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Internal Medicine Interest Group of the Month: Indiana University School of Medicine

The Internal Medicine Student Interest Group (IMSIG) at Indiana University School of Medicine is one of the largest and most active student interest groups at the medical school. In addition to having a strong presence at the main Indianapolis campus, Regional IMSIGs have been established at three of our school’s satellite campuses last year, with more to come. We are fortunate to have the current Governor of the ACP Indiana Chapter, Michael Sha, MD, FACP, and the Director of the Indiana University Integrative Pain Center, Palmer MacKie, MD, as our faculty advisors.

The annual kick-off event each new school year for IMSIG is the “Top Ten Reasons to Be a Big Doctor” lunch talk presented by the past ACP Indiana Chapter Governor, Robert Lubitz, MD FACP. This talk is always very well attended as Dr. Lubitz shares what he has found to be most meaningful to him in the practice of medicine over the years. We also offer a series of “Bagel Lunch Talks” featuring a variety of topics. Last year, topics included how to arrange an international health elective, acupuncture, and how to approach care of a terminally ill patient. These talks are aimed primarily at first and second year students and provide them an opportunity to interact with clinical faculty and learn about aspects of medicine not emphasized in the basic science courses. A popular event with third and fourth year medical students is our annual Residency Program Fair. Last year, we hosted directors from six different programs and provided a forum for directors to talk about the strengths of their programs and for students to ask questions.

A recent addition to our lineup of events is a monthly journal club, presented by third and fourth year students. After the main points of the article have been presented, students discuss the results, the strengths and weaknesses of the study design, and its applicability to clinical practice. Through the IMSIG Journal Club, students gain experience in critically evaluating medical literature in a relaxed environment. This year, we are expanding the scope of the IMSIG Journal Club by inviting academic and community physicians to join us for these discussions.

In addition to many educational offerings, IMSIG has a proud tradition of extensive volunteerism. Our largest undertaking is organizing the Westside Health Fair, which has the distinction of being the only student-run health fair as well as one of the biggest health fairs in Indianapolis. Now in its eleventh year, the fair continues to grow. Last year, over 150 volunteers from many student interest groups and disciplines joined forces to provide free health screenings, immunizations, and education to 700 people. Health fair attendees, public health officials, physicians, and hospital directors all came together to discuss the ACP National Primary Care Week theme “Community-Based Primary Care: Promoting Justice in Health Care,” at the fair’s Town Hall Meeting.

Finally, our group is privileged to be closely involved with the Indiana ACP Chapter. Our local chapter sponsors several students to attend ACP Leadership Day as well as the ACP national scientific meeting each year. Additionally, our co-chairs sit on the Chapter’s ACP Governor’s Council and Associate’s Council. This year we are excited to have been given the opportunity to assist in planning the annual ACP Indiana Chapter Meeting.

The students who are involved in our group are motivated to continue with the great things established in past years, further develop our relationship with ACP, and initiate new and innovative ideas to get students involved in internal medicine. The upcoming year is bound to be exciting as we expand our impact on both our school and community.

Laura Hinkle, MSIII and Laila Saied, MSIV
Co-Chairs of Indiana University School of Medicine IMSIG
IMSIG Web Site: http://medicine.iupui.edu/imsig/

Back to August 2008 Issue of IMpact

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