WELL BALANCED
Take a hike!
Fall is in the air and now is the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather. One of the ways you can do that is by going for a hike. Hiking is beneficial for your mind and body. It helps to build stronger muscles and bones, improves heart health, sense of balance, and decreases the risk of certain respiratory problems. Hiking can also improve your mental health. If you suffer from negative thinking and rumination, researchers have found that hiking in nature can decrease habitual, negative thoughts and lower levels of rumination. Being in nature also decreases stress because of less noise and fewer distractions. Some physicians are now writing “nature prescriptions” to reduce stress and anxiety in patients. Georgia has many beautiful state parks with different types of trails. Be sure to check them out!
KUDOS & RECOGNITION
Congratulations to these recent scholarship award recipients!

National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program awards scholarships to students pursuing eligible primary care health professions training. In return, scholars commit to provide primary care health services in health professional shortage areas. Congratulations to the following recipients:

  • Jennifer Brown | Savannah | Class of 2022
  • Victoria Davis | Macon | Class of 2024
  • Sabrina Worrell-Fraser | Savannah | Class of 2024

The Underrepresented in Medicine Scholarship represents MUSM’s commitment to attracting and retaining students who are underrepresented minorities in medicine. Congratulations to this year’s recipients, most of whom are listed below:

  • Demetri Euter | Macon | Class of 2021
  • Kristen Williams | Macon | Class of 2021
  • Quinton Blount | Columbus | Class of 2022
  • Kelly Delgado | Columbus | Class of 2022
  • J’Lynn Baker | Macon | Class of 2023
  • Kendra Moore | Savannah | Class of 2023
  • Edwina Smith | Savannah | Class of 2023
  • Jessica Hall | Macon | Class of 2024
  • Kyle Wicker | Macon | Class of 2024
  • Alicia Williams | Macon | Class of 2024

H.T. Andy Anderson Scholarships are awarded to incoming Master of Family Therapy (MFT) students based on need, previous achievements and accomplishments, and future potential as a family therapist. Congratulations to the following recipients:

  • Alana Barkman
  • Jayla Head, MS
  • Maham Husain
  • Kaela S. Jackson
  • Kristen Partin
  • Sanchita Sharma
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteers Needed
Harvest Health Festival
Saturday, October 24
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Calvary Baptist, Savannah

Dr. Jason Hollis is looking for medical students to help him with health screenings. He will be screening for metabolic syndrome, which will proceed to finger sticks if warranted. Checking weight, blood pressure and waist circumference will be a component of this important work. If you're interested, email him at hasonjollis@gmail.com.

Harvest Health Festival brings together a broad array of community health resources to create a one-stop health and well-being shop for low-income and uninsured families in Savannah.

Kate Viena is leading the event and will also need students. She can be reached at 770-738-4679.
Poetry Competition
Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) is now accepting submissions for the 39th annual William Carlos Williams poetry competition. The top three prize-winning poems will receive a monetary award and will be considered for publication in the Journal of Medical Humanities. The submission deadline is midnight eastern time on December 31, 2020.

For submission details, eligibility criteria, and to submit online, visit NEOMED's William Carlos Williams poetry competition webpage. Email wcw@neomed.edu with any questions or for additional information.
ONLINE RESOURCES
If you missed the Sam McBride financial planning basics and budgeting 101 webinar, you can now watch a recording of it online.

If you missed the event, you can now watch it online. Access the recording using your AAMC account. You can find it in your dashboard.

RESIDENCY OPEN HOUSES
Emergency Medicine Spotlight
Indiana University
October 6 at 7:00 pm CST

Psychiatry Virtual Sessions
Wright State University
October 6 or 13 at 6:30 pm EST

Family Medicine Residency
Northside Gwinnett
October 7 at 4:30 pm EST

FM Meet & Greet
Wright State University
October 7 at 7:00 pm EST

GME Virtual Open House
U of Louisville School of Medicine
October 8 at 4:00 pm EST

UAB Medical Programs Mixer
UAB Hospital
October 9 at 5:00 pm CST

URIM Virtual Open House
EVMS Family Medicine
October 10 at 8:00 am EST

Virtual Open House
U of Washington School of Medicine
October 12 at 6:30 pm PDT

Q & A Sessions
Gateway Psychiatry Residents
October 14, 21 or 28 at 5:00 pm EST

UAB Surgical Programs Mixer
UAB Hospital
October 16 at 5:00 pm CST

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Service Leadership Conference
Thursday, October 15
4:00 - 6:00 pm
At this event students will present their current DISC projects, and will hear about volunteerism from Dr. Keisha Callins. Join us in-person in the Macon auditorium or attend via Zoom.

Meeting ID: 294 360 5603
Passcode: MUSM

Manage Student Loans During Residency
Friday, November 6
1:00 pm
Join this webinar, hosted by AAMC's debt management experts, and get answers to your student loan questions.


Learn Medical Spanish
Wednesday, October 14
2:00 -3:00 pm
Join us in the Savannah auditorium to learn basic anatomy that will assist you in taking a history and performing a physical on Spanish-speaking patients. There will be games, prizes and fun! Hosted by LMSA.

Mark your calendar! Planning is underway for the Class of 2021 ceremonies and events. Stay tuned for more details as we get closer.
 
Match Day
Friday, March 19, 2021
All campuses
 
Hooding Ceremony
Friday, April 30, 2021
2:00 pm
Macon (TBD)
Savannah (Auditorium)
Columbus (St. Francis Hospital)

Commencement Ceremony
Saturday, May 8, 2021
2:00 pm
Hawkins Arena
University Center
Macon, GA
STUDENTS IN ACTION
Teddy Bear Clinic
The Teddy Bear Clinic is a DISC project where the students use "sick" teddy bears to teach health topics to children in market days events. The kids may put on bandages or take temperatures but all get educated on relevant health topics, which will include care during a pandemic.  

This event was held at the Forsyth Farmers Market and included following students: Kaylee Brown (24), Shaquita Greene (24), Madeleine Spitzler (23), Chris Williams (22), and Sydney Koenig (FM-ACT 21).
Medical Spanish
The LMSA recently hosted a medical Spanish class to help students learn how to formally address patients and obtain basic information important for history taking. Students also competed against each other for fun prizes. The next event is scheduled for Wednesday, October 14 at 2:00 pm in the Savannah auditorium.
MUSM MARKETPLACE
The Savannah Class of 2024 is having a fundraiser! They're selling MUSM merchandise with lots of affordable goodies. Orders will arrive in early November so pick up a gift for the holidays or treat yourself.
 
To place an order, complete BOTH steps by 11:59 pm on Friday, October 9:
  1. Fill out the order form at https://forms.gle/K2BRQpThNeRuWZ1S6
  2. Please make your payment via Venmo at @MUSMClassCouncil2024. If you prefer to pay via cash or check, email Brittany Tran.

You must complete BOTH steps for your order to be completed. A confirmation email will be sent once payment is received. If you have any questions, contact Alyssa Moffitt.
 
For those on the Macon and Columbus campuses, items will be sent through inter-campus mail.
IN THE NEWS
School of Medicine Professors Receive $1 Million Federal ...

MACON - Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM) professors Dr. Bryant Smalley and Dr. Jacob Warren received a $1,000,000 grant from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration for a comprehensive prevention, treatment and...

Read more
news.mercer.edu
School of Medicine, North Central Health District...

MACON - Mercer University School of Medicine's Department of Community Medicine and the North Central Health District's COMPASS Cares Community Pharmacy and Health Innovation Center were recently awarded a $600,000 federal grant from the U.S....

Read more
news.mercer.edu
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.