UCSF Student National Medical Association
International Condom Day Condom Distribution
Even though international condom day is Feb 13th, we decided that to hand out over 1400 condoms and pounds of candy on Valentine’s Day! Shout out to Samantha, Folashade, Colette, Alisha and everyone else who helped make this event possible. Please note that although SNMA condones condom use, we aim to offend no one by handing out condoms. Thanks!
Folashade (on the left) and Colette (on the right), having fun and working hard to keep our members (and non-members, of course!) protected and safe!
Black Wednesday 2012
Black History Month has come to a close, and SNMA has ended with a bang.
SNMA co-hosted the last UIM dinner of the year. The theme of the dinner was Activism in Health. Four panelists from around the bay area, shared their personal experiences as physicians, discussed their level of activism, and provided advice tailored to questions from the audience. The dinner was also exceptionally delicious, adding to an overall successful event.
Lastly, SNMA’s biggest success was increasing awareness of our program to the rest of UCSF class. As written before, there are only 7 African American students within our class, so for our initial black Wednesday, only 7 students dressed the part. However Kessy encouraged others to join to increase our visibility through numbers. With each successive Wednesday, more and more individuals joined our cause. By February 29th, the last Wednesday, over 80 individuals, representing >90% of students in attendance that day, joined SNMA by wearing black. So although our numbers our small, our presence is large and our voices are loud.
Congrats to Kessy, Dawn and the rest of SNMA to a successful month. The new leadership of SNMA is off to a strong start.
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SNMA Attends Regional Conference
The Region I SNMA Board worked for months to organize and run our conference Maintaining the Pipeline: Ensuring Our Success from Pre-Med to MD and Beyond. Over one hundred pre-medical students, medical students, and professionals came to the David Geffen School of Medicine in Los Angeles for two days of workshops, speakers, and public service opportunities.
The weekend began with an opening ceremony led by SNMA Region I Director and UCSF MS-III Uchenna Okoye. She welcomed everybody to the conference and thanked our hosts and sponsors UCLA, USC, Physicians Medical Forum (pictured above), and Kaiser Permanente. Eugene Washington, MD, Dean of the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and Albert Brooks, MD, the President of the Physicians Medical Forum gave some welcoming remarks, followed by our keynote speaker, Juanita Watts, MD (right). Dr. Watts is a board-certified Family Practice physician with Kaiser Permanente Glendale. She has committed her career to improving the lives of women by increasing awareness, eliminating barriers, providing health education, and implementing prevention strategies. She spoke about, among other things, her experience in the pipeline as she attended University of California, Irvine for undergraduate and medical school. She also discussed some statistics regarding underrepresented in medicine professionals.
The keynote address was followed by a diversity discussion: “Making the Case for Increasing Diversity in Medicine: Our Role in Advocating for Change.” After a brief large-group presentation, breakout groups discussed topics ranging from our role in holding stakeholders accountable and an how to make an effective case for increased diversity in medicine. Lunch and an Exhibition Fair with representatives from the Physicians Medical Forum, Kaiser Permanente, UCSF Undergraduate Medical Education and Graduate Medical Education, and many other Region I universities and programs followed the roundtable discussion.
The afternoon was split into two different sessions. The pre-medical students enjoyed the Pre-Medical Forum, organized by the Regional MAPS Liaison Yemi Tutu of UCLA. These students had mock medical school interviews, workshops on becoming a competitive applicant, problem-based learning, and a medical student panel. Medical students and professionals attended workshops ranging from electronic resources to the patient-centered medical home to global health. The day concluded with some remarks from our Regional Director and Associate Regional Director and a raffle of prizes from Kaplan, who donated three question banks and a full MCAT prep course. Michael Knight (right), the SNMA National President, was also in attendance and gave the crowd a preview of the national conference coming up in April in Atlanta.
On Sunday, the Regional Community Service Liaison and UCSF MS-II student Lauren Smith, along with UCSF MS-II Rosny Daniel, led a mini-medical school session with local elementary and high school students. With help from numerous volunteers (Maisha Davis, UCSF MS-II and SNMA co-President, left), the students learned the anatomy and pathology of the heart, as well as how to measure pulses and auscultate heart sounds. The event was covered by a local CBS affiliate. The afternoon ended with lunch from Subway and certificates for all of the children who participated.
The SNMA would like to give a special thank you to the Region I Associate Regional Director Cianna Leatherwood, who led the Regional Board in planning and executing this conference. We all had a wonderful time and look forward to the national conference (registration is open now) in Atlanta from April 4th to April 8th. Pictures from the event.
SNMA Attends First UIM Dinner
The SNMA attended the first Underrepresented in Medicine dinner held at the UCSF Faculty-Alumni House. The evening began with mingling and dinner provided by the organizer Irma Morena. After a while, the formal portion of the evening started with a discussion about mentoring and short taks from Dr. Navarro, Vice Chancellor for Outreach and Diversity, and Dr. Flowers. Special attention was paid to what kind of mentor a student would need based on the kind of person the student is--there is no one-size fits all with mentorship relationships. In fact, individual students can have different mentors for different needs, such as for research, clinical experience, academia, and career planning.
The evening transitioned into small groups with students and mentors in attendance. In the small groups, mentors discussed their relationships, both good and bad, with students in the past. They also discussed what made those relationships work (or not work). The evening also had the traditional mentor-approach role-play. UCSF students Maisha Davis and Frank Myers acted out how they would approach a new mentor. The discussion afterwards emphasized the importance of persistence, timing, and appointments when forming a new relationship. The SNMA looks forward to the rest of the UIM dinners coming up over the year!
SNMA Joins the UCSF Accepted Students Weekend
During the last weekend of April, UCSF held its annual Accepted Students Weekend. More than one hundred prospective students came to campus for a weekend of activities that included extra-curricular fairs (above), student-hosted dinners, informational sessions, a Mini Med School, and various outings in the Bay Area. Of note was the annual Underrepresented in Medicine dinner held in Millberry Union. In attendance were many UCSF students and faculty, including graduation MS4 students, Dean Papadakis, Dean Irby, Dean Wofsy, Vice-Chancellor Navarro, and faculty mainstays Dr. Lowenstein, Dr. Miller, Dr. Jain, Dr. Martinez, Dr. O’Hara, and Dr. Flowers.
Vice Chancellor Navarro opened the dinner with some brief remarks. She mentioned the school’s work towards the centralization of outreach and the commitment to increase faculty diversity. She hopes to achieve these measures by nurturing the internal pipeline that will hopefully keep UCSF trained physicians within the university as faculty. Vice Chancellor Navarro is also working hard to build UCSF’s first multicultural resource center that will provide support for underrepresented in medicine communities.
After Vice Chancellor Navarro spoke, graduating MS4 Willie Moses (left) spoke to the group about his past and future with the UCSF Surgical Residency Program. Mr. Moses commented on the power of the education that he received here when it comes to interacting with patients. He feels that his time at UCSF did not teach him just to prescribe medicine or perform a procedure. He believes that UCSF trains students to work with patients and that the trainers here are on the front line of patient care.
The evening continued with all of the mentors, students, and prospective students introducing themselves to the group. Dr. Martinez then shared some thoughts about each of the graduating MS4 students in attendance as they came up to receive flowers. To close the evening, some of the student organizations in attendance (SNMA, NAHA-right, LMSA, and PRIME-US to name a few) spoke briefly about their efforts within the UCSF community. Pictures from the event.
SNMA Participates in High School Outreach Conference
On April 23rd, the SNMA represented the UCSF School of Medicine at the annual High School Outreach Conference (HSOC). Over 300 high school students from the Bay Area came to UCSF to participate in workshops run by the SNMA, the Student National Dental Association/American Dental Education Association, the Student National Pharmaceutical Association, the School of Nursing, and the School of Physical Therapy.
The day started with opening remarks from Cheryl Guerrero (SOD ‘13), the HSOC Chair, in Cole Hall. She was followed by the keynote speaker Dr. Joseph Castro, the Vice Chancellor for Student Academic Affairs. Dr. Castro spoke to the students about the structure of UCSF and all the different programs it had to offer. Donal Woodson (left), the Deputy Director of the Center for Educational Partnerships, then spoke to the students about all of the educational opportunities available to students in California after high school. He outlined the community college system, California State system, and University of California system by outlining the different schools available and the various requirements necessary to apply. He then started a brief discussion on the various types of financial aid available to students through grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships. The students also asked many good questions of Mr. Woodson, like what the current interest rate is on federal loans, when they could start applying, and how much they can receive. Mr. Woodson ended with two pieces of advice before the students started the college application process. First, he encouraged all students to get a professional e-mail address over the light chuckles from the crowd. He then strongly recommended that the students do their research when it comes to applying to schools.
After the brief talks, the students were split up into five groups and moved around the various demonstrations on campus. The SNMA, along with volunteers from the Class of 2014, placed the high school students in the shoes of physicians. SNMA members Chinwe Onu and Peter Zaki and classmate Will Hindle-Katel became standardized patients who were suffering from emphysema. After stumbling and coughing their way into the lecture hall, the patients fielded history questions from the students concerning health-related behaviors and the severity of symptoms. Caroline Crooms (top), SNMA member and HSOC representative for the School of Medicine, moderated the conversations and discussed important findings with the students as they practiced listening to heart and lung sounds. Using this and specimens loaned by the Department of Pathology, Ms. Crooms helped the students diagnose the patient and understand the effect that smoking has on the lungs.
The School of Nursing simulated childbirth, emergency care, and drug administration to agitated patients. The School of Dentistry had the students practice using a dental drill and making teeth molds and fillings in their simulation lab (right). The School of Pharmacy discussed various over-the-counter medications and demonstrated how to use an asthma inhaler and blood-glucose monitor. The School of Physical Therapy performed some posture and gait exercises, as well as reviewed basic bone structure using models and a skeleton. The day ended with raffles, prizes, and closing remarks by Kanizeh Vizram, SOP, in Cole Hall. Pictures from the event.
SNMA and LMSA Join Inside UCSF
Inside UCSF, a program spearheaded by Anthea Lim, PsyD and Donald Woodson (above), the Deputy Director of the Center for Educational Partnership in the Student Academic Affairs office, is a program that brings college students from California schools to UCSF for a weekend. These students, depending on their interest, spent time with medical, nursing, dental, pharmacy, or research graduate students over the weekend at various panels, dinners, and tours. For example, the students interested in the School of Medicine heard Dr. Navarro, the Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Outreach speak, received a tour of the medical school by two first-year students, had dinner with SNMA and LMSA members at Marnee Thai, and attended a panel that featured another SNMA representative.
The students in the medical program (about 25), while at dinner with Dr. Alma Martinez, LMSA members Marvin Miranda and Eric Dybbro, and SNMA member Marc Parris, asked about the transition from college or work to medical school, as well as what tips and tricks were available for those who are going to apply in the near future. The students were also very curious as to what a day of medical school looked like and how medical students at UCSF keep up with the work and remain well-balanced. Naturally, many questions came up about the value of the MCAT, undergraduate grades, research experience, cost, and interview experiences. The medical students did their best to relay that UCSF does not focus on numbers, but rather on the complete package that each student brings to the class. Many students mentioned that they felt relieved after hearing that, and all students mentioned that UCSF was certainly their first choice for medical school.
The panel, led by Maureen Conway in the Millberry Union City Lights Room, featured SNMA member Frank Myers, nurse practitioner student Adebisi Orija, chemistry graduate student Flora Rutaganira, dental student Lina Chhoa, and pharmacy student Robby Glenn. The panelists did their best to explain why they chose UCSF, how it was different front college work, and what it was like to be in the UCSF community. Many panelists expressed that it was important to be sure of what you want in a school and a career. They also mentioned the importance of setting your own pace is graduate school, as things will not be laid out as nicely as it was in college. Ms. Chhoa (left) stressed the emphasis of hands-on in the dental school, while Ms. Rutaganira mentioned that research graduate students often have to work together to uncover various answers, as they are not always available in textbooks or through faculty in the research world.
When asked when he felt like he belonged at UCSF Medical School, Mr. Myers (pictured right, with Ms. Orija) mentioned the value he finds in the small group sessions that medical school has in the curriculum. In these small groups, he is able to share experiences and perspectives with other students, and vice-versa. This sharing also happens outside of small groups, and he feels comfortable acknowledging and addressing UCSF’s strengths and faults in an effort to better the experience for all students. Ms. Orija, who is also the Nursing Student Council President, expressed the importance of finding ways to express yourself, as well the importance of having a “self-care plan.” That plan can include a Rafael Saddiq concert, Richard Pryor movies, or capoiera lessons in Oakland. She feels that it is very important to take time for yourself in midst of all the work required for school. Mr. Myers also commented that it is important to do what makes you feel good about yourself and to give yourself credit for getting to where you are. Photos from the event.
SNMA Attends Chancellor’s Leadership Panel
On April 14th, the UCSF Chancellor’s Leadership Panel was held in Cole Hall and featured Dr. Marc Nivet (above), the Chief Diversity Officer of the AAMC. Many notable UCSF faculty and administration were in attendance, including Chancellor Desmond-Hellmann, Vice Chancellor Joseph Castro (below), Dean of Dentistry John Featherstone, Dean of Pharmacy Mary Koda-Kimble, Vice Provost Sally Marshall, Vice Chancellor Renee Navarro, Dean of Nursing David Vlahov, Dr. Talmadge King, Dr. Loma Flowers, Dean Irby, and Dean Loeser. Students, faculty, and administration from all schools were in attendance to hear Dr. Nivet and the panel address diversity at UCSF.
Dr. Nivet, a former philanthropist, gave his address after some opening remarks from Dr. Navarro and Chancellor Desmond-Hellmann. He started off by discussing his new vision of diversity called “The Way Forward.” He believes that it is time to think about diversity in a new way as healthcare changes in the US. Historically, diversity was based on race on gender, race, and socioeconomic status, all in an effort to right past wrongs--this was the “heart and soul” of the original movement, termed Diversity 1.0. Dr. Nivet believes that we can’t continue to focus on this view of diversity. Unfortunately, today, success is based solely on numbers, something Dean Koda-Kimble expressed frustration over. However, Dr. Nivet did make an effort to note that numbers are still very important, but it should not be the sole determinant of success.
Dr. Nivet then posited on some reasons why the definition of diversity has not progressed over the years. He believes that some possible reasons include a lack of detailed analysis of current efforts--it is not clear what really makes programs that address diversity work. Is it mentoring, education, or enrichment within a university or curriculum? Moreover, Dr. Nivet believes that current efforts are certainly trying to change the face of medical care without necessarily changing health care outcomes. The key lies in improving health for all people, not just the color of those providing the care. To do this, it is important to put public health principles into the curriculum, something that UCSF has actively addressed over the past couple of years.
Dr. Nivet went on to outline the way forward for diversity. As stated before, Diversity 1.0 was created for social justice, fairness, and access. Diversity 2.0, the stage that many medical schools are in now, relates more to cultural competence, along with the recruitment and retention of underrepresented people in medicine. The key with Diversity 2.0 is that the diversity gained within a school is usually separate from the excellence that all schools thrive for. Diversity 3.0 bridges that gap. Diversity 3.0 has the tenets of the first two versions, but, in this version, the diversity gained within a school drives the excellence in research, patient care, and medical education. To do so, it is necessary to change the current culture of some medical schools, where underrepresented students and faculty are brought into a system that is not yet ready to bank on the rich experiences that we all have to bring to medicine. Without changing that mindset, current diversity efforts are tantamount to placing a “canary in a coal mine,” where minorities are recruited to an institution but placed in a “toxic” environment that may not promote the change that is sought.
After his keynote, the panel fielded questions from the audience. Vice Chancellor for Student Academic Affairs Joe Castro discussed the focus on primary and secondary education when it comes training and recruiting teachers and students. A post-doctoral student asked what has to happen in order to increase the final push of minorities entering academia. This student noted that the pipeline of students entering medicine seems to be in full swing, but not enough minorities are staying in academia. Dr. Nivet, who did research on this, stated that one reason for this decline is because many minorities choose to work directly in communities, something that usually is not afforded to strictly academic physician scientists. Another reason, he found, was that people in academia, for one reason or the other, paradoxically discourage entering academia. Lastly, Dr. Nivet talked about getting “tapped” by faculty. Getting “tapped” was recognition in one doctor’s eyes about the potential in another doctor, leading to a very-necessary inroad with certain institutions. Dr. Nivet believes that this does not happen enough to minorities. The panel ended with medical student Joshua Biddle (left) asking what kind of communication these leaders were having with the students that they serve. We often hear about the things that are going to happen to us, the students, but Josh was curious as to how much input we have in the process. In response, Dean Vlahov mentioned student government communication, Dr. Navarro mentioned the strength of letter writing campaigns, Dean Featherstone talked about daily meetings with class leadership and the alumni association, and Vice Chancellor Castro invited any student to engage with him on any topic. Pictures from the event.
SNMA Participates in Hypertension Sunday
On February 27th, the SNMA, LMSA, and other UCSF classmates, along with the FACES High School program, Alameda paramedics, Minorities in Medicine students, and nursing students, joined the Ethnic Health Institute (EHI) to give hypertension screenings and education to various churches in Oakland (Pill Hill, Grand Lake, East, West, and North Oakland, and Berkeley). The morning started with a meet and greet and brief training at the Masonic Center Red Cross in downtown Oakland. There, we discussed hypertension and end organ damage, as well as the fact that hypertension is a common, silent killer in many communities. Dr. Staggers, former president of the Sinkler-Miller NMA, then paired UCSF medical students with FACES high school students and Minorities in Medicine students before sending folks out with automated blood pressure cuffs, stroke quizzes, EHI goodies, and Red Cross informational materials.
Once at churches like First AME, Acts, and Brookins, the paramedics and students set up informational and blood pressure stations to meet church-comers before or after services. Many stations were overwhelmed with interest as people from the community encouraged others to have their blood pressure checked. Community doctors were also on hand to give recommendations and answers for those who wanted them. While there were some people who had high readings, many were already being treated with anti-hypertension medications and saw a physician regularly; some even had their own machines that were routinely used at home. The Acts Church even had an interactive pilot health kiosk (in conjunction with Alta Bates and EHI) in the lobby that gave information on asthma, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and cancer in a user-friendly fashion (right). It was very clear that the community is actively taking a role in maintaining cardiovascular health.
The day ended with a debriefing session back at the Red Cross. We discussed how the visits went and possible ways to improve future screenings. The FACES high school students mentioned that it was like no other experience that they had before. Many of them learned a lot about strokes and the process of measuring blood pressure (top). SNMA students were able to network with other health professionals in primary care and private practice in the area, as well as with many Sinkler-Miller National Medical Association members. We certainly look forward to working with these folks in the near future. Photos from the event. Ethnic Health Institute Newsletter.
SNMA/GME Hosts the February UIM Dinner
On February 23, the SNMA and the Office for Graduate Medical Education hosted the Underrepresented in Medicine Dinner on the Parnassus campus. The evening started with music, mingling, and food as medical, nursing, and doctoral students, along with various physician mentors and post-doctoral professionals, filed into the lecture hall. At about 6.30, Dr. Loma Flowers and Dr. Rene Salazar (left) opened the evening with some brief remarks and an introduction to the various mentors in attendance. The microphone was then handed to SNMA co-presidents Jensara Clay and Maisha Davis, who introduced the panelists and framed the discussion for the evening.
In honor of Black History Month, the SNMA hoped to explore the various obstacles students and physicians had to overcome to get to where they are now. Moreover, the SNMA was interested in hearing how those obstacles did not deter the panelists in their career choices and how they were able to persevere in light of any external pressures pushing them in a different direction. The theme of the evening was “The Road to Medicine: Fueling Your Drive and Confronting Your Obstacles.”
Dr. Nuriya Robinson (right), an Ob/Gyn PGY4, discussed how she was often underestimated on her path to medicine. She recalled being told that she “can’t” at the institutions she went to. She, unfortunately, vividly remembers many students dropping the pre-medical curriculum early in their education. Dr. Robinson, however, persevered and surprised the people who said she can’t by getting in to and succeeding at Tufts Medical School. She eventually made it to UCSF, the first place Dr. Robinson heard that she can do whatever she wants. Dr. Hyman Scott, a former medicine chief resident and current Infectious Disease Fellow, followed Dr. Robinson by talking about when he decided to become a doctor--when he was 8 years old. Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, UCSF junior faculty, epidemiologist, and biostatistician, spoke about managing family life in medical school and in her career and how family has, and always will be, quite important to her.
Willie Moses (left), a fourth-year medical student hoping to become a surgery resident here at UCSF, spoke about his family and his various traveling and mentoring experiences. He recalls that his mother had to swap her financial interests for her personal interests in helping the community. Mr. Moses also remembered seeing many students fall off the pre-medical curriculum. He, however, kept on his path and traveled to Africa as he slowly developed his interest in global health, especially after spending some time with an endocrine surgeon. The panel ended with Dr. Hobart Harris, the UCSF Chief of Surgery. He explained that he didn’t really have any obstacles to overcome on his path. He felt that his parents cleared those major hurdles before his time so that he could get to where he is now. Dr. Harris told us about his path and how he resolved to leave Harvard College, his undergraduate institution, as soon he had to “struggle to barely succeed.” That, fortunately, never happened, especially once he realized that he often misplaced authority to other students in his class.
The panel then fielded questions on various topics from the audience. One question from a current UCSF student was when, if at all, the panelists ever felt confident or competent in their practice. The panelists explained that as soon as they became competent at one skill set, another would present itself. In other words, once you finish medical school, you feel pretty competent about the last four years. But, once you hit internship and residency, you realize that you must learn an entirely new skill set and may feel a little incompetent. Fast-forward to the end of residency, where you may feel like you are now competent in internal medicine. But, once you start a fellowship or become an attending, the feeling of incompetency may return and the cycle will start again. The bottom line that the panelists tried to convey is that you will always be learning and re-learning in medicine throughout your career.
The next UIM Dinner will be held during the Accepted Students Weekend. Photos from the event.
SNMA Attends the Black Caucus Gala
On February 19, the SNMA went to the 21st Annual Black Heritage Month Gala held by the UCSF Black Caucus in the Burlingame Marriott. Several medical and nursing students dined with UCSF notables Michael Adams, the UCSF Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Diversity Director, Chancellor Susan Desmond-Hellman, Dr. Mark Roach, the UCSF Radiation-Oncology chair, Dr. Talmadge King, the UCSF Chair of Medicine, and the Medical School Dean Dr. Sam Hawgood, just to name a few.
The event began with the recital of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” to a collage of notable African-Americans and events. The Master of Ceremony Michael Adams then transitioned the crowd to a fashion show called “Beneath the Surface.” Various doctors, students, and professionals wore concepts like self-respect, dignity, and family pride and walked through the dining crowd as short biographies were read chronicling these models’ experiences. Chancellor Desmond-Hellman then gave some remarks, followed by Dr. Roach and the keynote speaker Dr. Shirley Manly-Lampkin, the Vice Dean of the School of Nursing. After starting her remarks by singing a verse of “Lean on Me,” Dr. Manly-Lampkin went on to speak about the importance of lending a helping hand to those who are in need. The formal evening ended with a raffle run by Dr. King. Many UCSF students were among the winners of gift certificates, cash, a signed Green Bay Packers shirt, and, the grand prize, a box of wine from Chancellor Desmond-Hellman’s personal collection.
The Black Caucus was founded shortly after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. “Basement” workers, African-Americans who worked as janitors, nurses aids, kitchen help, and so on at UCSF, were being forced to use the restrooms that were located in the basement. These workers went on strike to protest this policy and the sub-standard working conditions with which they had to deal. The Black Caucus, along with other groups, became the impetus that would eventually change the admissions policies of the professional schools. They also fought for, and won, reclassification of their job status, consecutive days off, access to all bathrooms, and equitable personnel policies. To this day, the Black Caucus continues to work with the administration to build a diverse UCSF campus. Photos from the event.
SNMA Celebrates International Condom Distribution Day
This Valentine’s Day, the SNMA celebrated International Condom Distribution Day in the Medical Sciences Hallway of UCSF. One of SNMA’s goals is to promote a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships and to educate adolescents and adults about STI/STD and HIV/AIDS prevention and reproductive health. Using resources from the AIDS Health Foundation (AHF), the SNMA handed out more than 500 male condoms, female condoms, lube, and handouts on condom use and STIs, STDs, and HIV/AIDS to students, faculty, and visitors of UCSF.
From the AHF:
The LOVE Condoms campaign is an initiative created by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) to promote widespread access, usage and acceptance of condoms as a vital component of the Global AIDS Control. The LOVE Condoms campaign aims to encourage individuals to protect themselves and their partners by consistently using condoms, call on the governments and the private sector to remove economic and ideological barriers which impede the easy access to free and low-cost condoms for all who need them, advocate for inventive approaches to marketing condoms in ways that encourage their effective and consistent use, highlight the extent to which the world wide demand for condoms has not been adequately met, and promote an increased focus on access to condoms in conjunction with the convenient, free Rapid Testing and the Universal Access to anti-retroviral treatment as the integral components of the global fight against HIV/AIDS.
Since the inception of the LOVE Condom campaign in 2008, AHF-branded LOVE Condoms have gained great popularity among millions of people across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America. Each year AHF and its partners commemorate the International Condom Day on February 13 with LOVE Condoms events ranging from a march in the sunny Mombasa, Kenya to a public outreach on the snowy streets of Tallinn, Estonia.
Physician’s Medical Forum Doctors on Board Outreach Program
On February 12, 2011, the UCSF SNMA participated in the Physician’s Medical Forum (PMF) Doctors on Board Outreach program at the Oakland Marriott Hotel. The PMF, in association with the UCSF PRIME-US program (represented by UCSF student Uchenna Okoye) (left), hosted several high school, college, and post-bac students who were considering the field of medicine. The students were treated to various panels on the field and took part in case studies on congestive heart failure and diabetes.
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Students from the Bay Area came to the 21st floor of the Oakland Marriott Hotel to hear a welcome address from Dr. Kathryn Malone, the president of the PMF. That was followed by a workshop called “So You want to be a Doctor: Here’s what you need to know.” Representatives from Kaplan, Wells Fargo, the UCSF Office for Financial Aid, the UCSF School of Medicine, and the Oakland School District were on hand to give their advice to the students. That was followed by another panel featuring UCSF students Shaina Lipa (right) and Mikah Owen, along with other students and residents from UC Davis, Wright State, and Stanford Medical Schools, who spoke about their current experiences in school and in the hospital.
After lunch. the UCSF Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Outreach Dr. Renee Navarro (center) gave the keynote address. After telling the crowd about her background and path to her current position at UCSF, she discussed the importance of the students’ generation stepping up to fill the upcoming shortage of physicians. She also assured the students that the obstacles on the path to medicine are manageable, as long as they are resilient, passionate, life-long learners. The last panel of the day was called “Dispelling Myths of Medicine” and consisted of various doctors and administrators from the Bay Area.
The day continued with the students receiving white coats, stethoscopes, and a case that they had to diagnose with the help of attendings. The students interviewed and saw a physical exam of UCSF students Frank Myers and Marc Parris, who were both standardized patients with congestive heart failure. The students then received a quick lesson on the ECG, chest x-ray, lab tests, and differential diagnoses. The day ended with warm reception where each student received a certificate showing completion of the Doctors on Board Program. Pictures from the event.
SNMA February Events
Underrepresented in Medicine Dinner
On February 23, in HSW 301 on the Parnassus campus, there will be an Underrepresented in Medicine dinner/panel discussion that will focus on the theme: “The Road to Medicine: Fueling Your Drive and Confronting Your Obstacles.” Come for a evening of good food and discussion from Willieford Moses, MS4, Chief Resident Dr. Hyman Scott, Chief of UCSF Surgery Dr. Hobart Harris, Ob/Gyn PGY4 Dr. Nuriya Robinson, and physician/epidemiologist Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo. If you would like to come, please contact Irma Moreno, the Program Coordinator at the Office of Outreach and Academic Advancement.
International Condom Distribution Day
One of SNMA’s goals is to promote a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships and to educate adolescents and adults about STI/STD and HIV/AIDS prevention and reproductive health. As such, we will be distributing condoms on February 14th, International Condom Distribution Day, along with fliers about safe sexual practices to encourage a healthy Valentine’s Day. Look for us in the hallway of the Medical Sciences Building from 12.00 PM to 1.00 PM.
Adolescent Substance Abuse Prevention
The Adolescent Substance Abuse Prevention program (ASAP) is looking for volunteers to talk to middle school students about smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. Many of the posters and materials are already made and we just need some people-power for this low-commitment program. If you think you are interested, please contact Rosny Daniel MS1 or 2011.UCSF.SNMA at gmail.com.
Hypertension Sunday
For the past decade, local health related organizations have attempted to reach out to African Americans in the East Bay who are suffering from high blood pressure but may not know it. In honor of Black History Month and American Heart Month, these organizations will offer screenings on Sunday, February 27, 2010. The Student National Medical Association (SNMA) at UCSF will be participating in Hypertension Sunday by going to a number of churches in Oakland, performing blood pressure checks, and providing health education to the different congregations on the dangers of hypertension and its prevalence in the African American community.
We are planning to arrive at the Red Cross headquarters (3901 Broadway in Oakland) by 8am and from there receive further information regarding church assignments. Breakfast and a light lunch will provided at the 8am orientation and 3pm debriefing, respectively. The day is split into two “sessions,” with blood pressure screenings happening from 9-10am and, later, 12-2pm. The end of the day debriefing session will occur back at the Red Cross headquarters and be about an hour long. If you are interested in attending, please send an email to Maisha Davis indicating 1) whether or not you will be attending the morning, afternoon, or both sessions and 2) if you are willing to drive.
Redwood Roller Rink
The SNMA wants you to come roller skating! And no, we do not mean rollerblading. We’re going skating...with that big rubber thing on the toe. So, assemble your crew. Stretch out those hammies. Practice your moves. Pick out your ‘fro. Get yourself to Redwood Roller Rink this Sunday at 1:30 PM. And for those of you who need convincing, do a quick youtube search for “ATL,” “Roll Bounce,” and everyone’s favorite, “The Cutting Edge” (not roller skating, but inspirational nonetheless).
Bay Area Events
SFGate.com has a page devoted to Black History Month events happening in the Bay Area.
The San Francisco Public Library will be holding a social justice program called Riding While Black 1955 at the Main Library near the Civic Center.
Dr. Renee Navarro Named Vice Chancellor for Outreach and Diversity
On Monday, January 24th, at a ceremony in the UCSF Faculty/Alumni House, Chancellor Sue Desmond-Hellmann named Dr. Renee Navarro the new Vice Chancellor of Diversity and Outreach. Dr. Navarro will be the first African-American to hold a Vice Chancellor position. The SNMA would like to extend its warm congratulations to Dr. Navarro for her accomplishments and commitment to creating and maintaining a diverse environment here at UCSF. Photos from the reception.
The following text is from the Chancellor’s Leadership Team page:
The University of California, San Francisco has appointed an exceptional physician and campus leader in the health sciences as its first vice chancellor of Diversity and Outreach, charged with creating and maintaining a diverse university environment where everyone has an opportunity to excel. In her new role, Navarro will collaborate with faculty, staff and students to develop and carry out a strategic plan for diversity and inclusion at the campus – and in recruitment and retention of faculty, students, trainees and staff. Navarro will work closely with other senior administrators to address issues of diversity that cut across faculty, student, staff and operational lines. Navarro will serve as a campus expert on diversity goals, act as the campus spokeswoman for best practices, and establish and lead an advisory group. Navarro is especially looking forward to establishing a campus-wide multicultural center to provide space and resources that support inter-professional collaboration among UCSF faculty, staff, trainees and students for outreach, recruitment and diversity education programs.
After the completion of medical school and residency at UCSF, Dr. J. Renee Navarro joined the Anesthesia Faculty in 1990. Prior to medical school she completed a PharmD at the University of the Pacific and is a registered pharmacist as well. She is currently a Professor of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care at San Francisco General Hospital where she served as past perioperative medical director and chief of staff. Dr. Navarro was an Associate Dean of Academic Affairs in the School of Medicine and also serves as an Anesthesia Career Advisor. Dr. Navarro became the first UCSF Director of Academic Diversity, September 2007. As Director she was charged with coordinating the University’s Strategic Goal of Enhancing Diversity of faculty, students, and trainees through outreach, campus policy changes and education. She established and coordinated quarterly meetings for the school (and graduate division) based Associate Deans/Directors of Diversity and the Deans of Admission for the purposes of coordinating outreach activities and implementing best practices including holistic admission practices, Annual School Diversity reports and the CTSI Traveling Ambassador Program. She was instrumental in the launch and maintenance of the Nurturing Diversity website, the development and implementation of the Academic Demographic System, establishment of a Best Practices Checklist for academic searches and she provides ongoing campus information and training on demographics, unconscious bias, principles of community and mentoring diverse individuals. Dr. Navarro is a steering committee member of the African American Health Initiative for San Francisco County, a member of the UC President’s Task Force on Faculty Diversity and the current representative to the diversity accountability committee. Dr. Navarro’s service to the University and the community has been honored by receipt of the Chancellor’s Celebration of Women Faculty Award, Chancellor’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award, Assemblyman Leno Mentor Award and Mayor Willie Brown’s Proclamation of Dr. J. Renee Navarro Day in San Francisco.
SNMA Meeting
The next SNMA meeting will be held on February 3rd at 12.15 PM in S-170. All students are welcome!
Black History Month Film Screening
February 22, 2011, Mission Bay Community Room
On Tuesday the 22nd, the SNMA will be screening the HBO documentary “The Black List.” It is a compilation of interviews of notable African Americans such as Kara Walker, Tyler Perry, Deval Patrick, Maya Rudolph, Laurence Fishburne, and Angela Davis. Join SNMA as we celebrate African-Americans in the arts and sciences.