Besides good grades in classes and standardized exam scores, medical schools look for students who are deeply interested in medicine. Shadowing is an excellent way to demonstrate this unique interest. Shadowing is an experience in which pre-medical students get to observe patient-physician interactions in a clinical setting. During this time, students evaluate themselves and their desires to become doctors. It is an indispensable activity for pre-med students and the experiences gained through shadowing are priceless. Medical careers, unlike other careers, involve the direct contact with sick patients. Life as a doctor is difficult to imagine unless students have clinicians in the family. This is why shadowing is essential; students gain a vicarious experience of the day-to-day activities of doctors in a applicable environment, whether it is in a hospital setting or from within the physician’s private offices.

As a member of AMSA@FAU, you will have access to exclusive opportunities to shadow physicians. These opportunities come and go throughout the school year and members will get priority in notification of their availabilities.

Medical examiners and coroners are responsible for investigating sudden or violent deaths and for providing accurate, legally defensible determinations of the causes of these deaths. The information provided by ME/Cs plays a critical role in the judicial system and in decisions made by public safety and public health agencies. The records of ME/Cs, which provide vital information about patterns and trends of mortality in the United States, are also an excellent source of data for public health studies and surveillance. Knowing the processes involved in autopsies, both clinically and administratively, can give students a unique perspective on their paths to medical school.

In cooperation with the Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office, AMSA@FAU members will be presented with opportunities to observe cases as they become available.

For more than 25 years Habitat for Humanity of Broward County has been building simple, decent, affordable homes in partnership with low and very low income families in need. To date, more than 270 new, single family homes have been constructed changing the lives of more than 1,200 children and families throughout our community. Habitat for Humanity is more than building homes; it is a catalyst for individual and community transformation.

AMSA@FAU remains an active partner to the Habitat for Humanity of Broward County and members continue to help many underserved communities realize the goals set forth by their mission.

Currently, heart disease and stroke is the United State’s No. 1 and No. 3 killer respectively. As the American Heart Association’s signature fund-raising event, the Start! Heart Walk promotes physical activity and heart-healthy living in a fun family environment. Even just 30 minutes of combined activity per day is enough to significantly reduce your risk for heart disease. Raising awareness is the key towards eliminating this issue from . This year, more than 1 million walkers will participate in more than 450 events, raising funds to save a countless number of lives and improve the lives of sufferers throughout the country.

For years, AMSA@FAU has been an integral participant in the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk. This year, the club aims at achieving its goals by raising more money than ever before. Members are encouraged to join AMSA in this year’s Heart Walk and help spread awareness for heart health and adopting a heart-conscious lifestyle through the maintenance of a proper diet and exercise.

The American Cancer Society’s started Relay for Life a way of offering communities an opportunity to fight against cancer. Teams camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Relays often run overnight and can be up to 24 hours in length. The funds raised by the teams go directly towards cancer research and more programs that raise awareness of cancer prevention and treatment.

Relay For Life is a life-changing event that brings together more than 3.5 million people to:

• Celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer. The strength of survivors inspires others to continue to fight.
• Remember loved ones lost to the disease. At Relay, people who have walked alongside people battling cancer can grieve and find healing.
• Fight Back. We Relay because we have been touched by cancer and desperately want to put an end to the disease.

Every year, our members work together to promote the American Cancer Society’s cause and we will continue to ensure that the battle against cancer is not a lost one. This year, you can join us in celebrating the survivors, remembering the loved ones lost, and working towards a cure by funding cancer research.

In December 1978, Hospice by the Sea was started by a small group of Boca Raton citizens who wanted to change the way people spent the final chapter of their lives. They believed that the dying should be afforded the simple gifts of peace, comfort, and dignity. Today, Hospice by the Sea is a non-profit healthcare organization that provides hospice, palliative care, and home health agency services to patients who are in need and a wide community of employees and volunteeers make it possible for patients all over Palm Beach and Broward counties to live as comfortably as possible as they deal with the difficulties of old age.

This year marks the first year in which AMSA@FAU has joined forces with the Gilda’s Club to unite members across the world and help achieve their goals as a unified community. AMSA@FAU will hold several events that aim to allow members to experience this unique opportunity and provide support for families in need.

The Gilda’s Club is named to pay homage to the late Saturday Night Live comedian Gilda Radner, who died of ovarian cancer in 1989. As Gilda battled cancer, she was very appreciative of the constant social and emotional support that surrounded her. She dreamed that all people affected by cancer, including families and friends of sufferers, would also receive the same extent of support. Her dream is realized in the goals set forth by the Gilda’s Club.

Today, the Gilda’s Club continues to develop strategies and lead activities that will enable worldwide groups of independent affiliates to become the premier supportive community for people with cancer and their families and friends. The organization also strives to nurture affiliate network growth and serve as a unifying voice and catalyst to ensure program effectiveness, a quality brand image and the highest standard of operation wherever Gilda’s Clubs exist.

This year marks the first year in which AMSA@FAU has joined forces with the Gilda’s Club to unite members across the world and help achieve their goals as a unified community. AMSA@FAU will hold several events that aim to allow members to experience this unique opportunity and provide support for families in need.