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Clubs,
Interest Groups, and Organizations
URSMD 2003-2004
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Club Descriptions:
| AMHA (American Holistic Medical Association)/HuMed (Humanistic Medicine): |
| American Medical Association (AMA): The AMA and its Medical Student Section (SMA MSS) are the largest and most active physician medical student organization in this country. As the URSMD student chapter of the AMA, we work closely with the Monroe County Medical Society (MCMS) and the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY), the local and state brances of the AMA respectively, to help ensure that issues important to medical students are being addressed by the AMA. Our group has a committment to serving the local community and to educating our peers about various issues in medicine. Membership in this national organization brings you weekly issues of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), access to MS/JAMA online, American Medical News, biweekly email blasts for Medical Student Section, and AMA updates, latest medical books, computer software/hardware, and diagnostic tools at discounted prices, access to discounted airline tickets for students going into last minute residency interviews and more. Membership dues are due at the beginnning of the school year. |
| American Medical Student Association (AMSA): The American Medical Student Association is committed to improving health care and healthcare delivery to all people; promoting active improvement in medical education; involving its members in the social, moral and ethical obligations of the profession of medicine; assisting in the improvement and understanding of world health problems; contributing to the welfare of medical students, interns, residents and post-MD/DO trainees; and advancing the profession of medicine. Founded in 1950 to provide medical students a chance to participate in organized medicine under the auspices of the AMA, it is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians in training in the United States. Starting in 1960, the association refocused its energies on the problems of the medically underserved, inequities in our health-care system, and related issues in medical education. Last year, the Rochester chapter of AMSA held a seminar on sleep deprivation with key-note speaker Dr. James Moss, held letter-writing campaigns for resident work hour legislation, and attended the national AMSA convention in Texas. |
| Christian Health Fellowship: The Christian Health Fellowship is a group of professionals and students that follows the Christian tradition, but is open to anyone. It meets regularly for religious activities (such as prayer, fellowship, and the worship of God and his Son Jesus Christ) as well as other social or academic activities (such as serving those less fortunate and discussion of modern ethical problems relating to the practice of medicine). |
| Class Council: The URSMD class council is involved in distributing class funds towards class activities, planning class activities, and representing the class of 2005 in many school committees and national organizations. Here are the members of the 2002-2003 class council: President: Jeremy Schwartz Vice-Presidents (Social Chairs): Elissa Gilbert and Derek Masden Treasurer: Garth Snyder Secretary: Marlene Mathews AAMC Representative: Matthew Smeds Instruction Committee: Bonnie Baker and Ryan Brecker Curriculum Assessment: Martina Boyce and Sarah Goldfeder Financial Aid Committee: David Selander and Courney Flanagan At-Large Member: Seth Bender |
| Cornerstone Medical Society: The Cornerstone Medical Society intends to present students and physicians with an appreciation of medicine's history. Monthly dinner lectures (the food is terrific!) are presented at the Rochester Academy of Medicine. |
| Emergency Medicine Interest Group (EMIG): The goal of the Emergency Medicine Interest Group is to introduce students to the dynamic field of emergency medicine. Throughout the year there will be monthly lectures on topics pertinent to the practice of emergency medicine. Additionally there will be workshops held so students can learn to suture and split while having some fun. We hope to promote interactions with the faculty, residents, and community by providing opportunities to follow practitioners in the ED, the ambulance, and helicopter ride-alongs. |
| Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG): The Family Medicine Interest Group tries to provide students with opportunities to learn about the specialty, get them connected with local and regional family doctors, and support their career exploration in the practice of family medicine. Some highlights from this past year include: Primary Care Residency Fair, National Primary Care Week, and Dinner with a Primary Care Doc. Next year, we hope to become more involved with community projects and issues in rural health. |
| International Federation of Medical Students: IFMSA-Rochester exists to promote global awareness among University of Rochester medical students. It is committed to recognizing the social inequalities that influence access to and administration of health care in underserved populations around the globe, be they in our own country or abroad. As a student body, we strive to educate ourselves and peers about the state of health and health care in the world with the aim that this will lead to greater awareness of these issues. We hope to accomplish our goals by serving as a forum for discussion, visiting speakers, and student involvement in international health projects. IFMSA-Rochester is a local member organization of IFMSA-USA, the organization which represents American medical students to the international federation of medical students. |
| John Snow Society: The John Snow Society, named after the British granddaddy of epidemiology, is a collection of students interested in exploring challenges and opportunities in infectious diseases. Issues of concern to us are found somewhere near the intersection of medical microbiology, epidemiology, and public health, and we try to reflect our diversity of interests in our selection of activities. Past and future meeting topics include finding infectious disease rotations both locally and overseas; the economic considerations of aid for HIV in Africa; recollections of service in the CDC's Epidemiology Intelligence Service; zoonotic diseases at the Rochester Zoo; vaccine trials and other developments in the search for a cure to HIV. Suggestions and new members are always welcome! Please contact Keren Landman at 585.271.3972 or klandman@mc.rochester.edu with questions. |
| Medical Students For Choice (MSFC): Medical Students for Choice is dedicated to ensuring that women receive the full range of reproductive health care choices. At the University of Rochester, we work to increase education and training opportunities for medical students and residents in abortion and reproductive health; build a network of support and resources dedicated to working on protecting a woman's right to choice; and to increase awareness of students, the public, and policymakers in education and government, of the importance of this issue. |
| OB/GYN Interest Group: The OB/GYN Interest Group hosts monthly lunch time/dinner talks with guest speakers. A variety of topics, such as the primary care aspect of OB/GYN, the lifestyle of OB/GYN's, the third year clinical rotation, and the matching process were discussed in past years. In addition to the monthly talks, the opportunity to shadow in Labor and Delivery and/or Ultrasound will be available. Invitations to attend the OB/GYN Department's monthly journal club meetings will also be extended to medical students. |
| Pediatric Interest Group: The aims of the Peds Interest Group are to get medical students both educated about the field of pediatrics and involved in community programs for children. We sponsor lectures by pediatricians and residents on such topics as neonatology and pediatric residency. We do community events such as Reach Out and Read. In addition to medically-oriented events, we also sponsor socials that allow students to interact with pediatric doctors and residents and to get to know each other better. |
| Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR): Physicians for Social Responsibility is a nationwide group of politically active concerned physicians. PSR itself was formed during the cold war and was instrumental in changing public understanding of the consequences of nuclear war. Since then, PSR has been involved with a variety of issues, ranging from global warming to gun control. SPSR is the student division of PSR. Rochester was a highly active club from 1998-2001. During that time, SPSR organized gun control information sessions, political debates, and participation in local habitat for humanity projects. Since 2001, however, SPSR Rochester has become inactive and in need of leadership. If any entering medical student or second year medical student would like to continue to bring political action to the medical school, I would highly encourage them to reinstate SPSR. It is a wonderful organization with solid national support (see website). Indeed, one of the advantages of SPSR is the knowledge that you aren't acting alone, but in tandem with 100 other medical schools across the country. For more information, please contact Mitchell Douglass (see above link) or check out the national website. |
| Physicians for Human Rights (PHR): Physicians for Human Rights has sought to highlight the essential link between health and human rights. It has strived to investigate and identify violations of human rights at the global level and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. Perhaps most importantly, PHR has emphasized medical neutrality in achieving these ends. Notably, PHR shared the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize for its participation in the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. Its projects have included developing a protocol for examining survivors of torture, investigating civilian deaths during times of war, and protecting health professionals. Our PHR chapter is the newest student organization in the URSMD community. With the help of faculty advisors, Drs. Guttmacher and Naumburg, we hope to increase awareness of human rights abuses throughout the world and work together to implement change. |
| One on One: One on One is a student run organization and part of the Students of Rochester Outreach (SRO) program. This organization allows medical students who are in their first two years of training to spend time with Strong Memorial Hospital inpatients. While the program was designed with an emphasis on inpatients who appear to lack social and family support, One on One is available to any medical inpatient at SMH. Patients enrolled in One on One will have personal interactions with the medical student members outside of their medical care team. Through these interactions, they may feel cared for on a level that is not always possible in the hectic hospital setting. Patients may develop an improved outlook that could positively contribute to their experience of illness and healing. Participating students benefit from the utilization of communication skills that will later be incorporated in their care of patients. |
| StART: StART is a unique program designed to expose pediatric patients and their families to artistic pursuits as a form of therapeutic healing and self-awareness. The program is directed and run by students from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, with the hope of fostering a relationship of sensitivity, self-expression, empathy, and compassionate healing between future doctors and their patients. |
| Spectrum: Spectrum is a group that serves as an informational, supportive, and educational resource to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and heterosexual individuals at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Including both student and faculty, this group aims to promote visibility and awareness of LGBT issues within the medical setting. Spectrum is also a social organization that sponsors events such as coffee houses and movie nights. |
| Student Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN): The Rochester chapter of the Student Interest Group in Neurology was founded in 1999 and is advised by Dr. Ralph Jozefowicz, director of the "Mind, Brain, Behavior" course for second year students and director of the third year neurology clerkship. The Rochester SIGN chapter is involved with four major activities. First, SIGN holds meetings at which neurology residents and faculty give students their perspectives about the field and their lives as neurologists. Second, SIGN sponsors a shadowing program in which first and second year medical students are able to spend time on call and in the neurology clinic with resident mentors. Third, the Rochester SIGN chapter works to promote students' awareness of and applications to the American Academy of Neurology Summer Scholarship Program. Finally, the Neuroscience Pathway Program was created to allow students interested in neurology the opportunity to participate in weekly journal clubs as well as to promote student interest in neurology. Sign acts as a liaison between this program and medical students. |
| Student National Medical Association: The Student National Medical Association (SNMA) was established in 1964. SNMA is the nation's oldest and largest student organization that focuses on the needs and concerns of underserved communities. Local chapters based at allopathic and osteopathic medical schools throughout the nation implement SNMA programs and activities. These programs are designed to: 1.) Serve the health needs of under-represented communities, educating people about important health matters; and 2.) Assure that medical services are sensitive to the needs of culturally diverse populations. The Student National Medical Association is also committed to assuring that students of color are encouraged to consider and prepare for medical and scientific careers. |
| Students of Rochester Outreach (SRO): Students of Rochester Outreach's primary goal is to provide medical and graduate students with an opportunity to broaden first-hand experience with the urban poor. The emphasis at all sites is to establish relationships with agency clients and to develop an appreciation for the social and cultural dimensions of health through attentive, compassionate listening. Some examples include: 1.) ROK (Reaching Out to Kids): This program matches volunteers with pediatric oncology patients to provide support and friendship to children in various stages of cancer treatment, 2.) Therapeutic Juggling: Students work with children ages 7-12 with varying disabilities to teach them to juggle. This form of recreational rehabilitation improves motor skills and concentration while fostering self-esteem and confidence, 3.) Black Scholars Program: Students become mentors for gifted African-American High School students interested in a career in the health sciences, and many more. |
| Surgery Interest Group: Formed in 1997, the Surgery Interest Group (SIG) grew out of a strong student desire for exposure to surgical fields. The goal of the group is to promote opportunities for students to interact with surgical faculty in the operating room, the conference room, the office setting, and in social settings. Some activities that occured in the past year include operating room orientation sessions, shadowing experiences in the OR, suture labs, faculty talks, panel discussions on lifestyle and residency application, a fall happy hour, and a spring cocktail party. Through these interactions it is hoped that students will gain a better understanding of the true nature of surgery and its various subspecialties, structuring a better framework for making appropriate career decisions. |
| Wellness Through Integration of Science and Healing (WISH): Wellness through Integrating Science and Healing (WISH) is an organization started a couple years ago by students interested in various forms of healing and wellness. It is tied with HuMed (The Humanistic Medicine interest group of AMSA), and the AMHA (American Holistic Medical Association). The goals of WISH are to promote awareness about various forms of complementary and alternative medical (CAM) systems and to promote wellness through the sometimes grueling experience of medical school. Examples of activities we have planned include the following: 1.) Lunch time speakers: talks farom various CAM practicioners in the community. 2.) Co-sponsered evening speakers and panels with other groups (i.e., with ob/gyn interest group on the topic of midwives). 3.) Annual evening tea: we invite CAM practitioners in the community to spend and evening with us and talk to us about what they do. 4.) Annual evening teaching conference: This included "An Experiential Journey Through Models of Healing" with the keynote speaker Dr. Cecile Carson in 2001, and "Round Table Medicine: When Alternative and Allopathic Providers Meet" in 2002. |