Welcome to the April Edition of Embolus. It's been 30 days since the last installment and my, how things have changed. My spectacle prescription has worsened by -0.25 Dioptre. We are gradually coming to accept that Nicole Kidman is not genetically male. We've added some new sections to Embolus, along with a handy navigation bar. Also, for the first time in '08 you can win a prize just by reading what is contained henceforth. So go on, I dare you. The money you save by not reading it won't buy your youth again. -Ed.

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Avant is proud to be a major partner of AMSA. Student membership of Australia's largest MDO is free and designed to meet your needs as you study. Insurance features include: $20 million professional indemnity cover for electives and scholarship placements; driving licence defence; and cover for Good Samaritan acts worldwide.

Competitions

Ideas Ahoy! AMSA made a submission to the 2020 summit, as outlined in the advocacy section above. However, our ideas for improving the state of medical education in Australia do not stop there. To help us in future advocacy exercises and to determine the best way to serve you, our members, we want to know about the challenges that you face as a medical student and ideas that you have to address these challenges. Tell us about anything, from a persistent and annoying absence of online learning resources, to financial hardships you may face, to your prospects for getting a job as an intern on graduation. Send your thoughts to embolus@amsa.org.au. All respondents will go into the draw to win a copy of "The Big Picture Pathology".

Captions... Ahoy!
That's right, we're channeling the spirit of Woman's Day and Who Weekly to bring you our very own photo caption contest. Admittedly the photo is quite small so you'll have to squint, but once you've got the picture in focus, think of a humorous caption and email it to embolus@amsa.org.au. To be in the running for a copy of "an@tomedia™", you also have to tell us who one of the folk in the picture is. Hint: AMSA website.

A recent change in the Social Security Legislation now makes graduate medical students who have previously obtained a masters degree eligible to receive Austudy from Centrelink. Previously these students were ineligible to receive financial assistance in the form of Austudy. A complete summary of the changes can be seen here. It is apparent that some students in this situation are still being denied Austudy because of a lack of awareness of this change by Centrelink employees. If you experience trouble with your Austudy application please contact the AMSA Vice President External at vpe@amsa.org.au for assistance.

AMSA was proud to support Oxfam's Close the Gap Day on Tuesday 22 April. AMSA was also proud to be a signatory of Oxfam's Close the Gap Day pledge, which calls on Australian governments to take action to achieve health equality for Indigenous Australians within 25 years. AMSA believes that in order to Close the Gap, more focus must be placed upon educating the future medical workforce about Indigenous Health. See our media release on this issue here. Visit the Close the Gap Day website and sign the pledge here.

Convention. The only word in a med students' vocabulary that renders the individual momentarily immobile. Speechless. Unresponsive. Absence seizures abound. Seven heady days and nights of the most intense education, costuming and networking imaginable. If you are attending Melbourne08, get your excited pants on. It's going to be the greatest week of your life so far. BUT! That was BEFORE the academic team announced that Vinay Kumar, editor of Robbin's pathology, was coming! Now, it's going to be the greatest week of your life, ever. The Melbourne08 website can tell you more.

Registration for the 4th AMSA Global Health Conference sold out in record time, no doubt as a result of the stunning academic and social programs on offer, and the fact that Lee Lin Chin told you to go. The academic program has more world renowned speakers than a 2020 Summit, the social program more opportunity for networking than plugging into some kind of well-connected worldwide computer network. Head to the GHC Website to see what's in store for you in less than 10 weeks' time.

This month AMSA affirmed its commitment to tackling Global Health issues, with this media release issued in the lead up to the 2020 Summit. AMSA was a cosignatory on the Australian Youth Climate Coalition petition, delivered to Minister for Youth, Ms Kate Ellis.

"Why, it's an acronym fest!" we hear you cry. You're right, but it's also an opportunity for you to get actively involved in Global Health. The International Federation of Medical Students' (IFMSA) August meeting will be held in Jamaica. You can apply here before 5pm May 2, 2008. Applications for the Asian Collaborative Training on Infectious Disease, Outbreak, Natural Disaster and Refugee Management (ACTION) Project of the IFMSA are now open. For information on how to apply click here.

AMSA has secured a deal with insurance provider QBE insurance which will give AMSA members, their partners, family and friends a 20% discount on domestic and international travel insurance. Travel insurance is essential whether it be to cover your elective, attendance at conferences and assemblies, or an overseas jaunt. With QBE travel insurance you'll be covered if you get sick or injured, your valuables get stolen, or you lose your luggage, and you'll have access to a 24 hour help line. Click here to buy your discounted travel insurance online.

This year AMSA in conjunction with the National Rural Health Network (NRHN) will be providing four $1000 bursaries for medical, nursing and allied health students to undertake electives in rural areas. In addition AMSA and NRHN are running an Indigenous health essay competition with two prizes to be awarded to medical and allied health students worth $1000 each. For more information or to apply for the bursaries click here.

Panacea is commonly defined as a "cure-all". Next month, the cure to your thirst for informative articles, medical education and clinical training exposes, self-indulgent indie rock reviews, and tapir illustrations will arrive in the form of "Panacea", AMSA's flagship publication. If you haven't already by now, subscribe to AMSA (it's free!) and you can have this juicy morsel delivered directly to your door so that you may sup upon the sweet, sweet nectar inside. Seriously, it's free. Even I can afford that.

The 2008 Intern and Resident Guide (IRG) is now available to download from the AMSA website. The IRG, one of AMSA's mostly eagerly anticipated publications, details the salary, employment and lifestyle conditions at every Australian hospital which accepts interns. The IRG is also being produced in hard copy and will be distributed via AMSA Representatives shortly.

• What spurred you to become involved in AMSA and ultimately run for AMSA rep? At the start of 3rd year, I finally came to the realisation that studying medicine can offer a lot more than "just a medical education". I wanted an extracurricular activity which did not involve sweating too much and some friends suggested I talk to the AMSA rep about their position. I liked the sound of the job and was naive enough to think that it wouldn't be too much work so I applied. The rest, as they say, is history.
• Tell us about your favourite AMSA sub-brand, and why this sub-brand does it for you? Definitely AMSA Advocacy. I reckon that this is the one area of AMSA which sets us apart from all the other student clubs. I am constantly amazed that people in positions of power actually take notice of what AMSA says! It is frightening to think that health policy can be influenced by a bunch of (occasionally) intoxicated students...
• In nine words, describe your most memorable experience of AMSA Convention. Adelaide + Mankini + Gin + Excitable NSW Girls = Petechial Buttocks + Pain
• Why is your university superior to all others? Beautiful people, beautiful campus, beautiful weather, beautiful beaches, beautiful WAMSS.
• When talking to an attractive person of the opposite sex, what question do you least like to be asked? How old are you?
• What is your ultimate hangover cure? Ginger marmalade on toast with black tea. Trust me, its amazing.

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