--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Dave Grande <amsa@...>
To: amsa <amsa@...>
Date: Mon, 08 Nov 1999 14:34:51 -0500
Subject: [amsa] AMSA Update: November '99


AMSA Update: November '99


Hi AMSA Members,

Here is your November news from the AMSA President.  We have been working
on lots of things so I tried to include some updates related to AMSA
initiatives as well as some great benefits for our member.  Enjoy!

By the way, if you need your AMSA ID number, it's the six-digit number on
your New Physician Magazine Label.

FREE ELECTRONIC DRUG REFERENCE FOR THE PALM(tm) ORGANIZER

ePocrates qRx is a great new program for the Palm(tm) handheld organizer
that students will find very useful for their time in clinics and on the
wards.  It has lots of information ranging from drug-drug interactions to
adverse reactions on over 1,500 drugs.  It was designed by physicians and
PharmDs and is FREE to download.
http://www.epocrates.com/qrx <http://www.epocrates.com/qrx>

AMSA'S UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE INITIATIVE UPDATE

*Candlelight Vigil for the Uninsured: Saturday, Nov. 6th; Chicago
http://www.amsa.org/news/pr/99/press99.html
<http://www.amsa.org/news/pr/99/press99.html>

*AMSA Speaks at Universal Health Care Press Conference: Mon. Nov. 8th,
Chicago
http://www.amsa.org/news/pr/99/press99.html
<http://www.amsa.org/news/pr/99/press99.html>

*Tufts will host: "Universal Health Care: Building A Movement": Sat. Nov.
13th, Boston
Contact: Ted Lee, Tufts Chapter President (tlee3@...
<mailto:tlee3@...> )

*AMSA Universal Health Care Institute: January 3-21, 2000, Reston, VA
http://www.amsa.org/lad/uhcinitiative.html <http://www.amsa.org/>

MEDICAL STUDENT BILL OF RIGHTS

AMSA adopted a Medical Student Bill of Rights in our House of Delegates
'99. We exhibited it at the AAMC meeting last week.  Please hang a copy
in your school and talk to your administration to see if your school
adheres to the Bill of Rights principles.  Contact: Pallavi Mittal
(mid@... <mailto:mid@...> ).
http://www.amsa.org/sc/msbr.html <http://www.amsa.org/sc/msbr.html>

POLITICAL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE: DECEMBER 3-5, 1999

Participate in AMSA's school for activism.  Learn and practice skills in
public speaking, lobbying, writing press releases and organizing
grassroots activism.  Application Deadline: November 12, 1999.
http://www.amsa.org/lad/internships/hpli.html
<http://www.amsa.org/lad/internships/hpli.html>

AMSA.MEDBOOKSTORE.COM SPECIAL OFFER

Free UPS Ground Shipping on all orders greater than $25 until November
17, 1999.
http://amsa.medbookstore.com <http://amsa.medbookstore.com>

REGIONAL CONFERENCES

New York City: January 15-16, 2000
http://www.amsa.org/member/fallwrk.htm
<http://www.amsa.org/member/fallwrk.htm>


That is all for this month!

Dave Grande
AMSA National President

**************************************************************
  "Speak Up, America! Health Care Is Our Right."
  AMSA's 50th Anniversary Convention
  March 15-19, 2000 - Washington D.C.
  www.amsa.org
  ***************************************************************
  David Grande, M.D.
  National President
  American Medical Student Association

  1902 Association Drive
  Reston, VA  20191
  703-620-6600 ext. 202
  pres@...
  ***************************************************************

***Celebration of International Medicine Conference***


-hosted by IFMSA(International federation of Medical Student
Association)-USA-International health Program-

-place:Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia-
-time:Jan 14-16, 2000

Dear friends,

      Are you interested in going abroad or do a rotation in another
country? USA-IHP will show you how to start and where to go. There will
40+ speakers from various international medicine organizations(Doctors
without borders, WHO, UNICEF, IFMSA, Jefferson Hospital, Rainforest
Health Project,children cross connection and many more), come and join
other medical students from different states and countries(Turkey, Egypt,
Russia, Sweden, Poland, Yugoslavia, Denmark, Netherlands, U.K.) to share
and learn more about international medicine and prepare you to plan a
successful trip in the near future!!

-Deadline of registration JAN 5, 2000, for more information and register
on line at

http://www.geocities.com/collegepark/housing/7828  -

Program Schedule(Subject to further changes and updates)

8:00-10:00 Welcome Address
-President of USA-IHP, Joel Kammeyers, Ohio StateUniversity
-Chairman of Internal Meidcine, Dr.Capizzi, Thomas Jefferson University
Hospital
-President of IFMSA, Matts Sunberg, Sweden
-Professor of Neurosience, Dr. Brainnard, JMC

10:15-11:00

Workshop A
-Vincent Orinda, MD (Senior Advisor of Child Health,UNICEF)
Topic : (will be posted)
Workshop B-Joel Kemmyer
Topic: Introduction to USA-IHP and How to become an officer

11:15-12:00

Workshop A
Marj Humphrey (Maryknoll Mission Assoc.)
Topic: Challenges of Guinea Worm Erudition among Refugee Population and
Nomadic peoples in South Sudan
Workshop B
-Executive Board of IFMSATopic: Introduction to IFMSA

12:00-13:00 Lunch/ Speaker
13:15-14:00

Workshop A
-Salvatore Mangione, MD (JMC)
Topic: Medicine in a Nepali Village, a Personal Experience
Workshop B
-Joel Kemmyer: Introduction to USA-IHP and how to start an international
Health Club at your school

14:15-15:00

Workshop A
-Fischer Philip R., MD (African Inland mission, Mayoclinic)
Topic: The Physicians For The New Millennium,
Workshop B
-Silvia Koso (Director of SCORA, IFMSA, Yugoslavia): Introduction to
Standing Committee of reproductive Health and AIDS

15:15-16:00
Workshop A
House of Delegates of USA-IHP and Election of newOfficers
Workshop B
-Jerome C. Ramos, MD (TLALPAN project)
Topic:  A Student based Medical Attention program for the under-served
urban communities in Mexico City

16:15-17:00

Workshop A
-Zana Khon (LTP Director of IFMSA, U.K.): Leadership training for newly
elected officers
Workshop B
-Sharon Savage, MD (Rain forest health Project)
Topic: International health in the Lowland AmazonBasin of Peru

17:15-18:00

WorkshopA:  Cristina Capanescu(JMC)-Romania Orphanage Project
Hatem Hamed Sallam(Egypt)-Community based education and problem solving
and their implementation in health promotion
Workshop B
Brian Adams( JMC)-Tramatology Summer School inCroatia
Emmie Chen (JMC)-Alternative Medicine in China

18:00 --- Dinner
Sunday, Jan 16, 2000
8:00-8:50am- Breakfast
9:00-9:50

Workshop A
-Harold Adolph,MD( Missionary General Surgeon, , SIM)
Topic: Surgical challenge of the world and the perfect career to
consider- serving the under-served
Workshop B
Ursula Zdanowicz (National Exchange Officer of Poland)
Topic: Poland Exchange Program
-Marie-Louise Skaerlund (National Exchange Officer of Denmark)
Topic: Denmark Exchange Program

10:00-10:50

Workshop A
-Barry B. Goldberg,MD( Professor of Radiology, Director of division of
Diagnostic Ultrasound, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital)
Topic: The development of ultrasound training centers in developing
countries around the world
Workshop B
USA-IHP Officers : Leadership Training Program

11:00-11:50

Workshop A
-Jerry S. Ehrlich, MD (Doctors without Borders)
Topic: “A Mission with Doctors Without Borders” –The Experience of an
American Pediatrician in Sri Lanka
Workshop B
-Silvia Koso (Director of SCORA)
Topic: Introduction to SCORA (Reproductive Health andAIDS)

12:00-12:50 Lunch
1:00-1:50

Workshop A
-Donald E. Kuenzi, MD (Health Team International)
Topic: Experience of a Part-Time Missionary Workshop B
-Ursula Zdanowicz (National Exchange Officer ofPoland)
Topic: Poland Exchange Program-Introduction to SCOPE (Professional
Exchange)
-How to start an exchange program at yourschoo

l2:00-2:50

Workshop A
Rose E. Bermudez and Pam Rundle (Children’s CrossConnection)
Topic: Children’s Health Problems Around the World
Workshop B
Introduction to SCOME (Medical Exchange) andSCOPE(Professional Exchange)

3:00-3:50
Workshop A
Glan Rubaker,MD( Interchurch missionary)
Topic: (will be posted)



___________________________________________________________________
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The Section on Historical Medicine of the New York Academy of Medicine
invites you to hear:

			 Ruth Schwartz Cowan, Ph.D.
			      SUNY Stony Brook

		 THE THALASSEMIA PREVENTION PROGRAM IN CYPRUS:
		    BIOETHICAL COMPLEXITIES OF EUGENICS

		  Wednesday, November 17, 1999, 6:00 PM

	      	    The New York Academy of Medicine
	           1216 Fifth Avenue (at 103rd Street)
			     New York City

Beta-thalassemia is a genetic disease of the hemoglobin, most prevalent
in
developing countries located in the "malaria belt."  Affected children
used to die before reaching the age of five; but current treatment
regimens -- dreadfully burdensome and very expensive -- allow patients to
live, relatively speaking, normal lives.  The population of Cyprus (both
Greek and Turkish) has one of the highest incidence rates of beta-
thalassemia carriers in the world and in the past one of every 158
infants
was born with the condition.  Beginning in the early 1970s Cypriot
pediatricians began programs for population screening.  Combined with
prenatal diagnosis and abortion, these programs resulted in almost
complete prevention of new births of children with thalassemia.  This
talk
is based on interviews conducted during the spring, 1999 with Cypriot
physicians, patients, parents, government officials and geneticists.  It
focuses on the public health issues that high incidence creates for
Cyprus
and the ethical issues which the prevention program raises.

Light refreshments will be available beginning at 5:30.

All are welcome, and there is no charge.  CME credits are available for
physicians.  We urge you to pre-register, although this is not required.
To register, please email Tawana Murrell at the New York Academy of
Medicine Office of Medical Education (tmurrell@...). For further
information about this lecture or the NYAM history lecture series, please
call 212-822-7314 or direct an email message to emorman@...

Ed Morman
Associate Librarian for Historical Collections
The New York Academy of Medicine





___________________________________________________________________
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AMSA's Universal Health Care Internship 2000

What are you doing during winter break?

Do you believe that affordable, quality, and comprehensive health care is
a
right?

Do you want to take part in an effort that may become a historic turning
point in the struggle to provide universal health care?

Then find out more about the Universal Health Care Internship 2000

http://www.amsa.org/lad/uhci.html

For those of you who applied to the health policy and politics internship
for the late december - january time period, I will be contacting you
soon.
I am sorry about the delay, but we just ironed out a few last minute
details.


"Speak Up, America! Health Care Is Our Right."
AMSA's 50th Anniversary Convention  March 15-19, 2000 - Washington D.C.
_______________________________________________________________
Simon Ahtaridis                                        Voice
703.620.6600
ext. 211
American Medical Student Association    Fax     703.620.5873
Legislative Affairs Director                          Pager 888.326.6893
1902 Association Drive                              email
lad@...
Reston, VA 20191-1502                             Web
http://www.amsa.org
__________________________________________________________________



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Thanks Chanie for sending this to me...

--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "WEISS, CHANIE" <WC0015@...>
To: "'sophie.jan@... '" <sophie.jan@...>
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 1999 20:58:36 -0500
Subject: NIJMS conference


Please inform anyone who's interested that the Nat'l Institute of Jews in
Medicine is having its annual conference THIS COMING SUNDAY.  You don't
have to be Jewish to attend, learn & enjoy!!  I've attended for the last 2
years & it was fun & informative.  For students registering through BC Hillel
House (718-859-1151) the fee is only $20 (though the cost for doctors is
probably about $150).  This includes an excellent lunch!
I don't have the location and the phone # of NIJM with me but I can
e-mail those tomorrow.  Thanx, Chanie

Hello Everyone!

NOVEMBER 17th - AMSA meetings!

We have a speaker coming to talk about Brooklyn College Internships
opportunities.

She is part of the Psychology Department and set up various community
volunteer programs.

Get the hands-on experience you need for the real world and make a difference
in the community.

Impress the medical schools with volunteering in your community while gaining
college credits at the same time.

You can choose from any of the following:
       Tutor at local schools
       Help kids in a battered women's shelter daycare center
       Educate the community about HIV/AIDS and other health issues
       Read to kids in pediatric waiting rooms in Brooklyn hospitals
       And many more...!

Come and join the fun!
Mundeep (Vice-P)

AWARDS:
     First Prize - $5,000
     Second Prize - $2,500
     Third Prize - $1,500
     Two Honorable Mentions - $500

ELIGIBILITY:
     -Full-time undergraduate junior or senior
     -Registered during the fall semester of 1999 at
          an accredited four-year college or university

SUGGESTED ESSAY TOPICS:
     -At the beginning of the third millenium, what
          ethical issue concerns you the most and what
          concrete proposals would you make to deal with it?
     -The 20th century produced unprecedented violence: the
          Holocaust, "ethnic cleansing," and genocide.  What
          action must be taken to prevent the 21st century
          from repeating the mistakes of the past?
     -What is the most profound moral dilemma you have
          personally experienced and what has the experience
          taught you about ethics?

ESSAY FORMAT:
     -The essay may be developed from any point of view and
          can be in the form of a case study, a personal
          experience or an analysis that is literary,
          philosophical, historical, biographical, theological
          or psychological.
     -The student is encouraged to raise questions, single out
          issues and identify dilemmas.
     -The esay must be the original, unpublished work of the
          student.
     -The essay must be 3,000 to 4,000 words, not including
          footnotes.
     -The essay must be typed in 12-point font, double-spaced
          with 1" margins and the pages numbered.
     -No name or identifying references may appear on the title
          page or in the manuscript, since the contest is to be
          judged anonymously (our office will put a numerical
          code on your essay).

SUBMISSION OF MATERIALS:
     -Submit 3 copies of your essay (one copy paper-clipped
          and two stapled).
     -Submit a completed Student Entry Form.
     -Submit a completed Faculty Sponsor Form.
     -Include a letter on school stationery from the Registrar's
          Office, verifying your eligibility.
     -Only one essay per student per contest year may be submitted.
     -A maximum of two entries from any one Faculty Sponsor per
          contest will be accepted.
     -Keep a copy of your essay since no materials will be returned.
     -Entries must be postmarked on or before Friday,
          January 21, 2000, or delivered to us by 5:00 p.m. that day.
     -Entries may not be faxed or e-mailed.

DEADLINE: Friday, January 21, 2000.

Please complete the submission checklist on the Student Entry Form
and send all materials together to:

The Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics
The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity
380 Madison Ave., 20th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Telephone: 212-490-7777
www.eliewieselfoundation.org

College Juniors: Celebrate Your Achievements!  Enter

Glamour's 2000 Top Ten College Women Competition

What it takes:
    - leadership experience
    - involvement on campus and inyour community
    - excellence in your field of study
    - unique, inspiring goals


What you win:
    - a $1,000 cash prize
    - a trip to New York City
    - opportunities to meet with top professionals in
          your field
    - national recognition in Glamour's October 2000 issue

Deadline:
    All materials must be postmarked no later than
January 31, 2000

The Rockefeller University's Summer Undergraduate Research
Felloship (SURF) Program is designed to provide qualified,
highly motivated college students majoring in biology or
chemistry, an opportunity to experience laboratory research.
Each year, outstanding college juniors and some sophomores
are chosen from a large number of applicants.  "SURFers"
are matched according to their stated field of interest
with faculty, graduate students, or postdoctoral fellows.
These mentors volunteer to help design and supervise
individualized summer projects for their students.  The
fifteen students accepted into the SURF program will
receive a stipend of $2,500 for a ten-week period of
June 5 - August 11, 2000.  Free on-campus housing will be
provided for students who cannot commute.

Applicants to the SURF Program must submit:

1.  A completed application form (If interested, e-mail me,
Sophie Jan, for the application form).

2.  A summary statement which describes the applicant's
academic background, scientific interests, research experience
(if any), and career goals.  (Two pages recommended).
Applicants, whenever possible, should discuss why they would
benefit from the SURF Program.

3.  An official transcript (sealed by the university registrar).

4.  Two letters of recommendation from professors or mentors
who can evaluate the applicant based on perfomance in science
courses or recent research projects.  (These letters are
critical for our selection process).

All materials must be sent as one COMPLETE application.  The
Office of Graduate Studies must receive the application no
later than FEBRUARY 1, 2000.  Completed applications will be
reviewed in the order they are received.  Final decisions will
be made by early March 2000.  It is, therefore, imperative to
provide us with a contact address (preferably e-mail or
telephone) for the first two weeks of March.

SURF applicants should state a preference for working in
particular laboratories or areas of research; however, we
cannot guqrentee that specific preferences will be met.  We
encourage you to obtain further in-depth information by viewing
the Rockefeller web site at

http://www.rockefeller.edu/research/html

Questions concerning the SURF program should be directed to
Bibi Ogeer, Administrative Assistant, Office of Graduate Studies,
at 212-327-8086 or via email at surf@....

Application Deadline: February 1, 2000.

,''''''''',
      Volunteers are NEEDED    |.         ,|    Volunteers are NEEDED
    -------------------------  | `-------' |  -------------------------
             for the           |   BEANS   |           for the
                               |           |
        CANNED FOOD DRIVE      |   BEANS   |      CANNED FOOD DRIVE
    -------------------------  |           |  -------------------------
     Saturday, Nov. 20, 1999   |  CAN YOU? |   Saturday, Nov. 20, 1999
                                \_________/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
     PLEASE CONTACT Emily Axel at:  EAXEL@...   (212) 443-4969
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
10AM to 11AM -- ARE YOU AVAILABLE?   11AM to 12PM -- ARE YOU AVAILABLE?
12PM to  1PM -- ARE YOU AVAILABLE?    1PM to  2PM -- ARE YOU AVAILABLE?
   2PM to  3PM -- ARE YOU AVAILABLE?    3PM to  4PM -- ARE YOU AVAILABLE?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
E-mail Emily Axel <EAXEL@...> the following:

1) your available HOURS on Sat, Nov 20, 1999
2) your NAME
3) your PHONE #

THANK YOU!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
     PLEASE CONTACT Emily Axel at:  EAXEL@...   (212) 443-4969
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Thought about becoming an MD?  Do you know what a
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine does?

FIND OUT!

When?   Wed, November 10, 1999
         12:15 pm
Where?  432 New Ingersoll

Michelle J. Blackwell, Assistant Director of
Admissions and Recruitment at
New York College of Podiatric Medicine
will speak on:

What do Podiatric Doctors do?
      Is it all about corns or are podiatrists "real" doctors?
      What kinds of careers do podiatrists have?

Could you become a podiatrist?
      What are the requirements for college programs?

Program is sponsered by CSTEP and the Office of Preprofessional
Advisement/Career services.

For information, please contact the CSTEP office at (718) 951-5741

Contact information for SUNY DOWNSTATE Physician Assistant Education Program:
Admissions Office
State University of New York
Health Science Center
450 Clarkson Ave, Box 60
Brooklyn, NY 11203-2098
718 270-2446

Contact information for Columbia University Programs in Occupational Therapy:
OT Program Offices
Neurological Institute, 8th floor
710 West 168th Street
New York, NY 10032
212 305-3781

Open House dates:
November 10, 1999
November 22, 1999
December 6, 1999
December 16, 1999
January 6, 2000
January 24, 2000
and many more...

Hello everyone!

We have days set up for volunteering at soup kitchens.  Please
email me at mkkainth@... and let me know if
and when you can make it to one of these days.

Date: Wednesday, November 10th
       Sunday, November 14th
Place: Hanson Place Community Services-sponsored by the local Seventh-Day
	 Adventist Church.
Time: 12:00-2:00 p.m. (preferably until 2:30)
Directions:
From school
  by train - Number 2 to the Atlantic avenue station
	     pass Caldor shopping center
	     right onto Hanson Place
	     walk approx. three blocks
	     right onto South Portland
	     white church building with Community Services Sign.

  by car - Take Flatbush Ave. North
	   right onto Hanson Place
	   drive three blocks (pass Fort Greene, South Elliot St.)
	   right onto South Portland
	   white church building with Community Services Sign.

IF THESE DIRECTIONS ARE UNCLEAR, PLEASE CALL ME AT 516 681 5969 OR EMAIL
ME AT mkkainth@...!

Mundeep Kainth
VP

A BA/MD AND HEALTH AND NUTRITION SCIENCES PRESENTATION


TOPIC:          HOSPICE AND AIDS BEREAVEMENT


PRESENTER:  THE HOSPICE OF GREATER NEW YORK


DATE:           NOVEMBER 17, 1999


TIME:               12-2


PLACE:          ROOM 432 NEW INGERSOLL HALL




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From: "Committee for Improvement..." <pd@...>
To: AMSA Region 2 <reg2@...>
Date: Sat, 06 Nov 1999 10:29:03 +1000
Subject: [reg2] Which specialties have a good job market?

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

We're sending some data showing the relative job markets of the different
specialties. Generally speaking people in the primary care specialties
have
the easiest time finding a job. This information is from a survey that
appeared in JAMA. The reference is JAMA, 275(9):708-12 1996 Mar 6. The
unemployment rates for recent graduates are:


Urology            0.0% BEST
ER                 0.6% Second Best
OB/GYN             1.2%
Psychiatry         1.3%
Family Practice    1.4%
Internal Med.      1.5%
Pediatrics         2.3%
Diag. Radiology    2.6%
General Surgery    5.0%
Anesthesiology     6.6% Second Worst
Pathology         10.8% WORST

Keeping in mind that the average unemployment rate in the US is around
4.2%, doctors in most specialties have an easier time finding a job than
the average person.

Committee for Improvement in the Pathology Job Market
For more information visit our Web page at:
http://www.netpci.com/~pd/cipjm.html


___________________________________________________________________
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Today's News - 11/4:

Speaker Excludes 2 From Talks
Norwood, Ganske Off HMO Reform Panel
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-11/04/200l-110499-idx.ht
ml
By Juliet Eilperin (Washington Post)
     House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) decided yesterday to exclude
supporters of broad patient protections from a list of congressional
negotiators on health care legislation, prompting angry Democrats and a
few Republicans to accuse GOP leaders of rigging the legislative process.

Managed care bill conference set
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991103/hl/con13_1.html (Reuters)
Nearly a month after approving a sweeping bill to regulate the practices
of managed care plans, House leaders Wednesday appointed the conference
committee that will negotiate a final version of the bill with Senate,
which passed its version of the measure in July.

Doctor Quits, Cites Antiabortion Threats
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-11/04/216l-110499-idx.ht
ml
By Avram Goldstein (Washington Post)
     A 40-year-old obstetrician-gynecologist has shut down his medical
practice after telling patients he was terrorized by antiabortion
activists who distributed "wanted" posters with his photograph, mailed
threats to his home and listed his name on a "Baby Butchers" Web site.

Osteopaths equal MDs at relieving chronic back pain
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991103/hl/ost8_1.html (Reuters)
Manual therapy by an osteopath is as effective at relieving chronic lower
back pain as traditional medical care, according to a report in the
November 4th issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.

Bliley wants physician database open to public
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991103/hl/doc15_1.html (Reuters)
Information on disciplinary actions taken against doctors recorded in the
National Practitioners Data Bank should be made available to the public,
suggested Representative Thomas Bliley (R-VA), the chairman of the House
Committee on Commerce, on Tuesday.

Female MDs often delay childbearing  (Reuters)
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991103/hl/wom2_1.html
Female doctors are more likely to use contraception and to delay
childbearing than other women, according to a report published in the
November issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

125-1103 Johns Hopkins School of Public Health Presents 'Health: A Global
Imperative' --
http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/Current_Releases/1103-125.htm
(US Newswire)

130-1103 Medical Students, Health Reform Activist to Hold 'Candlelight
Vigil for Uninsured' Nov. 6 --
http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/Current_Releases/1103-130.htm
(US Newswire)

134-1103 Study in New England Journal of Medicine Shows OMT as an
Effective, Low-Cost Therapy for Back Pain --
http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/Current_Releases/1103-134.htm
(US Newswire)

**************************************************
"Speak Up, America! Health Care Is Our Right."
AMSA's 50th Anniversary Convention
March 15-19, 2000 - Washington D.C.
www.amsa.org
************************************************
Tim Clarke, Jr., AMSA Director of Public Relations
1902 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191
Phone: (703) 620-6600, ext. 207 -- FAX: (703) 620-5873
email:  prel@...

NATIONAL CONVENTION INFORMATION!!!!!   This is what Caroline, Mundeep,
myself and a number of other students went to last year where we saw
Patch Adams and other really incredible people.  Read it carefully.  We
have to figure out ways to raise money for this because I'd like as many
people as possible to go.


--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Matt Oster <matt.oster@...>
To: AMSA Premeds <premeds@...>
Date: Tue, 02 Nov 1999 16:03:20 -0600


Hey all!

Well, we've been talking about the AMSA national convention quite a lot
on
this listserve, and I'm happy to say that I have tons of information to
share with you now.  Warning: this e-mail is long, as there is so much to

say about the convention.  So, if you need to go to the bathroom or get
something to drink, you better do it now.  I'll wait...
...
...
...
...
...
Okay, ready?  Here goes:

THE OFFICIAL AMSA 50th ANNUAL CONVENTION WEB SITE
Your prime source for all convention-related information can be found on
the web at:
http://www.amsa.org/news/conv/convention.htm

GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING CONVENTION
Dates: March 15-19, 2000
City: Washington, DC
Hotel: Hyatt Regency Crystal City
Theme: Speak Up, America!  Health Care is our Right.

WHY YOU SHOULD GO TO CONVENTION
--To help you become a better physician in the future
--To meet premedical and medical students from around the country
--To learn tips on applying to medical school
--To meet admissions representatives from medical schools
--To learn more about Advocacy, Medical Education, Global Health, Health
Policy, and Community & Public Health
--To hear outstanding speakers
--To have a great time in DC
--To rally on Capitol Hill for universal health care
--To have fun!!!!

WHAT'S IN IT FOR PREMEDS?
I've always felt that premeds get more out of convention than anyone
else.  Why?  Because you get to attend all of the regular outstanding
programming, IN ADDITION TO some amazing programming developed
specifically
for premeds.  From the convention page listed above, be sure to click on
"Program" to see everything that's planned so far.  I know you want to
know
what's already planned for premeds, so there's a quick run-down
below.  Please realize that this is but a small smattering of the
outstanding programming at the convention.  Please visit the web site for

the full program.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15TH
--"Getting Into Medical School Today: Strategies for the 21st Century" by

Dr. Scott Plantz, author of "Getting Into Medical School Today"
--"13 Steps to an Outstanding Personal Statement" by Linda Abraham,
president of Accepted.Com
--"Say What? Mock Interview Session" by Dr. Russel Wall, Office of
Admissions at Georgetown University School of Medicine
--"What Your Mother Never Told You About Financing Your Medical
Education"
by Educational Finance Group

THURSDAY, MARCH 16th
--Premed Regional Time
--Premed Panel: Joint Degree Programs (MD/PhD, MD/MPH, MD/MBA, any other
requests?)
--Premed Social Time

FRIDAY, MARCH 17th
--Premed Regional Time
--"D'oh! Moronic Mistakes in the Medical School Application Process" by
Dr.
Paul Jung, author of the recently published "Getting In: How NOT to Apply

to Medical School"
--2nd Annual Medical School Fair (84 schools were present last
year...this
year there will be more!)
SATURDAY, MARCH 18th
--Premed Regional Time and Elections (want to be a premedical national
leader in AMSA? see below)
--Premed Panel: Problem Based Learning, Organ Systems Learning,
Traditional
Curriculum...What's the Difference?

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
You are responsible for your own travel and hotel, but AMSA has tried to
get the lowest rates possible for you.  Details are on the web.  As for
the
convention registration fee, that is $99 for AMSA members if you register

for convention by Feb. 19th, $125 after that.  Add $20 to your
registration
fee if you're not an AMSA member.  If you think that you may need some
help
financially, start raising money NOW.  Contact doctors who went to your
school, ask your school's administration for financial support, contact
pharmaceutical representatives in your area (they love to give out
money!),
put "AMSA Convention" on your Christmas list....just do whatever it takes

to get to convention.  I promise you it will be worth it.

CAN I GET MY REGISTRATION FEE WAIVED?
Yes!  All students who serve on committees of the AMSA House of Delegates

at the convention will have their registration fee waived.  You MUST
apply
for these positions, and applications are due January 15th (the earlier
you
apply, the better!).  Premeds are eligible to serve on the reference
committees and the credentials committee.  Visit
http://www.amsa.org/news/conv/convhouse.htm#Committees for more
information
on serving on a committee.

WHAT'S THE AMSA/NIH/AAMC/NHSC POSTER SESSION?
If you've done any sort of research in basic science, medical education,
health policy, clinical science, or community service, then take this
opportunity to share your work with the rest of the world.  Submissions
are
due December 15, 1999...more info can be found on the convention web
site.

WHAT ELECTED POSITIONS MAY I RUN FOR?
On the Saturday of convention the premedical attendees will be electing
11
students to national leadership positions.  These positions include 1
premedical trustee position and 10 premedical associate trustee
positions.  Candidates are encouraged to submit a CV no later than
January
15th in order for it to appear in the convention program that is sent to
all chapter officers.  If you want more info on these positions, I or any

of the premed AT's would be happy to answer your questions.  Here's a
brief
description of the positions:
--In a nutshell, the premedical trustee is responsible for overseeing all

premedical operations in AMSA, starting new premedical chapters, helping
the premedical membership, and representing the premedical membership at
meetings at meetings of the Board of Trustees, of which the premed
trustee
is an ex-officio member.  The premed trustee does indeed have a budget to

work with, and is funded to meetings in Washington, DC in June, July, and

November and to the national convention (which is in Anaheim, CA in
2001).  Experience as a premedical associate trustee is recommended but
not
required for persons wishing to run for premedical trustee.
--The premedical associate trustees are the main link between the premed
trustee and the local chapter.  Premedical associate trustees work
closely
with local chapters in their area, helping them be successful AMSA
chapters.  Premedical associate trustees are funded to the Chapter
Officer's Conference in Washington, DC in July and the national
convention
in Anaheim, CA in March 2001.

WILL I REGRET IT IF I DON'T GO TO CONVENTION?
Yes!

If you have any questions, please feel free to drop me a line.

Hope to see you in DC!

Matt


************************************************
American Medical Student Association
"Speak Up, America! Health Care Is Our Right."
AMSA's 50th Anniversary Convention
March 15-19, 2000 - Washington D.C.
http://www.amsa.org/premed
************************************************
Matt Oster, AMSA Premed Trustee
Phone: (703) 620-6600, ext. 424
email: premedt@...

******************************
Teen Suicide
What To Look For
Everyone has normal mood swings in which he or she occasionally feels
sad. But when that depressed mood lingers for more than two weeks,
serious depression could be setting in.
· If several of the statements below describe you or a friend, it might
be appropriate for you to seek help by talking to a mental health
professional such as a psychiatrist or other trusted adult, such as a
parent or a school counselor, about how you feel.
o  I am sleeping much later than I used to.
o  I'm not sleeping well and wake up early in the morning.
o  I'm beginning to take a lot of naps.
o  My appetite has changed, and I've noticeably lost or gained weight.
o  I feel restless.
o  I have withdrawn from friends and family.
o  I can't concentrate very well.
o  I've lost interest or pleasure in activities that I once enjoyed.
o  I feel hopeless or guilty.
o  I've had sudden mood or behavior changes: I used to be quiet and now I
am hyperactive; or once I was outgoing and now I'm withdrawn.
o  I feel that life isn't worth living.
· Young people who have attempted suicide in the past or who talk about
suicide are at greater risk of future attempts. Listen for hints like
"I'd be better off dead" or "I won't be a problem for you much longer" or
"Nothing matters; it's no use."
· Adolescents who consider suicide generally feel alone, hopeless and
rejected. They are more vulnerable to having these feelings if they have
been abused, feel they have been recently humiliated in front of family
or friends, have parents with alcohol or drug problems, or have a family
life affected by parental discord, disruptions, separation or divorce.
However, a teenager may be depressed and/or suicidal without any of
these.
· Some teens who abuse alcohol or drugs are more likely to consider,
attempt or succeed at suicide than are non-abusers. According to a recent
government report, "The Economic Costs of Alcohol and Drug Abuse and
Mental Illness: 1985" (published jointly in 1990 by the Public Health
Service and the Alcohol Drug Abuse and Mental Health Administration)
shows that thirteen percent of people who committ suicide did so because
they were abusing alcohol at the time.
· Teenagers who are planning to commit suicide might "clean house" by
giving away favorite possessions, cleaning their rooms or throwing things
away. They may also become suddenly cheerful after a period of
depression, because they think they have "found the solution" by deciding
to end their lives.
· One of the most dangerous times of a teen's life is when he or she has
suffered a loss or humiliation of some kind: loss of self-esteem by doing
poorly on a test, the breakup with a boyfriend or girlfriend, or the
trauma of parents' divorce.

New Findings
Every day, psychiatric research is finding new clues to the causes of
depression and suicide. Among them:
· Depression and the risk for suicide might have biological as well as
psychological causes. Studies have found that some people who are
depressed have altered levels of certain brain chemicals. Other studies
have shown that aggressive and impulsive people who make violent suicide
attempts have reduced amounts of serotonin, a key brain chemical.
· A family history of suicide is a significant risk factor in a young
person. The family link might be because young people often identify with
those closest to them and are likely to repeat their actions. However,
there may be a genetic link as well, because biological relatives of a
suicidal person are six times more likely to attempt or succeed in
suicide than are adoptive relatives.

Some Numbers
Increased awareness of the problem may have helped slow the rate of teen
suicide in recent years. Still, the numbers show that teen suicide
remains a very serious problem, and many think the actual number of
suicides is two to three times higher than statistics indicate.
· Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people aged
15-24. More than 13 of every 100,000 people aged 15 to 24 committed
suicide in 1990. Experts estimate that each year nearly 5,000 teenagers
commit suicide.
· White males have had the highest increase in suicide, which rose 50
percent between 1970 and 1978. The incidence for white females increased
12 percent. Recent studies show suicide among young blacks is also a
major problem.
· The ratio of male to female suicides is four to one. However, young
women attempt suicide four times more frequently.
· Reports of suicide "clusters," in which one suicide appears to trigger
several others within a group such as a school or community, have
increased.

What You Can Do
Most people who are depressed or who are thinking about suicide don't or
won't talk about how they are feeling. They feel worthless. They have no
hope. They deny their emotions or think that talking about their emotions
will be a "burden" on others because no one cares. Or they are afraid
others will make fun of them.
That's understandable, because when someone mentions suicide, others may
treat it as a joke or deny it. Those reactions only make the problem
worse. So, if a friend or relative brings up the subject, take it
seriously and take some time to talk about it.
· Reassure that person that he or she does have someone to turn to.
Family, friends, school counselors, physicians or teachers are probably
very willing to listen. It's just hard to know how to tell them we want
to talk about something as serious as our emotions.
· Don't lecture or point out all the reasons a person has to live.
Instead, listen and reassure the individual that depression and suicidal
tendencies can be treated. Depressive disorders respond readily to
treatments such as psychotherapy or appropriate medication.
Antidepressants can act within two to three weeks and often are used in
addition to psychotherapy. Nearly 90 percent of all depressed people
respond to these treatments.
· You can find help by contacting your local chapter of the American
Psychiatric Association, which can suggest a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists
are physicians who have special training in emotional and mental health.
Other sources include your local mental health association, your family
physician, a county medical society, a local hospital's department of
psychiatry, a community mental health center, a mood disorders program
affiliated with a university or medical school, or a family
service/social agency.


***information on teen suicide from the American Psychiatric Association
website

**************************************************
"Speak Up, America! Health Care Is Our Right."
AMSA's 50th Anniversary Convention
March 15-19, 2000 - Washington D.C.
www.amsa.org
************************************************
Tim Clarke, Jr., AMSA Director of Public Relations
1902 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191
Phone: (703) 620-6600, ext. 207 -- FAX: (703) 620-5873
email:  prel@...

4) Smokers more likely to quit with nicotine patch
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991101/hl/nic10_1.html (Reuters)
When the nicotine patch first became available for smokers who wanted to
quit, it was a prescription medication. In 1996, the patch became
available as an over-the-counter item, available without a prescription. A
report published in the November issue of the American Journal of Public Health
confirms that this over-the-counter method of smoking cessation is both
safe and effective.

     5) Public highly satisfied with Medicare HMOs
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991101/hl/med13_1.html (Reuters)
Despite upheaval in the managed care market, Medicare HMOs continue to be
highly rated by their members, new survey results indicate.

     6) HHS Secretary Announces Publication of Proposed Regulation Ensuring
Patient Protections in CHIP --
http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/Current_Releases/1101-119.htm
(US Newswire)


**************************************************
"Speak Up, America! Health Care Is Our Right."
AMSA's 50th Anniversary Convention
March 15-19, 2000 - Washington D.C.
www.amsa.org
************************************************
Tim Clarke, Jr., AMSA Director of Public Relations
1902 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191
Phone: (703) 620-6600, ext. 207 -- FAX: (703) 620-5873
email:  prel@...

>A college physics professor was explaining a particularly
>complicated concept to his class when a pre-med student
>interrupted him.
>
>"Why do we have to learn this stuff?" The young man blurted
>out.
>
>"To save lives," the professor responded before continuing the
>lecture.
>
>A few minutes later the student spoke up again. "So how does
>physics save lives?"
>
>The professor stared at the student for a long time. "Physics
>saves lives," he said, "because it keeps the idiots out of
>medical school."

Ed Morman
Associate Librarian for Historical Collections
The New York Academy of Medicine
-------------------------------------------------------------------------


	 "A TELLING OF WONDERS: TERATOLOGY IN WESTERN MEDICINE"
		       November 1 - February 15, 2000

			 Main Reading Room (3rd floor)
		       The New York Academy of Medicine
		      1216 Fifth Avenue (at 103rd Street)
			      New York NY 10029

Throughout history, abnormalities in the natural world -- both real and
imagined -- have captured the attention of physicians, philosophers, and
other observers.  Known as "wonders" or "prodigies," such departures from
the normal have been interpreted biologically, cosmologically, and
ethnographically.  This exhibit examines how physicians and philosophers
have perceived the exceptional and how they have intertwined different
interpretations in their representations and explanations of wonders.
Beginning with texts drawn from classical antiquity, the exhibit
emphasizes views of the abnormal in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries --
when intellectual leaders of the Renaissance, scientific revolution, and
Enlightenment devoted greater attention to the origins and causes of
wonders and prodigies.  The Enlightenment in particular was a time of
intense debate over God's responsibility for the creation of the
extraordinary.  This debate ultimately contributed to a very narrow
definition of the "monstrous" and the exclusion of imaginary creatures
from teratology, the newly founded scientific field devoted to the study
of the abnormal.

Drawing from the extensive collections of The New York Academy of
Medicine Library, this richly illustrated exhibit includes pamphlets,
extremely rare broadsides, and significant books in the history of
teratology.

Exhibit Hours: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  No charge.

For more information please contact Caroline Duroselle-Melish
(cmelish@..., 212-822-7310).

Today's News - 11/1:

Female medical  <http://www.eurekalert.org/releases/cfah-fms102799.html>
students more patient-centered  (EurekAlert!)
http://www.eurekalert.org/releases/cfah-fms102799.html
<http://www.eurekalert.org/releases/cfah-fms102799.html>
Female medical students are more patient-centered than their male
counterparts, according to a recent study of first-year students at the
Boston University School of Medicine. Students who are more
patient-centered
plan to enter community and primary care practice rather than other
medical
practices, the study...

The
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-11/01/002l-110199-idx.h
tml
> Assisted-Suicide Ban
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-11/01/002l-110199-idx.ht
ml
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-11/01/002l-110199-idx.h
tml
>  (Washington Post)
     WHATEVER ONE thinks of physician-assisted suicide, last week's vote
by
the House to ban the practice nationally ought to be troubling. The issue
of
assisted suicide is an example of a policy area that should be left to
states to decide according to their own democratic processes. Ironically,
the Republican House that passed this bill is one that professes
deference
to the states. Yet this provision, a part of a bill generally designed to
promote pain relief in terminal patients, was passed in clear reaction to
a
decision by Oregon to legalize -- in tightly limited fashion -- assisted
suicide for dying patients. One doesn't have to be a supporter of
assisted
suicide, about which we have reservations, to wonder why Congress should
be
so eager to second-guess the balancing act that Oregon has attempted.

Sen.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-11/01/005l-110199-idx.h
tml
> Specter Is No Dr. Billings
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-11/01/005l-110199-idx.ht
ml
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-11/01/005l-110199-idx.h
tml
>  (Washington Post)
     The move to rename the National Library of Medicine for Sen. Arlen
Specter is regrettable, as Robert Novak noted [op-ed, Oct. 25].

Culture, health
<http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991029/hl/dep7_1.html>
care system affect physical symptoms of depressi
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991029/hl/dep7_1.html
<http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991029/hl/dep7_1.html>  (Reuters)
The relationship between patient and doctor may have an important effect
on
whether a depressed person focuses on physical rather than mental
symptoms,
according to an international team of researchers.

HHS, Clinton  <http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991029/hl/cli15_1.html>
unveil patient privacy protections
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991029/hl/cli15_1.html
<http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991029/hl/cli15_1.html>  (Reuters)
US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Donna E.
Shalala
on Friday proposed the first-ever set of national standards that would
provide protections for patients' medical records. The standards would
apply
to all electronic medical records and to all health plans.

Class-Action
<http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/1999/1
0/2
9/BU38065.DTL> Suit Filed Against Aetna (SF Gate.com)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/1999/10
/29
/BU38065.DTL
<http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/1999/1
0/2
9/BU38065.DTL>
A San Francisco law firm filed a class-action suit yesterday in state
court
in Martinez charging Aetna U.S. Healthcare with misleading customers by
not
disclosing that doctors may have a financial incentive to withhold care.

108-1029
<http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/Current_Releases/1029-108.htm>
HHS Proposes First-Ever National Standards to Protect Patients' Personal
Medical Records --
http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/Current_Releases/1029-108.htm
<http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/Current_Releases/1029-108.htm>
(US Newswire)

121-1029
<http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/Current_Releases/1029-121.htm>
Gulf War Syndrome, HIV-AIDS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Linked to
Mysterious
Infections Says New Medical Study --
http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/Current_Releases/1029-121.htm
<http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/Current_Releases/1029-121.htm>
(US Newswire)

135-1029
<http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/Current_Releases/1029-135.htm>
Doctors Question President Clinton on Medical Privacy --
http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/Current_Releases/1029-135.htm
<http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/Current_Releases/1029-135.htm>  (US
Newswire)

Discouraged
<http://www.amcity.com/dallas/stories/1999/11/01/story4.html>
doc quits medicine for Web business  (Dallas Business Journal)
http://www.amcity.com/dallas/stories/1999/11/01/story4.html
<http://www.amcity.com/dallas/stories/1999/11/01/story4.html>
Frustrated by the demands of managed care, Dr. Ernest Swersky has traded
in
his stethoscope for profits
on the Internet.  Swersky closed his private practice on Thursday,
putting
an end to his 26-year career as a
family doctor. His new home-based venture is selling photography
equipment
on eBay Inc., an auction site
on the World Wide Web.

Searching for affordable medical treatment is often a painful task for
undocumented immigrants in Tarrant County   (Star-Telegram)
http://www.star-telegram.com/news/doc/1047/1:METRO11/1:METRO11103199.html
<http://www.star-telegram.com/news/doc/1047/1:METRO11/1:METRO11103199.htm
l>
Maria lives with sharp stomach pain. At times, it doubles her over and
makes
her vomit.

  <http://www7.mercurycenter.com/premium/business/docs/kleiman31.htm> More
employers decide offering lactation rooms makes business sense (1...
(San
Jose Mercury News)
http://www7.mercurycenter.com/premium/business/docs/kleiman31.htm
<http://www7.mercurycenter.com/premium/business/docs/kleiman31.htm>
In 1974, Susan Catania, then an Illinois state representative, shocked
her
male colleagues by bringing her
infant daughter to the floor of the House in Springfield and nursing her
baby in the women's washroom.

  <http://www.he.net/~archaeol/9911/newsbriefs/harvard.html> Harvard's
Skull
and Bones  (Archaeology Magazine)
http://www.he.net/~archaeol/9911/newsbriefs/harvard.html
<http://www.he.net/~archaeol/9911/newsbriefs/harvard.html>
85% "But it was obvious right away that they weren't." "But, for some
reason, all of these bones were
just thrown away.

  <http://www7.mercurycenter.com/premium/business/docs/mitchell31.htm>
Clark's gift builds bridge to 21st century (10/31/1999)  (San Jose
Mercury
News)
http://www7.mercurycenter.com/premium/business/docs/mitchell31.htm
<http://www7.mercurycenter.com/premium/business/docs/mitchell31.htm>
Netscape co-founder Jim Clark's $150 million gift to Stanford for the
cross-disciplinary study of
biomedical engineering and sciences will provide yet another boost to
Silicon Valley's high-tech economy
in the early decades of the 21st century.


**************************************************
"Speak Up, America! Health Care Is Our Right."
AMSA's 50th Anniversary Convention
March 15-19, 2000 - Washington D.C.
www.amsa.org
************************************************
Tim Clarke, Jr., AMSA Director of Public Relations
1902 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191
Phone: (703) 620-6600, ext. 207 -- FAX: (703) 620-5873
email:  prel@...


___________________________________________________________________
Get the Internet just the way you want it.
Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month!
Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.

There will be a general meeting this Wednesday, Nov. 4
during Club Hours in Maroney-Leddy Lounge on the
4th floor of SUBO.  (We'll be next door to the
wonderful BC acappella group, where I'm supposed to be
as well... =D)

We'll be making plans for the Soup Kitchen on Thursday
and next week.  Also some exciting internship possibili-
ties in store.

See you there.

Sophie

Case Studies:

1.  A lung biopsy in a 50-year-old man with a chronic lung disease of
unknown etiology revealed some alveoli were normal whereas others were
fibrotic and infiltrated sparsely with lymphocytes.  These findings are
most consistent with the diagnosis of:

A.  usual interstitial pneumonia
B.  desquamative interstitial pneumonia
C.  Wegener granulomatosis
D.  Churg-Strauss syndrome
E.  Goodpasture syndrome

2.  An 8-year-old girl with numerous hypopigmented, ulcerated and crusted
patches on her face and forearms developed an indurated, crater-like skin
nodule on the back of her left hand.  Biopsy disclosed a squamous-cell
carcinoma of the skin.  A molecular biology study disclosed a mutation of
a gene encoding a nucleotide excision repair enzyme.  This girl has

A.   xeroderma pigmentosum
B.  ataxia telangiectasia
C.  hereditary albinism
D.  neurofibromatosis, type I
E.  Li-Fraumeni syndrome

3.  Liver biopsy performed on a 65-year-old jaundiced man revealed severe
cholestasis, feathery degeneration of hepatocytes, and bile lakes. These
findings are most consistent with the diagnosis of

A.  cirrhosis
B.  extrahepatic biliary obstruction
C.  Gilbert disease
D.  viral hepatitis
E.  Budd-Chiari syndrome

4.  A 16-year-old boy presented with a tumor of the tibia.  The X-ray
showed a neoplasm permeating the diaphysis and subperiostal new bone
formation in an "onion skin pattern."  Histologically, the tumor was
composed of "small blue cells."  This tumor is a

A.  form of lymphoma
B.  Ewing sarcoma
C.  osteogenic sarcoma
D.  chondrosarcoma of bone
E.  giant cell tumor

Answers at http://www.amsa.org/tnp/tnp.htm
___________________________________________________________________
Get the Internet just the way you want it.
Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month!
Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.

From: Reena Agarwal <agarware@...>
To: AMSA Health Policy SC <healthpolicy@...>
Subject: [healthpolicy] Graduate Medical Education


Below is the text from Josh Rising's letter for those of you who can't
open attachments.  Please take the time to read it, it brings up some
interesting points:

	 Recently, I participated in a weekend of health policy activities
in Washington, DC that focused on issues facing graduate medical
education
(GME) in the United States.  The weekend was organized by two
organizations who know what they're doing - the C. Everett Koop Institute
and the National Consortium of Resident Organizations.  Although I am
still years away from being personally involved in residency, I still
felt
like it was worthwhile to attend the weekend, so that I would have an
idea
of what I would be dealing with when I did get there.
	 I would like to give a short briefing on some of what transpired
over the course of the weekend.  Physician unionization was the topic
that
garnered the most debate, so it's worth recapping some of that.  All the
speakers over the course of the weekend were excellent; I've highlighted
just three.

Physician Unionization.
	 As I found out, under current labor laws only residents of public
hospitals are allowed to form 'real' unions.  These unions are protected
under law and are usually affiliated with a larger organization, such as
the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR).  They are free to use
traditional labor tactics, such as strikes, to achieve their goals.  The
National Labor Relations Board is currently reviewing a case from Boston
Medical Center that could expand hospitals where residents could unionize
to include non-public institutions as well.
	 Currently, residents in non-public institutions cannot form
unions, but are able to join house staff organizations.  House staff
organizations do not have any sort of state protections or official
recognition but can form effective bargaining organizations.  There are a
few house staff organizations, such as at the University of Michigan,
that
are unaffiliated with any larger organization but are protected under
public law.
	 One of the main debates focused on whether it was ethical for
physicians to ever go on strike.  Some of the participants believed that,
in taking the Hippocratic Oath, physicians had sworn never to harm their
patients, and that a strike would have exactly that effect.  Others
argued, however, that in the long run, patients would be much better off
since strikes were a powerful tool to cause necessary changes that would
result in much improved patient care.
	 Another topic of discussion was the balance that physician
organizations must find between trying to improve the welfare of their
members and seeking benefits for patients.  Some delegates felt that,
because physicians have been some of the highest compensated members of
society, unionization would be perceived only as a way to regain their
exalted status.  Thus, attention should be put exclusively on patients.
On the other hand, though, it is important for physician organizations to
try to help out their own members as well.  This can have two benefits
(besides making life better for residents): patient care could improve if
life for residents were better and it might be easier to attract
residents
to such organizations if they saw tangible benefits for themselves.
	 To me, it seems like the ability to strike is an essential tool
for residents to possess, especially given how hospitals depend on
residents as part of their ancillary staff.  Emphasizing the
extraordinary
conditions under which they much work and detailing just how patients are
affected will ensure that the public understands the reasons behind any
such strikes undertaken by residents.
	 As an early promo, there will be a presentation given on
unionization by CIR and AMA at the convention in March - it should be
excellent.

And now, on to some speakers more enlightened than I who gave significant
insight into some of the issues facing GME.

	 Dr. John Eisenberg, Director of the Agency for Health Care Policy
and Research.  Dr. Eisenberg discussed his six distinguishing
characteristics of the decade we are about to enter.
1.  Medical Errors.  Currently, 1 in 25 hospitalized patients are injured
by some sort of medical error, and 1 in 7 of those die.  He believed that
these need to be looked upon as system errors; only by acknowledging that
will we be able to address this problem.
2.  Quality Reporting.  He discussed the extraordinary overuse, underuse
and misuse of medical procedures and the recent proliferation of clinical
guidelines.  He promoted one website his organization has been working
on,
www.guideline.gov as a place where this guidelines could easily and
accessibly be found - over 500 were already in place.  He said if one
were
further interested, the Milbank Quarterly, 1998, vol. 76, pp. 517-563,
was
a great place to get started.
3.  Information Systems.  Everything from communications to simulations
to
the electronic medical record (EMR) to databases fit under this category.
4.  Privacy and Confidentiality.  An ongoing issue, he talked about one
study where a researcher rode around in a hospital elevator all day and
recorded the number of inappropriate conversations - an astonishingly
high
number that I can't remember off-hand.  With the explosion of #3 above,
he
said that this would be a major issue in the future.  Recent regulations
should be forthcoming from the government on this issue.
5.  Technology will keep moving along.  He cited the choice that we
needed
to make between three pathways to determine how we use this technology.
	 Choice (power to consumers)
	 Efficiency (the HMO model)
	 Equity (like Western Europe does)
6.  Dramatically changing world.
	 o changes in nurse-staff ratios, giving people more hours but
decreasing quality of care
	 o changes continuing in the medical sphere, with no proof at all
of effectiveness, like the recent proliferation of hospitalists.

	 A controversial speaker was Dr. Richard Cooper, from the Health
Policy Institute at the Medical College of Wisconsin.  Generally, the
consensus from a number of organizations has been that we have an
oversupply of physicians, especially in specialty fields.  Dr. Cooper,
though, claimed that this argument has been vastly overstated, and cited
a
number of recent trends to back up his statement.  For instance, far more
women have been entering the medical workforce recently, and women tend
to
work fewer hours than to men.  Women aside, there are fewer full-time
doctors as well.  Thus, he argued that we should not be concerned about
limiting the size of medical school classes or the number of residencies,
since these future trends meant that we would be needing more physicians.
To me, his arguments - while sound - were not significantly backed up and
didn't sufficiently deal with the large number of non-physician primary
care practitioners entering the field.

	 The most inspirational speaker of the weekend was Dr. Faith
Fitzgerald, the Medical Residency Program Director at UC-Davis, who gave
her thoughts on some recent trends in medicine.  For example, she
discussed how people at one point went to physicians to gain a semblance
of control in an uncontrolled situation.  Meaning, they were looking for
some instructions for how they could live their life, "Eat x, take these
vitamins, avoid these pollens, etc."  Now, however, medicine is unable to
provide that.  It either does everything for the patient (replaces the
bad
heart, for example) or says that nothing can be done (pancreatic cancer).
She cited this as a reason for the recent growth in alternative medicine
-
it offers the patient a chance to regain control by giving him or her a
philosophy with which to live their life.
	 She also fielded questions on the unionization issue.  Dr.
Fitzgerald's take was that the focus through all of this needs to be on
the patient.  Meaning, the purpose of the unionization needs to be
patient
care.  Accordingly, she thought that a union of just physicians would be
fruitless - why not include the people you are advocating for in the
union
as well?  She advocated some sort of collaboration between patients and
providers as being a sensible way to both achieve progress in reforming
GME for residents, but keeping the focus on the patient.


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Sorry, the first time I sent this message, it didn't go through...



-------------------------------------------------------------------------
------

This study tour, scheduled for Feb. 19-22, 2000, will introduce medical
students to the occupational and environmental health issues challenging
health-care providers along the U.S./Mexico border.  Students will learn
how future, politics and trade influence health and the solutions
communities are creating in response to their unique problems.

Beginning in Tucson, Arizona, we will travel to Nogales, Mexico, where we
will stay with local families and learn about a neighborhood-based
environmental group started by the women of the community.  From there,
we will move on to Aqua Prieta, where we will learn about the history of
cross-border labor organizing and speak with labor representatives from
both sides of the border.

Other plans include an introduction to the economic and political
dynamics of border communities, and a Community Response Day, when teams
of medical students will visit local communities to learn about a
particular issue.  With a community leader, they will plan a solution to
the problem and, at the end of the day, present their findings.

Medical and premedical students from both the United States and Mexico
are invited to participate in the study tour.  It is hoped that this
bi-national group will foster understanding and relationships among
health-care providers on both sides of the border.

The cost of the study tour will be $300-350, not including your
round-trip transportation to and from Tucson.  If you are interested in
helping to plan the tour or if you have any questions, please contact me
at (800) 767-2244, ext. 474, or by e-mail at dbrose@...

Daryll Brosanders
AMSA Study Tour Leader

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From: PRel <prel@...>
To: AMSA Premeds <premeds@...>
Date: Fri, 29 Oct 1999 08:41:05 -0400
Subject: [premeds] Today's News - 10/29


Today's News - 10/29:

House shelves  <http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991028/hl/hou11_1.html>
doctor bargaining bill
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991028/hl/hou11_1.html
<http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991028/hl/hou11_1.html>  (Reuters)
Legislation strongly backed by the American Medical Association (AMA)
that
would provide an exemption from federal antitrust laws to allow doctors
to
band together to negotiate with insurance companies has been officially
shelved for the rest of the current Congressional session.

President
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-10/29/151l-102999-idx.h
tml
> to Detai lPatient Privacy Rules
Policy Restricts Who Can Access Online Records
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-10/29/151l-102999-idx.ht
ml
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-10/29/151l-102999-idx.h
tml
>
By Amy Goldstein (Washington Post)
     President Clinton today will unveil the first federal protections to
safeguard the confidentiality of Americans' medical records, restricting
the
conditions under which doctors, hospitals and health plans can divulge
patients' medical information without their consent.

Gore
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-10/29/133l-102999-idx.h
tml
> Blasts Bradley Health Plan
Vice President Cites Expense in Attempt to Seize on Differences
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-10/29/133l-102999-idx.ht
ml
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-10/29/133l-102999-idx.h
tml
>
By Ceci Connolly and Dan Balz (Washington Post)
     CLINTON, Iowa, Oct. 28-Vice President Gore today launched his
harshest
attack to date on former senator Bill Bradley, ridiculing his rival's
health
care plan as a big, but bad, idea that would ravage many vital domestic
programs and block new initiatives.

Kenneth E. Thorpe,
<http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/991027/ga_emory_s_1.html>
Emory University: Preliminary Estimates of the Federal Costs and Numbers
of
Newly Insured Persons Under Vice-President Gore's and Senator Bradley's
Health Insurance Proposals
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/991027/ga_emory_s_1.html
<http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/991027/ga_emory_s_1.html>
(PR Newswire)
The study by Kenneth E. Thorpe, Ph.D., compares the health plans recently
advanced by Senator Bradley and Vice- President Gore.

Comparison
<http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/19991028/el/budget_buster_glance_1.html>
of
Health Care Proposals  (Associated Press)
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/19991028/el/budget_buster_glance_1.html
<http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/19991028/el/budget_buster_glance_1.html>

A comparison of the Democratic candidates' health reform proposals,
including figures from an independent analysis by Emory University's
Kenneth
Thorpe, a former Clinton-Gore administration official:

Feds launch plan
<http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991028/hl/min6_1.html>
to fight racial disparities in healthcare
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991028/hl/min6_1.html
<http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991028/hl/min6_1.html>  (Reuters)
To compensate for inequalities in healthcare among minorities, a
government
agency plans to set up as many as four centers over the next 5 years that
will focus on eliminating such differences.

HMO screening  <http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991028/hl/dia13_1.html>
for diabetes complications inadequate
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991028/hl/dia13_1.html
<http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991028/hl/dia13_1.html>  (Reuters)
Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) often emphasize their role in
cutting costs by concentrating on preventing disease. But when it comes
to
screening diabetics for diabetic complications, HMOs have not improved
over
screening rates in traditional fee-for-service medicine, according to a
report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
in
Atlanta, Georgia.

Infertility  <http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991028/hl/fer15_1.html>
benefits add little cost to health plan coverage
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991028/hl/fer15_1.html
<http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991028/hl/fer15_1.html>  (Reuters)
University of Iowa researchers found it cost the University's own
healthcare
plan 67 cents per member, per month to offer all its enrollees
infertility
benefits, according to a report in the November issue of Fertility &
Sterility.

Committee  <http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991028/hl/bre16_1.html>
approves breast, cervical cancer bill
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991028/hl/bre16_1.html
<http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991028/hl/bre16_1.html>  (Reuters)
Women found to have breast or cervical cancer through a federal screening
program would be eligible for treatment through Medicaid under a bill
approved by the House Commerce Committee Thursday.

Health premiums
<http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991028/hl/hmo5_1.html>
rise, coverage and choice remain stable  (Reuters)
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991028/hl/hmo5_1.html
<http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991028/hl/hmo5_1.html>
Health premiums rose an average 4.8% from the spring of 1998 to the
spring
of 1999, the biggest annual increase in 5 years and double the
economy-wide
inflation rate of 2.1%, according to the 1999 Annual Employer Health
Benefits Survey released by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

U.S. Senate Democrats state aims
<http://biz.yahoo.com/rf/991028/9p.html>
on care for aged  (Reuters)
http://biz.yahoo.com/rf/991028/9p.html
<http://biz.yahoo.com/rf/991028/9p.html>
WASHINGTON, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Senate Democrats Thursday announced a
major
election-year legislative agenda for Medicare, Social Security and other
programs for the elderly. ``As this new century comes, we want to make
sure
that the programs we the Democrats invented in the old century are ready
for
the new millennium,'' Maryland Sen. Mikulski.


**************************************************
"Speak Up, America! Health Care Is Our Right."
AMSA's 50th Anniversary Convention
March 15-19, 2000 - Washington D.C.
www.amsa.org
************************************************
Tim Clarke, Jr., AMSA Director of Public Relations
1902 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191
Phone: (703) 620-6600, ext. 207 -- FAX: (703) 620-5873
email:  prel@...



___________________________________________________________________
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For those of you who don't know, Circle K is a wonderful international
volunteer organization that's part of Kiwanis International...

--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: kbernardo@...
To: bccirclek@eGroups.com
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 18:46:34 -0700
Subject: [bccirclek] Upcoming Events
Message-ID: <7v5i1a$5ka3@egroups.com>

Brooklyn College Circle K
Upcoming Events
as of 10/26/99

Starlight Showdown at Adelphi University - Woodruff Hall - 7pm to 10pm.
All participants are asked to wear sneakers.  Games include: Bat spins,
Three legged race, and Basketball shoot-out.  Teams are to be made up
of six persons.  The fee is $20 per team and $3 for individual person.
All profits will be donated to The Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
Contact Akila R. Simon at sippin_tequila@... for further info.

Kiwanis Club of West Side Manhattan 2nd Annual Halloween/Pizza Party
for the children at the New York Foundling Hospital - Blaine Hall -
Saturday, October 30th 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at NY Foundling Hospital, 590
Avenue of the Americas.  Please RSVP to Kristy.

The Brooklyn College Student Entertainment Committee will meet & hold
elections on November 3 at 1pm in SUBO.  Join us if you are interested
in planning exciting campus wide events.

The Brooklyn College Student Government Fall Festival will be held on
Wednesday, October 10th in SUBO.  Join other clubs in activities,
novelty sales and food!!

New York Speaking, Circle K's fall conference, will be held November 12
- 14 in Lake George, NY.  "Be Our Guest, Put your SERVICE to the test"
along with members of Circle K from around NY!  Participate in service
projects, leadership training, games, dances and more!  Registration is
only $65 and includes 2 diners & 1 lunch.  Hotel costs are not
included.  Ask Kristy for a registration form or visit
http://wings.buffalo.edu/sa/circlek/events/nyspeeking.html for further
info.

The Brooklyn College Blood Drive will be held November 30th from 10 - 4
in SUBO.  Donors & volunteers needed!

Wednesday, November 1st is WORLD AIDS DAY.  Join the members of the BC
community to raise awareness of AIDS in our society.

BC Circle K's First Annual Winter Appeal - Join us as we collect
urgently needed items for the Concourse House, a shelter for women and
children in the Bronx. It provides temporary housing, childcare,
medical support and job training.  The are in need of many items:
Clothing (for women and children ONLY), nonperishable food, diapers,
formula, blankets, toiletries, housewares, children's books & toys.
Bring items to any meeting or look for drop off locations to be posted
soon!

Collect Box Tops For Education to help East Quoque Elementary School
earn free computers for the classrooms.



------------------------------------------------------------------------
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prices at CNET.com. It’s your source for the latest and greatest
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eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/bccirclek
http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications





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From: KBernardo@...
To: bccirclek@egroups.com, brooklyncollege@egroups.com
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 20:57:44 EDT
Subject: [brooklyncollege] First Annual Winter Appeal

BC Circle K's First Annual Winter Appeal - Join us as we collect urgently
needed items for the Concourse House, a shelter for women and children in
the Bronx. It provides temporary housing, childcare, medical support and
job training.  The are in need of many items: Clothing (for women and
children ONLY), nonperishable food, diapers, formula, blankets,
toiletries, housewares, children's books & toys. Bring items to any
meeting or look for drop off locations to be posted soon!

For further information or if your group would like to participate,
please contact kbernardo@... or 917-841-5805. Bring items to any
Circle K meeting or look for drop off locations to be posted soon!

------------------------------------------------------------------------

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