September wrap-up

Here's the latest FMIG happenings:



We had a great lunch on Sept 13 with Dr. J. Kelly Smith. We had an awesome turn-out and thanks to everyone who was in attendance!



Next lunch meeting TBA (probably Oct. 15). Topic will be: What is Family Medicine?



Tar Wars--We almost have the dates finalized for the school presentations. We are aiming for a training day for M1s in the next 2 weeks. This should all be finalized by the end of the week.



Rural Outreach--if anyone is still interested in volunteering for the RAM clinic Oct. 6-8 they will have to apply directly to RAM. ETSU has filled all volunteer their spots. But, remember to tell them you are a medical student on your application.



Church Hill Clinic
The volunteering seems to be going well. We still need M2 volunteers for Nov. 16th and Dec. 14th! For more info contact Ian at zirr1@goldmail.etsu.edu or Jocelyn at wilsonjm@goldmail.etsu.edu.


Family Medicine Partnership
The program is still working on organizing the administrative side of things. Patients need to be selected. Three M1 students have been selected. Again, more information will be given as it is available. For information contact Jocelyn at wilsonjm@goldmail.etsu.edu



Also, a community gardens is in the works, so stay tuned for more info about that!

Rolling into September

Here are some early September updates for our FMIG followers:

Next FMIG Lunch meeting, Mon. Sept. 13 in the Large Auditorium. Our guest speaker will be Dr. J. Kelly Smith. His presentation will involve physican exam skills so this should be a beneficial talk for both M1s and M2s!--Lunch will be provided.

RAM Clinic at Bristol Race Track: October 8-10.
- must submit application for medical volunteer to RAM and Mrs. Carolyn Sliger.
- email hockaday@goldmail.etsu.edu with any questions and for the application.
This is an excellent rural outreach service opportunity for everyone to get involved in!

Tar Wars- We are currently contacting the Principals of each of the schools to try to set up the schedule for all the classroom meetings. We should have finalized dates within the next couple of weeks. M1s, stay tuned for info on this opportunity to talk with 5th graders about the dangers of smoking!

Church Hill Clinic
The Church Hill volunteer program is off to a good start this year. M1 and M2 students are utilizing their physical exam and interviewing skills. There are still slots open for M2's to sign up! If you have any questions don't hesitate to e-mail either Ian - zirr1@goldmail.etsu.edu or Jocelyn - wilsonjm@goldmail.etsu.edu.

Family Medicine Partnership
The partnership is still in its planning stage. Dr. Blackwelder is trying to organize a team (a patient, resident, and attending) to begin the process. Information (along with opportunities to get involved) will come as the planning progresses. Questions can be sent to Jocelyn - wilsonjm@goldmail.etsu.edu.

As always, keep up with our blog and facebook page for new info! http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/QCOM-Family-Medicine-Interest-Group/101314169919231?ref=sgm

Back into the Swing of Things!

Hello FMIG followers,

As orientation gets underway this week (7/26) for the new M1s and as classes begin the following week (8/2) for both M1s and M2s, we wanted to get you up to speed on the events that our interest group will be hosting in the near future. Remember, that anyone is welcome to our events, even if you want to be a plastic surgeon some day! Our group will be hosting events/meetings throughout the year that will not only look great on your CV/resume, but will get you involved in the medical field in practical ways.

7/26/10 FMIG Welcome Picnic at London Pavilion in Rotary Park, Johnson City.
Please come and mingle with the new M1s and other med students while enjoying some great cook-out food! Everyone is welcome :)

7/27/10 Migrant Clinic at Shelton and Sons (Contact Sarah Hockaday or Theo for info on times and carpooling)

8/09 Migrant Clinic at Fish Farms in Newport.

**ALL M1s are welcome to attend the clinics. They are great learning opportunities!

**Check out our facebook page for pictures from some of our past migrant clinics and even more details on FMIG events.http://http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=131255100245554&index=1#!/pages/QCOM-Family-Medicine-Interest-Group/101314169919231?v=wall&ref=sgm

**Stay tuned for future migrant clinics, FMIG meetings, and possibly an Ice Cream Social!

Sweet Summertime!

Hello FMIG followers,
Hope that everyone is having a restful and enjoyable summer so far. Enjoy the next few weeks while you can!

Here are a few updates:

Migrant Camp Upcoming dates, 7/13 at Fish Farms in Newport
7/20 at Triple C Hwy 340
Please contact Theo, hensleyr@goldmail.etsu.edu, for more information because Sarah Hockaday is out of town until 7/16. Remember, if you are in the area this is a great way to serve and practice physical exam skillls!

M1's--Orientation begins 7/27 thru 7/30
Classes begin 8/2
M2's--Classes begin 8/2

If you have any updates you would like posted, let Jenny Bell know at belljl@goldmail.etsu.edu

Meeting Recap, Advocacy Event Friday

We had an excellent meeting on Monday, with a panel of four residents from ETSU's Johnson City Family Medicine program. Each resident is considering entering a different area of Family Medicine and had lots of good information and advice to share. Dr. Connie Stoots is considering rural ER, Dr. Rohini Nathan is planning on doing family practice with OB, Dr. Elizabeth Gordon will go on to a sports medicine fellowship, and Dr. Morgan McClain was interested in hospitalist medicine but now may be considering other options. They all stressed versatility and flexibility as reasons why they chose Family Medicine.

In addition to explaining their decisions to pursue Family Medicine, the residents discussed some of the questions we had about residency, opportunities after residency, and the future of the field.
A brief summary:

• The Johnson City residency program is three years and includes a night float program during the 2nd and 3rd years
• Fellowship opportunities after residency include Obstetrics (lower malpractice insurance than an Ob/Gyn), Sports Medicine, ER, Palliative Care, Handicapped Medicine, and Geriatrics
• A new concept in Family Medicine is the Patient Centered Medical Home, in which the primary care physician is the center of all care for a patient. The PCP takes care of all basic medical care plus referrals for specialists, social services, and pychiatric care. This concept is already in effect in many other countries.
• Some other possibilities in the works include new reimbursement strategies, including physicians contracting with companies to provide care for employees. Instead of the company paying a certain amount of insurance per employee, the company would pay the contracted physician a fee per employee per month. Theoretically this solution is economically beneficial to both the company and physician.

Advocacy Event!
On Friday, a few of the FMIG officers and some other students will be participating in a conference call with Senator Bob Corker's Legislative Assistant on Healthcare. We will convey to her the perspective of medical students in hopes that Senator Corker will keep us in mind when he is making decisions! If you have any opinions you'd like to express or questions you'd like to ask, please let us know so we can bring them up during the call.

Bankrupt

After college, my sister, Amy, worked in a bankruptcy office and dealt with many clients that wound up there because of their inability to pay heaps of medical bills. Amy is now an editorial intern for a magazine in DC. This week she wrote an article about her experiences in the bankruptcy world for the magazine's blog. It's a side of the story we should all keep in mind.

Check it out:
Health-Care Bankruptcies Hurt All of Us

A call for Ambassadors

An ambassador position is a great way for first years to get involved in FMIG. As an ambassador, you will assist the FMIG officers by keeping your class up to date and encouraging participation in FMIG events. Serving as an ambassador does not require you to be an officer in your second year, but it can help you determine if an officer position is of interest to you!

Here are descriptions of the positions available:

FMIG Ambassadors 2009-2010

President Elect Ambassador

• Assist in all areas of planning, directing, recording and evaluating FMIG programming.
• Make class announcements and encourage participation in activities
• Promote M1 participation at TAFP and AAFP Conferences
• Collect and disseminate information for the President Elect

Vice President Ambassador

• Assist in all areas of planning, directing, recording and evaluating FMIG programming.
• Oversee M1 membership to the AAFP and TAFP
• Promote and encourage class participation in community outreaches

Tar Wars Ambassadors (2)

• Co-coordinate the AAFP National Tar Wars Program for fourth graders in Washington County Schools
• Encourage, schedule and supervise M1 volunteer presenters and poster contest judges and award recognizers

Rural & Community Projects and Family Medicine Partnership Ambassador

• Promote and encourage class participation in Rural & Community Projects and the Family Medicine Partnership
• Collect and disseminate information for the Coordinator.

Church Hill Clinic Ambassador

· Promote and encourage class participation at the Church Hill Clinic

· Collect and disseminate information for the Coordinator.