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.
Congratulations 2022 - 2023 Student Body Presidents
Congratulations to Miller Cone, Kelby Bulles, and Georgia Wilson Pridgen on being elected student body presidents for the upcoming academic year!
National Library Week Book Sale
April 4 - April 8 | Macon
In celebration of National Library Week, 
the Skelton Medical Library is having a book sale. Books can be purchased with canned goods or other non-perishable items. The cost of each book will be two food items. All food will be donated to Loaves and Fishes.
Phi Delta Epsilon Anatomy Pageant
April 13 | 2 pm | Auditorium (Macon)
Help Phi Delta Epsilon raise money for Stand for the Kids during their first Anatomy Pageant. Students and faculty are invited to dress up and perform as their favorite anatomical structure for a chance to win a gift basket with gift cards to Z Beans, Jags, Margaritas, and Chick-fil-A. Dr. Chalk, Dr. Colquitt, and Dr. Kirera will judge the competition and choose a winner based on performance and anatomical accuracy.

Learn more and fill out the application form. Form and $5 entry fee are due April 11.
Movie Matinee
April 18 | 12 - 1:30 pm | Auditorium (Macon) | DLR (Columbus and Savannah)
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. In recognition of this month Mercer School of Medicine, in partnership with Resilient Middle Georgia, will hold a virtual screening of the documentary, Resilience. Following the movie a short discussion will be held.
Med Student to Resident - Tips For Success
April 18 | 12:10 - 1:00 pm | Virtual
The APC is hosting a virtual panel for rising Year III students. Students will be able to ask panelists about topics such as how to succeed in Year III, how to create a competitive application, and what does the day-to-day life of an internist look like.
Movie Night and Discussion
April 18 | 5 pm | Auditorium (Macon and Savannah) | DLR (Columbus)
MUSM's Office of Student Affairs, in partnership with Pride Alliance, are showing the 2020 Netflix documentary, Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen. Following the film, moderators will hold a discussion with questions and prompts curated by the film's creative team.
Race to Step 1
April 27 | 12:30 pm | Savannah Auditorium
Savannah's interest groups will be hosting the first annual Race To Step 1 event. This relay race event will include high yield material to prepare you for STEP 1. Prizes will be awarded.

To compete, sign up your team of 2-3 team players here. Contact Shaquita Greene with any questions.
Hooding
Friday, April 29 | 2 pm
Each campus will have its own ceremony.

Commencement
Saturday, May 7 | 2 pm
Commencement will take place on Saturday, May 7 in Hawkins Arena, which is located in the University Center on the Macon campus. It will begin promptly at 2:00pm. Doors will open at 1:00pm to allow time for guests to arrive and take their seats. Please encourage your guests to be seated no later than 1:45pm.
 
10:30 am: Check in and put on regalia
11:00 am: Class pictures
12:00 pm: Commencement instructions
12:30 pm: Boxed lunch
1:15 pm: Graduates line up
2:00 pm: Commencement
3:30 pm: Military Commissioning

Click here to download the 2022 Commencement Student Guide.

You can also find more information about commencement on Mercer's Commencement website.
 
Bus transportation is available for Columbus and Savannah students. To reserve a spot, please email Jennifer Nelson.
MUSM Beach Day Wellness Event
MUSM Student Wellness and AIMSS are hosting wellness events for each campus to help students destress. All degree programs are welcome to attend these events.

Savannah Beach Day
April 9 | 11 am | Savannah
Meet off the boardwalk of 18th Street. Non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. Feel free to bring your own beverages, food and fun beach things. Contact Subhi with any questions.

Macon Beach Day
April 9 | 11 am | Claystone Park Picnic Area C207
To have your entrance fee waived, let the front gate attendant know that you are with the School of Medicine. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided as well as beach games. Bring your own snacks, lawn chairs, drinks, towels, etc. No alcohol is allowed in the park. There will be plenty of picnic tables. Bathrooms are directly beside the picnic area. Complete this Google interest form if interested in attending. If you have any questions, contact Chandler Hammond.
Balancing Fasting and Studying During Ramadan
If you are currently studying for Step 1 and observing Ramadan, you may be struggling to manage both. Below are a few tips and strategies from a fellow student.
  • Try to not flip your schedule (sleeping in the day, studying at night). Being awake when the sun is out and interacting with family and friends is helpful to your mental health.
  • Keep a large water bottle near you. Remember to stay hydrated.
  • Try to cut your evening meal into two parts. Eat the first portion in the evening and save the rest for later in the night. Be careful about overeating due to hunger. 
  • Eat nutritious, balanced meals during this time. 
  • Schedule time for meal prep.
  • Take time off weekly.
  • Be patient with yourself. It might be more difficult to complete two blocks during the day because you may feel tired and hungry. If you hit a rut, take a short break, then return.
John Hopkins Visiting Elective Program
The Johns Hopkins Harriet Lane Pediatric Residency Training Program welcomes rising Year IV medical students, who are underrepresented in pediatrics, to apply for senior elective rotations in pediatric cardiology, hematology, infectious disease or oncology.
Application deadline: April 15
SNMA Fundraiser Deadline Extended
Deadline | April 8
MUSM’s Savannah SNMA group has extended the deadline for their fundraiser and has lowered prices on select items. If you are interested in purchasing any items from the list, please fill out this google form and send all monies via Venmo to @savsnmatreasurer by April 8.
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.