by Jared Rutecki and Carla Saavedra-Santiago

Each year, Student Government sponsors the college’s RUSH, which exposes first and second-year students to the excellent extra-curricular activities and learning experiences available to them through participating in the various student organizations and clubs at OU-COM.

The two dozen or so groups listed on Student Government’s “Organizations & Officers” Web page range from national entities, such as the Student Osteopathic Medical Association, to more specialty-focused groups as the Geriatrics Medicine Club, which provides a network for students who are interested in geriatric/gerontology, or the Ob/Gyn Club.   

“RUSH is a chance for all our student organizations to provide details and descriptions of what activities they have planned for the year, and and for students to figure why they would want to get involved in a group,” says Becky Teagarden, Student Government secretary.

RUSH is open to all medical students, and there is no limit to how many clubs they can join. RUSH is held noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, and Wednesday, Sept. 13, in Irvine 194. Each group will give a four- to five-minute presentation.

RUSH sign-up begins Sept. 25 from noon to 1 p.m. on the Irvine Bricks.

Some organizations are centered on areas of common affiliation or interest such as the Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, the Complimentary and Alternative Medicine Club, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered & Allied People of Osteopathic Medicine, the Student National Medical Association, the Medical Students For Life, and the Medical Students For Choice.

“Do you want to be involved in pediatrics, researching journal articles, holding pediatric fundraisers and having more exposure to pediatric clinical situations?” asks Ann Brieck, associate director of Student Affairs. “Or are you more interested in learning about suturing and having a wide range of surgical training opportunities?”

Getting involved in student organizations provides an opportunity to get involved in the community and explore personal and/or career interests, she says.

“A well-rounded medical student is going to be involved in all sorts of different things, including studies, community service, educating themselves, working collaboratively with other students and acquiring sound leadership skills,” Brieck says.