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Alexandra Jones Packham
— MEDICAL SCHOOL —
Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University
— GRADUATING CLASS —
2025
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As medical students, we are always looking for ways to be involved in our future medical specialties, and the »Æ¹ÏµÎµÎapp (ACP) has so many opportunities for students—whether you want to work on your leadership skills, do some networking, participate in health care advocacy, or have the chance to give input about programs affecting students.
If you're looking for leadership opportunities, start with your medical school's Internal Medicine Interest Group (IMIG). There, you can help plan activities, connect with local internal medicine (IM) mentors and faculty, and support other students interested in IM at your school. ACP also has an IMIG Sponsorship Program that your interest group can apply to for up to $600 of funding per year. If your school does not have an Internal Medicine Interest Group, consider starting one!
ACP has a Council of Student Members made up of medical students across the United States and some international students who support ACP's student members and advise the ACP Board of Regents on issues affecting medical students. Many states also have a statewide Council of Student Members that you can get involved in—the best way to get involved is by reaching out to your local ACP chapter leaders for information about their Council of Student Members.
If you're looking for advocacy opportunities, start with Leadership Day! is an annual event held every spring in Washington, DC, where you can gather with other medical students and physicians from your state. ACP will organize meetings with your national legislators and staff to discuss issues that we care about as IM physicians. I have talked to multiple students who have attended who say it is an incredibly impactful experience. I will be attending in 2025—hope to see you there!
Additionally, for students further in their education (preferably fourth-year students committed to IM), ACP's Health Policy Internship is a great chance to participate in health policy on a national level. Interns participate in research in health and medical policy, meet with legislators, and participate in Leadership Day in DC.
If you're interested in networking opportunities, there is no better place to meet mentors than at . This year's meeting will be in New Orleans, LA. There are so many sessions geared toward medical students, as well as a poster competition, Stump the Professor event, and more.
These, and many other opportunities for medical student involvement, can be found on ACP's website. Have fun exploring all of the experiences ACP offers, and good luck in our future IM careers!
Back to the December 2024 issue of ACP IMpact