For Medical Students

Make your voice heard on proposed AMA policy

Whether you're attending the AMA Medical Student Section (MSS) Interim Assembly Meeting or not, all AMA-MSS members are highly encouraged to submit online commentary on AMA-MSS resolutions through the AMA-MSS Virtual Reference Committee.

The Virtual Reference Committee allows comments to be accepted on AMA-MSS resolutions in advance of the traditional reference committee hearing that will take place Nov. 9 at the meeting. Sign in or create an account to access the Virtual Reference Committee.

Any testimony posted to the Virtual Reference Committee will be used by the AMA-MSS Reference Committee to compile a preliminary report, which will be made available before the AMA-MSS meeting. The preliminary report and its recommendations will serve as the starting point for debate at the Nov. 9 hearing.

Comments in the Virtual Reference Committee will be accepted until Oct. 31. Email the AMA-MSS if you have any trouble accessing the Virtual Reference Committee.

Students use grants for healthy Halloween parties

Medical students at three schools are planning healthier Halloween celebrations for diabetic children by using Section Involvement Grants (SIG).

The students—from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Florida, New York's University of Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and University of Florida College of Medicine—aim to provide an alternative means of marking the holiday while supporting healthy management of diabetic lifestyles and promoting diabetic health awareness in the community. Activities will include face painting, games, crafts and costume contests.

Meanwhile, students at UMDNJ–New Jersey Medical School are planning Halloween festivities to assist the women and children at a local emergency shelter. All proceeds from sales of decorated pumpkins will be used for food for its residents. Students also plan to sponsor a peanut butter and jelly drive for the Thanksgiving season at the same shelter.

SIGs are available to help local AMA medical student sections put student projects and recruitment events into action. Apply for a SIG at least 30 days before your event.

AMA members receive a discount on Kaplan courses

AMA members can save 30 percent on Kaplan's new High Yield on-demand lecture course, an integrated review featuring page references to First Aid.

Also save on Kaplan's Qbank, with 2,200 questions that fully integrate with a free app on your iPhone® and Android™ phones. Discounted courses include a new Step 2 CK High Yield Course. Visit the Kaplan website to take advantage of these offers.

In addition, Kaplan is giving away digital Pharmacology flash cards for the Step 1 exam that are accessible on smartphones, tablets or computers. To sign up, students have to register with their email address, medical school and expected year of graduation. Learn more.

Don't miss out on valuable AMA-member benefits. Renew your membership or join the AMA today.