Annual Medical Education Conference 2011

By Jasmine Cruz

AMEC 2011 Premed Luncheon

From Left to Right (top): Alexa Mieses, Martha Du (Hunter MAPS)

From Left to Right (bottom): Felicia Green, Jasmine Cruz, Anevay Robinson

The 2011 Annual Medical Education Conference (AMEC) was held from April 20-24, 2011, in Indianapolis, Indiana. When I first learned that AMEC would be held in Indianapolis I was apprehensive because I thought nothing could top AMEC 2010 in Chicago. However, AMEC is an opportunity to meet students from your MAPS region to collaborate and share ideas. I met other premedical and medical students, doctors, and deans from across the country. Overall, AMEC is an opportunity to surround yourself with other students who share your goals.

I was part of a small group of CCNY MAPS members fortunate to attend the conference a second year (due to decreased funding). Since becoming an executive board member in 2010, this conference was a bit different for me than last year. At this conference, I was able to get involved with the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) at the national level. This year our chapter was very active during the House of Delegates and regional meetings. We discussed pressing issues, and voted candidates into office for the upcoming year.

The good thing about attending AMEC is that it keeps you focused. Throughout the academic year it is easy to get sidetracked or even discouraged by the chaos of school and work. When I attend the SNMA conference I feel motivated and I cannot wait to go home to get involved in MAPS. AMEC rejuvenates my passion for MAPS. In Indianapolis this year, I also learned more about being a doctor of osteopathic medicine and gained new contacts. I also had the opportunity to work on my personal essay and some of us participated in mock interviews.

MAPS Chapter of the Year 2011

AMEC 2011 Final Banquet

From Left to Right: Alexa Mieses, Anevay Robinson, Felicia Green, Jasmine Cruz

I truly loved being AMEC this year despite my initial expectations. It gave me the chance to get to better know my MAPS team locally, regionally and nationally. Also, our MAPS chapter at City College took home the title of Chapter of the Year! Not only did we congratulate Queens College for winning in 2010, but former President Alexa Mieses set a goal for us to win chapter of the year in 2011...and we succeeded! Region IX took the title home two years in a row! We work hard all year round and were fortunate to see our efforts pay off!

SNMA Annual Medical Education Conference 2010

By Alexa Mieses

The Student National Medical Association held its Annual Medical Education Conference (AMEC) this past week in Chicago, IL, entitled Healthy Impact 2010. Among the many well-known speakers was former surgeon general Dr. David Satcher. Dr. Satcher addressed the attendees during his "Healthy People 2010" presentation and touched on everything from health care reform and eliminating health disparities, to increasing the number of minorities in the health professions. In addition, this presentation served as a review of his Healthy People 2010 initiative which was put in place as a deadline by which to make certain permanent changes to the overall health of the American people and reduce health disparities. Though Dr. Satcher did not achieve all of the intended goals, he set a new deadline hoping to make these changes by the year 2020.

Dr. Satcher's large plenary session was not the only highlight of the AMEC pre-medical forum. The forum also included a seminar with Dr. Lynne Holden, MD, of Mentoring in Medicine Inc., on interview and presentation skills, a presentation from Dr. Bonnie Simpson Mason, MD, of Nth Dimensions Educational Solutions, regarding the business side of medicine, and a panel of six physicians at different stages in their lives addressed "Relationships in Medicine". The pre-medical track also included four medical school tours and eight hour-long recruitment fair with over thirty medical schools from across the country in attendance.

CityCollege MAPS Members at Premed Luncheon

Left to Right: Paola Morocho, Felicia Green, Christine Sulmers, Suky Martinez,

Alexa Mieses, Jasmine Cruz, Carlotta Ross

Congratulations Queens College on winning Region XI MAPS Chapter of the Year! CCNY is looking to be next! We're looking forward to seeing everyone next year in Indianapolis!

What is MAPS?

The Multicultural Alliance of Pre-Health Students (MAPS) is the premedical branch of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), which was formed for medical students of color, in 1964. Some local chapters refer to themselves by our former name, the Minority Association of Pre-health Students. The SNMA works to maintain a commitment to increasing diversity in medicine. MAPS works hand in hand with SNMA through mentoring, shadowing, and volunteer experiences, and conferences, both regional and national. In addition to this, this partnership provides a pipeline from MAPS (pre-health students), through SNMA (medical students), to the National Medical Association, which is for physicians of color. The relationships forged and connections made during the premedical years with MAPS will last through medical school and beyond.

The local City College chapter of MAPS, is not limited to premedical students; we welcome pre-veterinarian, pre-dental, pre-nursing, and any other student enrolled in pre-requisite course of study for health-related professional school. We also welcome, freshman, sophomores, juniors, seniors, transfer students and post-baccalaureate students. We work together to become well-informed about our prospective professions, increase diversity in the health professions and raise awareness about health disparities. We hope you enjoy our blog posts!

Sincerely,

Alexa Mieses

MAPS President 2009-2011