DiveRCSIty - Fall 2020 by DiveRCSIty - RCSI Student run Newspaper and Publications

#DIVERCSI TY RCSI Student Run Newspaper and Publications

Learn how to decode food labels with Gastro Club

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| Fall | |Publication Year 2020, Vol. 5, Issue No. 1|

Introducing the new Student Union

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Read about the crucial importance of bedside manner

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DIRECTOR AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

MANAGING EDITOR « NIKKI CLIFFE

// Meet the team.

LORI ISRAELIAN »

FEATURE EDITOR

CLUBS & SOCIETIES COORDINATOR AND TREASURER

CLUBS & SOCIETIES COORDINATOR AND EDITOR

« ALIYAH MOHAMMED

COURTNEY CHENG »

VIKNESWARAN RAJ NAGARAJAN »

« YOHAN PORUSIRANI

EDUCATION COORDINATOR AND EDITOR

EVENTS COORDINATOR « AUNG KAUNG SETT HEIN

MEGAN KIRK »

ILLUSTRATOR AND EDITOR

SENIOR ADVISOR « ALIYA ESMAIL

FIONA MCGOWAN»

SOCIAL MEDIAL OFFICER SANAT RASHINKAR

STAFF ASSOCIATES CORRIENA BRIEN & JACKIE KNOWLES - CONTENT REVIEW, STAFF CO-ORDINATORS PROF CLIVE LEE - WRITER: ANATOMY Fall 2020

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Editors’ Notes

// At a glance... Editors’ Notes. To the RCSI Staff and Student body, I would first like to welcome you all back to college for what is already a year like no other. It is, dare I say, unprecedented – everyone’s new least favourite word (or maybe just mine). This year, like every year before it, will be academically challenging. But let us acknowledge outright the newest of hurdles to our mental and social wellbeing, further compounding the grind of our academic year. Lean on your friends, communicate with your family, and reach out to student resources that welcome your concerns. Join that society you have always wanted to, or restart your long-lost hobby. Online or not, it is about the adjustments we will have to make in order to emerge from this new normal as better versions of ourselves. It has already been apparent, just by the assembly of this fall issue, that this year will be a group effort; we are all part of this change, and we are all here to make the most of it. To the administration and all of the student services that are as present and encouraging as ever – thank you. To all of the clubs and societies that are as creative and inclusive as ever – thank you. To all of the individual stories included in this issue – thank you for writing about the resilience you embody. The rest of us are not far behind you. We will all come out of this pandemic stronger and more unified as a result of our collective adjustments. Finally, to everyone who has been doing their part in keeping our classmates, our staff and admin, the general public, and those we love healthy – a big thank you to you too. Sincerely, Lori

Fall 2020

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Hello Students I hope you enjoy reading this issue of DiveRCSIty – and that some of you might be tempted to write an article for future issues. The editors will be very grateful! This is November – and I am reminded because of some of our recent Irish cultural events that you - our student community - are very culturally diverse. So we all have fantastic opportunities to learn about other cultures every day at work or study. And indeed this newsletter aims to reflect that diversity. The recent Halloween celebrations combine ancient Celtic traditions of Oiche Samhain (the Irish words for ‘night of Autumn’ - 31st October) and the Catholic ‘All Hallows Eve’ – also 31st October as All Souls Day and the eve of All Saints Day (November 1st). It marked the end of Summer (unfortunately we know that’s true!). Some customs reflect the ancient Celtic beliefs that spirits (fairies, etc) were also departing at the end of Summer and it was a dangerous time for humans who could be taken away by these spirits. Hence lots of scary images, nightlights (lanterns, etc) to protect us humans. All Souls Day is like the Mexican Day of the Dead……….images of skeletons and so on. And possibly there are similarities in other cultures you know of ? Irish people are credited with inventing Halloween – and taking their customs with them on emigration to North America ……….. lanterns made of turnips became pumpkin lanterns in the US for instance. And lights in the window were to support the safe passage of the spirits of deceased family members. Some of these customs help us as societies to address death in a way that is communal – and away from the distress of any individual death event – and so help us to normalise and have ways of talking about and understanding death and dying. As trainee healthcare professionals you will also all face issues of death and dying as part of your training. And it is important to be able to consider your own and others’ reactions to your experiences, and the very varied ways in which your own cultural and spiritual perspectives come to the fore in your training – and how the perspectives of patients and families may be very similar or different to your own. We have very many ways across cultures of understanding illness and disease also – and these can help or hinder healthcare – discouraging help-seeking for instance or seeing illness as punishment or fate may challenge the types of healthcare we offer. Having a sense of meaning to illness and suffering may help individuals cope with very tough challenges. Greater understanding of these differing perspectives will make us all better health professionals. Some will be a challenge to our way of thinking and treating ill-health – and others will be an aid to our work. I encourage you to share some of the approaches to health, illness, disability and death that are in your community with fellow students – and if you have a flair for writing – with us as readers of DiveRCSIty in future issues. Do you have a story? To conclude - make the most of the rest of the semester – it’s a challenge none of us have ever faced. So we are all in it together with the aim to stay safe until there are better protections for all. This pandemic will shape your future healthcare careers – the research and innovation underway by today’s healthcare researchers and clinicians, such as your teachers, will be the healthcare delivered by yourselves as tomorrow’s healthcare leaders. RCSI - together apart – stay safe and well – and look after each other. Professor Hannah McGee, Dean, RCSI

Fall 2020

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//Student Welfare Service - The New Normal An Update from the Student Welfare Team We are delighted to have had a new colleague join the student welfare team. Michelle Whelan joined the Welfare Team in June, and has been working alongside Welfare Officers Sinead and Aoife in providing support to RCSI’s student body. The team are available by appointment at swo@rcsi.ie. We have adjusted to carrying out our appointments, primarily by phone or video call. When the initial closure of RCSI happened in March, we wanted to ensure that we were able to adapt, and find a way to carry out ‘face to face’ appointments with our students. Initially, we were sceptical as to whether or not this approach would be successful. However, we have gotten great feedback from our students. Some students have shared that they feel it is easier to open up on a video call than in person, while others have commented that the flexibility of a video call enables them to continue to attend appointments, even when travelling or on clinical attachments.

Advice for students attending online appointments Have an open mind

Video and Phone based sessions can be just as helpful as in person sessions. Do not delay in seeking help because you think that the services available will not understand, or will not be able to help you because you are not meeting in person. Talking face to face via online methods is here for the foreseeable future, and we should all try to adjust to this as our ‘new normal’.

Ensure the Right Environment

Prior to the appointment, set yourself up in a private comfortable space. You should choose a space where you will feel comfortable talking openly, without fear of being overheard or interrupted. Try to choose a space you feel safe in, and with a good Wifi connection!

Video Session

Ensure to close all open windows on your computer to minimise distractions. Disable any pop up notifications from email or social media. If you feel that it is distracting for you to see yourself, place a post-it note over your face on the screen. It is OK to turn off your camera if you do not feel comfortable.

Phone Session

Ensure to disable pop up notifications on your phone home screen. Place your phone on ‘Do not Disturb’ mode while on the call. Using wireless earphones or a headset can help you to sit comfortably and improve sound quality.

Connection Difficulties

Discuss with your Student Welfare Officer or Counsellor what happens if you get disconnected. Know that technical issues do not reflect that the person you are speaking to is not interested in your problems. Understand that from time to time these issues can happen, and make a plan to overcome them together.

Normalising things are not ‘Normal’ Living and studying during a global pandemic is something that most of us would have never imagined. While we will continue to adapt and adjust to this new way of living, it is important to recognise that this ‘new normal’, is in fact not normal at all. It is OK to have difficulty adjusting. The most important thing is to continue to try your best and to be kind to yourself. If you are struggling and need additional help - please do not hesitate to reach out to the number of support services available at RCSI. #BeRCSI Respectful Connected Strong

kInd

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//Meet the Student Union Meet the team The SU for 2020/21 includes its President and 7 officers.

President: DuPreez Smith He’s in 4th Year Medicine (SC1) and is from South Africa.

Education Officer: Abdulaziz Alshamlan He’s in 4th Year Medicine and is from Bahrain

Events Officer & Treasurer: Laura Booth She’s in Pharmacy 3rd Year and is from Tipperary. fall 2020

Vice President & Societies Officer: Hugh Woulfe He’s in Final Year Physio and is from Cork.

Cultural Officer: Atheer Abdelhafiz She’s in 4th Year Medicine (SC1) and is Sudanese-Irish.

Events Officer: Carter Zides He’s in 3rd Year Medicine (IC2) and is from Canada.

Welfare Officer & Secretery: Anna Whitaker She’s in 2nd Year Medicine (IC1) and is from Dublin.

The SU Team this year has 5 main goals. 1. Student Engagement 2. Student Welfare 3. Sustainability & Green Initiatives 4. Charity Work 5. Culture at RCSI

IT Officer: Seunghyun Yoon He’s in 4th Year Medicine (SC1) and is from South Korea.

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1. We plan to create new ways to further engage students, both in-person and online. We have already added to our social media channel scope, by creating a LinkedIn account and a new Twitter. We’re also on Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat. Make sure you connect with us and stay in touch. Don’t worry if you’re not on social media. We also send regular SU newsletters, are active on the Student Life HQ and send out all-student emails with updates, information and useful resources for all students at RCSI. We are constantly working alongside staff bodies and faculty committees to ensure we are listening to student concerns and addressing any issues that may arise. This year, we are promoting student-staff partnerships on a variety of projects and research, as well as encouraging cross-society collaborations on interactive events for students. 2. Student Welfare is now more important than ever. With ongoing restrictions and a move to online classes, we are aware of the countless stresses and worries that students may have in the current climate. If you are feeling at all stressed, anxious, homesick, lonely, depressed or concerned for a friend - do reach out to Anna, our SU Welfare Officer. All conversations are carried out in a discrete, private, and non-judgemental manner. There are so many resources available at RCSI - all you have to do is ask. You can arrange a meeting with Student Welfare Office swo@rcsi.ie, have a consultation with Mercer Medical GP, access helplines or talk to a qualified counsellor about your issues. Counselling is a completely normal thing, and at RCSI, you are very fortunate to have access to professional external counselling sessions, free-of-charge. If you want to explore any of these options further, or you just want someone to talk to, please email: su.welfare@rcsi.ie 3. Two of our SU Officers are sitting on the Green Campus Committee for 2020/21. We have some exciting plans that we hope to see through this year, so do stay tuned for our updates! RCSI already has some fantastic initiatives in place such as proper waste management, recycling, paper reduction and hydration stations. But we can always grow and improve. The SU is always open to hearing students’ ideas and suggestions regarding sustainability techniques, green initiatives, and eco-friendly ideas to implement across College campuses. We are also looking for student contributions regarding environmentally friendly practises at RCSI. 4. In light of COVID-19, we are aware that most fundraising events are being postponed. This has negatively impacted charities across the globe. As an SU team, we aim to host more charity fundraising events, be it virtual challenges, collaborating with Irish charities on interactive events or sharing various donation links. If you have any ideas for charity fundraisers or you would like to learn more, please reach out to us and together we’ll explore these. Contact as at su@rcsi.ie 5. We have an amazing SU Cultural Officer, Atheer, who is passionate about culture and knows how it’s directly linked to a sense of identity. Culture at RCSI is vastly rich and makes the College a unique experience for all students. We can learn from one another and wonderfully, we end up having friends from all corners of the world. We are exploring new ways to create cultural events online and are actively encouraging collaborations between cultural societies on projects. There are many cool ideas and cultural events coming up later in the semester, so stay tuned for those! If you would like to talk to Atheer about your own culture, and how it can be supported and celebrated in College, or if you have any questions or ideas, please email at su.culture@rcsi.ie Thank you for taking the time to read our article. If you ever have any feedback, comments, or queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We are here to help and to be the student voice, so do remember that we’re just an extra support for you all - a bridge between students and staff. We hope you are all taking care and enjoying your learning this year. Remember to enjoy your time at RCSI, as it’ll pass you by before you know it! All the best, stay safe and stay positive, From your SU Team

fall 2020

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//Meet the Sports Union What is the Sports Union? This year the Sports Union is run by Saidhbhe Casey (Physio 1), and Carsten Opris (3rd Med). The Sports Union is a liaison between the sports clubs/captains and the college administration. It is a way to bridge the gap between them. Our main aim is to get students, no matter what their skill level, involved in Sports within RCSI, and to promote a healthy active lifestyle. We have 35 different sports clubs, along with a fantastic gym. The odds are that something will take your fancy! While academics are the priority, getting involved in sports is incredibly complementary to your studies. Sports are a great way to destress, to boost your mood and to meet new people in the college.

Sports Union & COVID-19 Naturally, COVID-19 has had an effect on the way sports can run in the college. With current Government guidelines, Club events cannot take place in person. While this isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ideal it has just forced us to get creative! Here at Sports Union, we are firm believers that exercise is incredibly beneficial to your mental wellbeing as well as your physical health. Joining Clubs and/or Socs at RCSI is completely free and taking part in them is a great way to create your sense of community in the college, so there is no reason not to sign up! For the last few months we have been a part of a working group with staff from Student Services as well as Senior Management. This group met to talk through ideas to encourage, support, and promote Student Life at RCSI even through the pandemic. From this working group, we have implemented the new Student Life Rep positions who will work closely with us as well as the Events Officers in the SU to help create a meaningful and exciting student life even in these challenging times. We are lucky to have so many enthusiastic sports clubs who have created ways to connect with members virtually and train, even while we are apart. We would recommend following our Instagram page @sportsunion_rcsi as well as the various club pages where we share the most up to date information about all the ongoing events. Clubs such as the Running Club and Cycling Club have groups on the app Strava and have been known to give out weekly prizes! The Rowing Club has held Zoom games and information nights. The Climbing Club has done Instagram cooking demos and the Chess Club holds online games. COVID-19 is less than ideal, but it has not stopped our incredible clubs from remaining active! We have some really exciting plans in the works so keep an eye out! Thanks for having a read about us! If you have any questions or suggestions, we would love to hear from you! You can reach us via our Instagram page @sportsunion_rcsi or by email SportsUnion@rcsi.ie. All the Best, Saidhbhe Casey & Carsten Opris AKA. the Sports Union

Fall 2020

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Clubs & Societies

RCSI Clubs & Societies

Read about the many Clubs & Societies at RCSI and the events they plan to organize this year! Head on over to the new RCSI Student Life HQ (studentlife.rcsi.com) to view their pages and to sign up!

// Introducing RCSI Student Life HQ Dear Students, RCSI is very proud of its rich and vibrant student life. With over 35 clubs and 50 societies, in addition to a vast array of events and activities delivered by the Students’ Union and Sports Union, there is never a dull moment when it comes to extracurricular activities. An abundance of such activities ensures there is always something available to cater for all tastes and needs. All these mentioned groups are student-led and supported by the Student Services Office. To collate information surrounding the wonderful activities and events hosted by the various student groups, Student Services has officially launched a new student life platform: Student Life HQ (https://studentlife.rcsi.com/)! The Student Life HQ (as known as SLHQ or “HQ” for short) is a one-stop digital hub which allows its users to instantly search in one place for all clubs, societies, Students’ Union, Sports Union, gym/fitness schedules, volunteer opportunities, Learning Community activities, events, news posts and more -- including a College-wide student life calendar providing real-time information! As the new platform is now live, the standard procedure of signing up to student clubs and societies via Moodle and the Student Services site has been disabled. Now, all undergraduate students, new and returning, can sign-up (or re-register) for all of their preferred clubs and societies on the new Student Life HQ. Student memberships will now be valid until a student graduates, or until the student manually cancels their membership on the HQ – whichever comes first. Sign-ups to clubs and societies are free and unlimited; so, try something new, expand your horizons and continue your favourite hobbies this year through RCSI Student Life! We look forward to connecting students with the College’s activities and making student life easier to manage in this unique academic year that we are all navigating together, as well as many more years to come. If you haven’t already, we highly recommend that you register on the hub with your RCSI credentials at https://studentlife.rcsi.com/, take a peek and engage with the kind of student life events and activities that suit your preferences and schedule. Your Student Life, all in one place. Student Services has further plans for the HQ to grow and evolve with the ever-changing needs of our students. Additional features will be added over time, including a ‘one-stop’ merchandise shop where RCSI branded goods will also be made available! If you have any queries, please contact studentservices@rcsi.ie. Thank you, Student Services

Fall 2020

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Clubs & Societies

//CARIBBEAN AFRICAN SOCIETY

« Cherie O. Sackey

Think Energy! Think CAS! Think Colours! Think CAS! Think Passion! Think CAS! Think Dance! Think CAS! Think Soca! Think CAS! Think Afrobeats! Think CAS! We are here to ensure that you have an amazing school year filled with tons of different activities. For those of you who don’t know, CAS stands for Caribbean and African Society. Our aim is to bring both African and Caribbean cultures to you, the best way we know how, by celebrating and having a good time! Anyone is welcome to CAS! Whether you are from Ghana, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Trinidad, Nigeria or Canada – no matter where – you are most welcome to the CAS family. It is our mission to showcase our cultures whilst learning from each other. Under the leadership of our current President, Tayo Toriola and Vice President, Jyoti Dhawan, together with our dynamic committee, we hope to do an excellent job of providing you with the best student experience. Times have changed and we can all agree that we have all had to adjust to a new normal. A couple of things have also had to change with regards to hosting events, however, we are keen on working towards giving you our very best in keeping with the health guidelines! Keep an eye out on all of our social media accounts and Student Life HQ to get to know our new committee, our upcoming events and giveaways. As a society we are very big on family and celebrating and appreciating each other’s cultures, so we put our all into every event. CAS is known for our big events, White Party and Chocolate Ball, where we dress up, look fancy and party like never before. Through events like our Meet and Greet, Cultural Diversity Month, International Food Night and International Night we get the opportunity to showcase cultures from the various CAS countries. Better yet, you get to partake and experience this first hand! And FYI… we are currently the reigning champions of International Night. Like the saying goes ‘’ If you can’t beat them, just join them!!!’’ In addition, this year CAS has introduced a mentorship programme for all incoming students. Adapting to life in a new country and environment can be a struggle sometimes, especially in these times, but not to worry because CAS has got your back! Sign up is available on our Instagram page: @cas_rcsi. From there you will be paired with a mentor. Feel free to ask any question that comes to mind- study tips, school life, social life in Dublin, places to see and visit, ANYTHING! CAS has a lot in store for you so stick around to find out! CAS CARES!!!

Fall 2020

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Clubs & Societies

//Welcome to AMSI RCSI!

« Harleen Jhinger

e would like to wish you all a warm welcome to the Association of Medical Students in Ireland! We are the RCSI chapter of this society, and we connect with the national committee to organize events and informative sessions. We are currently a team of nine committee members who advocate for many different issues. Our main focuses are on medical education, human rights & peace, sexual & reproductive rights and public health. We are also organizing exchange trips for students to take part for electives! AMSI is a unique society as it provides a connection between us and all the other medical schools across Ireland, as well as many different medical schools across the world. Joining AMSI enables you to attend events that are both local and worldwide. It is a once in a lifetime experience to see many different perspectives from all over the world! While this year will look quite different, we still have many fun and engaging events planned. This includes online quizzes, an essay competition, movie nights, and webinars. We also have weekly sessions organised, which will involve quizzes (and prizes!) on a wide range of topics. A new focus for this year is to promote blood donation and education through collaborating with the Student Union (all virtually, through our social media!). The campaign is called Vampire Cup and you can look it up for more details on vampirecup.ie (& of course on all sorts of social media and Student Life HQ!). Despite this strange year, we have many virtual projects currently in the works, so stay tuned! Be sure to sign up to our society via the Student Life HQ, give us a like on Facebook and follow us on Instagram (@amsircsi) to make sure you never miss our notifications (we are also going to open a few more committee positions)! Feel free to reach out to us to find out how you can get involved. President - Low Jing Er Hi everyone! My name is Jing Er and I’m in final med this year. I’m really excited to work with the committee members and look forward to what this special year has to bring! I love to travel and absolutely love desserts :) I would consider myself an outdoor person! I love hiking and anything adventurous. I am a shuttler too!

Vice President - Harleen Jhinger Hi everyone! My name is Harleen, and I am the Vice-President for AMSI this year. I am excited to host our upcoming events virtually, despite the many changes this year! In my free time, I enjoy visiting parks and hiking!

Senior Advisor - Shwe Wah Lwin Hello everyone, I am Shwe from Myanmar. I was the president of AMSI RCSI last year, and am the Senior Advisor this year (I’ll guide and support this year’s committee with my experiences from last year XD). Hope you all are keeping sane and the best during this weird time :)

Treasurer/Secretary - Yu Qing Chang Hi everyone! I’m Yu Qing, a 2nd year Med student and also the Secretary/ Treasurer of AMSI RCSI this year! I love playing badminton and shopping during my free time!

Public Relations Officer (PRO) - Aung Kaung Sett Hein Hi, I’m Aung Kaung Sett Hein from Burma, who’s progressing into final year medicine. I am on the committee this year as the Public Relations Officer for this term, after having taken part in certain competitions of AMSI last year! I’m excited about getting the word out about AMSI RCSI on the campus and promoting more student engagement.

Local Officer of Public Health (LOPH) Jessica Langevin My name is Jessica and I’m currently a GEM2 student. Before starting school at RCSI, I completed a Master’s of Public Health and I hope to share knowledge gained from my MPH during my role as LOPH. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, scuba diving, and photography.

Local Officer of Human Rights and Peace (LORP) Katrine Woldseth Hi, my name is Katrine and I’m from Norway! I’m in final med at the moment and am this year’s Human Rights and Peace Officer in AMSI. In my spare time, I like to go to the gym, volunteer with different charities and go hunting for new spots to eat and drink with my friends :)

Fall 2020

Local Officer of Medical Education(LOME) - Sarah Ghobrial Hi everyone! My name is Sarah, and I’m a 2nd Med from Orange County, California! I love reading, cooking, and all things music. I’m excited to welcome our new students to RCSI and can’t wait to meet you all!

Local Officer of Sexual and Reproductive Health (LORA) - Alice O’Gorman Hi, I’m Alice, the Local Sexual and Reproductive Health Officer for AMSI. I am currently in IC2, and in my spare time I play chess, cycle, and hang out with friends!

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Clubs & Societies

//What is the American Medical Student Association?

Kathryn Wiesendanger Daniel Sherlock

he American Medical Student Association (AMSA) is a globally recognized organization that exists to support, inform, and inspire tomorrow’s physicians through 3 main pillars: “Advocacy”, “Education”, and “Networking”. While our chapter here at RCSI has traditionally focused on “Education”, this year, we have added an “Advocacy and Action Chair” in order to engage with our mission on a deeper level. From addressing gun violence in America to systemic racism in medicine, AMSA is committed to creating a more just society for all. AMSA membership provides an opportunity to network and collaborate with grassroots leaders across the world and engage with activism groups and events organized regularly throughout the year. AMSA is about facilitating growth in professional development beyond your medical school curriculum. While we are focused on memorizing pathways, understanding scientific concepts, and practicing clinical skills as medical students, AMSA provides opportunities to refine other key skills that are often left out of medical school curriculum through webinars such as the IMG Residency Prep Series, the AMSA Mentorship Program, and extracurricular Scholars Programs. Many students at RCSI, regardless of their nationality, elect to write the United States Medical Licensing Exams in order to practice medicine in the United States. To make this process easier, we work together with the USMLE Program Board, electives office, CoMPASS, and careers team at RCSI to help you keep track of everything you need to know. Each spring, we host the annual “Match Day Celebration” in collaboration with CIMSA, where final med students throughout RCSI celebrate all their hard work and acceptance to North American residency. One of our favorite events of the year, the “Heart Health Fair”, is a student-led fair held in the spring at St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Center, where we offer free health screenings to individuals in Dublin and provide information about risk factors for cardiovascular disease. It’s an amazing event, and last year we set a new record by screening over 230 patients! At RCSI, AMSA also provides students an opportunity to take a break from their coursework and engage in social events, such as our annual Thanksgiving dinner and NFL Superbowl party. These events, which will likely be virtual this year, allow students to relax and enjoy each other’s company. We hope your year is off to a great start and we can’t wait to get to know you! Sign up today on the Student Life HQ and at AMSA.org, and don’t forget to follow us on social media @amsarcsi!

Fall 2020

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Clubs & Societies

//Irish Soc

Claire Stenson

elcome to another year of Irish Soc and we’re ready to come back with a bang! Irish Society is very excited to introduce to you our team for 2020/2021 and fill you in on everything we’ve planned for the year! Joining Irish Soc will give you a great chance to get to know students from all courses and to have a bit of craic along the way. It is our aim to promote the Irish language and culture throughout the college. So make sure you come along and let our lovely gaeilgoiri teach you cúpla focal and witness some of our widely known traditions first-hand. Unfortunately due to COVID there won’t be many in-person events this semester (please hold back your tears). However, never fear there will be many online events and competitions. Freshers week would have been be your first opportunity to meet some of our very respectable student members through online events and some competitions. Hopefully in semester two there will be some unforgettable events held by Irish Soc, so don’t lose hope just yet. And remember “Nuair a bhíonn an fíon istigh, bíonn an ciall amuigh.” Here’s some fun facts from our members to help you get to know more about RCSI’s most highly regarded society. Claire Stenson, President - just yesterday I burnt 4 inches off a random bit of my hair! Always be wary of scented candles! Sarah O’Neill, Vice President - I accidentally dislocated my older brother’s arm when I was 8 years old. Don’t mess with me. Eimear Ní Loingsigh, Secretary - I accidentally brought home a fiddle after a night out. Tara Nic Eachráin, Head of Cultural Affairs & Irish Language - I can wiggle my ears and I always have tea bags in my pockets (you never know when you might need emergency tea!!). Laura Ryan Moran, Irish Language Officer - At a concert I got my hand stuck in the armpit of the lead singer of the Vamps. Fína Hayes, Irish Language Officer - My fun fact is that one time Harry Styles waved at me in Tesco Maynooth. Culainn Hutchinson, Cultural Officer - I’ve stayed in the same hotel as Brax from Home & Away and it was the most exciting thing that ever happened to me. He did spell my name wrong on the autograph though. Eve Moore, Cultural Officer - During my first year in RCSI, a post was put up by someone on RCS-Spy complaining that a person had locked their bike to theirs in the bike park, and because of that this person had to walk home in the rain... I was the one who locked my bike to theirs, accidentally of course. Oops!! David Neary, Head of PR/IT - I worked in the bars in the Guinness Storehouse from the age of 17!! Mairéad Bourke, PR/IT Officer - I’m a grade 7 clarinettist and I lived in Germany for 5 months when I was 15! Patrick Dineen, Head of Events - I broke my foot on a night out in Coppers 2 years ago, it was fairly awkward going around in a boot but the explanation to people who asked what had happened was simply ‘Coppers!’. Kate Murray, Events Officer - My first word was “Tayto”. Elizabeth Buckley, Events Officer - Michael D. Higgins visited my school and told us his favourite kitchen utensil is a ladle. Jack Kearney, Treasurer - When Dunnes Stores opened their largest ever store in the Ilac centre in 2006, Ronan Keating held a singing competition at the opening. Whoever sang would win a certain number of vouchers for the store and my 8 year old self decided to go up and sing Yellow Submarine - broadcast across the entire shop. Downside: My family have never ever let me forget it. Upside: I won a couple hundred euro worth of Dunnes Stores Vouchers. Ciara Melody, Freshers Officer - A pun fact about me is that I’ve subconsciously developed a constant need to make a pun out of every situation ( ... see :/ ). Reach out to us on Instagram (rcsi_irishsoc). Finally we look forward to meeting you all! Go n-éirí an t-ádh libh!

Fall 2020

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Clubs & Societies

//CIMSA

CIMSA Committee

he Canadian Irish Medical Student Association (CIMSA) is both a cultural and academic society. We are run by students, for students. We aim to provide a supportive environment for all. This year, the CIMSA Executive Committee will be led by President Matthew Patel and Vice Presidents Amit Kalra, Jack Karp, and Maria Casalino. There are various sub-committees including academic, social, and sports; all of which organize events throughout the year. Prior to your arrival in Ireland you may have participated in our Virtual CIMSA Dinner. At this event, we gave advice to new incoming students on what to expect of their time at RCSI. Due to COVID-19 and the surrounding circumstances, our Freshers Night Out and Belfast Hockey Trip cannot go ahead, as they would have in previous years. Nevertheless, we, as a society, are striving to run as many events as possible in a socially distanced manner, or on a virtual platform, throughout this academic year. CIMSA’s academic committee hosts a number of events throughout the year. Through these events we hope to help students better understand and prepare for the North American match process and provide students with the necessary knowledge to maximize their chances. These events include, “So you got into RCSI, now what?”, “Electives talks”and “Research and CV talk”. We also have various board examination talks for MCCQE1, NAC OSCE, and USMLE. As Canadian medical students we try to bring a little bit of Canada to RCSI. Each year we host an annual Thanksgiving dinner, Terry Fox Run, weekly ball hockey, and so much more. CIMSA also puts a strong emphasis on giving back to the community. Twice yearly we host a “CIMSA Gives Back” event where students have the opportunity to donate gently used items to those in need. Reach out to us on Instagram (rcsi_cimsa) Welcome to Ireland and welcome to CIMSA, we look forward to meeting you all !

//Welcome Back From PharmSoc

Eadaoin Lennon

t is that time of year again. Alarms set too early, new notebooks yet to be coffee-stained, and minds collectively boggled as we try to wrap our heads around how fast these past few months have gone. Yep, us here at PharmSoc are feeling it too! We, as a society, recognise that this year will be most challenging for everyone, and one of our aims is to provide some relief amongst the chaos. Most importantly, we are ramping up our supports to incoming First Year students, whose experience will no doubt be unique to anyone else’s. We have planned, in conjunction with many other staff members and students, virtual chat lounges and cafes for new students to get to know each other in the safest way. We will be offering our best advice on studying and time management, and tips and tricks for navigating around the bustling city of Dublin. It won’t all be serious chat though, as we have mini activities planned that will take place via the infamous, Zoom. We look forward to seeing you all! Of course, you are probably wondering, “Who even is PharmSoc?”. Well, we are a committee of six Third Year Pharmacy students who have an interest in all things related to pharmacy. First, we have our amazing President, Jessica Bennet, who is THE most hardworking gal to have on our side. Then, we have our lovely Vice President and Welfare Officer, Anna Dillon, who will be looking after us with our new “Welfare Wednesday” Instagram posts. We also have our talented Treasurer, Eamonn Cloonan, who ensures that our society has the resources it needs to give you guys the best. Next, our Events Officer is Eimear Lynch, who is without a doubt more-than-qualified for the job. No event is an event without this girl around! Delphi Morris is our fabulous Education Officer who is the brain behind our new “FYI Friday’s” initiative on Instagram. Then there is myself, Eadaoin Lennon, the Secretary for PharmSoc. If you have any queries, feel free to email us at pharmacysoc@rcsi.com and myself or anyone on the PharmSoc team will help you out whatever way we can. With that being said, we hope to see you all at some stage during this academic year and make sure to sign up to Pharmacy Society via the new Student Life HQ. For more tips, tricks, and updates, keep an eye on our Instagram @rcsipharmsoc. Best of luck for the year ahead from all of us at PharmSoc!

Fall 2020

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Clubs & Societies

//Pride in the Time of COVID

« Julie Croll

remember precedented times rather fondly. The age of the “blouches,” where all could sit down in the library without a care for pathogens, unless we were studying them. Meeting up with friends in analogue form, going to The George for drag bingo, and seeing everyone’s faces light up with glee, entranced by beautiful queens. Giving a big hello hug at a coffee shop, slaps on the back, or even the odd handshake – now, seemingly antiquated commodities. Though we have created a comprehensive digital world, I miss the days where I read my friends’ facial expressions, rather than that of just their eyes. There is a comradery that comes with being physically next to someone, like at a Pride parade, and video-chatting in often does not cut it. But, this is not a love letter to the world in 2020 BC (“Before COVID-19”). This is a call to embrace the change that has come from disaster, as experience has taught us that it is the only way to survive. To be sure, COVID-19 has drastically changed the landscape of the queer community throughout the world. Increasing unemployment rates have impacted sex and gender minority populations at greater levels, leading to higher levels of homelessness – especially amongst LGBTQ+ youth1. Common health problems associated with queer populations (e.g. elevated rates of HIV, certain cancers, gender affirming care) paired with decreased access to health centres during the “first wave,” and have delayed if not altogether halted routine care2. In May, the United Nations Inter-American Commission on Human Rights noted that during this time LGBT persons would experience greater “inequalities and discrimination” due to police violence and persecution, hate crimes, mental health problems and domestic abuse from unaccepting family members, and an increased vulnerability to “human trafficking and sexual exploitation3.” LGBTQ+ people are in the minority, thus making us more vulnerable to almost every possible health, socioeconomic, and demographic factors. However, if anyone knows how to handle a pandemic, it is us. For over forty years, queer people have been at the forefront of the AIDS pandemic. As we fought for our civil rights in the public eye, scientists waged a war against a virus. We have seen it take some of our best and brightest, and have felt each loss more keenly than the last. And yet, we are resilient. We have hope in our scientists and public health officials, and believe in the progress that they have made for our health and wellbeing. We believe in the science, as advances have been made. Lives have been saved. The parallels between the two pandemics cannot be understated. Here in Dublin, the RCSI Pride Society has been learning to adapt. Last year, we launched a new Instagram page (@RCSIPrideSoc) where we have posted our upcoming events, competitions, and the obligatory silly meme or two. We held a virtual Pride week, which featured a variety of ‘queer definitions’ to help our ally friends learn the lingo, a movie night showcasing “The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson,” and a research day highlighting current queer issues of interest. This year, we will continue the society’s celebration of queerness and diversity by hosting a variety of events online. We will have movie nights, fitness classes, a Pride Art Society collaboration, and are working with RCSI’s EDI Office to hold a Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) Trans 101 Training. Most importantly, we strive to be a voice for LGBTQ+ students to the school. Throughout the year, student queries have prompted us to engage with our administration and advocate for changes at a school-wide level. While we realize the difficulties of celebrating our pride in the time of COVID, we hope that we can help in any way possible. To us, the notion of pride is about empowerment, love, equality, and justice. It recognizes the freedom, both personally and legally, to unapologetically be who you are and love who you want. It is about being yourself in a community who accepts you for who you are. We hope to celebrate that feeling of pride with you this year. Please reach out to us via the Student Life HQ, Instagram (@RCSIPrideSoc), Facebook, or send us an e-mail at pride@rcsi.ie with any questions or comments you may have. Written by Julie Croll, Pride Society President Citations: 1. https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/coronavirus-pandemic-perfect-storm-lgbtq-homeless-youth-n1176206 2. https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/03/12/coronavirus-lgbt-population-high-risk-cancer-network-covid-19-world-health-orgaisation/ 3.https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=25884&LangID=E

Fall 2020

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Clubs & Societies

//Welcome to PIBS

« Mariam Sharfi

We love to dance, have fun, and we have great food! Our culture and heritage are irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration, forming the cornerstones of our identity. PIBS Society acts to represent Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Each of these countries have similar yet different cultures, foods, rituals, languages, and religions. Together, these countries have played many important roles in the development of modern civilization through art, architecture, education, technology, and communication. At RCSI, we have a diverse student body full of many students who share these cultural backgrounds, and others who are eager to learn more about them. Not only does PIBS bring together people of South Asian culture, but we also encourage others to learn more about it and bring our culture to life through the halls of RCSI. We hope to accomplish this as a society via our various events throughout the year. With this in mind, we would like to introduce the committee members of PIBS 2020/2021. PIBS Committee 2020-2021: President: Mariam Sharfi Vice President: Khiaran Kulasingham Secretary: Simren Chotai Treasurer: Neha Ravichandra Events Coordinators: Ahad Jassani & Arsalan Khan IT Officers: Saad Hussain & Chamithi De Silva Inventory: Rayna Chandavarkar, Imran Khan, Nikhail Mainra GEM Rep: Anish Engineer General Committee: Shawn Pandher, Akeesha Karamsingh, Sandra Vijayan Senior Advisers: Hema Saminathan, Kuvira Manamperi, Liyana Kukkadi We organize and participate in various events such as Diwali, International Food Night, International Night and other society outings/gatherings. Even though this year will look different due to Covid-19, we are still hoping to put on some great virtual events! Diwali Night - Usually hosted at an external venue to showcase all the dances and performances the society members have put together throughout the first semester. This year we are hoping to adapt this event into a virtual format so that we can all still come together and celebrate Diwali. Q&A with South Asian Doctors - This is a new event we are hoping to put on this year involving a virtual Q&A session with South Asian doctors who have been on the front lines battling against Covid-19. PIBS has never done anything like this, so be sure to stay on the lookout for more details about this event! International Food Night - A fun night hosted by the school where every cultural society prepares various ethnic foods representing all four countries for everyone to try and enjoy! No doubt this will be different, but it will still be great! International Night - The most anticipated event of the year, a night where societies have the opportunity to showcase their culture through dancing, singing and other performances. Anyone can sign up for the dances or even to help out in off-stage management. We are also planning to be more active on social media this year with weekly Instagram stories highlighting ethnic food, fashion, history, relatable brown memes, and Bollywood movies. We have a lot of exciting things planned for this year and hope more students will get involved and have fun with us! If you haven’t followed us yet, catch us on the Student Life HQ or @pibssociety on both Instagram and Facebook. And always remember to be proud of your culture and stand up for your identity, because if you don’t, no one else will!

Fall 2020

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Clubs & Societies

//Don’t Go Breaking Our Hearts

« Daniel Sherlock

ello and welcome to the 2020-21 school year from the RCSI Cardiovascular Society! The society exists to engage students in meaningful discussion about the heart and vascular system, educate students on topics that will be useful both in class and in the real-world, and give students a glimpse of what it might be like to pursue a career in the field of cardiovascular medicine. Interpreting an ECG on the wards is one of the more common questions consultants like to ask students, not to mention the questions that pop up on exams. Some events that we sponsor each year include weekly ECG quizzes (with prizes) to keep your skills sharp, as well as ECG tutorials each semester, where we take a more in-depth approach and answer students’ questions. CardioSoc also holds “A Day in the Life” talks, where we invite a doctor or surgeon to discuss what they do in the hospital and what it is like to practice in their field. We also work closely with the Irish Heart Foundation and raise money for this charity throughout the year with events such as our bike-a-thon and CPR skills workshop. Our Braveheart Competition, which is our biggest event of the year, is a game-show style competition covering all things related to the cardiovascular system. Although it was cancelled last year due to COVID-19, we hope to bring it back this year and make it better than ever, albeit virtual! We are always looking for new members and will be sending out applications for students to join our General Committee soon. Don’t go breaking our hearts by forgetting to sign up! Be sure to register your interest in the society on Student Life HQ to be placed on our mailing list. Also, make sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram @rcsicardiosoc, and check out our YouTube channel, RCSI Cardiovascular Society, for helpful videos! -

Fall 2020

Daniel Sherlock, President of the RCSI Cardiovascular Society

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Clubs & Societies

//Cancer Society

Simren Chotai

ello everyone, we are excited to welcome you to the RCSI Cancer Society!

The goal of the Cancer Society is to promote cancer awareness to students through fundraising activities and educational events around college. We host a number of events throughout the year to get students involved and to raise funds. These include our annual “Fresher’s Pink Party”, bake sales, and awareness days. Last year, we hosted a “Breast Cancer Awareness Day” in October, where students can usually purchase baked goods and wore pink to college to show their support. All of the proceeds from this event are donated to Breast Cancer Ireland. Our month-long virtual 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. The donations from this fundraiser are given to the Movember Foundation. We also hold other fundraising events, such as “Daffodil Day”, where we raise funds by selling baked goods and daffodils. Proceeds from this event are donated to the Irish Cancer Society, whose primary aims are to improve the lives of those with cancer and invest in cancer research. This year, we will be hosting most of our fundraising events virtually due to COVID-19, so be sure to follow us on social media or the Student Life HQ to stay updated! The Cancer Society has also participated in many collaborations throughout the years. Last year, a collaboration with the Art Society and Table Tennis club allowed us to host a “Pink Pong” tournament to raise funds for Breast Cancer Ireland. As well, the Terry Fox Run at St. Stephen’s Green Park that was held in partnership with CIMSA and the Running Club was a massive success, and the funds were donated to the Terry Fox Foundation. The Cancer Society has also taken part in the BJJ Charity rumble alongside other charitable societies at RCSI. In addition to fundraising events, we also host educational events where we aim to provide an insight into the field of oncology. Last year, our “Day in the Life of an Oncologist” event was a huge success. This event allowed students to hear about the field of oncology from multiple healthcare professionals involved in cancer care. This year, it will be hosted virtually! The Cancer Society also makes monthly posts for cancer awareness to keep students engaged. Moreover, we have started a new initiative called “Hugs for Cancer”, where we will be creating gift bags for patients with cancer. We aim to customize the gift bags and distribute them to multiple cancer centres throughout the year. We have loads of other events and collaborations planned for the year, so be sure to get involved and show your support. We are always looking for students who are passionate about the fight against cancer! If you would like to learn more about the Cancer Society and our goals for this year, feel free to contact us at cancersociety@rcsi.ie. The 2020/2021 Executive Committee is as follows: - President: Simren Chotai - Vice Presidents: Jack Karp, Cristy Liang - Secretary/Treasurer: Isabel Doyle - Head of Education: Monica Ramakrishnan - Education Officer: Kate Haley - Head of PR/Communications: Helen Huang - PR/Communications Officer: Jackie Clifford - Head of Fundraising Events: Komal Marwaha - Events Officers: Fraser Jang-Milligan, Jessica Lloyd - Senior Advisors: Kassandra Gressmann, Claire Stenson We are eager to make this year as memorable as ever!

Fall 2020

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Clubs & Societies

//Médecins Sans Frontières

David Joyce

ey everyone, we’re the committee for this year’s Friends of MSF Society!!

Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders, is a medical non-governmental organisation that is active in over 70 different countries. They work on a number of different projects such as vaccination campaigns, responding to natural disasters and working in refugee camps. Their mission is to be non-political and rely solely on donations from members of the public to continue their work. They are one of the most recognisable charities in the world and they have even won the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize for their tireless work around the world. Our aim as a society is to raise awareness for the various projects that MSF undertake across the globe and also to help raise funds for them, by planning events throughout the year. Some of the most popular events that we have previously hosted include bucket collections on Grafton Street, documentary screenings and our annual Fresher’s Fortnight event. Last year we also hosted our first ever Masquerave Ball and we collaborated on the Humanitarian Response to Crisis Conference. We’re hoping to host both of these extremely successful events annually, though they may be hosted virtually due to COVID-19. If you’re looking for an introduction to using your healthcare degree to work alongside charities or to learn more about medical needs around the world, our society is the perfect place to get started. Hope to see you all at our events throughout the year! Follow us on Instagram for updates: @rcsi_friendsofmsf

Fall 2020

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Clubs & Societies

//Association of Women in Surgery

« Emily Panteli

Our New Normal Hello everyone, welcome back to RCSI if you are a returning student, and a huge congratulations to new students. I hope your time at RCSI is exciting, successful and enjoyable. If you are considering which clubs and societies to get involved with this year, I can assure you that the RCSI Association of Women Surgeons (AWS) will continue to be active throughout the pandemic, we have many exciting events and projects planned. To give you a summary of our history and philosophy, AWS was originally a not-for-profit educational and professional organisation founded by endocrine surgeon Dr. Patricia J. Numann in the USA in 1981. The organisation’s primary goal was to ‘inspire, encourage, and enable female surgeons to realise their professional and personal goals’. Today, AWS chapters have been founded in over 40 countries – with Ireland’s first and only one being here at RCSI! As a medical student chapter, AWS RCSI strives to provide an environment within the college where all students interested in pursuing a career in surgery can explore their options, get information and form connections. We facilitate this through: • Highlighting practicing role models at local institutions and within the community • Providing networking and mentorship with surgeons and surgical trainees • Providing a forum for open discussion and collaboration on strategies related to professional development and the challenges women surgeons face, such as pay disparities, family leave and work-life balance.

It is our priority to continue to be there for our members and support them throughout their journey in RCSI, pandemic or not! One way we are continuing to keep in touch with you all is through our digital magazine, “She Can Do It” (SCDI), that was launched this summer. Each issue features interesting biographies about female surgical pioneers, and interviews with our current surgeon mentors. We email the latest issue out to all our members every month - so make sure you sign upon Student Life HQ or follow us (@rcsiaws)

Cover of SCDI Issue 1 We also organise interesting panel discussions every year, such as “Is the glass ceiling really broken?” and “A Celebration of Women in Surgery” in previous years. Panels are a great way of opening up interesting conversations and gaining new insights into the world of surgery. This year the theme of our panel discussion will be “Climbing the Surgical Ladder”, and this panel will feature doctors at different stages of their surgical training programmes to compare and contrast thoughts and experiences. Although the event will most likely be online due to COVID-19, we will ensure to include a live Q&A so our students can still interact with our surgeon mentors.

Fall 2020

Panel discussion – “A Celebration of Women in Surgery”, featuring (from left to right) Ms Ruth Delaney (consultant orthopaedic surgeon), Ms Liza McLornan (consultant urological surgeon), Ms Rizwana Khan (consultant oculoplastic surgeon), and Ms Sarah Early (consultant cardiothoracic surgeon)

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Clubs & Societies

One of our largest annual events is our “Speed Mentoring Day”. This year this event was virtual on October 24th. At this event we had surgeon mentors of different ranks, from surgical interns all the way up to practicing consultants. We have mentors from nearly every surgical specialty, including neurosurgery, ENT, plastics, and colorectal surgery to name a few. Our dedicated mentors were keen to answer any queries you may have had about their profession, and offered you tips regarding CV building and application processes in the world of surgery. Surgeon mentors at our Speed Mentoring Day 2019

Last year we were delighted to be able to host the first ever AWS European Conference. We had the pleasure of hosting many fantastic keynote speakers, delivering exciting workshops on surgical skills, CV skills and microaggressions, and we even had a research competition. This year we are hugely excited to be collaborating with AWS Milan and AWS Edinburgh to bring you a virtual conference, spanning over several days and starting on March 8th 2021, International Women’s Day. Keep an eye on our Student Life HQ and social medias as we will be announcing exciting speakers and panels closer to the time.

AWS 2020 European conference hosted at RCSI, featuring keynote speakers, poster competition and workshops

If our society sounds like it might be of interest to you, please sign up to us on Student Life HQ and follow us on our social medias as we post there regularly to keep you updated on upcoming events and projects. Best wishes to everyone this semester, adapting to a new normal may not be straightforward but we are all in this together!

Fall 2020

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Clubs & Societies

//Animal Welfare Society

Fall 2020

Animal Welfare Society

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Clubs & Societies

Meet the Team!

Fall 2020

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clubs & Societies

//Paediatric Society

Hannah Farmer

ello! My name is Hannah Farmer, and I want to introduce you all to the RCSI Paediatric Society! We are a committee of 12 supported by hundreds of members from the RCSI Community. Our society is about exploring the field of paediatrics, promoting children’s health in the local community and fundraising for children’s charities. Our most popular events of the year include “A Day in the Life” event, school visits and Teddy Bear Hospital. But, this is not a love letter to the world in 2020 BC (“Before COVID-19”). This is a call to embrace the change that has come from disaster, as experience has taught us that it is the only way to survive. “A Day in the Life” is an event where a consultant in paediatrics gives the students a talk about their field. It is a fantastic opportunity to get more information about working in paeds and to mix with other students with similar interests. During the semester we hold a number of school visits. At these sessions, a number of student volunteers visit local schools and hold an interactive session with the younger pupils with the aim to reduce fear around visiting the doctor and to improve health knowledge. We also discuss topics with the kids like hand washing, healthy eating and basic biology through the use of props like our stethoscopes and teddy bears. In these sessions, we particularly aim to support disadvantaged schools in the area. Teddy Bear Hospital (TBH) is our most anticipated event of the year. During the second semester, hundreds of children usually visit RCSI over two days in St. Stephen’s Green along with their favourite teddy bear. We set up several different stations in the Exam Hall including activities as diverse as arts and crafts, sports and physiotherapy, pretend surgical scrubbing and story book reading. The kids can move around the room as they wish and visit all the stations with their teddies. Our goal for this event is to eliminate the ‘scary’ atmosphere about visiting the doctor or hospital. The event is run by student volunteers and is often quoted as the highlight of the college year. This year, we will hold the event virtually! Every year, TBH is run as a fundraiser for a different charity. This year we are very excited to be fundraising for the Jack and Jill Foundation. We absolutely love meeting new people and would love to have more new members in our society! Pop over to our Instagram to find out more about us and what we do! (@rcsipaediatric) Thanks for reading, and we hope to see you soon.

Fall 2020

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Clubs & Societies

//Welcome to PsychSoc!

Simren Chotai

e would like to welcome you all to this coming school year. We are a committee of 10 members from a variety of years who strive to provide information and host fun, engaging events! We have held a diverse range of events in the past, including… ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Day in the Life of a Psychiatrist talks SafeTALK training Bake sales Coffee breaks Movie nights Mindfulness sessions World Mental Health Day booth Case Competitions De-stress lunches Electives night

And did we mention our animal therapy dog events? While this year may look a bit different, we have loads of fun events planned, so please feel free to come join us virtually! We will be hosting quizzes, an essay competition, a virtual gingerbread house competition, informative sessions, and much more! There are many ways to get involved - you can always contact us on our social media pages (@psychiatrysocrcsi) or via email (psychiatrysoc@rcsi.ie). Sign up to our society on Student Life HQ!

Meet our Committee Chloe - President Hi my name is Chloe, I’m in Year 2 Medicine and I will be the President for Psychiatry Soc this year. My self-care is putting on a clay mask and eating Pocky sticks while I wait for it to dry, and don’t forget about Netflix! Michael - Secretary Hello! My name is Michael. I am a graduate entry medicine student in SC1 and the Secretary for Psychiatry Soc this school year! My self-care tip that I started using last year was the Calm app, specifically the lessons in managing stress and staying focused. I like to use the app whenever I have some quiet time in the morning, either while having a quick coffee or taking the bus into Connolly! George - Social Media Officer Hi, I’m Gerges but I go by George! I’m in IC2 and I’m one of the PR Officers this year! My self-care is always finding some peaceful time for myself each day.

Fall 2020

Simrit - VP Hi there! My name’s Simrit. I’m in SC2 and I’m VP for the 2020/21 year. I practice selfcare by setting boundaries to help my school life balance and scheduling the time to do the things I love stress free!

Joseph - Events Coordinator Helloooo! I’m Joseph. My self-care tip is charging my devices outside of my room when I get to sleep to avoid distractions. I always feel better with a full night of quality sleep.

Kat - Events Officer Hi! My name’s Kat, I’m in final med and one of the Events Officers. My self-care involves regularly stepping away from the desk and making time for exercise, meditation and staying connected with friends and family. Talking about how we’re feeling is like a muscle, it gets stronger each time we tell someone how we’re doing, good or not so good.

Harleen - Treasurer Hi! My name is Harleen and I’m a third year medical student, as well as the Treasurer for Psychiatry Soc! My self-care tip is trying to get outside more often, and going on hikes!

Alyssa - Society Liaison Hi there! My name is Alyssa. I am in my final year of medicine and the society liaison. My self-care is having a weekly schedule for DIY/ store-bought skin and hair treatments as well as using regular daily breaks to stretch. The RCSI gym really helped me with the latter through their yoga classes. You should definitely check them out!

Nicole - Social Media Officer Hi! My name is Nicole and I’m one of the Social Media Officers! My self-care includes listening to music and hanging out with my flatmates. I think it’s really important to have people you can trust to talk to when you’re feeling down. Katrine - Head of Events Hi, my name is Katrine. I’m in final year and I’m the Head of Events! My self-care routine is going to the gym, taking a long hot shower and then watch dumb YouTube videos over a big bowl of spicy noodles. DIVERCSITY.COM

Clubs & Societies

//Biological Society

« Githmi Palahepitiya

CSI Biological Society, revived in 1931 by Professor J.D.H Widdess, is known as the oldest medical society at RCSI. As an educational society, we organise numerous academic competitions to challenge and stimulate students’ minds, giving them an opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired from lectures and rotations. OUR ACTIVITIES 1. QUIZZES! We hold two quizzes every year: our Harold Browne Anatomy Quiz and our Mary Leader Pathology Quiz 2. CASE COMPETITIONS Our case competitions are held in collaboration with other RCSI societies: Paediatrics Society, OBGYN Society, Psychiatry Society and Cancer Society. 3. ANNUAL INAUGURAL ADDRESS & AWARDS CEREMONY Our Annual Inaugural Address takes place in January where we host the official commencement ceremony for the year, introducing the new Faculty President, as well as welcoming fellow BioSoc members. We hold an Inaugural Address with the objective of expanding the knowledge of students and faculty at RCSI on critical and current matters in healthcare. This event also serves as an award ceremony to congratulate the winners of our many quizzes and competitions. We are a committee of 16 students led by our Faculty President, Prof Rory McConn Walsh and our Student President, Elisa Yoo. Here’s our team and we’re looking forward to meeting you all! Follow us on Instagram! (@rcsibiological)

Fall 2020

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Clubs & Societies

//Meet Your Research Skills Team!

Carol Rizkalla

o all Freshers, to those of us interested in joining new societies, to those of us nearing the end of our journey in our professional degrees ... We are here for you! This society was established in 2019/2020 year to help students maximize their chances of getting involved in research while at RCSI and to make research accessible to all students, regardless of their experience. This includes students in the pharmacy programme, physician associates, physiotherapists, and medicine. As new and uncomfortable as this year may feel to some of us, you can rest assured that your Research Skills Society has lots of exciting plans! Our scope is quite wide, which is why we have 6 Liaison Officers collaborating with various departments within RCSI to maximize the opportunities we make available to you. I would love to take this opportunity to introduce you to them and their aims.

Innovation Officer

Ali Rifai will be leading the first-ever “Innovation Competition” here at RCSI. The competition will aim to encourage RCSI students to generate innovative and original ways to tackle some of the issues facing health services. The purpose is to come up with plans to reduce the burden on staff and increase patients’ access to care. We are certain RCSI students will have some impressive ideas up their sleeves.

Conference Officer

Emma Skelly will be collaborating with the many and varied academic societies here at RCSI and looking for opportunities for students to present their research findings! Nowadays this may be in the form of Virtual Online Conferences, nonetheless, students will have the chance to spread their research findings and effectively network.

Lab Skills Officer

Caitlyn Loo will be leading the lab skills program this year! The main aim is to get students in the lab, developing basic lab research skills (ie. pipetting, western blots, ELISA’s). We kicked it off last year and now we are working hard to expand the positions available.

Statistics Officer

Sarita Ankatiah will be collaborating with the Statistics Department here at RCSI. We are currently working on a STATA (a statistics software) course for RCSI students. The aim here is to get students to have strong basic statistical skills!

CoMPPAS Officer

Isha Bagwe will be collaborating with the CoMPPAS department here at RCSI. CoMPPAS aims to maximize your potential and help you map a pathway to your professional success. This means we could be organizing workshops to help boost your CV, develop your interview skills, or even addressing how to effectively advertise for yourself !

Our Library Officer

Mohammed Aleid will be collaborating with the Library department. Over the Summer, we brought to you a Workshop Series to get you started with a Literature Review. We upload all of our content onto our Youtube channel so you can always watch at your own time (all links in our Instagram description). Do not be discouraged as you seek research endeavors, we all started from nothing. We hope to be able to reach out to those of you with no experience, to those of you with a few publications on their CV and even to those of you with a masters or a Ph.D. - we have something in store for everyone across all levels. I highly recommend you keep in touch with us via our social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter), subscribe to our YouTube channel (where we regularly upload content), and also sign up via the Student Life HQ to receive our emails. (@rcsi_researchsoc) If you have any questions or suggestions, definitely reach out to us. Best of luck!

Fall 2020

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Clubs & Societies

//Palliative Care Society

ÂŤ Aliya Esmail

elcome to the Palliative Care Society!

For those who might need a refresher, Palliative Care encompasses a holistic approach to caring for patients with a life-limiting illness. It is an approach that places the person receiving care, their family, and their values and interests at the center of decision-making. Here at RCSI, we are building 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. Over the past year, we held a number of educational, advocacy-based and exciting events, including two student-led journal clubs, a fundraiser for the St. Francis Hospice and a Christmas caroling event at St. Francis Hospice in partnership with Choral Soc. We also had the pleasure of organizing our first ever workshop on Breaking Bad News, led by Dr. Regina McQuillan, a palliative care consultant in Dublin. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re excited to expand on these events in the coming year â&#x20AC;&#x201C; look out for our online Q&A with Palliative Care physicians and residents to learn about the field and training pathways in palliative care as well as opportunities to get involved with community organizations, and more. We are a newer society and are interested in hearing from you! Let us know what kind of events you would like to see or topics you would like explored this year. Follow us on Instagram (@rcsipallsoc) or Facebook for updates or send as an email at palliativecaresoc@rcsi.ie.

Get Involved

Discussion with a Palliative SPR

Pall Book Club

Stay tuned for information on our Paediatric Palliative Care event taking place December 2nd

Fall 2020

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Clubs & Societies

//Choral Society

Paddy Frost

CSI Choral Soc brings together students from all disciplines in the college. Everyone is welcome at Choral Soc, regardless of their singing ability or experience. We traditionally congregate in Damer Hall on a Monday evening, however, due to COVID-19 restrictions we have had to adapt. This year, we plan to host virtual choir sessions on MS Teams so that we can still see each other and have fun as normal! At Choral Soc, we sing a wide variety of arrangements from different genres. Last year, we were fortunate to have put on two successful events before the college had to close. Our Winter Concert attracted over a hundred staff, students, and family members. We even had to change the venue at the very last minute to accommodate a large number of guests!! Our choir is led by the accomplished Christina Whyte who is a member of The Chamber Choir of Ireland! We look forward to seeing you all on one of our MS Teams calls in the coming weeks!! We would like to introduce our committee members for this year:

President: Eve Moore

Hi everyone! My name is Eve and I’m this year’s President of Choral Soc! Music is a huge part of my life: I’ve played piano for years and sang in a choir in school. I’ve been involved with RCSI choir for 2 years now - and counting! Being part of Choral Soc has been such an important part of my time in RCSI, and has made it so enjoyable! I’ve made really great friends through this society, and what better way to meet people than via a mutual interest! Although things will be very different to normal this year, I’m very excited for the year ahead: we have some new and innovative ideas of how to interact and continue singing together - even when we’re apart! I’m delighted to be the President of the Society this year, and I want to make the experience of RCSI Choral Soc as enjoyable for all new and existing members as it always has been for me. Fave song: Sight of You, Sigrid. Fave choir Song: Hallelujah, Leonard Cohen.

Vice President: Ciara Cassidy

Hello! My name is Ciara and I’m the Vice Prez on this year’s Choral Soc committee! I’m in 4th year pharmacy, and have been singing in choirs since I was 6 :) I’ve also done a few grades of solo singing, and love all things music! I adore classical songs and hymns, one of my fave works to sing is Mozart’s Requiem in D Minor(!). I also love the Choral Soc’s version of Africa by Toto we did a couple years ago! I am out on placement for the 1st semester this year, so am sort of happy that I can still partake in Choral Soc meet-ups, now that they’ll be online! Choral Soc has been such an enjoyable part of RCSI for me, I wanted to give back by being on the committee. My hopes for us this year is that we can overcome the challenges of the current COVID-19 situation and keep us all singing! Fave song: Diplomat’s Sun by Vampire Weekend Fave choir song: Vois Sur Ton Chemin by Les Choristes <3

Secretary: Anjuli Chehil

Hi everyone! My name is Anjuli Chehil. I am in 3rd year medicine, and I am the Secretary for Choral Soc this year. I love to sing, and Choral Soc has been a highlight of my time at RCSI. It’s a great way to meet fellow singers, and to bond over music. We sing a variety of pieces, and rehearsal is always a fun break from school. I am looking forward to building on all the great work we’ve done, while also maintaining an enjoyable and relaxed environment for everyone, even amidst the challenges of COVID-19. We may be singing online this year, but I’m looking forward to a great term ahead. Fave song: Perfect Places by Lorde Fave choir song: Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen

Treasurer: Tara Nic Eachráin

Hi! My name is Tara, I’m in 2nd physio and will be the Treasurer for Choral Soc this year. I’ve been singing in choirs for as long as I can remember. Choral Soc was the first society I signed up for in FY, and I really enjoyed getting a chance to sing and chat to people from other years in RCSI. I’m delighted to be involved with the committee this year, and to get a chance to sing with some new people (even if it is online!). A highlight of choir for me was definitely signing in The Abbey for International Night. My goal as part of the committee this year is to create the same fun and welcoming environment for both new and existing Choral Soc members that I got to experience during previous years, even if it is a bit different! Fave song: To Noise Making by Hozier Fave choir song: Stars by Erik Ešenvalds

IT Officer: Jezzdin Carr

Hi everyone! My name is Jezzdin Carr and I am the IT Officer for the Choral Soc this year. I am on the RUMC programme and am currently in 3rd year medicine. I enjoy singing and playing the electric guitar. The Choral Soc is filled with a bunch of sound people (pun intended) which makes it all the more enjoyable and welcoming experience. The COVID-19 crisis will be a challenge for every society, but I am confident that we can improvise and continue to put on amazing performances! I wanted to be on this committee because it will give me a chance to further improve my creativity. Moreover, I love working in a team and I think this will definitely be an incredible experience nevertheless, regardless of a pandemic. Fave song: The Prayer by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli Fave choir song: Eilín Óg

Events Officer: Paddy Frost

Hey guys! My name is Paddy, and I’m the Events Officer/Organizer for Choral Soc 2020/21, and I’m in 2nd Year Pharmacy. Although I’ve only been a member for a short time, I’ve really enjoyed being a part of Choral Soc. I loved getting to meet new people at our weekly rehearsals last year and singing songs from various different genres. I really loved our performances of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘Mamma Mia’ at our Winter Concert last November. I decided to run for Events Officer so that I could plan exciting concerts that would bring students and staff from all over the college to see our amazing society. Although it may be a little different this year, I’m hopeful we will continue to put on show-stopping performances for another year. Fave song: Thank you for the Music by ABBA Fave choir song: The Seal Lullaby

Fall 2020

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Clubs & Societies

//Christian Union

« Cherie O. Sackey

e can all agree that the world has changed. We live in a new normal. In spite of this we are reminded of the fact that the message of JESUS has not changed. Following weeks of lockdown and new restrictions, the closing of churches has shown people of faith that the church is more about the people in the community and less about the physical structure in which we gather for fellowship. This has motivated Christians to use other avenues in order to continue our fellowship and encourage each other during the COVID-19 pandemic. Christian Union is here to provide a welcoming space for Christian and non-Christian students! We have discussions about Jesus, where we encourage members to ask questions so that we can all discover more about who Jesus is and the love He has for us, His children.

OUR EVENTS & LEARNING MORE ABOUT CHRISTIANITY Bible discussions Prayer sessions Worship nights Games night Christmas service Easter service Apologetics event Meet and Greets

Apart from our RCSI specific events, we also participate in events through our connections with other CUs in Dublin, Ireland and the world at large. We partake in events such as EQUIP, World Student Day of Prayer, Inter-CU Conferences and CU Weekend Away, all of which are organised by Christian Union Ireland (CUI). There are also events like the Christian Medical Fellowship Student Conference which takes place in the UK. This year the CU will be led by Andrew Mati and Nathan Gnanasekaram with assistance from our enthusiastic committee members. This year, CUI has introduced ‘Freshers Link Up’ to connect freshers with their campus CUs. We’d love to connect with you so go on to www.cui.ie/students/welcome-to-cu/freshers-activities to sign up! You can also send in your prayer requests as well as any other questions you may have by sending us a message on any of our social media accounts. Instagram: @rcsicu; Facebook: RCSI Christian Union. We have a lot in store for you this year and we cannot wait to meet you!

Fall 2020

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Clubs & Societies

//Music Society

Ross & Liyana

ello and welcome to RCSI’s Music Society!

First of all, welcome to all of the incoming new students and returning students across the various programs of the university. RCSI fosters an environment that illuminates the cultural diversity of the students, along with providing opportunities to join and experience a plethora of clubs and societies. We are beyond excited to have you join us here in Dublin and hope you are settling in well to your respective courses! If you are looking to meet a few people to start a band, find yourself wanting to branch out in your music tastes or would like the chance to be able to perform live, we can promise you that you’ll revel in everything Music Soc has to offer! What makes our society so special is that, no matter what part of the world you go to or festival you attend, the medium of music connects everyone. Music Soc creates opportunities to meet and make friends from anywhere in the world, which is an incredibly special aspect of the society. One of the classic events we usually host is our casual, coffee-house style Acoustic Night, with multiple musicians and singers taking to the front of the room to serenade everyone with covers and original pieces. Our usual showstopper event is the biannual Ballad Session, where students get the chance to perform live on some of the most coveted stages in Dublin (including the Academy, Workman’s, Opium and Button Factory!). Members of Music Soc have also appeared as a collaborative feature at many events, including last year’s Chocolate Ball (hosted by the Caribbean African Society) and International Food Night (hosted by Gourmet Society). While this year will be a little different, we are determined as a society to maintain a high level of involvement through our online events, and encourage incoming and current students to connect with one another. Whether it’s to bond over favourite artists, share a bit of your own culture, or just to find like-minded people with great taste in music we hope you come and see what Music Soc has to offer. We look forward to meeting you and hearing your favourite songs, and hopefully some original ones of your own! Follow us at @rcsimusicsociety on Instagram and feel free to reach out at any time!

Fall 2020

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Clubs & Societies

//Art Society

Art Society

ello from Art Society!

We hope everyone is doing well and staying artsy during this unpredictable year. Needless to say, Covid-19 and the return to university has been a stressful time for everyone, but there is no better time than now to explore the world of art. After all, art is a wonderful way to relax and de-stress after hours of studying. At Art Soc, we believe that you don’t need an innate talent to enjoy creating - all art is good art! Our goal is to encourage students from all years to experience different forms of visual art. Even though we cannot meet face-to-face, it is still possible to have fun and interact with new people!

Here’s a little bit more about us: we are a creative society focused on encouraging students to pursue art. We typically hold bi-monthly sessions introducing a wide variety of art mediums. Previously, we have done sessions with acrylic, watercolor, oil paint, and even origami sessions. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we plan to host our events online and have them be as inclusive as possible, meaning the materials you’ll need to participate will already be in your home! Sessions will be held on Wednesdays from 6-9 pm, but via MS Teams rather than in Damer Hall. For fall semester, we have planned:

Origami: due to the success of this session last year, we will teach you all about the intricate craft of folding paper! 24-hour graphic design challenge: students will have only 24 hours to create a piece of art centred around a theme announced at the start of the day. Team art collage contest: form teams within your learning communities and compete by building onto one another’s art before submitting a final art collage. More details to follow on the Social Life HQ or on our social media @rcsi_artsoc and keep a lookout for our emails! Stay artsy! xoxo, Art Soc

Fall 2020

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Clubs & Societies

//Royal College Players

Linda Kelly

he “Royal College Players”, also known as RCSI Drama Soc is RCSI’s answer to Hollywood and Broadway. We welcome everyone! From those who have never stood on stage before, to those who call the stage their home, we all have one thing in common: WE LOVE A GOOD SHOW! Ever since our sensational production of “Chicago” in 2019, Drama Soc has been catapulted into the limelight of the RCSI community. Last year, we kicked off the show with our version of the play “Audience”, showcasing the incredible acting talent that RCSI students have to offer. In February, we rocked the stage of the O’Flanagan Lecture Theatre with our long awaited production of “Hairspray!”. This was a showstopping spectacle of singing, dancing and acting that preached a message of inspiration, hope and equality; a message which resonates especially within our RCSI community given the diverse and multicultural nature of our student body. Drama Soc has been working hard in planning our itinerary for the upcoming academic year to bring you even more fun, excitement and entertainment. We can’t wait to unveil our plans as the year unfolds! So whether you’re a seasoned professional or a total beginner, Drama Soc welcomes and encourages everyone and anyone to come along to all of our auditions, events and shows. If you want more information on Drama Soc or our activities and plans for the upcoming year, feel free to reach out to our committee members or contact us via the Student Life HQ, Instagram (@RCSIdrama) or on Facebook (RCSI Drama). MEET THE COMMITTEE President: Sarah O’Keeffe Vice President: Laura Rice Secretary: Ava Eusepi-Harris Treasurer: Eve Moore Musical Directors: Rory Patterson, Paddy Frost Play Director: Patrick Fahy Production Manager: Linda Kelly Audio-Visual Co-ordinator: Aditya Patki General Committee: Edwina Geraghty

Fall 2020

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Clubs & Societies

//Red Cross Society

Red Cross Society

elcome to RCSI Red Cross Society!

We are a humanitarian society that mainly organizes educational, social, and fundraising events throughout the year. We aim to bring awareness to the values and principles of the Red Cross, which is to provide services and support to vulnerable communities at home and abroad. With 2020 being a challenging year, Red Cross Societies globally have provided aid to those in need and we, here at RCSI, stand proud to be representing the largest humanitarian aid organization in the world. We have planned many events for this academic year and are eager see you at them, such as our Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s day Candy Grams and Roses in February, an amazing Charity Gala in collaboration with RCSI UNICEF, MĂŠdecins sans frontiere (MSF) and Cancer Society, a clothing bank for the homeless in collaboration with the South East Asian Society, the infamous annual Humanitarian Response to Crisis Conference, a comforting movie night to end the year, and many more. All our funds will go directly to the Irish Red Cross. Our executive and general committees are working very hard and are dedicated to organize successful and memorable events for the 2020/2021 academic year. Make sure to sign up on Student Life HQ and give us a follow on Instagram (@rcsiredcross) and Facebook to stay updated with our events. We are very excited to meet you all and to have you join our society!

Fall 2020

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Clubs & Societies

//NeuroSoc

Jeneva Smith

he RCSI Neuroscience Society (AKA NeuroSoc) is a society dedicated to students who are interested in any and all things neuroscience, including neurology, neurosurgery, neuroradiology and neuropathology. We welcome all RCSI students who want to explore this area, whether you have decided that this is the area you want to pursue in medicine or you are undecided and want to see what neuroscience is all about! We hope to further your interest and experience in neuroscience through a range of events and activities that allow you to delve deeper into neuroscience and meet other students with the same interests. The society is run by our two co-presidents, Clare Lambert and Chris Lozano, as well as 16 other dedicated students across various years and programs at RCSI. We are here to make Neurosoc as helpful and relevant as possible for you and are always happy to answer any questions or give advice! Our biggest annual event is Nerves of Steel, which is a gameshow-style trivia competition that covers a wide range of material, from neuroanatomy and neurophysiology to clinical neurology and neurosurgery. Any RCSI student can participate and you get to choose a team of three people, so choose wisely because this is one of the most competitive trivia events at RCSI! The winners are awarded the prestigious Tom Farrell Medal, named after the legendary anatomy professor at RCSI. Sign up when the time comes for a chance to test your skills; even if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t win you can still put it on your resume. Neuroscience Career Day is our other main event, which is hosted as a collaboration with the Neurology and Neurosurgery Interest Group. It is a day-long event filled with engaging talks from neurologists, neurosurgeons and neuropathologists and it is a great way to network and get an idea of what you are interested in! Throughout the year we also hold several smaller events, such as our cases of the week, which challenge students to determine the diagnosis for a patient case and compete for prizes. We also hope to hold neuroscience journal clubs and peer-led tutorials for neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. We are so excited for this upcoming year and canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to meet you all! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook and sign up for our mailing list on Student Life HQ to stay up to date on all of our events this year!

Fall 2020

DIVERCSITY.COM

Clubs & Societies

//OBGYN Society

Fall 2020

OBGYN Society

DIVERCSITY.COM

Clubs & Societies

//OBGYN Society Subcommittee

OBGYN Society

Introducing the MEDICAL STUDENTS FOR CHOICE CHAPTER

•  MSFC is a non-profit organization committed to ensuring that medical students and trainees are educated about all aspects of reproductive health care, including abortion •  With the recent legalization of abortion in Ireland, chapter founders, Megan Murnane and Mariah Collussi identified the need to broaden opportunities for all RCSI and Irish students to receive family planning education and thus brought a chapter of MSFC to RCSI! For more information go to: https://msfc.org/

PLANS FOR THE INAUGURAL YEAR:

1.  We plan to kick off our first year with a workshop about counselling on pregnancy options and abortion as a conscientious objector 2.  We hope to work closely with the Trinity Chapter and other Irish Chapters to explore the idea of starting an Annual Irish MSFC Meeting 3.  We plan to take a closer look at the RCSI curriculum to identify any gaps that may exist in the family planning curriculum and work to make reform!

Or email Megan Murnane at MeganMurnane@rcsi.ie or Mariah Colussi at Mariahcoluss@rcsi.ie

Fall 2020

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Personal Stories

//Wishes of a Pandemic Participant

« Rama Alkhald

was paralyzed with fear. It was a regular Tuesday morning in the suburbs of Toronto. I was laying in bed when the Premier of Ontario declared a State of Emergency and a full province-wide lockdown. The COVID-19 pandemic reached the doorsteps of my hometown. A few days prior, my dad embarked on a business trip to the Middle East. “Exciting”, I thought. I was glad he was going away for a few days so I could go to my friend’s party that weekend. Little did I know he would end up stuck in the Middle East for much longer than expected. It has now been nearly seven months since I’ve seen my dad. I wish I wasn’t so eager for him to leave. The weeks to come following the announcement took a great toll on my mental health. As fortunate as I was to be in isolation with my mother and siblings, I felt empty. I missed my friends, I missed being at school and I missed, well, just being outside! I wish I never took outside for granted. We now had to wait thirty minutes outside in the freezing cold simply to enter the grocery store because of how crowded it was. Due to panic buying, we also had to limit the number of bottles of water, toilet paper and other supplies we bought. This terrified me at first, as it felt like we were running out of supplies and that the end of the world was near. I wish I never took the value of food, water and clothes for granted. Day after day, my school announced the cancellations of many anticipated events such as Senior Prank Day, Prom and Ditch Day. I was devastated. My Senior Year plans were being torn from me. I spent months planning these events and looking forward to them after a year of stressful university applications. This simply was not fair. I didn’t even know my last day of school was my final one. I wish I wasn’t so hard on myself during the last few months of school. Slowly, places around me re-opened. I became optimistic. At first, I was apprehensive about wearing masks, social distancing, and constantly sanitizing my hands. Nonetheless, I complied, though it felt very unfamiliar and strange. Seeing everyone’s faces covered and having to restrict the number of times I saw my friends did not settle with ease. Nevertheless, I had to get used to it. I wish I enjoyed my last day without all these restrictions more. It is now a Thursday night in downtown Dublin, and I am thinking about how my normal has changed. I have accepted that I will not see my dad for a while. I do not forget to grab my hand sanitizer and mask when I go to grocery store. I am learning how to use the RCSI website to access my online lectures. This time I do not wish for anything, but for the safety and wellbeing of the people around me.

//An Exercise in Letting Go

« Christine Okeefe

or the past 4 years, I’ve been practicing meditation almost daily. One principle I have trouble accepting is the idea of impermanence: life is constantly changing, sometimes predictably, but oftentimes in ways we cannot control. For the latter, letting go of expectation and accepting the changing circumstances is ultimately a difficult, yet rewarding, skill to master. Living in a COVID world feels like a constant reminder of this principle. Since RCSI closed in March, there has been a series of changes with which we have all had to reconcile. Personally, I was affected by the 2.5km exercise zone instituted during the original lockdown, the sudden switch to an entirely online form of education, the cancelled weddings and celebrations that were rescheduled to dates I cannot attend, and the abrupt cancellation of my STEP 1 exam the day before I was due to write it, only for it to be rescheduled a week later. Now as the school year gets underway, Dublin has moved into a higher level of restrictions, and now another set of adjustments presents itself. As someone who prefers consistency and deadlines, my new normal has been difficult to acclimate to - but not without benefits. With every cancellation, time opens up for me to enjoy a walk in the park or a sit with a good book. I find with every small task accomplished a deeper sense of satisfaction, as it is a step through uncertainty. When so many of the big things seem up in the air, it strangely gives you the freedom to appreciate the little things. All in all, I now have a daily reminder to stop, let it go, and move on.

Fall 2020

DIVERCSITY.COM

CALLING ALL STUDENTS! When you are a full time third-level student in Ireland you can sign up for a

digital subscription for The Irish Times, worth â&#x201A;¬144 per year. This allows you access to The Irish Times across all your devices. Sign up for news you can trust at

irishtimes.com/studenthub

Fall 2020

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Personal Stories

//Grocery Shopping With GastroClub

ÂŤ Alyssa Chow

Hi Everyone,

My name is Alyssa Chow and I am the founder of GastroClub, an unofficial student group at RCSI. We are an extremely passionate student group whose aim is to raise awareness about digestive disorders and give students resources for improving their own gut health, and about the specialty of gastroenterology. We are so excited for our first year together and have a lot of fun events planned. Please follow our Instagram @gastroclub2020 to keep up to date with our plans for this year.

Fall 2020

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Personal Stories

GASTRO CLUB’S GROCERIES Products, prices and places for your dietary needs

DAIRY FREE - STEVEN’S PICKS Milks

Rice dream milk 1L • SuperValue, Tesco, Dunnes • €2.20 Alpro dairy-free milk range (incl. Coconut, oat, almond and soya milk) 1L • SuperValue, Tesco, Dunnes • ~€2

Applewood vegan cheddar cheese at Nolan’s Supermarket (Clontarf, Dublin)

Yoghurt

Alpro yoghurts 4 pack • SuperValue, Dunnes, Tesco • €2

Oat-ly foamable barista oat milk 1L • SuperValue • €2.69

Alpro soya yoghurt pots (500g) • SuperValue, Dunnes, Tesco • €2.35

Actileaf oat milk and almond milk (great value) 1L • Aldi • €1

Coconut collaborative • SuperValue • €4

KoKo coconut milk 1L • SuperValuee, Tesco • €2

Danone plant based passionfruit yoghurt • SuperValue • €2.7

Cheese

Just free yoghurt • Lidl • €1.30

Violife cheese range (vegan, dairy free, gluten free) • Tesco, SuperValue, Dunnes • ~€3-€4

Fall 2020

Life is soyummy • Aldi • €1.50

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Personal Stories

//Lets Make This New Normal A Better Normal

« Shalini Jagdeo

he COVID-19 pandemic successfully halted the global community in its tracks. Along with COVID-19 came widespread death, pain, suffering, sacrifice, as well as disconnected families. Lost opportunities and cancelled plans were the least serious consequences of it all. Millions were thrown into a sea of uncertainty in a matter of days as a result of an unnamed virus.. Governments, schools, businesses, families, and the global community at large all looked desperately to medical experts for guidance and direction. It was the ultimate test of efficiency and responsiveness of all aspects of healthcare; the medical community was put on the spot with dire circumstances and consequences that demanded a demonstration of excellence, professionalism, and efficiency in the face of the unknown. As a medical community, every individual, regardless of their role, felt compelled to step up and do their part. At RCSI, the curriculum transitioned to a blended learning format. It incorporated virtual and in-person learning, and kept the protection of the community and safety of students a primary concern. This has been a new experience for students – new, but not unwelcomed. Now is a time when personal hygiene is paramount, avoiding physical contact is key, and social distancing is recommended. The college has placed restrictions on traditional club activities, societies, and social events. The bombardment of new protocols and stringent guidelines has changed the RCSI experience and demanded innovation and greater commitment. The administration, especially, have risen to the occasion and developed alternative methods of communication for the new academic year. We are extremely grateful for the immense amount of organization and thought that has been put into making this semester so student-friendly, flexible, and most importantly, safe. It has given us the opportunity to experience a new and autonomous type of learning, without missing out on any of the benefits of in-person lectures. Clubs and societies have also worked tremendously hard to make the new method of delivery equally as exciting and connective as possible. This adverse paradigm shift has disconnected us from our usual interactions and gatherings. However, it has put into perspective the importance of simple relationships. Mental health was greatly affected due to self-isolation, hospitalisation, the loss of loved ones, and general hardships. In some cases, relatives bonded with greater support, and communities and non-governmental organisations offered assistance in cash and kindness to an extent that has never been experienced before. Technology and social media have enabled us to keep in touch with our relatives and friends. COVID- 19 has forced us to slow down and consider the things that matter in life, the things that we may have taken for granted, such as person-to-person interaction, and it has encouraged us to place the health of our loved ones at the top of our priorities. Nature also seems to have taken a new “breath”: mountains, streams and seas are cleaner and more beautiful; plants and animals have become more exotic in our eyes, and mankind has realised that we are part of a dynamic existence and not central to it. Perhaps the greatest of mankind can be humbled by an unforeseen circumstance. The new normal is just finding new ways of doing normal things. This new normal has taught me the purpose and importance of life on a different and more substantial level. The world has shown its more compassionate and resilient side. Through the emotional turmoil, we are plodding forwards in a time of unusual circumstances where daily global death tolls rise, where poverty escalates as economies fall, and where leaders are continuously faced with difficult decisions surrounding burdened healthcare systems. As we venture from our homes to class, we hope to return in good health, to not hear ill news of our loved ones, to not suffer obstacles in achieving our goals, and in the end, to be in a position to assist the world towards greater recovery from devastation. The new normal is an adjustment for many of us – virtual learning is a novel endeavour and many business operations have transformed to new online systems. While we are all hopeful that this time will pass and for a novel vaccine, this is an opportunity for us to come together as a community to make this new normal not just new, but better. It is a time to develop economies, expand learning, invest in research and technology, and remember that like the old normal, every little bit counts and everybody has a part to play in making this a better normal. In short, this new normal came to us like a deer in the headlights, out of the blue, and with no navigation manual. A largescale conversion to virtual living has placed technology at the forefront and brought new mental health challenges to light due to unforeseen isolations. It is a difficult and resource-intensive strain on everybody, but it is an opportunity for us all to step up to the plate and take on this obstacle headfirst. We should learn from the challenges, while taking sufficient time to slow down and adapt to our new and better normal.

Fall 2020

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Personal stories

//Survive or Thrive?

« Cian Milofsky

very time we start something new, we anticipate and prepare for changes in the way we live our lives. When I applied for GEM at RCSI, I made a conscious effort to find out what changes I needed to make to adapt to life as a medical student. I identified many, however the most challenging was to make time for studying. For me, this meant cutting back on Netflix binges – a compromise I was willing to make; I was determined to succeed. Ready to take on the challenges of medical school, I set up a study space at home and began learning about different study tools and techniques. In another attempt to gently ease myself into what I thought would become my ‘new normal’, I even began reading some introductory material. Then the pandemic arrived. The transition to pandemic life was not an incremental process for anyone. Working as a nurse in a major Dublin hospital, for me that change was stark and immediate. The rapid implementation of hot-off-the-press protocols and guidelines, combined with new practices and restrictions created a ‘new normal’ that I hadn’t anticipated or prepared for. I was caught off guard - we all were - as we adapted to this new way of life. For many of us in healthcare professions, the dichotomy of our personal and professional lives seemed to disappear. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic did not only infiltrate our healthcare systems and workplaces, for a lot of us it invaded our homes too. Starting medical school has always been seen as a challenge, but doing so during a pandemic is especially difficult. It poses the same challenges as it would in any given year, with the addition of government guidelines, movement restrictions, differing public beliefs and opinions, and a certain element of fear. There are nuances in our modern society that make life in general more difficult, but as we have learned from the latest statistics, we all must comply to protect our most vulnerable and ensure our collective survival. Evolutionary biology teaches us that organisms survive by adapting to their surroundings. However, as human beings we are far more complex than simple amoebae, for instance. It is no longer enough to just survive; we must thrive. While survival relates to our physical health, the notion of thriving in this new pandemic era relates to our minds and our mental health. As of the time of writing, we have no vaccine to protect our bodies from SARS-CoV-2; however, we do have the means to protect our minds. There are steps that we can take to keep our minds healthy, such as recreation, meditation, and as I have come to understand, watching Netflix in moderation. As I embark on my first year of medicine, I realise the unpredictable nature of our world. We live each day never truly knowing what’s around the corner. We could become victims of uncertainty, desperately trying to prepare for each eventuality, or we could live our best lives every day. The decision is ours: survive or thrive? This is our new normal.

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Personal Stories

//A Life on the other side: the crucial impact of bedside manner

« Millie Mohan

t was a rather relaxing Monday night after an easy first day on my peripheral Paediatrics placement in Wexford. I was chomping down on some noodles while editing my latest blog post. My friend came knocking on my door as we had planned to review some paediatric cases in anticipation for clinic the following day. I flipped on the kettle and casually poured myself a scalding cup of turmeric ginger tea in a flimsy disposable paper cup provided by the hotel. I was sitting cross-legged in my bed when our very calm and relaxing night turned into a horror movie nightmare within a split second. My flimsy cup slipped from my hand. The scalding tea cascaded down the curvature of my cross-legged thighs, making sure to burn every inch of skin in its path as it seeped down towards my rear. My thin joggers had no chance of shielding my skin from the thermal damage. I did not react fast enough. I was paralysed by the incomprehensible, blood-curdling pain that completely overwhelmed my ability to move. I could hear my friend shouting directions, but I couldn’t make sense of them. I could feel a deep seated panic begin to bubble up from deep within my gut, as I screamed profanities repeatedly. She pulled off my joggers and coaxed me into a cold bath tub, after much pleading and cajoling with a difficult version of myself that was entirely panic-stricken and non-compliant. Fast forward twenty minutes, I had managed to waddle down to the hotel’s lobby, wearing nothing but a t-shirt and silk black robe that seared as it touched my skin. So it hung open, for the whole world to see my private bits, but with this level of pain, I couldn’t be bothered to care. The ambulance took almost 45 minutes to arrive. I can easily say this was the longest 45 minutes of my life. I bawled for the entire time, taking short serrated breaths between skin-crawling wails of pain. I have never felt such blinding pain in my life, as if I was standing in an inextinguishable fire. I could feel myself becoming lightheaded, with my legs shaking violently beneath me. My friends did their best to stabilise my swaying body on the verge of collapse, whilst holding the hotel’s burn gauze against my thighs, labia, and buttocks. Even in my delirious state, I knew how incredibly traumatising this experience was for anyone involved, myself included. I prayed I would lose consciousness to escape it all. And I did. I came to on the hotel floor, with my friend rattling off my medical history to the paramedic, whilst checking my pulses and attempting to keep me awake. A mask was placed over my face as nitrous oxide was administered, which did nothing to ease the pain but instead made me feel incredibly nauseous. I was given a dose of morphine and placed on a stretcher. The next thing I remember, I was sucking on the giggle gas, feeling light as a bird and cracking genital jokes with the paramedics on route to Wexford General Hospital A&E. My night in the A&E whizzed by in comparison to the traumatic hours that preceded. My wounds were assessed: likely second degree burns to the left ankle, right thigh, mons pubis, and both buttocks. I was bandaged up, given pain medication and discharged at 3AM with instructions to attend St. James Hospital burns clinic in Dublin the following day. We took a taxi back to the hotel, where my friend hurriedly packed up both our suitcases. Meanwhile, I was projectile vomiting the contents of my GI tract repeatedly, presumably from the morphine. I still am not sure how we managed it, but we were on a train to Dublin (with my multiple groin burns) a few short hours later at 7:40AM. I think my body was in a state of shock, coupled with the pain medication that created a fuzzy numbed feeling. I turned up to the burns clinic at 10:30AM, assuming I would be quickly assessed and discharged home. But unfortunately, that was not at all the case. They were horrified (as everyone had been) to hear what happened. The sensitive areas involved in the accident pre-empted their decision to admit me to the Burn Unit, where I spent the next five days. The plastics team explained to me that the severity of my burns were determined by which areas of my skin were hit first by the tea. As I stared at my naked lower body, the path of tea spillage could be easily delineated by the severity and location of my burns. My left ankle, mons pubis, lower abdomen and buttocks all sustained superficial (previously termed, first degree) burns. My right thigh was not as fortunate. It was hit by the searing water first, and sustained a partial thickness (previously known as second degree) burn. They warned me of the possible need for a skin graft and surgical debridement of this wound. Luckily, the perineum was spared, which could have resulted in many undesirable complications and months in hospital. All of this information was incredibly overwhelming. Coupled with the fact that I was sitting in a hospital bed alone, thanks to none other than COVID-19. With the country now in Level 5 lockdown, all hospital visitors were forbidden, which made my experience that much more isolating and traumatising. COVID-19 has had many widespread effects but I hadn’t considered the impact of social distancing on hospital-bound patients until I landed in that position myself.

Fall 2020

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Personal stories

I cried daily. Sometimes from the pain, but other times from sheer loneliness and shock that I was undergoing this entire process alone. My family was an ocean away, and I was hesitant to be truthful of how much I was suffering. I did not want to worry them, especially with their inability to travel my way due to COVID. What shocked me was the surprise from other health care professionals when met with my tearful face. “Are you in pain? No? Then why are you crying?” They seemed baffled that I would be crying for any other reason outside of pain. This was really concerning to me. It only takes one moment of placing yourself in my shoes to understand why I would be so upset: I am managing all of this alone. My family is in another continent, eight hours behind our time zone. I can’t see any of my friends. I hadn’t anticipated being admitted to hospital. COVID is restricting my ability to even leave the unit. I’m missing my paediatric placement. I can’t believe I did this to my body. None of this was supposed to happen. In summary, the entire week was traumatic at best. The only thing that made sense to me was to cry. On my third day in hospital, I was visited by a very friendly occupational therapy student. We chatted and made small talk about the perils of the current student experience during COVID. She asked me how I was getting on, physically of course, but also emotionally and mentally. I was a bit caught off guard by this. No one had asked me about my mental state. I awkwardly laughed and followed up her question with an, “I am okay….”, but she knocked down my “tough gal” facade with a few more questions. I was actually very relieved that someone was asking me about my mental health. She told me how normal it is to feel stress, anxiety and guilt after a traumatising accident like mine. That many burns patients feel immense guilt and anxiety over their accident for weeks and months to come, and sometimes even longer. She reassured me that it is normal to feel this overwhelmed and emotional. Her acknowledgement of my mental suffering was incredibly relieving. She was supportive, warm and a safe place for me to voice my stress and concerns without being met with judgement. I felt a wave of relief pass over my body after our conversation, as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Now that I have been discharged and can reflect on my experience, I am surprised that it took three days of my being in hospital (four including the time in A&E) for someone to ask me how I was doing emotionally. That is not to blame any of the staff. Everyone was kind (for the most part), but potentially tunnel-visioned in their duties or desensitised after years of witnessing patients experience trauma. My personal experiences as a patient have time and again proven to me that bedside manner can make or break a patient’s entire experience. It is what leaves the most lasting impression in one’s memory, that and the pain endured. It is easy to forget these things when you are a busy student, resident, or even attending. Heck, I have been on the opposite end of these interactions as a student, clamouring to get behind the curtain before it is drawn. Standing with my nose stuck in my notebook, ferociously writing down everything the patient or consultant is saying. Not making time to make eye contact or extend a warm smile to the likely overwhelmed human before me. And immediately leaving in an effort to keep up with my team. Now having been the human in the hospital bed, I can confirm that everything is indeed overwhelming, even for someone like me who is in the field of medicine: the daunting blur of white coats, the air of knowledge (and sometimes superiority), the medical jargon, the sheer number of people surrounding your small hospital bed during rounds, the anxious-looking medical students and sweaty residents, the lead consultant towering over me. I have previously wanted to scream at the students and residents to let me have some breathing space. For them to treat me like a human being, not an added thing to do on their checklist. I am guilty of having done these things. And for this reason, I implore you to think about your own behaviour. My suggestions? Take the extra time to introduce yourself. To hear their story. To know who their loved ones are. To check in on their mental health. To read their body language. To provide a warm smile, or pat of the shoulder or hand. To grab them a warm cup of tea. To provide an assurance that you will be around for them. To be genuine, empathetic and non-judgemental. To normalise their feelings (ex: it is so normal to feel the way you do, many patients in your position do). To validate their emotions (ex: it is completely okay to feel anxious after such an accident). Don’t leave without a conclusion, let them know what is going to happen next, and when they will see you next. “We will get working on x and see you tomorrow okay. Let x know if you are having any issues”. Seems so simple, right? And this alone can make such a huge impact on a patient’s ability to cope. It can fuel hope, and I am sure we have all seen or heard about how hope and faith can fuel miracles. So I am writing in this publication to urge you to reflect on your bedside manner (and stay very clear of scalding liquids), especially in light of COVID-19. You may think you don’t have enough clinical knowledge to be particularly helpful to a patient as a medical student (as I have often thought), but let me tell you, your time and attention can make a world of difference to a patient who may be spending their entire recovery in a hospital bed suffering alone. FaceTime and WhatsApp make connecting with our loved ones easier than ever. But it does not replace the warmth and comfort of having someone physically beside you. So be the health care professional that you would want taking care of you or your loved ones. Give a patient a reason to smile in the bleak COVID-tainted world that we are currently living in. Because you never know when you will end up on the other end of the curtain. And let me be the first to tell you, it is an incredibly eye-opening and vulnerable experience. And it is not your intellect that will be remembered, it’s your mannerisms.

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ÂŤ Megan Murnane

Also pos ted on th e Har va Student rd Medic Review al Instagra m page! Fall 2020

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// Anatomy WITH Clive Lee

Education

« PROF. CLIVE LEE HEAD OF ANATOMY RCSI

EDWARD HALLARAN BENNETT & BENNETT’S FRACTURE Edward Hallaran Bennett was born in Cork City on 9th April, 1837. After attending Hamblin’s School in Cork and the Academic Institute in Dublin, he entered Trinity in 1854. He graduated in 1859 with the BA and MB degrees and was the first to gain the MCh degree in surgery. Having been awarded his MD in 1864, he became University Anatomist and surgeon to Sir Patrick Dun’s Hospital. In 1873, he succeeded Robert Smith as Professor of Surgery and became President of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 1884. He was popular as a teacher and an early proponent of asepsis. Both are apparent from the following student’s description, penned in 1876: ‘But see, what other figure comes in view! Broad-faced, broad-chested, and broad-bottomed too. Around him shines a mist of odorous spray, By which his patients scent him miles away.’

A bronze relief of Edward Hallaran Bennett by Oliver Sheppard RHA

On 12th November 1881, Bennett presented a paper on ‘Fractures of the Metacarpal Bones’ to the Dublin Pathological Society, which included this original description of the fracture dislocation of the first metacarpal which bears his name and is quoted below. from Fractures of the Metacarpal Bones

Illustrations courtesy of freepik

‘Of greater interest is the fact that in each of the five examples of fracture of the metacarpal bone of the thumb, allowing for shades of difference such as must always exist, the type and character of the fracture is the same - a form and type of fracture not hitherto described in these bones; and…the most common of the thumb… The fracture passes obliquely (a b in woodcut) through the base of the bone, detaching the greater part of the articular facette (sic) with that piece of the bone supporting it, which projects into the palm’.

SEPTEMBER 2015 Fall 2020

Woodcut image with fracture passing obliquely through the base of the 1st metacarpal

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BE IN WITH A CHANCE TO WIN A PRIZE! Winner will be announced and contacted in the next month’s issue. Enter by emailing A, B, C, D or E with the subject Anatomy Quiz! to divercsity@rcsi.ie

CASE HISTORY

‘A girl, aged twenty, was thrown from an outside car and fell to the ground, saving herself from graver injury by putting forward her arm; she struck the ball of her thumb against the ground, and at once suffered extreme pain in it. Next morning I saw her at Sir P. Dun’s Hospital, when at first sight no injury was apparent beyond the swelling of a bruised and sprained thumb. In handling the ball of the thumb I felt osseous crepitus (grating)… Seeing the value of the movements of the thumb, no injury of it is to be lightly regarded, and this fracture, though it unites readily by bone and with almost inappreciable deformity, renders the thumb for many months lame and useless. In the case I have reported, even now nearly two years after the accident occurring in a young and healthy subject, the hand fails to grasp or lift with certainty any body requiring a wide gape of the thumb – for instance, to lift a tumbler full of water from the table, and this in a case where every care was taken to keep the parts in place and at rest for a proper time’. In 1881, Bennett had no X-rays for diagnosis or to check the position in which he set the bone, so diagnosis and treatment depended on clinical examination, manual skills and judgement.

The 20-year old patient described above could not oppose her thumb owing to her Bennett’s fracture. Injury to a nerve could cause the same deficiency. Which nerve? A. Median B. Musculocutaneous C. Radial D. Thoracodorsal E. Ulnar

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Education

//Summer Research Experience

« Gelareh Taghikhani

s part of my summer research, I collaborated with the Centre of Positive Psychology in RCSI to undergo a 6 week journey on a Blue Zone lifestyle. The blue zones refer to regions of the world where their populations live longer than average. This is due to their unique lifestyle characteristics such as eating a plant slant diet, being physically active by means of natural movement, having a right tribe that involves friends and family, napping, a sense of purpose and much more.

Taking part in this lifestyle was engaging as I documented my experience on my Instagram page @myblue_zone and would receive feedback and comments from people who followed me. In the beginning, it was challenging to change up my diet so drastically, but I found ways to replace meat with more vegetables and legumes as I learned different recipes over time from the “The Blue Zones Kitchen: 100 recipes to live to 100” recipe book.

As part of my research, I co-authored a systematic review called “The effects of the blue zone lifestyle on the bio-psycho-social aspects of life” where I specifically talk about the psychological impacts the blue zone lifestyle has on our mental health. I found that these regions have a much lower depressive symptomatology compared to other countries. The blue zone countries engage in many social activities, many of which are physical, such as gardening. The combination of being with the right tribe - consisting of family and close friends - and leading an active lifestyle is the cause of the better mental health status in these individuals. In addition, midday naps were common in regions such as Greece and Italy. These day naps improved nocturnal sleep, and individuals reported elevated moods and higher energy levels. These lifestyle characteristics provided a better quality of life and may be the cause of the blue zones longevity. Taking part in summer research with the Centre of Positive Psychology remotely was a great experience. We had online meetings every week, I kept in touch with my co-author through the phone and we were able to plan everything despite our circumstances with the pandemic. I highly recommend taking part in what RCSI has to offer in the Summer Research Program.

Fall SEPTEMBER 2020 2015

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Education

//#RCSItogether – Welcome Buddy Programme

« Catriona Campbell

e know that starting university in a new city is challenging for young people and their families at any time but this year even more so due to the COVID19 pandemic. As a community, we wanted to provide as much support as possible for our new international students joining us in Dublin for the first time, particularly in their first two weeks when they were required to restrict their movement so we put out a call to the wider RCSI staff body to ask for volunteers to serve as ‘Welcome Buddies’ for our new students joining us from overseas. The idea of the buddies was to connect any interested students with a local staff member who would be available to them during their first couple of weeks in RCSI to help them get settled and answer any questions they might have about life in Dublin. We were thrilled with the response which saw over 40 staff members volunteering to work as buddies and 150 new students signing up for the programme. For many of our staff, working in professional support functions rather than student facing roles, this was a very welcome opportunity to engage directly with our students and help in a small way to make the transition to life in RCSI a little easier. Conversations ranged from where to buy a bike, getting sorted with an Irish mobile phone, online shopping recommendations and perhaps most importantly where to get a good coffee! Staff who have completed their ‘buddying’ work to date have thoroughly enjoyed it. I personally loved working with Arya, Anushka, Shaudee and Siobhan from the GEM 1 class and look forward to hearing more about how they are doing over the coming months. Catriona Campbell Head of Staff Learning & Development

//Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Unit R

CSI is committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across everything we do, so that we can all work and learn in an environment defined by dignity and respect. We want to ensure everyone in RCSI is treated fairly regardless of age, disability, family status, gender, marital status, membership of Travelling community, race, religion, sexual orientation or socio-economic status. What we do? Throughout the year the EDI Unit works to engage, educate and raise awareness of EDI across the RCSI community. •

We capture and report EDI data across all 10 equality grounds and address underrepresentation as required.

•

We conduct an annual Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Survey with all students. We encourage you to have your say and share your experience.

• We run a number of trainings and events, partnering with organisations such as Advance HE, Association for Higher Education Access and Disability (AHEAD), Age Action, AsIAm, Family Carers Ireland, Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI), Men’s Sheds Ireland Association, Women’s Higher Education Network, the 30% Club and more. •

We also ensure EDI is reflected across our governance, policy development and implementation, and decision making.

Our aim is to enrich the staff and student experience and eliminate all forms of discrimination.

Get in touch You can email the EDI Unit at equality@rcsi.ie or find us on Twitter @RCSI_Equality.

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Education

RCSI STUDENT SERVICES ACCOMMODATION ON CAMPUS  Mercer Court & Millin House  Mill Street Accommodation  Scape Accommodation

PERIPHERAL  300+ students accommodated weekly  Accommodation/Travel support for students when out on rotations throughout Ireland

OFF CAMPUS  RCSEYE and Moodle Accommodation Message Boards  Various Off Campus and private accommodation options

50+ SOCIETIES       

INDUCTION & ORIENTATION

2 x Spiritual / Religious 3 x Lifestyle & Wellbeing 5 x Charitable & Humanitarian 5 x Visual & Performing Arts 6 x Recreational & Special Interest 7 x Cultural 24 x Academic / Professional

STUDENT FACILITIES  Sports Hall  Squash Court  Fully equipped Gym

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE  HEA Student Assistance Fund for EU students  RCSI Alumni Fund for non-EU students

35 CLUBS

SU SUPPORT

 Including Archery, Badminton, Basketball, Climbing, Cycling, Equestrian, Kickboxing, Rowing, Running, Sailing, Ultimate Frisbee, and more!  Responsible for allocating the prestigious Prof. Moira O’Brien Sports Scholarship

Secretariat and support to the 8 Student Union members and their events

MERCHANDISE Large variety of RCSI branded merchandise

GYM     

Located at 26 York St. & Croke Park Variety of online classes and publications 1-1 Sessions Fitness Programmes Diet Advice & Body Analysis

STUDENT EVENTS SPORTS & STUDENT LIFE BURSARIES

MEET & GREET SERVICES

Weekly, monthly, and annual events catering to all student tastes

PUBLICATIONS  Handbooks/Guides  Student Life Newsletter  Variety of online information guides

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS Providing support to our Scholarship students and managing the administration for all awards, including:  Aim High  Kiran Pathak  Consilio Manuque  TCAP

IRISH RESIDENCY PERMIT AND VISA SUPPORT Supporting students in obtaining their IRP card and Visa Information

FROM ORIENTATION TO GRADUATION… WE’RE WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

RCSI STUDENT SERVICES studentservices@rcsi.com

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Don’t let money worries cost you your education

HOW DO I APPLY? If you are in financial difficulty, you should contact the access or student services office in your college for more information on how to apply for the Student Assistance Fund. It is important to apply as soon as you can. Some colleges have a closing date for applications and you should check when this is.

WHAT DOCUMENTATION DO I NEED TO APPLY?

The Student Assistance Fund provides financial support to full- or part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college.

Your college will advise you on the documentation needed to support your application to the Student Assistance Fund. This may include proof of your own or your parents’ income, as appropriate, and receipts for costs such as rent, bills or childcare.

WHAT CAN I USE IT FOR?

IS IT CONFIDENTIAL?

The Student Assistance Fund is available to help with costs such as: Books & class materials

Rent and other utility bills

Food

Essential travel

Childcare costs

The Student Assistance Fund is administered on a strictly confidential basis by your college. Any information you provide as part of your application is protected under the data protection regulations of your college.

Medical costs

HOW WILL MY APPLICATION BE ASSESSED? Your individual circumstances and financial means will be taken into consideration by your college when assessing your application to the Student Assistance Fund. Final decisions on awards may be taken by a small committee, including the access officer and student welfare officer.

WHAT COSTS ARE NOT COVERED? Tuition fees, registration fees, student loan repayments or any costs borne by your college are not covered by the Student Assistance Fund.

WHO CAN APPLY?

WHAT ARE THE FUNDING AMOUNTS?

Students on full- or part-time courses leading to a higher education award (National Framework of Qualifications level 6-10) in Irish universities, institutes of technology and other approved colleges can apply.

Funding amounts vary and will be determined by your college following an assessment process.

See www.studentfinance.ie for more information

Part-time students who are lone parents are encouraged to apply as additional funding has been made available to support this group. Support from the Student Assistance Fund may also be available to students studying for a Professional Master of Education, for example to cover the cost of school placements.

The Student Assistance Fund is managed by the Higher Education Authority on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

EUROPEAN UNION EUROPEAN UNION Investing in yourInvesting future in your future Social Fund European SocialEuropean Fund

Ná lig do strus airgid d’oideachas a chur i mbaol

CONAS IS FÉIDIR LIOM IARRATAS A DHÉANAMH? Má tá tú i gcruachás airgeadais, ba cheart duit teagmháil a dhéanamh leis an oifig seirbhísí rochtana nó le hoifig seirbhísí na mac léinn chun tuilleadh eolais a fháil faoin gCiste Cúnaimh do Mhic Léinn. Tá sé tábhachtach go gcuirfeá isteach d’iarratas a luaithe agus is féidir. Tá dáta deiridh i bhfeidhm ag roinnt coláistí agus ba chóir duit a fháil amach cén t-am a bhfuil sé.

CÉN DOICIMÉID A BHEIDH AG TEASTÁIL UAIM CHUN IARRATAS A DHÉANAMH?

Cuireann an Ciste Cúnaimh do Mhic Léinn tacaíocht airgid ar fáil do mhic léinn lán-aimseartha nó páirt-aimseartha a bhfuil deacrachtaí airgeadais acu agus iad ag freastail ar an gcoláiste.

Cuirfidh do choláiste comhairle ort faoi na doiciméid a bheidh ag

teastáil uait chun tacú le d’iarratas ar an gCiste Cúnaimh do Mhic Léinn. D’fhéadfadh fianaise maidir le d’ioncam féin nó do thuismitheoirí agus admhálacha do chostais amhail an cíos, billí nó cúram leanaí a bheith i gceist, nuair is cuí sin.

CÉN ÚSÁID AR FÉIDIR LIOM A BHAINT AS? Cuirtear an Ciste Cúnaimh do Mhic Léinn ar fáil chun cabhair a thabhairt le costais amhail: Leabhair & ábhair ranga

Cíos agus billí fóntais eile

Bia

Taisteal atá riachtanach

Costais cúraim leanaí

AN NDÉANTAR AN TIARRATAS A MHEAS FAOI RÚN? Déanann do choláiste d’iarratas ar an gCiste Cúnaimh do Mhic Léinn riar go huile agus go hiomlán faoi rún. Tá aon fhaisnéis a

Costais leighis a chlúdach

thugann tú mar chuid de d’iarratas faoi chosaint ag rialacháin chosanta sonraí do choláiste.

CONAS A DHÉANFAR M’IARRATAS A MHEASÚNÚ?

CAD IAD NA COSTAIS NACH GCLÚDAÍTEAR?

Breathnóidh do choláiste ar do dhálaí agus acmhainní pearsanta nuair atá siad ag déanamh measúnaithe ar d’iarratas ar an gCiste Cúnaimh do Mhic Léinn. D’fhéadfadh coiste beag, ar a mbeadh an t-oifigeach rochtana agus an t-oifigeach leasa mic léinn, an cinneadh deiridh a ghlacadh maidir le d’iarratas.

Níl táillí teagaisc, táillí cláraithe, aisíocaíochtaí iasachtaí mac léinn nó aon chostas a iompraíonn do choláiste clúdaithe faoin gCiste Cúnaimh do Mhic Léinn.

CÉ HIAD AR FÉIDIR LEO IARRATAS A DHÉANAMH AIR? Is féidir le mic léinn atá ag déanamh cúrsa lán-aimseartha nó páirt-aimseartha a bhfuil dámhachtain ardoideachais mar chuspóir aige (Creat Náisiúnta Cáilíochta leibhéil 6-10) in ollscoileanna, institiúidí teicneolaíochta agus coláistí faofa eile in Éirinn iarratas a dhéanamh ar an gciste seo.

CÉ MHÉID AIRGID ATÁ I GCEIST LEIS AN GCISTIÚ? Braitheann an méid airgid ar thorthaí an phróisis mheasúnaithe a leanann do choláiste.

Spreagtar mic léinn pháirtaimseartha atá ina dtuismitheoirí aonair iarratas a dhéanamh mar go bhfuil cistiú breise curtha ar fáil chun tacaíocht a thabhairt don ghrúpa sin. D’fhéadfadh tacaíocht ón gCiste Cúnaimh do Mhic Léinn a bheith ar fáil freisin do mhic léinn atá ag déanamh Máistreacht Ghairmúil san Oideachas, chun costais amhail socrúcháin scoile a chlúdach.

Féach www.studentfinance.ie chun tuilleadh eolais a fháil

Tá an Ciste Cúnaimh do Mhic Léinn á bhainistiú ag an Údarás um Ard-Oideachas thar ceann na Roinne Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta.

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@KeithDugganIT

CHIEF SPORTS WRITER

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