Interest Groups

On this page, you will find a list of all currently active interest groups with the contact information of their c2023 chairs. If you see an error on this list, please email mmscvpcomm@gmail.com. Check out the event calendar for upcoming committee and IG events!

Click here to access the IG Drive (MedPortal access only).
Addiction Medicine IG (AMIG)
The Addiction Medicine Interest Group aims to improve medical student awareness of the unique nature of Substance Use Disorders and the pervasive stigma surrounding those experiencing them. Medical students and physicians of every speciality encounter addiction on a daily basis - whether it be through their personal life or through their interactions with patients. The Addiction Medicine Interest Group aims to provide quality information to medical students about the care of patients with addiction and the community resources that support these patients.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Raveena Kapoor, raveena.kapoor@medportal.ca
Manraj Nijjar, manraj.nijjar@medportal.ca
Etri Kocaqi, etri.kocaqi@medportal.ca

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Anatomy IG
The Anatomy IG provides educational opportunities (e.g. bellringers) for our classmates to integrate anatomical knowledge with clinically relevant information learned in tutorials and clinical skills sessions.

​c2023 Co-Chairs
Michael Wang, michael.wang2@medportal.ca
Reva Qiu, reva.qiu@medportal.ca
Alexander Mastrolonardo, alexander.mastrolonardo@medportal.ca

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Anesthesia IG
The Anesthesia Interest Group aims to provide medical students with exposure to the specialty of Anesthesiology through lecture series and workshops. Our events are appropriate for both pre-clerks and clerks. 
​
c2023 Co-Chairs
Anushka Nair, anushka.nair@medportal.ca
Preet Bath, preet.bath@medportal.ca (WRC)
Jennifer Chen, jennifer.chen@medportal.ca

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Canadian Association of Medical Students Against Human Trafficking (CAMSAHT)
Through medical curriculum development, research, and advocacy, CAMSAHT hopes to improve the health outcomes of trafficking victims in Canada. Our initiatives and research focus on all forms of exploitation, including, but not limited to: forced labour, sexual exploitation, and organ trafficking. We believe in an evidence-based approach to educating healthcare providers about trafficking and encourage trauma-informed practice.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Hannah He, hannah.he@medportal.ca
Margaret MacDonald, margaret.macdonald@medportal.ca

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Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery IG
​The Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery IG aims to engage and educate McMaster medical students about key topics and principles in cardiology and cardiac surgery. The IG has a focus on supplementing students' core education with additional resources such as educational events and career exploration opportunities. Ultimately, this IG hopes to foster an interest in cardiology and cardiac surgery, and to help students excel in related clerkship rotations.

c2023 Co-Chairs
NhatChinh Le, nhatchinh.le@medportal.ca
Parmeet Kahlon, parmeet.kahlon@medportal.ca
Paul Mundra, paul.mundra@medportal.ca

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Clinical Pharmacology IG
c2023 Co-Chairs
Manraj Nijjar, manraj.nijjar@medportal.ca
Ian Shao, ian.shao@medportal.ca

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Communication Skills IG
McMaster's Communication Skills Interest Group runs events targeted at developing and refining professional communication skills for clinical settings. We host structured events where students can practice communicating on high-yield topics, following demonstrations from a resident or staff physician with a live example of the physician navigating that scenario. We will also be hosting a communication skills OSCE where pre-clerks will be able to put the skills they have developed to the test.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Ian Shao, ian.shao@medportal.ca
Kevin Shao, shaok1@mcmaster.ca
Emily Au, emily.dingau@medportal.ca

c2022 Co-Chairs
Zach Graves, zach.graves@medportal.ca
Mike Coomber
​Tri Dinh

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Community Health IG (CHIG)
​The Community Health IG explores how neighbourhood factors (e.g. poverty, food insecurity, access to healthcare, transportation) influence health at the community level.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Ian Shao, ian.shao@medportal.ca
Gabrielle Herman, gabrielle.herman@medportal.ca

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Dermatology IG (DIG)
c2023 Co-Chairs
Patrick Kim, patrick.kim1@medportal.ca
Kevin Shao, shaok1@mcmaster.ca

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Designing Healthcare IG
​The Designing Healthcare IG fosters an interdisciplinary and collaborative design thinking approach to solving healthcare issues. We help build many transferable skills in problem-solving, innovation and communication and highlight insights from design-thinking experts through our events, including our flagship annual, hackathon-style Design Thinking Conference, innovative collaboration panels, and introduction to design thinking and quality improvement workshops. This is the perfect group for creative thinkers and those passionate about problem solving to improve health systems and outcomes.

c2023 Chair
Simarpreet Ichhpuniani, simarpreet.ichhpuniani@medportal.ca
Digestive and Gastrointestinal Health IG (GI IG)
​The Digestive and Gastrointestinal Health Interest Group (GI IG) plans high yield events to approach GI health from a multidisciplinary perspective. Whether it be approach to GI bleeds or imaging for the bowels, we seek to increase knowledge and awareness on common conditions in the GI system. Additionally, there are lots of career exploration opportunities if you love the gut, as we have invited general surgeons, gastroenterologists, and nutritionists to speak about their career path and weigh the pros and cons of medicine versus surgery. 

c2023 Co-Chairs
Gloria Kim, gloria.kim@medportal.ca
Shuling Yang, shuling.yang@medportal.ca
Emergency Medicine IG (EMIG)
​The Emergency Medicine Interest Group (EMIG) aims to: introduce students and increase exposure to the speciality of Emergency Medicine, stimulate interest in Emergency Medicine, inform students of the different pathways and subspecialties within Emergency Medicine, and plan and promote events to deliver career exploration opportunities to students.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Bianca Ziegler, bianca.ziegler@medportal.ca
Emiliyan Staykov, emiliyan.staykov@medportal.ca
Selene Chen, selene.chen@medportal.ca (NRC)
​
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Entrepreneurship in Medicine IG
The Entrepreneurship in Medicine IG holds events that equip medical students with the knowledge and skills to become successful entrepreneurs after medical schools. The concept of entrepreneurship is relevant to those who will manage their own practice/clinic (essentially a small business) as well as those who would like to be involved in ventures outside of medicine. 

c2023 Co-Chairs
Kathy Wu, kathy.wu@medportal.ca
Kushal Kshatri, kushal.kshatri@medportal.ca

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Ear, Nose and Throat IG
c2023 Chair
Renata Husnudinov, renata.husnudinov@medportal.ca 

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Environmental Health IG
​Mac Med Environmental Health Interest Group (EHIG) focuses on how climate change impacts health outcomes for everyone and how to take systemic and individual action against it. We advocate for environmental health education in our curriculum, run sustainability-focused events, and share easy tips to go greener!

c2023 Co-Chairs
Madeline Rampton, madeline.rampton@medportal.ca
Elisabeta Moglan, elisabeta.moglan@medportal.ca

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Family Medicine IG
The Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) is in partnership with the Department of Family Medicine (DFM) at McMaster University. The goals of the group are to
1) Stimulate interest in Family medicine
2) Increase student exposure to Family medicine
3) Inform students of the diversity of roles in Family medicine
4)Promote post-graduate training and practice in Family medicine.

c2023 Co-Chairs
David Wu, david.wu@medportal.ca
Angela Gao, angela.gao@medportal.ca
Jacqueline Lai, jacqueline.lai@medportal.ca (Hamilton Rep)
Leon Li, leon.li@medportal.ca (NRC)

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Geriatrics IG
c2023 Co-Chairs
Angela Gao, angela.gao@medportal.ca
Ruqqiyah Rana, ruqqiyah.rana@medportal.ca (NRC)
Fatima Mazhar, Fatima.mazhar@medportal.ca (WRC)

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Health & Art IG (HeART)
c2023 Co-Chairs
Jennifer Chen, jennifer.chen@medportal.ca
Priscilla Matthews, ​priscilla.matthews@medportal.ca
Health Advocacy for Refugees (HARP)
c2023 Co-Chairs
Preet Bath, preet.bath@medportal.ca (WRC)
Dana O'Brien, dana.obrien@medportal.ca (Health Promotions)
Surabhi Sivaratnam, surabhi.sivaratnam@medportal.ca (Immunization)
Zuhayr Yakub, zuhayr.yakub@medportal.ca (QI)
Jacqueline Lai, jacqueline.lai@medportal.ca (RHN)
Indigenous Health IG
​Our mandate is to help improve medical student knowledge and awareness of Indigenous health. Cognizant of the fact that Indigenous people in Canada experience a greater burden of illness compared to non-Indigenous peoples, our group will aim to shed light on these inequities through active partnerships with Indigenous communities. In this way, we hope to empower medical students to practise culturally safe care and to provide exposure to careers in healthcare for Indigenous youth.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Madeline Rampton, madeline.rampton@medportal.ca
Josha Rafael, josha.rafael@medportal.ca

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Internal Medicine IG
​Our IG aims to enrich students with the type of work, specialities, lifestyle, research opportunities, and knowledge pertaining to Internal Medicine.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Robert Dydynsky, robert.dydynsky@medportal.ca (WRC)
Ruqqiyah Rana, ruqqiyah.rana@medportal.ca (NRC)
Henry He, henry.he1@medportal.ca
NhatChinh Le, nhatchinh.le@medportal.ca
Grace Martin, grace.martin@medportal.ca (Senior)
Puru Panchal, puru.panchal@medportal.ca​ (Senior)

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Lifestyle in Medicine IG
​The Lifestyle in Medicine Interest Group was the first of its kind amongst all the Canadian medical schools! We provide events, workshops and an annual conference that are all aimed towards equipping future physicians with the knowledge needed to treat and prevent chronic disease using lifestyle-based interventions, from whole-food plant-based nutrition, to exercise, mindfulness and much more!

c2023 Co-Chairs
Asma Ghafoor, asma.ghafoor@medportal.ca
Mallika Suresh, mallika.suresh@medportal.ca
MacMed Art IG
c2023 Chair
Hailey Bensky, hailey.bensky@medportal.ca

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2SLGBTQ+ Health IG
​The 2SLGBTQ+ Health IG is intended for McMaster medical students to discuss and advocate for two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, and queer health issues. Our goals include enhancing 2SLGBTQ+ health content in the curriculum, collaborating with allied health students across Canada and interest groups within McMaster, and promoting awareness about multiple aspects of queer health.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Alex Clarizio, alexandra.clarizio@medportal.ca
Jessica Sadri-Gerrior, jessica.sadrigerrior@medportal.ca
Jay Chen, jay.chen@medportal.ca
Rachel Liu, rachel.liu@medportal.ca

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Mac Med Français IG
Who we are:
A chance for students to learn French lingo for medicine, as well as allow general French vocabulary to be worked in with students of all levels! Our IG will offer an opportunity for students to explore language barriers in medicine and broaden their appreciation of the French community. 

Qui nous sommes:
Une chance pour les étudiants d'apprendre le jargon français pour la médecine, ainsi que de pratiquer le vocabulaire français général avec des étudiants de tous niveaux! Notre groupe offre une opportunité pour les étudiants d’explorer la barrière linguistique en médecine et d’enrichir leur appréciation pour la communauté francophone.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Gloria Kim, gloria.kim@medportal.ca
Léa Tessier, lea.tessier@medportal.ca
Faye Yu, faye.yu@medportal.ca

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Mac Med Musical
c2023 Co-Chairs
Danya Sanderson, danya.sanderson@medportal.ca
Katie van Kampen, katie.vankampen@medportal.ca
McMaster Health Advocacy Symposium
​MHAS is an interdisciplinary event for medical students, residents, and health professions students devoted to exploring various advocacy roles of physicians and other health care providers and the development of effective, responsible advocacy skills. Topics explored have included activism and leadership around substance use, the health of Indigenous people, housing and homelessness, disability and chronic illness, geriatric health, and refugee health.

c2o22 Co-Chairs
June Dong, june.dong@medportal.ca
Matilda Kim, matilda.kim@medportal.ca

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McMaster MD Global Health Committee
​The Global Health Committee (GHC) is a group of McMaster medical students committed to global health equity. We represent McMaster in the CFMS Global Health Program, and are involved in numerous local, national, and global initiatives and campaigns.

c2023 Committee
Zuhayr Yakub, zuhayr.yakub@medportal.ca (Co-chair)
Nam Do, nam.pdo@live.ca (Co-chair)
Bianca Ziegler, bianca.ziegler@medportal.ca (Local Officer of Reproductive and Sexual Health)
Isabel Thomas, isabel.thomas@medportal.ca (Local Officer of Global Health Advocacy)
Sasha Palmert, sasha.palmert@medportal.ca (Local Officer of Global Health Education)
Priscilla Matthews, priscilla.matthews@medportal.ca (Local Exchange Officer)
Tharani Anpalagan, tharani.anpalagan@medportal.ca (Global Health Liaison)

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McMaster Medical Genetics IG
The McMaster Medical Genetics IG believes it is important for all students to have a basic foundation in genetics, regardless of what specialty they ultimately chose to pursue. As such, we look for ways to integrate the emergent field of medicine and genetics into other areas of clinical practice. We provide students with: Opportunities to learn learn about various genetic disorders and how to educate/counsel patients and families affected with these genetic diseases; Networking opportunities within medical genetics; Opportunities to learn more about what is involved in a residency in Medical Genetics; Social activities to explore the field of Medical Genetics.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Rebekah Hunter, rebekah.hunter@medportal.ca
Justin Chiu, justin.chiu@medportal.ca

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McMaster Medical research IG (MMRIG)
​The McMaster Medical Research Interest Group (MMRIG) aims to increase students' understanding of medical research and expand access and opportunities for current research and scholarship. We work closely with Dr. Constantine Samaan, the Director of Research and Scholarship for McMaster's Undergraduate Medical Education program in order to achieve this mandate.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Devika Singh, devika.singh@medportal.ca
Simarpreet Ichhpuniani, simarpreet.ichhpuniani@medportal.ca
Stephanie Scott, stephanie.scott@medportal.ca
Peter Belesiotis, peter.belesiotis@medportal.ca
Kevin Zhao, kevin.zhao@medportal.ca

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McMaster Medical Student Research Day (MMSRD)
The McMaster Medical Student Research Day (MMSRD) is an annual conference that highlights the importance of research in medicine by providing a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue, critical appraisal and crucial research networking. Our upcoming conference will be one of the largest online conferences EVER at McMaster, with over 100 attendees including medical students, physicians, and clinician scientists.

Contact: mmsrdmcmaster@gmail.com

c2023 Co-Chairs
Andrew Chen, andrew.chen@medportal.ca
Cindy Nguyen, cindy.nguyen@medportal.ca

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McMaster Political Advocacy IG
The McMaster Political Advocacy Committee (Mac PAC) IG seeks to provide ongoing advocacy training and opportunities to McMaster medical students. Although advocacy is one of the core CanMEDS competencies, our current curriculum provides students with limited exposure to and formal, practical training on advocacy, lobbying, and forming community partnerships. The Mac PAC hopes to equip students with the tools to successfully advocate for their future patients, the healthcare system, and our profession as a whole.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Lynaea Korol-Filbey, lynaea.korolfilbey@medportal.ca
Stephanie Li, stephanie.li@medportal.ca
Connie Li, connie.li@medportal.ca (GAAC)

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Med Law IG (MLIG)
c2023 Co-Chairs
Max Jiang, max.jiang@medportal.ca
Sai Kolla, sai.kolla@medportal.ca
Mindfulness in Medicine IG
c2023 Co-Chairs
Rahul Jayachandiran, rahul.jayachandiran@medportal.ca (NRC)
Jack Zheng, jack.zheng@medportal.ca (WRC)

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Narrative Medicine IG
​Everyone carries a story with them; patients and medical professionals are no exception. The Narrative Medicine Interest Group strives to highlight and explore the stories that surround and influence interactions between patients, trainees, and health care professionals. As an interdisciplinary field, narrative medicine emphasizes the creative and reflective practice of writing and other forms of expression. The Narrative Medicine Interest Group (also called “McMaster Narrative Medicine” on our social media) is a platform to engage students in introspection and the exploration of narratives beyond their own. Our events will encompass reflective writing sessions, fiction and non-fiction book clubs, and conferences on academic research in the health humanities.

Contact: macnarrativemed@gmail.com

c2023 Co-Chairs
Connie Li, connie.li@medportal.ca
Eric Sun, eric.sun@medportal.ca 
Paul Mundra, paul.mundra@medportal.ca
​
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NEUROLOGY IG
SIGN aims to provide medical students with early exposure to the field of neurology (the branch of medicine that deals with disorders of the nervous system), as well as supplement the pre-clerkship neuroscience curriculum.​

c2023 Co-Chairs
Rowan Pence
Faye Yu, faye.yu@medportal.ca
Andrew Chen, andrew.chen@medportal.ca

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Neurosurgery IG
​The Neurosurgery Interest Group is here to provide exposure, learning, and networking opportunities for the McMaster medical school community. Our aim is to facilitate exploration of the neurosurgical specialty for all who are interested in it.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Alexander Mastrolonardo, alexander.mastrolonardo@medportal.ca
Saad Asif, saad.asif@medportal.ca

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Nephrology and Urology IG (NUIG)
The Nephrology and Urology Interest group aims to increase awareness, exposure, and education in the fields of nephrology and urology. As both a medical and a surgical interest group, we offer career exploration, didactic teaching, and hands on learning experiences. With a focus on anatomy, common presenting complaints, and interventions of the entire urogenital tract, this IG provides resources and support to all students with interests in these diverse fields.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Rebecca Wong, rebecca.wong@medportal.ca
Sean Condon, sean.condon@medportal.ca

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Non-Traditional Student IG (NSTIG)
Mission Statement: To provide students, especially students who come from non-traditional backgrounds, additional support and guidance throughout medical school through various events and activities. 
In addition to keeping the administration accountable to the needs of non-traditional students, the NTSIG will plan key events throughout the year with the aim to specifically support students who come from non-traditional backgrounds. Examples of such events could include: Basic science “tutorials” or “lectures”, social gatherings to build relationships with other students in similar circumstances, panels featuring residents or staff physicians who came from non-traditional backgrounds, events for students with children, and so on. The NTSIG will also create and update a centralized document with a list of supports available to non-traditional students (eg. Childcare, academic supports, student affairs supports, etc.).

c2023 Co-Chairs
Oliver Archer-Antonsen, oliver.archerantonsen@medportal.ca
Kathy Wu, kathy.wu@medportal.ca
Obstetrics & Gynaecology IG
​The Obstetrics & Gynaecology Interest group (Obs/Gyn IG) is a community of McMaster medical students committed to women’s, trans and non-binary persons health. We aim to give students an opportunity to learn more about the Obs/Gyn specialty as well as engage with a variety of salient women’s, trans and gender non-conforming health issues that are relevant to both Obs/Gyn and many other specialties as well.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Danya Sanderson, danya.sanderson@medportal.ca
Léa Tessier, lea.tessier@medportal.ca

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Oncology IG
​The Oncology IG is an interest group for all McMaster medical students who are interested in oncology. Oncology is an exciting and inspiring field of medicine with many different subdivisions, including medical oncology, surgical oncology, and radiation oncology. Our IG plans events that educate medical students on these different areas of oncology, as well as general cancer-related topics.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Amy Liu, amy.liu@medportal.ca
Elizabeth Yan, elizabeth.yan@medportal.ca

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Opthalmology IG
​The Ophthalmology IG seeks to promote awareness of the specialty to Mac Med students and provide resources and support to students pursuing a career in ophthalmology.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Nikhil Patil, nikhil.patil@medportal.ca
Mohammad Khan, mohammad.khan@medportal.ca 

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Orthopedic Surgery IG
c2023 Co-Chairs
Reva Qiu, reva.qiu@medportal.ca
Christopher Li, christopher.li@medportal.ca

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Pain IG
​The Pain IG focuses on providing students with exposure to different areas of pain including analgesia, psychosocial factors of pain, differences in the pain experience among marginalized groups, aetiologies of pain from different areas of medicine, and more. The IG intends to educate on all aspects of pain management, including addressing the underlying inequities that make marginalized populations more likely to experience pain and less likely to have their pain taken seriously by the healthcare system. 

c2023 Co-Chairs
Muneeb Ahmed, muneeb.ahmed@medportal.ca
Sam Stager, sam.stager@medportal.ca
Palliative Medicine IG
c2023 Co-Chairs
Bradley Murphy, bradley.murphy@medportal.ca (WRC)
Shira Gertsman, shira.gertsman@medportal.ca
Sasha Palmert, sasha.palmert@medportal.ca
Fatima Mazhar, Fatima.mazhar@medportal.ca (WRC)

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Pathology IG
c2023 Co-Chairs
Kevin Zhao, kevin.zhao@medportal.ca
Renata Ceccacci, renata.ceccacci@medportal.ca
Pediatric Medicine IG (PMIG)
​The Pediatric Medicine Interest Group focus is to provide an opportunity for career exploration in the field of pediatric medicine, as well as to educate the incoming class on high yield topics in pediatrics throughout the year (physical exams, history taking, high yield presentations, etc.).

c2023 Co-Chairs
Devika Singh, devika.singh@medportal.ca
Kaitlyn Mazza, kaitlyn.mazza@medportal.ca

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Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation IG
c2023 Co-Chairs
Kaitlyn Mazza, kaitlyn.mazza@medportal.ca
Leon Li, leon.li@medportal.ca
PLASTIC SURGERY IG​
​Our interest group focuses on the diverse and broad specialty of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. We are the only McMaster Medicine IG that is based off of the recognized surgical specialty of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Some of our events include: suturing workshops, plastic surgery post-match Q/A panels, pearls of plastic surgery clerkship panels, women in surgery panels, and more!

c2o23 Co-Chair
Silvio Lioniello, silvio.lioniello@medportal.ca
​POINT-OF-CARE ULTRASOUND IG
The POCUS IG organizes an annual POCUS conference that aims to give medical students exposure to and practice using point-of-care ultrasound, an increasingly important investigation tool in many fields of medicine. 

c2023 Co-Chairs
​Faran Khalid Co-Chair faran.khalid@medportal.ca
Rachel Foote Co-Chair rachel.foote@medportal.ca
Spencer Korol Co-Chair spencer.korol@medportal.ca
​PSYCHIATRY IG
​The aim of the Psychiatry Interest Group is to promote awareness of the exciting, diverse field of psychiatry, as well as of the numerous lifestyle and research opportunities within it.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Nadia Huytan-Maruschak, nadia.huytanmaruschak@medportal.ca
Emily Hughes, emily.hughes@medportal.ca

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​PUBLIC HEALTH IG
​​The public health interest group (PHIG) hosts events related to public health for medical students at McMaster University. Our aims include widening the breadth of knowledge regarding the social determinants of health, connecting students with future prospects in the health care system and health policy opportunities, and networking with Public Health Hamilton. The PHIG also values cultural safety, equity, and accessibility. Examples of these events include naloxone training, women’s reproductive issues, public health residency panels, etc.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Emiliyan Staykov, emiliyan.staykov@medportal.ca
Caitlin Geary, caitlin.geary@medportal.ca (NRC)

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​RADIOLOGY IG (RIG)
​The radiology IG (RIG) aims to enhance students’ exposure to radiology through hosting events that supplement the curriculum or reflect current trends in radiology. Events include resident-led “Approach to Imaging” talks which provide an overview of an approach to reading various imaging modalities (e.g. CXR, head CT, abdo x-ray), an AI in radiology talk, a staff-led case walkthrough, a radiology post-match talk, and an interactive radiology Kahoot-style review session prior to entry to clerkship.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Geoffrey Elder, geoff.elder@medportal.ca
Ellissa Huang, ellissa.huang@medportal.ca
Nikhil Patil, nikhil.patil@medportal.ca

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Reconstructive Medicine IG
​​​The Reconstructive Medicine Interest Group aims to educate and provide McMaster medical students with exposure to reconstructive practices across multiple specialties. This includes surgical procedures, such as post-cancer treatment reconstructions (i.e. mastectomies and neck cancers) as well as interdisciplinary approaches such as grafts, regenerative medicine, and rehabilitation. We hope to increase student knowledge about medically reconstructing the human body through our speaker series, networking opportunities, and hands-on workshops.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Melanie Wong, melanie.wong@medportal.ca
Muneeb Ahmed, muneeb.ahmed@medportal.ca

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​RESOURCE STEWARDSHIP IG (RSIG)
Resource stewardship focuses on ways to avoid patient exposure to unnecessary tests and treatments that can cause more harm than good (in addition to costing more). When it comes to clinical practice, students in 2nd and 3rd year have noted that knowledge of resource stewardship and Choosing Wisely Canada (CWC) lists have helped them stand out in clinical practice, as well as provide them with practical knowledge about what tests & treatments to order. Our mission is to help students become better prepared for working in clinical settings by giving them practical resources & knowledge about when tests and treatments should be ordered, and why.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Lindsey Falk, lindsey.falk@medportal.ca
Mehar Sasan, mehar.sasan@medportal.ca

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​RURAL MEDICINE IG
The Rural Medicine IG is dedicated to the provision of high-quality medical practice in rural and remote communities, and committed to achieving health equity for all Canadians. We organize events to help students gain exposure and develop skills in rural medicine.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Sarah Roberts, sarah.roberts@medportal.ca
Emily Hughes, emily.hughes@medportal.ca
Daire Fitzpatrick, daire.fitzpatrick@medportal.ca
Faran Khalid, faran.khalid@medportal.ca

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​SOCIAL JUSTICE IG (SJIG)
​​Social Justice Interest Group hopes to optimize and advocate for the integration and inclusion of principles of social justice into the McMaster undergraduate medical program curriculum. The admissions committee is currently working on collaborative initiatives to increase the number of students in medical school who are Indigenous, Black, Filipino, Latino, economically disadvantaged, or who self-identify with having a disability. The curriculum committee is working on projects within McMaster’s medical school curriculum to increase students’ learning on systemic oppression and its impacts on the health of populations. 

c2023 Co-Chairs
Dana O'Brien, dana.obrien@medportal.ca (Admissions)
Connie Li, connie.li@medportal.ca (Admissions)
Surabhi Sivaratnam, surabhi.sivaratnam@medportal.ca (Curriculum)
Stephanie Li, stephanie.li@medportal.ca (Curriculum)

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​SPORTS MEDICINE IG
c2023 Co-Chairs
Daire Fitzpatrick. daire.fitzpatrick@medportal.ca
Ejaz Causer
Isabelle Birchall
​
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​STEM CELL IG
​We are one chapter of Canada’s Stem Cell Club - an organization of students dedicated to increasing the number of potential stem cell donors in the Canadian Blood Services (CBS) database. We run “stem cell drives” where we recruit individuals into the CBS Stem Cell Registry, in addition to other stem cell focused events.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Christine Cha
Justin Chiu
Jonathan Bellini

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​SURGERY IG (SIG)
c2023 Co-Chairs
Robert Dydynsky, robert.dydynsky@medportal.ca (WRC)
Umairah Boodoo, umairah.boodoo@medportal.ca (NRC)
Stephanie Scott, stephanie.scott@medportal.ca
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​TECH & AI IN MEDICINE IG
​Our interest group is interested in exploring how technology, artificial intelligence and computer programming fit into and enhance the practice of medicine. How can technological literacy help us become better physicians? What potential pitfalls exist? What exciting research is happening? Join us as we try to find out!

c2023 Co-Chairs
Geoffrey Elder, geoff.elder@medportal.ca
Anika Meng, anika.meng@medportal.ca

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​Transplantation Medicine IG
The Transplantation Medicine Interest Group (TMIG) seeks to educate students on key principles related to transplantation, promote increased awareness of key concepts related to organ donation, and foster a deeper understanding of the life-changing nature of receiving a transplant.
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c2023 Co-Chairs
Parmeet Kahlon, parmeet.kahlon@medportal.ca
Rebecca Wong, rebecca.wong@medportal.ca

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Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) IG
​The Trauma-Informed Care Interest Group at McMaster was implemented in 2018 by a group of medical students with a collective goal: to improve health outcomes for individuals with lived experience of trauma. Trauma-informed care is a conceptual framework that recognizes experiences of trauma and attempts to account for their impact within patient care. The goal of being trauma-informed is not to uncover adverse experiences, but to create an environment that encourages the physical, mental, and emotional safety of patients and their providers. The Trauma-Informed Care Interest Group has been the platform for a number of student-led initiatives promoting knowledge and advocacy of trauma-informed care in health care practice.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Atival Pitkis, avital.pitkis@medportal.ca
Amber Macleod, amber.ziebarth@medportal.ca
Etri Kocaqi, etri.kocaqi@medportal.ca

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Federation of Medical Women of Canada (McMaster Chapter) IG
This group aims to raise awareness of various women’s health issues using an intersectional lens allowing students to understand,  advocate and learn how to improve management of these concerns in their current role and  in their future health care practices, while providing a platform to foster relationships between students and women-identifying physicians through educational and networking events.
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c2022 Co-Chairs​
Sherry Cui, sherry.cui@medporta.ca
Mary Boulos, mary.boulos@medportal.ca
Filipino Association of Medical Students (FAMS) of McMaster
The Filipino Association of Medical Students (FAMS) at Mac aims to: (1) Develop mentorship programs between Filipinx medical students and aspiring Filipinx physicians. (2) Organize events with community and healthcare professionals with experience in Filipinx health. (3) Collaborate with existing IGs to assist in creation of a more inclusive, equitable curriculum, such as the Indigenous Health Interest Group, Global Health Interest Group,  Social Justice Interest Group, and the Black Medical Students’ Association of McMaster and (4) Contribute to social-justice, and anti-racist work in Hamilton and throughout Canada. 

Current Co-Chairs
Francis Lao, francis.lao@medportal.ca
Hannah Serrano, hannah.serrano@medportal.ca

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Kitchener-Waterloo Society for Innovation in Medicine (KWSIM)
The Kitchener-Waterloo Society for Innovation in Medicine (KWSIM) facilitates capstone-MD collaboration projects which aim to link UW engineering capstone groups with McMaster medical students and physicians/faculty interested in QI/applied research. In essence, these collaborations hope to develop novel, clinically relevant solutions by involving both capstone groups with their technical knowledge and medical students/physicians/faculty who will be able to guide the clinical relevance of the project. 

Currently, we are actively working with UWaterloo's Biomedical Engineering program and members from eHealth Ontario and the GreenHouse incubator to set up capstone groups for medical student onboarding. 
For medical students, this represents an opportunity to work on a real-world clinical problem from a research/QI approach with technical support from UWaterloo Biomedical Engineering and guidance from physicians/faculty in the area of interest.

Current Co-Chairs
Adib Shamsuddin, adib.shamsuddin@medportal.ca
​Steven Qiu, steven.qiu@medportal.ca
Rheumatology IG
The Rheumatology Interest Group aims to deepen our understanding of important rheumatological diseases that we will see in clinical practice. We will present lectures hosted by internal medicine residents, rheumatology fellows, and rheumatologists. The bulk of these lectures will coincide with MSK/rheumatology tutorial problems, but will also include higher level lectures aimed for clerks. We will feature innovative programs that range from the prescription of biologic agents, rheum-related procedural skills, as well as career exploration.

c2023 Co-Chairs
Faramarz Jabbari-Zadeh, faramarz.jabbarizadeh@medportal.ca
Max Jiang, max.jiang@medportal.ca
Mallika Suresh, mallika.suresh@medportal.ca

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Sexual Health Awareness Group
Sexuality influences both physical and mental health in almost all patients for most of their lifespan, whether they are sexually active or not. However, we live in a society where sex is “taboo”, and education regarding talking to patients about sex is extremely limited in our current medical curriculum. There is particularly very little focus on non-pathological aspects of sex, such as sexual pleasure. We believe that physicians should be well-versed and comfortable talking about all aspects of sexuality, especially when working with patients who are becoming sexually active for the first time, in order to encourage the development of healthy sexuality. Comfort with these conversations only comes with practice and active work to unravel stigmas/biases that we hold, and SHAG is a safe and sex-positive space for learning, practise, and open conversation!

c2023 Co-Chairs
Shira Gertsman, shira.gertsman@medportal.ca
Anika Meng, anika.meng@medportal.ca
Lynaea Korol-Filbey, lynaea.korolfilbey@medportal.ca
Sarah Klapman, sarah.klapman@medportal.ca

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Students for Harm Reduction and Community Outreach
Students for Harm Reduction and Community Outreach (SHARC) is a group that focuses on learning from and supporting community members who are deprived of housing and/or using drugs. This interest group enables student participation in harm-reduction focused community outreach. Our relationships with community organizations allow for engagement in harm-reduction advocacy within the medical system and broader community. SHARC holds mentorship and interactive sessions with doctors and residents working directly with individuals deprived of housing.
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Current Co-Chairs
Reid Rebinsky, reid.rebinsky@medportal.ca
Anjali Sergeant, anjali.sergeant@medportal.ca

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