PAMSA heartbeat 2014 by Angely Rondon

Imprint The International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) is a non-profit, non-governmental and non-partisan organization representing associations of medical students internationally. IFMSA was founded in 1951 and currently maintains 115 National Member organizations from more than 100 countries across six continents with over 1.3 million students represented worldwide. IFMSA is recognized as a nongovernmental organization within the United Nations system and the World Health Organization, and is a student chapter of the World Medical Association. For more than 60 years, IFMSA has existed to bring together the global medical student community at the local, national and international levels on social and health issues.

Editor in Chief Angely Rondón, Peru Design/Layout Angely Rondón, Peru Content Editor Angely Rondón, Peru Proofreading Joel Rondón, Perú Rael García, México Helena Chapman, Dominican Republic

Publisher International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations General Secretariat: IFMSA c/o WMA B. P. 63 01212 Ferney Voltaire, France. Phone: +33 450 404 759 Fax: +33 450 404 937 Email: gs@ifmsa.org Homepage: www.ifmsa.org

This is an IFMSA publication

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C Portions of this publication may be reproduced for non political, and non profit purposes mentioning the sources provided.

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Contents

Editorial Words of the Editor in Chief

Regional Coordinator’s Message Message from the America’s Regional Coordinator

Regional Team Meet the PAMSA Team

Health and the Post 2015 Agenda Americas: More than a simple Region

SCOME Diabetes Prevention Campaign Libras en Saúde

SCOPH Bringing Think Global to the IFMSA work in PAMSA, Beware of Endemic Disease, The ODEM Brigade, JAMSA: The Rebirth

SCORA World Day against Breast Cancer, How Well Educated is the Adolescent Population about Sex and STIs?

SCORP Why SCORP?

SCOPE Pre Departure Training

NMOs Space IFMSA Ecuador IFMSA Brazil

Editorial Dear PAMSA Family,

Angely Rondón Publications & Media Development Assistant for the Americas 2013-2014

This time I have been granted the great honor to briefly summarize our experiences over the past year in our beloved region PAMSA. Welcome back to another edition of the PAMSA Heartbeat. You will find extensive information related to IFMSA in our region and its activities in the Standing Committees, as well as messages from our Regional Team represented by our Regional Coordinator. You will also find some inspirational activities that took place in our region during this term. Being part of the America’s amazing team was a dream come true. I enjoyed every second of reading, editing and writing because it was like sharing these precious moments with my family… PAMSA.

Maybe I will not be able to join you physically, but I want you to know that all my soul and thoughts are with you now Because I am starting my intern life, it is my duty to diagnose myself now… I am happy. I think this diagnosis is the same that I could give to you on a day like today, where we laugh!!! Today we smile because we have fulfilled a dream, we are full of hope, and we will continue dreaming. We still have far to go. I sincerely hope that you will enjoy this reading experience. With my love, I send you all a big lama hug, Angely Rondón Publications & Media Development Assistant for the Americas 2013-2014

Regional Coordinator’s Message Dearest Americas Family: Elias J. Ortega Chahla. Regional Coordinator for the Americas 2013-2014

It is indeed a pleasure to greet you in a year that has brought so much joy and pride to our wonderful region! The Americas Region, also known informally as PAMSA, was first created back in 2002, when a bunch of countries saw the opportunity to bring together our members, a crazy idea at the time, it proved to be the beginning of a magical journey, one that has been going on for over 10 years and promise to keep doing so! Our members are indeed individuals with a unique set of characteristics; throw in a spoon of creativity, a measure of commitment, a great deal of passion and a pinch of spirit , mix it all together and voilá! You got yourself a true PAMSAmigo! But what has made 2014 such an important year for PAMSA? Well, I personally like to call 2014 the Record year for our region! Why? Allow me to explain… This year’s Regional Meeting has proven to be the biggest and best RM in recorded history! With over 150 participants, 5 PreRM

Workshops (including for the first time in our region, a TOT) and for the first time since 2005, we held a Team of Officials Meeting in our region. Last, but not least, we also had the biggest presence of IFMSA Officials in recent history! Also, this year we have kept on growing, with 25 NMOs (and the promise of even more before the year ends) our family has never been bigger! So, my dear friends and colleagues, I propose a toast to all the wonderful things we have achieved as a region this year, and to all those yet to come! Cheers!

Yours truly,

Elias J. Ortega Chahla. Regional Coordinator for The Americas 2013-2014

Regional Team

Introducing our PAMSA Regional Team:

Elias Jesus Ortega Chahla Regional Coordinator for the Americas

Madeleine Luchsinger NMO Development Assistant

Rael Garcia Policy & Advocacy Development Assistant

Angely Rond贸n Publications & Media Development Assistant

Gustavo Fitas Capacity Development Assistant

Faviz Rivera Projects Regional Assistant

Scott Hodgson SCOME Regional Assistant

Whitney Cordoba SCOPE Regional Assistant

Arthur Mello SCOPH Regional Assistant

Emily Stewart SCORA Co-Regional Assistant

Jeazul Ponce SCORA Co- Regional Assistant

Valter Sartorato SCORE Regional Assistant

Maxime Leroux SCORP Regional Assistant

Health and the Post2015 Agenda As we are almost reaching the 2015, it appears clear that our world has changed a lot since the 2000s, when 198 world leaders discussed and established the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Through online surveys, consultations and lots of meetings, the UN and other organizations have been asking the population what were the main issues of our world in an attempt to find solutions in the coming years.

As young people, we are in advantage in some reasons: we represent the 40% of the population in the world; and we have the energy and motivation to reach places adults can’t. A clear example is the rise of the Sexual Transmitted Infections (STI’s); through Peer Education, we can influence more young people that teachers or parents and we can help reduce the current situation of STI’s and new infections of HIV.

Without any surprises, health is a big part of this scene. In the past years, we have seen the rise of diseases we thought they were eradicated, such as Ebola and Polio; we have started to witness the health and social impacts of climate change; we have seen an incredible rise on NonCommunicable Diseases (NCD’s); and yet, we still have not found a cure to HIV.

Many organizations are empowering youth and are seeking for their advice, as they want youth to be part of the decisions and to have a shared leadership role. But to do so and improve our world, we need to get involved; we need to speak up if we see problems in our surroundings. As future physicians, the challenges will increase in number and are most likely to be more difficult than ever to solve; it is time for us to start preparing the world for the generations that will come after us. We need to commit ourselves and continue doing advocacy. There are many ways to advocate for the issues in your country: dream bigger, reach organizations, share your ideals and create solutions together.

So what should be our health priorities in this world that changes so rapidly? The answer can be found in your surroundings. If you look around in your schools, in your neighborhood, in your hospital, you will get a glimpse of what people are getting sick of. You will find some very diverse groups of people with different priorities. You will realize that most of our diseases are associated with what we eat, where we live, how we live and our access to the healthcare systems. I believe environmental sanitation and healthy lifestyles are two key components to reduce the burden of diseases in our future. Let’s not forget about access to healthcare systems and access to adequate treatment as important issues that need to be discussed in the post-2015 agenda.

Let the world know of what your society is suffering from and advocate on behalf of those who can not. Get involved and be part of health and the post-2015 agenda. www.worldwewant2015.org

Rael Garcia DA Policy Advocacy Americas

Americas More than a simply region The Americas Region, or PAMSA for the closer ones, is the second region in number of the National Member Organizations (NMOs) in IFMSA. Over the last 10 years, our region has been constantly growing and taking its position besides the other IFMSA regions. We have continued to work on the development of new projects, cooperation with American organizations and external representation. In addition, advocating our needs is one of our upcoming activities. However, these achievements were reached because of our determination and commitment as well as our teamwork. Even though we are only one region, each NMO has its own peculiarities – language, structure, actions – that may hamper its participation with the other NMOs. It is essential that our unique differences be respected by all.

However, this exchange of different cultures and ideas is what strengthens us. We discuss, argue, work together, meet each other and make friends. We are always welcoming new members and have a unique PAMSA affection with each other. This is what makes our region so special as newcomers may feel, comfortable and inspired to become leaders. These feelings of love and friendship, which unite us, are the heart of our region. For this reason, PAMSA is much more than simply a group of people, team or region. For us, it has a special meaning that can be expressed with a simple word: family. We are leaders in our PAMSA family.

Let’s take care of our family together!!! Gustavo Fitas Manaia Capacity Development Assistant for the Americas

SCOME Diabetes Prevention Campaign (Nowadays, Mexico ranks second in adult obesity). Furthermore, in recent years, it has been demonstrated that obesity is associated with chronic systemic diseases. Thus, we focused in this health message for our prevention campaign. We collaborated to increase awareness about biological factors and lifestyles. Our findings showed a critical need for diabetes prevention efforts in our community and suggested that health promotion should particularly focus on increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, participating in aerobic exercise and improving patient adherence to treatment. November was a month with many activities for our NMO, SCOME Mexico in the "Diabetes prevention campaign"; an amazing project that had satisfactory results in 22 states of our country, we positively impacted in our society and student community. The project aimed to provide a larger perspective to the treatment for diabetes control, to increase knowledge in patients about their illness by promoting healthy lifestyles and increasing awareness about the complications of this disease. We also understand that obesity is a public health problem that has reached epidemic proportions with a high worldwide prevalence

VĂctor Daniel DomĂnguez Echeveste NOME 2013-2014 IFMSA MĂŠxico

SCOME LIBRAS em SaĂşde According to the latest Brazilian census, there are about 9.7 million people with some form of hearing impairment. Of these, 344,200 are deaf. Aware of the significant portion of the deaf in the Brazilian population and ensuring universal access to health care in the constitution, the Brazilian Sign Language ( LIBRAS ) was recognized as an official language of the Brazilian deaf community on April 24, 2012, ensuring the dissemination and teaching of sign language. However, few advances have occurred. In order to disseminate this knowledge among medical health professionals, overt the past 3 years, 16 local committees of IFMSA Brazil organized twenty health campaigns of "LIBRAS em SaĂşde" ("LIBRAS in Health"). Focusing in professionals and medical students, qualified teachers and interpreters provided sign language lessons and stimulated interest to better care for individuals. The courses lasted at least 30 hours with theoretical lessons, in which they discussed the LIBRAS and the peculiarities of the deaf culture and practice. Not only did this course promoting knowledge and interest about the reality of this population, but also it encouraged the implementation of LIBRAS in the medical curriculum. More than 400 people were trained through these classes. Hopefully thought such initiatives the rights of deaf individuals become more recognized and respected and LIBRAS integrated into the basic medical curriculum. Ana Beatriz Silva Carvalho NOME2012 - 2013 IFMSA Brazil

SCOPH Bringing Think Global to the IFMSA work in PAMSA Think Global is the IFMSA's premier Global Health Initiative working to educate and empower youth around the world to make a change in global health. Over the next year, Think Global will be providing workshops, webinars and blogs supporting IFMSA in itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work on post2015, climate change and advocacy. The over-arching aim of the initiative is to "bring Think Global to the local level." Think Global aims to educate and provide forums for discussion through webinars and blogs. Webinars will be available to the IFMSA network and offer opportunities to discuss a variety of topics, ranging from Global Health Diplomacy to Sustainable Development, while featuring youth leaders in their fields as well as international experts. To complement these webinars, monthly Think Global blogs on the IFMSA website will provide insight into topical global health debates and issues. The first blogs have the latest discussion about Climate Change, Health and Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

Future global health leaders need to be knowledgeable in global health and have skills in advocacy and diplomacy to enact this knowledge in a productive way. Think Global will be working to build capacity among the youth generation to develop change makers capable of creating the world we want. This year we aim to introduce a formalized global health advocacy training that will increase the availability of training for youth around the world. Most of all, the Think Global coordinators and international team wants to meet the needs of the IFMSA network. Please do get involved and contact thinkglobal@ifmsa.org. All ideas are welcome! Claudel and Anya IFMSA Think Global Co-coordinators

SCOPH “Beware of Endemic Disease” SCOPHeroes collaborate in the Dominican Republic Endemic diseases are those infectious diseases that exist regularly in our geographic region, affecting our environment and endangering the health of our community members. Unfortunately, across the globe, many endemic diseases are not considered national priorities and minimal action is taken to reduce the health and economic burden to communities. Unfortunately, many community members are uninformed or misinformed about how to prevent the spread of these endemic diseases in their community. In fact, they may even have the appropriate strategies to combat these disease threats in their home and community. However, without the union of health professional students to raise awareness and educate about these endemic diseases that affect our geographies, the existence of strategies is inadequate. In the Dominican Republic (DR), alarming statistics describe the current challenge in infectious diseases, which have declined over the years, but are far from eradication. These most common endemic diseases in the DR include dengue, lymphatic filariasis, malaria, parasites and tuberculosis (TB). Between 2001 and 2007, there were 106,037 of cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), 1,299 dengue fatalities, and a DHF case fatality rate of 1.2%. The DR had one of the highest case loads and case fatality rates in the Caribbean region. In addition, since TB was previously difficult to diagnose in children, the call for health strategies to control TB is critical in our modern world with quick and effective access to traditional diagnostic methods. In order to educate our community members about endemic diseases, 10 ODEM-Dominican Republic members organized and coordinated the SCOPH campaign, “Beware of endemic diseases”. A total of 75 participating medical

students, health promoters, nurses and physicians educated more than 800 community residents of two rural southeastern DR communities (Comunidad de Villegas, Batey Higuamo I), where they visited houses, schools and businesses in the area. They distributed educational flyers, conducted health seminars and provided personalized counseling regarding the prevention of various endemic diseases to these communities. Finally, team members extended this campaign to different DR universities in order to increase awareness about endemic diseases among university students.

In summary, this ODEM national health initiative permitted the collaboration of approximately 75 medical students, health promoters, nurses and doctors in important outreach activities to two rural DR communities. Community members perceived this successful health collaboration as an essential action that should be repeated on future occasions. As our ODEM members unite, we can continue collaborating on important health initiatives that can work toward improving the health care system that all DR citizens deserve. Luis Alejandro Montero Báez LPO 2014 ODEM Dominican Republic

SCOPH The ODEM Brigade: Together in Health in the Dominican Republic As a major public health concern, vector-borne diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. Direct evidence of the role of arthropods which transmit infectious agents to man occurred only in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when Sir. Patrick Manson showed that Wunchereria bancrofti filariasis was transmitted through the bite of the infected female mosquito, Culex.

designed and implemented the national health team, â&#x20AC;&#x153;ODEM Brigadeâ&#x20AC;?, to complete future national health initiatives. In the ODEM Brigade, groups of trained medical student volunteers will enter communities with limited access to public health information and conduct house-to-house visits. For example, these students can complete primary physical assessments and provide information on basic health measures.

As a vector-borne disease, there is no direct transmission from one person to another. Biological transmission of microbes to humans and animals requires the participation of arthropods. In the Dominican Republic (DR), vector-borne diseases, including dengue, chikungunya and malaria, are related to the hot summer months and movement of population groups. Over the past four years, DR statistics have calculated 12,166 dengue cases and 1,643 malaria cases in 2010 and 7,500 CHIKV cases since 2013 in 15 different cities.

Using the ODEM Brigade, our first activity that commemorated the World Health Day campaign incorporated a small group of medical students from three DR universities to visit the Los Jardines del Norte community and the Santo Domingo subway station. Team members educated community citizens about how to prevent vectorborne diseases, how to identify vector breeding sites, and how to protect the house from arthropods that transmit infectious diseases.

In order to educate the DR population about the basic steps to a healthy lifestyle, members

In summary, designing and implementing the ODEM Brigade is just the beginning of a national ODEM goal to join forces and maximize our health outreach programs in the DR. ODEM members aim to have a future where health professional students can collaborate with other university students to build healthy environments. For example, by joining forces with architecture students, the application of healthy built environments can improve access to safe drinking water and aid in overall community health promotion and prevention.

Jessica Bottentuit Rocha NORA 2013-2014 ODEM-Dominican Republic

SCOPH JAMSA “The Rebirth” Jamaica Medical Students Association Standing Committee On Public Health (JAMSA-SCOPH) started 2014 by delivering health orientated workshops and out-reach programmes to the public of Kingston.

We worked alongside Dr. Havanlee Henry, an orthopedic resident from Yale University, who was funded by The Clinton Foundation, in providing medical examinations and screening tests on March 29th at a mobile clinic in Downtown Kingston.

SCOPH’s participation in the ‘Food For The Poor Health Fair’ at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Kingston on April 12th, saw the team conducting free depression screening and advising at-risk persons to seek further medical assistance.

“Volunteering at the health fair brought to mind the gargantuan task the health sector has in treating each individual equally” explained final year medical student and volunteer Jamila James. “The lack of resources tremendously impacts the level of care that is afforded to citizens. However it is efforts like those made by SCOPH that gives a ray of hope”. During the year 2014, we have seen our membership grow, with a new president and support staff leading a rebirth of SCOPH, positioning our volunteer-lead organization to make even greater strides in the next academic year. “Our general mission is to provide health information and services to the public, particularly those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds,” said SCOPH President, Kizanne James. “From our ‘Marijuana Induced Psychosis’ mental health campaign to our ‘Mind Matters Programme’ promoting good mental health for healthcare professionals, our work has been well received. Our main goal for this upcoming academic year is to start a SCOPH Scholarship for students in need of financial assistance. We see health holistically and whole people makes a happier and healthier society”. Martin Baxter SCOPH VP 2014 JAMSA Jamaica

SCORA World Day against Breast Cancer women who have died from this disease. We shared statistics and pink ribbons with community members. In the past two years, our health activities have gained media attention in the newspapers and television.

Since 2011, IFMSA Paraguay organized several activities to celebrate World Day against Breast Cancer. We designed and shared colorful posters for this activity. All medical students dressed a pink or white shirt and made a large human ribbon in the yard of our university to illustrate our commitment with the cause. We also distributed free pink balloons to remember those

Since Paraguay has over 1,800 new cases of breast cancer every year, we cannot ignore this illness. We need to create innovate ideas to raise community awareness. PAMSA is our beloved region with incredible human potential, where hardworking medical students with novel ideas become national and regional projects. As IFMSA Paraguay we believe a new time has arrived, that bring us closer in the IFMSA sky. Congratulations to our PAMSA family for sharing efforts over the past 10 years and making a positive impact in health. Rita AzurĂn NMO President IFMSA Paraguay

SCORA How Well Educated is the Adolescent Population about Sex and STIs? One of my favorite poets, William Shakespeare, wrote, “Ignorance is the curse of God; knowledge is the wing wherewith we fly to heaven”. I am an active believer that medical students have a significant scientific and social role to make changes in our communities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases that are spread primarily through person-to-person sexual contact. Although a wide variety of STIs are treatable, others remain untreatable, even with the increment of new drugs and the arduous work of scientists and physicians across the globe. Nowadays, it is common to see teenagers being sexually active at a young age, even prior to their 16th birthday. However, although this trend is one factor, my main concern includes their access and understanding about correct information about sexual practices. Are they conscious about the consequences of being a sexually active person? Do they know the risks when they do not have safe sexual practices? Do they know about STIs? Of course, their answers will vary per individual, and we must consider that we are all raised in different scenarios. However, if we estimate an average, the majority of this population does not know about STIs, and we might ask ourselves “why?” The answer is simple: limited sexual education can only lead to ignorance in healthy sexual practices, and ultimately, STIs. In the Dominican Republic (DR), primary and secondary schools are hesitant to educate on healthy sexual practices, leading teenagers to obtain incorrect information about STIs, including gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, herpes type 2, human papillomavirus and human immunodeficiency virus, from non-trusting

sources. If we are not capable of halting STI transmission, the next generation may not exist. But how can we stop this infectious disease trend? Knowledge is the answer! Even though our first counselors should be our parents, taboo and ambiguous beliefs still exist that hinder the open discussion about sexual education. We have been caught in a vicious circle that we must educate to prevent in order to eliminate the disease spread to future generations. In our active role as medical students, we can design innovative educational strategies to capture attention of adolescents. First, by using the internet, we can raise our voice and spread the importance of sexual education by posting or creating catchy slogans and videos. Second, the creation of educational groups may serve as an advisory board to adolescents, in addition to any discussions at school or at home. Third, the innovation of STI testing centers that make it easier for adolescents to get tested in their country, which would be an incredible step towards success in our commitment toward STI control and future eradication. In summary, medical students can be a significant leader and role model in our communities. By collaborating on novel educational programs to increase knowledge and understanding about healthy sexual practices, we can empower youth to improve decision-making skills. Together, we will eventually be able to break the current paradigm and improve health of our community citizens across the world.

Anthony Junior Santana LORA 2013-2014 ODEM-Dominican Republic

SCORP Why SCORP? Why work in Human Rights and Peace as future doctors? This is a question that many medical students ask themselves. At a first look, the link between Human Rights and Health can be difficult to understand, but reflecting on it, we realize the relation is direct. The respect of Human Rights is essential to good health. For me it’s the basis of why I want to become a physician and why I became involved in IFMSA.

In the last few months, various trainings have been held on the link between Human Rights and health, particularly by IFMSA-Argentina, IFMSABolivia, IFMSA-Brazil, IFMSA-Chile and IFMSAParaguay. The region of the Americas is full of potential, creativity and good projects. Capacitation of members on this theme will only permit SCORP to do even more.

The proof of the importance of Social Determinants of Health (SDH) is well established. Education, socio-economic level, housing, working conditions, and social inclusion are all factors that influence health and ultimately refer to the dignity, the respect of the integrity and the equality of all people.

As future doctors, we need to take conscience of this direct relation between Human Rights and health that will touch our patients. After all we do not have to wait to be physicians to become informed, reflect and act!

Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees the right to health and points out the relation between SDH and Human Rights: – “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.” Hence, acting on SDH is acting for the respect of Human Rights, and consequently, every violation of Human Rights is related to a SDH.

Maxime Leroux-La Pierre SCORP RA for the Americas

SCOPE Pre-Departure Training As the end of the year approaches, I thought about my activities during the past 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 45.25 seconds. Flashbacks entered my mind, and I finally reflected on an illumination about my activities and I found what I was looking for. This 2013, I am proud to say that SCOPE was a huge part of my life, not only as NEO, but also for all SCOPE activities. I spend a significant amount of my time travelling to various cities in Peru training LEOs on two special projects: PreDeparture Training (PDT) and Academic Quality (AQ). However, I admit that PDT stole my heart. Each time I planned a PDT training, I remembered the first training I made in 2011, when I was still a LEO. At this time, I was new to the IFMSA world, and APEMH-Peru gave me the opportunity to attend AM2011 Denmark where I first heard about PDT. When I returned home, and after some hesitation, I decided to contact Ian Pereira and Mary Halpine from Canada and obtain more information and advices to organizing my first PDT. They provided much more support than I expected, sending me many resources, manuals, and research articles. Since I was really motivated, I decided to review all the information and learned so much.

After making about a hundred drafts about my PDT training, I was ready. As I announced the first training to outgoing students, I also asked students who had already travelled to provide testimonials. So, on one Saturday afternoon, I was in front of 12 students who were waiting for the training to start. I was very nervous and insecure, but I managed to start. As the session continued, I became more calmed. By the end, I admit that the training made a significant impact for subsequent trainings. After this first PDT, I spent two days reviewing the training materials. After two months, I completed a second session. Since this time, I have made more than six PDTs, and I have travelled around Peru training all the LEOs on this project. For this reason, PDT was the project that completely filled my heart this year. I am appreciative for the support provided by Ian and Mary. Their advice and resources were key to the success of the PDT trainings in Peru. PDT Rocks! Always remember exCHANGE the World  Joel Rondón National Exchange Officer (NEO) APEMH-Perú

NMOs SPACE knowledge an awaernes about autism. Narazeth Project (SCORP): As a finalist in the last Rex Crossley Award, Nazareth Project focuses on elder citizens living in nursing homes. During the 5-week project, students provided moments of leisure, excitement and interaction that promoted integral health for the elderly. Thought these social experiences, students learned the importance of the social role of the doctor and methods to practice a more humane medicine.

In these early months of 2014, three beautiful projects from IFMSA Brazil have amazed everyone with their creativity and promotion of a more humanized medicine. Thus, why not share these intriguing actions with PAMSA members? We hope you enjoy it! Doctor Blue (SCOME): During the March Meeting 2014, the 2nd place of the Rex Crossley Awards was certainly one of the most touching projects that we had the pleasure of performing. Idealized by the Local Committee FMABC of IFMSA Brazil, the project aimed to make students more aware about autism and demystify misconceptions. Through films, discussions, classes and visits to autistic institutions, the project trained and sensitized the participating students. After the activities students completed surveys that confirmed their increased

Blood Donation: Be a Superhero (SCOPH): During the regional meting 2014, the first project winner of the stand fair, utilizing an intriguing approach toward blood donation. The project aimed to encourage people to donate blood through the use of posters and fictitious blood bags. By promoting creative phrases such as â&#x20AC;&#x153;If finding blood were that easy, we would not be asking you to donateâ&#x20AC;?, the health message was spread throughout universities and public squares.

NMOs SPACE IFMSA – Ecuador revolution is unstoppable! We have grown in such a way that we have now more than the 75 % of all medical schools in Ecuador with some kind of membership in our NMO. This term will not be the exception. In our three first months of work, we already have great achievements, such as being chosen at the Regional Meeting 2014 as Best delegation, the completition of our very first TNT and successfully finishing the advanced administrative training to our NMO and local organizations leaders. We have even greater plans for the rest of our term, specially now since our NMO has finally reached ones of our biggest objectives: legal

recognition as national non-governmental organization. After this two year process, we can finally enjoy the advantages of our new legal status. After our three year strategic plan, we can assure the continuity and stability of our NMO and be able to conceive a future in which IFMSA – Ecuador could be one of the strongest NMOs within PAMSA. We hope that our growth will allow us to provide our region with greater contributions. Together we stand! María José Cisneros Cáceres President IFMSA-Ecuador