The activities of the last few weeks/days are a clear indication that AMSUN is at the introitus of a new era, of which I intend to play a major role.Im therefore grateful to have this opportunity to reiterate on this platform my candidature for the position of CHAIRMANSHIP. AMSUN is among the oldest and most prestigious of professional bodies, but these two qualities - professionalism and prestige- have ebbed away over the years to the ghost that it is today. To adapt to its present environment ( of distrustful traditional partners and cynical student members,) it NEEDS strong open-minded leaders; courageous, fair and flexible; who value honor and integrity,and more importantly with clear goals and objectives. Let us not view this as a political contest, Im not a politician myself, but as a professional revolution. As I have said before, there are hundreds of leaders amongst us, and the leader is therefore nothing. WORK is everything. This brings me to the all important question : what work do I intend to accomplish? My immediate agenda is to undertake a major re-structuring of the way AMSUN operates. I seek to put in place clear functional structures in place by re-defining and documenting the roles and duties of all AMSUN officials and give each official working committees/taskforce from all levels.For instance, the editor should not sit in another officials committee to prepare for lets say, the scientific conference. Rather, he/she should should be chairing an independent taskforce that deliberates on how best theyll cover and report on the conference and document the story of AMSUN throughout the year. Same for publicity secretaries and all other officials. This might require a constitutional change. A professional body doesnt merely shout its professionalism based on its name. Its activities should reveal that. I intend to actively put in place a predetermined but flexible professional calendar packed with mainly academic activities comprising but not limited to: 1.Vibrant Student Grand Rounds - these forums had almost collapsed. Through consultation with the 1st vice chair aspirants, they will be restructured to also serve as career days and host various workshops from students with specific medical or social interests. 2.REGULAR BLS/ATLS training: With our population, these cannot be annual events.Ill seek to have these indispensable events happen as often as possible, and possibly have them included in the university curriculum, just as ETAT is offered in paediatrics. 3.The international scientific conference should live to its name. Billed as this years flagship event, the only international student present was one regular delegate from Tanzania and about 10 students from both Egerton and Moi Universities. The average overall attendance was about 120 students, with about 48 paper presenters and 35 organizing committee members. Ill radically increase its student attendance/participation. 4.Medical campss quality will be addressed with timely notification. The journal club will have strong support. Their medical journal and links will benefit AMSUN, A magazine is our introduction to our partners. Being a writer myself, this will be a must have. Partnership with MSAKE is a top priority. Having talked to its leaders, I will pay the membership fee for the last 2 years and take over all activities that AMSUN should. They have great links but an un-cooperative and proud leadership has denied us these benefits. Our social events should be well-planned, and free to all medical students. Transparency is paramount. The budget, the library jobs and AMSUN property including the photocopy bureaus will no longer be confidential information. In summary, I want to leave behind a permanent philosophy and culture of service and professionalism. Criticism is welcome, for great strength is coupled with proportionate weakness. Achilles was a god in all his nobler parts, but his feet were of the earth. Without your support, Im but a dog wanting to put out fire through its puny fart. Thank you for reading through and join me in pushing AMSUN from the inertia of professional death. Ill post a link to my complete and detailed manifesto shortly. FELIX MOGAKA SPOUKEY CHAIRMAN 2014-2015
Posted on: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 08:10:00 +0000
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