Sunday, July 12, 2009

the end is so near

holy crap! there's only one more week of body and disease left... after that a week of tests and year 1 is over... woo-hoo!!!

anyone else excited?

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Summary of Nov 2008 community service activities

November 1 (Sat)
Trick or treat at KK Women and Children's Hospital

November 2 (Sun)
The Singapore Anti-Tuberculosis Association (SATA) invited Duke-NUS students to help perform blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol tests as part of a wider comprehensive health screening provided to residents at Potong Pasir. The health screening was held in conjunction with the annual Medical Sunday hosted by Chapel of the Holy Spirit - St. Andrews. Five Duke-NUS students worked along trained nurses and physicians to provide the tests.

November 8 (Sat)
Eight Duke-NUS students attended the 6th Singapore AIDS Conference held at the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre. Students were able to hear from renowned public health leaders in the field such as Mr. Prasada Rao of UNAIDS Support Team for Asia and the Pacific as well as Dr. Andrew Grulich, leader of the National Center in HIV Prevention and Clinical Research in Australia. Mr. Rao provided an overview of the epidemic in Asia as well as steps that need to be taken to overcome the rise in incidence and prevalence rates while Dr Grulich shared how his center was able to help the Australian government mount a successful effort to minimize HIV/AIDS cases in the country. Students were also especially inspired by a talk entitled "Physicians as Advocates" given by Dr Arlene Chua of National University Hospital. Dr Chua's talk emphasized the multiple ethical and moral questions faced by physicians today.

November 28 (Fri)
Eleven Duke-NUS students dressed up as Santa Clauses, Santa Ladies and Elves sang Christmas carols and distributed gifts to the residents of Assissi Hospice. Residents were given vegan blueberry muffins. The students also entertained children in the Day Care Center at Assissi. They taught origami, read storybooks and performed puppet shows for the children.

November 29 (Sat)

In conjunction with World Diabetes Day, the HealthServe Clinic Limited organized a health screening and exhibition for foreign workers at its clinic in Geylang. The event was supported by Tan Tock Seng Hospital and Duke-NUS GMS students. Sixteen students helped staff the event. They measured BMI, blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol levels so that TTSH nurses could assess the served group's health status and diabetes risk. Students also helped spread awareness about diabetes and HIV/AIDS through an interactive game on risk factors for diabetes and a detailed survey on behavioral risks for HIV/AIDS. Foreign workers who successfully completed the screenings were given goodie bags that had been donated by various non-governmental and religious groups.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

the preexaminus hyperstimulation of the sympathetic nervous system

Another little freak-out induced verse....

Endocrinology, i did study you so recently?
Did I memorize the hormones of the pituitary?
The pre, the pro, and the peptide hormones
Exist in the blood with carrier drones
Hypothalmus - Hypophysial conduits exist
But alas! Woe should the signals persist
For definitely will desensitization occur
If a cyclical release does not occur.

Gastroenterology, you were hard to ingest
With a plentitude of enzymes that were hard to digest
Peptic and duodenal ulcers you gave us
Which would have disappeared if we had cut some vagus
Liver function tests we mulled over
Until jaundiced, we keeled over.
Esophageal varices and bowel resections
Were enough to keep us transfixed to CT sections

Reproduction, you were an uphill battle
Seemingly easy but testing our mettle
Estrogen and testosterone were interesting and relatable
But perineals and episiotomies were definitely uncomfortable
Studying the changes during pregnancy and childbirth
Were probably the best contraceptive of all offered
But most disappointingly, all the sexual overtones
Have been converted to a case of raging hormones!

Urogenital, you seemed to bring some relief
But again the respite was brief
Since osmolality equations are fodder
For an ill-at-ease bladder
We learnt the components of the Juxtaglomerular apparatus
And found joy in the filtration of a glomerulus
But at the end of the day, years of learned urge detention
Isn't overcoming this intense sympathetic stimulation

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

a joke

Q: What do you call a group of medical students walking around?
A: Shifting dullness

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Trick or Treat at KKH

1 November 2008

Twenty seven Duke-NUS GMS students dressed as everything from Count Dracula to chocolate gathered at KK Women's and Children's Hospital today.

The year I and II students were at KKH to bring the fun of Halloween, a popular American holiday that is equal parts spookiness and equal parts spoof, to the patients and staff of the hospital. At 1pm, the students started going around eight wards, led by Caroline Kong, the hospital's volunteer coordinator. They visited patients from bed to bed and also stationed themselves at the play areas of the wards. KKH's patients, who range in age from the newly born to adolescents, were entertained by the various activities organized by Duke-NUS students. The students face-painted, sculpted balloons, played board games and used hand puppets to tell stories. They also distributed treats, in modified "trick or treat" fashion, to the children. The gifts were varied and included different party sets, stationary, hats, games and toys.

Patients were piqued by the costumes worn by Duke-NUS students. Students found themselves asked to pose for pictures with children and their parents. Students' costumes were diverse and interesting; there were two pirates, a samurai warrior, three angels, two fairies, two devils, two karate kids, a kimono lady, a clown, a duck, M&M chocolates, a vampire couple, a gypsy, a clown, Superman, Little Red Riding Hood, Harry Potter and Michael Jackson. The duck mascot, worn by MSI, Nico Oey, was particularly popular among the children.

The event ended at 3pm. Duke-NUS students enjoyed the event tremendously and are currently planning to return to celebrate Christmas with KKH patients later this year.

Halloween celebration at KKH 2008

KKH Halloween Trick or Treat on 1 Nov 2008

Photobucket Album