Are you curious about the life of a surgeon or what happens in anesthesia? Interested in promoting wellness within the student body?
Interest groups at Dal Med are a fantastic way to explore various areas of medicine throughout your pre-clerkship and clerkship years. We offer a range of medical and humanities interest groups, ensuring there's something for everyone to engage in. Plus, these events often come with food!
Each year the Dalhousie Medical Alumni Association (DMAA) generously sponsors numerous student interest groups, including some of those described here. Our students are very appreciative for the support of the DMAA in these endeavours!
Interest groups at Dal Med are a fantastic way to explore various areas of medicine throughout your pre-clerkship and clerkship years. We offer a range of medical and humanities interest groups, ensuring there's something for everyone to engage in. Plus, these events often come with food!
Each year the Dalhousie Medical Alumni Association (DMAA) generously sponsors numerous student interest groups, including some of those described here. Our students are very appreciative for the support of the DMAA in these endeavours!
Current Interest Groups
A list of current interest groups at our Nova Scotia and our New Brunswick campuses.
*Please note that though we do our best to keep contact information accurate, some of the people associated with the group may no longer be a good contact person. Using the social media links is the most accurate place to find information.
*Please note that though we do our best to keep contact information accurate, some of the people associated with the group may no longer be a good contact person. Using the social media links is the most accurate place to find information.
DMNS2SLGBTQIA+ and Allies in Medicine Interest Group
The goal of the 2SLGBTQIA+ and Allies in Medicine Interest Group is to help foster the development of future physicians who have increased awareness of queer health issues.
To achieve this equality and recognition we will educate ourselves and our colleagues in 2SLGBTQIA+ issues as they relate to everyday life and the practice of medicine using expertise from the queer community. Our goal is to assist in the development of competent physicians willing to serve and treat all people to the best of their ability. We hope to promote engagement and discussion around the medical and social needs of this community. We will acknowledge the uniqueness of each community within the broader 2SLGBTQIA+ community, such as providing education on Transgender Affirming Healthcare training opportunities. Additionally, this group is dedicated to keeping the student body informed about important issues surrounding the queer community by hosting guest speakers, patient panels, and connecting students with related events. Anastehesia
The Anesthesia Interest group organizes events throughout the year to promote anesthesiology as a potential career choice. Early exposure to anesthesia is especially important at Dalhousie, as it is not directly covered in the current med 3 clerkship. Last year, the interest group hosted several lifestyle nights which hosted various sub-specialists in anesthesia which highlighted the diversity of the profession. Additionally, with COVID restrictions lifting, the group also aims to give students the opportunity to practice procedural skills like IV access and airway management. Moreover, the group also acts as a liaison between the Department of Anesthesiology and Dalhousie medicine undergraduate students.
Anatomy & Dissection Interest Group
The mandate of the anatomy/dissection interest group is to advance the appreciation and understanding of human anatomy for Dalhousie medical students. This will be primarily achieved through bell-ringer practice exam sessions and dedicated dissection nights for students. The practice bell-ringer exams will be set up to feel like a real exam to give students experience in taking this style of exam. This will be useful for students who have never taken a bell-ringer exam before or for students who want more practice. The dissection nights will be fun events for students to gain experience in dissection of the cadavers and hands on experience with anatomy. This will allow the medical students to gain an appreciation for what the human body looks like before they are dissected for easy studying. It will enhance the student’s visualization of the human body and increase their understanding of the intricacy of the human body.
Addiction Medicine
The Addictions Medicine Interest Group is a student-run interest group dedicated to providing Dalhousie medical students with opportunities to learn about, develop competencies in, and gain exposure to addictions medicine throughout their pre-clerkship and clerkship years. This Interest Group aims to improve Dalhousie medical students awareness of the unique challenges facing people who use substances, understanding the stigma surrounding substance use and people who use substances, and the unique nature of supporting individuals with Substance Use Disorder.
Black Medical Students' Association
The Dalhousie Black Medical Students’ Association is a Black student group working to support medical students in their training, and participate in community outreach and political advocacy.
Mission: The Black Medical Students’ Association aims to support the growth and vitality of the black medical student cohort at Dalhousie Medical School. This includes supporting pre-medical students, providing access to opportunities and to community for current Black medical students, and collaborating with the broader medical student body to reinforce culturally safe social and learning environments. Strategy: The Black Medical Students’ Association has three pillars under which our initiatives and collaborations are prioritised: (1) Medical Student Support, (2) Community Outreach, (3) Political Advocacy. Vision: To generate a robust community of Black physicians and allies empowered and informed to improve the health outcomes of the broader Black community. Choosing Wisely Interest Group
Choosing Wisely Canada is a campaign to help clinicians and patients engage in conversations about unnecessary tests and treatments. As medical students, we have a role to play in resource stewardship as outlined in the “six things medical students and trainees should question” published by Choosing Wisely Canada. The Choosing Wisely interest group at Dal will host various events throughout the year to increase awareness about Choosing Wisely and how to deliver the best possible patient care when it comes to ordering tests and prescribing medications. The interest group will help establish a collegial atmosphere regarding Choosing Wisely and help establish future physicians who recognize the importance of resource stewardship in delivering appropriate patient care. Various talks by physicians/healthcare providers will shed light on some of these issues in today’s healthcare.
The Choosing Wisely Campaign will better prepare medical students at Dalhousie for clerkship, residency, and beyond. It will help medical students become better clinicians by applying evidence and engaging with patients when prescribing treatments and ordering tests. It will also allow for more in-depth talks with our mentors and preceptors about these issues as we face them in clerkship. Facebook Group IG: ChoosingWiselyNovaScotia Dara Liu ([email protected]) and Marissa MacInnis ([email protected]) Dalhousie Stem Cell Club
Facebook Page William Pinsky ([email protected]) and Mitchell Wright ([email protected]) Stem Cell Club is a national organization that aims to improve the quality and quantity of membership on Canada’s stem cell donor database. This work improves the chances that patients in-need of stem cell transplantation will find the one match they need to save their lives. We do this by involving students in holding swabbing drives on university campuses and in communities across Canada. In addition to our efforts to advance stem cell donor recruitment in Canada, our group works to advance Canada's blood health, including through blood donor recruitment and by supporting the activities of Canadian Blood Services. Altogether, our work promotes the health of Canadians by improving Canada's blood and stem cell supply for patients in-need of these treatments. In addition, Stem Cell Club trains students to advocate for patients in need of stem cell transplant, and to develop leadership and teamwork skills. We instruct volunteers to secure informed consent and to identify and correct medical errors. Currently there are 27 chapters of Stem Cell Club across Canadian universities and medical schools and 20,000 potential stem cell donors recruited since 2011. Dalhousie’s chapter was just established last year and struggled to hold in person events with COVID, so we are hoping to get out there and bring this inspiring initiative to students on our campus. Dalhousie Women in Surgery
Association of Women Surgeons Facebook Group Kassandra Coyle ([email protected]) and Dara Liu ([email protected]) The Womxn in Surgery Interest Group aims to facilitate meaningful opportunities to engage the Dalhousie Medical Community with surgical specialities across medicine. We intend to use this platform to inspire and cultivate a community of motivated medical students interested in surgery and surgical research, and provide opportunities for both personal and professional growth in this field. The objectives of this chapter shall be: (1) To foster an environment and provide educational events that raises awareness and promotes discussion of unique challenges faced by women surgical trainees. (2) To serve as a liaison between Dalhousie medical students and the Dalhousie Department of Surgery, the Association of Women Surgeons, and other AWS chapters across Canada. The Association of Women Surgeons Dalhousie Chapter aims to use the resources and knowledge provided by AWS to facilitate a community at Dalhousie that encourages and supports aspiring women surgeons. The objectives of the chapter shall be: • To foster an environment and provide educational events that raises awareness and promotes discussion of unique challenges faced by women surgical trainees. • To serve as a liaison between Dalhousie medical students and the Dalhousie Department of Surgery, the Association of Women Surgeons, and other AWS chapters across Canada. Dermatology Interest Group
Facebook Group Justin MacLellan ([email protected]) and Anna Miller ([email protected]) The Dermatology Interest Group is focused on the principles of education, inclusivity, connection, and providing students with exposure to the field of dermatology. These principles are set out to be fulfilled through the hosting of events and the sharing of resources that may be of interest to members of the interest group. Events will be held with the purpose of educating, inspiring, and connecting students with the greater dermatology community. These events aim to provide opportunities for students to learn and practice relevant skills, learn about emerging topics and research in the field, and more. Furthermore, the Dermatology Interest Group aims to create a safe environment for all individuals to feel welcome and comfortable sharing their ideas, thoughts, and concerns. By achieving these goals, the Dermatology Interest Group hopes to aid students in feeling more equipped to make decisions regarding their future practice. Disability in Medicine Interest Group
Emergency Medicine Interest Group
Facebook Group Marc Brousseau ([email protected]) and Khadija Abawji ([email protected]) The emergency medicine interest group is a student-run forum for Dalhousie medical students interested in the specialty of emergency medicine, both as a Royal College designation and through the +1 year of family medicine. The group holds events ranging from simulations and skills nights to resident panels, with the hopes of allowing students a chance to practice hands-on skills and ask questions about a career in emergency medicine. The goal of the interest group is therefore to give Dalhousie students the opportunity to explore the field and learn both diagnostic and surgical techniques that may serve them as they transition into electives and clerkship rotations. Exercise is Medicine Interest Group
Facebook Group, Facebook Page, Email List Korede Akindoju ([email protected]) and Amir Mishreky ([email protected]) Exercise is Medicine Canada (EIMC) is a movement to encourage a healthy lifestyle among Canadians. EIMC at Dal strives to promote the importance of regular physical activity across Dalhousie's campus and within Halifax Family Medicine Interest Group
Facebook Group Sarah Farquharson ([email protected]) and Marika Schenkels ([email protected]) The objectives of the society shall be: To promote and educate medical students on family medicine. To foster an interest in family medicine as a career. To provide exposure to different aspects of family medicine including clinical, academic, research, and lifestyle. To serve as a liaison between medical students and the Dalhousie Department of Family Medicine, the Nova Scotia Health Authority Department of Medical Affairs and Integrated Health - Physician Recruitment, the Nova Scotia College of Family Physicians (NSCFP), and the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC). Federation of Medical Women of Canada
Dalhousie FMWC (Federation of Medical Women of Canada) Olivia MacIntyre ([email protected]) and Jaclyn McNeil ([email protected]) Dalhousie FMWC is a branch of the national organization, The Federation of Medical Women of Canada. This organization aims to foster the professional, personal, and social development of women physicians across Canada. FMWC is also a huge advocate for women’s health across Canada through campaigns such as #HerHeartMatters and HPV Prevention Week. French Medicine Interest Group
Facebook Group Jonah Sheinin ([email protected]) and Scott Aucoin ([email protected]) The French in Medicine Interest Group's mandate is to promote awareness of, and interest in, the French language and Francophone cultures to medical students. We also collaborate with Réseau Santé Nouvelle-Écosse, the Dalhousie Global Health office, and other partners, to connect medical students with resources and opportunities for improving their French skills. In doing so, we hope to contribute to better care for French-speaking patients in Nova Scotia, as well as their families and loved ones. Global Health Initiative
Facebook Page Deborah Ocholi ([email protected]) & Adanna Njoku ([email protected]) The aim of the GHI is to promote engagement in and discussion of global health issues at Dalhousie Medical School and to collaborate with the CFMS national officers on activities and position papers. Members may also collaborate with the wider community on issues and activities of interest to the group. We collaborate with the Global Health Office and love to hear about new initiatives and ideas from members! Health Technology and Design Interest Group
Facebook Group Nick Dawe ([email protected]) and RJ Roggeveen ([email protected]) Health technology is constantly moving forward and revolutionizing what physicians can do for their patients. Our goal is to further our education in this area, meet the professionals pushing the field and to explore how we could participate in this medical revolution. Internal Medicine Interest Group
Facebook Group Omar Altourah ([email protected]) and Hasan Alfarhan ([email protected]) The Internal Medicine Interest Group offers opportunities to network, practice basic procedural skills and learn more about internal medicine and its subspecialties. We partner with practicing physicians, internal medicine residents and fourth-year medical students to provide information and support, as well as CaRMS information. Through the IMIG, students gain an understanding of the scope of practice, lifestyle and important issues and skills related to internal medicine through Lifestyles in Medicine evenings, procedural skills nights and seminars. Students also gain information regarding research opportunities and residency training programs. Mindfulness in Medicine Interest Group
Facebook Group Laura Burge ([email protected]) and Katelyn Malone ([email protected]) The Mindfulness in Medicine (MIM) interest group meets monthly during the school year to engage in a group guided meditation facilitated by expert practitioners who are Dalhousie physicians. The goal of the group is to promote mindfulness practices. We discuss what mindfulness is, its benefits and ways to overcome obstacles to daily practise. The group promotes mental and spiritual wellness in healthcare professionals. Muslim Medical Association of Canada- Dal Chapter
Facebook Group Khadija Abawji ([email protected]) and Manal Quraishi ([email protected]) The mandate of the Muslim Medical Association of Canada (MMAC) – Dal Chapter is to educate future physicians to about religious considerations when caring for Muslim patients. In doing so, we aim to address the gap in medical education with respect to care for Muslim patients. The MMAC is also a safe space for anyone who is interested in exploring and learning more about Islam and the intersection between this faith and healthcare. This year, we will host cultural sensitivity nights, networking events for Muslim students and residents, and celebrations of Islamic holidays. We will also investigate Islamic views on medical and ethical dilemmas in the care of Muslim patients. Nutrition in Medicine Interest Group
Facebook Group Ali Abidali ([email protected]) and Michael Baskey ([email protected]) The mission of the Nutrition in Medicine Interest Group is to provide opportunities for students to learn about the role of nutrition in medical school and discuss its applications to clinical practice. In addition to exploring the importance of diet for the prevention and treatment of disease, the Nutrition in Medicine Interest Group will be a way for students to work on their own nutrition habits to improve their overall well-being through engaging events and critical discussions. Obstetrics and Gynecology Interest Group
Facebook Group Jaclyn McNeil ([email protected]) and Kennedy Britain [email protected] The Obstetrics and Gynecology Interest Group is a student led organization that allows students with an interest in this specialty to learn more about residency training, subspecialty training, career opportunities, and what life is like as an OB/GYN. There will be opportunity to gain mentorship, to learn about various topics related to the speciality, to get to know your peers who share your interest in the specialty, and even to get hands on experience in the Birth Unit at the IWK! Ophthalmology Interest Group
Facebook Group Yousef Sefau ([email protected]) and Kenzie MacNeil ([email protected]) The Ophthalmology Interest Group aims to give students more exposure to ophthalmology by enhancing their understanding of the specialty. We will provide students with opportunities to learn about ongoing research in the area, the various subspecialties within the field, as well as the chance to ask ophthalmology residents questions about their experiences. We hope for students to gain more knowledge of ophthalmology and determine whether a career in the specialty is something they’d like to explore further. Pediatric Interest Group
Facebook Group Cassidy Bradley ([email protected]) and Meredith Otley ([email protected]) The Pediatric Interest Group of Dalhousie Medical School works to engage medical students in activities related to pediatric medicine, facilitate an interest in the medical specialty amongst students and contribute to the pediatric medical community through volunteer work. It is the group’s mandate to provide opportunities for Dalhousie medical students to explore pediatrics and the various pediatric subspecialties beyond the medical school curriculum via organized question and answer periods, teaching sessions and other events to enable interaction with Dalhousie University pediatric faculty, staff and residents. The Pediatric Interest Group will also work to collaborate with other Dalhousie Medical School Interest Groups (ex. Family Medicine Interest Group, Obstetrics & Gynecology Interest Group, Psychiatry Interest Group) to provide events that highlight the intersection of Pediatrics amongst related specialties. The group and its members will volunteer their time to furthering awareness of various pediatric diseases and promoting healthy lifestyle choices amongst children and adolescents within the community. Radiology Interest Group
Facebook Group Kalei Crowell ([email protected]) and Adrian Chan ([email protected]) We aim to promote radiology education, appreciation, and outreach among Dalhousie medical students. We seek to link undergraduate medical students to residents, staff and factuality in the spirit of collaboration, fun, and community building. Sexual Health Outreach (SHOUT)
Facebook Group [email protected] ([email protected]) and Jasmine Sodhi ([email protected]) Sexual Health Outreach (SHOUT) is an interest group of medical students from Dalhousie University who are concerned about the sexual health of young Nova Scotians. We believe that sexual health is a vital component of personal health and everyone has the right to complete, freely-accessible, non-judgmental information about sexual and reproductive health. As future health providers, our goal is to equip Nova Scotia youth with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values that will empower them to make informed choices about their social and sexual relationships and personal well-being. To do this, we provide sexual health education to middle-school students (Grade 8 & 9) across the HRM through in-person presentations, and schools across Nova Scotia through virtual talks and pre-recorded videos. Surgery Interest Group
Facebook Group Renaj' Forbes (renaj'[email protected]) and Sareen Singh ([email protected]) The Surgery Interest Group strives to provide medical students with early exposure to surgical fields. This exposure will occur through surgery lifestyle nights, suture skills sessions, panels, and networking events. Through this group, students are able to better understand what it is like to be a surgeon, gain practical, hands-on skills that are directly transferable to elective and clerkship rotations, and gain insight and guidance into their future career choices. Swimming with a Mission (SWAM)
Facebook Page Meredith Otley ([email protected]) and Annie Kakamousias ([email protected]) SWAM's mission is to provide affordable and accessible one-on-one swimming instruction to children with intellectual and physical disabilities. While this may look different in COVID times, we will be developing resources and promoting online content for families in place of in-person programming when necessary. SWAM builds on the institutional strengths and successes of existing swimming lesson organizations. We are able to be more effective in injury prevention by providing lessons specifically targeted and adapted to those children at highest risk of drowning in our society. We recruit our volunteers from the abundance of university-aged, qualified swimming instructors and work with our community partners to properly train, educate and prepare them to work with special-needs children. When in person lessons are not able to be offered, our volunteers will work with us to develop resources for families to be delivered online or through other communication means. |
DMNB2SLGBTQIA+ & Allies in Medicine Interest Group
Facebook Group Ben Peterson ([email protected]) The goal of the 2SLGBTQIA+ and Allies in Medicine Interest Group is to help foster the development of future physicians who have increased awareness of health issues in our community. To achieve this equality and recognition we aspire to develop positions on 2SLGBTQIA+ issues as they relate to the practice of medicine. We prioritize the lived experiences of members of our community. Our goal is to develop competent physicians who serve our community to the best of their ability. We acknowledge the uniqueness of each community within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and we acknowledge that the intersectionality of queer and gender diverse identities has often resulted in further marginalization of many people over time. This group’s core programming includes guest speakers, panels, film screenings, advocacy, and organizing students ready participate in parades and other actions in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Anatomy Interest Group
Gabriel Deveaux ([email protected]) The Anatomy Interest Group at DMNB is dedicated to supporting and preparing medical students in their first and second years for their anatomy laboratory exams. Our primary focus is to provide a platform for students to enhance their understanding of anatomical concepts and excel in their examinations. Through the organization of mock exams, we aim to create a realistic and supportive environment where students can practice their practical skills, consolidate their knowledge, and gain confidence in their anatomical studies. The mock exams will be organized by the anatomy interest group executive members and volunteers from each class. Anesthesia Interest Group
Facebook Group Kate Lim ([email protected]) The Anesthesia Interest group organizes events throughout the year to promote anesthesiology as a potential career choice. Early exposure to anesthesia is especially important at Dalhousie, as it is not directly covered in the current med 3 clerkship. The group also aims to give students the opportunity to practice procedural skills like IV access and airway management. Moreover, the group also acts as a liaison between the Department of Anesthesiology and DMNB students. Board Games Interest Group
Shantel McCracken ([email protected]) The Board Game Interest Group aims to give students a space to unwind and destress from the academic curriculum while playing fun games with their fellow classmates. Blood Donation Interest Group
Facebook Group Shantel McCracken ([email protected]) & Kathryn Carrier ([email protected]) We want students to lead by example through making regular blood donations and continuing DMNB's reign as Phlebotomy Bowl champions. Making blood donations is an easy and practical way to contribute to care of some of our sickest patients and our group will encourage donation of blood products among classmates, staff, allied healthcare professionals, and other students on campus at UNBSJ. Canadian Global Surgery Trainees' Alliance
Facebook Group Xiuming Shi ([email protected]) CGSTA aims to create a platform and network for students interested in global surgery advocacy, research, and initiatives. Choosing Wisely Interest Group
Suf Faridi ([email protected]) & Harold Oh ([email protected]) The skills developed through this group will instill the culture of “more is not always better” at DMNB. Choosing Wisely Canada is a campaign to help clinicians and patients engage in conversations about unnecessary tests and treatments. As medical students, we have a role to play in resource stewardship as outlined in the “Six Tests and Treatments to Question” published by Choosing Wisely Canada. We will host events throughout the year to increase awareness about Choosing Wisely. Concussion-U Interest Group
Cameron Crowell ([email protected]) The ConcussionU Interest Group is an extension of the ConcussionU program founded by medical students at Memorial University. This student-led initiative will focus on the education of athletes about concussions in sports, increase awareness of concussions in the community, encourage community outreach, and increase medical students’ understanding of concussions and their presentation, epidemiology, and management. Disability in Medicine Interest Group
Emergency Medicine Interest Group
Facebook Group Katie Gowlett ([email protected]) The Emergency Medicine Interest Group exists to provide current Dalhousie Medicine students with an understanding and passion for Emergency Medicine practice. Students will be provided with opportunities to connect with local Emergency Medicine Physicians and be taught skills pertaining to EM practice. Exercise in Medicine Interest Group
Adam Beckett ([email protected]) & Harold Oh ([email protected]) Exercise plays a crucial role in the minds of medical students. By offering weekly events, the exercise in medicine group allows students the opportunity for regular organized physical activity, social interaction, skill development and more. |