4th Annual Yes, I can be a health care professional! Conference

4th Annual "Yes, I Can be a Healthcare Professional!" Conference

"The mission of Mentoring In Medicine, Inc. (MIM) is to increase the presence of underrepresented healthcare professionals through mentoring, career development and exposure."

Date: Saturday, December 05, 2009 from 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM (ET)

Location:

Frederick Douglass Academy I

2581 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd

On 7th between 148th and 150th

New York, NY

Hosted By:

Mentoring in Medicine

Get more information or Register to attend at

http://mentoringinmedicineconference.eventbrite.com

HIV Travel Ban to be Lifted

By Alexa Mieses

The HIV Travel Ban has been in place since 1987, when some members of the global community were still unsure about the means by which HIV was transmitted. It was believed that HIV could be passed via respiratory or other physical contact and as a result, HIV was put on the list of communicable diseases by Health and Human Services. The HIV travel ban prohibits HIV-positive tourists from visiting the United States and prevents such individuals from gaining permanent residence in the United States. Though heterosexual couples from other countries with at least one HIV-positive member can apply for a waiver, similar homosexual couples are not granted this right.

The HIV travel ban is discriminatory against HIV-positive and homosexual individuals alike. This ban also conflicts with the values put forth in the global community by the United States (over $6 billion of global AIDS funding). This ban has also prevented the United States from hosting global conferences related to HIV/AIDS since persons living with HIV/AIDS would not be allowed to attend. Thankfully, President Obama overturned the ban and will finalize this decision on Monday, November 2, 2009. The United States is one of about a dozen countries with an HIV travel ban in place; however, after Monday and a 60-day waiting period, the US will be one less on the list.

What is MAPS?

The Multicultural Alliance of Pre-Health Students (MAPS) is the premedical branch of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), which was formed for medical students of color, in 1964. Some local chapters refer to themselves by our former name, the Minority Association of Pre-health Students. The SNMA works to maintain a commitment to increasing diversity in medicine. MAPS works hand in hand with SNMA through mentoring, shadowing, and volunteer experiences, and conferences, both regional and national. In addition to this, this partnership provides a pipeline from MAPS (pre-health students), through SNMA (medical students), to the National Medical Association, which is for physicians of color. The relationships forged and connections made during the premedical years with MAPS will last through medical school and beyond.

The local City College chapter of MAPS, is not limited to premedical students; we welcome pre-veterinarian, pre-dental, pre-nursing, and any other student enrolled in pre-requisite course of study for health-related professional school. We also welcome, freshman, sophomores, juniors, seniors, transfer students and post-baccalaureate students. We work together to become well-informed about our prospective professions, increase diversity in the health professions and raise awareness about health disparities. We hope you enjoy our blog posts!

Sincerely,

Alexa Mieses

MAPS President 2009-2011