AMSA

In a nutshell, what actually is AMSA?

The Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA) is the peak representative body
for medical students in Australia. The key mandate of AMSA is to connect, inform and represent Australia’s 17,000 medical students from each of the 22 medical schools.

Let’s be honest, medical students are a diverse bunch with our own passions, needs and interests. Whatever yours are, the Australian Medical Students’ Association has a platform to help you pursue it.

So, how does AMSA do this?

Advocacy:

AMSA is a strong voice advocating for Australian medical students, meeting regularly with politicians, universities and relevant medical and medico-political bodies, and engage the public through the media. AMSA has played a key role in a number of advocacy wins in recent years, including millions of dollars of government investment into Regional Training and Commonwealth Medical Internships. AMSA has a broad policy base and can advocate for any topic related to health, medical students or student interest. Our policies are developed by students like you, then reviewed at each university’s ‘ThinkTanks’, and finally passed at our National Councils.

So how can you get involved?

1. Respond to a policy team callout
   2. Attend a Griffith AMSA ThinkTank
2. Have a chat with Griffith’s AMSA Rep Ashraf (ashraf.docrat@amsa.org.au), or one of the junior campus reps Harry Luu (Gold Coast) or Ben Doyle (Sunshine Coast)
3. Attend AMSA National Council, or one of the many other events we host
   5. Contact the Policy Officer at policy@amsa.org.au to find something that fits your interests
   6. Have a look at our policies on our website- if there is something you are passionate about, write an article, and we can help you try to publish it

Don’t forget to check out our Orange Guide for more details on how AMSA advocates!

Events:

AMSA events are something special. Renowned for their unique blend of educational talks, social nights and leadership development, they are not to be missed!

First up in late July we have the famed National Convention in Adelaide. Since its conception in 1960, Convention has grown to see over 1,200 students and become the largest student run conference in the southern hemisphere. This week-long event flawlessly blends together academics and social to help inspire all of Australia’s medical students.

In early August, we see AMSA’s Global Health Conference come to life in Perth. This event hosts over 700 delegates and tackles the current issues we face. Focussing on innovation and equity in global health, learn what you can do to make a positive difference in the world.

Then there’s the National Leadership Development Seminar (NLDS) in September. Held in Canberra, NLDS brings together about 90 of Australia’s future leaders, focusing on upskilling, leadership, advocacy and political engagement.

Finally, the Rural Health Summit helps draw the event calendar to a close. It focuses on all things rural, with uniquely engaging speakers, workshops and networking opportunities.

2021 is jam packed all these exciting opportunities and experiences. Make sure you don’t miss out!

Projects + Committees

AMSA Academy

AMSA Academy is a way that you can learn more about medicine outside the classroom.
Created for medical students, by other students in conjunction with expert guest lecturers, AMSA Academy is AMSA’s online learning platform, with courses in global, sexual and mental health.

Vampire Cup

Vampire Cup is the inter-medical school blood donation competition that is run across Australia and New Zealand, as a part of the larger Health Students Blood Challenge through the Australian Red Cross Blood Service.

Run between April 3rd – May 31st, it is an 8 week competition with the number of whole blood, plasma and platelet donations are tallied per university to decide which few will gain glory and bragging rights for the coming year.

Gender Equity
AMSA recognises that medicine is not immune to gender inequity, despite the 50/50 split you’ll see in your university cohorts. Along the lines of #thisiswhatasurgeonlookslike campaigns, our gender equity project is here to break down gender stereotypes, increase the visibility of female leaders, and to tap into the wisdom and pragmatism of those women who’ve gone before us.

LGBTIQ
The LGBTIQ Project aims to educate medical students on LGBTIQ issues and create a supportive network for LGBTIQ medical students across Australia.

AMSA Mental Health
AMSA Mental Health Campaign aims to reduce stigma of mental health, improve education about mental health, and help tackle the burden of mental health within our community. The also run initiatives throughout the year, including crazysocks4docs, RUOK day, and Humans of medicine.

AMSA Global Health
Comprises of representatives from all the universities’ global health groups that is dedicated to advancing the global health interests of Australian medical students. Initiatives run in conjunction with AMSA Global Health include:
– Red Party: aims to engage students with issues surrounding HIV/AIDS, particularly global health issues e.g. impact of HIV/AIDS on endemic areas such as Sub-Saharan Africa.
– Crossing Borders for Health: network of medical students who aim to help remove barriers to healthcare for refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants.
– Training New Trainers’: three-day workshop, aimed at empowering participants who want to become further involved in Global Health. Participants will be equipped with the skills needed to train others in global health and professional development topics.
– Code Green: aims to provide a platform to allow medical students to educate, engage and inspire colleagues and the wider community to act now to prevent the worst health consequences of climate change.

AMSA Rural Health
AMSA Rural Health supports and facilitates medical students’ engagement with rural health and advocates for students on rural issues. Throughout the year, the Committee coordinates a series of national projects, campaigns, and publications.

International Students’ Network
In Australia, 1 in 5 medical students are international students. The international students’ network (ISN) is the peak representative body for these students at a national level. As one of AMSA’s committees, we provide a voice for international medical students, ensuring their concerns are heard by AMSA executives, as well as all levels of government and other relevant stakeholders. We advocate on behalf of international students to all levels of government on important matters such as internship shortage and new visa regulations.

AMSA also works closely with the Student Representative Council of the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA) to collaborate on projects and advocacy.

It’s your AMSA, so get amongst it!

If you wish to become a member please head to https://www.amsa.org.au/join
You are able to join as a member for the whole of your degree for $30 or for the year for $10. As a member you will have access to register for AMSA’s premier events, voting rights at AMSA Council, be added to AMSA advocacy database and receive information on opportunities within AMSA.

For more information please feel free to get in contact with any of the AMSA at Griffith team:

Ashraf Docrat
Griffith AMSA Representative 2023
amsa@gums.org.au

Harry Luu
Gold Coast Junior AMSA Representative 2023
harry.luu@griffithuni.edu.au

Ben Doyle
Sunshine Coast Junior AMSA Representative 2023
benjamin.doyle@griffithuni.edu.au