Boiling yourself down to one page may seem impossible, or maybe even a little depressing. It doesn’t have to be that way–in fact, it shouldn’t be that way. The personal statement is a chance to connect all of the dots. It’s an opportunity to explain your interest in medicine–and your value to it–better than a…

Author: Conor Burke-Smith, second-year medical student, Iowa This post is a series of mental health pieces from the AMSA WSL Committee Much has been written about the potential negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and mental health. Many have felt isolation to a greater extent than ever before in their lives. Anxiety exists about various…

Authors: AMSA Wellness and Student Life Action Committee, 2020-2021 Mental Health is Vital Mental health is a vital component of our overall health. The WHO defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and…

Written by Aliye Runyan, MD, AMSA Reproductive Health Strategist Today, in a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court struck down a Louisiana law meant to shut down abortion clinics. We are thankful the Supreme Court held up the right to safe, legal abortion without unnecessary restrictions that only serve to limit access. The decision comes four…

A panel of doctors met virtually on to discuss various topics related to racial inequity in healthcare, including social determinants of health, unconscious bias in medicine, and the experience of being a physician of color.  A video recording of the hour-long event is available to view. A transcript of the discussion is below. It has…

By: The Merck Manuals Editorial Staff AMSACon2020 was a little different than conferences in previous years. Given the realities of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s conference was entirely virtual – the first of its kind. Students, medical professionals, leading medical institutions found new ways to connect and learn. But COVID-19’s impact on medical students…