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Student Organizations

Registered Student Organizations offer opportunities to develop professionally, meet new friends, or explore your hobbies.

Students in the College of Applied Health Sciences at Illinois are preparing to be the next generation of leaders and innovators in the healthcare industry. The skills and experiences necessary to do this cannot be acquired in the classroom alone. Therefore, our students are very active in many different organizations across campus.

To learn more about all Registered Student Organizations at Illinois take a look at the list on the Illini Union Website.

Sections on this page:

All AHS Students

Interdisciplinary Health  

Health and Kinesiology

Recreation Sport & Tourism

Speech & Hearing Science

For All AHS Students

Registered Student Organizations are listed with the AHS department they are most often connected to, but many of these organizations are not exclusively available to students of that department. Students from other departments or programs are welcome to participate in many of the other organizations. Contact an advisor or organization representatives for more information.

Campus Recreation

Campus Recreation provides a welcoming environment with sustainable facilities, programs and events that inspire the University community to engage in recreation and wellness opportunities. From exercising at the ARC or CRCE, taking a cooking class in the newly renovated Instructional Kitchen, participating in intramurals, learning how to rock climb, skating at the Ice Arena, taking swim classes or learning how to change a bike tire, Campus Recreation is a place for everyone!

College of Applied Health Sciences Advancement Ambassadors

The College of Applied Health Sciences (AHS) Advancement Ambassadors are a group of students who assist with outreach activities with the AHS Advancement Office. Their mission is to connect donors, alumni, volunteers, faculty, students and the community with the College of AHS in meaningful ways, increase awareness of philanthropy among students, network with alumni and donors, and develop as leaders.

Please contact Kathy Saathoff for more information.

Illini Service Dogs

At Illini Service Dogs, our mission is to provide mobility service dogs for individuals with physical disabilities at no cost to the individual. We are comprised of student volunteers and off-campus advisors that work together to train mobility service dogs and engage with the disability community. Our service dogs in-training live on campus with student volunteers and learn over 40 commands during their 2-3 years of training in Illini Service Dogs. 

Interdisciplinary Health

Interdisciplinary Health Educators and Leaders (I-HEAL)

I-Heal is the registered student organization for the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program at the University of Illinois. I-heal provides students opportunities to explore the health field through field trips, outings, and invited speakers. Members also serve the community by participating in events such as the Down Syndrome Buddy Walk and the Race For The Cure. Get in touch with your I-Health advisor for more information.

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The Interdisciplinary Health program is part of the department of Health and Kinesiology. Students who are a part of the Interdisciplinary Health program are encouraged to apply to the organizations in the next section, below.

Health and Kinesiology

Pre-Occupational Therapy Club 

The Pre-Occupational Therapy Club's mission is to help Pre-OT students at the University of Illinois to enhance their knowledge of the OT field while networking and volunteering together. For more information contact your HK advisor.

Phi Delta Epsilon

Phi Delta Epsilon International Medical Fraternity is University of Illinois’ leading pre-medical organization. Our mission is to create physicians of integrity with a life-long commitment to our guiding principles of philanthropy, deity, education through fellowship, service, mentoring, and formal training in leadership. We also work with Children’s Miracle Network and HSHS St. John’s Hospital located in Springfield, Ill. As an organization, we strive to build lasting relationships, emphasize inclusivity and excellence for all, and allow our members to be a part of something much bigger than themselves. At the end of the day, we hope to ensure that our members are provided with the resources necessary to become well-rounded, passionate physicians.

Pre-Physical Therapy Club

Pre-Physical Therapy Club exists to inform students about physical therapy and prepare for graduate school. Additionally, we provide students with an environment to network with others sharing similar career goals, physical therapists, and grad school representatives.

Illini Emergency Medical Services

IEMS is a program of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, under the Illinois Fire Service Institute. We are a collegiate emergency medical services (EMS) agency dedicated to administering prompt, efficient, effective, and responsible prehospital care to the public. We also teach CPR, first aid, and emergency medical technician (EMT) classes for members of the campus and local community.

Please contact iems@illinois.edu for more information.

American Medical Student Association Pre-Med

The UIUC Chapter of the American Medical Student Association is committed to educating pre-medical and pre-health students on health care issues on local and global levels, as well as promoting active improvement in medical education by involving its members in the social, moral, and ethical obligations of the profession of medicine including education in community outreach, volunteering, fundraising, and philanthropic events in the Champaign-Urbana area. 

American Medical Women's Association

The American Medical Women’s Association is a national organization open to any woman interested in or part of the medical field. The members of the AMWA national branch at UIUC are required to become members of the national organization. This membership provides numerous benefits, including but not limited to physician mentorship opportunities and discounts on Kaplan test preparation.

Dr. Interns

Dr. Interns (formally known as Global Aid LLC) is a 501©3 non-profit organization for medical and healthcare internships abroad. The organization is dedicated to providing not only a career-enhancing experience but also a life-changing one. Interns work side-by-side with doctors in developing countries to save lives and improve healthcare conditions.

Future Physicians of Applied Health Sciences

Future Physicians of AHS is a new organization on campus that intends to unite bright minds currently on the pre-medicine path in the College of Applied Health Sciences.

Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students

Many minority pre-med students have the potential to be vital members of the medical field but need additional support. This organization seeks to provide that support. 

Pre-Physician Assistant Club

This organization seeks to help students interested in becoming physician assistants to prepare for graduate school and a career as a PA.

Future Health Care Executives 

Future Health Care Executives is the largest student organization in the College of Applied Health Sciences. While primarily a professional club for University of Illinois students looking to pursue a career in health administration, the organization's structure allows for a diverse range of majors and careers paths. Throughout the year, the organization reaches out to local and regional healthcare systems who provide guest speakers ranging in a variety of different health fields.

Public Health Professionals

Public Health Professionals is a group comprised of MPH, BS-MPH, and undergraduate students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. We organize public health events and facilitate communication between faculty and students. Through our activities, we aim to help students develop their professional skills, network with other organizations and leaders in the public health field, and supplement their health education with interdisciplinary academic experiences.

Kinesiology Student Association

This RSO provides a mechanism for those interested in kinesiology to express their educational, professional, and social interests and concerns. KSA strives to promote the importance of physical activity and wellness in the community. 

Fitness Peers

These peers consist of undergraduate students in Health and Kinesiology who provide education about physical fitness and wellness to the campus community. The Fitness Peers can design informational programs for your specific group or they can attend larger events that promote physical fitness. Through the use of a variety of fitness equipment, the Fitness Peers can demonstrate and promote proper exercise techniques. 

Recreation Sport & Tourism

Play for Change

Play for Change at Illinois is a chapter of a global organization that is dedicated to improving the lives of children around the world using the power of sport. The organization believes that sport plays a significant role in children's cognitive, emotional, and physical development.

Sports Business Association

The Sports Business Association is a collection of students with an interest and a desire to work in sports business in the future. The association has member meetings, invites speakers from the sports industry to campus, and takes trips to visit athletic organizations throughout the country. 

Speech & Hearing Science

National Student Speech Language Hearing Association

The National Student Speech Language Hearing Association is a pre-professional organization for students interested in the study of communication sciences and disorders. The local NSSLHA chapter at the University of Illinois provides opportunities for members to participate in fundraising, volunteering, and social events, as well as gain personal and professional development by serving on the executive board or committees, or attending educational events.

Operation Smile

Operation Smile’s goal is to raise awareness and aid children with facial deformities through fundraising, community volunteer projects, and general meetings to discuss recent news and developments in Operation Smile.

Student Academy of Audiology

The Student Academy of Audiology (SAA) is the national student organization of the American Academy of Audiology that serves as a collective voice for students and advances the rights, interests, and welfare of students pursuing careers in audiology.

Bilingual Organization of SHS Students

For undergraduate and graduate students of all backgrounds and levels of fluency in Spanish who are interested in being bilingual speech pathologists or audiologists.

American Sign Language and Deaf Culture Club

The goal of the American Sign Language and Deaf Culture Club is to promote awareness and exposition of the language and culture of Deaf Americans to the University of Illinois community. American Sign Language is a non-Indo-European language that uses a visual and expressive mode of communication instead of the spoken word. Organizational members will have the opportunity to learn basic communicative skills in sign language and will be encouraged to continue their involvement in the Deaf community and fluency in American Sign Language.