What is important to you?

Climate Change

Poverty

Oil Fields – Iraq 1991

90% of war casualties are civilians

“Landmines have been called 'the perfect soldier' - they never sleep and they never miss.”

Nuclear Weapon StatesNuclear Weapon States

USA

Russia

France

China

Britain

10,300

20,000

510

550

265

Israel

India

Pakistan

200

100 to 150

25 to 50

In Hamilton, a single mother with a 7yr old daughter will receive a maximum of $957/month from social

assistance.

Calculated cost of food = 218, Rent = 696

Amount left over = $43/month

REFUGEES

HIV/AIDS

950,000 people are HIV+

500,000 have access to HIV drugs

North America

28.5 million people are HIV+

30,000 have access to HIV drugs

Africa

MEDICINE SHOULDN’T BE A LUXURY

8000 People will die of AIDS today becausetreatment is not cost effective

As Medical Students and Future Physicians……

We are in a unique position to:

• Speak out and be heard

• Raise awareness

• Build community

• Access resources

Physicians Reaching Out

“Numerous physicians have taken it upon themselves to fulfill their roles as medical professionals committed to speaking on behalf of those whose voices cannot be heard”

Dr. Samantha Nutt Dr. James Orbinski

Dr. Mary-Wynne Ashford Dr. Erik Hoskins

Dr. Joanna Santa-Barbara

Physicians are in one of the most trusted positionsin society. Therefore it is important to have moral

character to meet this expectation.

“We found a significant decrease in the moral development of medical students over 3 years of

medical education” - CMAJ, April 1, 2003;168 (7)

How can medical students facilitate this development?

Strengthening our Ethical Development

Physicians for Global Survival

• PGS is the Canadian affiliate of International

Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW);

• Over 60 active affiliates around the world;

• Recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985 for its work

to educate health professionals, political leaders

and the public.

• Out of concern for global health, PGS is committed

to working towards the following:

• PGS provides opportunities for medical students and physicians to incorporate these issues into their career development.

Social Justice

Environmental Sustainability

Prevention of nuclear war

Non-violent conflict resolution

Physicians for Global Survival

What can students do in PGS?

• Learn about issues not emphasized in the medical curriculum;

• Share local and international personal experiences;

• Actively raise awareness;

• Build a community with people interested in similar issues.

What Are We Doing?

• High school Presentations• Discussion Series on health and poverty,

environment, and peace • Reading Electives• Peace and Health Conferences• Open letter from concerned medical students on Iraq • Medical Student Conferences • Music for Peace Concert

Why are we here today?

• Share ideas about how we, as medical students, can incorporate these issues into our training and career development

• Build a community of concerned physicians across Canada

The balance we achieve throughout medical school, reflects the balance we will have in the future.

“ Sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul” E. Abby

“Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world…indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” –M. Mead

Making your passions part of your life work