Medical students this month recognized two medical schools for coordinating programs that support the medical profession and improve the health of the nation.
The AMA Medical Student Section (MSS) presented the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences and the University of Florida College of Medicine with awards during the AMA-MSS Annual Meeting. Both schools are prior winners of the section’s Event of the Month awards, which showcase recruitment, community service, education and AMA-MSS National Service Project events coordinated by individual AMA medical student sections.
The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences took the 2013-2014 School of the Year Award for making a significant contribution toward membership, community service, innovation and collaboration with other student groups and colleagues.
The school achieved 70 percent membership for the first-year class and coordinated events to engage medical school peers throughout the year. For example, the local section organized a Save GME letter-writing campaign in December, collecting 300 signatures and personal addendums to urge their local congresswoman to prevent funding cuts to graduate medical education (GME).
In February, the school held a Specialty Speed Dating event, giving first- and second-year medical students a way to connect with physicians from different specialties to ask questions and get guidance before starting rotations.
The University of Florida College of Medicine’s event, Week of Wellness-Take a Stand Against Sitting, won the AMA-MSS 2013-2014 Event of the Year Award. The winner is selected through voting by AMA-MSS members across the country.
The school hosted several activities during the AMA-MSS Week of Wellness, including lunchtime sessions focused on promoting physical, mental and emotional health, such as Zumba and meditation. Students from the local section also participated in the Region IV Week of Wellness walking competition, tracking their steps with pedometers.
