Hello everyone! Just a few fun updates about happenings around OUWB...
The M1s learned to do flu shots and gave our first ones this week! We talked a lot in class about how vaccinations work with the immune system and how to respectfully and honestly address the concerns many people have about vaccines. After practicing on oranges and fake arms, we gave flu shots to each other (everyone survived, as far as I know) and also had a chance to work with some standardized patients to practice counseling and educating patients about vaccines and safety. Some students have already had opportunities to give flu shots to real, live patients (keep reading).
We had Make a Difference Weekend this weekend - med students went out to various locations to serve local communities. Students assisted with a 5k to combat hunger in the area, delivered meals to homebound senior citizens, helped out at a local homeless shelter, and worked at health fairs where they gave flu shots, provided screening and education for diabetes and hypertension, administered basic eye exams, and gave demonstrations for exercise and healthy cooking.
The DocAppella group performed a few songs at a TEDx event on campus.
There was a dodgeball tournament for med students put on by the global health organization. Each team donated canned food items which were given to a local food bank. The winning student team played against professors, administrators, and standardized patients. Teams came in costume. It was really fun!
This week we also had a patient panel where a reproductive endocrinologist and several of his LGBTQ patients came to talk to us about unique issues sexuality and gender minorities face related to fertility/reproductive health.
I hope everyone is having a successful cycle! Congrats to those of you who recently received IIs and acceptances!