Students Without Borders

[DropkickMurphy]

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DKM you are the F***ing KING!👍

I expected to be called many things when I posted that.....that was not among them. Thanks for the compliment!

 

[Krazykritter]

Hi All,

I am looking to start a national, student led organization called “Students Without Borders,” (there are others, but this will be the biggest and best). I am very interested in global health issues (other issues (violence, climate change, poverty) as well, but that is a conversation for later).

Ideally, I would like students to volunteer from all medical school in the United States and in this way we can start a collation that promotes progress on global issues (this does not have to be political, i.e. small community based efforts are very effective) If you are interested in working with me on this project, please let me know. If you think this idea has potential, but needs work I would like you to consider joining the effort. We need those who are web-savvy, business-minded, passionate, idealistic, pragmatic, and committed.

The goal is to work to improve the conditions of those in need, and since our time is only going to be more constrained as we get older, right now is as good of a time as any.

Dr. AK,

As I read the posts here, I have to tend to agree w/ DropkickMurphy & some others here. This is a very idealistic & naive goal to set as pre-medical students. The problem w/ the idea is that even if you do get a whole bunch of people together, w/out support from many, many physicians, it will not work. Many of you have absolutely no medical training other than an ideal of what medicine should be. If you went on medical trips, who is going to accept liability for a bunch of semi-trained pre-meds?

If you really want to serve other countries, why not join Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders)?? This group actually attempts to combat some of the problems you have talked about in your posts. This group accepts financial responsibility & treats many, many humans worldwide. Students Without Borders sounds like a cheap & unimaginative knock-off that will have absolutely no pulling power b/c you aren't even medical students.

 

[MaximusD]

I was born in Egypt, and almost died when I was 7 as a result of an infection. The doctor who treated me later told my parents that I was days away from an amputation or death. I traveled to China and saw remote villages where many children could not afford clothe and others slept in streets. I also have many individuals in my family here in the United States who don’t see doctors because they cannot afford health care. I know what poverty is like, and it does not feel good. I will act when I have an opportunity to do so, and now is my opportunity.

Don't let all of this premed bitterness overshadow your desire to help others. That's why we're doing this (becoming medical students). Can you see it happening already? We're all becoming republicans who care about which residency is the most competitive and will allow us our cushy time at home with the kids and our pipe tobacco. . .

From a psychological standpoint, the negative reaction of these forums may be a psychodynamic defense mechanism. But, I will digress out of fear of being flamed...

I don't see why anyone would WANT to kill idealism... worst thing that could happen from AK's standpoint is he could help a few people. Worst thing that could happen from apathy/learned helplessness is neglect of one's societal and moral obligations. Think about it...

 

[Dr. AK]

Don't let all of this premed bitterness overshadow your desire to help others. That's why we're doing this (becoming medical students). Can you see it happening already? We're all becoming republicans who care about which residency is the most competitive and will allow us our cushy time at home with the kids and our pipe tobacco. . .

From a psychological standpoint, the negative reaction of these forums may be a psychodynamic defense mechanism. But, I will digress out of fear of being flamed...

I don't see why anyone would WANT to kill idealism... worst thing that could happen from AK's standpoint is he could help a few people. Worst thing that could happen from apathy/learned helplessness is neglect of one's societal and moral obligations. Think about it...

Thanks for this post.

I think we all need to stop and think about what is happening here. Being idealistic is not the same thing as being naive. Just because someone sees how things should be, does not mean that he/she fails to recognize how difficult change is going to be. Indeed change is very difficult.

I am also not talking about traveling to the ends of the Earth as medical students (this is what Doctors Without Borders is for). What I am suggesting is small, community-based action that fights or combats or seeks to relinquish major humanitarian issues. There is plenty of room for this type of action, and every step we take, no matter how small and insignificant it may seem, it will make a huge difference in someone’s life.

We are all trying to become physicians for different reasons. I understand that. But maybe we can agree that implicit in this profession, unlike many others, is service to humanity. All that is being asked here is that we tap into this potential at an earlier time in our careers.

It is also important to note that the dissenting point of view has disagreed on form rather then principal. That is, most of us see that helping others is good. What we disagree on is how to help and what affect it will have. Those are good questions, but we need to work together and find real answers so that we meet a very basic goal that many of us have already implicitly agreed to, i.e. helping those in need.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Thanks for this post.

I think we all need to stop and think about what is happening here. Being idealistic is not the same thing as being naive. Just because someone sees how things should be, does not mean that he/she fails to recognize how difficult change is going to be. Indeed change is very difficult.

I am also not talking about traveling to the ends of the Earth as medical students (this is what Doctors Without Borders is for). What I am suggesting is small, community-based action that fights or combats or seeks to relinquish major humanitarian issues. There is plenty of room for this type of action, and every step we take, no matter how small and insignificant it may seem, it will make a huge difference in someone’s life.

We are all trying to become physicians for different reasons. I understand that. But maybe we can agree that implicit in this profession, unlike many others, is service to humanity. All that is being asked here is that we tap into this potential at an earlier time in our careers.

It is also important to note that the dissenting point of view has disagreed on form rather then principal. That is, most of us see that helping others is good. What we disagree on is how to help and what affect it will have. Those are good questions, but we need to work together and find real answers so that we meet a very basic goal that many of us have already implicitly agreed to, i.e. helping those in need.

OK....let's do something about the world's problems

http://drslounge.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=375825

 

[mitawa]

Thanks for this post.

I think we all need to stop and think about what is happening here. Being idealistic is not the same thing as being naive. Just because someone sees how things should be, does not mean that he/she fails to recognize how difficult change is going to be. Indeed change is very difficult.

I am also not talking about traveling to the ends of the Earth as medical students (this is what Doctors Without Borders is for). What I am suggesting is small, community-based action that fights or combats or seeks to relinquish major humanitarian issues. There is plenty of room for this type of action, and every step we take, no matter how small and insignificant it may seem, it will make a huge difference in someone’s life.

We are all trying to become physicians for different reasons. I understand that. But maybe we can agree that implicit in this profession, unlike many others, is service to humanity. All that is being asked here is that we tap into this potential at an earlier time in our careers.

It is also important to note that the dissenting point of view has disagreed on form rather then principal. That is, most of us see that helping others is good. What we disagree on is how to help and what affect it will have. Those are good questions, but we need to work together and find real answers so that we meet a very basic goal that many of us have already implicitly agreed to, i.e. helping those in need.

Small steps pave the way to bigger strides. I know on our campus we have several organizations in which our med students devote alot of time to international medical aid. No one man can solve the world's problems, but for each person whose life you improve you contribute to a better future. I am happy that you did not forget the kindest of others in your past who helped get you to where you are now. Hopefully you can be an example to others!!

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Small steps pave the way to bigger strides. I know on our campus we have several organizations in which our med students devote alot of time to international medical aid. No one man can solve the world's problems, but for each person whose life you improve you contribute to a better future. I am happy that you did not forget the kindest of others in your past who helped get you to where you are now. Hopefully you can be an example to others!!

*injects 10 U of insulin* Ah....much better......

 

[ande8212]

This thread has lured me into discussion for the first time, although I do peruse the board from time to time.

I think students without borders is a perfectly rational and achievable goal... with a little passion and some orginization. I respect the starter of this thread for his or her dedication to the worlds impoverished and I hope my class at CCOM is full of students with such an admirable orientation of service to humanity.

To be a physician is a big, big deal. Think about it... doctors are highly educated, have a huge income, hold a lot of respect within the community/ world, and have the potential to affect arguably the most crucial aspect of human life- health. Call me an idealist (and I'm sure you all will) but I truely believe those in such a position have a moral obligation to help those in need. Althought my medical education has not even begun yet, I already feel the weight of my chosen profession and feel a strong pull to serve those in need both here and abroad. I was very fortunate to be born into an upper middle class family in the united states, my parents care very much about all of thier children and have always prioritized education. But I have been helped along the way. I've been mentored by coaches who volunteered, educated by teachers who clearly chose their profession without monetary motivation, and helped through the struggles of life by professors that placed people above students. We all have been helped and should pass it along as we see fit. For some it's serving abroad, for others its coaching their kids t-ball team. Maybe you choose nothing. But please don't belittle the ambitions of others. Or maybe do... it has served as motivation for some of my greatest hero's... ghandi, che, nelson mandela, steve biko, mlk, ceasar chavez, mother theresa and others.

What can med school kids really do? Who knows. I'm not saying, and I don't think the starter is either, that we should go make diagnosis', do surgery or anything like that. But as humans we CAN help. Perhaps all this organization will do is organize a group of people with nothing more in common that an educational path to do work abroad that is somehow medically related. God knows plenty of people out there do this type of thing without a degree in medicine.

One of my biggest disappointments with only having been accepted to a DO school (so far) is that opportunities to do work like this aren't as available as they seem to be at MD schools. This is perhaps a huge generalization, and open to discussion, but from my experiences medical missions are the norm at places like crieghton, slu and loyola and not even mentioned on the websites of the do schools I applied to.

Tagging on that last paragraph is my suggestion: maybe it could be something like DO students without borders and serve more as an orginization that links DO students with programs that already exist.

"let the world change you... and you can change the world."

 

[rub1003]

dr. ak, i think that the feat you want to accomplish is very noble. but do you think that creating a new organization at the beginning of medical school is an advisable task? there are many other established organizations which you can join and probably accomplish more than you would with a new organization. theres MSF and DOCARE which both travel internationally. although DOCARE mainly only travels to south america, it provides a short term trips, i think, with a minimum of 7 days (very agreeable with our time as students). with the amount of learning we have to do for med school, i think it is important that we mind our education first. maybe its better to establish such an organization when you're already a physician with training. there's a lot of things to think about especially if your thinking about international volunteer like vaccination, passports, and the governments of the countries you're visiting. i think things may be a bit much for an MS1.

well, that's my 2 cents.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

This thread has lured me into discussion for the first time, although I do peruse the board from time to time.

I think students without borders is a perfectly rational and achievable goal... with a little passion and some orginization. I respect the starter of this thread for his or her dedication to the worlds impoverished and I hope my class at CCOM is full of students with such an admirable orientation of service to humanity.

To be a physician is a big, big deal. Think about it... doctors are highly educated, have a huge income, hold a lot of respect within the community/ world, and have the potential to affect arguably the most crucial aspect of human life- health. Call me an idealist (and I'm sure you all will) but I truely believe those in such a position have a moral obligation to help those in need. Althought my medical education has not even begun yet, I already feel the weight of my chosen profession and feel a strong pull to serve those in need both here and abroad. I was very fortunate to be born into an upper middle class family in the united states, my parents care very much about all of thier children and have always prioritized education. But I have been helped along the way. I've been mentored by coaches who volunteered, educated by teachers who clearly chose their profession without monetary motivation, and helped through the struggles of life by professors that placed people above students. We all have been helped and should pass it along as we see fit. For some it's serving abroad, for others its coaching their kids t-ball team. Maybe you choose nothing. But please don't belittle the ambitions of others. Or maybe do... it has served as motivation for some of my greatest hero's... ghandi, che, nelson mandela, steve biko, mlk, ceasar chavez, mother theresa and others.

What can med school kids really do? Who knows. I'm not saying, and I don't think the starter is either, that we should go make diagnosis', do surgery or anything like that. But as humans we CAN help. Perhaps all this organization will do is organize a group of people with nothing more in common that an educational path to do work abroad that is somehow medically related. God knows plenty of people out there do this type of thing without a degree in medicine.

One of my biggest disappointments with only having been accepted to a DO school (so far) is that opportunities to do work like this aren't as available as they seem to be at MD schools. This is perhaps a huge generalization, and open to discussion, but from my experiences medical missions are the norm at places like crieghton, slu and loyola and not even mentioned on the websites of the do schools I applied to.

Tagging on that last paragraph is my suggestion: maybe it could be something like DO students without borders and serve more as an orginization that links DO students with programs that already exist.

"let the world change you... and you can change the world."

You're already accepted.....you can stop BSing now. If that post was any more syrupy, you'd probably smell like a bottle of nail polish remover.

 

[Dr. AK]

You're already accepted.....you can stop BSing now. If that post was any more syrupy, you'd probably smell like a bottle of nail polish remover.

I think we get your point, and its time we move on to other issues.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

I think we get your point, and its time we move on to other issues.

OK......any suggestions?

 

[Dr. AK]

dr. ak, i think that the feat you want to accomplish is very noble. but do you think that creating a new organization at the beginning of medical school is an advisable task? there are many other established organizations which you can join and probably accomplish more than you would with a new organization. theres MSF and DOCARE which both travel internationally. although DOCARE mainly only travels to south america, it provides a short term trips, i think, with a minimum of 7 days (very agreeable with our time as students). with the amount of learning we have to do for med school, i think it is important that we mind our education first. maybe its better to establish such an organization when you're already a physician with training. there's a lot of things to think about especially if your thinking about international volunteer like vaccination, passports, and the governments of the countries you're visiting. i think things may be a bit much for an MS1.

well, that's my 2 cents.

This is very true. But we don't have to start at full speed. If each of us can give some time to start the organization and plan for an agenda, our efforts in the aggregate will be great. If one person wanted to do this alone, surely it would be too much, but the goal is that we work together. If you attend PCOM, start something in Philly; at MSU, I may do some work in Detroit, MI; if you attend CCOM....

You get the point. We start small, build a following, generate support, and in 20 years this type of thing will be normal. Many of the projects we start with can be as simple as raising money, collecting shoes and clothe, etc. We can then distribute these items to individuals oversees or to those in your local community. This is where we tab into other organizations (if you so choose perhaps an NGO), but we must organize ourselves first. In some years, we can plan international missions, perhaps during the summer, or plan a trip to New Orleans. Either way, we need to start with something, and we can all spare some time once in a while.

 

[Dr. AK]

This thread has lured me into discussion for the first time, although I do peruse the board from time to time.

I think students without borders is a perfectly rational and achievable goal... with a little passion and some orginization. I respect the starter of this thread for his or her dedication to the worlds impoverished and I hope my class at CCOM is full of students with such an admirable orientation of service to humanity.

To be a physician is a big, big deal. Think about it... doctors are highly educated, have a huge income, hold a lot of respect within the community/ world, and have the potential to affect arguably the most crucial aspect of human life- health. Call me an idealist (and I'm sure you all will) but I truely believe those in such a position have a moral obligation to help those in need. Althought my medical education has not even begun yet, I already feel the weight of my chosen profession and feel a strong pull to serve those in need both here and abroad. I was very fortunate to be born into an upper middle class family in the united states, my parents care very much about all of thier children and have always prioritized education. But I have been helped along the way. I've been mentored by coaches who volunteered, educated by teachers who clearly chose their profession without monetary motivation, and helped through the struggles of life by professors that placed people above students. We all have been helped and should pass it along as we see fit. For some it's serving abroad, for others its coaching their kids t-ball team. Maybe you choose nothing. But please don't belittle the ambitions of others. Or maybe do... it has served as motivation for some of my greatest hero's... ghandi, che, nelson mandela, steve biko, mlk, ceasar chavez, mother theresa and others.

What can med school kids really do? Who knows. I'm not saying, and I don't think the starter is either, that we should go make diagnosis', do surgery or anything like that. But as humans we CAN help. Perhaps all this organization will do is organize a group of people with nothing more in common that an educational path to do work abroad that is somehow medically related. God knows plenty of people out there do this type of thing without a degree in medicine.

One of my biggest disappointments with only having been accepted to a DO school (so far) is that opportunities to do work like this aren't as available as they seem to be at MD schools. This is perhaps a huge generalization, and open to discussion, but from my experiences medical missions are the norm at places like crieghton, slu and loyola and not even mentioned on the websites of the do schools I applied to.

Tagging on that last paragraph is my suggestion: maybe it could be something like DO students without borders and serve more as an orginization that links DO students with programs that already exist.

"let the world change you... and you can change the world."

I think you and others who have spoken about this issue thus far should seriously consider joining this effort. All we need is a group of intelligent, and passionate individuals and the sky is the limit.

As a future osteopathic physician, I think we should be inclusive in this effort. We should start with osteopathic schools and then build to recruit students from all medical schools in the Untied States. Our efforts, in my opinion, will be far more successful if we can tab into all interested students.

 

[Doctor McDreamy]

I understand if some of you don't feel like this is possible, but there is no reason to be inflammatory. If you are not interested, that is fine. But for me, medicine is about helping people. Call me whatever you would like.

Im With you. The problem is that some of these people have NOT lived in other countries and could NEVER understand how living conditions in other countries are. I'm sorry, but if you are an AMERICAN, born and raised here and you live in garbage... THATS BECAUSE YOU WANT TO!!! And if you don't go to school and do something with your life here in the states is BECAUSE YOU'RE LAZY!!! In other countries there is no form of government help, it's the other way around, they rob their own people!!! Believe me, i know!

The american government has tons of help, and the medical situation here is GREAT compare to other countries. BUT I do agree we need to help people like in New Orleans. I actually wanna participate in one of these organizations, so count me in!!!

 

[DropkickMurphy]

If it's helping people who are willing to help themselves, you can also count me in. I don't believe in handouts, but I am willing to help someone get on their feet. I should have made this clear......I apologize for not doing that.

Dr.AK, if you are serious about the New Orleans project, feel free to PM me....I might be able to help with the logistics end of it.

 

[Dr. AK]

If it's helping people who are willing to help themselves, you can also count me in. I don't believe in handouts, but I am willing to help someone get on their feet. I should have made this clear......I apologize for not doing that.

Dr.AK, if you are serious about the New Orleans project, feel free to PM me....I might be able to help with the logistics end of it.

That is terrific DKM.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

That is terrific DKM.

Let me know if you need any help with that project....I have experience in operations planning so if you need anything you know where to find me.

 

[Sarikate]

If it's helping people who are willing to help themselves, you can also count me in. I don't believe in handouts, but I am willing to help someone get on their feet. I should have made this clear......I apologize for not doing that.

Dr.AK, if you are serious about the New Orleans project, feel free to PM me....I might be able to help with the logistics end of it.

Oh my goodness...tears!😍

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Oh my goodness...tears!😍

Just because I have thick skin, I don't get warm and fuzzy, and have a low tolerance for bull****, I'm not totally heartless and will help if I think there is a chance of doing good.

But Shhhhhhh! I have a reputation to uphold!

 

[Dr. AK]

OK All,

Who is with us? We need people with ability, and I am sure all of you have plenty of that.

Issues -

- Agenda – what would you all like to see this organization work on first?
- We also need a Mission Statement and By-Laws
- We need to recruit medical students from all osteopathic schools – how should we get started on this?
- Trip to New Orleans - comments, concerns, direction….
- Website – anyone web savvy? We need something powerful, elegant, and maybe free
- What organizations would we want to be affiliated with?


Let see where this goes and we can then focus on one topic as the discussion matures.

 

[Dr. AK]

Thoughts...

 

[DropkickMurphy]

As I said in the PMs, I think asthma clinics for the poorer residents of NO (or perhaps one of the outlying areas that hasn't received as much attention or support) to screen for respiratory diseases, which are more common in minorities (the death rate among African Americans as opposed to whites is astronomical) even with good preventative care and followup. This is basically nonexistent in many communities and when you factor in the affects of molds left behind as a result of water damage (Stachybotros atra etc)- which can induce not only reactive airway disease but can produce pulmonary hemosiderosis and other parenchymal lung disease- as well as exposure to God only knows what toxic chemicals.......well, you get the idea.

I think this is something that would be easy to address, and I have a couple of contacts in Louisiana through my work, and it would be a good chance for everyone to gain skills in the assessment and basic management of pulmonary issues while helping people. It's a manageable issue and therefore I think a good place to start.

 

[avpatelatc]

Why not just segregate the infected individuals (in the case of the AIDS) to help actually control the disease rather than the BS ways we are trying to manage it now among non-compliant populations?

As for poverty and starvation, why not instead of mandating religious conversion in exchange for food and other aid like a lot of groups do, how about requiring the person to undergo tubal ligation or vasectomy to help control the population? I think the problem has more to do with overpopulation on a local level than anything else. It's a matter of the locals not being smart enough to know when to stop breeding like sewer rats after an accidental Viagra spill, and the rest of the world basically not having the stomach to admit a true answer to the solution.

DKM,

Instead of spewing pure ignorance take some time to read a book titled "The End of Poverty." This book will certainly help you understand the economics that perpetuate extreme poverty. Furthermore, the book will also highlight the possibility of initiating and accomplishing great progress in regions facing extreme poverty.

While, it may not change your outlook towards offering a contribution to developing countries, at least you'll be able to offer more educated responses.

 

[Dr. AK]

DKM,

Instead of spewing pure ignorance take some time to read a book titled "The End of Poverty." This book will certainly help you understand the economics that perpetuate extreme poverty. Furthermore, the book will also highlight the possibility of initiating and accomplishing great progress in regions facing extreme poverty.

While, it may not change your outlook towards offering a contribution to developing countries, at least you'll be able to offer more educated responses.

I think DKM was just kidding, but I understand your frustration. Actually, reading this book maybe beneficial to all of us. I know it will do me plenty of good. Thanks for recommending it.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

DKM,

Instead of spewing pure ignorance take some time to read a book titled "The End of Poverty." This book will certainly help you understand the economics that perpetuate extreme poverty. Furthermore, the book will also highlight the possibility of initiating and accomplishing great progress in regions facing extreme poverty.

While, it may not change your outlook towards offering a contribution to developing countries, at least you'll be able to offer more educated responses.

Why not instead of trying (unsuccessfully mind you) to brow beat me for pointing out futility of large scale projects due to cultural, social and political hinderances, focus your efforts on things that can be managed- such as Dr. AK's New Orleans project?

 

[rcd]

Or Detroit.
Or New Orleans
Or Newark
Or parts of Kansas City
Or St. Louis
Or Gary Indiana.......

But we all know it's not humanitarian work unless you get your passport stamped. 🙄

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargghhhhhhhhh!!!

 

[ande8212]

You're already accepted.....you can stop BSing now. If that post was any more syrupy, you'd probably smell like a bottle of nail polish remover.

I would challenge any of my friends to say i'm full of bs on this issue... and i'm sure if you knew me you'd realize that my words are genuine. To say somebody is full of s*** before you've met them is quite the thing to do. You certainly don't need to agree with me, but please don't jump to conclusions or question my motivations.

On a different note, I hope NO works out for you guys. I'm going to try to catch up on what you are planning on doing, but most likely can't help.

 

[DOctorJay]

i feel this comment was somewhat arrogant. and yes, i do have a right to say that as a resident of southern NJ for, my entire life, and have very close ties to the entire camden area.

Although, I do not contest the fact that Camden needs help, it's NOT a third world country. Maybe you should rethink your statement. What makes third world countries so poverty driven and in such desperation of help is NOT the fact that it's citizens are drug addicts, welfare addicts, too lazy, or just make bad decisions in life. Now, I am NOT stereotyping everyone in Camden as I do know that there are some legitimate people in Camden that need help, but there are many many people who do just take advantage of the system. And truth be told, if these certain people were to go out there and make a personal and conscious decision to change and help themselves, Camden would be a lot better place.

Third world countries, their citizens have no choice. They are thrust into their situations from birth and have no exit strategy to help themselves. They have no resources, no means, and no ends. They're stuck in this rut of a life and many become victims to diseases and conditions that are not common to the states anymore, ie. Measles, Mumps, TB, etc...

I welcome any new organization that focuses on destroying any borders or walls to help those who really need it wherever they may be.

I think you misinterpreted my point. Obviously Camden is not a third world country. I personally feel that we have a responsibility to our own citizens before we go out and help the world. By the way, have you provided care to the residents of Camden yet? I have and I'm not sure you understand the need there just yet.

Who the hell helps us with our problems?

I don't see any foreign docs coming over here to help the people from any of the above mentioned cities in their times of need (docs who move here for residency/medical school don't count, their interested in the best training). Unless you have ties to a certain country I feel that you should be putting your efforts into helping those in your own community or region first. Once we get our own problems taken care of then we can help the world.

 

[muireinin]

^ so much for "without borders" 🙄

 

[czanetti]

I think its a great idea don't let others discourage you. They tend to chime in because they don't want to do it themselves and figure that its better to spend there time making immiture comments then dealing with issues that require more of an effort than they are willing to give.

 

[Dr. AK]

I think you misinterpreted my point. Obviously Camden is not a third world country. I personally feel that we have a responsibility to our own citizens before we go out and help the world. By the way, have you provided care to the residents of Camden yet? I have and I'm not sure you understand the need there just yet.

Who the hell helps us with our problems?

I don't see any foreign docs coming over here to help the people from any of the above mentioned cities in their times of need (docs who move here for residency/medical school don't count, their interested in the best training). Unless you have ties to a certain country I feel that you should be putting your efforts into helping those in your own community or region first. Once we get our own problems taken care of then we can help the world.

I think if the organization is big enough, we can make progress on more then one front. There are plenty of people who need help, both home and abroad, and we can certainly try.

 

[lateapplicant]

Or Detroit.
Or New Orleans
Or Newark
Or parts of Kansas City
Or St. Louis
Or Gary Indiana.......

But we all know it's not humanitarian work unless you get your passport stamped. 🙄

Why not just segregate the infected individuals (in the case of the AIDS) to help actually control the disease rather than the BS ways we are trying to manage it now among non-compliant populations?

As for poverty and starvation, why not instead of mandating religious conversion in exchange for food and other aid like a lot of groups do, how about requiring the person to undergo tubal ligation or vasectomy to help control the population? I think the problem has more to do with overpopulation on a local level than anything else. It's a matter of the locals not being smart enough to know when to stop breeding like sewer rats after an accidental Viagra spill, and the rest of the world basically not having the stomach to admit a true answer to the solution.

Wow. This truly is getting ridiculous. By your logic DKM you're almost suggesting that if problems in Detroit or New Orleans get any worse we should maybe start enforcing tubal ligation and vasectomy. Any woman in SDN think they would have an issue with not being allowed to have children?

Why don't we start mutilating male and female genitalia to control STI's?

Also, if the OP's idealist view is so erraneous, consider how closely our view of becoming DOs within the US is related. The problems within the US are incredibly complicated and large as well... why do any of us as realist individuals believe we will make any difference at all?

Stop trying to cut up the OPs cause. Med students who volunteer overseas are way more likely to become doctors who volunteer overseas, and saving a life admist may dying people could be considered more valuable than helping US citizens with sore backs or the flu.

 

[Dr. AK]

Would all of you who have expressed interest in SWB mind PMing me with your email? I can compile a list and use that in addition to our communication here on SDN. Anyone who would rather not give his or her email can just PM to let me know if they are interested.

Thanks.

 

[Taty]

OK...Who said a word website here 🙂 I can help for free...I need to know how u want it to look like and what do u want to write there...what pictures?Logo? animation? flash text? CSS or frames and etc... If u have an idea what u want it to look like I can help. PM me.

 

[Dr. AK]

OK...Who said a word website here 🙂 I can help for free...I need to know how u want it to look like and what do u want to write there...what pictures?Logo? animation? flash text? CSS or frames and etc... If u have an idea what u want it to look like I can help. PM me.

Taty,

Thanks so much. This is terrific. I appreciate your leadership, and I PMed you.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Taty,

Thanks so much. This is terrific. I appreciate your leadership, and I PMed you.

Perhaps a different name for the organization might be in order......? Just a suggestion......

 

[Dr. AK]

Perhaps a different name for the organization might be in order......? Just a suggestion......

What did you have in mind? I am open to suggestions. Whatever it is, the name should convey something big, unlimited, involving students, with the goal of service to humanity.

 

[Taty]

What did you have in mind? I am open to suggestions. Whatever it is, the name should convey something big, unlimited, involving students, with the goal of service to humanity.

Organization needs goals and mission statement...also plan...

 

[DropkickMurphy]

What did you have in mind? I am open to suggestions. Whatever it is, the name should convey something big, unlimited, involving students, with the goal of service to humanity.

Well, I don't have anything in particular in mind, but I would avoid using the "without borders" moniker to avoid confusion with the MSF organization.....this is your baby, I'm just providing logistic and administrative support at this point.

 

[lateapplicant]

Well, I don't have anything in particular in mind, but I would avoid using the "without borders" moniker to avoid confusion with the MSF organization.....this is your baby, I'm just providing logistic and administrative support at this point.

I definitely agree on this one. While you goals are in line with MSF, you are starting a separate organization and I already know of Engineers without Borders and Business without Borders, so you wouldn't just seem like you were jumping on the band wagon.

I think one way to make your organization stand out would be to make it feasible for us poor students who can't afford $5,000+ but have the time and commitment. Perhaps if you stay long enough, you'll pay for their flight back? Or after a certain duration of a few months you'll cover their living expenses? These programs are everywhere but it is almost like you have to donate $2000+ to volunteer. If you somehow scored a connection that allowed you to have 6 month expenses-paid placements (even if students had to pay their own flight) I think you would have many people lining up at your door.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

I definitely agree on this one. While you goals are in line with MSF, you are starting a separate organization and I already know of Engineers without Borders and Business without Borders, so you wouldn't just seem like you were jumping on the band wagon.

I think one way to make your organization stand out would be to make it feasible for us poor students who can't afford $5,000+ but have the time and commitment. Perhaps if you stay long enough, you'll pay for their flight back? Or after a certain duration of a few months you'll cover their living expenses? These programs are everywhere but it is almost like you have to donate $2000+ to volunteer. If you somehow scored a connection that allowed you to have 6 month expenses-paid placements (even if students had to pay their own flight) I think you would have many people lining up at your door.

At this point, the plan is for a trip to New Orleans or somewhere nearby. I think the overseas plans are on hold at the moment due to logistics and time commitment issues. And I don't think Dr.AK has the money (and would have a hard time finding) to do what you're suggesting........

 

[Dr. AK]

Organization needs goals and mission statement...also plan...

For a Mission Statement, how about…

"Students Without Borders (or whatever else we decide on) is an international, non-profit organization composed of students whose goal is the reduction of human suffering throughout the world. The efforts of SWB include both small, community-based missions and international work in conjugation with other non-profit organizations, foundations, and NGOs.

Just a start, but do you think and what can we add.

In terms of a name, how about Students for Reducing Suffering, or "SES."

 

[Dr. AK]

At this point, the plan is for a trip to New Orleans or somewhere nearby. I think the overseas plans are on hold at the moment due to logistics and time commitment issues. And I don't think Dr.AK has the money (and would have a hard time finding) to do what you're suggesting........

DKM is correct on this. International is on hold for now, we need to start small. Local community first, then we expand.

 

[rub1003]

since this is getting started with mostly osteopathic med students, not that it is limited to that...we could sort of affiliate ourselves with DOCARE and call the organization "Students DOCARE". i think an affiliation may be a good idea especially since we're just getting started. we could use the advice...

just an idea....

 

[DropkickMurphy]

since this is getting started with mostly osteopathic med students, not that it is limited to that...we could sort of affiliate ourselves with DOCARE and call the organization "Students DOCARE". i think an affiliation may be a good idea especially since we're just getting started. we could use the advice...

just an idea....

I think leaving the DO thing out of it would be a good idea, because it could keep some of the best and brightest amongst non-med students from contributing. Just a thought......

 

[Dr. AK]

Students for Global Health Improvement, SGHM; what do you think?

Student for Health Care Progress

Students for Progress, SP

Student for International Progress

The Collation of Students for Progress, CSP

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Students of Healthcare for Improvement and Progress (SHIP)

 

[notdeadyet]

For those of you who have done development work, you can probably back me up on this: the last thing the needy need is another NGO.

Occassionally there is a very specific niche that demands forming an organization. A friend of mine worked with one designed to rotate physical therapists through a remote Ethiopian village to train folks there, for example

But I would be very hesitant to start up a new organization designed to fight hunger, end injustice, stop disease, get rid of health inequities. These are all being handled, in one section or another, by various NGOs. Lend your efforts there. Starting up a competing organization is self-congratulatory bordering on unethical.

Again, to each their own. From someone who has spent close to two years working in developing nations, I'd really recommend either:

a. lending your efforts to organizations that currently exist so that you're not wasting funding and sweat equity on unneeded bureaucracy (which exist in any NGO).

b. define a very specific goal that has not bee addressed that you can work towards so that you're not spinning your wheels.

Best of luck. Your idealism is admirable.

 

[Dr. AK]

For those of you who have done development work, you can probably back me up on this: the last thing the needy need is another NGO.

Occassionally there is a very specific niche that demands forming an organization. A friend of mine worked with one designed to rotate physical therapists through a remote Ethiopian village to train folks there, for example

But I would be very hesitant to start up a new organization designed to fight hunger, end injustice, stop disease, get rid of health inequities. These are all being handled, in one section or another, by various NGOs. Lend your efforts there. Starting up a competing organization is self-congratulatory bordering on unethical.

Again, to each their own. From someone who has spent close to two years working in developing nations, I'd really recommend either:

a. lending your efforts to organizations that currently exist so that you're not wasting funding and sweat equity on unneeded bureaucracy (which exist in any NGO).

b. define a very specific goal that has not bee addressed that you can work towards so that you're not spinning your wheels.

Best of luck. Your idealism is admirable.

This is a very good point. But I don’t think that we are proposing another NGO. Rather, we would coordinate medical students’ efforts and lend our own activities to NGOs in the field. I believe that the only way to get medical students involved, which is potential a very strong group of individuals that can lend their efforts to these tasks, is if we organize ourselves and then fill in the gaps with any NGO we see as fit.

Thanks for your advice, and I would very much like to have your continued feedback.