WASHINGTON, D. C. (February 11, 2019) – Howard University College of Medicine third-year medical student Johnothan Smileye, Jr. was recently elected to serve as chairperson of the board of directors for the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) for 2019-2020. The organization was created to support and increase the number of underrepresented minority medical students, an objective long shared by Howard University.

The SNMA’s founding chapters were Meharry Medical College and Howard University College of Medicine. In the new role, Smileye will oversee the actions and function of 45 board members, manage its annual budget and supervise the organization’s executive director and five staff members. Smileye has served as president of his Howard University medical class since his first year.

“SNMA has been instrumental in my professional and social development since my freshman year of undergrad and crucial in my quest to become a physician,” Smileye said. “I am excited to lead the organization in its business and financial development as we continue our support for current and future underrepresented minority medical students.”

Smileye, born in Boston, has sought to increase diversity in the biomedical sciences pipeline. He coordinated the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Summer Training in Academic Research and Scholarship Program in 2013 in Boston and serves on the advisory committee for the Continuing Umbrella of Research Experience (CURE) Program, a summer research opportunity geared to underrepresented minorities college and high schools’ students.

At the SNMA, Smileye has served as chapter president of Northeastern University Chapters of Minority Association of Premedical Students (MAPS), Region VII MAPS Liaison, National Premedical Board Member, FLP director, National Parliamentarian and Internal Affairs co-chair. 

Smileye received his bachelor’s degree in health disparities from Northeastern University in 2014. While at Northeastern, he won numerous awards/honors including the Nago Saba and Kwanza awards for his commitment to improving the community at and around Northeastern. After his undergraduate studies, Smileye completed two years as an associate analyst in the Health Policy Division of Abt Associates.

To learn more about Smileye, go to: http://www.snma.org

For media inquiries:  sholnn.freeman@howard.edu

About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.