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.
New Academic Success Counselor in Columbus
The School of Medicine is pleased to welcome Charon Austin, MS to our campus in Columbus. Charon graduated from Alabama A&M University, Huntsville, AL (Plant and Soil Science) and Troy University, Troy, AL (Postsecondary/Adult Education). She has a background in both secondary and postsecondary education, as well as teaching abroad in Korea, Hungary, and England. This diverse experience gives her insight on learners of all ages, backgrounds, cultures, and nationalities. Charon appreciates learners who are focused, determined, disciplined, and self-motivated. She understands that life’s challenges and distractions can create obstacles and is always eager to help any student willing and ready to put in the effort needed to achieve their goals.

Charon will join Academic Success Counselors Misty Graham (Savannah) and Misty Cline (Macon) as they work with students to develop time management strategies, set realistic goals, identify optimal learning resources, find campus services and resources, and facilitate tutoring and other supplemental learning options.
 
Not only does Charon enjoy working with students, but she also runs a restaurant on the weekends called “USA Cajun Station” located in Alabama and has her hands full with twin 6-year-olds.
Two MUSM students elected to regional leadership positions

SAVANNAH - Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM) second-year medical students Roxie Lazo Gonzalez and Kendra Moore have been elected as regional leaders in the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) and the Student National Medical...

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Mercer administers hundreds of COVID-19 vaccines

Mercer University now is administering the COVID-19 vaccine to students, faculty and staff, with hundreds receiving their first dose as soon as it became available. A team from Mercer Medicine administered the first vaccine on a Mercer campus on...

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Budgeting for Medical Students
Creating a budget in medical school can be a daunting task, but sticking to one can relieve undue stress. In 2018, a survey completed by over 15,000 physicians showed financial stress ranked second as contributing to physician depression. Below are just a few small ways that can help you save money and hopefully, reduce some financial stress:
  • Share housing costs with a roommate
  • Carpool if possible
  • Eat out less and bring brown bag lunches to school
  • Purchase clothing and shoes during end-of-season sales
  • Shop clearance racks
  • Clip or use digital coupons when grocery shopping
  • Stick to generic brands which are normally cheaper than name brands
  • Buy non-perishable items in bulk
  • Cut out the purchase of the daily latte and make coffee at home

There are many other tips and tricks you can find on the MUSM Financial Aid site. Contact Financial Aid at 478-301-2853 or musmfinancialaid@mercer.edu for more information.
Introducing the HCA Healthcare Journal
The HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine is a peer-reviewed scientific periodical focused on innovation, enhanced quality and developing new knowledge in clinical care and medical education for the benefit of all patients. This journal, sponsored by HCA Healthcare Graduate Medical Education, publishes bimonthly and is open access with no subscriptions or author processing fees.

The Department of Surgery at the University of South Alabama (USA) is proud to announce a Visiting Students Diversity Scholarship. The mission of this program is to expose medical students underrepresented in medicine to the general surgery training program at USA. Their goal is to increase the diversity of trainees and the field of general surgery as a whole. Learn more
Village Mentors Volunteer Opportunity
The Village Mentors at Mercer University is a volunteer-run division of the NGO Village Book Builders which aims to empower individuals through virtual education. The Village Mentors Community works to empower underprivileged children and communities globally through building impactful, scalable learning hubs sustained with volunteer virtual mentors (at $0 cost to the students) to improve global education and quality of life.

Become a Peer Tutor
Your Academic Success Team would like to invite the classes of 2022 and 2023 to apply to become a peer tutor for the next academic year! Peer tutors support underclassmen learning with study strategies, Shelf guidance and Board review. This is a paid position.

Send the completed application form to your Academic Success Counselor by April 30.
Ethics Faculty Candidate Presentation: Dr. Jake Greenblum
April 12 | 1 pm
Dr. Jake Greenblum will present "An Intro to Medical Ethics" to faculty and students. Dr. Jake Greenblum is currently an assistant professor of internal medicine at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's School of Medicine. He is a philosopher and bioethicist. He earned his doctorate from Syracuse University and subsequently completed a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical ethics at University Hospital in San Antonio, TX. Dr. Greenblum’s research interests include conscientious objection in medicine, the ethics of surrogate decision making, and the nature of medical authority.


Please send comments to Dr. Childs
AOA GHHS Ceremony
April 13 | 6:30 pm
Join a special virtual induction ceremony to honor new members of the Alpha Omega Alpha - Georgia Delta Chapter and Gold Humanism Honor Society. Includes special recognition of last year's inductees.

Rising 3rd Year Meeting
Class of 2023: Join us as we share the schedule for year three, review credentialing requirements, and provide a brief overview of the academic requirements and rotation expectations for clerkships. You'll leave better prepared as you head into the next step in your medical school journey!

SAVANNAH
April 14 | 1 - 2:30 pm | Auditorium

MACON
April 15 | 1 - 2:30 pm | Auditorium
Class of 2024/25 Trivia Night
April 14 | 6 pm
In order to build relationships, the Class of 2024/25 is invited to attend an online Zoom Trivia Night! Teams will gather in their respective PBL rooms to answer questions on topics of animals, geography, television and movies, history, science, and others!

MUSM's 1st Annual Sono-thon
April 16 | 1 - 5 pm
The afternoon will consist of short lectures on Introduction to Ultrasound and a two-stage competition that will combine ultrasound proficiency with high-yield Step 1 knowledge. The afternoon will conclude with research presentations addressing ultrasound in medicine and medical education.

Registration to participate in the competition is full, but all are welcome to come spectate!
Adversity & Resilience Symposium
April 19 | 9 am - 3:45 pm
In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Resilient Middle Georgia and Atrium Health Navicent are hosting a free virtual event featuring keynote speaker Kevin McNeil, an abuse activist and CEO of the Twe12e Project.

Climate Change and Clinical Practice CME Event
April 28 | 12:30 pm - 5 pm
Dr. Jennifer Barkin, Associate Professor of Community Medicine in Macon, will be speaking on Maternal/Child mental health in connection to extreme weather events and climate change.

Hooding Ceremony
ALL CAMPUSES
Friday, April 30 | 2 pm
Each campus will have its own ceremony.

Commencement Ceremony
ALL CAMPUSES
Saturday, May 8 | 2 pm
Hawkins Arena
University Center
Macon, GA
Class of 2024 Spring Shirt Order
The MD Class of 2024 is selling t-shirts as a fundraiser. Help them be prepared to host social events when they can finally resume safely! Order deadline is Monday, April 19. Contact Hannah McQueen with any questions.
PHR Sweatshirt Fundraiser
Physicians for Human Rights are selling sweatshirts to raise funds that will be used to help get supplies needed to conduct basic screenings for Macon's homeless population. Order deadline is Friday, April 16.
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.