CMSA Meeting Minutes - Mar 26, 2024
Tues March 26, 2024 520-630pm
Present: Lexyn, Rafael, Maren, Kerry, Maharshi, Teresa, Shiva, Khushi, Genevieve, Jennifer
Absent:
Regrets: Andrea, Alam
Minutes
Updates
VP Communication - Lexyn
Everyone please finish your Q1 by the end of the month <3
VP Academics - Alam, Shiva
Clerkship Information Session (hosted by UME and SAWH):
This talk was an introduction to clerkship, including discussion of the following topics: scheduling, rough timeline, core rotations, electives, expectations, CARMS
More sessions are to follow:
Elective Session
CARMS Session (led by Dr. Busche, Assistant Dean)
Clerkship Lottery Session (led by Mike Paget, Academic Technologies)
CEL Feedback
Met with Dr. Gausvik, encouraged to have students utilize Lisa Yeo, Dr. Gausvik, and Dr. Bromley has contacts to discuss CEL concerns/questions/etc.
Shadowing with Clerk Initiative
We are in the process of trying to organize an opportunity to have preclerkship students towards the end of Block 3 have the opportunity to be able to shadow current clerks prior to clerkship
More details on the feasibility of this initiative and if implemented, when, will be announced as they are made available
Cards Speed
Mike Paget has mentioned there is a transition to a new database that will be taking place, should improve the speed of Cards
Competency Committee
Aim to provide students with a notification on the status of their progression through RIME at an earlier time frame for Block 2 and 3 compared to Block 1
Students have a few different forms of remediation
Students after completing remediation will be marked as completed, there is no notation on the MSPR
VP Finance - Jennifer
VP Events - Anesa
Stethoscope ceremony:
Rebranding it to CMSA’s Stethoscope Ceremony. Will be a student-led event with a focus on “Welcome to the Profession” and passing on of knowledge and support from peers
Recently met with Dr. Bromley to discuss UME’s involvement. They will primarily leave the organization and leadership to us, but are happy to support the overall sentiment. Faculty members will attend and can be asked to deliver speeches if we request.
Dr. Bromley will communicate with us how much money UME is able to provide for the event
Orientation:
Planning is well underway, most event dates have been confirmed and we are starting to work out all of the logistics
Orientation rep Lexyn has already drafted the student guide and promotional materials (which look beautiful!)
Meeting on a weekly basis to be prepared for the summer!
Need to vote on the final orientation fee increase (maximum $20)
Athletics:
Our athletics director Umberto would like to host a Dodgeball Tournament in the spring. Supporting him with the planning
Graduation funding:
Have been in contact with Dr. Adrian Harvey to discuss our class survey participation and how this translates to UME funding for graduation
This is the response I received:
Event feedback:
Large Group: 13.6%
Anatomy Small Group: 47.7%
Clinical Skill Small Group: 34.4%
Professional Role Small Group: 20%
Tutorial Small Group: 23%
Block 1 survey: 86.5% 1 (this is awesome)
AFMC entry survey. We have not received this report from the AFMC yet. We did email to ask about the response rate. Will let you know when they get back to us.
VP Global Health - Genevieve
Met with the Environmental Health Interest Group re concerns about adherence to existing policy. Upon review the EHIG feels the current policy is outdated and is proposing updates. Key changes would include:
Clarification of what constitutes “zero waste”.
Stronger language e.g., “must prioritize” vs “recommendations”
A brief statement to event attendees about where to discard compostable plates, cutlery, etc.
Elimination of single use beverage containers (cans, juice boxes, plastic water bottles, etc.)
Propose adding updated policy to Clubs Funding Form for future application Cycle - will work with EHIG to come up with an updated draft to be approved by CMSA.
Supplementing select GH & EDI initiatives (e.g., materials for outreach, specific food for cultural events & celebrations, support for speakers from community/individuals with lived experience, etc.) with portfolio funding was discussed during the last funding cycle - will add section to Clubs Funding Form to be considered for GH funding.
VP External (Provincial) - Maren
VP External (National) - Maharshi
Meeting with other VPX-N in April (virtually and at CFMS SGM) - if there are questions I’m happy to ask them.
VP SAW - Khushi
Met with Dr. Bromley, SAW, and presidents regarding critical crisis policy
Working on memorial for student who died by suicide
Planning mental health awareness week
Monthly birthday celebrations hosted by the We Care Committee, most recent event was for March birthdays on Monday, March 25th
Clerkship Information Session (hosted by UME and SAWH): This talk was an introduction to clerkship, including discussion of the following topics: scheduling, rough timeline, core rotations, electives, expectations, CARMS
Wellness and Academic Roundtable (WAR) committee meetings
EDI Table Talk with Kerry
Helping with wellness incentives with the director of wellness
VP EDI - Kerry
Thank you to all of you who came to Table Talk! Really happy with the turnout, and Dr. Gausvik and we got some valuable information to work with
Met with UME to discuss the Stethoscope Ceremony along with Anesa
Working with Rafael on the CMSA statement and future actions regarding Israel-Palestine
President - Rafael
Class President’s Meeting - March 12, 2024
Discussed general concerns from the class regarding CEL placements and the overall negative feedback gathered from students
The CEL team is open to receiving feedback from students regarding their community placements to improve the program going forward
Got approved to use the UME Office as a shipping address moving forward
Will have to notify the UME Office ahead of time when things are arriving
Will be used for AMBOSS merchandise and Patagonia sale later this year
Discussed UpToDate funding
The VP Finance and Events from c2025 should have information on how to get sponsorships from external funders, which we can look into for helping fund UpToDate moving forward
Discussed the CMSA Statement regarding the Calls to Action and Accreditation
Meeting with Dr. Marcy Mintz - March 12, 2024
Discussed the coming Independent Student Analysis (ISA) that will be distributed to the c2026
The accreditation committee would like to have student feedback and input on RIME so far
There are a few options for distributing the survey:
one45 - students can submit one response and the UME has committed to keeping the responses anonymous
Qualtrics through UME - students can submit more than one response and remain anonymous
Office through Dr. Mintz - students can submit more than one response and remain anonymous
Meeting with McMaster Medical Student Council President Donny Li - March 13, 2024
Discussed McMaster’s experience regarding a statement on Israel/Palestine
Provincial Day of Action (PDoA)—Reaching out to MLAs - March 14, 2024
Contacted Minister of Advanced Education and MLA for Calgary-North West Rajan Sawhney, as well as the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and MLA for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills Nathan Cooper regarding a meeting on April 8th for PDoA
Alberta Blood Drive Results - March 14, 2024
Was contacted by UAlberta Medical Student Association Pouria Tourabi regarding the results of the Alberta Blood Drive and the ensuing agreement to fund a pizza party
Passed on information to the Blood Drive Representative M. Bhogal, VP Events A. Soumbasis and T. Nguyen-Pham, and VP Finance J. Wytsma
Nursing Mental Health Resources - March 16, 2024
Was contacted by Sarah Breckon from NursingEducation regarding sharing a mental health and wellness resource with our class and on the CMSA website
Passed on information to VP Communications L. Iliscupidez and VP SAW K. Arora
Meeting with VP EDI K. Yang - March 18, 2024
Discussed current progress regarding a potential CMSA statement on Israel/Palestine and future directions
Organizing Facilitator for Statement - March 19, 2024
Contacted Associate Dean of UME Dr. Amy Bromley to begin coordinating access to a third-party facilitator to potentially consult on a CMSA statement on Israel/Palestine
Table Talk - March 19, 2024
Attended Table Talk meeting
Students’ Union (SU) Club Re-Registration - March 20, 2024
Worked alongside VP Communications L. Iliscupidez and VP Finance J. Wytsma to submit documentation through the SU ClubHub portal to regain Club status with the SU
If everything is approved, we should get an update on re-instatement in the summer. Otherwise, they will contact us beforehand
CMSA Website Fixes - March 20, 2024
Contacted Information Technology (IT) Officer J. Ekram regarding spelling mistakes and missing Professionalism Representatives on the c2026 portfolio page
UME Accreditation Steering Committee - March 22, 2024
Attended meeting and gave updates from meeting with Dr. Marcy Mintz
CMSA Emergency Meeting - March 22, 2024
Discussed current progress regarding a potential CMSA statement on Israel/Palestine and future directions
Big Brave Committee Meeting - March 25, 2024
Discussed planning for the Rock Your Locks event
Agenda
Previous Meeting Minutes Approval
2 minutes–Lexyn
Mover: Rafael
Seconder: Maharshi
Orientation Fee
5 minutes–Andrea & Teresa & Lexyn
Last meeting we voted to increase the CMSA fee by maximum $20 to account for increased Orientation budget
CMSA Vote: 78% yes, 22% no (Maximum $20)
Last year, VP events funding fell short for Amazing race
Any unused cost can go towards stethoscopy (funding for this ceremony from UME has not been confirmed yet)
Vote today on the amount
14% $15, 86% $20
Accreditation ISA Survey Distribution
10 minutes–Rafael
There will be a talk on April 23 regarding the Independent Student Analysis (ISA) that will be distributed to the c2026
The accreditation committee would like to have student feedback and input on RIME
There are a few options for distributing the survey:
one45 - students can submit one response and the UME has committed to keeping the responses anonymous
Qualtrics through UME - students can submit more than one response and remain anonymous
Office through Dr. Mintz - students can submit more than one response and remain anonymous
Discuss and Vote today on which platform is best for collecting student feedback
25% One45
25% Through Dr. Mintz
50% Qualtrics
Accreditation ISA Subcommittee
5 minutes–Rafael
Following the ISA distribution and response period, the ISA Subcommittee will be responsible for analyzing and putting together a report on the results for the Accreditation Committee by mid-June
Would like a mix of students from the CMSA and non-CMSA to participate
Will be reaching out to the students who participated in the talks earlier this year and open it to other students who may be interested
Updates to CMSA Policy Statement on Sustainable Events and Zero Waste Culture
5 minutes–Genevieve
Met with the Environmental Health Interest Group re concerns about adherence to existing policy. Upon review the EHIG feels the current policy is outdated and is proposing updates. Key changes would include:
Clarification of what constitutes “zero waste”.
Stronger language e.g., “must prioritize” vs “recommendations”
A brief statement to event attendees about where to discard compostable plates, cutlery, etc.
Elimination of single use beverage containers (cans, juice boxes, plastic water bottles, etc.)
Propose adding updated policy to Clubs Funding Form for future application Cycles.
Allocating funding from GH & EDI portfolio for select events
2 minutes–Genevieve
Supplementing select GH & EDI initiatives (e.g., materials for outreach, specific food for cultural events & celebrations, support for speakers from community/individuals with lived experience, etc.) with portfolio funding was discussed during the last funding cycle. Discuss what this will look like and how to ensure equitable distribution.
UpToDate Subscription Funding
5 minutes–Rafael
Contacted library regarding potentially re-instating UpToDate as a database through UCalgary
Was told that UpToDate was discontinued many years ago for students due to increasing costs, but UCalgary has since subscribed to DynaMed
Was told by UME that the c2025 VP Finance/Events should have information about getting sponsorships if we would like to get external funding
Leaning towards halting funding for UpToDate, and sticking with DynaMed
Community Outreach
5 minutes Maren
Highschool outreach program in collaboration with Director of Social Events
Scheduled for Apr 16, 2024
Need 8-10 volunteers from the class
Quick update: Grad funding
1 minute Teresa + Andrea
Attached the breakdown for how much we will be getting depending on the survey response (see above under minutes updates VP Events)
Raise awareness about funding opportunity to the class near the end of Block 2
Constitution Portfolio Update
5 minutes–Rafael
Currently, the constitution is confusing regarding who the Professionalism Representatives report to
The “Professionalism Representatives” are also referred to as “Equity and Professionalism Representatives”, who report to the President but also the VP EDI
Will re-assign to VP EDI in the constitutional update
Question Period
Remaining Time
Next meeting before iCAM
Action Items