Student Interest Groups and Activities
Alliance for Health and Societal Change
The Alliance for Health and Societal Change (AHSC) provides a forum for discussion and action in support of health care issues that reach beyond the spectrum of the doctor-patient relationship
and facilitate education of students, faculty and health care providers at the University of Connecticut Health Center. The
group also addresses health care issues affecting Hartford and the surrounding community and is involved nationally and internationally
in health and societal forces. The purpose of AHSC is not to act as a political or social action group, but to serve in a creative and supportive
environment where individual members can bring their own interests, find support for possible activities, and educate each other.
Ambroise Pare Society
The goals of the society are to foster interaction between dental students and to stimulate the lifelong learning process which is essential to the practice of dentistry and medicine.
Advisor: Dr. Michael Goupil, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 860-679-2583.
American Association for Dental Research Student Research Group (Dental Research Society)
The Student Research Group aims to promote student research in dentistry and its related disciplines, promote the advancement of dental research and related aspects, advance
the goals of the AADR as they relate to student research, generate further student and faculty interest in research, and unite students in the quest for research opportunities.
American Association of Women Dentists
American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA)
Anesthesiology Interest Group
The Anesthesiology Interest Group meets three times per year. It is an opportunity for interested students to meet with faculty and residents and explore the discipline. At the same time,
fourth-year medical student are given the opportunity to present their selective or research projects.
Advisor: Dr. Judith Cooney, jcooney55@comcast.net.
APECA – Peru
Third-year dental students annually plan and finance their way to the Amazon River Basin to provide oral hygiene instruction and exodontia services to the local population over their spring
break.
Advisor: Dr. Michael Goupil, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 860-679-2583.
Bridge to the Future Science Mentoring Program
The student-run mentoring program in cooperation with the Health Career Opportunity Programs (HCOP) and the Student National Medical and Dental Association chapters offers medical, dental, graduate, nursing and allied health students,
who have an interest in the health professions, the opportunity to serve as mentors to high school and college students. These students are generally identified by the Health Professions
Partnership Initiative established through the HCOP office.
For more information, contact Petra Clark-Dufner at 860-679-8031 or clarkdufner@uchc.edu.
Christian Medical and Dental Associations (CMDA)
Founded in 1931, the Christian Medical and Dental Society (CMDA) is a group of almost 10,000 Christian physicians, dentists and medical and dental students committed to living
out faith through the health care professions throughout the world. CMDA recognizes the unique pressures that medicine and dentistry bring to families and individuals and offers resources to
help meet those pressures. The CMDA is concerned about the ethical challenges brought by modern technology, and seeks to bring a biblical understanding to those challenges. It is dedicated to
making the most of the exceptional opportunities for ministry afforded by medicine and dentistry. CMDA has the only extensive ministry of any Christian organization in the nation to medical
and dental students, strengthening them during their demanding years of training, and preparing them for future years of practice and service. The UConn CMDA chapter is student-run and works
to provide specific opportunities to grow in relationships, in spirituality, through service and missions, and intellectually.
Advisor: Dr. David Bellman, 860-561-1742.
Community Partners in Action
The Young Offender Program, a division of its parent organization Community Partners in Action, serves client's ages 16 to 19 years old, though 14 and 15 year olds who are
adjudicated in adult court. Both pretrial and sentenced clients are served. Clients are required to report to the program two days per week for one hour. Clients report each week and are
required to participate in hour-long workshops which address such issues as teen pregnancy, AIDS and STD prevention, study skills, etc. Young Offender Program does much more on behalf of their
clients such as advocate for them in court and conduct in-home interventions aimed at working through conflicts and communication problems. The two main components are 1) The Mentoring Program
and 2) The Educational Program.
Connecticut Dental Student Journal (CDSJ)
The CDSJ is published annually by the students of the School of Dental Medicine. With three students elected from each class and a faculty advisor, the committee will organize
a scientific magazine which provides informative reading for practicing dentists and allied parties dedicated to the delivery of better dental health care. The Journal features abstracts of
student research and case presentations, depicts current clinical techniques, and contains ads related to modern dental interests. Students serve four-year terms.
Emergency Medicine Interest Group (EMIG)
The Emergency Medicine Interest Group was created to stimulate interest and expose students to
the exciting world of emergency medicine early in their careers. Meetings are held monthly at various faculty residences and follow a basic format. The evening begins with socializing and
dinner followed by one to two interactive case presentations by senior students and finally a short talk by an emergency medicine physician. These meetings are a great opportunity to eat,
learn, and communicate with people who know a great deal about the field. Members of the EMIG are also responsible for planning skills laboratories, mentoring opportunities, and an annual
regional emergency medicine conference.
Advisor: Dr. Tom Regan, 860-679-3504.
Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG)
Monthly evening and lunchtime brown bag meetings feature topics relevant to the family physician. Highlights include discussion and
interaction with local physicians, as well as hands-on activities.
Advisor: Dr. Tom Agresta, 860-679-3918.
Family Medicine Scholars
Family Medicine Scholars is a component of FMIG that offers third- and fourth-year students the opportunity to research and present family medicine-related topics.
Advisor: Dr. Mary Guerrera, 860-714-6532.
Gay Bi Straight Alliance (GBSA)
Answers to questions about homosexuality and bisexuality can be difficult to find. GSBA promotes the exchange of ideas in a safe, supportive environment, meeting monthly to discuss issues of
sexual orientation, diversity, and discrimination as they relate to health care professionals. All faculty, staff and students are welcome regardless of sexual orientation.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that helps build houses for members of the community who cannot afford to buy their own homes. Many students bring their considerable talents, strong work ethic, and sense of humor to help build homes for families
in the Hartford communities. No particular skills or tools are needed.
Advisor: Dr. Bruce Gould, 860-679-4322 or 860-714-3690.
Hartford Health Education Program
The Hartford Health Education Program is a collaboration between the Hartford School System and the School of Medicine and Dental Medicine. Each year, pairs of medical and dental students spend one
hour a week in Hartford middle schools teaching about topics such as puberty, sexually transmitted diseases, violence prevention and drug abuse. The program is one of the few health education resources
available to these children.
History of Medicine Interest Group
The
Robert U. Massey History of Medicine Society
sponsors monthly meetings that feature topics about areas of medicine and
their history. Topics have included biographies of prominent individuals, development of
treatment procedures, and early concepts of human physiology and disease. Presenters are from the UConn Health Center and other institutions of higher learner. Presentations are
followed by a question and answer period. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month, October through April, at 7 p.m. in the Health Center’s Low Learning Center. Refreshments are served.
Integrative, Complementary Alternative Medicine (ICAM)
The mission of ICAM is to provide a forum for students, faculty, and other members of the university, and the community to
evaluate, discuss and experience various modalities and philosophies of health care practices which are currently considered unconventional. ICAM offers those interested to engage in scholarly inquiry into the field of
integrative medicine. Through monthly meetings, ICAM will provide a forum for those interested to come together to expand their understanding of this field in a variety of ways: EBM (Evidence
Based Medicine) approach to reviewing CAM journal articles and literature; direct interactions with CAM practitioners to learn their philosophy, training, and types of conditions and patients
for whom they care; hands-on demonstrations, how a therapy/modality is conducted; and lastly, share resources and develop collaborative networks for further study and research.
Advisor: Dr. Mary Guerrera, 860-714-6532.
Literature Club
The literature club evolved from a desire among students and faculty sponsors to meet informally to discuss books read for pleasure. Monthly meetings are held in the evening at a club
member's home. In the past, readings have been selected from a wide range of literature, taking into consideration the demands on student time. The literature club is for students who enjoy reading (and
eating), and like the opportunity to sit down with friends and colleagues to discuss literature.
Advisor: Dr. Richard Zeff, 860-679-2112.
Medical and Dental Social Committee
Three second-year students and two first-year students make up the committee and coordinate social events throughout the year.
Medical Student Mentoring Program
This program enables first- and second-year medical students to develop meaningful informal mentoring relationships with the faculty in the School of Medicine. The liaison provides a source
of career guidance and support to the student. A booklet is available to students that list the faculty members that are interested in participating in this program. These individuals have
noted their educational background, field of specialty, and academic and extracurricular interests. A faculty mentor can be contacted via e-mail.
Advisor: Dr. Anthony Ardolino, 860-679-2113.
Medical Students for Choice
An internationally recognized, non-profit organization devoted to preventing the impending shortage of abortion providers. With a network of more than 7,000 medical students, we advocate
for abortion training and the development of training opportunities at medical school campuses and beyond. Today, at over 100 medical schools across the U.S. and Canada, MSFC is focused on
protecting a woman’s right to quality reproductive health care. The UConn chapter of MSFC works to inform the school as a whole about reproductive health issues through speakers, meetings,
entertaining and educational events, and regional and national conferences.
Coordinators: Amanda Carlson, MSII, Vicki Leytin, MSII, and Brianne Mahoney, MSII.
Migrant Farm Workers Clinic
Started in the summer of 1998, the migrant farm workers mobile clinic was established to provide medical care. The clinic runs from mid-June to late October on
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 6:30 p.m. and sundown. The clinic is staffed by local physicians, students from UConn's and Yale's medical schools, UConn's dental school, residents, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. Farm workers are seen
for conditionings such as diabetes, upper respiratory infections, hypertension, musculoskeletal injuries, dermatitis and AIDS, dental screenings. Oral hygiene instruction is also offered.
Advisor: Dr. Bruce Gould, 860-679-4322 or 860-714-3690.
National Primary Care Week
The national annual event focuses on encouraging medical students to specialize in the field of primary care medicine. Outreach activities take place in the Hartford community
and includes blood
pressure and blood sugar screenings, a pediatric health fair, and health care information for the elderly.
Advisor: Dr. Bruce Gould, 860-679-4322 or 860-714-3690.
Neurology Scholars
Neurology Scholars offers an open forum for all medical students to explore this discipline. Monthly evening meetings are held at the UConn Health Center or at Hartford
Hospital and involve an informal presentation by neurologists about a given aspect of their field.
Advisor: Dr. Nora S. Lee, Hartford Hospital, 860-545-5047.
Newspaper – The Caduceus
The Caduceus is the student newspaper of the UConn Health Center. The Caduceus is published monthly throughout the school year with articles, editorials, and features relevant to Health
Center activities and the health professions. Submissions are welcome from all members of the Health Center community.
Advisor: Dr. Christine Niekrash, 860-679-4751.
Ob/Gyn Scholars
The Ob/Gyn Scholars interest group is open to all students and faculty interested in meeting to discuss clinical and academic issues concerning obstetrics and gynecology.
Evening meetings are held once a month during the academic year in the homes of faculty members. They are informal and include discussions pertinent to students considering a career in Ob/Gyn.
Topics have included: The lifestyle of an Ob/Gyn; subspecialties offered through Ob/Gyn; how to get into a residency; what to look for in a program; interview techniques; surgical knot tying;
among others. At the end of the year, an evening session is held for fourth year students to present their selective projects. The purpose of the group is to allow students interested in
Ob/Gyn to further develop and refine their understanding and commitment to the practice of Ob/Gyn or obstetrics, gynecology, or subspecialties.
Advisor: Dr. Peter Schnatz, 860-545-4054; beeper, 860-825-1324; or fax, 860-545-2740.
Orthopedic Scholars
Orthopedic Scholars consists of a group of medical students and faculty who share an interest in the field of orthopedic surgery. Meetings include original research and educational
presentations given by medical students or faculty as well as dinner and the opportunity to receive residency and career advice. In addition, participation in Orthopedic Scholars allows
students to become acquainted with faculty members at an early stage.
Coordinator: Dan Master, Class of 2006, master@student.uchc.edu.
Outdoor Activities Club
This is an informal club for students with outdoor interests who are looking for other people with similar outdoor interests to participate with. Activities include but are not limited to
hiking, mountain biking, road biking, rock climbing, swimming, running, camping and canoeing.
Pediatric Scholars
Pediatric Scholars is a combination of an interest group and scholar's program open to all medical students. Fourth-year students are asked to: 1) Do an informal presentation or lead a discussion on any topic in
pediatrics that interests them. Generally they invite one or two members of the pediatric faculty to help them and serve as supporters for discussions. Students learn about pediatrics, meet faculty in a congenial setting, practice presenting and
enjoy food and drink. 2) Do research during the fourth-year (or
even earlier in their career) and to present this at the department's Student Research Program. These students are formal scholars who receive a certificate and treated to dinner by the
chairman, and eligible for awards in pediatrics.
Coordinator: Dr. Mark A. Greenstein, mgrnstyne@aol.com.
Peer Support
Peer Support is an independent student-initiated and operated organization that offers confidential counseling and support to help classmates deal with the special needs and
the stresses of medical school. Students undergo professionally supervised training and are
equipped to help with most personal and school related concerns. For more serious problems, a referral to other resources can be made, if requested. Strict confidentiality is the foundation
of Peer Support and no records are kept. Names of participants will be posted or referrals sought through the counseling service.
Advisors: Dr. Virginia Hofmann, 860-679-2646, and Debbie Johnson, 860-679-6700.
Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR)
PSR is committed to working against the social ills facing our country. Projects include nuclear clean-ups, environmental restoration, and the prevention of violence. PSR is active on the national level and welcome new/renewed local chapters.
Psychiatry Interest Group (PIG)
PIG, whose logo is the smart pig, meets approximately every two to three months in the evening on a Thursday at a faculty member's home. All medical students are extended an
invitation to attend. Selected faculty and psychiatric residents are invited as well. Topics are chosen based upon input from the students, residents, and faculty. A student contact is chosen
to help plan the best date, help with selection of topics, etc. Examples of topics that have been chosen (sometimes with the participation of patients and their families attending) have been:
How Child Psychiatry Saved the World; People Who Kill: The Mind of the Psychopathic Killer; Did Sampson Have Antisocial Personality?; and Health Care in the Context of the Presidential
Election.
Advisors: Dr. Leighton Huey, huey@psychiatry.uchc.edu, and Dr. Andrew Winokur,
winokur@psychiatry.uchc.edu.
Radiology Interest Group
The purpose of the group is to introduce students to the field of radiology and its subspecialties. Monthly meetings include lectures by area
radiologists on selected topics, as well as voluntary case presentations by students. The group is open to students who are considering a career in radiology, as well as those who would like to learn more about the field.
Scholars in Medicine Interest Group
Students with an interest in doctor-patient relationships, medical
outcomes research, prevention, health policy, medical informatics, and interdisciplinary scholarship, such as medical sociology, medical anthropology, etc., will find their interests expanded and
nurtured among students and faculty. There are monthly evening meetings on the second Wednesday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. and also brown bag lunches at the Health Center. The evening
meetings are held at a faculty members home where fourth-year students present on a topic of their choice. Topics have included advanced physical exam, ophthalmology, living with HIV, among
others. This interest group is for students who want to know more about general internal medicine and its subspecialties. It is open to all students, regardless of their career preference.
Advisors: Dr. Dan Henry, 860-679-3821, and Dr. Richard Garibaldi, 860-679-2715.
South Marshall Street Clinic
South Marshall Street Clinic is also student run serving those living at the Salvation Army’s South Marshall Street Shelter in Hartford. The clinic is open one evening a week
on alternating Mondays and Wednesdays from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The clinic is staffed by two medical students and a teaching physician. In
addition to providing medical care, students provide information sessions and counseling to shelter residents about important medical and developmental issues, such as AIDS, child development.
For more information, visit the South Marshall Street Clinic web site.
South Park Inn Medical Clinic
South Park Inn Medical Clinic is a free, full-coverage clinic providing primary care services to transient residents of the South Park Inn Homeless Shelter. The clinic is
operated by medical
students and local volunteer physicians who provide services at the clinic, where students gain valuable clinical experiences
and provide much needed health services. The clinic is fully staffed by five medical students and an attending physician every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Every
student in the School of Medicine chooses to volunteer some time at South Park.
For more information, visit the South Park Inn Medical Clinic web site.
Advisor: Dr. Bruce Gould, 860-679-4322 or 860-714-3690.
South Park Inn Medical Clinic 5K Road Race
Held annually in September since 1998, the road race benefits the clinic with much of its operating costs. It also brings together the Greater Hartford Community in support of this cause.
For more information, visit the South Park Inn Medical Clinic web site.
Special Olympics (Special Athletes, Special Smiles)
The University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine has been involved in providing dental examinations and oral hygiene instruction to the athletes of the Connecticut State
Special Olympics since 1994. Approximately 30 to 40 students participate in the Summer Olympics program and see an average of 350 special athletes. The fabrication of mouth guards has been
added to the program. The students also participate in the Winter Olympic Program.
Advisor: Dr. Michael Goupil, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 860-679-2583.
Sports Medicine Scholars
The Sports Medicine Scholars’ mission is to expose medical students and anyone else with an interest to the field of sports medicine, with a special emphasis on primary care sports and
musculoskeletal medicine. Meetings include faculty and/or student presentations, hands-on musculoskeletal physical examination techniques, workshops (splinting, casting, injections, etc.),
career advice, and opportunities to get involved in local high school game coverage, journal readings, and other cool stuff.
Advisors: Dr. Tom Trojian, 860-714-5809, ttrojian@uchc.edu, and Dr. Diana Heiman, 860-714-6587,
dheiman@stfranciscare.org.
Surgical Scholars
Surgical Scholars is a group of medical students and faculty who share an interest or curiosity in surgery. The club meets four to five times annually.
Meetings include dinner at a faculty member’s home. The meetings combine scholarly presentations by students and a social get together. Students are also offered career advice. Participation with this group allows
students to become better acquainted with faculty and steer students towards surgical residencies. Advisor: Dr. Robert Kozol, 860-679-2290.
UConn Dental Outreach Committee
The purpose of this committee is to provide a formal network of dental students interested in preventive dental outreach to children and parents in the communities of Connecticut. The
committee’s key initiative will be to travel to sites and hold small group discussions for interested parties on the prevention of childhood caries and oral disease. The committee hopes to
encourage preventive care and stimulate an altruistic commitment to the community amongst dental students. The contact personnel include members of the Connecticut Health Department, the
Connecticut State Dental Association and personal contact efforts to groups and organizations interested in having guest student speakers.
UConn hosting program
Women’s Group
This is an informal group that gets together for potluck dinners to talk about issues in medicine, particularly those that impact women. Female physicians in
various stages of training, and representing various areas of specialty, talk about some of their experiences, over dinner. Meetings are usually monthly, but regular attendance is not
required.
YMCA Adolescent Girls Clinic
The YMCA Adolescent Girls Clinic provides medical care to the residents of its emergency shelter where adolescent girls between the ages of 11 and 16 can receive care Monday
evening. The clinic serves
the residents on Monday nights. Two students and an attending physician run the clinic.
Coordinator: Jessica Lee, Class of 2006, jesslee@student.uchc.edu.
|
