Ontario Medical Students Association (OMSA) Updates
OMSA Advocacy Survey Results
Published: August 5, 2021
Thank you for taking the time to fill out our annual advocacy survey, which determines our advocacy priorities for the year(s) to come. Your input has highlighted that the Long Term Care Crisis is a major topic of concern for medical students in Ontario.
Reminder: OMSA Clerkship Kit PPE Portrait (3rd year clerks only)
Published: August 5, 2021
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This is your last chance to receive your PPE Portrait in your Clerkship kit this September 2021 by filling out this Google Form by tomorrow August 6th 2021
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OMSA/OMA Resources
Published: August 5, 2021
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OMSA Mental Health Resources: The OMSA Mental Health Working Group has put together a document containing Mental Health Resources for all medical students.
OMA Advantages: We know this year CaRMS has been different, but no matter how different you will be making some important decisions soon. The OMA wants to ease the process and lessen any added cost you might incur along the way. The OMA has a list of vendors offering special discounts on products and services to make the transition easier. Whether you need moving services, train tickets, accommodations, a new computer or just food delivery services the OMA is there to help. To view special offers please visit the OMA dedicated CaRMS page. OMA Advantages Retirement Savings Plan: Is it too early to start investing in your retirement? Get ahead of the curve and check out our newest program The Advantages Retirement Savings Plan and start saving for your future now! |
OMSA Statement: 215 Indigenous Children
Published: June 21, 2021
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OMSA joins Indigenous peoples across Canada as we grieve the loss of 215 Indigenous students buried in unmarked graves in Kamloops, BC on the lands of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation. We acknowledge the dignity of these children, their families, and their communities. We recognize the traumatic impact of these events on the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation, survivors of Canada’s Indian Residential School system, and Indigenous med students across Ontario.
These events are not isolated; they are part of the historic and ongoing genocide against Indigenous peoples in Canada. As an organization representing over 3500 med students across Ontario, we recognize that we participate in and benefit from violence against Indigenous peoples. We commit to critically reflecting on our personal and organizational biases, educating ourselves on the truth of residential schools and injustices against Indigenous communities, and strengthening consultation with Indigenous learners in our initiatives and decision-making. We also call on institutions across Canada and PM Justin Trudeau to accelerate the implementation of the 94 calls to action laid out by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Collaborating with the Northern Ontario & Rural Medicine (NORM) Committee, this year we worked towards Calls to Action 22 and 24 by hosting an event on Indigenous healing practices, and sharing an Indigenous Health Toolkit. We recognize there is much more work to be done and commit to strengthening our role in reconciliation. To learn more, including how you can help, visit this website. If you are in need of support, contact the Indian Residential School Survivors Society Counselling Services at 1–800–721–0066 or follow this link. |
OMSA First Year Handbook
Published: May 3, 2021
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The first year handbook is a resource compiled by the Ontario Medical Student Association that aims to provide incoming medical students with tips and tricks on navigating medical school. We are looking for responses from current medical students for advice that they would give to their first year counterparts. This is especially important with the changes from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please share your words of wisdom with the link! |
Canadian Federation of Medical Students (CFMS) Updates
CFMS Presidential Address
Published: August 5, 2021
First, welcome to all our new students starting across the country this month! The 2021-2022 year is going to be a transformational time for our organization. Over the last year, many medical students from across the country lost faith in the work being done by the CFMS, myself included. My hope in stepping into this role is to increase the trust and transparency of our membership. Our voices are stronger together and I cannot do this work without you.
I want to start by offering so much gratitude for the kind messages of support and encouragement I have received from students from across the country. Please know that I have read every message and comment I have received. Those words help solidify that taking these next steps was what I needed to do. Keeping with the theme of honesty, I am not coming into this role without a bit of fear of letting you down. I know that there are many pieces to achieving this transformation and my goal is to set a sustainable and equitable foundation for future leaders to continue this journey of change you have called for.
I am hopeful for the future, and I hope that you can be hopeful with me. We are all just a group of dedicated students hoping for change. We, the CFMS, are here to amplify your needs at a federal level and support you in the work you do locally. As we transition, I look forward to establishing strong relationships with students from across the country and learning from you all. As opportunities arise, I hope you will join us on this journey to rebuild an organization we can all be proud of. Your voices matter in this work.
Humbly,
Santanna Hernandez
President, CFMS
I want to start by offering so much gratitude for the kind messages of support and encouragement I have received from students from across the country. Please know that I have read every message and comment I have received. Those words help solidify that taking these next steps was what I needed to do. Keeping with the theme of honesty, I am not coming into this role without a bit of fear of letting you down. I know that there are many pieces to achieving this transformation and my goal is to set a sustainable and equitable foundation for future leaders to continue this journey of change you have called for.
I am hopeful for the future, and I hope that you can be hopeful with me. We are all just a group of dedicated students hoping for change. We, the CFMS, are here to amplify your needs at a federal level and support you in the work you do locally. As we transition, I look forward to establishing strong relationships with students from across the country and learning from you all. As opportunities arise, I hope you will join us on this journey to rebuild an organization we can all be proud of. Your voices matter in this work.
Humbly,
Santanna Hernandez
President, CFMS
CFMS Resources
Published: August 5, 2021
CFMS: Interviewed for residency recently? Been on elective? Looking to save money? Check out the resource tab on the CFMS website.
MD Financial: Are you moving for medical school or residency? Residents can claim moving expenses against their employment income, and students can deduct these expenses from taxable scholarships or awards. Here’s a list of the moving expenses you can deduct on your tax return.
Balancing debts, bills and saving can be a challenge for resident physicians. Read more about the common barriers preventing households like yours from saving — and how to overcome them with pre-authorized contribution plans, debt repayment plans and other ways to help you start saving today.
MD Financial: Are you moving for medical school or residency? Residents can claim moving expenses against their employment income, and students can deduct these expenses from taxable scholarships or awards. Here’s a list of the moving expenses you can deduct on your tax return.
Balancing debts, bills and saving can be a challenge for resident physicians. Read more about the common barriers preventing households like yours from saving — and how to overcome them with pre-authorized contribution plans, debt repayment plans and other ways to help you start saving today.
Reminder: CFMS EDI Survey
Published: July 19, 2021
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CFMS Board of Directors is asking for your suggestions! Have you ever gone through an equity, diversity, and inclusivity training that you have found extremely helpful? Do you have any suggestions for comprehensive anti-racism and cultural safety training? We would love to hear about it!
The Board of Directors of the Canadian Federation of Medical Students (CFMS) is looking for your input to ensure that your representatives at CFMS are comprehensively trained and equipped to advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusivity and combat racism. Share your suggestions for training options with us by completing the form. |
CFMS Podcasts: Cognitive Neurology
Published: July 19, 2021
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The CFMS Research in Medicine Podcast Series interviews Dr. Elizabeth Finger from @westernuCNS this month! We talk about her research on empathy in Frontotemporal dementia from the clinic to the bench, and all the way back to the bedside! Listen on Apple or Spotify!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- La série de balados de la FEMC sur la recherche en médecine passe en entrevue la Dre Elizabeth Finger de @westernuCNS ce mois-ci ! On parle de ses recherches sur l'empathie dans la démence frontotemporale de la clinique à la table de laboratoire, et jusqu'au chevet du patient ! |
Listen on Apple or Spotify!
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CFMS Resources: MD Financial Management Webinars
Published: June 21, 2021
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MD Financial Management, our preferred financial services supplier, has created a hub for their financial literacy webinars to educate physicians, their families and others on a variety of financial topics. This hub is continually updated with new webinars. Some recent topics include estate planning, non-financial aspects of retirement and market insights as we navigate the pandemic.
Anyone can register for these MD webinars, and we encourage you to reach out to your PTMA members to let them know. If there’s a particular topic of interest for future webinars, MD Financial would love to hear from you. |
CFMS Safe Spaces
Published: May 3, 2021
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Join medical students from across the country in a moderated conversation about how medical students cope with a chronic medical condition or disability (mental or physical) causing some impairment in medical training. This peer support session is confidential; learners can participate anonymously or choose to identify themselves. Part of the CFMS Safe Spaces initiative, hosted in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Physicians with Disabilities.
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CFMS Annual Review
Published: May 3, 2021
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CFMS is proud to announce the publication of 2021 Annual Review! You can now access the digital copy of this publication through the link. The CFMS Annual Review is a publication that includes summaries of CFMS projects and activities of the past year, as well as contributions of stories, poetry, art and photography from the general membership. It is distributed to over 8,000 medical students across the country, to the Deans of Canadian medical schools and to all the major medical organizations throughout Canada. Copies are also sent to all Provincial Ministers of Health, to Provincial Medical Associations as well as to over 100 Members of Parliament.
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CFMS EDI Survey
Published: May 3, 2021
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CFMS Board of Directors is asking for your suggestions! Have you ever gone through an equity, diversity, and inclusivity training that you have found extremely helpful? Do you have any suggestions for comprehensive anti-racism and cultural safety training? We would love to hear about it! The Board of Directors of the Canadian Federation of Medical Students (CFMS) is looking for your input to ensure that your representatives at CFMS are comprehensively trained and equipped to advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusivity and combat racism. Share your suggestions for training options with us by completing the form.
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Other Updates
OMA Better Healthcare Survey
Published: August 5, 2021
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The COVID-19 pandemic has tested our health-care system. Ontario's doctors (OMA) are leading the way forward to meet the needs of their patients as we begin to put the pandemic behind us and to make the long-term changes needed to protect patients in the future. To help us do this, the OMA needs to know what is most important to you (as a patient!) in Ontario and needs your support to help make needed improvements. Please help us improve Ontario health care and protect you and your family.
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CMA Updates
Published: August 5, 2021
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Read the most recent updates from the CMA, including how to register for their annual general meeting (AGM) and Health Summit Session 3: Thriving in a reimagined culture of medicine: What does it mean to be “healthy”? taking place on August 22, 12:00–2:30 pm ET.
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AFMC Updates
Published: August 5, 2021
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NCIME: The National Consortium for National Indigenous Medical Education (NCIME) website is now live! Visit and sign up for their mailing list!
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Reminder: TOH Solving Wellness Program
Published: July 19, 2021
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Solving Wellness is a virtual platform started by physicians at TOH that provides unique and curated health and wellness content to help healthcare providers across the country improve their health and achieve greater well-being. We are offering live webinars, fitness classes, yoga and cooking classes, mental health resources, workshops and more.
We are offering free membership to all uOttawa medical students with the code "UOMEDS". If anyone had issues previously with the code, it should work now! |
OMA Offers: CaRMS Advantages and Memberperks Contest
Published: June 21, 2021
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OMA Advantages Offers: We know this year CaRMS has been different, but no matter how different you will be making some important decisions soon. The OMA wants to ease the process and lessen any added cost you might incur along the way. The OMA has a list of vendors offering special discounts on products and services to make the transition easier. Whether you need moving services, train tickets, accommodations, a new computer or just food delivery services the OMA is there to help. To view special offers please visit the OMA dedicated CaRMS page.
Memberperks Contest: Sign up with Memberperks and get access to valuable discounts for you and your family. Sign up for a Memberperks account between May 3 and June 18 and be entered into a draw to win a Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2. Family members are also eligible to sign up for an account. See what you could save with your Memberperks account. |
OMA The Financial Checkup: Paying Down Student Debt vs Saving for RetirementPublished: June 21, 2021
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When is the right time to start saving for retirement? In Episode 3 of The Financial Checkup, we discuss with Dr. Paul Healey, cofounder of the Physician Financial Independence online community and a member of the Advantages Retirement Plan™ Investment Committee, about the realities of paying off student debt while also planning for a secure financial future.
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Got questions? Contact uOttawa's OMA Insurance Education and Engagement Specialist: Marta Hano
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