About Us | Mac BHSS

Who We Are

The BHSS exists to advocate for, represent, and enrich the lives of every student in the Honours Health Sciences Program at McMaster University.

Our Mission

The Bachelor of Health Sciences Society (BHSS) is the student society for the Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) Honours Health Sciences Program (HHSP) at McMaster University. We are a student-led organization that plans events, allocates resources, advocates for our students, and connects the HHSP community.

Everything we do — from organizing program-wide events, supporting academic and career growth, to running elections — is done by student volunteers who are passionate about making our community the best it can be. Our committees work year-round to serve students across all years of the program.

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"The BHSS is built on the belief that students know best what students need — and that a strong community begins with showing up for one another."

Who We Represent

We represent all undergraduate students enrolled in the Honours Health Sciences Program, one of the most competitive and distinctive undergraduate programs in Canada. The HHSP attracts students interested in health, science, and research, and is known for its problem-based learning approach and close-knit community.

The BHSS serves students across all four years — from the First Year Council welcoming new students, to the Fourth Year Council supporting those preparing to graduate and move on to medical school, graduate programs, and careers in health.

Land Acknowledgement

The McMaster Bachelor of Health Sciences Society recognizes that McMaster University sits on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the Anishinaabe Nations, which is recognized by the "Dish With One Spoon" wampum agreement. We are grateful to live and learn on this land, and we are committed to reconciliation and the ongoing work of honouring Indigenous peoples, histories, and knowledge.

Our Structure

The BHSS is organized into a Chair and three tiers of committees — each with a distinct focus, working together to serve all HHSP students.

How the BHSS is Organized

At the top is the Chair, who oversees and coordinates the entire society. Beneath the Chair are eight Core Committees responsible for the day-to-day operations of the BHSS — from academics and finances to social events and communications. Two Special Committees handle larger, program-specific mandates: Welcome Week and the Student Representative Assembly (SRA). Finally, Year Councils serve as the representative body for each cohort of students.

Every committee is led by one or more elected or hired coordinators, supported by volunteer members from across the program. Learn more about each committee by visiting the Committees page.

Chair

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Core Committees

Academics Communications EDI External Financial Internal Logistics & Elections Social

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Special Committees

Welcome Week Student Representative Assembly

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Year Councils

First Year Council Second Year Council Third Year Council Fourth Year Council

Interested in seeing who's on each committee?

Visit the Committees page to explore each committee, meet their current members and coordinators, and find their contact and social media links.

Governance

The BHSS operates under a formal set of bylaws and policies. Our elections and appointment processes are managed transparently and in accordance with our governing documents.

How We're Governed

The BHSS is a student society that operates within the McMaster Student Union (MSU) and in accordance with McMaster University's policies. We maintain a formal constitution and set of bylaws that define how the society is structured, how decisions are made, and how members are held accountable.

All BHSS coordinators are either elected by the student body or hired through a formal application process. Elections are administered by the Logistics & Elections Committee. The BHSS also sends representatives to the MSU's Student Representative Assembly (SRA), where HHSP student voices are heard at the university-wide level.

BHSS Constitution The foundational document defining the BHSS's mandate, structure, and governance.

View Document →

BHSS Bylaws Detailed operational rules, procedures, and policies for BHSS committees and members.

View Document →

Elections Schedule Upcoming and past BHSS election dates, positions, and results.

See Logistics & Elections →

SRA Representation BHSS representatives on the McMaster Student Union's governing body.

See SRA Committee →

Elections & Appointments

Most BHSS coordinator positions are filled through elections held during the academic year. The Logistics & Elections Committee oversees the process, including nominations, campaigning, and vote counting. Results are published on the announcements page and shared across BHSS channels.

Some positions, such as Welcome Week Coordinators and committee members, may be filled through an application and interview process. Hiring timelines are posted on the Announcements page when applications open.

Get Involved

There are many ways to get involved with the BHSS — whether you want to join a committee, apply for a coordinator position, or attend events.

Join a Committee

Committee member applications are typically open at the start of the academic year. Join a team that matches your interests — from events to academics to design.

Explore committees →

Run in Elections

Coordinator and representative positions are filled by student elections. Keep an eye on the Announcements page for upcoming election periods and nomination deadlines.

View election announcements →

BAGs (BHSS-Affiliated Groups)

BHSS-Affiliated Groups (BAGs) are BHSS-supportedstudent-run initiatives that provide additional opportunities for engagement and leadership, some of which are focused on specific interests or causes.

Learn about BAGs →

Attend Events

The BHSS runs events throughout the year — socials, formals, study nights, and more. Check the Announcements page to stay in the loop on what's coming up.

View announcements →

Follow & Stay Updated

Follow @macbhss on Instagram and check this website regularly for announcements, committee updates, and BHSS news.

Have a Question?

Not sure where to start, or want to reach out directly? Send us a message through the Contact form and we'll point you in the right direction.

Go to Contact →

Contact Us

Have a question, concern, or just want to get in touch? Fill out the form below and someone from the BHSS will get back to you.

Send a Message

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Thanks for reaching out. A member of the BHSS will get back to you as soon as possible.

Get in Touch

Email bhsscom@mcmaster.ca

Instagram @macbhss

Office MDCL 3308
McMaster University
1280 Main Street West
Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1

For committee-specific questions, please reach out to the relevant coordinator through their committee page.