DiveRCSIty – September 2019 (Vol. 4 Issue No. 4) by DiveRCSIty - RCSI Student run Newspaper and Publications

#DIVERCSITY RCSI Student run Newspaper and Publications

|September| |Publication Year 2019, Vol. 4, Issue No. 4|

of �S tu de nt �L if e s t o h s Snap

The Graduates of 2019 welcome the incoming Freshers

Our Guide to RCSI’s Countless Clubs & Societies

pg 9-27

Printed at

pg 4-5

Read Kathryn Wiesendanger’s Powerfully Affecting ‘When Will The Bullet Hit?’

pg 44

A Publication by

// Meet the team.

Editors’ Notes

DIRECTOR AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

QASIM ALI BARI »

« ALIYA ESMAIL

FEATURE ARTICLES

EDUCATION

DEENA SHAH »

« NYI TUN SAN

CULTURE AND LEISURE

NEWS AND RCSI EVENTS

DAVID JOYCE »

« SARAH CULLEN

SOCIAL MEDIA OFFICER

NEWS AND RCSI EVENTS

KATHY LIU »

« DERMOT FARRELL

COVER ART DESIGNER

ILLUSTRATOR

FIONA MCGOWAN »

« MERNA BAWYAN

STAFF ASSOCIATES CORRIENA BRIEN & JACKIE KNOWLES - CONTENT REVIEW, STAFF CO-ORDINATORS PROF CLIVE LEE - WRITER: ANATOMY

September 2019

DIVERCSITY.COM

Editors’ Notes

ear Student

I am delighted to welcome you to the September 2019 issue of DIVERCSITY and to welcome our new incoming students who see this publication for the first time. RCSI’s core values of Respect, Collaboration, Scholarship and Innovation creates a learning and work environment defined by dignity and respect that continuously seeks to build an inclusive community for all our students and staff.

RCSI is particularly privileged to have such a remarkable and diverse student body together with an Alumni of over 17,000 in 97 countries. Each year we celebrate our diversity by showcasing culture, traditions, food, music and dance from our students’ home countries with International Night, International Food Night and Cultural Diversity Month. RCSI also has an International Citizenship Award Programme encouraging students to reflect on and develop the skills, values and attitudes required to work effectively in a culturally diverse healthcare environment. Enjoy the DIVERCSITY publications and please consider writing for one of the editions to help celebrate the great diverse culture that is RCSI. Best wishes to DIVERCSITY and the Editorial Team for the 2019/20 Academic Year. Happy Reading!

// At a glance... Editors’ Notes.

Professor Hannah McGee Dean, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, RCSI

September 2019

ear Reader,

Welcome to your copy of DiveRCSIty, RCSI’s student run newspaper! I stress ‘your’ as our aim for this paper is that it lives up to its title, offering something for everyone between its pages. And by everyone I mean the entire RCSI community - staff, students and alumni alike. To that end, we encourage you to treat this paper as your own and to get involved! We welcome articles on just about any topic, as well as poetry, prose, photography and indeed art in all its forms.

In this issue of DiveRCSIty, graduates from the schools of medicine and pharmacy share their experiences, providing valuable insights for both freshers and returning students. We have a comprehensive showcase of the college’s many clubs and societies. Humans of RCSI return with meditations on self-love. RCSI’s new Student and Sports Unions introduce themselves. Our own David Joyce talks all things Dublin from discounts to destinations. Finally, our recurring poetry, arts and recipe sections are all present and ready for you to pore over. Thank you for picking up this copy of DiveRCSIty! Let us know what you think of it - you’ll find us over on Facebook and Instagram. We’ll be waiting.

�QASIM�ALI�BARI�

Director�and�Edito

r�DIVERCSITY.COM in�Chief

// The Graduating Class of 2019 Welcomes the Incoming Freshers of 2019 //Dear Freshers of 2019, A

s is customary amongst the outgoing students over the last few years I have been asked to write a piece reflecting on my experience in RCSI, and to give any advice that they may have stumbled upon along the way. So without further ado, here are some snippets I have learned in my 5 years, and some I’ve stolen from friends. From the top. First of all, I would like to congratulate all of you on achieving your goal of finally getting into med school. Those hours spent slogging through the leaving cert or interviews, the nervous waits, arranging accommodation in Dublin, moving your life across the world just to follow your dreams. Without a doubt the hardest part is over, once you are in it takes a lot of slacking, skipping class and effort to get kicked out… Now that’s not saying this is an easy process. Over the next 5 or 6 years you will spend a lot of sunny days in the library and hours stressing about not being there. You will miss family events, you will find yourself pushed to your limits, and beyond. There will be good days, and bad days. You will fail exams, you will resent having ever decided to study medicine, but on that day in May when your number is read out from the stairs in RCSI it will all be so so worth it. So I would advise that from the start you make things as easy as possible for yourself. Studying in college is a little bit different from school. The list of books you could (or could not) read is endless. Thankfully RCSI very generously provide you with copies of the lectures, which is essentially the scope of all you have to know. A little extra here and there is a bonus but for the majority of core topics the lecture material will get you through exams. I personally liked to study alone, however I know that many students preferred to study in groups. The first 3 years are essentially pass/fail, as they don’t count towards the degree. So use this time wisely. Find out what works for you and stick with it through the final two years. Those of you who know me (which is not many I expect), know that I am a firm believer that maintaining a healthy work life balance is the best. I, as a former societies oﬃcer on the students union would highly recommend getting involved in a club or society from the get-go. My vice was rugby. All in all, there are nearly 100 different clubs and societies to get involved in. These are organised by students, for students. There are professional, careers focused societies to table tennis and everything in between. Whatever your interests are there will be something for you. Aside from being a great way to take a break from the books, and to clear the head being involved in something looks great for the CV and shows future employers that you are well rounded. There are, as those before me have said, several key events that should be on everyone’s social calendars. These are : (1) Freshers week – Take your pick of any of the amazing events next year’s SU has organised. Go, meet new people, make friends and enjoy yourself. The first week can be daunting as the workload seems immense, coupled with getting used to living in Dublin and coming in for the dreaded 8am lectures. But please do attend as much as you can, partake in festivities, enjoy yourself (while you can) because the exams are still far away. (2) White Party – This is a unique night run by CAS. The Caribbean and African society in RCSI throws a wild party and it’s like nothing you have ever been to (if you know you know). This is a night I would really recommend to all looking to meet new people and experience the variety of cultures that RCSI has to offer. (3) College Ball –This is the ball organised by the students union once a year and is the opportunity to get yourself all dolled up and go dancing with your friends and classmates. (4) Ballad session – Why not pop out and see your friends show off their musical talents. Have a few drinks and enjoy a musical night!

September 2019

« DR LUKE TRENCH

These are 4 nights that I didn’t miss any year. They are so important to get out and take a break from the books to really let the hair down and give you a new lease of life between exams and break up the monotony of study. I know I am a little bit biased with this opinion being from here, but Dublin is an amazing city, packed full of unique and wonderful people and I would thoroughly encourage all of you to go out and explore as much of the city as you can. It is very easy to get caught up in the RCSI bubble and forget about all the other places that there are to visit. For the internationals make friends with the Irish and they will tell you about all the best spots to go! This piece of advice goes out to all the different streams of med, pharmacy and physio. Make the effort to mix. There are more people out there than just those in your class. Go, mix with your fellow physio and pharmacists. You will make friendships unlike those you make with people in your class. So from a medical point of view, this is the overall picture of how the next 5 years are going to go.

Junior cycle: JC 1, 2 and 3

The is the time when you are primarily based in 123 St. Stephens Green and No. 26 York St. This is also the time when you will be focused on learning the basic and fundamental sciences. You will study biochemistry, physiology, immunology, anatomy and introduction to clinical exams. I found myself a little overwhelmed with work at this point. Starting med school and beginning a new chapter I just wanted to do well. In hindsight I probably should have spent more time trying to mix with my classmates. There will be plenty of time to study when the exams are closer. As I said earlier this is essentially pass fail until 3rd med so all you need to do is pass. Obviously it’s nice to do well, and I would recommend this, but don’t fret if it doesn’t happen right away.

Intermediate cycle: IC 1, 2 and 3

This is when you make the move out to Beaumont Hospital. Yes as my predecessors have said the coffee was terrible, but now we have Starbucks in the Smurfit building making it a little more tolerable. The commute to Beaumont will be an added stress for most of you, and the added workload will be a definite step up but once you pass the in-term exams you will be grand by the end of the year. Here you will begin to learn the fundamentals of pathology, microbiology and begin to get bedside tutorials. In IC3 you will have rotations in different hospitals. Here you will get your first proper introduction to hospital life in a nice, relaxed setting with no real pressure. It’s a nice break before most people decide to sit step 1.

Senior Cycle: SC 1 & 2

Senior cycle is the crunch time when the marks start to count towards the final degree. SC1 works in 5, 7 weeks cycles, where you will rotate through GP, psychology, C – MED, Paediatrics and obstetrics and gynaecology. This is arguably the toughest year with an incredibly fast turn around time. This coupled with the stress of US and Canadian applications can make this an incredibly stressful time. But there is some light around the corner. SC2, final med, the home stretch. You are so close to being a doctor. Show up, attend, learn the medicine and surgery books and you’ll be flying. There are tonnes of continual assessment so the final exams in March, April and May are very manageable. So all in all, my final words of advice are to be yourself. These are the most exciting years of your life. You will make friends, loose some, take time to pursue your passions. Probably the most relevant thing anyone has ever told me is what do you call the person who passes their degree 1st in the class, vs the person who comes last. Both are still called Doctor! Enjoy it as much as I did. Dr. Luke Trench

DIVERCSITY.COM

//Dear First Year Pharmacy Students,

« NIAMH CLIFFORD

i everyone, welcome to RCSI on behalf of the Pharmers!

My name is Niamh Clifford and I just graduated from RCSI this past year so I’m going to give you some tips and tricks on how to make it through college. As you may know, Pharmacy is incredibly broad so I would recommend doing placements in different aspects of pharmacy (Community, Hospital, Industry) to see the variety of avenues that a pharmacy degree can offer. I had site visits to various pharmacy departments in hospitals and also to pharmaceutical industry sites. I did summer placements in two hospital pharmacy departments also which were great. For my final year placement, I did 12 months community pharmacy and have really enjoyed it. It’s great to be able to apply all the knowledge from lectures when on placement and with the new structured course material it can all be consolidated when back in lectures so make the most of it! During my time in RCSI, I was part of the Running Club and became part of the committee/captain. TJ Bourke and Co. have been doing a great job with the club so I would definitely suggest going along to clear the mind and get a few miles in. Swimming club, yoga and table tennis were also great. There are so many events so be sure to attend when you can, college is very busy and your grades are important but I think it’s essential to participate in clubs and socs also. Of course, Pharm Soc and Irish Soc will have lots of excellent events throughout the year so be sure to attend! The biggest lesson I learnt is to keep on top of things from the start as lectures can pile up very quickly. Organisation is important. *Always* ask questions if you’re unsure about things. Training in the morning isn’t always great if illegible scribbles from dozing in lectures is going to be the end result. RCSI is a unique college, so make the most of it! You will meet so many interesting students from different countries and cultures. Clubs and socs are definitely a great way to make friends that you’ll have for life so do get involved in as much as you can. My favourite memory outside of the classroom was being able to run the Boston Marathon with fellow RCSI students thanks to Dr. Vincent Coyle. This was an amazing opportunity that I will never forget.

DIVE INTO

So Fáilte roimhaibh go léir! Enjoy RCSI both academic and extra-curricular activities. Pharmacy is a busy and challenging course but taking time to yourself for your hobbies is important also. The gym staff are great as are committee members of clubs and socs so be sure to try attend with an open mind.

YOUR U UR

Best of Luck with the year ahead and enjoy RCSI! The time will fly - Carpe diem Niamh Clifford, Pharmacy Class of 2019

September 2019

PASSIONS

UNIVERSITY

DIVERCSITY.COM

Student Union

//Meet Your New SU! JAVED My full name is actually Anthony Javed Machikan, but I go by Javed, because Anthony is way too formal to describe me. The way I’d like to think of myself is as a casual, friendly young man who you can easily come to and voice your concerns about absolutely anything in college or even life on the whole. You can ask my friends, I’m always up for a good conversation (especially when I’m supposed to be studying). Over the years of RCSI, I have been fortunate enough to be on a few different committees, probably the most notable achievement being winning International Night

last year with an even more amazing team of CAS members. I was also able to take part in research, the national surgical skills competition and even volunteer in Vietnam for two months. The opportunities that RCSI has afforded me has truly shaped me into becoming a better, more holistic individual, and this is exactly what my team and I would like to do for you. We want to be that bridge between you and the amazing opportunities that RCSI has to offer, so that you can have the best student experience possible.

CATHAL My name is Cathal Ó Tuile, I’m in 3rd Med and I’m really looking forward to being your Societies Oﬃcer and Vice president this year - 2019/2020. A little bit about me: I love sports, I play volleyball and basketball with RCSI and pretty much anything else in my free time. I’m also a proud Gaeilgeoir (Irish speaker). What I hope to do in the SU: Encourage collaboration

between Societies, continue to work to bring a comprehensive Careers’ Day to RCSI, and create a ‘one-stopshop’ calender of all society events in college so that everyone knows whats going on - Along with keeping Javed in check as VP! If you’ve got questions or suggestions, hit me up! Our job is to make your life easier... And we can’t wait to start. Beir bua!

JYOTI My name is Jyoti, I’m from Vancouver, Canada (ironically, I’m not sorry about that!). I’m currently in 3rd Med and last year, I was the one behind all the crazy CAS Events! I was also in charge of Communications in the Emergency Medicine Society and I was convicted of first degree murder in last year’s award winning production of “Chicago”. I’m a dancer at heart and I’ve had the pleasure of performing at every International Night so far! I played Frisbee like Justine and was a ski instructor… but sleeping is definitely my favourite hobby.

September 2019

Being involved in the RCSI community has broadened my perspective in many ways, and has also inspired me to bring change to our school only to further share our diversity amongst our student body. RCSI has some amazing events put on by our very own students, and I hope to not only encourage more events like these, but to find a way to bring all our students together in events which include and appeal to everyone.

DIVERCSITY.COM

Student Union

TIM Hey everyone! I am Tim Vaughan-Ogunlusi, originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and in the GEM program at RCSI. And I am looking forward to being your Education Oﬃcer for academic year 2019/2020! A little bit about me: At college, I am a member of the RCSI Men’s Volleyball team. I have participated in the dance team as well and performed in International Night. Other than that, I am a self proclaimed foodie with a mission to eat my way through Dublin. I love a well curated charcuterie board and cannot survive a day without at least one filtered coffee. I also spend my Saturdays watching Premier League during season.

My goals for next year: My overarching focus for my role on the SU is to make the most of streamlining and consolidating the aspects of college life to make things easier for students. Getting feedback from students is key to my plans, so more than anything I want to hear from you. Some of my goals are to get lecture recordings off the ground, give students more access to professional and career building opportunities, and support the things already going on at the college and make them more accessible and desirable for students.

ÁINE My name is Áine FitzGerald and I am in third Pharmacy. I am very excited to be your new Welfare Oﬃcer for 2019/2020! A little about me: I am a music teacher, I have a few All-Ireland music titles, and I am a member of the National Folk Orchestra of Ireland. I also attempt to play football with the RCSI Ladies Gaelic football team!

My aims for the next year: My main goal is to make a positive impact on the lives of RCSI students. Whether that’s directing you to the appropriate help, trying to reduce prices in college restaurants, or even just listening, I will do everything I can for you!

NIALL Hey everyone. My name is Niall Duane. I’m in 2nd year Physiotherapy. Apart from the hard, scientific, medical facts that are taught, learned and exchanged daily at 26 York Street, I like to mess around with video in my spare time. I joined the Surge team because I liked what their vision entailed and I thought I had something I could bring to the table, both for them,

September 2019

and for the students. Any of you who see me around probably know me as “the guy with the hair” who can’t walk from the dispensary to the library without conversing with at least three random people, and I guess it’s that level of interaction, communication and humanisation that I want to bring to the role of IT oﬃcer with the forthcoming student union.

DIVERCSITY.COM

Student Union

JUSTINE Hello! My name is Chan Zinwen Justine and I am in 2nd Med. I am excited to be one of the Events Oﬃcers for this academic year, 2019/2020. Just a quick introduction, I am from Singapore. I’m currently a member of RCSI Ultimate Frisbee and RCSI Taekwondo (which I just graduated to yellow belt! Woohoo!) I also love chips, so if you see someone around college holding a bag of chips in her hand - it’s probably me.

As one of your Events Oﬃcers, I hope to make your school life as fulfilling and exciting as possible so that once we graduate, we can look back at all the great memories made in RCSI. Rest assured, we have a lot of great things in store for you guys.

ALMOHANNAD Hey everyone, I’m Almohanad Aljulandani. I know it’s a long name so you can call me Al instead. I am a 3rdyear medical student from the Sultanate of Oman. I’m excited to be your new cultural oﬃcer for 2019/2020. You probably know me from MESA as I’ve been part of the committee for 3 years. I started as a general committee member and last year I was their events coordinator. Since my first year here in RCSI, I’ve participated in organizing the cultural booths during Cultural Diversity Month and also the booths for the food night representing either MESA or my country.

September 2019

As you all know, students in RCSI come from more than 60 countries worldwide. They all come from different cultural backgrounds and therefore they have different traditions and beliefs. My aims are to encourage all of the students to be more social and to push them towards experiencing the different cultures that surround them within the college. Also, I’ll encourage students to represent their different cultures not only during CDM but throughout the year.

DIVERCSITY.COM

Clubs & Societies

//Clubs, Teams & Societies, Oh My!

« QASIM ALI BARI

It’s no secret that joining clubs and societies at RCSI is one of the best ways to get fully involved in the college’s diverse and active community. For any freshers reading, it’s also an almost surefire way to make some firm and fast friends! With that in mind, we at DiveRCSIty got in touch with all the newly formed committees and asked if they’d like to introduce themselves and maybe tell you all a bit about their plans for the coming academic year. Presented here, in alphabetic order, are profiles of just some of the college’s many clubs and societies. To learn what you need to sign up to, which events to watch out for, and where the free food’s going to be – turn the page and be enlightened.

September 2019

DIVERCSITY.COM

Clubs & Societies

//AMSI RCSI

« SHWE WAH LWIN

Hello from AMSI RCSI!! Wait, what’s AMSI? The Association of Medical Students, Ireland (AMSI) is the National Member Organization to the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA). Founded in 2013, AMSI engages every day with an inspiring and engaging network of thousands of medical students from all 7 medical schools in the whole of Ireland. AMSI RCSI is one of the participating societies, and provides a platform for medical student engagement in Ireland locally, nationally and internationally. AMSI brings people together to exchange, discuss and initiate projects to create a healthier world. It gives its members the skills and resources to be health leaders. It advocates for pressing issues that matter to shape the world we want. And it does deliver: our campaigns and our activities positively impact the physicians-to-be and the communities they serve.

Chairperson – Shwe Wah Lwin Hello everyone, Shwe here! I’m from Yangon, Myanmar. I am a SC1 student & I am honoured to be part of AMSI this academic year. Being connected to all other medical schools on the island of Ireland, and being a member of IFMSA, AMSI RCSI is a very unique society, and has local oﬃcers for different fields mentioned below. We have different events throughout the year, so stay tuned! AMSI warmly welcomes you all. Looking forward to meeting you all. If you have anything to ask about AMSI, drop a message at any AMSI RCSI social media page, or an email at assocmsi@rcsi.ie or amsircsi@ gmail.com.

Vice-chair/ Local officer of Public health – Robert (Bobby) Doris My name is Bobby Doris. I am in 4th med and I am co-chair this year! It’s been a delight to be part of AMSI over the last couple years as a committee member. I look forward to meeting other medical students and continue AMSI’s great work this next school year across all medical campuses. Here’s to another great year with AMSI!

Secretary – Low Jing Er Hey everyone, my name is Jing Er and I’m in 4th med. I’m really excited to be part of the committee and look forward to what this coming year has to bring! I love to travel and absolutely love desserts :)

Treasurer – Verona Fu Hi, I’m AMSI’s treasurer, Verona! I’m in 4th med and this is my second year as a committee member. Last year was very exciting for me to get in touch with people on a national, even international level and I cannot wait for what this year has to bring!

Public relation officer – Armaan Han Hi, my name is Armaan and I’m entering JC3. I’m from Charlotte, North Carolina and I’m excited to be the Public Relations Oﬃcer for AMSI this year! I’m interested in getting more involved with the Irish medical community, as well as meeting medical students from other Irish schools.

Local officer of Medical education (LOME) – Areen Fathima Hello all!! My name is Areen. I’m Indian, grew up in Dubai and ended up in Dublin to study medicine. And am I glad I did!! I love this wonderful city. I enjoy going on long runs at a ridiculously slow pace, hikes and of course, Netflix! Looking forward to being your LOME for this year.

September 2019

Local officer of Sexual & reproductive health (LORA) – Ciara Malone Hi! I’m Ciara Malone, now in my final year of medical school, and am happy to introduce myself as this year’s Local Oﬃcer for Sexual and Reproductive Health as part of the AMSI Committee. A little about me! I was born and raised in the United States, before moving to Ireland and attending an all-girls secondary school, where I wrote my Leaving Certificate exams. I started in RCSI in 2015 and cannot believe it is now my last year of college! I have had a phenomenal time here and hope I can contribute to making others’ time enjoyable and make a difference in our community before I graduate in May.

General committee member Hey! My name is Samah, I am currently in SC1. I am the general committee member in AMSI. A little about me, home is Toronto! Living in such a diverse city has inspired me to travel and engage in rich cultural experiences. Taking part in a society like AMSI is a great opportunity to do that whilst engaging in projects to improve healthcare globally. I’m looking forward to meeting many of you at AMSI’s events this year!

LAST YEAR, WE: - Hosted the National Association of Medical Students Ireland General Assembly in September over three days.

About my new role as 2019/2020 LORA: the Association of Medical Students Ireland is committed to supporting the students in our community in all aspects of their time at university, including sexual health. It will be my mission to try and normalise the wide range of topics regarding sexual health, including contraception, sexually transmitted diseases and access to treatment, fertility, relationships and consent. I want to help RCSI continue to grow as a diverse place, particularly when it comes to gender issues and identity. Your university campus should be a place you feel comfortable and confident to express yourself, and I want to achieve that this year. If you see me walking around York Street, don’t be afraid to come say hi or drop me an email at lorarcsiamsi@ gmail.com

- Held the SMedEd Surgical Journal Club in October in collaboration with AMSI TCD & AMSI UCD in October. This event also involved collaborations with the surgical societies from the respective colleges.

Local officer of Professional exchanges (LOPE) – Joseph Saleh

- Held a Local Medical Case Competition in collaboration with the RCSI Biological Society

Hi my name is Joseph and I’m in the final year of the MPharm (Pharmacy) programme. I have a strong interest in research and believe RCSI provides excellent opportunities for students to engage with these opportunities and also present the research conducted. If you have any questions regarding research I’d be more than to discuss it!

Local officer of human rights & peace (LORP) – Harleen Jhinger Hello! I am a Canadian student who is currently entering my third year at RCSI. When I am not busy studying, I enjoy exploring the beautiful scenery of Ireland. I look forward to being the AMSI LORP for the coming year, and bringing the skills from my prior studies in social work to good use!

- Ran the RCSI safeTALK training course in November -Partook in an online campaign as part of Antibiotics Awareness Week with AMSI in November, which involved posting information and infographics on our Facebook and Instagram platforms - Organized soup runs with the Mustard Seed Project Dublin to help tackle the growing problem of homelessness in Ireland over 4 weeks

- Collaborated with the AMSI National group to hold the National Medical Case Competition, which the winner of the RCSI Local Competition represented RCSI in This year, we have some of the same events from last year, and more fun and interesting events arranged. You are very welcome to join our events, and please visit www.amsiofficial.com for more information! Don’t forget to follow us on social media (Facebook: AMSI RCSI, Association of Medical Students Ireland – AMSI, Instagram: amsircsi, amsi_ireland) as well for updates! More information on IFMSA on ifmsa.org.

DIVERCSITY.COM

Clubs & Societies

//AICS RCSI

« CAOLAN REID AICS Education Officer

A stranger approaches you and with a convincing sales pitch explains they have an idea! They are going to administer to you a potent cocktail that will interrupt nerve signals from your brain to your body, paralyse your muscles, including those you use for breathing, render you unconscious and when you wake up, you won’t remember anything? How does that sound? While this maybe sounds like any other Saturday night in Dublin, it is actually the exciting world of Anaesthesia. If you think that Anesthesiology and Intensive Care is just about sleep, or if you know lots but are eager to know more and liaise with like-minded people, then the Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Society (AICS) is a great place to start whilst at RCSI. As usual, the AICS has a range of exciting interactive events and workshops planned for the upcoming year with the aim of providing a great platform for all to expand their knowledge of Anaesthetics and Intensive Care as a specialty. This year we look forward to welcoming guests from the world of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care. In the past, we have hosted inspirational speakers who are driven by world-class patient care and a passion for research. In addition, we’ll be teaming up with other RCSI societies including SurgSoc and the Student Medical Journal to bring you some exciting new events. We will also be hosting the ever popular ‘Day in the Life’ event. Here students will have an opportunity to hear about the journeys and lives of different guest speakers, from trainees to experienced consultants; followed by a Q&A where you can ask anything you might want to know about life as an anaesthesiologist! In addition, the event focuses on providing information on the training pathway for Anaesthetics and Intensive Care so even those with a fleeting interest should join us! As we did last year, we will also be running the Critical Care workshop where we have access to the labs in York Street. Society members and guests will gain exposure to practical skills including insertion of ultrasound-guided arterial lines, airway management and intubation, as well as regional anaesthesia skills and echocardiograms. The aim of the AICS is to feed the passion many of us have for Anesthetics and Intensive Care medicine and provide exposure to the specialty for those who would like to know a little more about it. To this end, this year we have introduced our e-sharing strategy, where we

have tasked our members to delve into areas of research and care and share the findings via our Facebook page and digital sharing platforms. There is a huge amount of exciting research constantly changing the face of Anaesthetics and Intensive Care medicine, and one of our core goals is to share posts on a variety of key topics. These will take the form of weekly offerings covering everything from anaesthetic agents and intubation to understanding sepsis and fluid management. We will also be working hard to share a variety of reviews for discussion as well as interesting podcasts, articles, videos and other digital media including sharing recent studies and research, so make sure to ‘like’ and follow us on Facebook. A new addition for last year was an initiative to support students to attend the College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland congress/conference. This was the annual congress and allowed students attendance to key note speakers from USA, Japan and the UK. There were also workshops and exposure to some of the latest research in the specialty. I mentioned to a close family member that I have an interest in a career in Anaesthesia, and their response was that “it’s better for everyone if your future patients are asleep and don’t remember you”…nothing like family to really make you feel good about yourself ! I did explain that Anaesthesiology is a lot more than just putting people to sleep and hopefully if you join us, you’ll be able to learn that too. Remember that the AICS is not just about sharing knowledge about the specialty of Anaesthetics and Intensive Care medicine; it is a great avenue to meet like-minded people and a significant amount of effort is put in to make it a wonderful social society. We have a huge diversity to our membership and each event we host is designed as much for the social aspect as anything else, whether that be a simple coffee and pastry prior to a workshop or some wine and cheese after a guest speaker. Each event is an opportunity to meet people with similar interests from all levels of medicine. We always love seeing new faces so please ‘like’ our Facebook page!

//Animal Welfare Society Lions, tigers, and bears….oh my! Don’t forget cats, dogs, rabbits and (maybe) an alpaca or two. Welcome back to another academic year, and RCSI Animal Welfare Society is incredibly excited to show you everything we have in store for the 2019/2020 term. Founded in 2012 under the well-loved name “Critters Soc”, our society has changed and evolved into what students now know as RCSI Animal Welfare Society. Our main purpose is to connect all types of animal lovers throughout the college. We try to provide experiences for students to interact with furry friends in a positive setting while supporting local charities. Over the last couple years we’ve partnered up with AMAZING organizations such as Wicklow’s own ASH Animal Rescue with what is arguably known as our most awaited event… the charity Dog Walk. Each semester we hold this event in which we socialize with puppies, walk dogs, and interact with the farm life. It’s a day filled with beautiful views, fresh air, wonderful company, and dogs of all shapes, sizes and ages. The proceeds all go directly to the shelter. Other events we’ve had over the years are cake sales, zoo visits, animal farm de-stress events, and collaborations with amazing societies. These include therapy dogs and educational talks on how animals contribute to improving human health and wellbeing. If you’re a passionate animal lover, or simply interested in trying new things and meeting new people, we would love for you to get involved wtih us. Hope you have a wonderful year!

September 2019

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Clubs & Societies

//Cancer Society

« SIMREN CHOTAI

Hello Everyone, we are glad to welcome you to RCSI’s Cancer Society. The goal of the Cancer Society is to promote cancer research to students through fundraising activities around college. We also aim to allow students to learn more about a career in Oncology through various educational events. Our proceeds are donated to the Irish Cancer Society, whose primary aims are to improve the lives of those with cancer and invest in cancer research. We host a number of events throughout the year to get students involved and raise funds. Our first event, Pink Party, is during Freshers Week and all of the proceeds are donated to Breast Cancer Ireland. Our month long fundraising event, Movember, is highly anticipated at college as we round up students who are interested in supporting men’s health by growing out their facial hair. We also have other events such as Daffodil Day where we raise funds by selling baked goods. We are always looking for students who are passionate about the fight against cancer! We have loads of other events throughout the year in college, so be sure to get involved and show your support. Our committee members are eager to make this year as memorable as ever. If you would like to learn more about the Cancer Society and our goals for this year, feel free to contact any of the committee members. The 2019/2020 committee is as follows: • • • • • • • • • • •

President: Kassandra Gressmann Vice Presidents: Githmi Palahepitiya Gamage & Claire Stenson Treasurer: Sarita Ankatiah Secretary: Simren Chotai IT Officer: John Karp PR: Giovanni Andrei & Emma Pounder Fundraising Events Officers: Luke Farrell & Komal Marwaha Fundraising Committee: Abdulla Aljanahi & Anne-Marie Kennedy Educational Events Officers: Cristy Liang & Christopher Woodard Educational Committee: Monica Ramakrishnan & Marita Staunton Advisors: Monika Cieslak & Lan-Linh Truong

//Caribbean and African Society It’s that time of year again. Time to dust the cobwebs off the old textbooks and use your laptop for something educational (*something other than endless Netflix binges). And of course, whether you’re new to RCSI or not, its time to find a new society to invest yourself in for the new semester. And if you are looking for a society that hosts amazing events, incredible performance, or whether you’re simply looking for a place to make new friends, look no further than RCSI’s Caribbean & African Society (CAS). For many of you reading this right now, this may very well be your first time ever hearing of ‘CAS’, so if I were to sum up what we are in a mere few sentences, I’d put it like this: CAS is a society that strives to bring students from different backgrounds closer together through amazing events and unique cultural performance, whilst also raising cultural awareness and bringing much needed attention to charities and ongoing crises that are in dire need of our help. Most importantly, we’re a society that celebrates the rich, vibrant & diverse culture of Africa and the Caribbean, two regions of the world with fascinating and intertwined histories. But above all else, the best thing about CAS is that we are a society where everyone is welcome to celebrate & learn more about these unique and wonderful cultures, no matter where they are from! That is the identity of CAS. While we’re proud to stand upon the shoulders of CAS committees that have come before us, and we’re forever grateful to last year’s committee and everything they achieved together, as with the beginning of every academic year, its out with the old and in with the new! We can’t wait for you to meet the new CAS Team for the 19/20 academic year. Every single person on this committee was chosen because of how passionate they are to making CAS at RCSI the best it can be; from our bubbly IT Oﬃcer Atheer, to our Senior Advisor, Lilly, who keeps us all in check, to our president Kanyi and VP Celine, who steer this whole ship, to our incredibly creative Events Coordinators Moyo & Tayo, accompanied by Maniya, our innovative events Promoter, amongst many, many more! With this new, ambitious committee comes new, creative ideas that we can’t wait to share with the student body this semester. You can join us later this year for Chocolate Ball, the biggest party of first semester, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. Of course, we are really passionate about the charity work we have planned for this semester. We have decided to support two charities this year identifying causes that are in immediate help, in the form of ‘Concern Worldwide’ in aid of Cyclone Idai, and the ‘Living Waters’ Project which strives to prevent water shortages in Trinidad and Tobago. We can’t put into words how pumped we are for the year ahead that we have planned and we hope that you can be a part of it. We look forward to linking up with old students and meeting some new ones this Freshers’ Fortnight.

September 2019

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Clubs & Societies

//RCSI Choral Society At RCSI Choral Society we welcome singers of all abilities to perform with us at many events. We aim to create a fun yet challenging environment for our singers. We sing a wide selection of arrangements including traditional choral arrangements, songs from musicals, pop songs and everything in-between to suit Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone voices and solo singers! Our choir is directed by the accomplished Christina Whyte who is a member of Chamber Choir Ireland. Last year we performed in our Winter and Spring concerts, supported RCSI Drama in their highly successful production of ‘Chicago’ the Musical, RCSIs International Night in the Abbey Theatre and the yearly memorial service in honour of those who’ve donated their bodies to science. We invite you to our weekly rehearsals on at 6pm on Mondays in Damer Hall starting the 23rd of September! (There will be Pizza) Follow us on our Facebook page (RCSI choral society) for weekly updates or contact us at choralsoc@rcsi.com. We would like to introduce our committee members for this year: President: Iseult Ní Lubhaing: I am a 4th year Pharmacy student from County Kerry. I’ve been part of Choral Society for 3 years now and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I’m honoured to be president of this fantastic society this year! Vice President: Aoife Feighery: I’m a final med looking to start a residency in the states next year. It’s my fourth year in the choir and the Monday night rehearsals are still my favourite way to start the week. We have a great group and some lovely music to share this year!

Secretary: Aoife Huethorst: I’ll be going into 4th year Pharmacy. Going to choir is one of my favourite parts of the week, and I’m really excited to be on the committee this year. Hope to see lots of you at the concerts! Treasurer: Anjuli Chehil: I’ll be starting 2nd year Medicine and I’m from Vancouver, Canada. I loved my first year in Dublin and I’m excited to be on Choral Soc committee as treasurer this year! IT oﬃcer: Jaclyn Croyle: I am a SC2 GEM student and this will be my fourth and final year being part of Choral Society. It’s been a great way to meet other students who enjoy singing and to work towards performing at the two concerts we hold during the year. Everyone is welcome, so come by our rehearsals and see what we’re all about! Social Events Oﬃcer: Andrew Cox: I’m a final year GEM from the US. I’ve been passionate about singing since the age of 8, when I joined the Columbia Boys and Girls Choir. Since then, I’ve been in school and community choirs. I am passionate about emergency medicine, and hope to make a difference in how physicians use electronic records in the future!

//CIMSA The Canadian-Irish Medical Students Association (CIMSA) is a student-led society focused on not only aiding medical students in the daunting process of pursuing careers in Canada, but also to create a supportive community for all students during their time at RCSI. This year, the CIMSA Executive Committee will be led by none other than the Queen of Canada, Claire Gallibois, that was a joke, Canada does not have a queen, but Claire is pretty bad ass. Alongside Gallibios will be her faithful vice presidents; Matthew Patel, Maria Casalino and Jack Karp. Overall the committee consists of subgroups with respect to social, academic and sports related events. Each subcommittee organises several events throughout the academic year. These events range from pub nights during Fresher’s Week to academic talks on how to pursue future careers in North America, as well as, an intervarsity sports’ day for Medical Students all over Ireland. At the beginning of the semester, CIMSA guides first year students with freshers’ events to help them integrate into the RCSI community. These events include Dinners hosted in both Toronto and Vancouver during the summer prior to starting RCSI, Freshers Night Out, CIMSA Buddy Meet Up and Belfast Giants Hockey Trip! CIMSA also hosts the “So You Got Into RCSI, Now What?” talk to help educate the fresh RCSI students on what to expect in the coming years and how to best prepare yourself for the daunting match back to a North American residency program. The academic events are designed to give students the necessary knowledge to maximize their chances of matching to residency programs in North America. These events include talks on the following topics: Electives during the summer of SC1, MCCQE1, NAC OSCE, the USMLE exams, and the always heavily anticipated annual CIMSA Match Talk outlining where students from the final medical class have matched and plan to start residency. Additionally, personal development events such as the CV and Mental Health talks, Electives Preparation, Mock NAC OSCE and clinical skills events are organized to introduce and build upon the skills students require to be successful in both medical school and the North American board exams.

September 2019

As medical students, the CIMSA Committee understands the importance of the phrase, “Work Hard, Play Hard”, with our weekly Ball Hockey, Sports Nights and the Thanksgiving celebration lunch, as examples of few in which the Canadian spirit is kept alive in Ireland. CIMSA members are also known to be the undisputed Ball Hockey champions of MedGames, an annual weekend of sports for all medical students studying in Ireland. As a society, we also participate in Cultural Diversity Month during which time International Food night gives us the opportunity to showcase our famous Maple Syrup based recipes and the, highly anticipated, International Night where Canada shows RCSI the charm of Canadian culture, with our stellar dance moves. As future health care professionals, we are looked upon as young leaders in our community. As young leaders, CIMSA puts a large emphasis on giving back to communities which have become our home over the last few years in Ireland. Throughout the year we host events called ‘CIMSA Gives Back’ where students have the opportunity to donate gently used items to organizations in need within the Dublin community. Additionally, we fundraise throughout the year for organizations such as Operation Smile, Irish Cancer Society and the Terry Fox Foundation. So, from all of us in the CIMSA community, welcome to RCSI and welcome to the Family.

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Clubs & Societies

//RCSI Climbing and Mountaineering Club RCSI’s Climbing and Mountaineering Club is one of the most inclusive sports clubs in the college. We arrange roughly 4 hikes per year where the whole student body is invited! Not to mention our weekly climbing sessions, where eager climbers of all levels hang out at The Wall and crush some problems together. The club has roughly 150 registered active members across all the courses RCSI has to offer. Whether you’re in Foundation year, Fourth Med, Second Physio, Third Pharm or even doing your Postgrad at RCSI, you are welcome to climb, hike and have fun with the Climbing and Mountaineering Club. For the 2018/2019 term, the club held 2 day hikes and 2 weekend hikes. The 2 day hikes last year were both at the beautiful Glendalough. The first of these hikes was held during Fresher’s Week. We brought 75 students up and around Glendalough valley, enjoying beautiful views over the Upper Lake. Although the weather was cloudy for this hike and those stone/ wooden stairs near the start of the hike took most of our breaths away (quite literally), the group’s spirit was high and everyone had a great time. The first trip to Glendalough really gave newer students a taste of what Irish nature had to offer. The second trip to Glendalough was during the spring semester. This hike was a great short break from the busy college life at RCSI and from the bustling, but still ever beloved city of Dublin. After the hike, a number of the 50 students that went on the hike gathered to watch legendary mad-man Alex Honnold, who also happens to be an amazing climber, do his thing in the award winning documentary “Free Solo”. The club took this opportunity to raise €200 to donate to the Honnold Foundation, which works to support worldwide environmental initiatives.

« DANISH AMINUDIN

Last, but not least, are the club’s weekly climbing sessions. Climbers of all levels gather by the blouches (= blue couches) every Friday to train, socialize and chill at The Wall. We get to know each other better by getting stronger and more technically sound together. These sessions are a great way for members in different years of the college to meet and catch up with each other on how they’re doing too. Who knows? Maybe some of the seniors have invaluable tips for you on what you can expect from the college in your years to come. The Wall has problems suited from all levels of climbing from beginner to advanced. And if you ever get bored or finish all the problems you can do, they also reset a set of problems every week, so there’s always something fresh to climb. For those who are looking to climb higher and want a more endurance style of climbing, the club also holds a few top-roping/lead climbing sessions every semester at Trinity. At RCSI Climbing and Mountaineering, we welcome everyone regardless of their climbing and mountaineering level, their physical abilities or their background. Whether you have been hiking all your life or are just here to make some friends at the climbing gym, there is a place for you in our club. If the club peaks your interest, feel free to come talk to one of our captains or committee members or even just join us for our weekly climbing sessions. I’m sure you’ll find something fun here.

The 2 weekend hikes are a definite joy, especially for nature-lovers. The first weekend hike for the 2018/2019 term was up Croagh Patrick. A group of 30 excited students summited one of the most iconic peaks in Ireland. At 764m (2507ft.) over sea level, Saint Patrick’s Mountain is the third highest peak and an important site of pilgrimage in County Mayo. The group got up at the crack of dawn and ate breakfast together at Croagh Patrick Hostel and Cottages before excitedly starting the 3 hour hike. We took it at our own pace, trekking up steep terrain on loose rocks. Some members of the group struggled more than others, but we encouraged each other and made sure everyone could make it to the peak. The group enjoyed lunch with stunning views at the peak of Croagh Patrick. When the group finally got back to the hostel in the evening Chef Nick, his Co-chefs Hong Bin and Hani and a handful of helpful assistants treated the rest of the group to Nick’s Specialty Chicken Spaghetti. The second weekend hike of 2018/2019 was up Ireland’s highest peak; Carrauntoohil. Here, another group of 30 students bested this amazing mountain, hiking up the Devil’s Ladder (ooo, spooky). This was another great hike with an exciting drive to the hostel at the base of the mountain, fun times with friends in the evenings at the hostel and lovely memories to take away forever.

September 2019

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Clubs & Societies

//RCSI Dance Team

« SIMRIN BAINS

Who are we?

Meet the team:

We are RCSI’s first ever competitive and performance dance team! We currently consist of fifteen members, each of whom share a common love and passion for the art of dance. Each dancer on the team has years of training in various styles, allowing us to cultivate a diverse environment with unique perspectives to push ourselves out of our comfort zones. From performing a hip hop routine for the first time to learning how to dance in a large group, our members are ready to face any challenge.

Simrin Bains (Co-Founder and Co-Captain) Yavani Kulasingham (Co-Founder and Co-Captain) Amanda Appel (Co-Vice Captain) Megan Patterson (Co-Vice Captain) Daniel Ibrahim Emma Pounder Katie Cater Komal Marwaha Kuvira Manamperi Liyana Kukkadi Meghan Gipson Naeha Lakshmanan Renee Woo Tim Vaughan Fraser Jang-Milligan

The idea of the team came to mind in early 2018, and after working diligently to make it a reality, it finally came to fruition in September 2018. We held auditions in late September and began training the following week. The team trains three to four days a week, focusing heavily on various dance techniques, building strength and flexibility, and working on competition choreography. The team quickly bonded, with members building new friendships, chatting during warmups, or hanging out outside of practices. Whether it be mixing music or meeting with school staff, a lot of hours are put in behind the scenes to ensure that everything runs smoothly throughout the year. Last year’s routines were mainly choreographed by Simrin Bains, Amanda Appel, and Megan Patterson, along with the help of our coach.

Plans for next year We are extremely excited for the upcoming year! As we grow the team in number, we also hope to grow in strength, ability, and skill. With the new school year, we are moving towards having all of our routines choreographed by our dancers. We plan to do as many performances as we can this year, and work towards possibly having our own event featuring performances choreographed by our dancers. Our biggest goal is to place in the top three at the 2020 Dance Inters!

//Dermatology Society We are happy to conclude a successful first year at RCSI’s Dermatology Society. Our largest events included a ‘Day in the Life of a Dermatologist and Plastic Surgeon’ with renowned keynote speakers and a Juice Bar Fundraiser for the Irish Skin Foundation. On a continuous basis, we shared information about skin pathologies throughout the year on our Instagram page @dermsocrcsi and put posters around campus educating students about how stress can affect the skin and where to get help. To highlight the amazing innovation in the field of Dermatology, the society entered an article into #Diverscity Magazine outlining how technology is being used to advance diagnostic, treatment, and monitoring techniques. Overall, we are extremely happy with the response from students and hope that we can expand the society this year with new members and events.

September 2019

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Clubs & Societies

//Infectious Disease & Public Health Society Are you interested in public health and want to learn more? Do you want to get involved in community outreach? Check out the Infectious Disease and Public Health Society (IDPH)! We believe that all physicians should take a holistic, inclusive, and preventative view when practicing medicine. Through monthly global/public health newsletters, workshops, lecture series, community health promotion events and conferences, we hope to provide students with the tools necessary to become better prepared future healthcare providers. We hope to cover topics including; - Outbreak investigation - LGBTQ+ care - Provider burnout & Mental health - Cultural competency in medicine - Healthcare for the Homeless - Socioeconomic impact of chronic disease - Sexual Heath & wellness Our committee is from across the globe and brings exciting, diverse ideas. We are super passionate about public health and can’t wait to bring new events to campus to share with you all! This is a young society, and we are open to new ideas to help it grow. We welcome everyone, no matter the level of experience in the field. We are excited to kick start the year and hope to see you all at our events! Make sure to like our Facebook page for updates!

//RCSI Islamic Society First off, we are proud to represent Islamic Society (ISOC), a long running society since the 1950s, to cater for our Muslim Brothers and Sisters, Freshers and Seniors, by representing RCSI Muslim students at the college administration level, and bring about a friendly, respectful and multicultural environment. Our Achievements: - Best society of the year 2009 - Best society event 2010 – Charity Week - Best society event 2011 – Charity Week - Best society person 2011 - Best society of the year 2011 - Best ISOC for 2011: RCSI ISOC - Best society person 2012/2013 – Danah Al Sharrah – SU RCSI - Best society of the year 2013/2014 – SU RCSI - Best society person 2013/2014 – Yasser Faraj – SU RCSI - Best charity week 2013/2014 – FOSIS award - Best ISOC event of the year 2015/2016 – FOSIS Award

-Vice-President (Sisters): Dayunk Anis -Treasurer: Mahmoud Abbassy -General Secretary: Shazia Dinath -Vice-secretary: Nadaa Alharbi -Media team oﬃcers: Saif Syed Mohammed Emin Fatima Taqi

We host a variety of events be them social, academic or spiritual like Game Nights, tournaments, Friday sermons, weekly Halaqas, Bake Sale, homeless feeding, .......etc. Everyone is welcome, if you are a Muslim, interested in Islam, or simply looking to make new friends feel free to participate. Lastly, I would like you to get to know our committee, our team consists of 12 students from different nationalities and academic years: -President: Majed Alshammari

September 2019

-Vice-President (Brothers): Mohamed Al Ansari

-Brothers’ Prayer Room officer: Eissa Alwheibi Mohd. Amirul Ariffin Mohamad Razalie -Sisters’ Prayer Room officer: Nur Farah Hanee Mohammad Anuar -General committee: Bilal Quidwai Kind Regards, ISOC President, Majed Alshammari

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Clubs & Societies

//Middle Eastern Student Association MESA! Which stands for the Middle Eastern Student Association, started in the academic year 2015/16. During this time we’ve done multiple events and fundraisers, and also won International Night in March of that year. Since then our events have been getting bigger and better. We ended last year on a very high note winning 3rd place for International Night. You may already know us from our major annual event, Arabian Night. This event is the closest to our hearts since people from different cultures, backgrounds, and countries attend this event to get a feel of what it’s like to have a Middle Eastern celebration. In this event, we offer authentic traditional food, a fashion show with all the traditional clothing of different middle eastern countries, an “external performance” such as belly dance, and booths including palm reading, henna, calligraphy, and a MESA photo booth. It also features RCSI’s Got Talent! We have a summary video of the event linked on our Instagram page (@mesarcsi) if you’re interested! Throughout the year, MESA also supports national day celebrations at the expo area. Our plans for this year are targeted to showcase our culture whilst connecting with different cultures. We are always open to new event ideas during the year so feel free to reach out to us if you have one!

//Discover Ireland with RCSI’s New Mountain Biking Club The first time I went mountain biking I rode with my dad in the Don Valley trails in downtown Toronto. Despite being intermingled in the heart of a 2.7 million-person city, the Don Valley trails are the top ranked single-track trails in Ontario. I was just 13 years old. I did not know what to expect, but I knew it was going to be an exhilarating, high-adrenaline adventure because these types of experiences define a lot of the relationship that I have with my dad. We tuned up the bikes in the garage together and rode to the trail head to begin the first of hundreds of rides I would do in the Don. I was instantly hooked. I grew up playing competitive ice hockey and continued to pursue that sport in the NCAA throughout college. As such, I did not have much time to regularly ride with my dad in the Don. But the single-track mountain biking itch followed me until I finished college and was no longer dedicating 25+ hours per week to hockey. As soon as I got into RCSI, I researched mountain biking trails in Ireland. That is when I stumbled upon Biking. ie, a mountain biking company that built and maintains 30+ km of single-track endure-style mountain biking trails in Ticknock Forest, which is just 25 minutes from RCSI’s campus, as well as in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains in Ballinastoe. I immediately saw the perfect opportunity to start a mountain biking club at RCSI.

Mountain biking is truly a magical experience. The trails offer an escape to our diﬃcult lives as students. And it is an opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful parts of Ireland. The thrill, comradery, and adrenaline of mountain biking can make me forget a bad or stressful day or week. RCSI mountain bikers bond over perfectly flowing trails, the feeling of sweat on our foreheads that keeps us going, and our post-ride fuel and refreshments, and social gatherings. We have grown very close as a club and we hope to expand our passion for Mountain Biking throughout the college in the upcoming years. Keep a look out for exciting Mountain Biking adventures this 2019-2020 year, including an away trip! We cannot wait!!! If you have any questions, or want to be added to our Mountain Biking WhatsApp group, please feel free to reach out to me, Audrey Potts, at audreypotts@rcsi.com.

The RCSI Mountain Biking Club was unoﬃcially inaugurated in September 2018. I pitched my idea of developing Mountain Biking at RCSI to the Cycling Club and an exciting partnership began! The Cycling Club now includes both road biking and mountain biking, with plenty of opportunities to try each sport throughout the year. This past year the mountain biking club ran 4 rides. The first ride was a fully-guided tour by experts at Biking.ie in Ticknock Forest and we had 19 total riders participate. It was an incredible success and the trip kick-started the expansion and development of the club at RCIS. 3 more un-guided trips were organized in the Spring for members of the club. Thanks to the generosity of RCSI Student Services, all members of the RCSI Mountain Biking Club receive free mountain bike and helmet rentals on un-guided tours, which makes attending rides much easier for students who do not have mountain bikes. Further, the club has a close partnership with the staff at Biking.ie, which makes each ride even more enjoyable and allows the club to connect with local experts in the field. Mountain biking is an extreme sport, but it can be for everyone who has suﬃcient experience riding a bike. The trails we ride on are mostly enduro-type trails suitable for beginner-moderate riders. It is also a sport that welcomes all genders and types of people. We have enough women and men to ride both mixed and single-gender rides, and skill levels vary from inexperienced to very experienced riders.

September 2019

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Clubs & Societies

//RCSI Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society Who are we? A committee composed of 30 members from all years that work hard throughout the year to bring a variety of events to the student body.

What we do: - Coordinate tutorials to help SC1 students succeed with one of the most challenging rotations - Publish a yearly newsletter made entirely of student contributions that has been lauded by students and faculty alike - Host a pub social for a chance to interact informally with other members of the student body with an interest in OBGYN - Hold fundraisers and donation stations for local charities - Run a topical essay contest in cooperation with RCSI OBGYN faculty

How to get in touch with us: Drop us an email at careerssoc-obgyn@rcsi.com, submit a piece for the newsletter or check out our social media to see how to get involved with our events this year! We are so excited for this upcoming year, with some of our events kicking off in the next few weeks and new events in the works… Stay tuned!

//RCSI Palliative Care Society Welcome to the Palliative Care Society! Still new out of the gate, we are entering only our second year at RCSI, and want you to help build our society with us! For those who might need a refresher, palliative care encompasses a holistic approach to caring for patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment, and is an integral component of all medical specialties. We are working to build a space in which we learn important skills and discuss topical issues related to palliative care, including patient-centered communication, managing symptom and pain control, and understanding social and economic barriers to palliative care access.

• To be a general member, sign up on Moodle under Support\Students Services\Societies\Club and Society Sign Up. General members are included on our mailing list and kept in the loop about events and other things going on with the society. • To apply to be an executive member, email us at palliativecaresoc@rcsi.ie. Executive members have more responsibilities in terms of event planning and execution. • If you have any questions, email us at palliativecaresoc@rcsi.ie.

Our first year saw a successful “Introduction to Palliative Care” evening with a talk by Dr. Regina McQuillan, a palliative care specialist in Dublin, and three student-led journal clubs featuring treats by our own baking connoisseur Sam Cory. We’re excited to expand on these events in the coming year – look out for our workshop on communicating with palliative patients and families, opportunities to get involved with community organizations, and more. If you’d like to get involved, here’s how: • For social media updates throughout the year, follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/ pallsoc) and Instagram (@rcsipallsoc).

September 2019

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Clubs & Societies

//Pharmacy Society President (2018/19) – Aoife Huethorst Highlight of the year: Without wanting to sound cliché, it’s so impossible to pick just one highlight of the year. Of course, there is the biggest event of the year Pharm Ball which was incredibly successful last school year, the turnout was amazing and everyone there had such a fantastic time, it made me so happy to see! We raised money throughout the year for the Pharmacy Benevolent Fund, Floating Doctors and The Bone Marrow Leukemia Trust for the first ever collbarative DUPSA X RCSI Pharm Soc Pub Quiz! We’ve had such great events all year from Freshers BBQ to movie nights, career events and the scavenger hunt, but none of these would have happened without the other members of the Pharm Soc Committee – Iseult, Hazel, Daragh, Eoghan and Eoin… So I think my main highlight of the year is the stronger friendships formed with everyone in the committee over the year (sorry for the 1000s of messages from me guys, I’ll be out of your hair from now on). We of course all knew each other before, but over the year with the trips to Musgraves, the stress of downloading certain logos onto hotel laptops in the nick of time, dragging bottles of wine around Dublin, and discussing the transport of balloons, creates a bond like no other! Thanks so much for the amazing year guys! Advice for the next President of Pharm Soc: I hope the next President is innovative in

their ideas, don’t be afraid to try something new and different, like the Freshers BBQ was a great success, as was the collaborative charity event with DUPSA! Be the person with the answers for your committee, or go find the answers but also, ask for help if you don’t know where to go. It’s important to keep organised so that your committee reaches deadlines on time, to ensure events go ahead so keep on top of those emails! I hope you learn a lot from this year, and also have a lot of fun!

Where you’re headed off to for placement in September: I’m going to be working with the HSE in Ballymun Addiction Services. I wanted a placement that combined clinical and REP practices, and this placement suited me perfectly. Extra Note: Lastly, I want to thank everyone one of the student body who have supported and attended our events throughout the year – We hope you enjoyed them and got a lot out of them (eg: Career Clues Night) After all, we could put on as many events as we like, but if no-one attended them they would be a bit pointless. I also want to thank Tanya Chapple in Student Services for all her help throughout the year, I don’t think there is anyone in the world who replies faster to an email than she does. I want to wish the Best of Luck to the incoming Pharmacy Society Committtee – Anthony, Leah, Lisa, Darragh, Aoibhe and Pearl. I hope you all have a fantastic year of fun! Also thank you to DiveRCSIty for publishing our events throughout the year and writing reports about the pharmacy strike and all our events!

Secretary – Eoghan Kelly Highlight of the year: It was probably Pharm Ball, a massive effort went into the organization of the event which ultimately led to it being a massive success. The event itself was very enjoyable and I thought there was a great mix of the pharmacy years on the night, which hopefully will continue into the future. Another highlight of the year was the collaboration with TCD Pharm Soc. in hosting a pub quiz on Harry’s on the Green. The night was a massive success in raising over three thousand euros for the Bone Marrow Leukemia trust. It was one of the very few times I have seen people outside pharmacy in RCSI and it was a great opportunity to get to know people who we will be working with in the future. The year itself was very enjoyable and there is no way the events organized last year would have been done without the guys on the team. Aoife, Iseult, Hazel, Daragh and Eoin somehow managed to put up with me throughout the year and still organize great events.

Vice President – Iseult Ní Lubhaing Radisson Blu Hotel.

able to support all members of the committee and know when to help out when push comes to shove. Quick thinking and problem solving is key and you should always be thinking ‘what can I do to help right now’ and take your own initiative. Be open to your team and listen to what they have to say. Don’t be afraid to do joint events with other societies in RCSI and other colleges.

September 2019

Extra Note: The one bit of advice for anybody in pharmacy (especially the earlier years) is to push yourself out of your comfort zone and to do new things. This could be joining a society or a new club or going to events, as long as its something that’s getting you involved and has you meeting new people. Life in RCSI can be quite boring if you have nobody to chat to so be brave and get involved!

Where you’re headed off to for placement in September: I’m delighted to have been chosen to do Scientific Events management in Novartis Dublin. I’m excited to see the different roles a Pharmacist can do outside of the community and hospital side of Pharmacy! Someone told me the canteen is class there too.

Highlight of the year: Wheeling 170 bottles of wine s l o w l y from the college to the Advice for the next Vice President of Pharm Soc: Next year’s Vice President should be

Where you’re headed off to for placement in September: For my 4th year placement I have managed to get an internship with MSD in Ballydine, Co Tipperary. I have had an interest in industry for a while now and want to take the opportunity of the APPEL placement to see if I want to pursue pharmacy in industry as a career.

Extra Note: I’d just like to say a big thank you to my Pharm Soc team, especially our prez Aoife, I had an absolute blast with you guys! I am so privileged to have been part of this society and the great things I’ve participated in like the Pharmacy strike for #PharmayEducationNotExploitation and the challenging but rewarding Pharmacy Ball. Thank you to all the students across all the different courses that came to our events and supported us. I would like to thank my Mo- no don’t start the music I’m not done yet!

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Clubs & Societies

Events officer – Daragh O’Se Highlight of the year: One of the events that stands out for me was the Pharmacy ‘Career Clues’ information night we had in first semester organized by Hazel! It was a great educational event where we got insight into the different career paths we could take with our pharmacy degrees. What I really loved was seeing such a tremendous turnout of students on the night, which just goes to show the dedication and enthusiasm that pharmacy students have for the profession! I’ve yet to see the Albert Lecture Theatre as full as it was!

Where you’re headed off to for placement in September: I’ll be doing my placement with Boots in Rathmines, which will be great community experience for me. Extra Note: Also what I feel needs to be said is that nothing could have happened this year by PharmSoc had it not been for our fantastic president Aoife. She really deserves the thanks and gratitude for everything that PharmSoc has achieved this year and very deservedly won Societies Person of the Year at College Ball for her achievement! A true wonder woman if I ever met one.

Treasurer – Eoin Campion Highlight of the year: Getting to collab with Trinity’s Pharmsoc (DUPSA) for the pub quiz night. It was great to meet the pharmers from the far side of Grafton Street. Advice for the next Treasurer of Pharm Soc: Try to organize more events with DUPSA

and leach off of their budget (mwuahahah)

Where you’re headed off to for placement in September: I will be taking full advantage

of a free canteen in Novartis in D4. Watch out Big Pharma.

Extra Note: Thanks to everyone for coming to our events and most importantly for everyone that supported the pharmacy student protest v.s. increased fees. Yeehaw.

Education Officer – Hazel Walshe Highlight of the year: Our joint Career Clues evening! It was great to hear about the different career paths Pharmacists can take and how well qualified Pharmacists are for many different roles. It was also a great evening of networking (shameless LinkedIn plug). Advice for the next Education Officer of Pharm Soc: I hope the joint RCSI-DUPSA event is maintained, this year was our first event and it was super successful, we raised a lot of money for an amazing charity! The Pharmacy Peer Led Teaching (PPLT) programme is also being joined into the Pharmacy Societies responsibilities, with the Education Oﬃcer organizing mock OSCE exams and tutorials in association with the Peer Led Teaching programme. I hope this initiative is started and is maintained for years to come!

September 2019

Where you’re headed off to for placement in September: I will be undertaking my 4th year placement at Fannin Limited; a sales, marketing and distribution company. This is a paid industry placement, with the opportunity to travel to their different site locations around Ireland and the UK. Extra Note: Being a member on Pharmacy Society was one of the best things I’ve ever done in college. I had the opportunity to meet so many students, academics and professionals and got to network with so many potential future employers. I also gained so much confidence in myself, along with improving my teamwork, communication and organization skills. All of this wouldn’t have been possible without my amazing fellow committee members, thank you all for such an amazing and exciting year!

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Clubs & Societies

//RCSI Photography Society The RCSI Photography Society was established in 2012 and ever since, our photographers have been taking photos at events for all students to look back on and enjoy! We have also organised countless photography tutorials, competitions, exhibits, and day trips all around Ireland. We have lots of exciting events in the pipeline for this year, so make sure to keep up to date by liking our Facebook page, following us on Instagram or joining our mailing list.

TUTORIALS

Two tutorials will take place during the first semester. The Photography 101 Tutorial will be a hands-on workshop introducing the basics of photography and using a DSLR. The Lightroom Tutorial will be a whistlestop tour of one of the most popular editing programmes for amateurs and pros alike. We hope to run two more tutorials in the second semester as well.

TRIPS

We will be organising two day trips this year. In the past we have gone to places like the Ring of Kerry, Benbulbin, the Cliffs of Moher and Glendalough. We are also hoping to organise smaller scale trips spread throughout the year to places like Howth, the Botanic Gardens and Bray.

OTHER EVENTS

For the first time we will have our own Fresher’s event - the Dublin PhotoWalk. It will be a great opportunity to explore new places in the city and try out some street photography! We will also have our biannual photography exhibits, including our Spring Exhibit in collaboration with Art Soc. We will be running regular photography competitions as well as featuring photos taken by students on our Instagram, and running theme weeks on our social media pages with mini tutorials, competitions and much more!

2019/2020 COMMITTEE

President - Hazel O’Shea Vice-President - Chelsea Cheng Secretary - Gráinne Long Social Media Oﬃcer - Nicole Heng Event Oﬃcers - Chloe Chan, Emily Kindall Equipment Manager - Yashjeet Basu General Committee Members - Munirah Al Fehaid, Eve Moore, Sadhbh O’Sullivan, Sanat Rashinkar

PHOTOGRAPHER SUB-COMMITTEE

One of the main focuses of our society from day one has been providing high quality photographs of college events. This year we are reinstating our photographer sub-committee in the hopes of covering even more events. It’s a great way to get hands-on photography experience as well as attend events you might not otherwise go to! Training and equipment are all provided, so if you are interested in joining this committee or would like to know more, get in contact with us via Facebook or by emailing us at photosoc@rcsi.ie.

September 2019

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Clubs & Societies

//PIBS Society WELCOME TO PIBS, we love to dance and we have food! Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. They are our touchstones, our points of reference, our identity.

We organize and participate in various events such as PIBS Night out, Diwali night, International Night, International Food Night and society outings/gatherings.

PIBS Society acts to represents Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka. Each of these countries have very similar yet different cultures, foods, rituals, languages and religions. These countries have played many important roles in modern civilizations of people in various sectors such as education, technology, communication and space related inventions. In RCSI, we have many students who share in these cultural backgrounds and have now settled in various countries around the world.

PIBS night out - Hosted during freshers’ week as a fun welcome back night out for both the new and existing students to mingle and get to know each other.

PIBS acts as a method to not only bring these people together throughout RCSI, but to educate others and bring our culture alive throughout the halls of RCSI. PIBS aims to accomplish this via the various events we host throughout the year. Firstly, I would like to introduce the committee members of PIBS 2019/2020: PIBS Society 2019/20 Committee: President: Vice President: Treasurer: Secretary: Events Coordinator: Inventory: GEM Rep: Social Media Oﬃcer: IT Oﬃcer: Senior Advisors: General comm :

September 2019

Hemavathy Saminathan (Hema) Komal Marwaha Neha Ravichandra Liyana Kukkadi Kuvira Manamperi Simren Chotai & Khiaran Kulasingham Naeha Lakshmanan Arsalan Khan Simrin Bains Yavani Kulasingham & Karishma Singh Mariam Sharfi , Uzair Malik

Diwali night- Usually hosted at an external venue to showcase all the dances and fashion shows that the society members have put together throughout the first semester. This year we are going to incorporate games and more audience interaction with the society members. International Night - The most anticipated event of the year, a night where societies have the opportunity to showcase their culture through dancing, singing or skits. This year we have planned a very moving and inspiring story incorporating costumes and dances for the showcase. Anybody can sign up for the dances or even to help out in off-stage managements. International Food night - We prepare various ethnic foods representing all the four countries for everyone to enjoy and we did win first place for desserts last year! We are going to be more active on social media this year with different posts everyday regarding Ethnic food, fashion, Indian medicinal remedies, history and of course relatable brown memes. We have a lot of new exciting things and events organized with the new committee this upcoming year and hope more students will get involved and have fun together with us! If you haven’t followed us yet, catch us on @pibssociety on both instagram and Facebook . Be so unapologetically proud of your culture and stand up for your identity, because if you don’t, no else will !

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Clubs & Societies

//Southeast & East Asia Society After much toil and labour, RCSI Southeast & East Asia Society (SEA Soc) was, at last, established in May 2019! This upcoming semester, inhabitants of RCSI are to witness the exciting establishment of a platform that enables the integration of Southeast & East Asian communities and the showcases of cultures richer than pure cholesterol. Please get ready for some context deemed more perplexing than First Year Med: SEA Soc is aﬃliated to RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus (RUMC, formerly known as Penang Medical College (PMC)), and was formerly known as Penang Medical College Students’ Association (PMCSA). It was founded exclusively to serve as a platform to support and connect students completing their medical degree under the RCSI-RUMC twinning programme. Nevertheless, this long-awaited expansion of PMCSA into SEA Soc is intended for the improvement of national and racial inclusion, as well as diversity within the society and the college. Hence, stemming from the effort to flaunt our Southeast & East Asian heritages, we have a couple of fun events up our sleeves! Coming up in October, we have our Heritage Night, embodied in a great deal of food and games. Our Chinese New Year event is scheduled to be held in January, for which we are anticipating a great time, along with helping our compatriots feel more at home! Besides, we hold an annual Farewell Dinner for those under the RCSI-RUMC twinning programme who are departing back to Penang, Malaysia. SEA Soc also collaborates with the UCD Malaysian Society yearly in organising the RUMC Sports Day, for which training sessions go on for weeks leading up to the much anticipated event. If you have not heard, the beat to a Southeast or East Asian’s heart resides in our stomach, evidenced by our fabled cuisines that you will most certainly be reluctant to miss out during RCSI Cultural Month. But in case you do, fret no more! Here are some recipes that you homesick folks can try out on your own, or even for fearless epicures out there. Simply scan the QR code! Here is a pro tip: students of all nationalities are more than welcome to join our events. Be it through our Instagram page @rcsiseasoc or our Facebook page @SEASOC.RCSI, just ask us questions! We will be more than happy to answer your enquiries. We hope all of you have a great start of the year!

Congratulations on a new chapter of your life! You’ve come this far to join the RCSI family, and things will be high and low throughout your journey here. The Southeast and East Asia Society is here to provide a home for you, whether you are an RUMC student, a student with Southeast and East Asia background, or just someone who wishes to understand our melting bowl of cultures. Feel free to contact us at Instagram (@rcsiseasoc) or Facebook (SEA Soc RCSI)! – Chan Shu Chen, President of RCSI SEA Soc 2019/20 Hey Freshers! Hope you all are doing well. First of all, I would like to welcome you all in joining this big family. We really hope this year you guys can enjoy the university life, get along with friends around. However keep in mind in order to achieve this, JOIN OUR SOCIETY!!! ;) – Harold Lee, Vice President of RCSI SEA Soc 2019/20 Hi and welcome to RCSI guys, I would like to congratulate you for taking this challenge of studying abroad and choosing RCSI as part of your medical journey. No worries, SEA Soc’s got you covered!! We will be here to help you out with anything that you need! – Mohd Amirul, 1st Year Med Delegate of RCSI SEA Soc 2019/20

September 2019

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Clubs & Societies

//RCSI Psychiatry Society We here at RCSI Psychiatry Society would like to give a BIG welcome to all incoming students and a BIG welcome back to all returning students for the 2019/2020 academic school year. It’s a new year, with new members, new ideas, and great new initiatives and collaborations that we here at Psychiatry Society are excited to get behind and offer to the student body. Our group of dedicated individuals is committed to making this year a success, helping promote the idea of overall mental wellness around our campus through various events which also support local charities and outreach groups, such as Pieta House and Dogs for the Disabled. If you couldn’t tell by the name, we are also incredibly passionate about the specialty of Psychiatry and provide students with information on events held by the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, as well as educational talks for all years. We Have Something for Everyone! Interested in getting certified in Suicide Awareness Training? Keep an eye out for our SafeTalk event and if you’re interested in hosting your own event, feel free to reach out to us! In need of some R&R during the semester? Be sure to attend our Welfare fairs, exam luncheons, pub quizzes and therapy dog sessions which are in support of our many charities. In need of someone to talk to or unsure of what external and internal supports are available to you during your time in Dublin? Come check out our information booth or read our monthly newsletter which highlights the latest information and supports. Interested in pursuing Psychiatry as a specialty? Keep an eye out for case competitions, speaker series titled “A Day in the Life of a Psychiatrist”, and news and events from the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland. Whatever you fancy, we have something for you and would love to see you get involved through volunteering opportunities and attendance at any one of our events. Come see what we’re all about here at Psychiatry Society! Be sure to sign up on our Facebook group or subscribe to our email list for the most up to date information regarding events and how you can get involved! - Psychiatry Society team psychiatrysociety@rcsi.ie

MEET THE TEAM « Lauren Hishon President

« Joseph Girgis Newsletter/Publicity rep

« Simrit Bath President

« Katrine Woldseth Vice President

« Harleen Jhinger Treasurer

« Adrienne Sheidow Event Coordinator

« Erin Walton Ball Secretary

« Caolan O Hearrain Society Liason

« Chloe Chan Event Coordinator

September 2019

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Clubs & Societies

//RCSI Physiotherapy Society The RCSI Physiotherapy Society was reestablished in recent years by Physio students on behalf of the whole student body and has taken RCSI by charge. PhysioSoc strives to make physiotherapy a more immersive and inclusive course within RCSI, providing educational, topical and across the board fun events. Our Goals are to give students access to the best opportunities, advancements and achievements in the physiotherapy community, and to allow all students to immerse in preventative and lifestyle medicine – not just for physio students. We aim to be an influential student society known for its educational and recreational events. We encourage both casual and formal socialisation of all RCSI students, encompassing the holistic approach to college and life. The physio soc committee for 2019 includes President: Lauren Casey, Vice president: Ciara Patton, Treasurer: Maeve Walsh, Secretary: Hugh Woulfe, ENTS: Sarah Bisset and Mairead Bourke, IT: Ciaran Gorman, Welfare: Grace Galvin and General committee: Sean Cunningham and Orla O’Callaghan. We’re very excited about what this academic year has to bring, launching with the notorious lock and key event this Freshers week! With our indecent nights out, infamous trips away and thought provoking events, PhysioSoc has something for everyone.

//RCSI Environment Society The RCSI Environment Society was created in 2013 with the aim of promoting environmentally mindful practices among the student body.

Achievements • The society has given us the opportunity to collaborate with external organisations such as Young Friends of the Earth and Clean Coasts and donate to many environmental charities over the last 6 years. As a result we have achieved many of our short-term goals set in our constitution. • Over the years we have been strict about adhering to online promotions only, and have developed a social media presence on Facebook with over 450 followers, as well as on Instagram with over 460 followers. • In April 2016 the society achieved the Association of Medical and Dental Graduates’ “Best Society Award”, which gave us a grant of €750 to continue our work towards creating an environmentally friendly college and student body. • Green Week has become an annual success, allowing us to raise funds towards worthy causes, while engaging students in environmentally educational events. In 2014, we raised €500 for the charity, Amazon Watch, in 2015 we donated €500 towards the World Wildlife Fund, and in 2017 we donated €200 towards Ocean Conservancy. In 2018/19 we also ran with a theme of Waste Reduction, and held a popular Recycling Game and a Spin-the-Wheel quiz event. • We have also invested in reusable merchandise including bags, mugs and water bottles branded with our Envirosoc logo, which we sell to students at affordable prices. Additionally, recently we teamed up with the Student Union to fund branded Keep Cups, which we are selling to students for a third of the retail price. The aim is to encourage students to ditch single use plastics, and adopt a more sustainable lifestyle.

Our Goals • To liaise with the college to work towards and achieve Green Campus Status • To give students accessibility to environment related news and activities in Ireland and to have regular involvement with such projects • To be an influential student society known for its quality of events and informative sessions • To encourage waste reduction and management on campus

September 2019

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Clubs & Societies

//RCSI Surgical Society The Surgical Society is one of the largest student societies at RCSI and has been voted Best Educational Society 3 years in a row! We hold many events throughout the year that aim to provide students’ insight into the various specialties, surgery lifestyle, and training schemes. The events are not exclusive to those who are interested in pursuing a career in surgery, but to all students since surgery is an integral part of the RCSI curriculum. We also hold regular surgical skills sessions throughout the school year for anyone interested in practicing and improving their suturing or laparoscopic techniques! Keep an eye out for some of our biggest events: • Annual Inaugural Event – A faculty surgeon is formally inducted as President of the Surgical Society and a guest surgeon (international and national) speaks about their experiences. • Life of a Surgeon – Surgeons in various fields engage students in a talk about their experience as a surgeon and what led them to choose their field. • RCSI Surgical Case Competition – Students compete to win the Professor James Paul O’Neill Medal by presenting surgical cases they’ve encountered to an esteemed panel of judges. • Intercollegiate Surgical Case Competition - The winner of the RCSI Surgical Case Competition proceeds to represent RCSI against other colleges to win the Professor David Bouchier-Hayes Medal. This event runs as part of the college’s annual Charter Day Events and is the only student-led event included in the programme. • RCSI Surgical Skills Competition – Top scorers in this competition move on to represent RCSI in the Intercollegiate Surgical Skills Competition hosted by the National Surgical Training Centre. Our committee consists of dedicated individuals across all years of study working together to put forward the best events and tutorials! Sophie Jang, Student President - “It has been a busy but rewarding experience so far. I gained so much from the speaker events and the surgical skills sessions before I joined the society, I want to give back to the students in coming years. Every year, we have been putting extra effort to make sure that all the events are informative/useful for new and returning students. We look forward to growing our society and bringing new experiences to our members!”

Reem Alfaraj, PR Officer - “I was always interested in surgery, and seeing the vast events that Surgical Society offers gave me the opportunity to explore my passion in ways that I couldn’t if I was on my own. Training sessions have always been a favourite of mine because they give us a chance to learn and practice new techniques in a supportive environment.” Ali Rifai, PR Officer - “I guess it was that first freshers week Clubs and Societies Sign-up Day — the laparoscopic devices called my name and I’ve always enjoyed attending the Society’s talks and competitions. Ever since my interest grew even more and to be honest the SurgSoc team has always been very welcoming and comforting which made me want to join the team and do my part.” Himmat Kahlon, IT Officer - “Being one of the biggest societies in RCSI, SurgSoc provides the opportunity to network among a wide variety of students and medical professionals. It allows you to meet new people, hear new thoughts, and see new ideas. Personally, I was drawn by ‘Life of a Surgeon’, which helps to guide those interested in surgery. I believe SurgSoc is an amazing way of exploring a pathway into surgery and lifestyle as a surgeon.” Katie Nolan, General Committee - “I joined the Surgical Society in my first year in RCSI and have always been impressed by the high quality events and engaging surgical skills training. ‘Life of a Surgeon’ is a brilliant night each year with an opportunity to explore the different fields within surgery and gain an introduction to some of the surgeons you will encounter on future placements.” Nadine Madani, General Committee - “Suturing and laparoscopic sessions were always one of my favourite events at RCSI since I first started medical school. I was considering applying for the committee, and participating in this year SurgSoc’s Surgical Case Competition and watching students present (and be grilled on) interesting surgical cases confirmed my interest. I look forward to help organizing this event this year!” Halle Freiman, General Committee - “I originally became interested in the Surgical Society because of my hope to go into surgery, but I continued going to events because of the wide range of information and opportunities to interact with surgeons of many different fields offered through the society. In particular, I have continued to be impressed by the surgical skills sessions and our ‘Life of a Surgeon’ talk. These events and many more provide unique information and perspectives on the world of surgery and we look forward to seeing you at the events.”

Jaclyn Croyle, Secretary-Treasurer - “It has been such a great experience to be a part of the Surgical Society Committee and I am looking forward to putting forth another amazing year of speaker events, skills sessions, and competitions. Participating in the surgical skills competitions last year was definitely a highlight! There are many opportunities to network with surgeons for those of you interested in pursuing surgery and want to get advice or guidance.”

We are looking for a Fresher to join our committee this year! The election will be held in early October.

Reem Al Shimali, Education Officer - “Being a part of Surgical Society gives me a unique opportunity to develop my own and my college’s interest and understanding of surgery.”

Follow our updates on facebook.com/RCSISurgicalSociety and IG: @rcsisurgicalsociety

Be sure to become oﬃcially registered as a member of Surgical Society on Moodle under “Club and Society Sign-up” (studentservices.rcsi.ie).

Michael Towers, Surgical Skills Lead - “When I started in RCSI, I began attending the Surgical Society’s surgical skills sessions to learn how to suture, and through these sessions, I learned of the other events that the society held. Since then, I have participated in almost every Surgical Skills Competition, and I won the Intercollegiate Competition in 2018. I am delighted to be the new Surgical Skills Lead for the incoming year and I look forward to teaching other students the skills that I learned.” Niall Adams, Surgical Skills Officer - “I have enjoyed the events that bring visiting surgeons to speak about their careers and their journey from a medical student to practicing surgeon, especially the annual ‘Life of a Surgeon’ talk. I also attended surgical skills events and competed, placing second in the 2019 Intercollegiate Competition. I look forward to helping my classmates develop their surgical skills this year!” Alyssa Clark, Surgical Skills Oﬃcer - “I originally got involved with the Surgical Society by attending the surgical skills sessions and training for the surgical skills competition. Learning new techniques and being able to work together in a fun and supportively competitive environment is amazing!”

September 2019

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Clubs & Societies

September 2019

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Sports Union

// Sports Section

Brought to you by

Get to Know Your Sports Union! Adam Mazen Hello everyone! My name is Adam and I’m an Egyptian final med, and the co-president of the Sports Union of 2019-2020. Starting medical school, I was overwhelmed by the amount of responsibilities I was faced with and number of things I had to learn. Early on in medical school when you’re still figuring out how to organize your life and how to study, your health takes a huge toll. Juggling studies, social life and sleep can be a challenging skill to learn, but much like any other, it is a skill you will eventually pick up and continue to develop throughout your years in medical school. Something that particularly helped me, which was something that took me years to figure out, was staying organized and scheduling a time that is dedicated to exercise.

Sports Prior to Medical School Ever since I was young, sport has been a huge part of my life. My parents were both very athletic and were keen on having me involved with sports as early as possible. I had tried plenty of sports from swimming, to handball, to basketball, to soccer. It took a while till I finally found my passion for volleyball. I started playing volleyball when I was about 9, and I continued playing it till I was 15. I ended up competing in the national volleyball league in Egypt, representing the top club for under 16’s. Somewhere along the way I also picked up squash and running. Although I never pursued either competitively, I just enjoyed both thoroughly. They were my happy breaks from competitive volleyball. While I was doing my foundation year in the UK at St. George’s, University of London right before I joined medical school, I also played a little bit of soccer.

Sports During Medical School The first thing I did when I joined RCSI was join the volleyball team. I didn’t miss a single practice during my first two years of medical school. I had enjoyed everything about the club and its

members. During IC1 in my second year of medical school, I wanted to reconnect with my love for squash, so I joined the squash team, and later during the semester, I competed in the Men’s B division intervarsities, which I miraculously managed to win. I then became very interested in strength athletics and powerlifting. Without any proper coaching, started developing my strength and technique just by watching YouTube videos and through trial and error. My interest in strength athletics took over my interest in squash and volleyball and I ended up dedicating most of my free time to powerlifting. Powerlifting was extremely diﬃcult for me to pick up because I have severe Osgood Schlatter’s disease, which makes strength athletics particularly challenging. I however refused to give up the sport. Nothing I had ever done felt as exhilarating as deadlifting and picking up 250 kg with my bare hands, something more than twice my body weight. When I hit IC3 and I had a little bit of free time, I decided to compete in the IPF University Championships of 2018, the national powerlifting interversaties. I was studying for my USMLE Step 1 diagnostic exam, and was working on my SSC research project, so staying organized was critical. I trained for two to three hours every other day till finally competing and winning first place in the 105 KG division with a powerlifting total of 600 KG.

Some Advice Having played many sports both competitively and casually, I strongly believe athleticism in general is something that we should be working hard to help motivate students to pursue. Through sports, we can learn team work, perseverance, and self-discipline. All extremely important qualities in the medical field. As I mentioned before, staying healthy in medical school can be very diﬃcult. Unfortunately, personal wellbeing is something that is very overlooked in medicine, and the importance of athleticism in academics and how it affects us students and our mental health is something that is not talked about enough. Medical school can be extremely stressful. Being subjected to its level of stress continuously for years on end has significant and detrimental effects both physically and mentally. Sports and athleticism are just some of the ways of dealing with all that stress. I hope to share with students the methods through which I managed to maintain my athleticism throughout medical school. I want to work with student athletes who are transitioning into the busy life of medical school and struggling to maintain their sporting goals. I hope to also improve on RCSI’s athletic competitiveness. My advice for you after my five years of medical school is to get involved with as many clubs as you can early on. It’s a great way to make friends and build a network in college. In RCSI there is a huge variety of sports and tons of clubs that can fit anyone’s interest!

September 2019

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Lifestyle

Karina Burke Hey, my name is Karina I am from Canada, and I’m currently in IC2. This year I am co-president of Sports Union with Adam.

Sports Prior to Medical School Ever since I was little I have been actively involved in sports, from Timbits soccer to competitive gymnastics and everything in-between. My family was very active and was always looking for me to try new activities until I found what I enjoyed doing. For me that was volleyball, I have played competitively ever since I was in grade 4. Growing up my summers were spent on the lake; wake boarding, water skiing, and wake surfing, whereas my winters were spent on the ski hill. In high school I competed on various varsity teams; basketball, volleyball, and track and field. Being involved in sports and staying active have always played a huge role in my life.

Sports During Medical School Since my first year at RCSI I have been part of the ladies volleyball team. I remember going around at clubs and society sign up day eagerly trying to find the volleyball booth to sign up to play, once finding it and talking to the captains I immediately gained a sense of comfort. Since volleyball has always played a huge part in my life, it was great knowing that even during the hectic schedule of medical school I would still be able to take part in the sport I love. In first year the team traveled to Carlow for intervarsities, this allowed the team to bond and also gave me the opportunity to see a different part of Ireland. I have developed relationships with students from various years, which I would not have had the chance to do if it weren’t for being involved in volleyball. This past year I had the opportunity to be captain of the team, which allowed me to be even more involved. I have thoroughly enjoyed taking part in volleyball here at RCSI, and will continue to be an active member until I graduate. I strongly encourage everyone to join at least one sports team or society, it allows an outlet from studying as well as gives you the chance to meet new people.

Feature Athlete of the Month: Victoria Dabanovich-O’Mahony When did you start playing rugby? When I was about 12 I was in my first rugby camp in my home town Sarnia, Ontario with the Sarnia Saints. I played my first full rugby game in my grade 9 year at Ridley College when I was 14. How did you get involved in playing rugby in Ireland? I knew that I wanted to carry on with my rugby career and get to the highest level possible so I asked around the college for the clubs that’d be best to join and give a try. Most of the girls at RCSI play for the Suttonians, I ended up joining Old Belvedere located in Ballsbridge. Old Belvedere is a phenomenal club with a class coaching set up and with high level rugby. My teammates are all quality players and great people both on and off the pitch. I’ve always had the goal of being able to represent at an international level and from the beginning of the Belvo season with the help of the coaches’ knowledge and my fellow teammates whom I look up to, I got the opportunity to be a part of the Women’s Leinster Squad as well as get involved with Irish Women’s XV extended training squad this year.

What do you enjoy most about playing rugby? I enjoy the physical and mental aspect of the game. Rugby is truly a team sport and I love the comradery with my team mates. How do you manage medical school and rugby? Being a student athlete takes a lot of discipline and time management, it’s not an easy task. When you love playing rugby and studying medicine you have really found the best of both worlds, so if you want it bad enough you make it happen. It’s a blessing to have both these opportunities.

Are there any differences from playing in Ireland vs. Canada? The main difference from Ireland to Canada is the rugby atmosphere. It’s something you can’t really describe but when you’re even the one watching the game from the stands or side of the pitch it’s pure enjoyment. Then when you have the support from the crowd when playing it brings a whole different level to the game play.

September 2019

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Clubs & Societies

//Humans of RCSI

« ALEXANDRA NIEUWESTEEG

« BETH CHIAM

“The process of inner healing is one of active listening, feeling, and tolerance. Of all things, this was the one thing I didn’t realize when I first asked myself what ‘healing’ even meant a year ago. It’s not a matter of eating healthy and waiting for some cells to clump together and patch up whatever cuts there are or taking something to ‘boost’ your immune system. It can be painful, frustrating and may often leave you in a dark pit feeling despondent. Some of us are afraid of our own capacity to feel so we try to forget it, brush it off or silence our minds instead - ‘It’s too dark to look at,’ ‘It’s too deep,’ ‘It’s really nothing,’ ‘I’m fine.’ Listening is diﬃcult and I was so used to not listening that I didn’t notice anymore when I wasn’t. Perhaps always silencing your mind like that is like always silencing a child without ever listening to what they have to say. It builds a strange environment with all the unsaid manifesting in new perceptions and ways of interacting with the world. Maybe the child will forget but with every little push away something inside changes. In the same way that you can never know another person until you listen to what they have to say, it’s diﬃcult to truly say you know yourself until you listen when feelings have their say. It’s like a relationship but with yourself. It’s a process of self-discovery and love which is eventually rewarding and liberating. In time you’ll come to accept the marks you can’t erase and take in their beauty. They’re part of your story - one that makes you who you are. It goes far beyond snapping your fingers in the mirror and winking at what you see. It just starts with listening, lovingly. ‘In the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow; even darkness must pass.’ — Sam Gamgee (Lord of the Rings)”

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Societies

“When I was 15, I bought a book copy of the hit blockbuster, “The Perks of Being A Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky. To be honest, I still don’t really understand the meaning behind some interactions, and maybe some parts were rushed through. While reading through this seemingly-overrated book, my eyes gazed over these next few words: “We accept the love we think we deserve.” A quote that I, a dumb teenager, did not understand at all yet somehow felt was profound and greater than myself. I’ve remembered it ever since, and it is something I have come to scratch the surface of its meaning recently. If you only think you’re worth 30%, you accept it when people give you 30%. If anyone gives you more than 30%, you’ll feel like it’s Godsent. When you only love yourself at 30%, you allow toxic people to stay in your life. If they aren’t good friends, it makes you start to wonder if you deserve it. How would you know you are worth it? How would you know if you deserve more? The people you surround yourself with are important. I hope you find people who love you and accept you for who you want to be. Not all scars can heal by themselves. Some scars heal when the people who support you, show you that there is no longer a need to be hurt. If you made a mistake and you did your best to correct it, please forgive yourself. Everyone makes mistakes. Forgive people and start anew if they are trying to change for the better. Don’t feel pressured to be friends with people you don’t click with. It’ll only make you depressed. This world is great and vast and there are all sorts of people out there. Don’t be afraid, get out of your comfort zone. There are so many opportunities to expand yourself elsewhere. Don’t limit yourself to please others. Love makes people blind. It starts out sweet and all things are good. Slowly they get used to you and try a little less. As time passes by, they no longer look up to you. You put up with it regardless. When you love someone, you just have to look past some things. Right? To that I say no, love is not worth putting down your dignity. If you want someone to respect you, learn to respect yourself first. If you want someone to love you, love yourself first. When no one loves you, who is going to? When no one fights for you, who will fight for you? You are worth it. Don’t doubt yourself. If you don’t know what you deserve, then at least know what you don’t deserve. This is what it means to me, to love myself.”

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“Whenever studying becomes hard, and I start doubting myself, I read a quote that I have on my wall “Remember all your hard work when you passed the first hardship, you see that you can? Or was it someone else? You who can turn spring into fall, continue your quest to achieve your dreams” On my first year away from home, it hit me so hard “I’m alone, away from everyone” I felt like a branch that fell off a tree. But that changed when I realized that this is my own adventure, my own story I write it how I want. I also know that I wasn’t alone in this because I have my friends with me. Some miles away from me, but their support pushes me forward nonetheless. Always remember that you’re going to be the hope to someone, the life saver of someone and you will be on someone’s mind all the time. Don’t put barriers between you and others or between you and yourself.

“Watching a mother cry over the passing of her son during an overseas exercise, really changed my outlook on life. I was sent to Australia as a trainer during my time in the military and an accident occurred. A tank overturned and it threw the commander out of the tank. I was there at his sending off back to Singapore and there was an eerie silence when his parents entered the room. This made me reflect as this accident could have happened to anyone and even me. Life is precious and short. You will never know a good thing till it’s gone so be careful who you let out of your life. Chase your dreams and in the end we only regret the chances we don’t take. RIP Gavin.”

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“I used to feel like most people get through RCSI scot-free, you know, just one smooth ride the whole way - obviously it’s a lot of work, but you just keep putting one foot in front of the other and before you know it it’s graduation day. But of course there were always the unlucky few who had bumps in the road that I’d seen throughout the years, and I never foresaw myself being one - but I guess that’s always the way. I was absolutely walking on clouds in May 2017 when I was given the news that I was going to be permitted to do an extended mobility program in RCSI Bahrain, somewhere I’d grown to love after my IC2 exchange and IC3 SSC research spent there: yes, I was going to be the first RCSI student to spend a clinical year, SC1, on exchange. And then in the summer before I started came the news that I needed heart surgery. I figured it was but a small bump in the road - the surgery would be minimally invasive after all, and the surgeons even said they could do it in December and I could be back in Bahrain again for classes in January - but of course that’s not how it worked out. And semester 2 of 2017/18 I found myself home in Canada recovering from a nasty and prolonged hospital stay following post-op pneumonia, and absolutely lost for what to do with myself. I know it’s horrible, but I’d always seen it as a bit of a weakness when someone had taken time off of the program before. And even coming back to Dublin to do SC1 again this year in it’s entirety, I feel like I constantly need to clarify that I didn’t fail the year, and that it was health reasons that held me back. But I still feel self-conscious about it. It’s as if my body wasn’t strong enough to keep going in the program, as if it was my fault. Recently though, I saw a quote that has really stuck with me. It said ‘Everyone around you is just doing their best - including you’ and I feel a bit lighter after reading it. As if the weight of my surgery, and being behind a year now from my peers, and feeling as if I’d been booted off my rightful path wasn’t so heavy anymore because I really am just trying my best. I feel like at RCSI especially this can be diﬃcult to remember sometimes. Everyone in the library looks so focused, and it seems like everyone is studying more than you are and still somehow working out and eating well and partying every weekend - but as soon as you stop and talk to people you realise it’s not like that. Everyone else around you is also really just doing their best, and getting by the skin of their teeth like you are. And everyone has their own stuff that they’re dealing with, even if it hasn’t had them take a semester off of school just yet. I guess the gist of what I’m trying to get at is to be kind - to everyone you meet, but most importantly yourself.”

September 2019

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// David’s Dublin

« DAVID JOYCE

September Events

September is the perfect time to explore Dublin while the last of the summer sun is still left and the semester hasn’t become too hectic. Why not check out some of these events to get a flavour of what the city has to offer.

IFI Documentary Festival

Dublin VegFest

From September 25th to 29th Dublin’s cultural hotspot, Temple Bar, will play host to screenings of some of the best documentaries from around Ireland and across the globe. The variety in subject matter means you’ll be sure to find something to suit your taste buds.

Griﬃth College is hosting Dublin’s premier health food festival on September 28th and 29th. There will be informative talks, cooking demonstrations and plenty of free food samples.

Dublin Theatre Festival Running for 18 days, starting on September 26th, there will be a broad range of plays shown across the city. From well-known classics to one man shows to directorial debuts, Dublin’s greatest talents will be entertaining the city for days.

CHQ Irish Food & Drink Experience Running throughout September, this festival highlights what Dublin docklands has to offer. It is also the home of the EPIC museum which was recently voted Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction in the World Travel Awards.

Dublin Fringe Festival Running from September 7th to 22nd, this multidisciplinary arts festival has over 80 acts ranging from theatre to comedy.

Great Dublin Bike Ride On September 29th over 7,000 cyclists will take to the Dublin streets on courses ranging all the way from novice up to 100km. With the course heading across the city and into Phoenix Park, it would be a great way to see the capital and burn some calories at the same time.

Dublin Sportsfest From September 23rd to 29th Dublin will celebrate sports and physical activity across the capital. This inclusive event is open to anyone regardless of age, ability or background.

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Top 10 Tourist Destinations

Phoenix Park

Guinness Storehouse The home of the black stuff is Ireland’s most popular tourist attraction and it’s easy to see why. Located along the banks of the River Liffey, the seven-floor Storehouse offers a glimpse into the production, history and cult of Guinness. While there are other exhibitions such as the Guinness Archives, Safe Drinking and the Life of Arthur Guinness, the main highlight of the tour is pouring your own pint at the Gravity Bar, which offers 360° views of Dublin city. You can also get a selfie printed on the head of your Guinness!

Book of Kells Located in Ireland’s oldest university, Trinity College, the Book of Kells is an intricately hand-drawn copy of the Gospels in Latin. Dating from 800AD, the book totals 680 pages of brightly coloured drawings of angels, apostles and apparitions, making it one of the finest examples of Medieval calligraphy. After viewing this marvellous manuscript, you walk into Trinity College’s Old Library, which contains an original copy of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic, as well as Brian Boru’s Harp.

Temple Bar One of Dublin’s most famous and infamous tourist attractions, Temple Bar is a must see. During the day the area is home to countless traditional Irish restaurants, vintage shops and quirky performers but at night it transforms into the epicentre of Dublin’s bustling nightlife. Known as Dublin’s cultural quarter, it still retains its cobbled street which only adds to its charm and reputation as a perfect Irish night out. Cultural highlights in the area include Smock Alley Theatre, the Irish Film Institute and countless photography studios.

Croke Park Croke Park is the home of Gaelic football and hurling, the national sports of Ireland. With a capacity of 82,000, the stadium regularly hosts matches between rivalling counties, making it one of the ultimate Irish experiences. You can also tour the stadium, visit the museum and walk along the roof of the stadium to gain some spectacular views of the capital. During the summer months the stadium regularly hosts concerts, with previous acts including U2, Beyoncé and the Spice Girls.

Howth Located just a short DART journey away from the city centre, the fishing village of Howth is one of the most picturesque towns on the Irish Isle. Start off your day out in Howth by exploring the immediate town which offers a pier, beaches and seals. Continue your day by opting for one of the hiking routes in the area which afford views over Dublin Bay, spectacular cliffs and hidden beaches. After you’ve worked up an appetite, finish your day in one of the area’s great eateries, including the Doghouse, Crabby Joe’s and Beshoff ’s.

September 2019

Europe’s largest city park is nestled in Dublin and makes for one of the most relaxing days out in Dublin. Recreational activities in the park include jogging, cricket, polo, soccer and hurling. The park is home to Dublin Zoo, which places an enormous emphasis on its role in the conservation of its animals and its dedication to the education of visitors. Other attractions in the park include Aras an Uachtaráin (home of the Irish president,) Farmleigh House (a former home of the Guinness family) and the Papal Cross which marks the site where Pope John Paul II celebrated mass with more than a million Irish people in 1979.

Christchurch and St. Patrick’s Cathedral Dublin’s two largest cathedrals date back to the Medieval ages. Christchurch Cathedral was first built in 1028 and since then has survived the Norman Invasions, the Reformation and extensive rebuilding. Nowadays it hosts daily services and is also home to Dublinia, an exhibition on life in Viking and medieval Ireland. St. Patrick’s Cathedral is Dublin’s tallest and largest church. Over the years it has planned host to a number of interesting events including contentious state funerals, proceedings during the Easter Rising and feuds between waring aristocratic families. Both cathedrals are located conveniently close to RCSI and New Mill accommodation and both offer student discounts.

Dublin Castle While Dublin is home to many outstanding castles like Clontarf, Malahide and Howth, the most famous is the flagship castle located in the city centre. While it was the home of the British government in Ireland until 1922, it now plays host to important Irish government functions, as well as being a popular destination for any tourist in the city. Highlights of the tour include the Throne Room, the Connolly Room and the Chapel Royal.

Kilmainham Gaol Known to 99% of Irish people, Kilmainham Goal is recognised as one of the most important and poignant buildings in Irish history. While for most of its history, the prison largely held criminals in appalling conditions, today it is mainly remembered for the role in played in the endeavour for Irish Independence. During its egregious history, the prison held Irish revolutionaries like Charles Stewart Parnell, Robert Emmet and Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa, as well as being the execution site of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising. All of this makes Kilmainham Gaol the perfect attraction to begin your journey of discovering more about Irish history.

St. Michan’s Church One of Dublin’s hidden gems and a tourist attraction often not listed in guidebooks, St. Michan’s Church is one of the city’s best kept secrets. While a church has existed on the site since 1095, the current building dates to renovation works in the 1600s. However, what distinguishes this church from others in the city is the underground vaults. Due to its limestone walls, the tombs have preserved the bodies of crusaders, nuns and earls throughout the centuries, making this an unforgettable experience below Dublin city. The church is also home to the organ on which Handel first played his masterpiece “Messiah.”

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//Nicole’s Dumb Dumb Survival Guide GNIB APPLICATION

« NICOLE HENG

STATIONERY

HOT TIPS!

1. Check for slots at 10am and 2.30pm Irish time GMT 0. Best to check for slots at 10am, slots at 2.30pm do not always appear. 2. Best to book slots as early as possible. The website releases dates 7-10 weeks prior only. 3. Refresh the page for slots up to 30 mins, slots do not appear immediately at stated time. 4. Make sure to bring your debit� credit card with you to pay 300 at your appointment

1. Easons Notes: The dominating stationery and bookstore in Dublin Locations: Unit 7, Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre, Dublin 2 24-25 Nassau Street, Dublin 2 40 O’Connell Street Lower, North City, Dublin 1

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4. FLying Tiger Notes: Cheap stationery found here sometimes Location: 19-19a Aungier Street, Dublin 2

2. Muji Notes: Japanese stationery, pretty but expensive. Locations: 4-5 Chatham Street, Dublin 2

PHONE PLAN

GROCERIEs Aldi or Lidl Dublin 1 One of the cheapest, if not the cheapest supermarket around � Tesco Metro OR Tesco Express Dublin 1 and 2 Cheap prices � satisfactory quality products �� Dunnes or Fresh Dublin 1 and 2 Slightly pricier � good quality products May have some artisanal goods �� Marks and Spencers Dublin 1�and 2 Pricy but may find some cheap items very good quality products Have some artisanal goods ��

3. Hodges Figgis Notes: Dublin’s most beautiful bookstore, Location: 56-58 Dawson Street, Dublin 2

Recommendation: Three mobile network - Just top up by 20

p.s. I’ve made an extended version of this unofficial student guide featuring places to eat, things to do, recommended textbooks and more! If you’re interested, e-mail me at nicoleheng@rcsi.ie

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Cost: 20 Plan type: Prepaid - 28 days What it consists of: - Unlimited 4G data: restricts data usage if use over 60GB - Roaming data allowance EU � 6GB - Unlimited Three to Three calls

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// Dublin Discounts

« DAVID JOYCE

One of the biggest challenges to being a student is learning how to budget. I’m sure we can all appreciate a bargain so I’ve rounded up some of the best student deals around Dublin to save a few quid. Happy saving!

Boojum

Cornucopia

Boojum is a must try for any student in Dublin. Whether you’re more of a bowl or a burrito person, it doesn’t matter because you can get a main and a drink for €6.25. While you’re there pick up a loyalty card and get every tenth meal for free! See what all the fuss is about and get down to a boojum near you.

Probably Dublin’s best-known vegetarian and vegan restaurant, Cornucopia has been flourishing in the capital for over 30 years. The portion sizes are beyond generous so you’ll definitely leave feeling full. Why not give veganism a try, plus save yourself 10%.

Umi Falafel

Captain America’s This Dublin staple is on Grafton Street, just around the corner from York St. and offers buy one get one free on all main courses from Monday to Friday. They have a great choice of burgers, steaks and cocktails with something to please everyone.

With choices like falafel wraps, stuffed vine leaves and baklava, there is no excuse not to try some Middle Eastern food (or to get a taste of home.) Their student lunch deal is only €7.50.

Wagamama’s

Nando’s

Another great restaurant located just around the corner from RCSI. They offer a great variety of food including an entire menu just for vegan options. With 20% off for students you’d be a fool not to try it.

My personal favourite, Nando’s is the greatest restaurant of all time. Great sides, unlimited refills and an unparalleled choice of chicken, I am in my element when I go to Nando’s. What’s even better is that they offer a 20% discount for healthcare students. As they say in Portuguese “vamos” and get down to a Nando’s near you. [Bonus Fact: According to the Telegraph, Nandos is the most popular place for a first date.]

Capitol Bar

Clothes

If you’re looking for a fancy way to unwind after lectures, look no further than this swanky Dublin bar. Mojitos are two for €6 on Mondays from 5 to 8pm and on Thursdays all cocktails are two for €6 from 5 to 8pm.

Never fear not being able to dress fashionably with these discounts. Topman, New Look and Diesel all offer students 10% off. For shoes, check out Oﬃce and Lifestyle Sports which also offer 10% off to students.

Apache Pizza With over 150 stores in Ireland, Apache has quickly become a staple of the Irish diet. Why not give their large pizzas a try – they’re only €9.99 for students. You can order delivery on the app Marvin.ie.

Cinema

McDonald’s Although McDonald’s isn’t the most highbrow of places, we all have to admit that we have a soft spot for it. If you hold a student leap card prepare to rejoice – you can get a medium meal for only a fiver. With choices like a BigMac, nuggets or a quarter pounder, you’re spoilt for choice.

Dicey’s While this (in)famous hotspot is mainly known for its Monday nights and €2.50 jaegarbombs, they also have an amazing carvery. A traditional Irish pub meal, carvery offers you large portions of roast dinners, lasagna or curry. At only €5, it’s a feed that will last you the day. So go check it out (and then stay for a late night boogy.)

September 2019

The Savoy is a great central location, just next to the Spire and offers €6 tickets on a Tuesday. The Odeon offers a reduced ticket price while Movies at Dundrum gives students a large popcorn, large drink and a ticket for only €10! So round up some friends and go catch the latest blockbusters.

Haircuts While there are horror stories of students going to trainee hairdressers for a reduced price, there’s no need with these bargains. Grafton Barber offers €11 dry trims Monday to Friday before 12:30 while Peter Mark hairdressers offers 30% off Monday through Thursday.

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//An Overseas Challenge: The Sky Is Not The Limit – Your Mind Is The 14th Annual Bahrain Universities Model United Nations (BUMUN) International Conference 2018 was held on the 21st to 22nd of October 2018, from 8 am to 6 pm on both days, at the Ramee Grand Hotel in Seef, Kingdom of Bahrain. This conference was also held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa. As a new exchange student in Bahrain, this conference caught my eye so I contacted the Secretary General of BUMUN, a final year medical student from RCSI Bahrain, and asked to be registered as a delegate. I then joined her for the first BUMUN training session at the Ministry of Youth and Sports Innovation Center in Um Al Hussam, Manama, Bahrain, where I continued to attend weekly for the following four weeks before the upcoming conference. Many of the undergraduate students from various courses such as Business, Finance, Law, Engineering, and Medicine from different countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Palestine, Jordan, Bahrain and more attended this international conference. I am a person who is not particularly fond of speaking in public and to overcome this fear, I decided to challenge myself and represent a country that I would not be familiar with, in terms of the country’s public policies and laws. I chose to represent the Islamic Republic of Iran as a delegate in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) committee, where we discussed the Environmental Consequences of Nuclear Energy and Bioterrorism. As this was my first Model United Nations conference, I was really nervous on my first day but I managed to gather all the courage that I had and stood firmly for the country that I was representing. I had to put aside my personal principles and fight for what the country of Iran stands for. The feeling of presenting my resolution paper to all the member states of the IAEA was daunting since there were many other experienced delegates present in the room, but I tried my best to engage with the delegates and successfully convinced them to pass my resolution paper. My hard work was paid off when I was awarded the BUMUN Diplomacy Award (Best Delegate) for my performances as a conference delegate. I was also commended on my preparations on the two topics that were covered during the conference. I learnt that it is important to be well-prepared by researching more on the plans, strategies, policies and the position of the country on various topics. During the conference, teamwork played a huge part in writing and passing a resolution. This was especially true when I needed to identify the countries that

September 2019

« GIOVANNI ANDREI

would support the same policies and changes that Iran would support too. There were small disputes among the delegates when exchanging views on different topics but it was quickly resolved by active listening, negotiating and compromising. Through this experience, I have grown to be humbler and more respectful towards all member states of MUN despite having different beliefs, principles, and cultural background. After all, the purpose of the Model United Nations is to gather the voices of different countries’ representatives and come together to make imperative decisions that would positively impact all the nations of the world. The importance of peer support really showed when other delegates supported and offered encouragement when I was having self-doubt. What a rewarding and memorable experience I had during my time here in Bahrain! I came to realise that I can achieve anything that I put my mind to and that it is possible to overcome any diﬃculties that I may face along the way with the help of my peers. During the training sessions, I was taught how to make eye contact and engage with the audience, project my voice, and most importantly, to be pleasantly diplomatic at all times. These skills have equipped me well so that I can conduct any public speaking in the near future with ease, full of confidence and without fear. In conclusion, I want to encourage all of my peers to step out of your comfort zone and dare yourself to pursue goals that challenge you but at the same time has sparked your interest. Even though it is a new experience for you, take a chance and do not back down easily from adversity! As for me, this conference was not something academic or directly related to my undergraduate Medicine programme but I definitely had the best time making new friends and improving myself. You never know what you may be missing out on until you try and achieve something incredible. Only when you choose not to place a limit on yourself, will you find a world full of limitless opportunities to achieve success. Remember the sky is not your limit – your mind is.

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//My Summer in UMMC’s Orthopaedic Dept Over the summer, I had the unique opportunity to shadow Dr. Mohd Rusdi bin Draman, a fantastic Orthopaedic surgeon at the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) which is a government-funded medical institution located in Pantai Dalam, southwest corner of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I was given the opportunity to shadow everything he did: running operations, making ward rounds and interacting with patients in the clinic. It was so much fun, and I learned not just about orthopaedics but the qualities of a good doctor. I still remember the first day I was there; I had arrived at the hospital early but due to some confusion as to who I was supposed to be assigned to, I was kept waiting for a few hours. While waiting to meet with Dr. Rusdi, I unknowingly fell asleep on the couch. When I woke up, I discovered that the doctor had already phoned me 3 times. After I finally managed to meet him, I was surprised that he looked different from what I was expecting. He was so much younger, so much friendlier and amiable! Before this, I had always thought that a surgeon is someone who is quite arrogant, or always in a malicious mood due to their busy schedule. But after our first meeting, I didn’t think so anymore. I introduced myself and thought that later Dr. Rusdi might shoot me some questions on the musculoskeletal system. I was back to being scared as I had come unprepared, and honestly, the musculoskeletal module is my weakness. But that is the main reason I came - so that I could learn more! But at that moment, I was more afraid of getting exposed of my weakness and thrown out of his department. Shockingly, Dr. Rusdi didn’t ask me about anything related to the musculoskeletal and instead, he slowly explained to me about his department while showing me around and allowed me to tag along with his trauma team. While showing me around, he asked me why I had not picked up the phone earlier. I had come to the conclusion that using a foreign number had most likely been the root cause of why my phone didn’t ring and I explained it to him. Dr. Rusdi responded that to be a doctor, the first thing I should be is contactable at any time and at any place. Doctors are responsible for the patient’s life and anything could go wrong at any time. Thus, it is important to make sure we are always reachable by the others. During the week, I was lucky to follow Dr. Rusdi everywhere he went. He would always provide a running commentary about what I’m observing. When the day was slow for him, he would arrange for me to shadow another doctor so that my experience was as fruitful as possible. Every day except on the weekends, I needed to be in the wards by 7 am. Every morning, they would have passovers and ward rounds. This usually lasted for an hour to an hour and a half. The team in charge often involved different leaders, houseman officers, medical officers, chief resident, consultant and more. The Houseman in charge presents the cases and brings the team to the patient for reviewing and assessing of the inpatient’s clinical state. The team would then discuss future plans and management strategies and also communicate their findings with the patient and their relatives or caretakers. Additionally, the Houseman on ED duty would need to pass over the cases encountered the day before to the team through a PowerPoint presentation. At the ward, I got to see patients suffering from poly-trauma, DFU, NF, thrombophlebitis, pt referred from emergency on-call team, pre-opt patient and many more. I also got to observe some common procedures such as bandaging, wound sloughing, and traction. I liked the ward rounds most because they also provide a platform for medical professionals to demonstrate to the patients that there is multidisciplinary communication and collaboration. Since senior doctors are difficult to contact at other times, ward rounds are sometimes the only chance for patients to communicate with them. The ward rounds there are very structured and organised; not only did I get a chance to witness how the team worked with each other, but also with different medical teams caring for the same patient. Every Tuesday and Thursday after the ward rounds, I got to follow Dr. Rusdi to the orthopaedic follow-up clinic. In the clinic, I observed hundreds of different patients such as post-op

September 2019

« ZI WEEI GOH

patients and patients who suffer from chronic pain due to osteoarthritis, diabetic foot ulcer, etc. Here, I learned how doctors communicate with their patients, as well as how they carry out examinations and assessments. Some consultations can be very brief, especially with patients that only need an X-ray or a physiotherapy session; while others can be long, such as when a patient requires surgery and they become more concerned and ask more questions. After a few weeks of shadowing Dr.Rusdi, I had become more familiar with diagnoses, and eventually, I was able to recognize some orthopaedic problems simply by looking at x-rays. I became to realise that in orthopaedics, the doctors have the ability to truly “fix” their patients’ problem, unlike other specialties which is something I started to enjoy. I also got a chance to shadow in the ED with the MO or HO-on call for the day. In the ED, I got to see some common emergency procedures, such as POP, backslab, arm sling, buddy tape splinting, and even pulling the broken wrist back into its position and more! Dr. Rusdi also brought me into the OT with him. As it was my first time entering the OT, I couldn’t be more excited and grateful! I stood at the side, quietly observing and absorbing everything around me. I thought it was the absolute coolest thing I had ever seen. I couldn’t stop talking about it to my parents and all of my friends and couldn’t understand why they were grossed out! The surgery that I remember very clearly was an open reduction surgery for a capitulum fracture. I carefully looked on as the surgeons put in k wires and drilled in screws. I’m really fascinated by how these simple little tools can fix a fracture and regain the limb’s function, and most importantly, the independence of the patient! I also learned that in orthopaedic surgery, the medical device representative (device rep) is an integral part of the operating theatre. The device reps are responsible for ensuring that all components in the implant system needed for the surgery are on-hand. Throughout the surgery, the device reps are there to guide the surgeon on using the tech, and also to troubleshoot problems that arise during the surgery. I noticed that the device reps answer the surgeons when questions are imposed on them but otherwise, they remain silent and stay a safe distance away from the surgeons’ activities. In conclusion, surgeons and device reps share a close working relationship that is necessary for the desired positive outcome of the surgery, Besides that, Dr. Rusdi also brought me to his NTC workshop, a trauma workshop targeted for master students. Even though it was far too advanced for me, I did have lots of fun there! It was there where I got a chance to try using the tools used in orthopaedics surgery like power drills and saws! Orthopaedics seems like a good specialty if you are keen on aggression. I got to try locking the interlocking screw onto the locking plate for the first time. Maybe to any other person, it looks like what a mechanic does every day but the feeling of drilling something into a bone and into a wooden plank is a whole different thing! Of course, at this point, anyone would think that the life of a surgeon is all about surgeries and patients, which is not quite true. During this shadowing period, I followed Dr. Rusdi to meet up with his master students to discuss their thesis and research projects. He teaches masters degree and undergraduate students as well. Overall, he’s more than just a surgeon, but also an educator and researcher. All in all, I think that although orthopaedic surgery can be an exciting career with personal and financial rewards, it can also be extremely stressful. The day in the life of a surgeon can be extremely long and physically draining. However if it is what someone is interested in, the job can be very rewarding and fulfilling. This experience is one that I would highly recommend to any medical students considering a career in orthopaedics. It has given me much motivation and incentive for the future of my medical career. But for now, I just want to say a special big thanks to Prof Azlina, Dr. Rusdi, and his team. I’m really thankful and appreciate learning from all these great doctors around me. Thank you!

DIVERCSITY.COM

// Must See Tourist Attractions Around Ireland

« DAVID JOYCE

Cliffs of Moher

Castles

One of Ireland’s most spectacular and popular tourist attractions, the Cliffs of Moher is a must see for any RCSI student. Running for over 14km and reaching a peak height of 214m, these jaw-dropping cliffs tower over the equally impressive Atlantic waves. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the scenery is unparalleled on the Irish isle and offer views of the Aran Islands, Doolin and the Burren.

Ireland has more castles than you could wave a stick at. Bunratty castle in Clare offers a glimpse into life in a medieval Irish castle and town. It’s rumoured that if you kiss the stone at Blarney Castle, you’ll gain the gift of the gab and be able to sweet talk anyone. The Rock of Cashel in Tipperary is home to the castle that once housed the Kings of Munster and was even visited by Queen Elizabeth II on her trip to Ireland.

Belfast

The Burren

Ireland’s second largest city has a myriad of tourist attractions. With attractions like the impressive Titanic museum, the blockbuster Game of Thrones tours and the traditional St. George’s Market, Belfast is a must-do weekend away. Why not also take a black taxi tour and learn about The Troubles, a dark time in Norther Ireland’s past. You’ll visit murals, the Peace Wall and Fall’s Road but more importantly you’ll see how Northern Ireland has since prospered into a unique and welcoming city.

The Burren is home to over 250 square kilometres of limestone wilderness. The area is also home to unique plants, butterflies and birds, making it a world-renowned area of environmental interest. Historical sites include prehistoric tombs, medieval churches and the house from “Father Ted.”

Newgrange The Giant’s Causeway Over 50 million years ago, county Antrim underwent fierce volcanic activity. Today the remnants of these eruptions are the hexagonal basalt columns that run along the Northern Irish coast. With free entry, tales of giants and crashing waves, this is an experience not to be missed.

Connemara

Wild Atlantic Way

This hidden gem along the west coast is remnant of an older Ireland. Stone walls, native Irish speakers and rugged greenery abound, Connemara has unique character not seen anywhere else in Ireland. It is also home to Ireland’s only fjord, the nunnery Kylemore Abbey and the isolated Omey Island which can only be accessed during low tide. The lush scenery is home to countless mountains, bogs and lakes, ensuring that you will be enthralled by the area.

Kerry

The newest tourist attraction on this list, the 2,500km Wild Atlantic Way stretches from northern Donegal to southern Cork. Whether you’re tackling the route in parts or embracing it in one go, must see sites include Clifden, Achill Island and the Céide Fields. You can also use the route to plan a culinary trip, surf holiday or explore the countless islands dotted just off the Irish coast.

Wicklow

The locals in Kerry have a saying: “there are only two kingdoms, the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Kerry.” Charming towns like Dingle, Killarney and Portmagee only bolster the locals’ pride of their county. Why not cycle the Ring of Kerry, release your inner Star Wars on Skelling Michael or relax on Banna Strand with a glass of Dingle gin.

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Located along the River Boyne, this ancient burial site is over 5,000 years old (making it older than both The Pyramids and Stonehenge). Every year on the winter solstice, the sun’s rays align with a narrow gap in the stones and illuminate the inner burial chambers. Other prehistoric mysteries about the site include the spiral megalithic art, stone boulders coming from sites over 30km away and the identity of those buried inside.

One of Dublin’s neighbouring counties, Wicklow offers natural beauty that isn’t afforded by the bustling city. There are countless options for hikes including the Wicklow Way, Powerscourt Waterfall and Bray Head. Glendalough is a site not to be missed, being home to medieval round towers, awe-inspiring lakes and stunning forestry.

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September 2019

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//The Poet’s Page

« ANUJ RASTOGI

Welcome to another addition of the Poet’s Page! Let’s talk about the Free Verse. The Free Verse is a form of poetry without structure, without rhythm, without rhyme. It has an irregular cadence and no meter. Some notable poets, including Robert Frost, have asserted that this form isn’t a form at all - that it is not really poetry. In my view, the Free Verse can be beautiful. A collection of words arranged in an aesthetically confusing way can still convey meaning. Some of my favourite poets have written major Free Verse pieces, including Walt Whitman, Ezra Pound, and the Champagne Papi himself Drizzy Drake.

An Image Always been and always thought, that body size matters! Whether fat or thin short or tall how we look matters a lot, The shape of my nose The size of my breast Every ounce of my appearance mattered a lot! To me and To them For what I thought it mattered to the one who sees! Then came a day, That day, my first post mortem class! She had just passed away that morning! With nail polish fresh on her fingers! her skin soft and tender! her thorax wide open! With every organ out and about of her body! The pathologist spoke about her death As he explained about her lungs and heart Not once he cared the way she looked Not once he spoke about the color of her skin Not a comment he said about the shape of her nose or the size of her breast! Whether she was thin or fat Beautiful or not That didn’t matter one single bit! Then it hit me! When it comes to the day death Which all of us will how we look doesn’t actually matter!

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What matters is the matter of health The food we eat The exercise we do Everyday, every single day That’s what matters! The way we care The way we love Everyday, every single day That ’s what matters! How happy we were How much we cared To the one body which we have! That’s what matters That’s what truly matters! At the end of the day With a sigh to reflect, It made me realise that we should live a healthy life A healthy life thinking about our mental health Not the appearance of our nose A healthy life considering our heart & lungs not the size of our breast, A healthy life appreciating our healthy body Enjoying the bonds of love and friendship Not the style of your hair or the colour of your skin Because at the end of the day The wrapping never matters –Swathica Senthilkumar Bharathy, Vikneswaran Raj

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20 “First World” Slavery Seated with stooped neck, the condition of digital age. A friend beside is now a stranger as our worlds have fire-walled; all now occupy parallel universes where our chemistry never physically reacts! Cool “likes” and “follows” have usurped the warmth of a #smile. The crack of the ‘ding’ has upgraded the leather; Our masters’ collar now pulls at the hand while the links have become bits of data. Empty vessels now bob along hollow, as the networks do the capturing. Does no one see the iron-ee? For in this cyber space we do not sea the waves or the bloomin’ cherry tree! Uninfluenced by the majestic birds of the clear sky… The hot sun shines; yet, we are blind to all except the blue hue of opression’s digital footprint. –John Taaffe

Clap Brown shoes clap on disorganized stone like her writer’s guild a picaroon. But it feels pretty damn good to walk with the best, who are in charge of putting the world in your palm. Maybe walk properly. I dare you to realize that when you wrote your ghost stanzas in a hot air balloon your edifice was on ice. But I’ll still be there to clap congratulations with a lilt in my voice. “Selectively dramatic” - which is what she called me. Ring Ring Ring. I’ll call her back later. –Anuj Rastogi

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//When Will the Bullet Hit?

« KATHRYN WIESENDANGER

Content Warning: Readers are warned that the following piece contains sensitive content in relation to gun violence and mass shootings I was supposed to die on March 23, 2014. The shooter intended to use 600 rounds of ammunition to murder all 52 women living in my sorority house. I left the front door fifteen minutes before he arrived. Two women died on my front lawn, but it was supposed to be me. I was supposed to die on March 23, 2014. I would have just turned 20 years old. I wouldn’t yet have worked at a brewery, learned how to surf, or travelled to ten European countries. I wouldn’t yet have discovered my passion for medicine, graduated from college or worked as an emergency medical scribe. I wouldn’t yet have fallen deeply in love, moved across the world or completed my first year of medical school at RCSI. I wouldn’t yet have had the opportunity to live, because that night it was supposed to be me. I was supposed to die on March 23, 2014. After that night I lived in fear. Newly installed bulletproof windows, security cameras and round-the-clock police surveillance only perpetuated the unease within our community. The streets of Isla Vista, once filled with enthusiastic students walking, bicycling and skateboarding, were eerily barren. This new and unfamiliar silence, however, was consistently interrupted by the imaginary pop, pop, pop of gunfire in my head: the same gunfire that left six of my classmates dead. I dreaded walking alone at night, the deafening thud of my heartbeat against my chest, radiating up through my throat. I would quicken my pace, anxiously awaiting the bullet at my back as I ran to my next destination. I spent the past five years running from illusory gunfire, hoping it would hit, because it was supposed to be me. I was supposed to die on March 23, 2014. With 36,383 intended gun deaths and 100,120 intended gun injuries in the United States every year1, imagine the breadth of American people reciting this same debilitating mantra every single day. This biproduct of gun violence in America is a new brand of chronic PTSD, a permanent adrenaline drip forcing us to scan every crowded space and search for exits when we gather, worship or (try to) celebrate. While there is no single way to cope with trauma, my main outlet has always been activism. Since that awful night in 2014, I have dedicated myself to fighting for gun reform in America. As a member of Moms Demand Action and SPARC (Sparking Political Action, Resistance and Change), I advocate for firearm safety, gun violence research and common sense gun legislation across America. Gun violence is an epidemic that I will continue to battle as both a political advocate and future emergency physician. I was supposed to die on March 23, 2014, but I survived. My decision to leave fifteen minutes earlier not only saved my life, but has also allowed me to pursue a career where I can help save the lives of those who don’t have the same fortuitous timing as I did that night. I chose to study medicine in Ireland because the political climate not only physically protects me from gunfire, but it also provides a foreign sense of security and tranquillity that allows me to focus on my education for the first time in five years. I am grateful to be at RCSI for many reasons: the incredible people; the early clinical experience; the international education; the magic of Dublin – but I am especially grateful that I am no longer constantly asking myself, when will the bullet hit?

For Confidential Support, Contact:

RCSI’s Student Welfare Office: swo@rcsi.ie (Welfare Officer telephone numbers on opposing page) NiteLine: 1800 793 793 (Lines open 9pm - 2:30am)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) Fatal Injury Reports. A yearly average was developed using five years of most recent available data: 2013 to 2017.

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RCSI Centre for Mastery: Personal, Professional & Academic Success is a multi-disciplinary team of specialists working collaboratively to facilitate and empower RCSI students to achieve their personal, academic and professional goals. We seek to promote and facilitate continuous growth and skills development for future healthcare leaders at all stages of their training. Make an appointment to meet us today. Oﬃce locations in both 123 St Stephen’s Green and Beaumont Hospital, Student Centre.

Meet the Team Ronan B. Tobin Head of Student Engagement & Development and Head of Unit.

Aoife Gilligan Quinn Student Welfare Oﬃcer

Tel: 01-4028565 Email: comppas@rcsi.ie

Tel: 01- 4022504

Career Development

Communications & Language (CAL)

Fionnuala Rahilly Career Development Manager

Helen Kelly Lecturer in Communications & CAL Programme Co-ordinator

Tel: 01-4022565 Email: Careerhub2@rcsi.ie

Tel: 01-4022252 helenkelly@rcsi.ie

Dr. Ebun Joseph Career Development Consultant

John Baird Teaching Fellow, CAL

Tel: 01-4025046 Email: Careerhub2@rcsi.ie

01-4028505 johnbaird@rcsi.ie

Academic Development

CoMPPAS Administration

Learning Access & Facilitation

Margie Morgan CoMPPAS Faculty Co-ordinator

Pro-active and integrated career readiness services enabling a 3-stage RCSI Student Career development Journey: Career Discovery, Career Choice, Career Ready

Embedded and aligned academic programmes enhancing professional communication and language competency in academic and clinical learning environments.

Enhancing academic and digital skills through one to one coaching, workshops and peer-led tutoring.

CoMPPAS Administrative support, planning and project management

Empowerment and direct facilitation of students with disabilities, ongoing medical conditions and specific learning diﬃculties. Jacinta Burke Academic Development Oﬃcer & Learning Access

Tel: 01-4028663 Academic Development Email: academicdevelopment@rcsi.ie Learning Support learningsupport@rcsi.ie

Email swo@rcsi.ie

Tel: 01-4028565 Email: comppas@rcsi.ie Jessica Doherty CoMPPAS Co-ordinator

Tel: 01-4022222 Email: comppas@rcsi.ie

Student Welfare

Confidential practical and emotional support. Promoting positive growth, resilience and student wellness. Assistance with RCSI regulatory processes. Sinead O’Kelly Student Welfare Oﬃcer

Follow CoMPPAS on Twitter @RCSI_CoMPPAS Find us online at http://www.rcsi.ie/comppas Instagram Follow #RCSIWelfareBear on Instagram at welfarebearrcsi

Tel: 01-4028537 Email: swo@rcsi.ie

September 2019

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//Ear + Cochlear Implant

SEPTEMBER 2015 September 2019

Â« MEGAN MURNANE

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Niteline listens ARTICLE WRITTEN BY NITELINE.

haven’t studied hard enough. I’m finding it hard to fit in. I miss home. I feel lonely. I’m not having fun. I wish I didn’t get drunk last night. I’m scared of coming out. Is this course for me?

Everyone experiences college differently, there is never a ‘right’ way. A lot of the time people say that college has to be the best years of your life, and you feel like you have to make it so. No one tells you how hard it can be and no one tells you that it’s ok to have these feelings. It sometimes feels diﬃcult when things get on top of you. You deny yourself the right to feel sad because you think you shouldn’t. If everyone around you is coping with the same things as you then why is it that it is more diﬃcult for you? When things get too much it can sometimes be hard to open up and talk about it. You’ll say you don’t want to bother anyone. Opening up isn’t easy but by sharing how you feel with someone else they might be more at ease with sharing with you. No one feels fantastic all the time, it’s important to know that. The simple act of asking someone if they are okay could be more beneficial than you know. Giving someone your listening ear to let them talk about their day can make a huge difference. We don’t have to worry about things on our own. If you ever need to talk about your day you can call Niteline any night of term from 9pm to 2.30am. We provide a non-judgemental, non-directive completely anonymous and confidential listening ear. No problem is too big or too small. We listen.

The Wellness Wheel take a moment to reflect...

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// The Morning After Scramble

« SHAZIA DINATH

You know what they say, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Hell yah! How else are you going to motivate yourself to stop hitting the snooze button and get moving for those early classes? And forget those greasefilled breakfasts that just make you more tired. There’s nothing more embarrassing than hearing your stomach growl echoing throughout a lecture hall, but don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

Ingredients • 3/4 cup salsa • 1 (14 oz.) package extra-firm tofu, mashed • salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste • 1/3 cup original soy milk • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast

Method 1. Drain most of the liquid from the salsa. 2. Mix salsa in a bowl with the tofu and microwave for about 1 minute or until heated through. 3. Add salt, pepper and garlic powder. 4. Mix the soy milk and nutritional yeast together in a cup until thick and creamy, then add to the tofu mixture. 5. Nuke for about 2 minutes or until hot, stopping halfway through. 6. Eat with toast, potatoes, or any vegan meat. Enjoy!!

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// Q’s Counter

Societies

« QASIM ALI BARI

Strawberry and Rhubarb Pie Ingredients

PIE CRUST • 2 cups (300g) all purpose flour • 2 tbsp granulated sugar • 1/4 tsp flaky sea salt • 250g very cold salted butter, diced • 6-8 tbsp ice water

FILLING • 3 3/4 cup (500g) 1/2 inch thick sliced rhubarb • 3 1/3 cup (500g) fresh strawberries, hulled and halved/quartered • 3/4 cup + 2 tbsp (200g) granulated sugar • finely grated zest from 1/2 lemon • 1/2 tsp vanilla essence • pinch of salt • 2 tbsp lemon juice • 2 tbsp cornstarch EGG WASH • 1 egg • pinch of salt • 1 tbsp milk • 2 tbsp turbinato sugar, to sprinkle

Instructuions PIE CRUST 1. Mix together the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add the diced butter and, using your fingers, work the butter in (flattening between fingertips works a treat) until the dough is crumbly but there are still visible pieces of butter. 2. Drizzle with water, 1 tbsp at a time, and mix gently with a fork until dough just comes together, do not knead the dough! Pat the dough together, divide in half and flatten into two discs. 3. Wrap both pieces of dough in plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for at least an hour but preferably overnight. FILLING 1. Combine rhubarb, strawberries, sugar, lemon zest, vanilla and salt in a large bowl. Toss to combine. Cover and leave in room temperature for 30 minutes. Carefully toss every now and then. 2. Put a colander or sieve on top of a large non-reactive saucepan. Pour the filling into the colander and let stand for a few minutes until all the liquids have dripped into the saucepan. Put the berries back into the bowl and set aside. 3. In a small bowl, stir together cornstarch and lemon juice. Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir until it comes to a boil. Lower the heat and add the cornstarch slurry, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens. It should thicken quite a bit but still be a little runny, make sure it doesn’t turn into a paste! Leave to cool to room temperature, then add back to the berries.

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ASSEMBLE AND BAKE 1. Preheat oven to 225°C with a baking sheet in the lower part of the oven 2. If needed, leave the pie dough in room temp for a few minutes before rolling. Roll out one piece of the dough into a large circle on a lightly floured surface, about 1/8 – 1/4 inch (3-5 mm) thick. Make sure to roll and turn the dough so it doesn’t stick to the surface. Transfer to a 8-9 inch pie pan. Trim excess dough, leaving a 1 inch overhang. 3. Roll out the other piece of dough and cut into 12 long strips 4. Spoon the filling into the prepared pan and place the strips in a lattice pattern on top (great videos for this online). Crimp the edges. 5. Place the pie in the freezer for 15 minutes. 7. Remove the pie from the freezer and brush it with egg wash and sprinkle with turbinado sugar. 8. Place the pie in the oven, on the cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes at 225°C, then lower the temperature to 175°C. Bake until the edges are golden brown and filling bubbly, about an additional 45-50 minutes. If the pie is browning too much, cover loosely with aluminum foil. Let cool completely before serving with a generous helping of vanilla ice cream (Häagen-Dazs being the gold standard).

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Education

// Anatomy WITH Clive Lee

Clubs & Societies

« PROF. CLIVE LEE HEAD OF ANATOMY RCSI

WELCOME TO RCSI! As a student in the 1790s, Abraham Colles from Co. Kilkenny was not too impressed with the way he was taught anatomy in RCSI. It was full of details and did not show how structures related to each other. He later wrote that ‘the student who has been shown the venous, arterial and nervous systems of the arm, does not know how each of them lies with respect to each other’. After qualifying, Colles returned to the College as its 6th Professor of Anatomy and changed the way it was taught, setting out ‘to describe the relative position of the parts, and to point out the subservience of anatomical knowledge to surgical practice’. We have followed his advice since 1811. Three years later, he wrote a paper based on his clinical observations and this was the first description of a fracture of the distal radius with dorsal displacement.

Once you get used to the language of anatomy and medicine you will be able to answer the following MCQ, and tell your ischium from your olecranon.

One of the following statements is true:

A. B. C. D. E.

The chest is inferior to the abdomen The hand is proximal to the wrist The heart is medial to the lungs The knee is distal to the ankle The left nipple is in the midline

If you have just joined us in RCSI, you will probably not understand what distal and dorsal mean. So have a look at the Introduction in the textbook Clinical Anatomy, written by RCSI’s 28th Professor of Anatomy, Stanley Monkhouse.

BE IN WITH A CHANCE TO WIN OUR MONTHLY GIVEAWAY! Winner will be announced and contacted in the next month’s issue.

Illustrations courtesy of freepik

Enter by emailing A, B, C, D or E with the subject Anatomy Quiz! to divercsity@rcsi.ie

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Education

//Rad Soc’s Radiograph of the Month First off, we are the RCSI Radiology Society! We’re a small team that find deciphering black and white images exciting. No matter what speciality you end up in, reading and interpreting medical imaging is important to your medical career! We aim to help you figure out what on earth you are looking at, no matter your skill level. Every week, we post a radiograph of the week on our Facebook and Instagram page. We encourage you to try your hand at interpreting these x-ray, CT, MRI or ultrasound images! You may even get a prize out of it ;) We have many exciting events planned for this year including image interpretation workshops, radiology career talks, and a radiology case competition. Make sure you follow and like our Facebook page to keep up to date with our upcoming events! Welcome to RCSI and have a Rad freshers week! Now on to our radiograph of the month: Patient presents with a one-week history of constipation and abdominal pain.

QUESTIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

What pathological finding can be seen in this supine X-ray? If asked to read this X-ray what important relevant negatives can be ‘seen’ here? What is the most likely diagnosis? Does the radiological finding from Q1 make this diagnosis certain? What is the significance of the radiological finding for this condition? How would you treat this condition? What are the major complications?

Supine Abdominal X-Ray

Erect Abdominal X-Ray

1. Right iliac fossa calcifications can be seen which when taken with the history would be suggestive of a faecolith /appendicolith. 2. Abdominal gas present and the patient does not appear to be obstructed. No free gas in the abdomen. Lung bases are clear. 3. Acute appendicitis; an appendicolith can be an incidental finding so the diagnosis is also clinical. 4. Acute appendicitis mostly occurs when the lumen of the appendix becomes obstructed with a faecolith; however, in some cases there is only generalised acute inflammation. If the appendix is not removed at this stage, gangrene occurs with perforation, leading to a localised abscess or to generalised peritonitis. 5. The appendix is removed by laparoscopic surgery. If an appendix mass is present, the patient is usually treated conservatively with IV fluids and antibiotics. The pain subsides over a few days and the mass usually disappears over a few weeks. 6. If this perforates – peritonitis; appendix abscess, subphrenic abscess, female infertility.

ANSWERS September 2019

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President

Anthony Javed Machikan su.pres@rcsi.ie

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CathalÂ Ă&#x201C; Tuile (Flood) su.societies@rcsi.ie

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Jyoti Dhawan su.events@rcsi.ie

education officer

Tim Vaughan

su.education@rcsi.ie

welfare officer

Aine Fitzgerald su.welfare@rcsi.ie

it officer

Niall Duane

su.itofficer@rcsi.ie

events officer

Zinwen Justine Chan su.events@rcsi.ie

cultural officer

Almohanad Aljulandani su.culture@rcsi.ie

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Societies

“When you’re in there, when you’re watching the game,the rest of the world just falls away.”

@KeithDugganIT

Societies

CHIEF SPORTS WRITER

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