Getting Involved

The Phi Chi January 2011 Pledges

I don't sit alone in a study hall and read slides all day and everyday. Believe it or not, I actually do some other things at AUC that do not include schoolwork.  There are plenty of clubs and organizations at school and it's just a shame for someone not to be a part of at least one of them. If you want a full list, Benji does a pretty good job summing up all the clubs here!

During my first semester I joined 3 organizations: the Latin Medical Student Association (LMSA), the Van Wormer Student Judiciary Committee (SJC), and the one that's taken precedent over the others-- Phi Chi.

For LMSA, I took Salsa classes every Wednesday night first semester. I would have continued the advanced course this semester but since I was so busy for the first month of school, I missed a bunch of classes. LMSA also holds a number of Spanish workshops throughout the semester teaching students certain medical terms in Spanish that would help communicate with Spanish-speaking patients.

SJC meets once every block to mediate student-student conflicts, but generally we only get one or so cases a semester. The main responsibility of the SJC is to hold the Ethics Workshop for the incoming students during Orientation and more workshops throughout the semester. We also do the "Student of the Semester Awards" (accepting applications for this semester right now) and  choose the book first semester students read before arriving to the island and administer the quiz that goes towards 1% of the anatomy grades. If you guys remember in an earlier post, I was shocked I even had required reading before coming to the island. I had to read the book, "Stiff" and frankly, I did not really understand how it related to becoming a doctor. Sure we were about to start anatomy and we would be dealing with cadavers, but aside from the first chapter, the book hardly talks about cadaver's role in a medical setting.  Instead the author focuses on the history, the strange uses, and the breakdown and composting of cadavers. It's simply a book about cadavers, not medicine.

Sell tickets for the 50/50 raffle during the Phi Chi
Poker Party. I did wear shorts with that dress.

I feel like the SJC did a better job selecting the book "Short White Coat" for the May incoming class, although I have no yet read it. I bought it just recently and plan on reading it, along with "How Doctor's Think" during the upcoming break. Since I am now on the SJC board, I'll try to support a book that will be more applicable to the common medical student and way more interesting! The more I look into this subject matter, the book I've read the best reviews about is "House of God" by Samuel Shem. People insist that all medical students should read this book at one point or another. I just ordered my copy on Amazon. I'll throw that on the list too for this upcoming break. If it's good, I'll try recommending it to the rest of the SJC board. To all my lovely readers, if you guys have any book suggestions that would be appropriate for an incoming class of medical students, please don't hesitate to let me know.

And now on to my last club, and then one I spend the most time with-- Phi Chi! Phi Chi is the largest organization on campus with 80 or so members and we are the only medical fraternity at AUC... both men and women are welcome to join. We are responsible for many of the social events here on campus like the AUC Beach Party, the Poker Tournament, boats for the Heineken Regatta, and my favorite event of the semester the Wine and Cheese Gala. Unfortunately we won't be holding Wine and Cheese this semester, but we will hold it again this upcoming November/December.

This is horribly staged, but this was my role for the HIV
Screening during the St. Maarten Health and Wellness Fair

 In addition to our social events, all Phi Chi members are required to do a community service project sometime during the semester. Popular choices are HIV screenings, Diabetes screenings, and take out/play with children at some of the local orphanages like ICAN and Crystal House. What I also love about Phi Chi is that you meet and become friends with many other students from the other semesters. This past semester we implemented a Big Brother/Big Sister program for pledges to be matched with members. We realize making the initial transition to the island for the start of medical school can be both difficult and frightening, so we hope having a "Big" will help smoothen the move by being available for any questions or provide advice. The plan for next semester is to pair people during the "Interview" night in the second week of classes.... we did the pairing process a lot later than what we would have liked and I'm not sure if it's been beneficial. I have yet to hear from my "Little" about anything.

To become a member, pledges must go through an interview process the second week of school, then help organize the Poker Tournament, attend a session of "Team Building" and lastly, do community service. Initiation night is usually a delicious dinner at Bamboo Bernies at the end of the semester where all of Phi Chi members attend. It may seem like a lot now, but being part of club isn't as demanding as it sounds. Once being a full-fledged member, you have to attend meetings once each block and dinner is provided.

Anyway, for all you guys coming this September, I better see a good chunk of you pledging. I'm thinking of becoming a Pledge Master (or is it mistress?).

For even more pictures of Phi Chi Events:
-HIV Screening at the St. Maarten Health and Wellness Fair
-Wine and Cheese Gala

Related articles

• 31st Annual Heineken Regatta (medschoolcaribstyle.com)
• Phi Chi Wine and Cheese (medschoolcaribstyle.com)