielski founded an MSPA Club in Dublin this year and fostered collaboration across the three campuses.
    • This year’s board quadrupled our membership in Cleveland by reaching out to allies in both pre-clinical cohorts.
    • At over 60 members, the Cleveland Pride Club is one of the largest clubs of all three OU HCOM campuses. 
  • Speakers’ Series 2025-2026
    • Transgender Health Panel (from Athens via Teams)
    • Ana de Freitas Boe: Understanding and Sustaining Essential Services for LGBTQ+ Student Populations
    • LGBTQ+ Healthcare Panel with Dr Buckner, Dr Chrisman-Khawam and Dr Ninnemann
    • LGBTQ+ Physicians on LGBTQ+ Care in Family Medicine with Dr. Ayan Sanyal and Dr Allison Myers from the Cleveland Clinic Lakewood Center for Family Medicine
  • Lunchtime Socials
    • Potluck lunches (ongoing)
    • Crochet Clinic (upcoming)
  • Fundraising
    • In September, we raised 400$ by finding a donor to match 5$ membership dues and/or donations
  • Upcoming Business
    • Before the current board leaves office, I will ask for a vote on collaborating with a Friends of MSPA Cleveland association. It will be comprised of 3rd and 4th year OU HCOM students, alumni, and friends. Its mission will be to support future members of MSPA Cleveland for networking, fundraising, and visibility/inclusion of LGBTQIAA+ students, physicians, and patients. The alumni association would help find MSPA students mentors, guest speakers, shadowing, reference letters, etc.

But there’s still so much more to be done! 

  • Continuing visibility and high membership 
  • Finding opportunities to volunteer in the  LGBTQ+ community
  • Organizing fundraisers for LGBTQ+ organizations
  • Attending LGBTQ+ healthcare conferences or panels

Your in solidarity,

Jason D’Aoust, president, MSPA Cleveland 2025-2026