Premeds: UC Davis Department of Surgery Internship

The UC Davis Health System Department of Surgery Pre-Medical Surgical Intern Program is a unique opportunity for pre-medical students to work along side faculty, residents, interns, and medical students in the nationally recognized UC Davis Health System Department of Surgery. Setting The site for the program is the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, CA. The 650-bed hospital is the major teaching affiliate for the UC Davis School of Medicine. The Hospital serves an area of tremendous diversity in both cultural and socioeconomic background. It is a Level 1 Trauma Center, the only Burn Center in Northern California, the only Children’s hospital in Northern California, the only Transplant Center in Northern California, and the only such institution in inland Northern California. It is one of the five busiest trauma centers in the country and has been featured in multiple television programs, and recognized nationally. Details This is NOT a volunteering program. This is a mentorship and educational program where you will be interacting with physicians in the department of surgery. You will be working with them in every step of the way throughout their work: from seeing patients in the intensive care unit, to pre-operative, to bedside, trauma bay, operating room, clinics, and rounds. You will experience what surgeons and physicians do every. You will be part of their team and treated as such. This program is under the supervision and guidelines set forth by the Chairman of Surgery at UC Davis Health System. This is a very unique opportunity, and maturity, ability to follow directions, being attentive and being an adult is imperative. This is a fast paced area where a lot happens, and life and death is on the line. Professionalism and maturity is a MUST. If you feel that you are not cap able of the before mentioned, please do not apply. The surgeons are volunteering and enthusiastic about having you come, since all of them have been in the same position you are, so please be respectful to them at all times and honor them. Quotes From Our Interns "There is simply no equal substitute for the level of access, exposure, and perspective gained from the Pre-Medical Surgical Program." -- James Wang "Prior to this experience I really had no idea what was required of a doctor after med school. This internship has given me insight into the day to day excitement and challenges that a surgeon faces. I have seen some incredible things and now I know that I have alot to look forward to! " -- Charleen Pflanner "The first time I was in the operating room and changed into scrubs I felt like I was part of the surgical team. I could imagine myself with a scalpel. Just being the operating room gave me the most exhilarating feeling" -- Alexandra Monrroy "I spent a year volunteering in a hospital ER and maybe spoke to one physician for a total of 10 minutes. As a pre-med surgical intern, in my first 10 minutes, I met and spoke to 15 physicians" -- Mattew Paranial "All the physicians treat you like you are part of their team. We get to go every where, see everything, and learn a great deal" "I am amazed in the time and efforts the surgeons take to explain procedures and what is going on. They also genuinely care in my future success. This is truly a life changing experience." "The application, interview, and selection process was long and hard, but in my first 5 minutes at the hospital made it seem like nothing. I would go through it 100 times more to just experience what I have experienced." "This is the single most important thing I have done in my entire pre-med journey." "I have seen my future in medicine, and my future looks great!" Summer 2011 The Summer 2011 Program has an anticipated start date of May 21, 2011 with an end date of September 3, 2011. Please review the packet for all program dates. Please Note: There have been some improvements and changes made to the selection process and criteria. If you have applied in the past, make sure you review the new guidelines. Please consult the application packet for more information about this opportunity. Make sure you download the ENTIRE packet and read it TWICE and understand it before you apply. How to Apply Go to www.premedsurgery.org for the packet and the online application. Application deadline: March 27, 2011 by 11:59 pm through online submission. Questions? Please email us at info@premedsurgery.org.

Network with Us

Our mailing address is: AMSA ARC/UCD Central Receiving 615 Hopkins Road Davis, CA 95616

House Passes HR 3590 and HR 4872

So what's the next step?
HR 3590 goes to the President, who will reportedly sign as soon as possible
HR 4872, which includes changes to the Senate health bill and student aid reform, will to the Senate.

Find out how your Representative voted by clicking the link above or look for details on both bills at amsa.org/hcreform.

Healthcare and Student Aid Reform Update

From our National AMSA Jack Rutledge Legislative Director:

"Hello AMSA,

This week, Congress will be taking a vital vote on two important priorities – health care reform AND student aid reform…in ONE BILL. It’s double or nothing, and the stakes are highest for us. As students and as health care providers, this legislation could impact us for years to come.

This is the one and only chance for student aid reform to pass. Without it, Pell Grants could be reduced, and tuition will continue to rise. The banks are against this because they will lose revenue, but as students, this reform will make sure we get the loan funding we need to pay for school. It will help continue and expand Pell Grants, and build our country’s higher education infrastructure.

Health care reform is finally coming to a vote. After much maneuvering, a final bill will come forth – one that is by no means perfect and does not achieve health care for all, but could be the first step, and does expand coverage to 30 million more Americans while making sure that insurance company abuses like this never happen again.

This is a key vote for Congress, and a pivotal moment for us. Send your member of Congress a message: It’s double or nothing.

In health and in solidarity,
Farheen
Click here to send a message


See this statement from over 20 youth organizations on student aid and health care reform
Sign up for the March 22nd Provider March in Washington, DC at www.healthmarch.org/?ref=amsa (see attached flyer)"

Register now for 3rd Annual Premedical Professional Development Conference at Drexel University!

The American Medical Student Association at Drexel University will be holding their 3rd annual Premedical Professional Development Conference on Saturday, April 3rd 8am-6pm in Philadelphia, PA.

Only 50 spots left! Registration fee is $10 for AMSA members, $15 for non-AMSA members.

Panels include:
- Deans and Directors of Admission from Temple, Jefferson, PCOM, and DUCOM
- Life as a medical student
- Gap Year
- AMCAS/AACOMAS 101
- Research opportunities in the Philly area
- MD/PhD
- What admissions committees are looking for in applicants

This looks like a very valuable conference for anyone planning on applying to med school! Email drexel.amsa@gmail.com to register - please include name, email address, school, school year/class, and AMSA ID (if available).

Register by March 26th. Please send registration fee check payable to:
Seema Samuel
4 Hidden Court
Jackson, NJ 08527

UT Psych Researchers Develop New Alzheimer's Test

Fight Childhood Cancer with Chili's and St. Jude!

During the month of Septemeber, you can purchase and color a pepper at any Chili's Bar and Grill and make a donation to St. Jude Children's Hospital, a hospital in Memphis, TN specializing in all types of childhood cancers. So, visit Chili's in Septemeber and help a great cause!

Canadian court rules transfusions can be forced on teens

What are your thoughts on this? Should the Canadian court be allowed to force transfusions on individuals determined by psychiatrists to fully understand what their refusal of the transfusion means? Ethics anyone?

Canadian court rules transfusions can be forced on teens

Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:24pm EDT

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Manitoba social workers were right to force a Jehovah's Witness teenager to get a blood transfusion even though she said she felt it was like being raped, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled on Friday.

The girl, known as A.C., was almost 15 -- the law stipulates 16 as the age when independent decisions are allowed -- and argued that she knew what she was doing when she said she wanted to follow her religion and not take the blood.

http://bit.ly/Kx1xj

New shot aims to head off Type 1 diabetes

Shot is one of a handful of new immune therapies being tested around U.S.

By Lauran Neergaard

updated 48 minutes ago

PITTSBURGH - The doctor had barely pulled away the needle when a blister appeared on Tracey Berg-Fulton's abdomen: An experimental shot was revving up the 24-year-old's immune system — part of a bold quest to create a vaccine-like therapy for diabetes.

http://bit.ly/Vr2GU

Make Our Voices Heard Regarding Healthcare Reform!

The health care reform movement is speeding along without the voice of a key stakeholder group: future physicians! As the future doctors who will practice in a reformed health care system, we must ensure that reform efforts recognize our vision for a more perfect system, one that provides quality, affordable, health care for all.

Click here to sign the letter, and add your ideas for health care reform to the debate

Insured immigrants have lower medical costs than U.S.-born citizens, study finds

"Insured immigrants have lower medical expenses than insured U.S.-born citizens after taking into account their health status and other characteristics, according to a study released on Thursday and published in the American Journal of Public Health, Reuters Health reports."


http://www.news-medical.net/news/2009/05/15/Insured-immigrants-have-lower-medical-costs-than-US-born-citizens-study-finds.aspx

Public health crusader Paul Farmer could join Obama team

"Dr. Paul Farmer, the global health crusader who has crafted life-saving projects from Haiti to Rwanda, has told colleagues privately that he is mulling a possible appointment by the Obama administration to coordinate growing US overseas health initiatives."

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/05/public_health_c.html

How Hospitals Treat Same-Sex Couples

This article addresses discrimination that same-sex couples face when their partners are in the hospital. Many are denied 'family status' in making important treatment decisions. When this right is upheld, couples are often asked for paperwork to verify their relationship, a formality absent for heterosexual couples and for other family members.

Check out the article for more:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/12/how-hospitals-treat-same-sex-couples/?src=twr

Write to Your Representative to Support Loan Deferment for Residents

Last summer, the College Cost Reduction Act eliminated loan deferment for residents. However, as you know, Congress is currently drafting a bill to reform healthcare. It is imperative that we make our voices heard on this issue so that people from all walks of life can train to become physicians.Congress needs to hear from you that reinstating the economic hardship deferral pathway is a good thing, and that including comprehensive measures to decrease the cost of medical education in this month's health reform legislation will be even better.

To Take Action: http://capwiz.com/ams/issues/alert/?alertid=13255531&type=CO

Institute of Medicine Calls for Doctors to Stop Taking Gifts From Drug Makers

AMSA has long urged Medical Students, Residents, Physicians, and Hospitals to go 'PharmFree' by not accepting gifts from pharmaceutical reps. This move from the IOM puts us one step closer in minimizing conflicts-of-interest in the practice of medicine.

Check out the article at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/29/health/policy/29drug.html?_r=1&src=twt&twt=nytimeshealth

Learn more about AMSA's PharmFree campaign at:
http://amsa.org/prof/pharmFAQ.cfm

Why Your Zip Code May Be More Important to Your Health Than Your Genetic Code

"An apple a day may help keep the doctor away but that assumes you can find an apple in your neighborhood."

How you see a problem drives how you create the solution.

We are not a healthy country. And while health reform focuses on coverage, cost, access and care, this is simply triage to a system that fails to ask the question "Why aren't we healthier in the first place?" Our health reform debate is focusing on where health ends (with medical care) and not on where our health begins (where we live, learn, work and play).

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights Animated

Experts identify compound that may fight bird flu

Experts identify compound that may fight bird flu

April 15, 2009 05:56 AM ET

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Scientists in Hong Kong and the United States have identified a synthetic compound which appears to be able to stop the replication of influenza viruses, including the H5N1 bird flu virus. Full Article

How will you die?

Top causes of death in Knox are cancer, heart disease

Link: http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/apr/12/041209webhlthmain/

By Kristi L. Nelson (Contact)
Sunday, April 12, 2009

Adam Brimer

How are you going to die?

That may depend on, among other things, where you live.

Welcome to the AMSA@UTK Blog!

Post any interesting articles, updates, legislature, etc. that you come across!

Comment on posts-- start some debates!

Did you hear that they found HIV resistant individuals in Uganda?

Uganda: HIV-Resistant Citizens Found

http://allafrica.com/stories/200904040009.html

And this morning there was an article in the New York Times that said neuroscientists had found a way to erase memory!

Brain Researchers Open Door to Editing Memory

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/06/health/research/06brain.html?_r

=1&ref=health