The Student Health Professionals United in Recognizing Diversity (SHPURD) is an organization within the College of Health Professions at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) with an organization geared towards awareness of diversity related issues while providing service to underserved communities in the Charleston area.

MISSION

The mission of this organization shall be:
     1) To aid in the professional development of all students at the Medical University of 
         South Carolina.
     2) To uplift the underserved communities of Charleston by sharing our knowledge in 
         health and wellness.
     3) To increase student awareness of minority issues and health disparities in the 
         Charleston community.

The organization wishes to:
     1) Serve our students by:
         a. Establishing an intra-organizational mentoring program and 
         b. Conducting interdisciplinary awareness seminars and discussions
     2) Serve the surrounding minority community by:
         a. Implementing mentoring programs with area schools and
         b. Promoting preventative health awareness projects

HISTORY

The organization was founded as the Association of Black Health Professionals (ABHP) in 1999 at the College of Health Professions at the Medical University of South Carolina.  The group was founded by several minority students with the objective of uniting all students in CHP and encouraging greater volunteer efforts in the minority communities of Charleston, South Carolina.

The organization has been involved in many activities within the community such as

The name of the organization was changed to Student Health Professionals United in Recognizing Diversity in January of 2008.  SHPURD continues to share the same visions of ABHP.  Each member of SHPURD is committed to our vision and mission through dedicated volunteering and fundraising.