McMaster UGME Oath Ceremony Celebrates New Physicians

McMaster University recently hosted its UGME Oath Ceremony, an important event commemorating the Class of 2024's transition from undergraduate education into residency.

Emceed by Navjeet Baath, MMSC VP Communications for the Class of 2024, the Oath Ceremony featured addresses from FHS Dean Dr. Paul O'Bryne and UGME Associate Dean Dr. Matt Sibbald, as well as a keynote speech from Dr. Brian Goldman, the host of CBC's 'White Coat, Black Art' and 'The Dose' podcast. The ceremony also recognized outstanding achievements with teaching and special awards, including the UGME Peer-to-Peer Award presented to UGME Curriculum Assistant Archee Hood. Valedictorian Matt Fuda delivered a heartfelt address, reminiscing on the Class of 2024's medical school journey. 

The ceremony culminated in the reading of the Hippocratic Oath, symbolizing the graduates' commitment to patient well-being, empathy, humility, and ethical conduct as they begin their medical careers.

The Inspiring Journey of Samra Zafar, DeGroote School of Medicine Graduate

Join us in celebrating the remarkable journey of Samra Zafar, an upcoming graduate of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine. In this exclusive interview, Samra shares her inspiring story, from her path to McMaster University to her outstanding accomplishments along the way.

Farewell to Melanie Pulling, NRC Campus Manager

Melanie Pulling, our esteemed NRC Campus Manager, has transitioned to a new role within McMaster University's Faculty of Engineering. While we celebrate her exciting opportunity, her departure leaves a void at NRC. Faculty and staff members held a farewell party on May 23 at the Niagara Regional Campus to bid Melanie a heartfelt farewell. Melanie's dedication and kindness have left a lasting impact, and she will be deeply missed.

McMaster UGME Engages at Orillia Medical Career Day

McMaster UGME Admissions Manager, Wendy Edge, attended the Medical Career Day at Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital earlier this month, where high school students from across the region explored medical careers. The event, organized by Orillia and Lake Country Physician Recruitment, aimed to inspire students in Simcoe County by showcasing diverse opportunities in medicine.

Forty students from Barrie, Innisfil, and Orillia learned from various medical professionals, including physicians and psychiatrists. Dr. Jessica Green, an OBGYN at Orillia hospital, emphasized the rewarding nature of a medical career. Ontario's Minister of Colleges and Universities, Jill Dunlop, also participated. Click here to read more.

Hamilton Campus Tutor Recruitment for the Class of 2027

The Hamilton campus is seeking new tutors! Tutorials are in person sessions will run from August 12 to October 25, 2024, covering Intro to Medicine, Respirology, and Cardiology. Training is scheduled for June 11, 2024. Interested MDs can fill out the form or contact Dagmar Todd. This is a great opportunity to contribute to the education of future medical professionals!

NRC Tutor and Preceptor Recruitment for 2024-2025 Academic Year

Niagara Regional Campus invites physicians to become a Tutor or Clinical Skills Preceptor for the Class of 2027 (2024-2025 Academic Year). Interested MDs can fill out the recruitment form or email the NRC Pre-Clerkship Curriculum Assistants for inquiries. Preceptors lead Clinical Skills Sessions once a week, per foundation, lasting 2-3 hours in the afternoons or evenings (usually Wednesdays). Tutors conduct Tutorial Sessions twice a week, per foundation, with 3-hour sessions on a Mon/Thu or Tue/Fri rotation. Recruitment for Preceptors and Tutors for all Medical Foundations is ongoing throughout the year. Your interest is greatly appreciated!

UGME Program Accreditation Update: Student Feedback Needed

The UGME Program is providing feedback to the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS) following our 2023 Full Accreditation. Medical learner input is crucial, and we invite you to participate in a student feedback survey to contribute to our report.

The survey covers various aspects, including Service-Learning, a structured learning experience integrating community service with preparation and reflection. For more information on service-learning, please click here. Additionally, questions address the identification and resolution of mistreatment within the program. For details on the Office of Learning Environment and mistreatment policies, click here.

Furthermore, the survey includes inquiries about student spaces on campus. Lockers for student storage at MUMC are available upon request from Student Affairs. We are also improving student spaces like MDCL 3010 and The Remedium. For additional information, please refer to your email updates or reach out to us directly.

Innovation at the 15th Annual McMaster Medical Student Research Day

The 15th Annual McMaster Medical Student Research Day (MMSRD) was a resounding success, showcasing the innovative research and scholarly achievements of our medical students. Held on May 1^st, the event featured a keynote address by Dr. Anand Swaminath, who captivated the audience with his insights into how to get ahead of the growing technology curve in research.

This year’s MMSRD saw over 110 attendees throughout the day, with 40 poster presentations and six oral presenters highlighting their cutting-edge research. The variety and depth of the projects underscored the diverse interests and talents within our student body.

A highlight of the day was the engaging panel discussion featuring Ali Zhang, Jake Colautti, Dr. Laiya Carayannopoulos (Director, Clerkship Integration), and Dr. David Zorko (Clinical Scholar, Pediatrics).

For more details about the event, please visit the Research section of the UGME program website.

Tickets Now Available for the 2024 Mac Med Musical: "Sweet Dreams"

Tickets are now on sale for the 2024 Mac Med Musical, "Sweet Dreams"! The event will take place on June 19, 2024, at 7:30 PM at The Zoetic Company in Hamilton. Don't miss out—buy tickets soon to get early bird prices!

Buy tickets here: Mac Med Musical Tickets!

This year’s performance, created by the Class of 2026, supports the McMaster Children’s Hospital Foundation. For questions, contact Praise or Isabelle. Join for a magical evening and support a great cause!

Class of 2024

The Career Counseling team congratulates the Class of 2024 on their Oath Ceremony. It was heartwarming to see the students take their Hippocratic Oath and commit to the standards that will guide their future practice. The team wishes them a smooth transition into their post-graduate training, knowing that their experiences and learnings from medical school will pay off. The team will also continue to support students going through Extension to Clerkship as they navigate this stage of their career journey. Best wishes to all!

Class of 2025

First Round Appointments are underway! The career team has been holding one-hour meetings with Class of 2025 students, sharing thoughts on prospective residency applications and reviewing CV drafts to ramp up medical students’ residency application efforts. These meaningful appointments will be offered until mid-July to help students craft a narrative about their disciplines of interest, establish an application strategy, and identify their key values. As a friendly reminder, students should mark the key CaRMS deadlines on their calendars. Additionally, digital resources are available on Career Counselling and Resources section on Medportal.

Class of 2026

Career Counselling 30-minute appointments continue to be available for Class of 2026 students as they navigate MF4 and plan pre-clerkship electives. The career team acknowledges that these events are thought-provoking and may impact students' decision-making processes. Rest assured, the Career team is here to support students as they explore options, reframe experiences, and narrow down medical interests. Students can book a 30-minute Career Counselling appointment to meet virtually or in person at their convenience.

MedPortal Resources

Career Exploration and Selection processes often overlap. In the process of discovering and narrowing down your medical interests, make sure you check out the digital resources available on Medportal (Your Career Journey > Tab 2 > Choosing a Specialty).