June 2020
Thank you all for your dedication, hard work, and engagement during this chaotic and unprecedented time. The feedback and information that you have provided to the Committee of Student Affairs (COSA) is always appreciated and carefully considered when implementing plans and recommendations. There are still so many ongoing issues that COSA is trying to address: how to guide students during the transition to residency and exam cancellations, how to keep students safe during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, how to disrupt structures of racism in student affairs, and how to promote health and wellness of students.
The Committee on Student Affairs continues to meet weekly in order to discuss these issues, compile recommendations, and escalate issues appropriately. Some of the things that we have worked on in the past few months include:
- Specialty response to COVID-19
- MSPE guidance for COVID-19
- Wellness Working Group with guidance
- Continuing issues with Prometric
- Virtual Residency Interviews
- Transition back to clinical settings
The OSR Ad Board had the chance to meet with AAMC Administration where we discussed issues of structural racism in medical education and misinformation surrounding board exams. There are initiatives to improve education on race in medicine and to communicate our concerns regarding delayed/cancelled exams to the NBME. The OSR Ad Board has also met to triage priorities and Learn Serve Lead.
I want to encourage you to continue to use your voice. The issues you have raised have dictated our conversations and we still want to hear from you. Please feel free to submit your concerns here, or email me directly at ampzb@mail.umkc.edu.
Adiba Matin
OSR National Delegate for Student Affairs
University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine
ampzb@mail.umkc.edu