Interest Groups
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Learners are involved in a wide range of community activities and Learner-Led Interest Groups that enhance their education and contribute to individual well-being and community engagement. Learner-Led Interest Groups sanctioned within the Faculty of Medicine are required to meet certain guidelines.
The following lists the groups and community services led by learners in our Faculty:
Anatomy Interest Group
The goal of the Clinical and Applied Anatomy Interest Group is to provide pre-clerkship students with enriched exposure to the core human anatomy curriculum while expanding community-based outreach initiatives. Our aim is to promote deeper conceptual understanding and cultivate interest in anatomy-intensive specialties. To promote anatomical literacy, we plan to develop 3D-printed anatomical models to enhance spatial comprehension, integrate clinically oriented case-based learning sessions, and host anatomy-focused trivia competitions to reinforce knowledge. The interest group will also organize outreach workshops for high school and undergraduate students to promote early engagement with anatomical sciences and careers in medicine.
Contact: Sam Haven (smlhaven@mun.ca); Daniel Neira (deneiraagonh@mun.ca); Yaneesh Jerath (ypj077@mun.ca)
Anesthesia Interest Group
Our interest group organizes opportunities for students to learn more about anesthesiology through early OR exposure, hands-on skills nights, and discussions with residents and physicians in the field.
Contacts: Holly Jackman (hdw733@mun.ca); Kira Singh (kks588@mun.ca)
Arts in Medicine Interest Group (AMIG)
Acknowledging the importance of creativity and collaboration to success as a medical professional, the Arts in Medicine Interest Group aims to promote the role of the arts in medicine. We organize educational talks, art exhibits, and community outreach events for medical students and other community members. We also run the MUN Med Jazz Band, a flexible and fun ensemble for medical students interested in the musical arts!
Contact: Peter Noel (pwjnoel@mun.ca); Theo Brown (theodore.brown@mun.ca); Jai-Lynn Francis (jailynnf@mun.ca)
Association of Women Surgeons
Our goal is to foster an inclusive and supportive environment where students feel empowered to explore the diverse field of medicine and gain valuable insight into surgical practice. Through educational opportunities, mentorship, and meaningful discussions, we aim to help students develop a deeper understanding of the surgical profession and the diverse career paths within it. This group also provides opportunities for students to collaborate, build connections with peers and mentors, while creating a supportive community for those interested in pursuing a career in surgery.
Contacts: Sarina Qureshi (Saqureshi@mun.ca); Brianna Hickey (Bkhickey@mun.ca)
Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery Interest Group
The Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Surgery Interest Group aims to provide medical learners with exposure to these specialized fields, which currently lack local residency training programs. Through educational events, workshops, and networking opportunities, the group offers awareness, skill development, and mentorship connections in these surgical disciplines.
Contacts: Claire Hynes (cohynes@mun.ca); Sheila Loshi (sloshi@mun.ca); Nash Denic
Cardiology Interest Group
The MUN Medicine Cardiology Interest Group is a student-led organization that aims to provide exposure to the field of cardiology and its various subspecialties through interactive and engaging events for medical students. These learning experiences will include events such as skills nights led by experienced physicians within the Faculty of Medicine. The group also aims to enhance awareness and education by holding educational events during cardiology-related blocks and providing students with relevant learning resources. In addition, the group is committed to supporting cardiovascular health initiatives through fundraising and community engagement, including support for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Our group welcomes all students who want to enhance their learning experience during medical school, develop lasting connections through mentorship, or explore an interest in a career in cardiology.
Contact: Amelia Hollett (aghollett@mun.ca); Daniel Neira (deneiraagonh@mun.ca)
Disability Studies in Medicine
The Disability Studies in Medicine Interest Group aims to provide medical learners to learn about dismantling ableism in medicine, understanding barriers and perspectives that currently exist, and become better allies.
Contacts: Erin Keough (elrk78@mun.ca); Sarina Qureshi (saqureshi@mun.ca); Rachel Pearcey (repearcey@mun.ca)
Emergency Medicine Interest Group
A group for medical learners who are interested in the specialty of Emergency Medicine or Family Medicine+Emergency. EMIG holds lecture series, talks and skills nights. The aim is to stimulate interest in this field, as well as provide practical knowledge and skills to medical learners that may be beneficial in the practice of field medicine.
Contacts: Tori Carter (tbcarter@mun.ca); Maggie O’Dea (margaretcod@mun.ca); Nate Visser (PEI)
The Endocrinology Interest group aims to share knowledge and research on topics surrounding Endocrinology, Diabetes, and other metabolic/hormonal disorders more broadly (e.g. thyroid, pituitary conditions), as well as gain insight on the management of endocrine conditions from physicians and other clinicians working in the field.
Contacts: Salma Omardeen (salmaao@mun.ca); Mathula Muhundan (mmuhundan@mun.ca)
Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG)
The Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) is a student-led group dedicated to increasing awareness, understanding, and engagement with Family Medicine throughout undergraduate medical education. Through educational events and hands-on learning opportunities, we aim to help learners develop practical skills relevant to Family Medicine while exploring the breadth of the specialty, its diverse career pathways, and its impact on patients and communities.
Contacts: Brianna Fortune (bmfortune@mun.ca); Caleb Morden (ccm040@mun.ca)
PEI Family Medicine Interest Group
Our mission is to introduce and inspire medical students to the diverse and rewarding field of Family Medicine. We provide opportunities for mentorship, education, clinical exposure, and community engagement while highlighting comprehensive, patient-centered care across the lifespan. We aim to support students interested in Family Medicine and promote its values of continuity of care, prevention, advocacy, and service to our communities.
Contacts: Lauren Reid (Lcatheriner@mun.ca); Morgan Inman (minman@mun.ca); Sydney Powers (sepowers@mun.ca)
Family Medicine Low-Risk Obstetrics Interest Group
We aim to introduce students to the possibility of practicing family medicine with a focus on low risk obstetrical care. We organize weekly shadowing for students to participate in, with the family practice group at memorial as well as lunch & learns/information sessions. This group has been very well received in the past and we are happy to continue to run it for another year!
Contact: Eilish MacCharles (emmaccharles@mun.ca); Sheila Loshi (sloshi@mun.ca)
Federation of Medical Women of Canada
We are the MUN Med/St. John's branch of this national organization that is committed to reducing barriers for women in medicine, as well as bringing together women in medicine from across the country. Our main goal is to bring medical women together in formal and informal settings to share experiences and learn from each other.
Contacts: Samantha Situ-Pham (ssitupham@mun.ca); Bana Sakkar (bsakkar@mun.ca); Abi Schwartz
To establish an interest group that focuses on infertility and assisted reproductive technologies (ART), aiming to enhance education, awareness, and clinical preparedness in the rapidly evolving fields of reproductive medicine.
Contact: Emma Welshman (egwelshman@mun.ca); Lily Reid (lreid@mun.ca); Becca Dunn
Gender and Sexuality Advocacy Interest Group
Providing educational resources, creating a safe space, and advocating for 2SLGBTQIA+ students in the Faculty of Medicine through academic and social events or social media posts.
Contacts: Cassie McGrath (cmjm64@mun.ca)
General Surgery Interest Group
The GSIG aims to introduce medical students to the breadth and scope of general surgery, including surgical subspecialties, training pathways, and the day-to-day experiences of surgeons and residents
Contacts: Ann Seety (aseety@mun.ca); Samantha Situ-Pham (ssitupham@mun.ca); Hannah Fong (PEI Senior Rep) (hkfong@mun.ca)
Genetics in Medicine MUN MED Interest Group
Genetics in Medicine explores the evolving role of genetics in clinical practice. We host lunch and learns, and connect students with medical geneticists, while also highlighting its application to several other specialties. If you are interested in personalized medicine, rare genetic disorders, or the future of genetics in healthcare, this is the interest group for you!
Contacts: Evan Williams (ethwilliams@mun.ca); Claire Hynes (cohynes@mun.ca)
Geriatric Medicine Interest Group
The Geriatrics Interest Group provides medical students with opportunities to learn more about the unique healthcare needs of older adults. We aim to foster interest in geriatrics through educational events, discussions, and community engagement. Our group welcomes all students who want to explore aging, healthcare for seniors, and the role of physicians in supporting this population
Contacts: Susie O'Brien (smobrien@mun.ca); Julia White (jmwhite@mun.ca)
Global Health Interest Group
The Global Health Interest Group is dedicated to exploring global health in both international and local contexts. We work together to understand how health systems operate, examine the social and structural factors that influence health, and discuss health inequities experienced by communities worldwide. Through hosting events and talks with local doctors and global health initiative groups such as Team Broken Earth, the group provides students with opportunities to broaden their perspectives and become more informed, culturally aware, and accountable future physicians.
Contacts: Maggie O'Dea (margaretcod@mun.ca); Jasmine Rahman (jasminer@mun.ca)
Indigenous Health Interest Group (IHIG)
Our aim is to educate future physicians on Indigenous well-being, whether it be traditional methods of healing, or incorporating cultural beliefs into healthy lifestyles. Our interest group advocates for cultural awareness for medical students in order to promote culturally sensitive practice and provide equitable care for Indigenous populations.
Contacts: Tanisha Tucker (tanishat@mun.ca); Erin Keough (elrk78@mun.ca)
Infectious Disease Interest Group
The Mun Medicine Infectious Diseases Interest Group aims to promote interest, awareness, and engagement in infectious disease amongst medical students through organizing talks, raising awareness regarding bioethical issues, and fun in-person group activities such as trivia nights or workshops.
Contacts: Shams Al-Badoosh (salbadoosh@mun.ca); Brian Tomkay (bmtomkay@mun.ca)
Internal Medicine Interest Group
The Internal Medicine Interest Group at Memorial University aims to provide medical students with meaningful exposure to the field of internal medicine. We aim to host engaging educational events and activities that will increase both understanding and enthusiasm for the field of internal medicine amongst the student body.
Internal Medicine is also at the core of various other subspecialties - in this sense it can serve as a bit of a gatekeeper as well. Celebrating the multiplicity of applications across these disciplines and how they intersect with General Internal Medicine is a priority of ours as well.
Contacts: Yaneesh (Yanni) Jerath (ypj077@mun.ca); Mathula Muhundan (mmuhundan@mun.ca)
Medical Mythbusters Interest Group
To promote critical thinking and evidence-based medicine by identifying, investigating, and debunking common medical myths and misconceptions, while making accurate, research-backed medical information accessible and engaging for both medical learners and the broader community.
Contacts: Anna Marie Froude (amfroude@mun.ca); Caitlin Stamp (cestamp@mun.ca); Kaley Pinksen; Peter Noel; Emily Arch; Salma Omardeen; Kaitlyn Hall; Nandan Chandrakanth
Medical Students for Choice Interest Group
Organizing events/resources with the purpose of advocating for abortion rights.
Contacts: Eilish MacCharles (emmaccharles@mun.ca); Laura Priddle (lpriddle@mun.ca)
Memorial University’s Black Medical Students’ Association (BMSA) - NL & PEI
Memorial University’s Black Medical Students’ Association (BMSA-NL & PEI) aims to foster a supportive and inclusive community for Black medical students through mentorship, networking, social, and professional development opportunities. The group seeks to create a strong sense of belonging within medical education while promoting advocacy, community engagement, and meaningful connections with Black physicians, residents, students, and the broader community.
Contact: Henrietta Odiwa (hecodiwa@mun.ca); Shantel Jones (smmj52@mun.ca)
The Menopause Interest Group (MIG) at Memorial University is dedicated to breaking down the stigma surrounding menopause and providing education to medical learners about the unique challenges that menopausal women face. This will be accomplished through 1) lunch and learns with trained healthcare providers who have a special interest in menopause, and 2) sharing findings from peer-reviewed journal articles in the field of menopause. As future healthcare providers, it is our duty to be equipped with the knowledge of how we can help women thrive, not just survive, through this stage of reproductive health.
Contacts: Payton Peach (pmpeach@mun.ca); Maggie Burton (mmburton.14@gmail.com); Maggie Drover (mmdrover@mun.ca)
MUN Wilderness Medicine Interest Group
We seek to educate and learn valuable skills performing medicine in remote settings and emergency situations without all the necessary materials.
Contact: Holly Butt (hvbutt@mun.ca); Tadhg Strand (tpmstrand@mun.ca); Andrew Stone (astone13@mun.ca); Nate Visser (PEI) (nsjvisser@mun.ca)
Neurology Student Interest Group
The Neurology Interest Group aims to expose medical students to the breadth of clinical neurology, provide opportunities to learn from neurology residents and staff physicians, and support students interested in exploring neurology as a potential career. The group also seeks to strengthen students’ understanding of neurological examination, diagnosis, and the role of neurologists across a wide range of clinical settings.
Contact: Colin Connors (cconnors24@mun.ca); Theo Brown (Theodore.brown@mun.ca)
An interest group for students interested in a career in neurosurgery
Contacts: Sean Coady (stcoady@mun.ca); Ryan Slaney (ras340@mun.ca)
Obstetrics and Gynecology Interest Group (OBGYN)
The Obstetrics and Gynecology Interest Group is a student-led organization that provides opportunities to explore women’s health through academic, clinical, and advocacy-focused activities. It connects medical students with faculty and residents, offers workshops and shadowing experiences, and promotes education on reproductive health and patient care. The group also supports mentorship and community outreach to foster interest in the field of OB/GYN.
Contacts: Dena Salehipour (dsalehipour@mun.ca); Brianna Hickey (bkhickey@mun.ca); Monica Gollaher (PEI) (mmpgollaher@mun.ca)
The oncology interest group aims to bring together medical students who share an interest in medical, radiation or surgical oncology. Our goal is to create a supportive and engaging environment where students can explore the disciplines of oncology, as well as other areas of cancer care including advocacy, research and patient support. We strive to provide valuable learning opportunities not otherwise offered by the curriculum, including presentations by working professionals, workshops, interactive events and more. Students will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of oncology, develop meaningful relationships with mentors and gain understanding into the rewards and challenges of caring for patients with cancer.
Contacts: Catherine Power (cpower18@mun.ca); Anna Edwards (annae@mun.ca); Josh Critch (jncritch@mun.ca)
Ophthalmology Interest Group
The Ophthalmology Interest Group (OIG) at MUN Medical School provides students with opportunities to explore the field of ophthalmology through clinical skills sessions, mentorship, research, and community outreach. The group fosters career exploration, professional development, and advocacy for patient-centered eye care.
Contact: Maria Henein (mhhenein@mun.ca); Claire Hynes (cohynes@mun.ca); Ian Poole (ipoole@mun.ca)
MUN Orthopaedics interest group meets regularly to discuss new orthopaedic literature as well as plan information sessions around new advancements in the field. This year we are looking to diversify into research development.
Contact: Drew Locke (aplocke@mun.ca); Andrew Stone (astone13@mun.ca)
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Interest Group
The Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Interest Group aims to provide medical students with learning, clinical, and networking opportunities to explore ENT. The group was created to expose learners to the diverse subspecialties and career opportunities within the field
Contacts: Henrietta Odiwa (hecodiwa@mun.ca); Sheila Loshi (sloshi@mun.ca)
Pediatrics Interest Group (PSIG)
This is a group for students interested in Pediatrics. We organize various events connecting students with Pediatrics residents and faculty.
Contacts: Zoë Rowe (zemrowe@mun.ca); Laura Priddle (lpriddle@mun.ca)
Planetary Health Interest Group
Our goal is to educate medical learners about the linkages between human health and the health of the environment. We promote environmental protection, conservation, and provide learners with opportunities to learn more about planetary health and its relationship with human health.
Contacts: Susie (Susan) O'Brien (smobrien@mun.ca); Erin Keough (elrk78@mun.ca)
Plastic Surgery Interest Group
The Plastic Surgery Interest Group (PSIG) at MUN Medical School provides students with opportunities to explore plastic and reconstructive surgery through workshops, mentorship, and research. The group fosters career exploration, professional development, and advocacy for patient-centered care.
Contacts: Ann Seety (aseety@mun.ca); Josh Critch (jncritch@mun.ca)
PoCUS (Point of Care Ultrasound) Interest Group
The Point-of-Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) Interest Group is dedicated to introducing medical students to the fundamentals and applications of bedside ultrasound in clinical practice. The group provides opportunities for hands-on skill development, teaching sessions, and exposure to how PoCUS enhances patient assessment and decision-making across specialties.
Contacts: Ryan Ellis (re5210@mun.ca); Holly Jackman (hdw733@mun.ca); Senior Rep (PEI) - Briana Creed
Psychiatry Interest Group
To provide medical students with opportunities to explore the field of psychiatry through educational events, clinical exposure, and mentorship. Our goal is to foster interest in mental health and support students considering psychiatry as a career.
Contacts: Keona Vidal (kemrussell@mun.ca); Tori Carter (tbcarter@mun.ca)
Radiology Interest Group (RIG)
The Radiology Interest Group aims to expose medical students to the breadth of diagnostic and interventional radiology, provide opportunities to learn from residents and staff radiologists, and support students interested in exploring radiology as a potential career. The group also seeks to improve students’ understanding of the role of medical imaging across specialties and stages of training.
Contacts: Colin Connors (cconnors24@mun.ca)
Rural Medicine Interest Group
To increase awareness of the importance of, and skills necessary to succeed in rural medicine settings. The value of these communities, the caliber of their physicians and the desire to work in and/or with them to improve the lives of their people is a crucial mandate of ours. We aim to achieve this by partnering with those in and adjacent to said communities.
Contacts: Yaneesh (Yanni) Jerath (ypj077@mun.ca); Eilish MacCharles (emmaccharles@mun.ca); Maggie O'Dea; Cole McDonald; Holly Butt
Sexual Health Interest Group
We aim to contribute to public education and advocacy surrounding reproductive, sexual, and pelvic health. We organize a service-learning experience in collaboration with Planned Parenthood, where members of the group deliver presentations to public schools.
Contacts: Julia White (jmwhite@mun.ca); Lexi Kowalchuk (akkowalchuk@mun.ca); Tanisha Tucker (tanishat@mun.ca)
Social Prescribing Interest Group
Our Interest Group aims to promote social prescribing in order to meet unmet needs due to social determinants of health.
Contacts: Mathula Muhundan (mmuhundan@mun.ca); Meghan Kiley (mkiley@mun.ca)
Sports Medicine Interest Group (SMIG)
The Sports Medicine Interest Group aims to give medical students opportunities to learn more about sports and exercise medicine through guest speakers, practical workshops, and exposure to the different healthcare professionals involved in athlete care.
Contact: Bailey Cox (bpsc77@mun.ca); Jenny Walsh (jmichellew@mun.ca)
STARS Choosing Wisely NL
Choosing Wisely NL is the provincial campaign of Choosing Wisely Canada – the national voice for reducing unnecessary tests and treatments in Canada. Unnecessary tests and treatments expose patients to potential harm, consume precious health care resources, and contribute to the climate crisis.
The Choosing Wisely NL campaign is run by Quality of Care NL and has been working to promote Choosing Wisely recommendations and support the health care system to implement change since 2016.
Contacts: Ann Seety (aseety@mun.ca); Kaur Kirndeep (Kira) Singh (kks588@mun.ca); Brianna Creed (PEI senior representative) (bcreed@mun.ca)
Substances & Harm Reduction (SHARE)
The Substances & Harm Reduction Interest Group (SHARE) will serve to provide medical learners with expanded awareness, knowledge, and a sense of informed responsibility with respect to substance-related harms and harm reduction strategies in Newfoundland Labrador and Canada more generally. Here, “substance-related harms” include not only substance use disorders (SUDs) and the overdose crisis, but also: the lived experiences of people who use drugs (PUD) including intersectional factors, stigma/discrimination, and comorbidities; the impact of substance use on society at large, including the shaping of social norms; and the reciprocal impact between substance use and health systems.
Contacts: Zoe Rowe (zemrowe@mun.ca); Amelia Hollett (aghollett@mun.ca); Morgan Inman; Alyson MacCormack; Keona Vidal
Trauma Surgery Interest Group
The Trauma Surgery Interest Group aims to provide medical students with opportunities to explore trauma surgery and its broader public health dimensions. Through educational sessions, skill-based workshops, and events featuring staff surgeons and surgical residents, the group highlights both the clinical management of injury and the population-level impact of trauma.
Contacts: Sam Haven (smlhaven@mun.ca); Ryan Slaney (ras340@mun.ca)