Tag Archive for: students

#OrganizationOfTheWeek – A Look at the Montpellier Health Tutoring Association

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After meeting with the Nîmes Health Tutoring Association, this week we’re joining the Montpellier Health Tutoring Association and its new president, Milla Esclafit-Cardoso! 

In a few words, what is the AssociationTutorat Santé Montpellier?

The Tutoring Program consists of second- and third-year health sciences students who have passed the PACES entrance exam and who have been selected and trained for one year by the professors in charge of that year’s program. Our goal is to provide free, high-quality academic and emotional support to any student at the University of Montpellier and its branch campuses who wishes to pursue a career in healthcare. To meet this need, three organizations are available to assist you: the Montpellier Health Tutoring Association, the Pharmacy Tutors Association, and the Nîmes Health Tutoring Program. 

These three organizations pool their resources to provide equitable support to all students and share a common goal of ensuring equal opportunity in the admissions process for health professions programs. 

What activities or initiatives do you organize throughout the year? 

To start the year off on the right foot, we’re offering a Pre-Semester Workshop open this year to all PACES and PASS students: its goal is to review the entire first-semester curriculum, help students develop effective study habits, and introduce them to the faculty so they can find their footing. 

Each week, we review the key points from each course across all subjects through multiple-choice quiz sessions led by professors: these sessions are offered at several different times so that students can adjust their schedules according to their availability. To help students with their questions, office hours are held every day at noon on campus, and a forum is also available to students. 

To ensure regular and representative assessment, we organize weekly graded quizzes attended by approximately 900 students across our three campuses, as well as mock exams, which this year drew more than 1,600 students in the first semester. 

To adapt to the lockdown and public health measures, we held our sessions and review sessions online via Zoom, which we recorded so that PACES students with an unstable internet connection could watch them. We also expanded our YouTube channel to diversify our remote content, focusing on parts of the course that we felt were difficult for students to understand.

Beyond academic support, we help students navigate a demanding year by promoting activities focused on well-being: board game lunchtimes, relaxation workshops, and more… Our biggest wellness event is Pep’s Week, which takes place in early January—a particularly difficult time for PACES students. To help first-year students connect with upperclassmen, we set up a student mentoring program right at the start of the year. 

To further promote equal opportunity, the Tutoring Service works withHandiversité to offer a disability support service for students who need reasonable accommodations during sessions or exams. 

Finally, in the context of reform, we serve as key points of contact both within the university—by organizing career guidance forums—and at the local level through various student fairs, as well as at the national level by participating in conferences that bring together tutoring organizations from across France.

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What made you decide to join the organization? 

Tutoring helped me pass my PACES exam by supporting me for two years: this support was extremely valuable to me because I couldn’t afford to pay for the services of a private organization. The tutors’ availability, the quality of the sessions, and above all, the support they provided in every aspect of PACES life—from studying to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and staying motivated—really helped me get through that challenging time. It was a no-brainer for me to apply to become a tutor after I was admitted to my second year of medical school, so I was delighted to join the UE7 team (Health, Humanities, Society). My year as a trainee tutor was so fulfilling that I wanted to continue the journey by joining the Tutoring Board to help it reinvent itself during the year of the reform: so we changed our name from the Montpellier Medical Tutoring Association (ATM²) to the Montpellier Health Tutoring Association (ATSM) to better reflect our commitment to diversifying the backgrounds of incoming students across all health-related programs! 

What does the association offer students?

Beyond simply providing academic guidance, our goal is to offer genuine support to all young adults who are navigating university studies, life away from home, and a very substantial workload. Our core value is equal opportunity, ensuring that selection for this first year is based on academic ability rather than financial status. This aligns more broadly with our commitment to collegiality—a value we hold dear in the healthcare professions—and with our training, which is largely based on peer-to-peer learning. After all, we are first and foremost students who have gone through this challenge ourselves and who are trying to help PACES students just as we needed help when we were in their shoes!

Why do you think people should join your organization? 

In the first year, students can sign up for tutoring free of charge at any time throughout the year: there is no attendance requirement, but according to faculty surveys, attending 80% of the tutoring sessions is the best way to pass the entrance exam! 

If you wish to join the ATSM as a tutor, you will have the opportunity to be selected based on your application and an interview after your second-semester grades are released. You will then hold the status of Trainee Tutor during your second year and may continue as a Qualified Tutor when you advance to your third year. 

A few words about the 2020–2021 executive board?

The General Assembly to inaugurate our new executive board took place on June 9: we are all very excited to renew our commitment to supporting students repeating PACES, PASS, and LAS. We know that this year can be daunting for recent high school graduates, and we are ready to support them through this transition. 

We're in the process of changing our name, so for now, our old name is what appears on social media:

Facebook: Medicine Tutoring in Montpellier 

Instagram: 

Email contacts: 

  • General questions about the association, PACES, and PASS: asso.atsm@gmail.com
  • Questions about LAS: vicepresident.las.atsm@gmail.com
  • Questions about possible accommodations under the Disability Tutoring Program: vptutohandicap@gmail.com

Networks of other associations: 

Nîmes Health Tutoring: 

Association of Pharmacy Tutors: 

We've also put together a video presentation for you, in collaboration with the three tutoring programs!

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#OrganizationOfTheWeek – A Look at Tutorat Santé Nîmes

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Earlier this week , we met with the CNESF, the association for the midwifery program in Nîmes. We’re staying in Nîmes today for our meeting with Matthias Daudé, the new president of TSN!

In a nutshell, what is Tutorat Santé Nîmois?

TSN (Tutorat Santé Nîmes) is an association made up of second- and third-year medical and midwifery students at the Nîmes campus. We have all successfully passed the entrance exam for health studies, and drawing on this experience, we offer support to students entering their first year of a health-track program (PASS/LAS). 

What activities or initiatives do you organize throughout the year? 

Throughout the year, students are offered weekly practice sessions in the form of multiple-choice quizzes, during which tutors provide detailed feedback on the quizzes, share memory techniques, offer study tips, and provide support in preparing for exams. All sessions are reviewed by the subject instructors to ensure they remain closely aligned with the requirements of the final exams.

 In addition, we are organizing a pre-school-year workshop during the last two weeks of August. During these two weeks, we’ll cover the first-semester curriculum while providing as much guidance as possible on how to approach this challenging academic year. 

 We also offer practice tests and mock exams to help students prepare as thoroughly as possible through realistic practice, using questions that have been reviewed by professors.

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What made you decide to join the organization? 

When I started my health studies, I wasn’t familiar with tutoring. At the university, I quickly heard about the organization and the support it offers. So I went to a session and immediately saw all the benefits this organization could provide me. 

After passing the PACES entrance exam and enrolling in a health sciences program, I wanted to join the tutoring program to share my personal experience from my first year. I wanted to help as many students as possible make progress so they could achieve their dreams. It felt natural to me to do everything I could to give back everything I received during my first year, because without the tutoring program, I would never have passed that exam.

What does the association offer students?

The TSN provides PACES students with genuine academic support through practice sessions and Q&A sessions, as well as moral support through the organization of student activities. We also have a mentoring program in which second- and third-year students take first-year students under their wing to guide them toward success.

Why do you think people should join your organization? 

Our association offers a wide range of services, including both educational and personal support, to help everyone make progress toward passing the entrance exams for the second year of health studies.

How do I sign up? 

The tutoring program is completely free! To join the tutoring program, simply follow the registration instructions, which will be posted on our social media accounts and on the faculty’s registration page.

A few words about the 2020–2021 executive board?

For the TSN association, the election of the executive board takes place in two phases. 

It all begins with the formation of the Executive Committee (BR). Once the candidates for the BR have been nominated, a campaign period begins during which the various teams present their plans for the year. This year, due to the health crisis, all elections and campaigns took place online. Once the campaigns are over, all second- and third-year tutors elect a BR, which will then organize the elections for the other positions on the Executive Board. 

Once all positions have been announced by the BR, each mentor who wishes to serve on the executive board submits a candidacy for the position. The candidacy period lasts one week. After this campaign period, the BR organizes a vote for the positions with multiple candidates. 

You can now find us on our social media channels!

To wrap things up, we’d like to share a video we created in collaboration with the three health tutoring organizations in Montpellier: the Montpellier Health Tutoring Association (ATSM), the Association of Pharmacy Tutors (ATP), and us, the Nîmes Health Tutoring Association (TSN)!

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#OrganizationOfTheWeek – A Look at the CNESF

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Following our meeting with Dis-Lalie, the Montpellier-based association for the speech-language pathology program, this week we’re meeting with the CNESF, the association for the midwifery program in Nîmes!

In a nutshell, what is the CNESF?

The Nîmes Midwifery Students’ Association is a nonprofit organization under the French Law of 1901 whose purpose is to represent midwifery students in Nîmes and to give them a voice within federations such as the ANESF (National Association of Midwifery Students, our program-specific federation) and the AGEM (General Association of Montpellier Students, our regional federation). It also aims to listen to midwifery students in Nîmes, advise them as much as possible, and defend their rights and interests. Our association helps energize the student life of its members by organizing solidarity and prevention events, as well as social, athletic, and cultural events. Finally, it aims to enhance our skills as future healthcare professionals through access to continuing education.

What activities or initiatives do you organize throughout the year?

We are working to expand our activities as much as possible through the association’s various divisions the association:

The Public Health Division has organized, for example, film screenings followed by coffee-and-conversation discussions to explore topics such as female genital mutilation or anonymous adoption, particularly following screenings of films in partnership with the Sémaphore in Nîmes.

As part of the annual awareness campaign for breast cancer screening, we created a calendar for Pink October. It features prevention tips and information, and the money raised was donated to the League Against Cancer. We also participated in the Telethon alongside medical students.

Thanks to the growth of social media, we have created posters for global awareness days—such as the one created in collaboration with ANESF for World Contraception Day—and informational quizzes on various topics are also available. We’ve established a mentoring program where upperclassmen mentor students from different graduating classes, which we plan to expand further next year. 

We organized festive and team-building events, including the end-of-year gala, which unfortunately could not take place. As we did last year, we continued to expand our babysitting network. As for AGEM and ANESF, we attend in person or remotely every board meeting and general assembly to represent the midwifery students of Nîmes in policy decisions.

Snack parties are held every month to raise funds for charities, to which we also donate children’s clothing and supplies.

Finally, we participated in PEPS Week, organized by Tutorat Santé Nîmes this year, at the student fair, as well as at the Faculty’s open house, to do our best to answer questions from prospective students.

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Why did you personally choose the Maieutics track, and what does the association offer students in this track?


In my opinion, this is a field you choose out of passion. The program is long and require a significant investment, particularly in the many internships. But Supporting couples, mothers, women, and even babies is what makes The diversity of our profession—and that’s what drew me to it. We do indeed have a broad range of expertise; whether in the private, public, or independent sectors, we can support women throughout their pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum period (provided there are no medical complications). We can also provide preventive gynecological care and contraception consultations. We sometimes face difficult situations, but the intense moments of life and emotion serve as a reminder of why we started this work in the first place.

The association, for its part, provides opportunities to get together—whether at the clubhouse or at events—and to learn through training programs offered by ANESF or AGEM. Members can also stay up to date on national news, which we share regularly. For those who want to get involved in student life, it’s a great way to thrive while working on your own projects and collaborating with other students.

Why do you think people should join your organization? 

Joining our association is, above all, a gesture of support. We represent midwifery students in the faculty’s student life. Joining allows you to stay informed about various events and connect with other associations within the faculty or outside of it. In fact, this results in membership in both AGEM and ANESF, which allows you to stay informed about discussions within these organizations and potentially make an impact by sharing your views on key issues. It’s an opportunity to take an active interest in the future of the profession and student life in the region, as well as to bring broader issues to light.

Membership is also the only way to vote at general meetings for the future teams that will represent you during the next terms. And on the fun side, membership gives you access to a whole host of partnerships that our fabulous VP of Partnerships has secured for us—from laser tag to products from Luneale, Fempo, and many others—all offering great discounts. Finally, we have partnerships with professional insurance providers that offer additional protection for students on internships.

How do I sign up? 

Joining is very easy: just come to our association’s office on campus between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. (every day) and pay 7 euros—by check, cash, or even Lydia. We’ll give you a nice little membership card with our social media handles. You can join at any time throughout the year, but we close membership registration two weeks before the end-of-term General Assembly.

A few words about the 2020–2021 executive board?

Unfortunately, given the current health situation, this year’s handover will take place remotely. We are in contact with the executive board members running for the 2020–2021 term and who are more motivated than ever. There are exciting projects on the horizon that we look forward to learning more about in detail. It’s with a slight twinge of sadness that we’re stepping down from this term, especially given the difficult end to the year, but we have complete confidence in the dedication of the incoming executive board. They are motivated young women with experience and a lot of enthusiasm—everything needed to succeed. We couldn’t have handed over this term with greater peace of mind than with such a wonderful new generation taking the reins!

Feel free to follow us on social media:

– Instagram: @CNESF

– Facebook: Nîmes Midwifery Students' Association

– Twitter: @CNESF2

 

 

 

 

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#OrganizationOfTheWeek – A Conversation with Dis-Lalie

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As we’ve seen, the Ademmoos association brings together elected representatives from every sector! This week, we’re focusing on the speech-language pathologists in Montpellier through the Dis-Lalie association! 

In a few words, what is the Dis-lalie association?

Dis-Lalie, founded in 1998, is the association for speech-language pathology students in Montpellier. The association’s goals are to foster student life through a variety of events and to represent speech-language pathology students in Montpellier within the federations to which Dis-Lalie belongs, namely the FNEO (National Federation of Speech-Language Pathology Students) and AGEM (General Association of Montpellier Students), to help students prepare for their transition into the workforce through conferences, training sessions, and meetings with partners and healthcare professionals, and to support students in defending their rights and ensuring the smooth progress of their education by engaging with university and local authorities.

What activities or initiatives do you organize throughout the year? 

Throughout the year, Dis-Lalie organizes events for student members:

  • Team-building events : team-building weekends and afternoons, evening events, meals, ski trips, end-of-year ceremonies, attendance at the graduation ceremony for new graduates…
  • Speech-language pathology training : lectures (on Alzheimer’s disease, lip-reading, stuttering, etc.), training sessions, and workshops related to the profession (drawing, accounting, etc.)
  • Wellness events : sophrology and yoga workshops.
  • Cultural events : city tour, tour of the anatomy museum, hikes around Montpellier, beer and chocolate tastings…
  • Events focused on prevention, civic engagement, and solidarity: bake sales for Telethon Week, Pink October, and Sidaction, with proceeds donated to charities; toy drives for hospitalized children at Christmas; collections of plastic bottle caps to be reused to make assistive devices for people with disabilities; and participation in the “Teddy Bear Drive” at the hospital…

Dis-Lalie also supports students throughout their studies. Whether by offering discounts on speech-language pathology materials through our partnerships with publishers or by informing students about the financial aid and transportation assistance available to them. We also assist students who wish to spend a semester abroad with the necessary administrative procedures. Dis-Lalie further supports students interested in pursuing a university degree in speech-language pathology by sharing testimonials from speech-language pathology students on social media and by hosting applicants during their oral exams, among other things.

Why did you personally choose the Speech-Language Pathology program, and what does the association offer students in this program?

Personally, I chose to pursue a career in speech-language pathology because it is a profession focused on care and, above all, rehabilitation, which allows you to witness real progress in patients, particularly through speech-language therapy.  It’s a very diverse field. Indeed, patients come in all ages, and the conditions and rehabilitation methods are highly varied. For example, a speech-language pathologist may work with newborns who have oral development disorders, children with learning disabilities (dyslexia, dysorthography, dyscalculia…), as well as patients with neurological disorders, hearing loss, those recovering from a stroke, or even those recovering from COVID-19! It is therefore a profession in which every case is different, offering the choice to work in a healthcare facility or in private practice, and providing the opportunity for ongoing training throughout one’s career on a wide variety of conditions.

Why do you think people should join your organization? 

Our association allows speech-language pathology students in Montpellier to come together at various events, which fosters a sense of community and encourages sharing among students at our training center. Membership in Dis-Lalie offers students many benefits:

  • Discounts or free admission to events organized by the association
  • Access to conferences and training sessions on speech-language pathology, organized by our Vice President of Training
  • Preferential rates from our partner companies: insurance companies, publishing houses, etc.
  • Discounted or free travel to events organized by the FNEO (training weekends and the national convention)
  • Opportunity to participate in all team-building, cultural, and wellness events organized by the association
  • Voting Rights at General Meetings

How do I sign up? 

Membership registration takes place every year in September. The membership fee for the 2019–2020 year is set at 11€.

A few words about the 2020–2021 executive board?

The election of the 2020–2021 executive board will take place at the end of October during the handover general meeting. The election of Dis-Lalie’s new executive board will be conducted on a position-by-position basis. Each candidate will have the opportunity to present their rationale to the assembly. Each year, the executive board consists of two co-chairs, a secretary, a treasurer, a vice president in charge of communications, a vice president in charge of training, a vice president in charge of international mobility, a vice president in charge of social issues, a vice president in charge of culture, a vice president in charge of partnerships, a vice president in charge of student representation, vice presidents in charge of events, vice presidents in charge of social gatherings, vice presidents in charge of prevention, citizenship, and solidarity, and an admissions coordinator.

Here are our contact details. Feel free to follow us on social media:

 

 

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#OrganizationOfTheWeek – A Look at ADEMMOOS

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Last week, we met with the Association Carabins Montpelliéraine to learn more about student life for medical students. Today, Salomé Duteurtre, the Student Vice Dean, is answering our questions!

In a nutshell, what is ADEMMOOS?

ADEMMOOS is the Association of Student Representatives from Montpellier-Nîmes in the fields of Medicine, Speech-Language Pathology, Orthoptics, and Midwifery. It brings together nearly 40 elected student representatives from the various programs. 

We work every day to:

  • in Interprofessionalism : all of the faculty’s academic programs are represented;
  • in Intersite, through a collaboration between residents of Montpellier and Nîmes;
  • for Represent all students in the UFR in dealings with the administration, the faculty, and the university hospital.

What activities or initiatives do you organize throughout the year? 

Above all, our year is shaped by our student advocacy efforts.

As such, we are represented on two major councils within the faculty:

  • The Academic Council facilitates collaboration among the various stakeholders in the faculty (faculty members, administrative staff, and students) regarding the programs offered by the UFR. Topics discussed include assessment methods and the evaluation of teaching materials. 
  • The Management Council is the faculty’s decision-making body, which votes on and reviews the internal regulations, the budget, agreements entered into by the faculty, and educational programs.

 

Our goal, therefore, is to give students a voice, often by conducting surveys that allow us to carefully gather their opinions and positions on the various issues that arise during the academic year. 

In addition, we are also carrying out a number of projects to improve our training conditions. For example, several of our initiatives focus on health promotion:

  • Improving student well-being in all its forms is one of our priorities. Given the difficulty and demands of our programs, some students may find themselves struggling; we strive to support them and refer them to resources that can help.
  • We are raising awareness about the flu vaccine to encourage students—future healthcare professionals—to get vaccinated. In particular, we organized a vaccination day on the faculty campus. 

We also support initiatives aimed at enhancing student life on campus. We participate in Open House events and European Heritage Days to lead tours and engage with the public. In addition, we help design and develop living and workspaces.

We keep students informed about the latest news from the faculty; for example, during the COVID-19 crisis, we kept them regularly updated on the situation and changes to our programs.

We help medical interns choose their specialties through the Forum du Futur Interne (FFI), which we organize in collaboration with the Languedoc-Roussillon Interns' Union.

Finally, we work with all of the faculty’s student organizations:

  • We support student-led support and educational initiatives: PACES tutoring, tutoring for upper-level medical and midwifery students, iECN prep workshops…
  • We participate in student representation at the local level (AGEM) and at the national level through our respective academic program associations.

What does the association offer students?

Our organization promotes several things:

  • the support and the representation of all students enrolled in the Montpellier-Nîmes School of Medicine at the University of Montpellier;
  • the promotion of improving student life (in terms of the quality of studies and educational offerings) within the UFR by establishing an ongoing dialogue between students, their elected representatives, and student organizations—across all programs—belonging to the UFR;
  • the gathering of students from the various departments within the UFR, particularly through the development of joint student initiatives, in order to transcend the divisions inherent in the different degree programs and foster mutual inspiration by leveraging the synergy of diverse skills.

Furthermore, students are not required to make any financial contributions. Simply being enrolled in the UFR allows students to participate in all the activities offered by our association.

A few words about the 2020–2021 executive board?

Our association's executive board is made up of students—whether or not they are elected UFR representatives—who are appointed for a one-year term from October to October to coordinate the team of student representatives.

The 2020–2021 term of office will begin this summer: please feel free to contact the current board if you’re interested in any of the positions!

Please feel free to contact us with any questions about student representation!

 

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Support for Innovative Educational Projects at the Faculty

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The MUSE (“Montpellier University of Excellence”) project brings together 19 institutions committed to educational progress and innovation. Today, several projects led by members of the Faculty have been selected and will receive funding from the foundation. 

Toward New Training Programs: TakeOff #3

The MUSE Foundation has launched a call for proposals to promote educational innovation, particularly in the transformation and creation of new training programs. The goal is simple: to align as closely as possible with current labor market demands and societal needs, and even to anticipate future needs in light of societal changes. 

Of the 30 selected projects, 3 are from the School of Medicine and will therefore receive funding to carry them out. 

  • The “ Development of Educational Tools to Support the Training of Advanced Practice Nurses Specializing in Oncology and Hematology ," led by Nadine Houede.
  • The “ Rabelais Health and Science Dual Degree Program ” project, led by Stephan Matecki
  • The “ Montpellier Introductory Surgical Summer School ” project, led by Astrid Herrero.

Funded for three academic years, these projects will enable us to train our students even more effectively!

And tailored educational tools: TakeOff #4

In addition to these new training programs, the Muse Foundation also supports projects involving innovative educational equipment. To ensure educational continuity, the work environment must also be adapted. 

As a result, three other projects from the Faculty—this time involving new, innovative equipment—were selected:

  • A “ App for tracking learning progress and the mastery of technical procedures in medicine " led by Antoine Debourdeau and Valentin Favier.
  • A “ Audio-Visual Immersion in a Health Simulation Educational Session " led by Blaise Debien.
  • A project on “ The Benefits of Acquiring a Digital Surgical Simulator for Implementing the 2021–2023 Medical Education Reform: Learning and Certification for a Degree in Non-Operating Room Surgery ” led by Astrid Herrero and François Régis Souche.

We can therefore expect to see many educational innovations emerge over the next few years at the School of Medicine, both in terms of training programs and teaching tools!

A commitment to innovation already in place: TakeOff#1 and TakeOff#2

Two other calls for projects launched by I-Site Muse had already taken place previously. These were TakeOff#1 and TakeOff2.

Once again, the Faculty responded quickly, and some of its proposals were selected. First, during the initial call for proposals, TakeOff#1: 

  • The creation of the " International DIU: Emerging Infections ", proposed by Éric Delaporte. 
  •  The creation of a “Digital Laboratory for Preclinical Sciences”, led by Fares Gouzi. 
  • A Proposal “Learning Anatomy and Surgery Through Simulation and 3D Printing”, led by Valentin Favier.
  • A “Surgical Education in Extended Reality”, defended by Nicolas Lonjona.
  • A project on “Artisanal Expertise in the Service of Innovation in Medical Simulation”, Led by Astrid Herrero. 

Then, in a second phase, during the TakeOff#2 call for projects: 

  • The “International Master’s in One Health and Infectious Diseases”, which follows on from the International DIU created through TakeOff#1. 
  • The creation of an “Interdisciplinary Educational Escape Game in a Simulation Center: Mystery at SimHU Nîmes”, which helps foster cohesion, communication, and collaboration among future healthcare professionals. 
  • The development of a tool for “VESALE 3D: Dynamic 3D Virtual Dissection for Teaching Surgical Anatomy”, which is part of an effort to ensure that procedures are never performed on a patient for the first time. 
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#OrganizationOfTheWeek – A Look at the Association Carabine Montpelliéraine

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In addition to the Med’Ley Association, this week we’re also featuring the Association Carabine Montpelliéraine (ACM) and its president, Colin Azria.

In a nutshell, what is the Association Carabine Montpellieraine?

The Association Carabine Montpelliéraine (or the Montpellier Medical Student Association) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, and non-denominational association governed by the 1901 law, which aims to represent medical students in Montpellier. It is the only association that officially and exclusively represents medical students in Montpellier from the 1st year (PACES) through the 6th year.

Working closely with the PACES Tutoring Program and the teaching staff of the UFR Medicine, the ACM supports students throughout their academic career by providing a variety of resources (books, handouts, stethoscopes, and other supplies) and offering them the opportunity to participate in various events (community service initiatives, cultural events, student parties, the Gala, etc.).

In addition, the ACM is part of the network of local student representation (Z’élus associatifs) and national student representation (ANEMF—National Association of Medical Students of France), which advocates for students’ interests before administrative and government bodies.

What activities or initiatives do you organize throughout the year?

The activities we carry out are very diverse and encompass all the opportunities that may arise during our studies. First, we are setting up a direct sales service for course handouts to help students learn more effectively. 

We participate in national and international exchanges, which we organize through the ANEMF network in the form of various exchange programs. 

For several years now, we have also built strong relationships with local businesses throughout Montpellier that offer us “great deals.” We are also in the process of expanding our scope of action to participate more actively in community solidarity and sustainable development in our beautiful city of Montpellier. From simple student parties to global health charity events like the Telethon, Movember, Pink October, and Sidaction, as well as the Medicine Gala—and with a Culture division active every day offering organic food baskets, “ciné’kult” film screenings, and great deals for students in Montpellier—the ACM aims to support medical students throughout their studies.

Why did you personally choose to study medicine, and what does the association offer students in this program?

Personally, I’ve always been drawn to medical concepts, so it was only natural that I chose this field. It’s only when you choose to study medicine that you realize just how much work still lies ahead. But it’s by volunteering your time with an organization that you truly realize the sheer magnitude of the work you can and must do. Having briefly described our activities above, I believe that the Corpo Médecine is an institution that, for several generations now, has been an integral part of the daily lives of medical students and helps keep our traditions alive. 

Why do you think people should join your organization? 

By joining our association, you’ll be able to discover all our great deals in Montpellier, participate in all our events, gain access to the services we offer (sales of handouts, supplies, books, etc.), and much more!

How do I sign up? 

Joining is easy—just stop by our office at the Arnaud de Villeneuve campus, located at 641 Avenue du Doyen Gaston Giraud, 34090 Montpellier. The membership fee is €10, payable annually. 

A few words about the 2020–2021 executive board?

The election of the Corpo Médecine executive board takes place at the end of each academic year and is conducted by second-year students. They select individuals from among their class to form the Corpo executive board for the following year. You can find out more about the new executive board members on our website.

We're also on social media—you can find us at: 

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#OrganizationOfTheWeek – A Look at Med’ley

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Last week, we sat down with the Carabins Crocodiles Association to learn more about community life in Nîmes. Today, Gaël Gomez, president of the Montpellier music association, is taking part in a Q&A session!

In a nutshell, what is Med’Ley?

Med’ley Montpellier Association is the music association based at the School of Medicine. Since last year, it has been open to all students in health-related programs (medicine, midwifery, pharmacy, dentistry, physical therapy, etc.). Above all, our goal is to bring music into these long and challenging courses of study. It also allows all these future healthcare professionals to interact with one another during our various events. It’s not just a club for musicians, but rather an opportunity for students to meet and connect in a musical setting.

What activities or initiatives do you organize throughout the year?

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The Med’ley association organizes a wide variety of events. First of all, we are fortunate to be able to bring joy to children in the hospital by performing in the pediatric wards at the Arnaud de Villeneuve and Gui de Chauliac University Hospitals. 

In addition to our humanitarian efforts, we organize concerts at well-known bars in Montpellier, as well as Blind Test and karaoke nights—all with the goal of bringing everyone together through music. 

In addition, for the past two years, our singing competition, the Med’ley Music Awards, has brought together singers from all academic disciplines at the University of Montpellier and other cities such as Toulouse and Nîmes. Held in the anatomy lecture hall, this competition draws more than 200 people each year, with a new feature introduced this year: our grand prize winner qualifies directly for the finals of the Coupe de France d’Interprétation. The winner also receives a studio recording session with our partner. 

In addition, at the end of the academic year, we usually organize a large outdoor concert in the Jardin des Plantes, featuring food and drink stands; however, due to the current crisis, it could not take place.

Med’ley also allows musicians to perform at many other events, such as the Medicine Gala, the ACM’s Open Stages, and Heritage Days, among others.

Finally, throughout the year, we organize tutorials in our music room to help members learn an instrument, as well as jam sessions to bring musicians together. 

What does the association offer students?

The club gives health care students the chance to come together through music, regardless of their major, and take their minds off things. It allows people to connect and socialize in a much more fun setting—through music. 

In addition, through our work in pediatrics, these future healthcare professionals can come to view the hospital differently—from a more entertaining perspective. 

Why do you think people should join your organization? 

First of all, our members have free access to our music room in the historic building, where they can practice, rehearse, or use the instruments we provide. 

They also have the opportunity to play at the CHU and perform at all the various events we’re involved in. But they can also simply come by to take advantage of our many special rates and have a good time enjoying the music. 

Members who want to learn to play an instrument or get back into it can participate in our Med’ley Tutorials. 

Finally, they'll be able to take advantage of discounts and special offers from our various partners. 

How do I sign up? 

Membership, which costs €5 for second-year students (DFGSM2, DFGSA2, etc.), €3 for PACES students and third-year students, and is free for students in higher years, can be purchased at any time of the year. 

You can join during our office hours at the various colleges, before or during our events, or by contacting us through our social media channels.

A few words about the 2020–2021 executive board?

The 2020–2021 executive board has already been selected and will take office after the General Assembly for the handover of duties, which will take place in early June. This motivated, promising board, brimming with new ideas, is sure to satisfy our future members, especially since it brings together four health-related fields… 

In the meantime, you can follow us on social media right now:

Facebook: @MedleyMontpellierAssociation 

Instagram: @medley.asso

 

 

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#ClubOfTheWeek – A Look at the Carabins Crocodiles Club

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Following our meeting with AMESF, this week we’re joining the 2019–2020 executive board of the Corporation Carabins Crocodiles (CCC) association. President Célia Pourtier and the other members tell us more about the Nîmes-based association.

In a nutshell, what is the CCC?

The Carabins Crocodiles Corporation is a nonprofit organization governed by the law of July 1, 1901, and the decree of August 16, 1901. Run by second- and third-year medical students, it plays many roles in student life at the Nîmes Faculty of Medicine: for example, publishing and selling handouts for students at the Nîmes campus of the Faculty of Medicine. We also occasionally organize student events, whether they are social, charitable, cultural, athletic, or recreational.

The association allows us both to represent our members before the administrative bodies of the Montpellier-Nîmes School of Medicine and the University of Montpellier—in collaboration with student representatives—and to integrate and support local SCOPE/SCORE leaders.

What activities or initiatives do you organize throughout the year? 

Throughout the year, the association organizes public health events to raise awareness among students at the Faculty and raise funds for various organizations: 

  • Movember to raise awareness about prostate cancer screening during the month of November. 
  • The Telethon, the CCC is running a booth in the lobby of the Nîmes University Hospital and raising funds for the foundation. 
  • Sexual Health Education and Rose Sales on Valentine's Day, to raise awareness about various STIs and methods of contraception. 
  • The Teddy Bear Hospital to help young children become familiar with the hospital environment. 
  • The Blind Dining Experience at Vatel with the French Federation of the Blind and Visually Impaired(FAAF) 
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We support first-year PACES students by publishing and selling study guides, in consultation with university professors. We also support them throughout the year by organizing meals for them at the Carémeau campus, as well as by providing support after they take the first-semester exam. 

We organize many student social events, such as the annual gala in November and the PACES post-exam party in December. 

This year, we also organized the D4 mock exam in coordination with Lucas Dafontis and the ACM at the Montpellier campus.

Why did you personally choose to study medicine, and what does the association offer students in this program?

“On a personal level, I felt called to practice medicine while I was preparing for my PACES exam; I was 18 years old. It became crystal clear to me then that I wanted to help those who are suffering and vulnerable, and to preserve life in all its beauty. Medicine is a fascinating field; the studies are challenging, but I had never seen such a supportive, almost family-like spirit among those who would become my future colleagues.” CéliaP. 

“With a strong interest in the sciences and a desire to help others—though I wasn’t yet sure how—after graduating from high school, I first enrolled in a biology program at a university technology institute (IUT). After earning my degree, I took the PACES exam with the goal of pursuing pharmacy, which is what I ended up doing. Then, in my fourth year, with a growing desire to work directly with patients in a hospital setting and to make decisions about their care, I finally realized that medicine was the perfect fit for me. After a long personal and professional journey—and one bridge program later—here I am pursuing what I consider to be the most wonderful course of study. It’s long and difficult, but so engaging, satisfying, and enriching. And on top of that, there’s a great sense of camaraderie and some wonderful friendships.” LaureM. 

As for the association, it offers student members the opportunity to grow through teamwork, develop new projects, and find fulfillment through their personal involvement. It also provides members with a setting outside the hospital where they can meet, share ideas, and socialize.

Why do you think people should join your organization? 

Joining our association offers several benefits. First, students in PACES, DFGSM2, and DFGSM3 can purchase the lecture notes and handouts we offer to supplement their studying. Members also have the opportunity to participate in any of our student gatherings and to purchase the various merchandise and goodies we offer, such as the Faculty sweatshirt.

Finally, membership allows every student to have a voice at General Assemblies.

How do I sign up?

Joining is very simple: just fill out a membership form with your name, address, email, and phone number, and pay ten euros. 

You will then receive your membership card, which will allow you to purchase the courses you need at the student union office on the Nîmes Faculty campus. 

A few words about the 2020–2021 executive board?

Only one slate of candidates ran for the succession of the Executive Board of the Carabins Crocodiles association; it was presented and unanimously approved by the members present at the general meeting held to accept the resignation of the 2019–2020 Executive Board. Thus, following the resignation of our Executive Board, the association’s new representatives are: 

President: Alexandre CARRAT 

Treasurer: Arthur POMMIER 

Executive Vice President: Léhéna CACHIA 

Secretary: Ambrine BOUZIT 

Due to social distancing guidelines and in light of current public health measures—with the faculty closed until further notice—this general assembly was held via videoconference on Zoom. More than 40 people attended the meeting. 

Finally, you can follow us on Facebook right now: @CCC.Corpo 

Contact us on Facebook via the account: Charles Claude Croco 

And follow us on Instagram: @CharlesClaudeCroco

 

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#OrganizationOfTheWeek – A Look at AMESF

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This week, we’re talking with Justine Rizzo, president of the Montpellier Midwifery Students’ Association (AMESF). Goals, initiatives, and dedication—find out everything you need to know about this association in this interview!

In a nutshell, what is AMESF?

AMESF is the student association for the midwifery program in Montpellier. Our goals are to represent midwifery students, provide services and recreational activities for our members, and organize solidarity and humanitarian initiatives. To this end, we are part of several networks of student organizations. First, at the local level with AGEM, the General Association of Montpellier Students, and also at the national level with ANESF, the National Association of Midwifery Students.

 

What activities or initiatives do you organize throughout the year? 

Several projects mark the course of our year, some for entertainment—such as the End-of-Year Gala or the Concert en rose—while others, like the latter, are charity events benefiting the Naître en Rose association.

Throughout the year, we also organize several charity events where our members can volunteer to help us staff booths. During “Pink October,” we raise awareness about breast cancer and collect donations for the organization “Cancer du sein, Parlons en !” We also participate in the Telethon and Sidaction. 

This year, a new project was launched for the first time: the “Endometriosis” project. It is particularly close to our hearts because this disease is not well known, yet it affects about 10% of women.  We visited several faculties in Montpellier to meet with many students and faculty members who aren’t necessarily in the health field (the Faculty of Sciences, Paul Valéry University, and the Faculty of Sports Science and Physical Education). We were able to raise awareness about this condition through flyers, quizzes and games, and an informational display. We wrapped up the week by organizing a “film screening and discussion” event at the Faculty of Medicine on this topic. Following a short film, a discussion took place between various healthcare professionals (a midwife and a gynecologist) and the audience. We were thus able to raise awareness about this condition and also raise significant funds for research through the “EndoFrance” association.

Finally, we also partner with the Etablissement Français du Sang; every month, we raise awareness about donating blood, plasma, and bone marrow, and announce the various collection sites through our publications.

Why did you personally choose the midwifery program? In your opinion, what does the association offer students in this program?

What I love about being a midwife is being able to work in healthcare, to help families during a special time in their lives—such as the birth of a child—and to guide, support, and advise women throughout their lives. Being a midwife means having a wide range of skills and knowledge in gynecology, pediatrics, and obstetrics. This profession requires knowing women’s physiology inside and out and being able to detect even the slightest problem.

For its part, the association provides students in this program with support, activities, and an opportunity to explore various issues. It also allows them to participate in various community service and humanitarian projects, as mentioned earlier. The association offers support to both new students and upperclassmen in this program.

Why do you think people should join your organization? 

Membership offers many benefits, which we have divided into several categories. 

The Education Division
The Entertainment Division
The Student Services Center
The Partnership Division
The Representation Division
The Solidarity Division
It allows us to set up a system for sharing notes and printing out course materials in paper format. We also place group orders for books and supplies for the workshops.  It allows members to participate in the events we organize and to enjoy special rates at certain restaurants, bars, and nightclubs in Montpellier. It’s also an opportunity to foster a sense of community through our events, such as the end-of-year gala. It provides access to “SOS Nounou,” a system that connects midwifery students with parents looking for babysitters. We also offer the option to order vegetable baskets at affordable prices. It allows our members to get discounted prices from our association's partners It allows students to stay informed about the various discussions and training sessions organized by AGEM and ANESF and to participate in them. It entitles members to participate in all the activities we carry out, such as those mentioned above.

How do I sign up?

By paying the €10 membership fee at the AMESF office on the Arnaud de Villeneuve Campus, located at 641 Avenue du Doyen Gaston Giraud, Montpellier 34090. 

Starting this year, any student—regardless of their major—can join our association. While they don’t have access to all the same benefits as midwifery students, they’re welcome to attend our social events, share their ideas, or get involved in our various projects, for example!

A few words about the 2020–2021 executive board?

We have complete confidence in the next generation; there are some wonderful things in store, and we can't wait for them to bring all their projects to life! 

In the meantime, you can find us on all our social media platforms!

Facebook: AMESF – Montpellier Association of Midwifery Students in Montpellier

Instagram: amesf_sfmtp

Snapchat: amesf_sfmtp

Twitter: AMESF_SFMTP

 

 

 

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