2009/2010 TNTers, I salute you

Good evening my lovelies,

You! You are some of my favourite people of last year! You know why? Because you're the future of Training. Whether you choose to continue using your skills and developing them either within or without Medsin is up to you, but I'm grateful enough that you chose to come and attend my course, it's basically just me rambling for two-three days in a context where people HAVE to listen to me. (I mean, you could leave midway through the weekend, but that's not happened so far...)

In all seriousness though, you guys are fricken awesome and I have major love and respect for all of you. There is, however, some business to consider:

Certificates: Those of you who have completed TNT - i.e. have held a Training session, please make yourselves known to me, I have certificates ready to mail out (actually these have been ready for some time, I've just been busy with other things, unfortunately).

***Major Action Point*** Even if I know you've done a session, please send me an email, just because I need your addresses to post to, and because it'd be nice to hear from you anyway. Let me know how you are :)

Those of you who've helped me in other capacities, MSLR / TNT helpers (you know who you are you awesome people!) I'm willing (And exceptionally happy!) to do certs for those too, since those events were big undertakings and awesome, and would not have been anywhere near as good without your help, guidance, and participation.

To those of you who did not hold sessions, to my knowledge, I apologise that the opportunity has not come up between us, and I can only suggest that in the future if you do hold a choose to hold a training session, you let Yize, my wonderfully awesome successor know about it, and she can either help or attend your training session, or appoint another experienced Trainer to come and supervise/help on her behalf. (I am always willing, if able!)

If you have held a session that I did not hear about, I apologise for not hearing about it, and am willing to retrospectively certify you assuming we can discuss your plan and how it went etc over the phone at some stage.

Much love to you all, it's been great working with you guys, and I hope we shall continue to do so for the future.

Al

Al-Tahoor Butt | Medsin-UK Training Director Outgoing | www.medsin.org | skype: altahoor.butt | UK +44 7708182764 | training@medsin.org | Medsin-UK is a registered charity tackling global and local health inequalities. Registered charity number: 1111824. 

"It's bad enough being miserable, but it is even worse when everyone else claims to be miserable too" - Eeyore. A.A. Milne

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What was Musty doing at 11.45 on Friday night?

I don't think the word "geek" quite does this justice:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/video/2008/jun/25/interesting.world.warcraft

Question: to what extent does laughing at the cross-link between computer games and the theory of general relativity make one cool?

Musty's Update

In a happy life
Environmental health I
Work on many day

Fran's life post gloucester...

Hey All -

So since last blogging I have left Gloucester, yay! and am now back in Bristol for a unit called ''medicine and surgery''. You may be confused what i have been doing up till now....me too in some senses.....So its lovely to be back home. I actually feel like I've moved into my house now! Have done the last exam and have a little while (though not that long....:S) before the next thing due in/next exam.

Bad news is that i no longer live next door to Alex. (campaigns news person i happened to be placed with in Gloucester!) This has come as sad news although may not be an entirely bad thing.....! She is however still with me for next unit so is not that bad.

I graduate from International Health in Bristol in a couple of weeks time with Mummy Fran is coming along to so that will be mighty lovely.

As far as Medsin in concerned, I have been thinking about Haiti and trying to remember all that I learnt about it last year and continuing to newsletter, evote, minute-ify etc.

We had a global health central teaching day the other day which has reminded me of the point which i had forgotten since last year. That was nice:)

In other news my west wing addiction continues. i'm on series 4:S

Thats about it people xxx

Sunny Christmas, and Snowy New Year!!

Well the month before the Christmas break was pretty hectic as I scrambled to finish off deadlines before heading off to Johannesburg. But once I got on that plane, I got to start my holiday with the onboard movies!

SA was wonderfully hot, and it was glorious to spend so much time outdoors, but best of all I got to see my family for the first time in two years. It reminded me how much I miss the lifestyle out there, and emphasised my desire to return and practice Medicine. I have great dreams of living with my family, and working in the Trauma pit at Joburg general - but such dreams are a long way off.

But in the meantime it is a good incentive to keep working with such organisations as Medsin UK, because there is nothing so humbling as realising that as British medical students, we are some of the most fortunate people in the world. Everyday I complain about the menial things, but really I should be thankful that I have so much - brilliant free healthcare being just one of the many. Haiti truly highlights our fortune - and with such reminders it is reasonable to hope that we try our best to never be complacent.

My return to England didn't have quite so many revelations to rejoice in, and rather I have to accept that I am not quite as invincible as I have always thought of myself as.

Unfortunately I haven't been very well, and have finally got to the point where I have had to take some time off. SO be warned Medsinners - Burnout exists, even for medical students. Apparently you can't do everything. I'm sure the Pharmacology world will be devastated, but fear not I have great plans to return and finish the work I have made such a great start on.

So not a great start to the year, but at least I will have more time for Medsin, assumin

g I have the energy for it. I'm sure the experience will mature as me as a person, and better me as a doctor in the future.

My 2010 so far hasn't been what I wished for, but every challenge only betters you.

From Global Negotiations to Local Touring!

It's been a rough but exhilarating ride in Medsin the past month or so. Wrapping up the term after an amazing array of events, activities and developments in the Medsin network would leave most in need of a good break, but instead off I went for the UN Climate Change negotiations in Copenhagen (COP15) for 10 days. Crazy!

COP15

More about the conference and our work there is available at http://medsincop.wordpress.com/. Briefly, the week was a steep learning curve in understanding how decisions are made in global politics, working with inspiring youth activists from around the world, and taking our campaign efforts to a new level as we sought to represent the health caucus at the conference. Sadly, we weren't to see a new treaty emerging from the negotiations; government leaders instead voted with their wallets and struggled to reconcile their economic ambitions, as opposed to their desire for a safe environment. We left the conference downhearted at first, but with time this has only driven us in our desire for a strong, grassroots movement calling for the change the world needs to see for a fair and just global society.

Campaigning in Copenhagen. Left: Climate Change & Health action stunt with WHO Public Health and Environment Director Dr Maria Neira. Right: Guppi and Jonny endorse the Lancet's diagnosis of climate change as the "greatest global health threat of the 21st century".

Holidays :)

After the whirlwind of Copenhagen a break was well-needed! Spent a great week or so at home, celebrating the new year with friends and recharging the batteries for all that 2010 is going to provide. After stocking up on food, drink and all the mince pies I could manage, it was off to London to prepare for our exciting start to 2010: the Medsin Branch Tour!

The Medsin Branch Tour 2010 Website! www.medsin2010tour.wordpress.com.

Going Local!

As our ambitions for making Medsin a strong force to be reckoned with grow, my hope is throughout the next coming 2 months to engage with as many Branches and members of Medsin to discover what Medsin means to them, what glue holds our network of projects and campaigners together, and how we can strengthen and unite the structures and people in our network to become a true force for change. We'll be blogging (yes, more blogging!) at http://medsin2010tour.wordpress.com/ as we go, so check it out and hope to see you at one of the next events!

Musty's World of Updates

Musty's World of Updates

So basically my world is a little in the air because I was intelligent enough to not get treated for a throat infection until a few weeks later I landed myself with swine flu. Sooo I'm preeeeetty weak and tired still and apparently will not be well again until the New Year! For the next few weeks I'll be on a strict regimen of tea, biscuits and Crash Bandicoot. This relaxation thing...it's quite nice, really.

So! To business, what have I been doing!?

In Medsin:
1. I've finished the first Branch Consultation Summary that includes pages on Regional Training Days, a Welcome Pack, a Revamped Branch Guide, a Branch Fund, and Accessible Campaign Briefings. I will contribute these ideas to this year's strategy and for implementation in 2010/11
2. I've been working with Iulia from Sheffield on a Medsin Global Health Briefing. This is Directed by Iulia so I shan't say anything more here on her behalf.
3. I've been working on Regional Medsin Days. These are pretty fantastic and I've have had massively positive feedback on how useful, interesting and worthwhile they were. I wasn't able to attend the Glasgow Day but I heard it was just as wonderful without National Committee facilitation which is worth noting for the future. South West and South East have happened; South West and Midlands will happen in the next fortnight; Northern will happen in January.
4. I've decided that my focus for 2010 will not be empowering branch presidents, it will be on the local committees. I think this year has been a real step forward in branch president empowerment, I think the challenge now is to engage with committees. Local committees and members have no obligation or responsibility to Medsin-UK and there is rarely any interaction - I'd like to apply the same principles that worked with branch presidents this here onto these groups and see what happens.


Out Medsin:
1. I'm just coming to the end of Kafka's The Trial. It's just so....hopeless!! It's the most crushingly absurdist work in...ever! Just thinking about it is an excruciating assault of will. Ugh!! Dammit Kafka! Why, dammit, why!?!?
2. Healthy Planet is storming away! So very strong! Got my British Council gig almost sorted, got the IFMSA ripped, got my strategic plan up until April 1st done and dusted! Bring on the future!
3. Got a load of theatre and ballet trips planned, desperately want to see La Boheme!
4. I've been watching a shedload of TV - the Great Escape, the Flight of the Phoenix, Das Boot, Fight Club, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest...this might seem normal, but it's really a new thing for me!

Weird, that's all I've got to blog. I've done so little recently, it's a really really weird feeling. I can't wait to get storming back again in January! Being ill sucks, man!

Cheers!

Mustafa

Marie-Clair's Nov/Dec update!

Hello! So what have I been up to?

In Medsin;
Post Manchester meeting and Star Wars giggles we were all psyched and ready to go again! Competition planning, distributing merchandise and leaflets galore and thoroughly enjoying attending Medsin events in Bristol and Exeter!! Off to a training day in Manchester on Thurs to try to learn some new skills in creating publicity items which should be usefull!



My plans over xmas is to get some t-shirts ready to go for next year as many of you need them ASAP! Also source and price some Medsin items in order to create an inventory of what each branch would like for the start of next term. The ultimate aim is that you can hit the ground running once the freshers arrive in September 2010!! Finally get competition publicity ready to go for Jan 2010.

Out of Medsin and in International Health:

I've been Millenium Development Goaling it up over Brazil and trying to learn how to write something called ... 'an essay'?? Ah yes those things we dont really do very much of in medical school! Also saving my laptop from near death experience - it died and oh yes so too did the back up computer! Yeh for technology! Thankfully all good now!

In life:


REALLY looking forward to Christmas hols!!=) Off to London next weekend for shopping and hopefully iceskating CAN'T WAIT!

Marie Clair x

Fran's belated blog based news....

Following an amazing weekend in Manchester - who would have thought the first time I watched X factor would have been with the Medsin National Committee! Amazing cake and birthday fun-ness. Here's what's been going on....

In Medsin I have -

Been thinking about how to make the newsletter better. Including MedsINFORMATION, which has involved me looking around the internet for useful/interesting bits and pieces to do with global health. Hopefully it's going down well! Feedback to secretary@medsin.org!

Thinking about whether to apply to go to Thailand, went with my better judgement, not going to apply, now wondering if this was an error? It looks so much fun....

Thinking about long term medsin plans post meeting and generally trying to get a plan going!

Trying to get funding out of Bristol

In Medicine I have:

Been enjoying orthopeadics! Shock horror. This was surprising to me and those that live with me, further away from an orthopeadic surgeon I could not be. (Short, female, REALLY bad at anatomy, likes people etc)

Been mocked/laughed at by orthopeadics suregeons. Laughing at and mocking orthopeadic surgeons myself. Me: ''I suppose the 3 second rule doesnt apply in theatre'' After ortho surgeon drops something **withering look from surgeon''

Been feeling swiney post swine flu jab.

Out of Medsin/Medcine I have:

Been to see Bunny and the Bull. Recommended. Very silly.

Watching more West Wing in Gloucester illegally on the internet. Cursing megavideo.com when it doesnt have the episode i want. I particularly enjoyed the episode focussed on HIV patents.....!

(Been getting excited about xmas....is it too soon? Its after my birthday!?)

That's it folks.

Fran x

JC's Ruminations and Culminations of November

Hello folks :)

So I took a long look at my diary (I don't do that too often, it kinda scares you) and ruminated on what's been going on in the last month. In short, A LOT! Rather hilariously it seems things really picked up pace 1 month ago when a 'Dinner with Musty' was scheduled in and the ideas & intense pace for change really began...gotta love Medsin dinners :)

Medsin-wise
Since most of my year and Monday to Friday obviously seems to get spent on this, there's a good place to start.

• Great meeting with Elly on her fundraising plans, despite us having to cancel a fundraising meeting in London after she travelled through - what a trooper ;)
• BMA International Committee meeting - report at docs.medsin.org if you need it - covering international health & medicine issues - much came up, including how we can work together with them on issues including water/sanitation and refused asylum seekers' access to healthcare
• Nottingham Medsin National conference - PHWOAR! Such a busy weekend of awesome people, places, things and speakers. Really loved our first conference and have to thank them for hosting (again!) - not to Yonny for starting my speech video with a hilarious shouting JC. Check out some coverage at http://www.thelancetstudent.com/2009/11/03/medsin-nc09-vulnerability-in-health/!
  
• Spotlight on Health & Human Rights Conference @ Royal Society of Medicine - little bit of Medsin promo, met some Medsin folks who popped down to London for the weekend (some by surprise!) - the amazing Ben Warner from Dundee wrote up the event for The Lancet Student

Speakers and Joseph Fitchett (Royal Society of Medicine) at the Spotlight on Health and Human Rights conference - see http://www.thelancetstudent.com/2009/11/12/spotlight-on-health-and-human-rights/

• Did a little networking at the Public Policy Exchange 'Briding the Gap' conference where I had a chance opportunity to lobby the Department of Health on their policies. Ask me for details!
• Interactions with student unions - didn't enjoy that. You know what I mean, and I'm going to follow up on this with some other people who have had some *interesting* experiences with these people.
• SKIP Conference! What a party of folk, brilliant times and really good to see how things work in other groups or organisations. May have *borrowed* some ideas for our NC meeting from Danny Hutley (SKIP Coordinator)!
• Climate Change, Pharma, NC Meeting, Meeting Mike Rowson, Rhona MacDonald, Entitlement Working Group meeting. Jeez, should I do a weekly blog instead?! This is a long list of boringness and work!
  
• The highlight of course was our 2nd NC meeting (just gone, and after the deadline we set for blog postings, whoops) where I have to admit I was stunned by the brilliance of the whole team in terms of moving forward with a structured agenda and strategy. Particularly, Darth Vader, running with Master Yonny Grek (Communications) and chill-axing on Saturday evening was a well worth it after some v. intense few weeks!

Finally I think I'm ready for the role and the year ahead - it takes a while but after researching, training and learning from everyone on the team and from years gone by I think we're at a good place to kickstart some

In the Life of JC

Nearly have a place to live in London, that's good right? Also been good to set aside some time to catch up with all the many disparate people spread across London (and Leeds, nice little 2 day jaunt up North!); I plucked up the courage to watch a musical last week which actually turned out to be quite entertaining. Oh, can't miss out Sadhia and my lunch date in Kensington, finally got a load of those crepes! Yummy.

I've run out of energy to complete this, so am just going to post some random photos since they
make people happy.






The Star Wars Start to our Weekend. Love it.














No idea why, this photo makes me smile :)















I think...I think I'm angry in this one. But it is before lunchtime, so it might be hunger.


















Improving Sexpression-Medsin relations: Eva and Amena (Sexpression Coordinators) visit Medsin-UK HQ for a coffee by the canal :)

Sarah's November

Hello
October + November = all is busy in the land of GP, with not much else around in Torre or Paignton that's ok! Having a lot of fun with my own patient clinics most of the time and getting to see patients back again. Loving the GP friendlyness and being allowed to teach them as well as them teaching me. Medsin wise I have been getting through the AB fund applications and happily getting some money for projects and campaigns. Starting to plough on with the AB weekend coming up at the beginning of 2010! I have also had quite a lot of interest from people wanting to set up branches of Marrow and Sexpression. Locally I have run some training for Peninsula Sexpression and also facilitated my small group session on Global Health - with the help of Hans Rosling via gapminer of course! (for anyone not familiar with gapminder please see (www.gapminder .org).

Of course Im running as usual as the Sussex half marathon looms ever closer! Have also slotted in a bit of swimming and Dartmoor - very good for the mind and body. Though it is puring with rain just now - I am plucking up the courage to head for a run this evening....

With many stomps and smiles
Sarah xxx

October meets November

Where, where, where is this year going? Screeching towards job applications and grown up land (eek).

We've launched November's campaign, we are stopping the AIDS once and for all. I managed to trog along to the Stop AIDS speaker tour when it visited Leeds and left truly inspired - the speakers were amazing man. The patent pool work the AIDS troop are doing is shit hot and there were some very pleasing words about WTO and strengthening health systems love too - happy happy. Unhappily the Conservative candidate for Leeds was also there, I am bad at diplomacy as she just made me cross talking of "the next Conservative Government" with no possibility of defeat (incidentally my desired outcome is a hung parliament with a lib=lab coalition).

I've also been attending meetings with my medical school about how educational Thailand will be and I hosted el Presidente in Yorkshire.

In my alternative life as a HIV researcher (= lie ins followed by regret and stress filled typing) I have been veering away from actual biomedicine - I don't know how you cope with those labs Elster - and made my research all about asylum seekers. Woop.

In my second alternative life I had a Disney-come-zombie Halloween party and zombified my favourite Disney princess with the help of a truly vile ball dress (worn without irony to my year 11 prom!). Excellent work. I've also been taking advantage of FREE tickets Leeds city council provides to any under 26 year old to go to the Yorkshire Playhouse midweek - Grapes of Wrath last week, The Secret Garden next week. Lovely. I also went to see the film and then devoured the book of 'An Education' and advise you all to do the same in that order - Nick Hornby's screen play is EXCELLENT and deserves to be seen prior to reading the slightly bitter/cross/cruel writings of Ms Barber (it's a memoir).

That is all for now folks..... Exxxxxx

Proof of Elly's PIPETTING skills and AMAZING lab coat!!

In case anyone thought lab work is boring, or that I am not completely crazy!!!

 

Elly - the pharmacology-pipetting-yoga-maestro!