Hello Fellow AMSAers!



There are several opportunities coming up in the next few months that I
wanted to let you all know about.

If you are interested in any of these opportunities, contact Divya (
[log in to unmask]) for more information.



   1. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: HIV and Hepatitis C Testing

This July 3-7 at the Minneapolis Convention Center, the Presbyterian church
(PCUSA), in association with the African Health Action, will be doing HIV
tests on their pastors, who are all convening for their national General
Assembly meeting here in the Twin Cities. The idea is to have church leaders
get tested so that they can say to their congregations back home that they
have been tested in order to help break down the stigma associated with HIV
testing.  In addition, the testing will be open to any community members who
wish to be tested those days.  The med students could assist with the intake
process and educating the participants about the tests as they cue up. The
certified testers will administer the tests and debrief the results.  There
are contingencies in place for positive test results, with referrals to HCMC
and the Westminster Presbyterian Counseling center.  Rev Denise Dunbar
Perkins will be available to effectively minister to the Racial-Ethnic
communities.  There will also be two chaplains on call from the General
Assembly, and an MFT from the Westminster Counseling Center competent with
caring for GLBT clients.



   1. AMSA CONFERENCE: Region 8 Chapter Officers' Conference, open to all
   AMSA members

This July 17-18, the Region 8 Director (Rachel Zaudtke, a third year at USD)
is hosting the regional COC.  While the conference is directed at chapter
officers, it is open to any AMSA member.  If you are at all interested in
getting involved with AMSA over the course of the next year, I strongly
suggest you consider attending the conference.  All housing and food will be
provided.  Transportation to Sioux Falls, SD is to be arranged on your own,
but there may be some funding available for reimbursement.  This will be a
great opportunity to network with other leaders and members in our region,
to get ideas for programming, and of course to have an incredibly fun
weekend!



   1. ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITY/NEW STUDENT ORGANIZATION: Physicians for a
   National Health Plan (PNHP)

The Minnesota chapter of PNHP has been talking to leaders in students
organizations of our med school about endorsing the Minnesota Health Plan
and advocating for a single payer healthcare system.  If you are interested,
please consider reading and signing PNHP's resolution (
http://www.pnhpminnesota.org/).  Seeing as how the two groups share many of
the same goals and values, National AMSA has already been highly involved
with PNHP.  In addition, there will be a new medical student chapter of PNHP
starting up soon.  If you are interested in lobbying, letter writing,
educating our community about single-payer, or other political activities,
consider getting involved.  More information will be sent out later.



Happy Wednesday everyone!



Divya Sood

University of Minnesota Medical School, MS1

AMSA President