Internal Medicine Interest Group of the Month: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
The Internal Medicine Interest Group is one of the largest, most active student organizations at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. With help from our amazing faculty and a committed group of students, we have established a wide array of annual events from informational sessions for students to community service events to professional development and networking.
Expanding student knowledge about careers in internal medicine and its subspecialties has always been at the forefront of IMIG programming. Each year, we sponsor five "Careers in Medicine" events that coincide with the curriculum of the second-year students. The first event focuses on the Hematology, Immunology and Infection unit, and the meeting panel includes a hematologist-oncologist, infectious disease physician and a hospitalist. During the Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Renal Unit, we hear from senior staff physicians in the corresponding departments, including the cardiology and nephrology division chairs. During the Neuromuscular and Behavioral Unit, we typically hear from a member of med-psych faculty and a rheumatologist. The final meeting features division chiefs of both gastroenterology and endocrinology. There's also a meeting featuring general internal medicine, both inpatient and outpatient, and combined specialties like medicine-pediatrics.
SIU School of Medicine is deeply committed to the tight-knit Southern Illinois community in which it resides. IMIG works to forward the school's mission and contribute positively to the community. Each year, we work in conjunction with the Interdisciplinary Network for Outreach (INFO) group through the Department of Family Medicine to provide meals at a local homeless shelter during the harsh winter months. We also worked with the local public health department to put on a health fair and influenza vaccination drive at the Salvation Army for the first time in the fall of 2010. After a successful trial run, we will be making this an annual event. We also represent the school at local health fairs, including the Annual Men's Night and local Head Start health fairs.
We also hope to introduce our members to the professional community in the area. In previous years, members have attended the Illinois Meeting of the American College of Physicians. Medical Student Members competed alongside residents in research and clinical case presentation competitions. We also sponsor social events such as bowling nights, ice cream socials and even a hog roast for students and residents, allowing members to network with peers and identify possible mentors who share interests.
The other members of the board and I would like to thank Susan Hingle, MD, FACP for her outstanding mentorship to the group and her continued support. Her effort and enthusiasm has made the organization what it is today. We look forward to working more with Dr. Tiffany Malli, our newest advisor. We anticipate a busy and successful school year of programming to continue the legacy of our Internal Medicine Interest Group.
Shannon Curry, MSIV
Vice President SIU IMIG
E-mail: scurry@siumed.edu