Internal Medicine Interest Group of the Month: Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
The Internal Medicine Interest Group (IMIG) at Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) was one of the first interest groups formed when the school opened its doors in the fall of 2007. As the school continues to expand, the IMIG is finding that it is one of the first groups to experience this growth with increasing numbers joining throughout the year. Current numbers reveal that 69 students are active in the IMIG at LMU-DCOM, with even more active with both the American College of Physicians (ACP) and the American College of Osteopathic Internists (ACOI). As of right now, we are recruiting more than 30% of the incoming classes with an increasing number of current second, third, and fourth years joining as well. In fact, a large number of the graduating class of 2011 will be filling positions in internal medicine residencies across the United States.
As a new club in a new school, the IMIG was limited in expanding the leadership board beyond its current president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. However, with the school celebrating the graduation of its first class, the class of 2011, new opportunities are opening not only to LMU-DCOM, but to the IMIG as well. For example, now that the school has a class in all four years, the IMIG is hoping to incorporate a third and fourth year representative to help further the opportunities presented to the IMIG members.
We are still learning how to improve the IMIG, and meet the needs of not only the students, but the faculty, the school, the community, and even the state as a whole. We are working on building connections with the surrounding communities, and one way we do that is through volunteering. Each year, the IMIG volunteers time and finances to help with projects throughout the community. This year, LMU-DCOM IMIG is providing groceries to a family that has been devastated by the economy. We will also be teaming up with a family in the community to provide them with a hot, homemade meal at least once a week. In addition, we will also be teaming up with a local church to help other families in need with home repairs, including building ramps for the disabled. In all we do, no matter what it is, our fellow students and faculty always give 100 percent of their time, energy, and resources to help reach out to the community.
All of the faculty board certified in internal medicine are very helpful, and they all encourage us to come spend time with them in their clinical practice. Whether it is via a rotation in the third or fourth year, or to job shadow them, they want us to experience what it is like to be an internist. Likewise, ACP has been quite helpful in helping LMU-DCOM IMIG get on its feet. ACP has provided us with pins, finances, and amazing advice to help better the IMIG at LMU-DCOM. We are still learning and growing, and that is the key to the continual growth of the program, meeting not only the needs of the students, but that of the faculty, the school, and the community as well.
Adam Bainey, OMS-2
Lincoln Memorial University - DeBusk College of Osteopathic
Medicine
Email: Adam.Bainey@lmunet.edu