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Political Advocacy update

Hello folks, this is Jennifer Waterhouse your SMSS communications

officer, and this is your bi-annual CoM Newsletter to keep you informed on what has been going on in the college over the past semester. With political advocating, charity fundraising, and Saskatoon’s first ever Global Health conference, our students have been busy making positive changes on many fronts – making for a packed newsletter. Hope the studies are going well – and enjoy this quick study break by taking a moment to look back on the fun that was had in the fall semester 2012 in the College of Medicine. Jennifer Waterhouse – Communications Officer

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Traditionally, U of S College of Medicine graduates have been renown for their clinical skills. These skills are paramount to becoming a good doctor. So as to reverse the current trend of decreasing students’ clinical hours, the Political Advocacy Committee (PAC) searched out practices used by other medical schools to attract sufficient clinical teachers.

On November 22nd, the PAC met with Government and Opposition members to discuss their proposal; to quickly implement a program, modeled off other medical schools, whereby residents are encouraged to do clinical teaching. In the past, the College of Medicine has not had any payment structure in place for resident

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teachers. However, with the conceivable student benefits in mind, the PAC’s innovative proposal is currently being explored. Tapping the teaching potential of the province’s 416 residents would add an immediate 20% increase in the MDs available to teach medical students.

While the proposal holds great benefit to all parties involved, and PAC representatives are optimistic it could be realized sooner, implementation will likely only take place after a new contract is negotiated between the residents and the U of S. Watch the SMSS website for updates!

David Plemel –PAC Rep

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.CoM Newsletter Fall Semester 2012

"The SMA Fall Representative Assembly took place Nov. 2-3rd, 2012. Seven SMSS members were present and actively took part in representing the students of the College of Medicine.

The SMSS was able to get two resolutions passed. The first resolution asked the SMA to create a program to reimburse rural physicians who promote community involvement to medical students on rotation. This resolution is meant to incentive physicians to improve the medical students' experiences in rural and remote practice. The second resolution asked the SMA to encourage physicians, both community based clinicians and university employed faculty, to remain engaged in clinical teaching while the ongoing accreditation issues are being addressed at the College of Medicine.

We were able to support PAIRS in passing a resolution regarding the creation of a mentorship program between medical students, residents and practicing physicians. It was great to see the positive connection between PAIRS and the SMSS.

Some other highlights included hearing the Minister of Health speak as well talks on the LEAN method, Physician Health Program, EMR and pooled referrals.

Overall it was a very successful weekend. As the RA was ending the speaker specifically thanked the SMSS for showing an interest in the SMA and encouraged us to continue to make connections between the students and the SMA." Brendan Kushneriuk – Jr. SMA Rep

Sma assembly

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SMSS Goals The SMSS has cited one of its main goals for the year to be increased communication with students, faculty and staff. There have been a number of things that the SMSS has been working on to this end, including:

1. Inviting faculty and staff to the annual SMSS Welcome Week BBQ

2. Hosting an SMSS, faculty and staff networking luncheon

3. Launching and transitioning communication to be centrally found at our new website: www.saskmedstudents.com

4. Cutting down on e-mail communication, and utilizing our Facebook Page, website, and in class communications

5. Ensuring all minutes, the budget, and constitution are posted on our website

6. At student request, formation of an College and student IT Working Group to update the UGME website, centralize College communication (ie. coordinating blackboard, one45 and PAWS together), and develop personalized "To Do" lists and a smartphone app.

7. Hosting Round Table Meetings where SMSS members are all required to give an update-encouraging increased communication within the SMSS.

Stay tuned for next semester the SMSS is looking at hosting an SMSS-student town hall to increase communication and awareness, as well as a faculty, staff and student event to give everyone in the College of Medicine a chance to get to know each other better!

Kylie Riou- SMSS President

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Health everywhere hosts saskatoon’s first global health conference

Saturday September 29, 2012 was an exciting day for Global Health at the University of Saskatchewan. Over 200 students, faculty, professionals and community members came together at the Local Steps- Global Strides Conference to learn more about global health and different opportunities in this exciting field. The student-led conference was organized through the College of Medicine at the U of S and the first of its kind in Canada.

The main goals of the conference were to showcase global health initiatives at the U of S, build awareness about issues related to the field, and help build momentum for future projects. The planning committee was quite happy with how things worked out and is already looking forward to next years conference.

Dia Austin Class of 2014

Health CARE CLASsic

The 1st annual Healthcare Classic slow pitch tournament took place in Martensville onAugust, 26th, 2012. 14 teams took part representing the colleges of Medicine, Dentistry and Physical Therapy. We also had a team of medical faculty, which was great to see! The Healthcare Classic was a joint fundraiser for both Icebowl 2016 as well as the Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan. Over $7000 was raised through this event due to the enthusiastic

Fall semester 2012 events

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nature of health care students as well as some substantial donations from our gracious sponsors. Preparation for the Heathcare Classic 2013 is already underway and we hope to see this event continue its success as a fundraiser as well as an enjoyable event linking students of the health care professions together!

Brendan Kushneriuk –Past Sport Rep

Miles for smiles 2012

Digging back into the history of Miles for Smiles, it was the year 2004 when a small group of medical students organized the very first student-run 5 km race. It was their brainchild to create an event that promoted a healthy lifestyle and involved residents from all corners of Saskatchewan. We are happy to report that Miles for Smiles 2012 went off with great success! With over 300 runners in both Saskatoon and Regina, the 9th annual Miles for Smiles event is estimated to have raised close to $12 000 for the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan (CHFS). To date, the Student Medical Society of Saskatchewan (SMSS) has raised over $70 000 for the CHFS. The SMSS would like to thank those who participated and those who volunteered. We would like to extend a special thanks to our sponsors and supporters! Be on the lookout for the 10th annual Miles for Smiles event in September of 2013! Kwadwo Mponponsu- VP external

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SCRC COMMUNICATION!

To keep the student body updated on the Student Curriculum Review Committee happenings, we will be sending out short newsletters regularly!

An important thing to know about the SCRC is that your feedback on the curriculum to your phase representatives does matter! The SCRC holds voting positions on the curriculum committee and the sub-committees where your voice can be heard.

The SCRC has recently made progress on setting up an integrative calendar of assignments, events, and classes for Phase A. The SCRC brought forth this initiative after being approached by Phase A students. The calendar is currently in the works and Dr. Malin and Dr. D’Eon are looking into options. If you have any suggestions, please speak to your rep.

As added incentive to complete your One45 evaluations, the SCRC proposed to the College to introduce evaluation completion rewards. The College agreed and has set aside some money for classes who complete 90% of their evaluations. If your phase achieves this goal, you will be treated to a pizza party or class party as a reward. Make sure you get those evaluations in!

Finally, the SCRC and SMSS will be drafting a letter to the College concerning professionalism in the college. The letter will voice the student viewpoint on professionalism in the College. If you have any suggestions of professionalism issues that should be addressed in this letter, please talk to your SCRC representative! That’s all for now. Please keep your SCRC reps informed on your concerns.

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support! Jordan Steeg – Phase A Class rep

Fall Banquet

The annual Fall Welcome was held on October 12th. This year the event was moved to Praireland Park. The venue had a very intimate atmosphere and a lot more room as our college grows. We had an attendance of about 325 students, significant others and special guests. The evening consisted of a dinner, program and dance. The program is always the major highlight of the night. Melissa Anderson the past SMSS president was the master of Ceremonies. The first year students were formally introduced and the acting dean Dr. Qualtiere gave a welcome. The undergraduate and SMSS student awards for the 2011-2012 academic year were presented and celebrated. The program concluded with some humorous and valuable insight from our guest speaker Rob Woods. The evening ended with students dancing the night away, and was an evening to reflect on past achievements and look forward to another great year to come. Danielle Nault -Phase C Rep

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Med One Date Auction

The annual Med 1 Charity Date Auction was again a huge success this year! On November 23rd, over one hundred people came out to the event to marvel at the wide variety of talents showcased by the class of 2016 and to bid on their favorite dates offered by the class.

Medical students volunteered to go on all-expenses-paid “dates” with anyone willing to “purchase” them with the goal to raise money for Habitat for Humanity Saskatoon, a local charity whose mission is to build affordable housing to break the cycle of poverty in our city. To entice potential buyers further, medical students performed acts on stage ranging from a sophisticated solo piano concert, to a perfectly-executed self-defense demonstration, to a full-blown Med-1 Gangnam Style dance-off (go ahead and search YouTube)!

Not only did all in attendance have a great time, the local community will benefit as well as more than $5000 was raised all of which will be donated to Habitat for Humanity Saskatoon. Kudos to the Class of 2016 and all those who came out to show their

Meet you scrc reps Phase A: Ian Chan, Sarah Parkinson, and Amir Taherian (absent) Phase B: Luke Heinrichs (absent), Danica Kindrachuk, and Sachin Trivedi Phase C: Alex Meldrum (Regina), Ginevra Mills, and Navid Robertson Kristen Relkey (VP Academic) and Kylie Riou (President, photographer)

Mustache movember!!

This year 33 students from the College of Medicine put together a team to help raise funds and awareness for Movember. Movember is responsible for raising vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and male mental health initiatives. During the month of November, Movember is the reason for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces, in Canada and all over the world. Movember has gained more and more attention and awareness over the years, raising millions of dollars. The “Medical Mos” wanted to do their part, and work as a team to help contribute to this worthy cause. A bake sale was hosted in the RUH mall, which raised $245. The Mo bros worked hard to grow their moustaches and the Mo sistas helped support their efforts, all the while collecting individual and team donations. As a team, $2, 480 were raised, way to go Medical Mos!

Crombie Maltman – Sr. Social Rep

The SMSS has played an active role in the renewal and restructuring process the College of Medicine is undertaking. There is SMSS representation on the Dean's Advisory Committee, the Accreditation working group, and the Governance working group. These groups have met numerous times over this semester, and will continue to do so into the new year, addressing concerns related to the restructuring and accreditation processes. In order to ensure student feedback, the SMSS distributed the restructuring working group questions to the student body, compiled and analyzed this feedback and presented it to the relevant working groups. The SMSS also hosted a town hall with the first year medical students to explain the accreditation and restructuring processes and answer questions and concerns. SMSS members have been present at all town halls and special faculty council meetings regarding the restructuring, ensuring students are represented and considered as stakeholders during this process. For more information please feel free to look on our website at www.saskmedstudents.com, the College's website at www.medicine.usask.ca/renewal, as well as contact the SMSS President at smss.president@usask.ca, or any other SMSS members with any questions you may have!

That’s all for now, hope this newsletter made you become a little more informed on what happened in the college this past semester, and gave you a better idea of what the SMSS has been up to. On behalf of the entire SMSS, I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season, and we look forward to seeing everyone back in the New Year!!! Kylie Riou – SMSS President

Fall Semester 2012 saskmedstudents.com

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SMSS President – Kylie Riou Past SMSS President- Melissa Andersen VP Academic – Kristen Relkey VP External (Jr) Lena Xiao VP External (Sr.) Lindsay Anderson VP Internal – Kwadwo Mponponsuo VP Regina - Tim Bolton Communications officer – Jennifer Waterhouse CRCR Rep Phase A: Ian Chan, Sarah Parkinson, and Amir Taherian (absent) CRCR Rep Phase B: Luke Heinrichs, Danica Kindrachuk, and Sachin Trivedi CRCR Rep Phase C: Alex Meldrum (Regina), Ginevra Mills, and Navid Robertson Global Health Advocate – Keith Johnstone Global Health Liaison (Jr.) – Caitlin Jantzen Global Health Liaison (Sr) – Hadal El-Hadi HSSA Rep (Jr) – Megan Jess HSSA Rep (Sr) – Tamara Webster Med 1 Class Reps – Jordon Steeg and Ronelle Calver Med II Class Reps - Christie Kimber and Chris Young

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Med III Class Reps – Danielle Nault and Jon Dean Med IV Class Reps – Jean Mok, Alison Anton, Christina Batey, Ali Thompson IT Officer – Jayden Cowan Local Exchange Officer (Jr) Jared Diedrichs Local Exchange officer (Sr) Ricarda Bentham P.E.E.R.S.i.M. Liaison – Neil Kalra and Amanda Waldner PAC Rep- David Plemel SaskDocs Rep- Nicole Longmuir Secretary – Drew Hager SMA Rep (Jr) – Brendan Kushneriuk SMA Rep (Sr) -Chelsea Wilgenbusch Social Rep (Jr) Jonathon Thomas Social Rep (Sr) – Crombie Maltman Sports Reps – Hafeez Kurji and Erin Hedin Student Groups Coordinator -Krista Lagimodiere Treasurer- Margot Klemmer USSU Councillor – Kerollos Wanis New VP Regina – Kyle MacDonald Regina-Saskatoon Liaison – Anna Steve

A note from your president