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.
Creating Goals for the Holidays
It’s almost time for the holidays, which means time to relax, rejuvenate, and spend quality time with family and friends. During medical school you might worry that too much time off can cause you to fall behind on your studies. It is important to take time to rest your body and mind, so plan ahead so you don’t get stressed about your studies. Before the holidays, write down the goals you’d like to achieve over the break. To aid with goal setting, you can create corresponding categories:  
  • Personal – Make the most of your time off by making plans to see friends and family or appointments to see your doctor, get an oil change/car repair, or have a haircut.
  • Academic – Get ahead by studying for an upcoming exam, reading material for your next block, reviewing a past subject you’ve had trouble with, etc.
  • Routine – Indulge in leisure activities you haven't had time for such as sports, hobbies, journaling, meditation, etc.

Remember to be realistic with your goals. The main focus of your break should be spending time with loved ones and taking care of yourself.  
New Diversity and URiM Email Address
The recently expanded Office of Underrepresented in Medicine now has a dedicated e-mail address: musmdiversity@mercer.edu. Use this email for all questions related to diversity at MUSM.
MUSM Well-Represented at MAG Student Abstract Competition
Congratulations to these three outstanding MUSM students on their success at the Medical Association of Georgia's 2021 Student Abstract Competition!
  • Hannah McQueen (MS2, Macon), Basic Science/Bench Work – 1st Place – The role of NF-kB in the up-regulation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine CCL22 in the context of epithelial cancers, co-authored by Dr. Pam Cook (PI)
  • Thao Le (MS2, Macon) Clinical Research – 1st Place – Online Social Support for Infertility: A Reddit Analysis, co-authored by Anne Montgomery, PhD
  • Joncel Stephens (MS2, Savannah) Public Health – 1st Place (Tie) – An Analysis of Georgia Mothers Who Gave Birth in 2015 and 2016 without Receiving Prenatal Care, co-authored by Dr. Shanta R. Dube PhD, MPH and Mrs. Merrilee Gober RN BSN JD.
Forty years later, MUSM faculty continue fight against AIDS

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the nation's first reported cases of the disease that would later become known as AIDS. Over the past four decades, Mercer University professors have contributed to the research of the disease while...

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den.mercer.edu
Spot and Tactfully Handle Discrimination in Healthcare

Over the past several years, overdue conversations about implicit bias in medicine and the need for health equity have emerged, and workplaces are increasingly developing strategies to address the problem. PubMed searches of the terms "implicit...

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www.aafp.org
Medical Minute Video Series
The Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center is looking for two or three medical students who are interested in narrating the next videos in the Medical Minute series. The videos are designed to help improve the health literacy of children and young adults in rural Georgia. To learn more about this project, visit our website: Medical Minute. To participate, email Morgan Williams by tomorrow Tuesday, November 2.

Filming: November 9 in the afternoon
Time: 30 – 45 minutes (Times will be arranged to accommodate the student’s schedule.)
Location: School of Medicine Library
Health Equity Student Research Group
Dr. Jacob Warren and Dr. Bryant Smalley are launching the Health Equity Student Research Group within the Center for Rural Health and Health Disparities. Students who join the group will gain experience in conducting and publishing health-equity focused research across a variety of outcomes and populations. Areas of focus for the 2021-2022 school year include maternal and infant mortality, opioid overdose, and intersectional rural health disparities (e.g., disparities faced by rural African American populations and disparities faced by rural LGBTQ+ populations). The group will meet biweekly via technology, with independent projects between meetings. Students from all campuses are welcome to participate, and opportunities are available at various levels of time commitment. If you are interested in joining the group, please email Dr. Jacob Warren, Director of the Center for Rural Health and Health Disparities using the subject line “Student Research Group.”
South Georgia Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Residency
Apply to the newest MUSM-affiliated residency program in Valdosta. Applications are open on ERAS now through November 30.
Biomedical Sciences Research Seminar Series
November 3 | 1 pm
Responsible Conduct of Research, presented by Christy Bridges, PhD, will cover safety, ethics, and best practices to follow while working in a lab.
Zoom ID: 971 2215 8596
Passcode: 855370
Macon Service Leadership Conference
November 4 | 3:30 PM | Auditorium
All students on all campuses are invited to join as service groups present their projects and Dr. John Henderson gives the keynote address. A light snack will be provided for those in-person. Contact Maggie Kearney with any questions.
Meeting ID: 294 360 5603
Passcode: MUSM
AAMC Webinar: Managing Student Loans During Residency
November 4 | 6 PM ET
November 5 | 2 PM ET
This informative webinar, hosted by AAMC student loan experts, will provide answers to commonly asked student loan and debt management questions. Topics discussed will include how to choose the best repayment plan, when postponing payments is a better option, and whether refinancing or consolidating is right for you. The current state of Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), the CARES Act, and more will also be covered.

Freshman House Advising Picnic
November 5 | 12 pm
The MD Class of 2025 will have its annual Freshman Picnic next week with house competition, games, food and fun!
Macon - MUSM Lawn
Savannah - Atrium
Columbus - DLR
Primary Care Accelerated Track (ACT) Informational Meeting
Macon | Nov 8 | 5:30 PM | DLR
Savannah | Nov 9 | 5:30 pm | DLR
Columbus | Nov 15 | 12 pm | Classroom 1
All students in the MD Class of 2025 are invited to attend this meeting to learn more about our ACT program. RSVP to Terri Walker by this Friday, November 5.
MUSM Research Seminar Series
November 9 | 1 pm
Join the latest installment of the MUSM Research Seminar Series as Ashley Horner, PhD discusses neural pathways underlying habitual drug use. Questions about the session or the MUSM Research Seminar Series can be directed to Dr. Bryant Smalley, Associate Dean for Research.

Visit with a Therapy Dog - Macon
November 11 | 12 pm | Cruz Plaza
Destress with a quick dog therapy session in Cruz Plaza (Macon campus), weather permitting. Contact Trung Quach for more info.
MUSM Homecoming Tailgate
November 13 | 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Come have a great time connecting with MUSM students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends as we cheer on the Mercer Bears football team! RSVP to Nicole Kummer, Director of Development, by November 8 for complimentary food, drinks and game tickets.

Georgia Rural EM Conference
February 19 - 20 | MUSM Savannah
The Georgia College of Emergency Physicians will hold its annual conference on the Savannah campus. MUSM students can register for free. Volunteer opportunities are also available.

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.