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GEMx Supports the 5th CICoM Student Competition in Mexico City

Filed under: From GEMx Staff GEMx News GEMx Sponsored Events

I recently had the opportunity to travel to Mexico City, Mexico to from February 3-7 for the 5th Edition of the of CICoM (Concurso Internacional de Conocimientos Médicos), taking place at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México’s (UNAM) Campus.  UNAM is a GEMx partner and has maintained a membership in the GEMx global network since the pilot of the program in 2013.  Through this partnership, the GEMx staff has forged long-standing relationships with leadership at UNAM, including Dr. Melissa M Islas Upegui, who oversees the International Program at the Faculty of Medicine, Movilidad Académica y Vinculación Interinstitucional (Mavi), and Dr. Irene Durante Montiel,  Secretary-General of the medical school.

GEMx was proud to be a sponsor for the fourth consecutive edition of the event, and it was an honor to witness the competition and observe the impressive display of medical knowledge demonstrated by student participants was hugely impressive.  As part of GEMx’s sponsorship, we were given the opportunity to present on GEMx global exchange network and other ECFMG | FAIMER service during the competition.

About CICoM

CICoM was launched in 2014, and has been taking place annually since its commencement (the quiz was canceled in 2017 due to the earthquake that hit Mexico City).  The event is student-run, with a self-elected organizing committee responsible for organizing and coordinating the competition.

This year, 28 teams participated from across Latin America, with six students per team, and a least one faculty member accompanying them to the Mexico City.

Quiz Format

The contest is divided into multiple rounds.  Each round includes the 15 questions, with 60 seconds provided to teams to huddle and decide on their answer to each question.  Teams then have five seconds to appeal to the jury, consisting of six medical professionals practicing in Mexico City. After the first round, the 16 top-scoring universities advance, with the remaining universities participating in the “Repechage”  or “consolation” bracket.

This tournament format continues over the next three days, ending in a head-to-head round competition between the remaining two teams.

The final standings of the 2020 CICoM competition were:

Fourth Place – University of Sonora, Hermosillo (Mexico)

Third Place  – Autonomous University of the State of Morelos (Mexico)

Second Place – Universidad del Rosario (Colombia)

First Place – CES University (Colombia)

Congratulations to all participants in this year’s CICoM event, and a special “felicitations” to the winning team from CES University in Medellín, Colombia (a GEMx partner!)

Feedback from Student Participants

Student Video Interviews with the Organizing Committee:

 

“I feel very happy, since it is a very positive experience that is full of learning, not just about Medicine. It is an opportunity to make new friends. ”Diana Marcela Lizate, University of Manizales,
Colombia.

“For my team and for me, it was a great pride to be here, representing our state and our faculty in this house of studies. We are very happy to have this experience. ” Oscar García Carbajal, Veracruzana University, Mexico

Cultural Activities in CICoM

In addition to the medical knowledge competition, quiz participants enjoyed various cultural activities, such as guided visits to the archaeological zone of Teotihuacán, to the Historic Center of Mexico City, and the School of Medicine building.   Students also had the opportunity to take in performances by UNAM’s  Mexican Folk Company, as well as the UNAM orchestra.

Interested in Participating in Future CICoM Events?

CICoM is open to all medical schools internationally.  If you are a medical student interested in participating in a future edition of the quiz, message CICoM through one of their social channels (Facebook, Instagram, Instagram) and a member of their organizing committee will be able to provide information and next steps in registering a team from your institution.

Journey to the Art of Medicine and Life

Filed under: From GEMx Staff GEMx Global Network GEMx Student Reflections

By: Kirellos Atef Zaki Abboud from Ain shams University (Egypt) who has completed his elective at The University of Pavia (Italy) through GEMx

It was my first time in Europe. I was a bit afraid and was expecting a lot of troubles. When the plane was landing, I could see how Italy is beautiful and how it’s so green. You could only see green areas, homes, and roads. It was so charming and relieving just to look at it for 15 minutes before landing. I landed safely and started my journey in a foreign country. I searched for a place to stay hoping for an apartment and luckily, I found a suitable one. I traveled on Friday so by the time I arrived it was the weekend. I decided to have a tour on foot to explore the shops and transportation. I found it difficult to communicate at first because not many Italian speak English, but after about ten days I could speak some Italian words that are useful at shops and transportation, and of course google translator was a savior in many situations.

(Left to right) with Prof.Ciro Esposito. Prof.Massimo Toreggiani. & Prof.Marco Colucci.

I called Prof.Ciro Esposito – The Head of Nephrology Department at ICS Maugeri – and informed him that I’d arrived, and he explained to me the way and the transportation I should take to reach the hospital. I met my colleagues, there were three from Poland and one from Cameroon all on an Erasmus elective. I enjoyed their company a lot, they were kind and helpful.

My first 2 weeks at the hospital were in the ward, every morning the professors accompanied us to the inpatients and started explaining their condition, different possibilities for treatment and what we should focus on such cases. Some days our professors had some checkup visits for patients who were discharged from the hospital within the last few months. It was so informative to see such a huge number of patients in such a small time. The average number of patients we see daily was about five patients in the ward and maybe one or two for a checkup. The professors taught us a lot of things concerning Nephrology, how to take a history, how to examine patients, different kidney markers in lab tests and many things that I would list later.

(Left to right) with Professors at the Dialysis unit: Dr.Alice Mariotto, Dr.Giuseppe Sileno, Dr.Ettore Pasquinucci, & Dr.Alessandro Gaballo

My second 2 weeks were in the dialysis ward, every day the professors accompanied me for the round, we checked the patients performing their dialysis session concerning their compliance to medications, their overall health, if there is any pain, the patency of the vessels used in dialysis, their diet, and their last lab values. I noticed that dialysis session became a routine for these patients with little suffering, the hospital supplies them with the drugs and provide good, advanced and comprehensive health care services and ambulance help people with some health problems that where they provide transport for them to the hospital on the sessions days and bring them back home. I was amazed by the continuous assessment and care for the patient.

I attended some surgical procedures including:

  1. An arteriovenous fistula in the arm between the median cubital vein and brachial artery, it was done by Prof.Ciro Esposito and Prof.Massimo Torregiani.
  2. Central jugular catheterization is done by Prof.Massimo.
  3. Femoral venous catheterization is done by Prof.Massimo.
  4. Replacement of an obstructed femoral venous catheter done by Prof.Giuseppe Sileno.

I was honored to work and learn from these great professors, I owe them a lot, I will never forget what they have taught me.

Let’s talk about my daily routine there, I woke up at 5:30 every day, took a shower, brushed my teeth, drink my coffee and go out. After that, I’d spend about an hour commuting. I would arrive at 8 o’clock nearly, then I’d spend about four to five hours with the professors, after that, I’d go home to study or finish some of my work. Some days I would walk to explore the cities or visit historical places.

Visit to Como

On weekends I would travel. The first weekend I went to Como, it’s a small city with a lot of charming places and a wonderful lake. The second weekend I visited Venice, the most beautiful city I’ve ever seen. I wish I could go there every year. The third weekend I visited Milano and the Duomo; Milano is a huge city with many people. I was enriched with a lot of personal benefits and experiences, starting from traveling to a European country by myself, searching for an apartment, washing my clothes, preparing my food and doing everything alone, I had the chance also to visit a lot of beautiful historical places and cities. Italy is a country of art, that’s what I liked the most about it. I managed to deal with a wide variety of different personalities including the pedestrians, colleagues, professors, officers at different means of transportation and the friends I could make in such a short time. It was a wonderful experience that changed me a lot and the way I think and sees the world and I will do my best to repeat it.

Visit to Venice

Visit to Milano: Duomo di Milano.

With my GEMx Award

Faith Nawagi – GEMx Global Partnership Development Representative, Africa – wins Nursing Now Scholarship, May 2019

Filed under: From GEMx Staff GEMx News


We are pleased to inform you that Faith Nawagi was 1 of 30 nurses who received a scholarship award from Nursing Now; out of 800 applications. Faith attended the WHO 2019 World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, and received training in global health policymaking and advocacy.  This award was in recognition of the work Faith performs for GEMx; developing inter-continental, institutional partnerships to facilitate student exchanges across Africa.

Faith met with leadership of Nursing Now, Sigma Nursing, and the International Council of Nurses.  Leaders of these organizations expressed a strong interest to form a global nursing exchange network using the GEMx web-based platform.  GEMx plans to meet with leadership in November of 2019.

Faith also met with Dr. Jim Campbell, Executive Director of Global Health Workforce Alliance and Director of the Health Workforce Department at the WHO.  Dr. Campbell acknowledged the good work of ECFMG FAIMER, and is pleased that GEMx is a service of such a wonderful organization.

ECFMG FAIMER continues to receive recognition for the good work we do around the world.  ECFMG FAIMER continues to strengthen opportunities for our services and programs like GEMx, and garner opportunities to collaborate with WHO, Nursing Now and other highly-reputable organizations that are committed to global health, education and quality health care.

Faith standing by WHO sign

We congratulate Faith Nawagi on her good work, contributions and commitment to GEMx, and to ECFMG FAIMER.

About Nursing Now

Nursing Now is a “three-year global campaign (2018-2020), aims to improve health by raising the profile and status of nursing worldwide.”  Nursing Now works in collaboration with International Council of Nurses and WHO.  Barbara Stilwell is the Executive Director of Nursing Now Global Campaign; a former FAIMER Board member.

Introducing Colby Young, GEMx Co-Op

Filed under: From GEMx Staff

Colby Young

Hi everyone! My name is Colby and I am a Co-Op GEMx Research Assistant. I am currently a Sophomore Marketing and Business Analytics major at Drexel University. Before joining the GEMx team, I knew I wanted to mix being creative with using data to the promote growth of a program or service. So far, the opportunities that this position offers have been that and so much more like collaborating with small teams and building a better understanding of cultures other than my own.  

I grew up in Compton, California a mostly African American low-income community on the outside of Los Angeles. However, I went to a private school near the affluent community of Bel-Air. The culture of those two cities was radically different in terms of values, beliefs, and/or religions and I felt like an outsider at first. I have learned that to overcome differences in the culture there has to be mutual respect and a desire to educate yourself if not stereotypes will continue to negatively affect how people are viewed. I want to show underrepresented communities, like mine, that we can grow through adversity and succeed in life. This is what motivates me to be passionate about working with GEMx on helping people in the medical field improve health-education worldwide.

Colby Young

For fun, I like trying new activities and spending quality time with my friends and family. It doesn’t take much to please me. Whether we’re watching scary movies or taking photos or going out to eat or chilling at the beach, I am happy being with them. In high school, I played 4 years of lacrosse. After practice, my teammates and I used to pick up  Pad Thai and bubble tea at a Thai food restaurant then eat at the beach nearby. When I’m by myself, I like listening to new music. I love how songs can help me to get out of my head and relax.

 

Introducing Amanda Sit, GEMx Co-Op

Filed under: From GEMx Staff

                    

Hello! My name is Amanda Sit and I am very excited to be a new member of the GEMx team. I am currently a pre-junior Marketing Major at Drexel University and I am the GEMx International Relations Assistant. The reason why I chose GEMx is so that I can foster a deeper understanding for other cultures as well as actively promote health-education globally.

A little about me is that I grew up in Edison, New Jersey a small diverse suburban area before moving into the large city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for my studies. It was a completely new experience since Philadelphia has many unique restaurants and stores to check out! I love to try out new food places and travel.

This photo was taken in the Philippines during low tide.

I love traveling to different places for the culture, food, and activities each place has to offer. My favorite travel destination that I’ve been to so far is the Philippines. Growing up Filipino, I was very fortunate to travel to my mother’s home country and experience the culture. I really enjoyed the food at local restaurants.  Chicken Adobo and Lumpia (Spring rolls) were my favorite dishes to eat. The most memorable part of the trip was island hopping in Coron, Philippines. Seeing the island untouched by modernity was very exciting.

I am a firm believer that GEMx is as good as the team working behind it, and I am very thankful that I get to be a part of the team.

Introducing Eunice Kamami, GEMx Co-Op

Filed under: From GEMx Staff

Hi everyone! My name is Eunice Kamami and I am the GEMx Research Assistant Co-op. I’m currently in my fourth year at Drexel University where I am majoring in Global Studies and minoring in Communication and French. My interests in global health and international background are what really drew me to this position.

 

I was born in Kenya, moved to America when I was 7, moved back to Kenya for high school, moved to a different part of America for university, studied abroad in France for a year, and then did my previous co-op working with water, sanitation, and hygiene development in Kenya. So, I guess you could say I’ve had my fair share of international exchanges. Each move shaped my worldview and broadened my understanding of race, ethnicity, class, gender and culture. This is why I believe that international experiences can be so rewarding. They often teach importance of being flexible and open minded to people who may have different values, beliefs, or religions. In world that’s only becoming more and more globalized, these are characteristics that are essential for everyone, but especially for those in the medical field, which is why programs like GEMx are so important.

That being said, I’ve had enough complicated visa applications, lost luggage, stolen passports, homesickness and culture shock to know that international experiences can also be challenging. Moving to a different part of the world takes courage, the willingness to start anew and sometimes to be uncomfortable for a bit. Having a good support system in the process can change the outcome of experience. It’s for this reason in particular that I’m so excited to be working to be working with GEMx to help facilitate and support students on their international medical exchanges.

When I’m not getting excited about international programs and global health, you can find me making caramel macchiatos at Drexel where I work as a Starbucks barista. I love listening to podcasts and am always looking for a good recommendation. I also like trying new food or sticking to my favorite cuisine: Ethiopian. On weekends, I’m usually attending concerts, poetry slams, organizing, taking Sunday afternoon naps, trying new recipes, going dancing, or watching scary movies with my two wonderful roommates our cat Steven.

Introducing our GEMx Co-Op, Kaseir Archie

Filed under: From GEMx Staff

Young man in a wool coat smiling

Hello! My name is Kaseir Archie and I am the GEMx program development Drexel co-op. Cooperative education is a structured method of combining classroom-based education with practical work experience. A cooperative education experience, commonly known as a “co-op”, provides academic credit for structured job experience. Working with the GEMx team has given me the opportunities to not only learn but also to enhance my professional skills. Understanding and observing firsthand the “real-world” application of everything I have learned in class. However, my favorite aspect of GEMx is how much enthusiasm and positive energy the GEMx team brings to the office every day.

I am from North Philadelphia, born and raised. There is just something about the city of Philadelphia that I love so much. That is why I decided to remain here for college. I am currently finishing up my third year at Drexel University, studying finance and management information systems.

young man leaning on stair railing in a large interior space

In the Grand Hall of the Pennsylvania Convention Center the Grand Hall (former Reading Railroad Train Shed

My two favorite activities to do are to play ice hockey and do photography. I never really explored my creative side, but as I got older I became to grow fond of the arts. That is what inspired me to find my own medium to create. However, in comparison to photography which is a fairly new hobby, I have played ice hockey since I was eleven years old.

I played for the Snider Hockey program until I graduated high school. Hockey opened up so many new opportunities for me. I had the opportunity to travel the United States, sing the national anthem, and even meet President Bill Clinton! I still skate and play hockey on occasion with friends.

Young man in hockey equipment and uniform

Due to all of my experiences with the GEMx team, I am more prepared, as a student still in college, to take on the professional world than I was when I began my co-op. It is amazing to hear about all of the students and their elective experiences. GEMx has done more than proven its value as an organization to me. A BIG thank you to Justin Seeling (Program Manager), Carol Russo (Senior Coordinator), and Angel Roman (Coordinator) for all they do.

GEMx Student Ambassador Network (SAN) Video Competition: Round 2

Filed under: From GEMx Staff GEMx Student Ambassador Network GEMx Student Reflections

Post by Justin Seeling, GEMx Program Manager

Inspired by the success of the first round of video competition earlier this year, GEMx’s Student Ambassador Network (SAN) recently held another round of competition to allow students from our Partner Schools to record  and submit short videos showcasing their institutions and/or local culture.

We are excited to share the winning submissions with you!

GEMx’s Student Ambassador Network (SAN) recently held a “sequel” to our previous video competition, asking students from our Partner Schools to record short videos showcasing their institutions and/or local culture.

The video that we received from Josefa Santa María and Maria Jose Ayala Rivero, students at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Escuela de Medicina, is a great example of how GEMx Student Ambassadors are reaching students at their school and providing information about the any opportunities allotted with being part of the GEMx network! The video was awarded recognition from GEMx staff for being the “Most Informative” among all entries.

The video that we received from from Yu Aun (Jason) Chin, a student at SEGi University & Colleges (Malaysia) provides a great overview of student life at this GEMx partner institution! The video was awarded recognition from GEMx staff for being having the “Best Video Production” among all entries.

The video that we received from Bruno Marcarini and Clara Schneider, students at Escola Superior de Ciências da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Vitória Faculdade de Medicina (EMESCAM) (Brazil), is an example of how student representatives are providing information to their classmates about the elective opportunities offered through GEMx! The video was awarded recognition from GEMx staff for being the “Most Creative” among all entries.

Thanks to all of our students who contributed videos!  If you are a student who is a member of a GEMx partner and would like to submit a video of student life at your school or your experiences on a GEMx Exchange, please write to info@gemxelectives.org.

GEMx Student Ambassador Network (SAN) Video Competition: Round 1

Filed under: From GEMx Staff GEMx Student Ambassador Network

Post by Justin Seeling, GEMx Program Manager

Earlier this year, GEMx’s Student Ambassador Network (SAN) held a video competition that asked students from our Partner Schools to record short videos showcasing their institutions and/or local culture.

We are excited to share the winning submissions with you!

The video that we received from Ahmed Saleh and Rana Abualsaud, students at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, does a great job showing off the school’s campus in Doha and introducing viewers to members of the faculty! The video was awarded recognition from GEMx staff for being the “Most Creative” and demonstrating the “Best Video Production” among all entries.

The video that we received from Navilah Hidayati, a student at the Universitas Gadjah Mada in Indonesia, does a wonderful job detailing “5 Things That You Will Love About UGM”! The video was awarded recognition from GEMx staff for being the “Most Informative” among all entries.

The success of this first round of videos inspired the GEMx Student Ambassador Network to extend another opportunity for students to submit their videos.  In an ensuing post, we’ll be sharing the winning submissions from participants of the second round of the video competition.

Thanks to all of our students who contributed videos!  If you are a student who is a member of a GEMx partner and would like to submit a video of student life at your school or your experiences on a GEMx Exchange, please write to info@gemxelectives.org.

GEMx Student Ambassadors Share Quotes That Inspire Them

Filed under: From GEMx Staff GEMx Student Ambassador Network

Post by Justin Seeling, GEMx Program Manager

GEMx is happy to share this video of some of our student ambassadors speaking about their favorite motivational quotes.  At our June 2017 GEMx Student Ambassador Network (SAN) webinar, each ambassador was asked to share a quote that spoke to his or her interest in medicine and international exchange of knowledge.  Thanks to our inspirational student ambassadors for their participation in this exciting exercise!

 

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