Future Doctors of America [club]

drsarah · 07-26-2006, 12:00 AM

Hi everyone,

I remember a while back, I read somebody's post on this site where they said that they'd started a "Future Doctors of America" club at their school. I thought that was a wonderful idea, and was just wondering if that person (or any others who've started a similar club) could give me tips on starting my own FDA club next year. Thanks!

anisha08 · 07-27-2006, 09:36 PM

Well, there's a Future Physicians of America club at my school, and I'm not in it, but I have friends in it. They do fundraisers to raise money for field trips, and they often attend medical conferences. They also do a special unit that focuses on getting into medical school.

I used to be a member of a medical club outside of school called Medical Explorers. They met at a local medical center weekly, and were advised by a retired doctor. They had speakers at every meeting, and the speakers were from various departments at different local hospitals. We also took a field trip to the Stanford Laboratory and got to look at cadavers

. It was really an exciting experience.

Hope I helped!

drsarah · 07-28-2006, 01:21 AM

Thanks!

itida · 07-29-2006, 08:04 PM

Currently I'm the President of a Future Physicians of America club at my school (in Bay Area lol) so if you want to PM me with specific questions that would be fine

I organize the club so that the first semester meetings focus on what is medical school and how to get in and the second semester focuses on different medical fields (after you get into medical school). Our activities include: speakers, presentations, discussions (about ethics in medicine or controversial issues), field trips to hospitals. And we do some fundraising for research in different health issues.

drsarah · 07-30-2006, 02:43 AM

where in the bay area? san jose? frisco? or peninsula? that's cool

the reason I ask your location is so I can get info on the local field trips (if any) that you guys go on

...that's SO awesome.

itida · 07-30-2006, 09:57 PM

near san jose, you?

usually the field trips are from "connections" (we haven't been somewhere in a while..) e.g. from members' parents or officers' parents who are doctors and can get one of their coworkers to talk to us about their field & facilities. but this is only good for things that are different--like our club went to a cardiac surgeon's operating room and stuff but that was only once =/

speakers are easier to find than field trips

drsarah · 07-31-2006, 11:34 PM

you got to view a surgery?

In San Mateo County...near San Mateo

itida · 08-01-2006, 12:13 AM

no, no they'd never allow that...just the equipment, how it's used, and the technology etc

drsarah · 08-01-2006, 04:32 PM

are you sure they wouldn't allow a surgery viewing? do you mean because it's a large group? im sure some shadow programs let you view surgeries...hopefully. well, school starts in 2 weeks, and I can't wait to get this club started

crazedjunior · 08-01-2006, 06:59 PM

I am currently the co-founder/president for FDA at my school right now so if you have any questions you can send me message if you need to!

drsarah · 08-02-2006, 01:37 PM

I'd like as many tips as possible...I don't know where I'm going to start, how to get members to join, etc...just give me what you've got!

Docta · 08-02-2006, 02:25 PM

FDA sounds really cool. I might try it.

socketlube · 08-09-2006, 09:13 PM

Wow. Sounds like a good idea. The only thing is, i would start one if i had more highschool experience. (me=freshman)

anoopie · 08-09-2006, 10:19 PM

I am actually thinking about starting one of these in my school also. SO maybe we could make a list of tips that anyone has for us

k4togoal · 08-15-2006, 01:10 AM

yeah i want to start one at my school.. and i know the lady to go to to talk about it & stuff. i just dont know what to do once i have the group. and i don't know how to get people to join.