Online Registration Now Availible!!!
Region X AMSA Conference
November 21-23 @ the Stratosphere in Las Vegas, Nevada
Conference Introduction
Welcoming statement by Parshawn Lahiji, OMS-II Touro University - Nevada
Region X AMSA Conference Coordinator
Introduction to AMSA by Brian Hurley, AMSA National President
Keynote Speakers
Friday Nov. 21, 9:30-10:15
“Blessed are the Peacemakers”
William Benda, MD
We are this year witnessing breathtaking shifts in all arenas of human endeavor – economic, political, ecological, and yes, medical. Our healthcare system is in the same inevitable process of transition as our economy, our leadership, and our climate, and those entering the practice of medicine at this moment in time are by definition and default the architects of its future.
One exorable fact is that the days of separation and conflict must come to an end, whether between countries, political parties, or healthcare professions. What we call conventional medicine has come to a critical crossroads, and how we adapt and evolve may well be the primary factor in what health and healthcare become.
This discourse will examine how history created separation between medical doctors, nurses, naturopathic physicians, and other practitioners, and propose a solution based upon changes in perspective rather than changes in practice.
Saturday, Nov. 22, 9:00-10:00
Congresswoman Shelley Berkley
Shelley Berkley has shown a lifetime of commitment to serving the needs of southern Nevada's families. From her high school days as a volunteer at a local hospital, through her terms as a Nevada State Assemblywoman and member of Nevada’s University and Community College System Board of Regents, and now as a member of the United States House of Representatives, Shelley Berkley has been a passionate advocate for southern Nevada’s working families.
Shelley is also committed to improving our health care. From her first days in Congress, she has been a vocal advocate for creating a voluntary prescription drug benefit under Medicare. She also supports passing an enforceable Patients’ Bill of Rights and extending affordable health insurance to every American family. She is the author of pending legislation that will reduce red tape for doctors treating Medicare patients and will improve health care access for seniors.
Congresswoman Shelley Berkley began serving in the U.S. House of Representatives in January, 1999. Shelley represents constituents living in the First Congressional District of Nevada, including residents of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and unincorporated areas in Clark County. She is a former Vice Chair of the Nevada University and Community College System Board of Regents. Appointed to the Board in 1990 by the Governor, she subsequently served two terms. She completed her second term on the Board in 1998. Serving in the Nevada State Assembly from 1982 through 1984, Shelley championed consumer protection for car buyers and mobile home owners, fought for tougher drunk driving laws, and founded the Senior Law Project. Her Congressional Committee Assignments include Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, Subcommittee on Aviation, Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance & Memorial Affairs (Ranking Member), Committee on International Relations, Subcommittee on the Middle East and Central Asia, and Subcommittee on Europe & Emerging Threats. Her Congressional Caucus Assignments include Gaming Caucus- Co-Chair, Task Force on Education, Task Force on Health Care, Task Force on the Economy, Task Force on Renewable Energy, Task Force on National Guard & Reserve,
Task Force on Homeland Security, and The Congressional Task Force Against Anti-Semitism.
Sunday, Nov. 23
Anthony Fleg, Pharm Free
Topic TBA
Resident Fair Exhibition Hall
Saturday, Nov. 22, 11:00-3:00
Lunch Activities:
Friday, Nov.21
California Lobby Day planning meeting: Meet in the private dining room to talk about the CA Lobby Day. Erica Brode UCSF Medical School
Saturday, Nov. 22
PharmFree Leadership meeting: Meet in the private dining room if you are a PharmFree representative from your school or if you would like to be one. Learn how to develop PharmFree policies at your school
Health Care Disparities
Friday, Nov. 21, 11:00-12:15
“GLBT Safe Zone Training”
Randy McCrillis, UNLV Director of Student Diversity Programs and Services
The Safe Zone program is an educational program that will help educate the community in order to create a safer more civil community for all individuals, particularly our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) members. The core of the program has been designed with the following four goals in mind.
(1) Increased visibility and knowledge for GLBT people and concerns in the community.
(2) Increased support for GLBT people.
(3) Increased understanding of civility and respectful interactions.
(4) Increased safe spaces for GLBT people.
After the training sessions each participant will receive resource material and a Safe Zone sticker used to indicate they have been through the training and are an “ally”. The Safe Zone sticker is a message to GLBT individuals that the person posting it is a understanding, supportive, and trustworthy individual. GLBT individuals will know they can come to these allies for help, advice, or just to talk with someone who is supportive of their sexual orientation. The symbol also means that homophobic and heterosexist comments and actions will not be tolerated, but will be addressed in an educational and informative manner.
The message that the Safe Zone program will send out is one of understanding, non-judgment, and knowledge of GLBT persons' needs and concerns. It is symbolic of the willingness and commitment on the part of a commitment on the part of a community to provide an atmosphere of unqualified acceptance and assistance.
Friday Nov. 21, 1:30-2:45
“The Need for Prevention: Access to Reproductive Health Care Services”
Jewel Kling, AMSA National Women’s Policy Coordinator of Gender and Sexuality
Nearly half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended and over half of those unintended pregnancies end in abortion. Research shows that contraceptive use greatly reduces the rate of unintended pregnancies while saving valuable public health dollars. This talk will further explore these trends while delving into issues such as contraceptive prescription coverage and comprehensive sexual education. We will then discuss solutions to these issues while pondering if the policy window has recently opened for legislating these solutions.
Jewel Kling is an MD-MPH student from the University Of Arizona College Of Medicine in Tucson, Arizona. She is currently in the public health year of her program and enjoys having the flexibility to spend time doing important AMSA work as the National Women's Policy Coordinator of the Gender and Sexuality Committee. Before coming to medical school, she received her bachelors of Psychology and Spanish from the Arizona State University (ASU). Her past leadership experiences include being the director and producer of the Vagina Monologues at ASU for two consecutive years, lead teacher of a toddler classroom of high risk children, and grassroots advocacy team leader for Planned Parenthood of Southern Arizona. Next semester she will be interning with the health policy advisor in the Arizona Office of the Governor.
Friday Nov. 21, 3:00- 4:15
“Health and the 'Whore Stigma': Exploring Sex Work and Health Care”
Susan Lopez, Amanda Brooks
One of the most common reasons for public angst about prostitution is the presumption of a connection between sexually transmitted diseases, public health, and prostitutes as "vectors of disease". As such, sex workers who are honest with their medical practitioners about their profession suffer from prejudices against them, and medical professionals tend to "genitalize" their care. As we will explore, nothing could be further from the truth. Sex workers have been proven to be exceptionally knowledgeable about their own sexual health, serving as educators of the public (i.e., their clients), and when charged with a peer-to-peer approach to fighting HIV and AIDS, have proven to be one of the most effective groups doing such work globally. Clearly, all professions come with a certain set of specialized needs, and sex workers are no different. During this presentation, we will explore and debunk popular myths about sex work and public health, look at policy approaches around the world and their successes, failures, and challenges, and investigate the actual experiences of sex workers and their health practitioners. We will also explore the specific needs of sex workers, and how medical practitioners could equip themselves to address issues unique to particular areas of sex work. The presentation will last 45 minutes, and we will have 30 minutes for questions and answers.
Susan Lopez is co-founder and assistant director of the Desiree Alliance, a 501c3 dedicated to organizing sex workers for their civil, labor, and human rights. She is also founder and director of SWOP-Las Vegas, which works towards addressing local sex workers' issues. Susan is also a freelance researcher currently working on a project with graduate researchers at UNLV. Formerly an exotic dancer for 15 years, she has worked in 54 clubs in 49 cities all over the world, and has visited the red light areas of many more. She has also done extensive international research on sex work, erotic labor organizing, and governmental and public policy approaches to sex work. She has her BA from UC Berkeley in Peace and Conflict Studies, and her MSc from London School of Economics in Social Policy and Development.
Amanda Brooks is a former stripper, independent sex worker and author. She has appeared on Fox Business News and The O’Reilly Factor discussing Internet escort work. She is a board member of SWOP-East and Desiree Alliance. Amanda recently interviewed Elisabeth Pisani (“The Wisdom of Whores”) for XBN (a sex worker Internet radio show) and founded Pledging Action – a condom-donation program for sex workers in Santiago, Chile whose program-funding has been cut by the USAID anti-prostitution pledge. Amanda’s book series, The Internet Escort’s Handbook, discusses escort-related health issues as well as issues of receiving needed medical care. She has a bachelor’s degree. She will soon began traveling to experience active sex work in a variety of countries and legal systems around the world.
Saturday Nov.22, 10:45- 12:00
“Deaf Culture and the Doctor’s Office”
Dr. Adam Stone
Boost your confidence in working with Deaf people! About 11 million Americans are deaf or hard of hearing. This presentation introduces the American Deaf and hard of hearing community and their unique experiences in the health care system. We will review definitions and misconceptions, and discuss best practices for communicating with and treating Deaf patients and their families.
Adam Stone is a M.A. candidate in Teaching & Learning: ASL/English Bilingual Education at University of California, San Diego. Deaf since birth, he has been involved in advocacy to improve health care and educational access in the Deaf and hard of hearing community. Originally from Del Mar, CA, Adam holds a B.S. in Communications from Rochester Institute of Technology and is currently involved in pedagogical research for teaching bilingual/multicultural literacy to Deaf elementary-age children.
Saturday, Nov. 22, 2:00-3:15
“Working Abroad Ethically: AMSA-IFMSA Exchanges”
Courtney Barry, Preston Shumway, Kandis Meinders
Learn how to create an AMSA-IFMSA clinical and/or research exchange at your school! By offering to host a foreign medical student(s) for just a few months of the year you and your classmates become eligible to participate in the world's largest, best organized medical/premed student exchange program with over 80 countries around the world. Take this great opportunity to leave a lasting legacy at your school and work abroad in an ethical manner.
Courtney is the AMSA Global Health Action Committee Premed Representative. She found AMSA three years ago when she attended AMSA 56th Annual National Convention. Her favorite thing about AMSA is its ability to empower physicians-in-training who want to make health care for all a reality today. Courtney is honored to work beside future physicians who truly understand what it means to be socially responsible. Serving as AMSA's Global Health Action Committee Premed Representative for the past two years has been the experience of a lifetime for Courtney. Holding this position has taken her from Scotland to Jamaica and made her much of who she is today. Courtney strongly encourages everyone and anyone to become more involved with AMSA in any capacity; for AMSA truly has the power to turn your passions into actions.
Sunday, Nov. 23, 10:00-11:00
TENTATIVE – “Correctional Medicine” by Dr. Megan Mahoney
Health Policy
Friday, Nov. 21, 11:00-12:15
“Framing universal healthcare: Is it politically feasible?”
Parker Duncan
Co-founder of California Lobby Day and current CAPA medical student fellow. Parker is an MS4 at UC Irvine. He has also completed a Masters in Public Health at Cal State Long Beach. This year he serves as the inaugural California Physician Alliance (CAPA) Fellow to work to educate California health professional students about a truly universal single payer health care system and California’s single payer bill SB 840. He is a graduate of Duke University, majoring in political science and served in the Persian Gulf.
Friday Nov. 21, 1:30-2:25
Tools for Lobbying at the State and Local Levels
Denise Selleck-Davis
Denise is Executive Director of the Nevada Osteopathic Medical Association and Immediate Past President of the Association of Osteopathic State Executive Directors (AOSED). In this role, she directly lobbies the Nevada state legislature for physician and medical student rights.
Friday, Nov. 21, 3:00-4:15
Accreditation Standards and Policy at the Undergraduate and Graduate Education Levels
Dr. Andrew Eisen
Dr. Eisen is Medical Director of the new Center For Autism and Developmental Disabilities and Associate Dean for Clinical Education at Touro University in Henderson. He was former director of pediatric residency at the University of Nevada School of Medicine. Dr. Eisen has worked at the accreditation process at both the undergraduate and graduate medical education levels.
Saturday, Nov. 22, 10:45-12:00
“Policy Relating to Gender and Sexuality Issues”
Laura Erickson-Schroth
Laura attends Dartmouth Medical School and is taking to off to chair the Gender and Sexuality Committee of AMSA nationally. In this role, she on issues affecting the health of women and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community and support initiatives to improve policy at the institutional, local, state, and federal levels.
Saturday, Nov. 22, 2:00-3:15
“Tools of the Medical Student Movement”
Mary Carol Jennings
Mary Carol Jennings is the American Medical Student Association’s health policy fellow during a year between her third and fourth years of medical school at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. “I am interested in the intersection of domestic and global health, and the two arms of the movement for affordable essential medicines merge at investment in generic drugs: the same molecule, the same effect, at much lower cost to patients.” Last week, she helped organize the World AIDS Day rally in Washington, DC. She currently serves as the AMSA Jack Rutledge Legislative Director. She has been involved in the movement to hold the World Bank, World Trade Organization, and International Monetary Fund accountable for their structural adjustment programs in the developing world. Further, she organized rural communities in the Philippines around social and health justice. Returning to the States, she worked as a full-time community organizer with the group ACORN, mobilizing low-income Hispanic neighborhoods on campaigns that included the fight against privatization of local health care systems and protection of area free medical clinics.
Sunday, Nov. 23, 10:00-11:00
“Professional Liability Insurance and Access to Care”
Dr. Robert Kessler
Dr. Kessler lives and practices in Boulder City. He is a health policy fellow with the Osteopathic Heritage Health Policy Fellowship. He is also a policy fellow with the Nevada Policy Research Institute. He has served his profession in many capacities, including as President of the Nevada Osteopathic Medical society, Trustee of the Nevada Osteopathic Medical Society, And as a member of its educational and political action committees. He also represents N.O.M.A. as its representative on the Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee, is a professor at Touro University – Nevada, and serves on the pre-professional committee of U.N.L.V. He is a past chief of staff of the Boulder City Hospital.
Medical Education
Friday, Nov. 21, 11:00-12:15
“Difficult and Non-Compliant Patients: Management Techniques”
Gail Harris. Senior Risk Management Consultant; medical protective
Senior Risk Management Consultant, Medical Protective
This program has several objectives for improving management techniques. They include: How to best differentiate between the non-compliant and difficult patient; Listing environmental, clinical, and physician factors commonly associated with non-compliant and difficult patients; describing methods you can use to improve working relationships with difficult and non-compliant patients; and finally, she will summarize the process for discharging a patient from your practice.
Friday Nov. 21, 1:30-2:25
“Pharm Free Workshop”
Gabriel Palley, Region X Pharm Free Coordinator from University of New Mexico
Justin Schreiber Region X Co-Director TUN
Erica Brode UCSF AMSA President
Hear from students who have worked to create pharm free policies at their schools for ideas how you can develop your own or how to continue to work on the one already in place. Be ready to ask any questions that you might have about PharmFree and how to have to make it happen at your school. Featuring Gabriel Palley Region X Pharm Free Coordinator from University of New Mexico, Justin Schreiber Region X Co-Director Touro University Nevada
Friday, Nov. 21, 3:00-4:15 “The Rio Beni Health Project, Bolivia: Combining Outreach, Education and Training to put the Care Back into Community Health Work” |
Saturday, Nov. 22, 10:45-12:00
“The Unbranded Doctor and the Phacts about Pharma”
Casey Kirk Hart, DO
Chief Resident, Harbor-UCLA Family Medicine Residency Program
Member, National Physicians Alliance - Los Angeles
AMSA Jack Rutledge Fellow, 2004-05
AMSA Board of Trustees member, 2002-03 and 2006-08
AMSA Health Policy Chair, 2003-04
We will tackle the issue of the pharmaceutical industry in medicine, in general, and highlight in particular the role that physicians are dealing with that relationship vis a vis the Unbranded Doctor Program. Website: www.unbrandeddoctor.org
Saturday, Nov. 22, 2:00-3:15
“How You Can Use Humor To Be Successful in the Practice of Medicine”
Dr. Jason Zommick MD
In this interactive program, Dr. Jason Zommick shows you the strategies and tactics that will enable you to use humor in virtually any medical situation. You’ll discover why appropriate humor is so effective in improving the physician relationship with patients, medical healthcare providers, and medical colleagues. You’ll learn techniques for ice breakers, on the wards, in the operating room, and during educational talks. It’s just a matter of understanding the specific techniques that Dr. Zommick presents in a highly entertaining manner.
Sunday, Nov. 23, 10:00-11:00
“Everything you wanted to know about practicing medicine and were afraid to ask”
Dr. Daliah Wachs, MD, CIME
Board Certified Family Practice
Certified Independent Medical Examiner
Dr. Daliah Wachs was trained at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. She is Board Certified in Family Practice. She has owned and operated a Family Practice for over 8 years and practiced Emergency Medicine in Lake Havasu prior to that. She has served as a preceptor for residents and students at the Unviersity of Nevada, Reno and Touro University Nevada as well and has been developing a radio program to continue her dedication to educating the community.
Owning a practice and practicing medicine comes with a wealth of challenges and surprises. What malpractice threats are out there? How do you protect yourself from lawsuits? What approach should I have with the patients when they come in with a multidude of complaints? Is the insurance reimbursement worth the trouble of owning a practice? Is it worth having a Physician Assistant? Any questions you may have bring to our informal round table and you'll get some real answers!
Medical History and Progression
Friday, Nov. 21, 11:00-12:15
Dr. Miller, Neonatologist at Sunrise
Lecture on the importance of literacy in clinic practice and how it can benefit students and professionals
Friday Nov. 21, 1:30-2:25
“The Evolution of the Osteopathic Field of Medicine”
Dr. John Jones
History and progression of osteopathic medicine and how there came to two different medical fields.
Friday, Nov. 21, 3:00-4:15
“Naturopathic medicine: a model for cure”
Dr. Decker Weiss
Dr. Weiss is the first naturopathic physical to complete a conventional internship, residency, and fellowship in cardiology. Dr Weiss has served as consulting staff of the Arizona Heart Hospital since 1997 and has a private practice in Scottsdale, AZ.
Saturday, Nov. 22, 10:45-12:00
“Committee of interns and Residents”
Timothy Chow
CRI is the largest resident and intern union in the US. They represent residents and interns in various hospitals across NY, NJ, New Mexico, Florida, Massachusetts, and California. Providing information on issues which range from residency work hours to preserving and improving access to care to medical debt policy, and works on policy issues for AMSA. The Workshop will be about residency work hours to preserving and improving access to care to medical debt.
Saturday, Nov. 22, 2:00-3:15
Leah Bennet
Chair, Committee on Race, Ethnicity and Culture in Health- AMSA and US National Officer, Standing Committee on Human Rights and Peace, International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations
Sunday, Nov. 23, 10:00-11:00
“Region X Regional Time’’
Each chapter should send at least one chapter officer to talk with Region X Director's Kathy Tran and Justin Schreiber regarding the region and their chapters
Pre-Medical Track
Friday, Nov. 21, 11:00-12:15
“Premed AMSA: What is means to YOU!”
You've just heard all about what AMSA is, but what about Premed AMSA? It may be called the American Medical Student Association, but with over 9,100 premedical members you better believe that there are opportunities, benefits and programming just for you. Come see what makes Premed AMSA unique and find out how you can take advantage of amazing opportunities like internships, Kaplan discounts and leadership positions. Finally, at the end of this session, there will be a panel of medical students ready to tackle your questions about life in medical school!
Friday Nov. 21, 1:30-2:25
"Healthcare 101"
Friday, Nov. 21, 3:00-4:15
"Combating Secondhand Smoke on the Strip"
The Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act, passed in 2006, prohibits smoking in public and private school buildings, grocery stores, restaurants and shopping malls. But smoking is still permitted in Las Vegas' casinos. Recognizing the dangers of second hand smoke, however, some casino's are taking action to make the gaming air safer for their customers.
Sunday, Nov. 23, 10:00-11:00
"What is means to be a Premed Advocate"
After hearing stories of AMSA members bird dogging during the past presidential campaign and listening to a professional lobbyist talk about how to effectively lobby your congressman, you probably feel empowered to become a health care advocate yourself. Come listen to a panel of premeds speak about what it means to be a premed advocate. From sit ins to rallies to lobbying on capitol hill, these are the stories you'll want to hear and make your own!
