This Week @ MUSM is the official student newsletter of Mercer University School of Medicine designed to keep students up to date on key information and events.
Today, on MLK Day, Let's Remember to Celebrate and Take Action
The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service was designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities and create the Beloved Community of Dr. King’s dream. In order to achieve his dream, Dr. King advocated for nonviolent resistance to overcome injustice and fought through organized sit-ins, marches, and peaceful demonstrations.

Observed each year on the third Monday in January, MLK Day is the only federal holiday commemorating an African-American. This year, honor the legacy of Dr. King by making time to volunteer. It doesn’t matter whether your contribution is big or small, giving back can make a world of difference.
Mercer University to get $1 million to help alleviate...

There's one primary care physician for every 1,500 Georgians, but on the county level, it's worse. MACON, Ga. - Governor Brian Kemp delivered his State of the State Thursday, during which he announced plans to give $1 million to Mercer University ...

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www.13wmaz.com
Mercer University professor creates method to assess...

According to the CDC, as high as 1 in 5 women suffer from mental health issues after giving birth. MACON, Ga. - Being a new mom can be stressful, but it's important to know when you need help. According to the CDC, as high as 1 in 5 women suffer...

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www.13wmaz.com
Student Loan Information
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) recently announced a 90-day extension of the pause on student loan interest accrual and loan repayment through May 1, 2022. Students do not need to do anything to take advantage of this extension, it will be handled by your loan servicer. If you have any questions, please contact your loan servicer or the MUSM Financial Planning Office.
Step 1 Review Sessions for Class of 2024 on Canvas
To get Year II students ready for Step 1, Peer Tutors, Sarah Hampton (Savannah), Alexis Strahan (Savannah), Caleb Swindell (Macon), and Mike Kshatri (Macon) are making videos going over all the topics to be covered in Step 1.

The videos will be posted every Wednesday, from January 12 - April 13, to the Canvas course "CO 2024 Student Information," under the Modules >> Step Prep section.

The first video, "Step 1 Overview," has been posted to Canvas. It covers Step 1 in general, what to expect this semester, and what to expect from the Step 1 tutor sessions.
Annual DeBakey Poetry Contest
Deadline | January 31
Baylor College of Medicine is pleased to announce the annual Dr. Michael E. DeBakey Medical Student Poetry Awards. The contest honors the legendary, preeminent cardiovascular surgeon, pioneering medical scientist, gifted medical educator, prolific author and scholar, and passionate advocate of optimal healthcare throughout the world. Dr. DeBakey strongly advocated a role for the humanities in medical education and in the development of a full, enriching intellectual life. Entries for the annual poetry awards program must be marked no later than January 31, 2022. Learn more at this link: https://www.bcm.edu/departments/surgery/education/debakey-poetry-contest.
Student and Faculty Musicians Needed
The Class of 2025’s IPE week (March 7-11) will feature a special session on music and healing on Tuesday, March 8. We are looking for musicians on all campuses who are available to play during breaks and lunch. This will be a low-pressure performance. Each performance will last just a few minutes as we change presenters and while the students eat lunch. If you're interested in showing off your skills, email your student affairs dean: Dr. Hughes (Columbus), Dr. Nobles-James (Macon), and Dr. Shelley (Savannah).
Know an Outstanding Faculty Member? Help get them recognized!
Developed in 2018 following Dr. Walker's retirement, the Dr. Anna N. Walker Award for Teaching Excellence recognizes a faculty member who is an outstanding teacher and mentor, and dedicated to MUSM's education mission. This distinction is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon one of our faculty.

For a candidate to be entered they must:
  • Be a full-time faculty member at Mercer University School of Medicine and be responsible for pre-clinical education (Year I and Year II).
  • Have a rank of assistant professor, associate professor, or professor.
  • Demonstrate outstanding teaching and mentoring.
  • Show a continued commitment to MUSM's education mission.

Students are invited to nominate a faculty member that meets these guidelines by submitting a letter of recommendation, which describes their contribution in teaching, mentoring, and advocacy for MUSM's education mission. Direct all letters of recommendation or inquires for additional information to Bonny Dickinson, Ph.D., MS-HPEd.

Deadline for submission of nomination letters: February 11, 2022
Deadline to Waive Spring 2022 Student Health Insurance Premium is Friday, February 4
All MUSM students are assessed a health insurance premium each fall and spring semester in which they enroll for 3 or more credit hours. If you have alternate coverage, you may waive the premium each semester. If you do not complete either the waiver or enrollment process by February 4, 2022 at 5 pm, you will be automatically enrolled in the student health plan. However, your insurance will not be activated until after the enrollment/waiver period. To complete the enrollment or waiver form, go to https://studentplan.corehealthbenefits.com/mercer/.
 
SOARS Savannah Student Research Symposium
January 28 | 1 - 4 pm | Mercer Auditorium | Savannah
All MUSM and Memorial learners and faculty are invited to view student poster presentations.To learn more, contact Alexis Strahan or Caitlin Balno.
Memorial Health Research Day
May 19 | Savannah
Save the date for this year's Interprofessional Research Day at Memorial Health. This event is designed to provide academic learners with a platform to present publication-ready scholarly products to the local audience. Look for more information soon.
Abstract Deadline: March 4 by 5 pm
Poster Content Deadline: April 29 by 5 pm
Presentation Deadline: May 13 by 5 pm
Class of 2023 T-Shirt Fundraiser
Deadline | January 21
The Savannah Class of 2023 is selling Comfort Colors Long Sleeve T-shirts for $25. If you would like to purchase one, please follow these steps:
 
  1. Click THIS LINK to sign up with your name, email, and size
  2. Venmo $25 to @MUSMClassCouncil2023 
  3. Wait for the confirmation email of your purchase
 
The deadline is 5 pm on Friday, January 21, 2022. Columbus and Macon students will have their shirts shipped to their respective campuses. The shirts are expected to be here by February.

If you have any questions, concerns, or want to pay using another method, please contact Sai Nagula.
As COVID-19 conditions evolve, the University will post updates on our COVID-19 website. Also, please continue to check your Mercer email frequently for important messages.
  • Masking is required on campus in indoor common areas.
  • Due to the mask requirement, there can be no eating or drinking in the classroom.
  • If you are symptomatic of COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, you cannot attend in-person classes, labs, orientations, clinical/field experiences, other on-campus activities, or employment on campus. You should immediately call Campus Health’s COVID-19 Hotline at 478-301-7425 for a testing appointment during regular business hours or get tested immediately at an off-campus location. 
  • If you are asymptomatic and would like to get tested, go to go.mercer.edu/covidappt to schedule an appointment at the Macon or Atlanta Campus Health Center. 
  • There have been changes to insurance coverage for COVID-19 testing. As a result, Mercer Medicine will bill your insurance company for COVID-19 testing if you are symptomatic or have been exposed recently to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. If you are tested for other reasons, you will be required to pay $90 at the time of testing.
  • Testing locations:
  • Macon – Campus Health Center, Drake Field House, Macon Campus
  • Atlanta – Campus Health Center, Sheffield Building, Atlanta Campus
  • Savannah – Memorial University Medical Center, Savannah Campus (Drs. Shelly or Baxter)
  • Columbus – Mercer University School of Medicine, Columbus Campus (Dr. House) or MercyMed
  • Mercer Medicine accepts off-campus PCR test results and positive antigen test (known as rapid) results from reputable testing facilities.
  • All students must provide off-campus, positive COVID-19 results to Campus Health at mytestreport@mercer.edu. In the subject line of the email, type “Macon Test” (for Macon, Savannah, and Columbus students) or type “Atlanta Test” (for Atlanta students). Be sure to include your full legal name and Mercer ID in the body of the email. 
  • You must be cleared from isolation by Campus Health/Mercer Medicine before you can return to campus.
This Week@MUSM is the official student newsletter of the Mercer University School of Medicine. Visit our website to learn more or view past issues.