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► Students trying out their fiber optic headbands while collecting goodies from the Offices of Medical Student Education and Medical Communications October 31.  

Gaining Appreciation for the Patient Perspective

Each patient has their own unique story. Learning how to listen to and reflect on that story was the focus of a narrative medicine session on October 24. As part of this Professionalism, Communication and Reflection course experience, one group of seven first-year medical students donned their white coats -- the first time they'd worn them in a professional training capacity -- and followed their preceptor, Shaden Eldakar-Hein, M.D., through the halls of the UVM Medical Center and up the stairs to Baird 4. Upon their arrival, Dr. Eldakar-Hein glanced at a sheet in her hand and one-by-one, led each student into the patient room where they would conduct an in-person patient interview. Read more about their experience >>

► Advanced Integration Mandatory Informational Session

Northeast Medical Student Queer Alliance Update

Since holding its 3rd annual Summit in Boston this past March, the Northeast Medical Student Queer Alliance (NMSQA) has grown its membership to include every allopathic medical school in New England, says member Eli Goldberg '20. NMSQA is a regional association of LGBTQ medical student organizations dedicated to promoting coordinated advocacy for positive climate and curricular change around LGBTQ issues at Northeast medical schools; sharing curricular and extracurricular materials around LGBTQ equality and health; and fostering a social and professional network of medical students engaged in LGBTQ work. Charlotte Hastings ’19, a past Gender and Sexuality Alliance leader at the College, is the founding chair of NMSQA. Recently, the group reached out to the National Board of Medical Examiners and major test prep review companies to reevaluate the way that topics related to LGBTQ health are presented on the USMLE exams and review materials and explored partnership with GLMA: Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality (formerly the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association). Visit the NMSQA website.

► Vote through Friday November 3 on COMET for Student Representatives

Wellness Panel Helps Destigmatize Mental Health Conditions 

What’s life like for physicians and other medical professionals who struggle with mental health conditions? On October 18, more than 65 medical students learned first-hand about these challenges at a Student Mental Health Panel hosted by the College’s Wellness Committee. Held once per semester, the panel presentation’s goal is to help normalize and reduce the stigma attached to mental health conditions. Read more about the panel >>

► Red Wheelbarrow Call for Submissions EXTENDED!

On the blog: The Compass of Medicine

Alumnus Fred Mandell, M.D.’64, addressed the Class of 2021 at their White Coat Ceremony on Friday, October 13.  “Each time a choice is made we never know, where it will stop, or what it will create and who the ripple will affect,” said Mandell. “I would like to tell you a story about choice.”  Read his entire message to the class >>

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SIG Highlight: Ophthalmology Student Interest Group 

Advised by ophthalmologists Brian Kim, M.D., and Elizabeth Houle, M.D., the Ophthalmology Student Interest Group (SIG) introduces medical students to a specialty they don’t usually experience until Clerkships. SIG co-leaders Purvi Shah ’20, Nate Benner ’20, and Kinjal Thakor ’20 aim to spark interest in the subspecialty by bringing together medical students and ophthalmology residents and attending physicians, who, Shah says “absolutely love teaching medical students,” for a series of clinics and panels. On October 23, the SIG hosted one of three annual events – a Slit Lamp Exam Clinic – at the UVM Medical Center. Read about the clinic >>  

View all Student Interest Groups >>