Medical students represented the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at the Washington State Medical Association (WSMA) Annual Meeting last month in Spokane, where they embraced leadership roles, participated in policy discussions, and participated in networking opportunities.
WSU delegate Mya Leonhard (MS2) and alternate delegate Clarissa Santiano (MS2) represented the College of Medicine in the House of Delegates, where physicians and medical students from across Washington considered and voted on proposals to establish new WSMA policy.
First-year MD students Joshua Morris, Jared Feikes, Isabela Lydston, and Alison Tewnion also attended to learn more about organized medicine, connect with physicians and students from across the state, and explore opportunities for future involvement. Isabela also spoke at the WSMA Foundation Gala.
Several WSU students are also taking on leadership roles in the WSMA’s Medical Student Section (MSS). Carsten Schmidt (MS3), Emily Bundy (MS3), and Rae Baker (MS2) are beginning terms on the MSS Governing Council. Madelyn Hartrim-Lowe (MS3) will continue serving on the MSS Governing Council and was elected to serve as the student trustee on the WSMA Board of Trustees.
Students also saw their advocacy translate into policy. Madelyn Hartrim-Lowe, Carsten Schmidt, Hannah Eckert, Emily Bundy, Mya Leonhard, Alex Klinck, and Clarissa Santiano co-authored the resolution “Sustainability and Retention for Child Abuse Medical Teams,” which was adopted with amendments by the WSMA House of Delegates.