Interest Groups.
The Aesculapian Society hosts numerous interests groups for the medical students at uOttawa. The interests groups are managed by group executives who report to the VP Community Health.
Click here to view the Official Interest Group Policy (Updated September 2020).
Click Here to view Interest Group Record of Hours
table of contents
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SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS
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COMMUNITY INTEREST GROUPS
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OTHER GROUPS
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The focus of the Anatomy Interest Group (AIG) is to stimulate an interest in anatomy and teaching beyond the framework of our medical school's standard anatomy curriculum. AIG works with the Faculty of Medicine to organize hands-on dissection electives for medical students as well as clinical skills workshops such as suturing, echocardiography, and clinical surface anatomy that allow students to apply their anatomical knowledge outside the classroom. The group works collaboratively with faculty, hospital staff, and other interest groups to enhance our medical school anatomy education in hopes of better preparing students for their exams, clerkship, and beyond.
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Anesthesia is a dynamic field of medicine that encompasses pre-, peri-, and post-operative medicine along with pain management. Anesthesiologists are invaluable members of the healthcare team with a wide range of procedural and critical decision-making skills combined with extensive knowledge in applied physiology and pharmacology. Anesthesia is entirely focused on the patient: from optimizing their health and comfort for daily living to managing them in their most vulnerable and critical state. This group gives an avenue for students to explore this exciting field by attending talks, participating in hands-on workshops, and learning about research opportunities.
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Arts in Medicine (AIM) provides a creative outlet for medical students with the ultimate goal of decreasing stress and promoting wellness. Our exciting events include Coffee House and Multicultural Night for performing arts, Art Show for visual arts and literature, and various workshops throughout the year! We believe that anyone, regardless of their artistic experience or background, will be able to enrich their lives and find their own artistic voice and creativity with AIM!
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Asian Association of Medical Students
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The fields of biostatistics and epidemiology provide the foundations of quantitative clinical research. Furthermore, with the advent and the rapid evolution of evidence-based medicine, biostatistics and epidemiology form an inseparable bond with clinical practice. Through journal clubs and workshops, the Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Public Health Interest Group (BEPHIG) provides students with the opportunity to develop skills and tools to help them pursue research (both during and after medical school) and to practice evidence-based medicine. BEPHIG also introduces students to the field of public health through lectures and talks from physicians who have participating in health advocacy and/or health promotion by translating findings from clinical research into clinical practice.
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The Black Medical Students Association (BMSA) was created by medical students of African and Caribbean ancestry at the University of Ottawa, to promote interest in race-based health knowledge, Black indigenous cultures, and the social determinants of equity. We believe that by raising awareness on Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) health disparities and fostering a community of inclusivity, we will collectively become more compassionate and culturally competent physicians. In recognition of the Faculty of Medicine's commitment to social responsibility and diversity, we seek to provide community, mentorship and support to Black medical students and to other students coming from disadvantaged and underrepresented groups in Medicine. Additionally, through our partnership with the University of Toronto's Community of Support (COS) and uOttawa's Aspiring Black Physicians Association, we are dedicated to increasing diversity among the medical student body by offering mock interviews, as well as workshops and mentorship students from marginalized communities striving to pursue medicine. All are welcome to be members!
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CHEO Buddies
cheo.buddies@gmail.com CHEO Buddies is a unique and inspiring program that matches medical students with children currently undergoing treatment for cancer at CHEO. Past participants of the program have described the special friendships they developed as "life changing". As a buddy, you will have the opportunity to make hospital visits and stays more fun for kids and provide support for parents, while gaining insight into a family's experience with childhood cancer.
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The Clinical Skills Enrichment Program (CSEG) is a student-run interest group that consists of the Physician Skills Enrichment Group (PSEG) and Bedside Teaching. Through both of these initiatives, pre-clerkship students have the opportunity to practice their clinical skills (physical exams, history taking, motivational interviews) in small groups both in and out of the classroom. PSEG sessions usually start with a small review of the exam by a senior medical trainee, followed by small group sessions and a mock OSCE scenario. Bedside Teaching sessions involve Clerkship students teaching Pre-clerkship students at the bedside on the Internal Medicine wards along with a discussion of pertinent clinical findings. Both components of this interest group allow the pre-clerks and the clerks to enhance their clinical knowledge and acquire valuable teaching skills ahead of residency training.
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The Emergency Medicine Interest Group (EMIG) was started in 2007 and has grown to be a successful interest group that continues to expand every year. EMIG is committed to hosting talks, workshops, and opportunities related to topics in Emergency Medicine while bringing students, residents, and faculty together for networking opportunities. EMIG, in collaboration with the Ottawa Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) and the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP) strives to be a useful and informative group for all interested in Emergency Medicine. Please contact: uottawaemig@gmail.com, or visit: uottawaemig.com for more information.
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Family medicine is a very broad, rewarding, and all-encompassing field in medicine. Over the span of their career, family physicians have the ability to enjoy longitudinal relationships with their patients, caring for them through different stages of life and through different health needs, whether they be physical, emotional, or spiritual. Family medicine also offers the opportunity to tailor one's practice to suit specific interests, which could entail incorporating obstetrics, palliative care, pediatrics, anesthesia, emergency medicine, hospitalist duties, or anything in between to one's practice. FMIG will explore the many aspects of family medicine in a variety of exciting talks and workshops this year, so come out to the Family Medicine Interest Group if you think this might be the career for you!
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The objective of this interest group is to showcase a diverse set of skills pertaining to business and financial management that is currently under taught in the medical curriculum. In addition to discussing the importance of budgeting and financial management for medical students/physicians, we will also showcase speakers with diverse backgrounds covering topics such as: entrepreneurship in medicine, lifestyles of different specialties outside of the office, physician remuneration models, the logistics of running a daily practice, and much more. This initiative will provide all students with essential resources to be a competent and successful medical students and practicing physicians.
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The Canadian population continues to age as more people find themselves above the age of 65. The demand for care of the elderly is therefore growing as a major field in medicine. While geriatricians are quickly becoming some of the most sought-after physicians across Canada, doctors in all aspects of medicine will also be caring for an increasing number of elderly patients. They present a unique set of challenges and complexities for physicians since problems such as dependence and frailty must be considered when providing care. The main goal of the Geriatrics Interest Group is to provide undergraduate medical students with an awareness and understanding of the needs of this growing demographic. More importantly, we aim to help students, as future physicians, in considering key issues in the proper care of elderly patients, including ongoing challenges and improvements in geriatric medicine. We will provide various presentations and discussion panels, as well as opportunities for workshop, conference and community activity, which will aid students in exploring the fascinating field of geriatrics.
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The Global Health Interest group (GHIG) aims to strengthen the global health community at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine by increasing awareness regarding a variety of issues impacting both our local and global communities. We encourage student involvement in various academic and social events, which discuss topics like international medical and research electives, and outline possible future careers in global health. This year will also feature many opportunities to learn about international health, refugee health, Indigenous health, humanitarian work like Doctors Without Borders, and more! Please join GHIG for more information about our events!
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Homeless Health Initiative
hhi.ottawa@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/HomelessHealthInitiativeOttawa/ The Homeless Health Initiative (HHI) at uOttawa aims to promote health literacy and disease prevention among the homeless population in Ottawa. Our goal is to partner with medical students to fulfill this mandate, while providing opportunities for students to enhance their medical education by engaging and advocating for the needs of a severely underserved population. As part of the HHI, you will have the opportunity to deliver educational health talks across homeless shelters in Ottawa, and in doing so, develop the necessary skills for effectively communicating and advocating for the health needs of these patients as a future physician.
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The Indigenous Health Interest Group (IHIG), previously known as the Aboriginal Health Interest Group (AHIG), was created by the students of the Faculty of Medicine’s Indigenous Program to promote interest in Indigenous health, culture and history. Its objectives are to provide the members of our group and our fellow medical students with information regarding the health issues faced by Indigenous populations, traditional methods of healing and a holistic approach to health care. We also aim to increase awareness of the importance of cultural competency in the field of medicine and an understanding of health care in Indigenous communities. Membership is open to all students.
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Our main objective is to facilitate communication between interested students and professionals in Internal Medicine and subspecialties through a variety of seminars and workshops. In our local University of Ottawa community, we hope to help our peers establish beneficial contacts in the field of Internal Medicine. We want to provide medical students with a better understanding of the life within a certain subspecialty by organizing speakers and social events and create a network among the student bodies so that students can share information regarding elective experiences, research opportunities etc. We hope to enhance the clinical skills of medical students by providing educational workshops taught by residents in Internal Medicine.
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Medical School Exposed (MedExpo)
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Our mandate is to create opportunities that will allow medical students to evolve their sense of awareness, tolerance, acceptance, cross-cultural competence, and compassion for patients from underrepresented populations. We accomplish this by delivering seminars and panels that will help students better care for patients and respect peers who may be disadvantaged due including Age, Ancestry, colour, race, Citizenship, Ethnic origin, Place of origin, Creed, Disability, Family status, Gender identity, gender expression, Sex, or Sexual orientation. We are also working to familiarize and connect students to with organizations within their communities such as the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity (http://ccgsd-ccdgs.org/) and UOSU Pride Centre (https://www.seuo-uosu.com/services/pride-centre/), to name a few examples. Furthermore, we work to ensure equity in healthcare for minority populations and healthcare professionals, and to support members challenged by discrimination. Our group works to combat homophobia, transphobia, racism, ableism and all other forms of discrimination within the medical profession and in society at large. We strive to foster a professional climate in which diverse members of the community can achieve their full potential. Our vision is to enable respectful, skillful, safe, and mindful medical practice of our future physicians while offering formal and informal settings for students to build community and solidarity with their fellow peers. We also have social gatherings with 2SLGBTQIA+, disabled, and BIPOC medical students and allies, as well as a 2SLGBTQIA+ Mentorship program that meets once a month. All are welcome to our group!
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As medical students and future physicians, our careers will incorporate a significant teaching component. From patient education to teaching in clerkship and residency to working as preceptors and professors, teaching is fundamental to the medical profession. The Medical Education Interest Group (MEIG) aims to provide undergraduate medical students with the skills to improve their leadership and communication skills and excel in the teaching roles that they will take on throughout their careers. Through teaching workshops, students will learn how to effectively communicate as lecturers and small-group tutors, and will later have the opportunity to put those skills into practice as group leaders for the popular MedTalks series: a sequence of lectures and small group sessions about medical topics designed and delivered by medical students to undergraduates. Our program is proudly offered in both English and French to accommodate all students. We also aim to have a focus on Medical Education Research by expanding opportunities for students to network with researchers in medical education and become involved in this research.
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Medical Ethics Interest Group
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MedReal invites medical students who are interested in having thoughtful discussions with patients and learning about their medical experiences. It is often easy to forget about how diseases impact patients and their quality of life. We hope to bridge the gap between our clinical knowledge and our understanding of the realities that patients face with each illness. Our events include engaging discussions with patients, nurses, social workers and other parties within the healthcare team.
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Multi-Faith Interest Group - Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA)
cmds.uottawa@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/groups/cmdaottawa Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA) at Ottawa is a chapter of Canada-wide CMDA, a national organization of Christian physicians, dentists, and students, who seek to honour God by integrating Christian faith within their professional practice. The purpose of CMDA is to minister to the spiritual needs of medical students by allowing a space of faith and medicine related discussions, studying scripture, prayer, food and fellowship. CMDA also participates in retreats and conferences with other CMDA chapters across Canada. We hope that CMDA will not only help students to find a place to share in their faith, but also grow in their faith within the Christian medical community in Ottawa.
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The Jewish Medical Students Association (JMSA) provides a forum for Jewish and non-Jewish medical students to discuss, debate, and learn how Jewish ethics relate to the world of everyday medical practice. It involves educational and social programs for students and physicians that focus on the Jewish perspective of various important medical topics, such as abortion, physician- assisted suicide, and organ donation. We believe that both ancient and modern Jewish teachings provide many important lessons for today’s physicians, regardless of one’s background. Our events include talks by local physicians and rabbis about Jewish medical ethics, Friday night dinners with fellow members, and other fun and exciting social programs.
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The Muslim Medical Association (MMA) is a University of Ottawa group that caters to the needs of Muslim students in health-related fields by providing support, services, programs, social events, workshops and resources for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. We offer various lunch & learn sessions in which students gain the opportunity to learn about different topics such as Islamic perspective on medical ethics, cultural barriers relating to care of muslim patients, sensitive issues in islam, and integrating spirituality in your medical practice. We also partner with the Muslim Medical Association of Canada to offer mentorship to students interested in or already pursuing medicine. Lastly, we host a variety of social events including our annual Med-Law Eid social, giving students the chance to build their social networks in a warm and welcoming environment. The group can be contacted at ottawa@muslimmeds.ca
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Nutrition & Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group
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Almost all physicians will care for patients who have been affected by cancer at some point in their career. The field of oncology is constantly changing from evolving guidelines to novel personalized therapies. The pre-clerkship medical curriculum can only provide a brief introduction to this exciting specialty. Moreover, the fight against cancer is one that extends beyond medicine to spark initiatives among communities aimed at fundraising and enhancing the quality of life for people living with cancer. Our goal is to bridge the gap between medical students and the staff and residents representing the various divisions of oncology while raising awareness about opportunities to get involved in research and community outreach. We would like to provide our fellow classmates with the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge in the various fields of oncology so they may explore their own interests as well as learn skills that will be useful to them during clerkship and post-graduation.
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The Pediatrics Special Interest Group (PedSIG) strives to introduce medical students to the field of pediatrics, its subspecialties, the residency program matching requirements, and pre-clerkship elective opportunities. We organize physician-led talks and panel discussions throughout the year, inviting students to participate in interactive events where they can meet faculty members, residents, pediatric patients and their families. This year, we will have a special focus on providing clinical experience through our Resident Shadowing Program, Teddy Bear Hospital Project, and Bedside Teaching Program, subject to public health guidelines. We will also organize virtual webinars and talks on pediatric topics. We hope to share our enthusiasm for this fascinating specialty with you!
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Planetary Health Interest Group
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The dermatology interest group aims to expose students to all aspects of dermatology including clinical dermatology, research in dermatology, and advocacy in dermatology including representation of all skin of colours, and the intersection between mental health and dermatology. We will focus on exposing pre-clerkship students to the basic curriculum through seminar series and also provide further opportunities to get involved and explore this field through campaigns, workshops, and guest speakers. Through this, we hope to help improve the confidence and competency levels of uOttawa medical students when providing care to patients with dermatologic conditions.
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The Ophthalmology Interest Group (OIG) provides students with the opportunity to explore this unique specialty. Ocular conditions and pathologies are not exclusive to any one specialty, rather it encompasses various aspects of medicine, including primary care, pediatrics, emergency medicine, plastics and more. Given the little exposure to ophthalmology in class and the highly competitive nature of the field, OIG intends to provide sufficient exposure, further knowledge, networking opportunities with future mentors, and build a career in ophthalmology. OIG hopes to accomplish these goals by providing talks, seminars, and workshops with staff, residents, medical students, and community organizations. It will also be a resource for students to learn about the CaRMS process, subspecialties, research, and service projects involved in ophthalmology.
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Pathology involves the examination of tissue specimens to make the official diagnosis of a condition. Pathologists play a crucial role in the multidisciplinary medical team and their findings can often guide patient management. Unfortunately, pathology is not very well represented in the medical school curriculum, especially during Clerkship. The Pathology Interest Group (PIG) aims to show students a side of pathology that they do not get to see from lectures through a variety of fascinating talks and workshops throughout the year. It hopes to allow those interested in pathology to cultivate that interest and get a chance to apply some of the knowledge that they have learned. It is also a good way for medical students to meet faculty members and residents from the pathology department in order to foster good connections with possible mentors.
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The Point-of-care Ultrasound (POCUS) interest group aims to introduce medical students to the clinical applications of bedside ultrasound and to teach them to perform the scans themselves. POCUS IG will be hosting workshops when possible (MSK, Cardiac, Thoracic, FAST scans), simulations (U/S guided procedures, etc.) and online seminars for students to learn how to use POCUS technology in a variety of ways. POCUS is being used increasingly more frequently in clinical settings across all medical specialties, so proficiency in POCUS will enable students to be more effective in clinical settings relevant to their ideal residency placement.
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Psychiatry is a medical specialty which focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. The capacity of a psychiatrist can be quite diverse, with roles such as one-on-one physician-patient interactions, multidisciplinary healthcare team decisions, and as a community leader/advocate. The psychiatry and mental health interest group (PMHIG) strives to introduce medical students to the ever-evolving field of psychiatry and its sub-specialties, the requirements to match to a psychiatry residency program, and various pre-clerkship elective/research opportunities. Throughout the year, PMHIG will host seminars, interactive panels, and hands-on workshops to familiarize students with psychiatric concepts and the path that leads to a career in this field. Hearing from practicing psychiatrists, residents, and psychiatry patients will provide group members with a myriad of useful and fascinating psychiatry information! A new initiative for this year is to increase the connection between students and patients, allowing students to better understand the presentation of mental illness and further reduce any pre-existing stigma. We hope to provide a useful resource to students considering this specialty and share our enthusiasm for the field!
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The Radiology Interest Group (RIG) is geared towards introducing students to this diverse imaging specialty at the center of patient care! We will be hosting career talks to introduce you to radiologists and all the different subspecialties, and workshops to help you interpret images. Whether you want to practice radiology for exams, learn how other physicians use radiology for patient management, or become fluent in radiological principles, we’ve got you covered!
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Resiliency Interest Group (ResIG)
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Sexual health, sexuality, and sexual expression are important components of our overall health and well-being and deserves to be brought to attention, discussed and respected. Sexual Health Outreach (SHOUT) Program is a multifactorial interest group that includes both education and public health advocacy. Some of our goals include increasing medical students’ awareness/knowledge of and comfortability discussing sexual health, providing sexual health discussion-style education for at-risk populations, and re-establishing comprehensive sexual education in the Ontario public school system. Together, we hope to break the stigma that equates “sex/sexuality” with “risk.”
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South Asian Women's Voices in Healthcare
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Our goal is to educate University of Ottawa medical students on various topics relating to Sports Medicine. Through talks given by sports medicine physicians, orthopedic surgeons, and other interdisciplinary health-care professionals specializing in the field of Sports Medicine, we hope to give students a better understanding of this specialty in a fun and engaging environment. Students will be given the opportunity to receive hands-on experience through various workshops, including learning how athletes train, eat, and recover from injuries. Students will be taught valuable skills related to the treatment of MSK injuries. You do not require any athletic ability to join this group!
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Student Senior Isolation Prevention Program (SSIPP)
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Student Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN) introduces University of Ottawa students to the specialty of neurology. Members will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on workshops in neurology, attend speaker series and participate in community outreach by advocating for brain safety to elementary school children through the Brain Waves program. Furthermore, members will be exposed to specific topics in neurology through integrated talks that are designed to complement the first and second year curriculums. Anyone who is interested in neurology or who wants to learn more about this fascinating specialty would benefit by not only gaining valuable knowledge about neuroscience but also developing experience, leadership and valuable contacts.
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The goal of SWAT is to provide elementary and high school students with the facts they need about tobacco products in order to make an informed decision about their use. Smoking is linked with the leading causes of death in Canada and it is crucial to decrease the incidence of smoking in today's youth. SWAT focuses on the prevention of smoking through comprehensive, interactive and educational presentations geared towards specific age groups. Physicians work with patients on smoking cessation; let's work with children to stop the problem before they start smoking!
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SIG is an interest group designed for students interested in the field of surgery. The purpose of this group is to expose students to the breadth and depth of the surgical practice. This includes, but is not limited to, learning about developments in the field, developing technical surgical skills, networking with surgeons and residents, and learning about surgery in pre-clerkship, clerkship, and residency programs. Students will have the opportunity to partake in educational lectures, panel presentations, and workshops (i.e. OR etiquette and suturing workshops). The Surgery Interest Group also organizes the Surgical Exploration and Discovery Program (SEAD), a two-week summer program that consists of observations, discussions, lectures and skills development through simulations across all surgical specialties.
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From the invention of the thermometer and x-rays, to the emergence of minimally invasive surgical tools, the use of technology in medicine has revolutionized patient care and treatment. Advancements in healthcare can seldom be achieved without advancements in technology; innovation in medical technology opens the door to great possibilities in improving patient health outcomes and patient care. Technology plays a central role in the clinic, from aiding with diagnosis to providing treatment. The Technology in Medicine Interest Group aims to expose students to current medical technology through talks and demonstrations, while also presenting research and development at the interface of the two fields. Through our speaker events and workshops, we hope to forge connections between students and experts in various medical fields, especially those with expertise in medical technology.
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Women's health is a broad topic that encompasses the spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being of women through the entire course of the lifespan. The Women's Health Interest Group offers an opportunity to explore and learn about a variety of different topics relating to women's health, through talks, hands-on workshops, certifications and community outreach. Considering the current pandemic, these will likely be offered virtually. Topics that will be explored include sexual and reproductive health, navigating careers in obstetrics and gynecology, mental health, issues that impact the health of sex-workers and the LGBTQ community, family planning and maternal and fetal health and well-being.
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