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?

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.