I live in Canberra, the beating, bradycardic heart of our great nation. I have been a proud ANU medical student for 3 years now and have been involved with the ANU Medical Student Society, serving as President, Junior AMSA rep, year reps, in numerous committees and med revues to name a few. During this time I have learned a great deal in how to represent, entertain and advocate for my fellow students and I am very keen to take this experience into the AMSA executive for 2010.

I ran a small (but mighty) medsoc that is geographically isolated from other schools so I know the difficulty of connecting medical students to their national representative organisation, AMSA. I also know how important it is that students are connected to AMSA. Recent concerns over intern placements reminds us that when students are concerned about big issues they look to AMSA for leadership and support. Every new executive needs to look critically about how individual medical students can be connected to and benefit from AMSA and I will do just that.

The MO can start by keeping the AMSA executive and the National Secretariat in close contact. I live in Canberra and am ideally placed to liaise with the Executive Officer, assist her with her work and keep the rest of the executive in the loop. It is important to ensure continuity for long term projects that will continue over several executives like the Alumni and AMSA History Project. As an MO based in Canberra I would endeavour to ensure that continuity though a presence in the National Secretariat.

When individual students get into trouble they turn to their MedSoc, which is often all they require. However if the MedSoc or the student needs additional assistance then AMSA needs to be available for them, to lend them the weight of the organisation and to fearlessly speak the case to med-schools, universities or whoever else. As MO, I will take up these ‘individual advocacy’ issues, which often fall by the way-side, but are nonetheless just as important for those involved as the bigger picture issues. A guaranteed intern place won’t help you if you don’t pass.

AMSA also has a role in helping to connect MedSocs together to share ideas and help foster joint events and cooperation. I envisage a MO who works to connect MedSoc treasurers, international reps, social officers and other positions via teleconferences, emails or even face to face meetings where possible (such as at Convention). Medical students will benefit if their MedSoc representatives have support from AMSA beyond our contacts with AMSA Reps and Presidents. From AMSA’s perspective, having direct contact with more committed people at each school is a fantastic way to spread our brand and inspire them to get more involved with AMSA in the future.

NLDS is fantastic, and it is a highlight of one’s medical school experience for those fortunate enough to attend. A Canberra based MO is ideally placed to coordinate it. My background as a MedSoc president, a scout leader and a World Youth Day coordinator gives me experience at organising complex tasks that involve challenging people. No comment as to who is easier to organise, 13 year old kids, foreign pilgrims or medical students! My geographical proximity to the National secretariat and familiarity with Parliament house, having worked there for three years, will aid in NLDS coordination.

The MO is a relatively new position and is very adaptable to meet the challenges of a new executive and an evolving organisation. I have a broad range of experiences and interests, can straddle the gap between a NSW executive and an ACT National Secretariat, and am ready for whatever the role would throw at me.