CDU Medical Student Selom Gbewonyo ’27 MD Appointed as SNMA Region I Director
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) proudly announces third-year medical student Selom S. Gbewonyo’s appointment to the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) Board of Directors as Region I Director, 2025-2026.
The appointment took place during the 2025 SNMA Annual Medical Education Conference, the nation’s largest annual gathering of underrepresented minority medical students.
A proud Los Angeles native, Gbewonyo is a member of CDU’s inaugural MD class, the first and only historically Black medical degree program on the West Coast. She previously chartered the SNMA chapter at CDU and served as Region I Parliamentarian before stepping into her new leadership role.
“It’s a full circle moment, honestly” Gbewonyo said. “I helped start SNMA at CDU before arriving on campus in 2023, and now I’m Regional Director. I’m honored to represent the first HBCU on the West Coast on a national stage and keep making space for the next generation.”
In her new role, Gbewonyo aims to strengthen Region I, which encompasses California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Montana, Utah, Idaho, Hawaii, and Alaska, by re-engaging inactive chapters, building sustainable mentorship pipelines, and creating programming that highlights the excellence of Black medical students and future physicians across the West Coast.
“My vision is rooted in the belief that it takes a village, and I want every student in Region I to feel supported, connected, and seen,” she said. “I hope to leave behind a culture of collaboration, accountability, and visibility that positions CDU and our region as leaders in advancing equity and representation in medicine.”
Deeply passionate about reproductive justice and health equity, Gbewonyo is pursuing a career in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Her research explores the role of doulas and midwives in improving maternal health outcomes, especially in underserved communities.
“At CDU, we encourage our students to take part in organizations and leadership opportunities that prepare them to be advocates for health equity and agents of change in their communities,” said Dr. Keosha Partlow, Vice Provost of Student Affairs and Interim Associate Dean of Student Affairs, College of Medicine. “Selom’s appointment reflects not only her individual excellence but also the strength of the extracurricular and professional development pathways available to our students.”
SNMA is the nation’s oldest and largest independent, student-run organization dedicated to supporting underrepresented minority medical students, addressing the needs of underserved communities, increasing physician cultural competency, and promoting social awareness.