2023 COVID Update

COVID infections are on the rise, with 17.3% of all infections stemming from a variant named EG.5, nicknamed ‘Eris.’ This variant has been found to be more easily transmissible than other variants, but the symptoms are generally less severe. However, while the symptoms may be much less harmful than previous strains, some populations are still at increased risk for serious disease, so prevention is still the best policy. Read up on the latest ways to protect yourself and others from contracting COVID.

While there is no longer a specific COVID protocol for the University, here are a few resources and tips for if you or someone close to you gets sick. 

• Campus Health
• If You Are Sick or Caring for Someone
• The Difference Between a Cold and the Flu

We also ask that you practice social distancing (6 feet if possible) from others if you are feeling ill and wear a mask if you have had a respiratory illness for ten full days. You may also be asked to wear a mask when seeing patients during an outbreak. Also, if you become sick with any illness and have a fever, you should remain at home, and normal sick day rules apply. 

MUSM Student Named Regional Director of SNMA

Rising MS4, Kendra Moore, MPH, was appointed Regional IV Director of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) during the organization’s Annual Medical Education Conference.

​Residency & Fellowship Applicant Interview Preparation Guide

The application processes for residency and fellowship can be both exhilarating and challenging. To help students through this process, AAMC has created the Residency & Fellowship Applicant Interview Preparation Guide. The goal of this guide is to provide the necessary support to ensure a smooth journey toward medical school and residency.  

Key features of the guide:  

• Interview Types and Formats 
• Effective Interview Preparation 
• Common Interview Topics, Applicant Rights and Responsibilities
• Virtual Interview Etiquette
• Professionalism and Best Practices 

New Residency Explorer™ Tool

The Residency Explorer™ tool is available for rising fourth-year medical students and graduates applying to residency programs. This free research tool allows students to research individual residency programs in 25 specialties and explore program characteristics across many areas of interest. 

The Residency Explorer tool was created by the nine national organizations involved in the transition to residency, including the AAMC, and it is the only tool that combines the following data in one platform:

• Original, source-verified data from the National Resident Matching Program, National Board of Medical Examiners, and National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners. 
• Residency applicant data from the ERAS^® system.
• Residency program information from the GME Track Survey and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

While the tool does not advise students on where to apply or predict where they will match, it can help you research and develop a list of programs you may be interested in applying to.  

For the 2024 ERAS season only, applicants will not have the option to compare their profiles to previous seasons’ applicants. In future seasons the collaborating organizations plan to have the profile comparison option available.  

Students can access the Residency Explorer tool by logging in with their AAMC credentials. If you have any questions, please submit them via the Residency Explorer Contact Form.

NGMC Psychiatry Residency Virtual Meet and Greet

Aug 23 | 3 - 4 pm

Northeast Georgia Medical Center Psychiatry Residency will host a virtual hang-out session for medical students to learn more about their program. 

Register here

Call for Presentations: 2023 Annual Joint Research Conference

The School of Medicine and the College of Pharmacy are now accepting submissions for their annual Joint Research Conference. The conference will be held on the Atlanta, Columbus, Macon, and Savannah campuses on Friday, October 27, 2023.

This event is an excellent opportunity for faculty to showcase their work and for students to gain experience disseminating research findings. Awards will be given for faculty and student research in both the oral and poster presentation categories.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, August 25, 2023. To submit your presentation for consideration, please self-enroll in the MUSM and Pharmacy Joint Research Canvas course. If you have any issues self-enrolling in the Canvas course, please contact Casie Bridges. Please direct all questions to Dr. David Hollar.  

Money Management for Medical School Students

August 29 | 2 pm | Virtual

Join the AAMC team for an informative webinar and discussion on how to manage your money during medical school. During the webinar, they'll answer questions about budgeting, borrowing wisely, and other topics such as utilizing resources at your school, keeping an eye on your credit, and tips to avoid identity theft. They will also showcase additional FIRST resources like the MedLoans® Organizer and Calculator and the Financial Wellness program. 

Register here

Volunteers Needed for Upcoming Community Health Fairs

September 9 | 10 am - 1 pm | Randolph County

September 23 | Upson County

October 7 | Washington County

October 28 | Putnam County

The Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center and MUSM are hosting a series of health fairs in rural communities across Georgia and need medical students to lead teddy bear clinics, conduct blood pressure checks, and perform other health demonstrations. We appreciate when students from the area serve in their home counties, but we encourage everyone to participate.

If you are interested in volunteering at any of these health fairs, sign up here.

American Indian & Alaska Native in Public Health

American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) have practiced medicine and wellness for thousands of years. Therefore, it is no surprise that they have made substantial contributions to public health. Some of these contributions include; helping to reduce harm from injection drug use and developing the Hib Conjugate Vaccine. Learn more about AI/AN contributions to public health.

Heat and Your Health

Over 700 people die from extreme heat yearly in the United States. Heat-related illnesses occur when the body can’t properly cool down. Some factors that affect the body’s ability to self-regulate are high humidity, age, weight, and chronic diseases.

It’s important to note that while certain personal factors can make someone more at risk of getting a heat-related illness, anyone can get sick if they don’t take the proper steps to protect themselves. Some of the dos and don’ts of preventing heat-related illness include:

Learn more about the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and ways to prevent them.