The College of Medicine Student Council receives mail and messages through Candace Gillespie in College of Medicine Dean's Office at 792-2086 or gillescf@musc.edu.

Executive Officers
President Angela Rank
Vice President Josh Black
Secretary/Treasurer Devon Bork
Advisor Candace Gillespie

Class of 2008 Officers
President Guy McClary
Vice President Meg Carter
Secretary/Treasurer Ginger Culyer
SGA Representatives Chris Cutshall
Julie Swick
Careers in Medicine Tara Alhberg
MaryShell Zaffino
Electives Subcommittee TBA
Course Evaluation Jack Cleland
Standards of Conduct Luke Baxley
Honor Council Colin Ligon
Robert Shapiro

Class of 2009 Officers
President Brian Mannino
Vice President Young Choi
Secretary/Treasurer Luke Davis
SGA Representatives Jason Curry
Matt Patrick
Course Evaluation Jason Curry
Careers in Medicine Matt Crumpler
Brian Thompson
MEDCOM Team Leaders John Korman
Julie Robinson
Jenna Walters
Standards of Conduct Bree Ruppert
Honor Council Jim Merriam
Kate Silver

Class of 2010 Officers
President Andrea Ayuso
Vice President Robby Hendry
Secretary/Treasurer Monica Shah
SGA Representatives Morgan Murphy
Daniel Grass
Course Evaluation Kristen Williams
Curriculum Committee Patrick Mille
Jeremy Smalley
Honor Council Neal Goodbar
Charles Hatcher
Standards of Conduct Patrick Ryan
Careers in Medicine Stephen Cross
Elizabeth Norman
Honor Council Neal Goodbar
Charles Hatcher

Class of 2011
To Be Elected in Fall 2007

American Medical Association, Medical Student Section
The American Medical Association Medical Student Section (AMA-MSS), a division of the American Medical Association, represents the student voice in organized medicine. Its purpose is to provide medical student participation in AMA activities by providing meaningful input into the decision and policy-making processes of the Association, improving medical education, furthering professional excellence, and promoting activity within organized medicine on local, state, and national levels.

Each year, delegates from the chapter attend two national conventions to discuss and vote on student resolutions which are then referred to the AMA House of Delegates. Members receive weekly issues of the Journal of the American Medical Association and the American Medical Newspaper and are entitled to AMA membership benefits. This chapter has strong ties to the South Carolina Medical Association, and members are encouraged to participate in its activities.

Co-Presidents Russell Angle
Daniel Grass
Vice President Evan Baird
Treasurer Jeff Basile
Advisor Robert Sade, MD

American Medical Student Association
The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), with a half-century history of medical student activism, is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. AMSA is a student-governed, national organization committed to representing your concerns. With a membership of nearly 60,000 medical students, pre-meds, interns, residents and practicing physicians from across the country, AMSA continues its commitment to improving health care and health care delivery to all people; promoting active improvement in medical education; involving its members in the social, moral and ethical obligations of the profession of medicine; assisting in the improvement and understanding of world health problems; contributing to the welfare of medical students, interns, residents and post-MD/DO trainees; and advancing the profession of medicine.

Student members have the opportunity to get involved with the wide range of programs sponsored nationally and locally. Some local projects include the Sugar Free Fall Festival, Residency Fair, National Primary Care Week, Cover the Uninsured Week, lots of various service projects, and Action Committees on Community and Public Health, Global Health, Medical Education, Advocacy, Humanistic Medicine, and Health Policy. National opportunities include numerous leadership trainings and conferences on all the above listed topics, as well as the yearly National and Regional Conventions, which are definitely the most fun you will have in medical school. Members also receive the award-winning monthly magazine, The New Physician, as well as numerous other benefits and discounts on textbooks, medical supplies, hotel and car rentals, and other items.

For more information, please see the website at www.amsa.org, or contact one of the local officers listed below:

Co-Presidents Jennifer Zurosky
Payal Patel
Vice President Jay Nance
Secretary Molly Beleckis
Treasurer Jenna Walters
Legislative Affairs Coordinator Stephen Cross
Recruitment Coordinator Vandy Gaffney
Volunteer Coordinator Christina Budde
Faculty Advisor Amy Blue, PhD

American Medical Women’s Association
The American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) is a national organization of 3,000 women physicians and medical students. AMWA was founded in 1915 and is dedicated to promoting women’s health, improving the personal and professional well-being of its members, and increasing the influence of women in the medical profession. AMWA’s target issues include women’s health issues such as breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, violence against women, tobacco, gender equity, reproductive health, and osteoporosis. AMWA offers the following member services and programs to its national members:

• Journal of the American Medical Women’s Association (JAMWA), a peer-reviewed, scientific, bi-monthly publication
• What’s Happening in AMWA, AMWA’s newsletter
• Recently established Gender Equity Awards which recognize faculty members who promote a gender fair
environment for the education and training of physicians
• Janet M. Glasgow Essay Award for the best essay identifying a woman physician who has been a significant role model and
the Carroll L. Birch Award for best original research paper
• Medical Education Loans
• Bed and Breakfast Program when traveling for residency or job interviews.

The MUSC local AMWA branch provides positive role models for female medical students by putting them in contact with women physicians in the area and provides service to the community by supporting programs that emphasize women’s health needs. AMWA invites speakers and holds panel discussions throughout the year to promote awareness of women in medicine, to inform students of current issues in health care, and to provide ways for students to become involved within the community. MUSC female medical students may join AMWA by becoming either a national member or a local member.

Co-Presidents Devon Bork
Ashley Kuklentz
Vice President Julie Robinson
Secretary/Treasurer Jenna Walters
Coffee Talk Coordinator Payal Patel
Community Service Co-Chair Nicole Carlton
Advisor Diana Vincent, MD

Student National Medical Association
The Student National Medical Association (SNMA) is the nation's oldest and largest student organization focused on the needs and concerns of medical students of color. Membership includes over 6000 medical students, pre-medical students, residents and physicians. Established in 1964 by medical students from Howard University and Meharry medical schools, the SNMA boasts over 40 years of service to underserved communities and medical students.
SNMA chapters based at allopathic and osteopathic medical schools throughout the nation and at some colleges implement our programs and activities locally. SNMA programs are designed to serve the health needs of underserved communities and communities of color. In addition, SNMA is dedicated both to ensuring that medical education and services are culturally sensitive to the needs of diverse populations and to increasing the number of African-American, Latino, and other students of color and entering and completing medical school.

Presidents TBA
Vice President Ashley Hambright
Secretary Shola Gates
Treasurer Rashim Gupta
Advisor Wanda Gonsalves, MD

Alpha Omega Alpha
Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) is a medical honor society established to recognize medical students for scholarship and academic excellence and to recognize alumni and faculty for contributions to medicine and medical education. The society elects its members from the upper one-twelfth of the junior class and one-sixth of the senior class.

President Robert Shapiro
Vice President Dan-Victor Giurgiutiu
Secretary Teddy McRacken
Executive Assistant Thelma Lipscomb
Treasurer Alan Brown, MD
Advisor Stephen Schabel, MD

Medical Student Alumni Council
Consisting of approximately eight students from each class, the Medical Student Alumni Council’s primary functions are to help ease the transition from medical student to active alumnus and to serve as liaisons between the student body and alumni.

The council assists the Office of Alumni Affairs in hosting student and alumni functions such as monthly Specialty Seminars, and regional receptions for alumni. One of two campus groups involved in the Charity Ball benefiting low-country charities, the Council is responsible for planning the Silent Auction accompanying the Charity Ball. The council co-chairs also attend Alumni Association Board of Directors meetings to report on student activities and help with the reunion weekend, as well as various alumni functions.

Interviews for freshman membership are normally held in September and monthly luncheon meetings throughout the year.

Co-Chairs Ben Cobb
Tressa Levenson
Neal Shelley
Sarah Vanzant
Advisor Peggy Singletary

Organization of Student Representatives
The Organization of Student Representatives (OSR) is a national organization directly affiliated with the AAMC and is composed of appointed/elected student representatives from every medical school within the United States and Puerto Rico. Each school’s OSR representative serves as a link between his or her respective school and the AAMC, bringing student concerns to the AAMC’s attention, as well as distributing information from the AAMC to the medical schools/students. OSR representatives have local responsibilities including serving on student council as well as various other university committees. In addition, OSR representatives participate in and attend regional and national meetings. MUSC’s OSR representatives are permanent voting members of the College of Medicine’s Curriculum Committee and also serve on the Course Evaluation Subcommittee and other permanent and ad hoc committees relating to the curriculum. If there are questions, comments, or concerns please do not hesitate to contact the following OSR representatives:

4th year Lewis Cooper
3rd year Clarice Seifert
2nd year Annie Leylek
1st year To Be Elected

Phi Chi Medical Fraternity
Phi Chi Medical Fraternity was founded on March 31, 1889, to provide medical students with professional opportunities and social outlets. On the national level, the organization offers scholarships, the chance to network with other physicians, free housing while traveling, and other benefits.

The Sigma Kappa Chapter of Phi Chi enjoys being extremely involved at MUSC on many levels. Socially, our calendar is full from free information luncheons for all those interested in joining the fraternity, to a school wide Back to School Party with over 200 people in attendance, as well as a Halloween Party for members and non-members. But our role in the community is the focus of our fraternity by either participating in and/or organizing several philanthropic events that include the MUSC Annual Sugar Free Fall Festival, sponsoring Primary Care Week Lecture Series and Alcohol Awareness speakers, sponsoring families at Thanksgiving and Christmas. We are also proud to be working with the Windwood Boys Home, an educational and rehabilitation center for abused boys.

Phi Chi is not an exclusive organization and welcomes all medical students. Our fraternity provides a way for medical students from first to fourth year to get to know and help each other. It is an outlet to relax through social activities and creates opportunities to get involved within the MUSC medical community and become leaders within the Charleston community through service projects.

President Vandy Gaffney
Vice President Jake Gillen
Secretary T.G. Nessler
Treasurer Kathryn Marwick
Faculty Advisor Eric Larson, MD

The Crucible
The Crucible is the official newsletter and the “student voice” of the College of Medicine. The journal is published entirely by College of Medicine students, and includes personal interest stories about College of Medicine students and faculty. The Crucible also endeavors to highlight issues that affect students at MUSC and address local, state, national, and international news from the medical student’s standpoint. The Crucible has emerged as an important and effective liaison between students and faculty. Print distribution is campus-wide, and all editions are available online at the College of Medicine Student Council web site. To ask a question, make a comment, or get involved, please contact The Crucible staff online at crucible@musc.edu.

Editor TBA
Publisher/Design TBA
Faculty Advisor Tom Smith, PhD

Emergency Medicine Interest Group
The Emergency Medicine Interest Group is a student run organization geared towards those interested in Emergency Medicine as a specialty and career choice. We hold regular monthly meetings that include both hands-on clinical skills labs and interactive presentations with Emergency Medicine Faculty and Residents (from surrounding areas). We also include topics such as: the history of Emergency Medicine, lifestyle choices of EM physicians, and issues of importance to Emergency Medicine (e.g. litigation and overcrowding).

Third year medical students benefit from information sessions focused on planning their fourth year, choosing the time and location of their EM rotation, and choosing an EM residency. 1st and 2nd years have the opportunity to shadow physicians in a Level 1 trauma center during the school year, and rising 2nd years can gain more exposure to EM during the Summer Experience. EMIG was formed in the spring of 1995 by Drs. Neil Gillespie, Bob Greaves, and Ed Eastman with the help of emergency medicine physician, Dr. Rick Guobaitis, and was recognized by student government in the fall of 1996.

Goals of EMIG are:
• Organize, develop, and promote interest in the specialty of emergency medicine.
• Provide leadership to promote active student involvement in emergency medicine.
• Establish ongoing student education in the art of emergency medicine practices and procedures.
• Expose members to the inner workings of a Level One Trauma Center.
• Provide opportunities for pre-hospital and air ambulance ride-along.
• Provide observational time in the trauma center and emergency department.
• Provide workshops to enhance clinical skills.
• Assist the professional advancement of those students seeking careers in emergency medicine.
• Promote the high esteem and ideals of the emergency medical profession.

President Luke Baxley
Vice President Lauren Tober
Secretary/Treasurer Ashley Kuklentz
Philanthropy Sarkis Derderian
Webmaster Daniel Schwerin
4th Year Reps Ginger Culyer
3rd Year Rep Kristina Mrowca
2nd Year Rep Amanda Barnhorst
1st Year Rep To Be Elected
Faculty Advisor Jeff Bush, MD

Family Medicine Interest Group
The Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) includes students from all four years in the College of Medicine who wish to learn more about this specialty. Meetings are held monthly in a lecture series discussing incentives of family medicine, the differences between rural and urban family medicine, residency opportunities, the business aspects of family practice, and health care reform in family medicine. Members also have the opportunity to attend the state and national American Academy of Family Physicians’ conventions where they meet students and physicians across the state or nation to investigate and discuss the future of family medicine.

Co-Presidents TBA
TBA
Vice President TBA
Secretary TBA
Treasurer TBA
Comm. Service Chairs TBA
Faculty Advisor Peter Carek, MD

Medical Student Ophthalmology Society
The Medical Student Ophthalmology Society (MSOS) was formed in 2004 to promote interest for eye care among medical students. A major program established by the MSOS was Fight for SIGHT. Fight for SIGHT is a community-focused organization, established by medical students and residents, dedicated to improving the eye health of medically underserved individuals in Charleston, South Carolina. Indeed, a significant number of people in Charleston County have inadequate access to quality eye care services, including medical and surgical treatments. Significant disability and decreased quality of life can result from visual impairment, thus highlighting the need to prevent vision loss among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.

Fight for SIGHT’s mission is to promote service for the medically underserved, initiatives for the preservation of functional vision, growth and renewal in underserved communities, health education and advocacy, and training for compassionate physicians. To accomplish these goals, we organize and run comprehensive eye care screening and education clinics at sites around Charleston, bringing our services to where they are needed most. For each of the residents and medical students involved in its far-reaching mission, Fight for SIGHT offers an excellent way to become exposed to a very real side of health care. Staying in touch with the plight of the medically underserved and experiencing the personal satisfaction that comes in tangibly helping this grateful population helps ensure an enduring place for humanism in medicine.

President Margaret Lewis Prescott
Vice President Brice Williams
Secretary/Treasurer Monica Kim
Chief of Fundraising Peter Hao Tang
Chiefs of Clinical Operations Nick Holdgate
Rakesh Patel
Resident Advisor Jay Biber, MD

Radiology Interest Group
The Radiology Interest Group (RIG) is an organization open to all medical students. It provides an opportunity to learn more about radiology and further explore what it means to have a career in radiology. There are many benefits of membership in the Radiology Interest Group. The following are just a few: 1) through discussions with experts in the different subspecialties, students are exposed to the wide variety of careers possible in radiology; 2) students gain invaluable advice about preparing for residency from residents and 4th year students, including the facts on residency selection, competition, locations, and how to make yourself a stronger candidate; 3) students are able to network and build valuable relationships with MUSC Radiology Faculty; 4) opportunities for shadowing and research can be coordinated for those members who desire these opportunities. Please feel free to contact any of the officers for more information about RIG, membership, or upcoming events.

President Tim MacFall
Vice President Kevin Blackmon
Secretary Andre Uflacker
Treasurer Ryan Owen
Faculty Advisor Leonie Gordan, MD

Student Interest Group in Neurology
The Student Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN) was established with the purpose of making students aware of opportunities available in the fields of neurology, neurosurgery, and neuroscience. It furthers the knowledge of neurology among medical students and provides opportunities to participate in neurology related activities including: discussions by neurologists, patient presentations, seminars, journal clubs, interactions with neurologists in the workplace, and research opportunities. Special benefits for members include travel to conferences, access to scholarships and grants, and a subscription to “Neurology Today.”

President Alistair Aaronson
Vice President Elizabeth Norman
Secretary George Magrath
Treasurer Annie Chen
Faculty Advisor David A. Griesemer, MD

Students Interested in Pediatrics
Students Interested in Pediatrics (SIP) is designed to introduce medical students at all levels to the opportunities available in the area of pediatrics. The group strives to provide students with information regarding the nuances of pediatric care. SIP meets monthly through lunch and dinner meetings to explore different aspects of pediatric medicine. SIP also has many volunteer experiences at the Charles Webb Center, Taste of Charleston and Special Olympics to allow students to escape the rigor of study life and “feel like a kid again” by sharing time and energy with the children there.

3rd Year President Ian Kane
2nd Year President TBA
Volunteer Coordinator Ana Arias-Pandey
Secretary/Treasurer Sarah Karpel

Medical Students for Choice at MUSC
Medical Students for Choice (MSFC) at MUSC is a member of the national MSFC organization that is committed to ensuring that all medical students receive basic instruction in the ethical, medical, legal, and psychosocial aspects of family planning. Here at MUSC, MSFC works to create a supportive atmosphere for students interested in reproductive health. Projects include sponsoring speakers on topics such as RU486, abortion, infertility, forced sterilization, emergency contraception, and adoption; presenting information to community groups; sponsoring a Safe Sex Day; and initiating discussions on local and national views on contraception and family planning. These activities continue to increase understanding about reproductive issues and encourage tolerance in Charleston through discussion and education. Members may also attend the annual MSFC national meeting in the spring, where students and physicians have an opportunity to learn about reproductive health topics. We invite you to take part in this dynamic group.

President Frances Cate
VP/Secretary/Treasurer Sydney Cummings
Fundraising Lauren Angotti
Faculty Advisor Laura Cousineau

Student Psychiatry Interest Group
Student Psychiatry Interest Group (SPIG) formed to foster in MUSC students knowledge of current psychiatric practice and standards of care, a desire to pursue a career in the ever-evolving field of psychiatry, and a love of the discipline that will translate to the highest quality of care for those with mental disorders and their families in the future.

Co-Presidents Zach Stroud
Ross Michaels
Vice Presidents Lauren Yarrow
Maggie Pierson
Treasurer Brandi Eastman
COMSC Representatives Raviv Berlin
Meg White
Public Relations Jon Snipes

Surgical Training Awareness & Residency
Surgical Training Awareness and Residency (STAR) was founded in 1998 to inform and educate medical students about the various surgical specialties and residency programs. STAR hosts speakers from various surgical disciplines on a monthly basis. We also provide opportunities for medical students to learn surgical techniques including knot-tying, scrubbing, and suturing. In the spring, we offer a residency workshop where speakers provide information on the process of applying for, and securing a position in the residency program of your choice.

Co-Presidents Ileana Strauch
Abbie Husman
2nd Year Representative Patrick Ryan
Secretary Clayton Crantford
Treasurer Jake Gillen
Faculty Advisor Thomas Brothers, MD

Internal Medicine Interest Group
The Internal Medicine Interest Group (IMIG) is an organization open to all medical students. Because the field of internal medicine is vast, IMIG strives to provide education and information regarding not only general internal medicine, but also the internal medicine subspecialties (cardiology, gastroenterology, nephrology, endocrinology, hematology, rheumatology, oncology, pulmonology, infectious diseases, allergy/immunology, and geriatrics). This is achieved through presentations by experts in various internal medicine-related specialties and subspecialties, as well as through workshops, career fairs, and monthly meetings. Students who choose to participate in the Internal Medicine Mentoring Program gain valuable insight from current MUSC internal medicine residents regarding residency applications, the match, and careers in internal medicine. In addition, students are able to network and build valuable relationships with MUSC Department of Medicine faculty. In addition, opportunities for shadowing can be coordinated for members who desire additional exposure to this exciting field.

President Brandi Eastman
Vice President James Kuhlen
Treasurer Alicia Shute
Secretary Ellen Chapin
Faculty Advisor Caroline Powell, MD

Sawbones
Sawbones, formed and approved by COMSC in 2006, is a Student Interest Group for those who are interested in Orthopaedics as a career. Sawbones usually meets about 7-8 times per year at which time we have speakers from the field of Orthopaedics come talk about various topics. We also provide a casting and splinting workshop that is usually held once a year. Last year we were able to attend a couple of regional and national conferences free of charge which we will plan on trying to do again this year. Yearly dues are $15, which covers the cost of food, drinks and supplies for meetings. If you are interested in joining Sawbones or have any questions, please feel free to contact Zeke Walton (waltonz@musc.edu).