Hello all and welcome to what surely will be a brilliant 2011. I’m thrilled to be leading such an enthusiastic and motivated executive this year and I am sure that HOPE4HEALTH will deliver many opportunities to grow and learn as health professionals beyond what you would normally get in the day to day curriculum.

Our events, skills weekends and conference subsidies are all designed with the goal of furthering the education of Griffith health students. We provide opportunities to learn skills in a safe and controlled environment as well as to network with doctors, dentists and other allied health professionals who are keen to meet and educate the next generation of health professionals. We also offer the chance to meet, mingle and befriend students from all different health faculties, something no other Griffith health club can offer. I am confident that 2011 is going to be a massive year for us. In only six years HOPE4HEALTH has grown rapidly due to the input and hard work of very passionate past executives. This year, I am certain, will be no different.

We have already kicked the year off with an ‘executive retreat’ to Binna Burra. This was a weekend of planning, mixing and general HOPE4HEALTH bonding which enabled our new executive to build a solid platform on which to launch our 2011 campaign. It was agreed that our main focus this year will be sustainability. We aim to create a firm HOPE4HEALTH foundation that will be easily passed on from one executive to the next. We also discussed our continued expansion into the dental and allied health student groups. With the appointment of our four new dental reps, Kylie, Lizzie, Laura and Heidi, who have already planned several new dental student orientated events, we are sure that this year will be one of exponential growth for the dental portfolio. We hope to see more and more dental students becoming actively involved in HOPE4HEALTH in the near future. To bolster allied

health involvement, Chris Conyard is our newly appointed Allied Health Representative. With Chris’s networks within the Physio school at the main campus and his charismatic persona it is hoped that this year will also see growth within the areas of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science.

Another exciting aspect of HOPE4HEALTH’s growth this year is the Griffith School of Medicine’s rural area placement program for third and fourth year medical students. This provides a unique chance for us to expand our rural skills weekends into places where we actually have people on the ground. The students on the Rural Longlook Program, many of whom are of past HOPE4HEALTH executive fame, are very keen to get younger students out in the bush to experience what life is like as a rural health practitioner. So keep your eyes peeled for upcoming information on our rural skills weekends planned for this year – I know that Dan has big plans for 2011 and the rural portfolio!

Overall, I think that this year for HOPE4HEALTH is all about providing students with opportunities that they really don’t get in day-to-day life as a health student. We’ll take you to Goondiwindi for a weekend of skills, networking and general rural madness. We’ll fly you to Cairns to network with rural doctors from all over Queensland, or even whisk you off to Cherbourg to teach young Indigenous children basic health care. These opportunities are unique to HOPE4HEALTH and will undoubtedly enrich your growth as a young health professional while simultaneously being a lot of fun. All I can say is that you have to be in it to win it… So if you have not done so already, jump on the HOPE4HEALTH bandwagon, sign-up, come to meetings and just get involved!

Hope to see you all around campus,Brodie Quinn

The National Rural Health Students’ Network (NRHSN) is an organisation that aims to support, promote and provide resources for health students who have an interest in rural, remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. It is a multidisciplinary health network comprised of 29 Rural Health Clubs (RHCs located at Universities around Australia, in every State and Territory, including HOPE4HEALTH). HOPE4HEALTH is involved in NRHSN through organising activities such as rural high school visits promoting tertiary education in health and attending Indigenous youth festivals. HOPE4HEALTH members can get involved in activities such as these by watching out for emails from the HOPE4HEALTH rural and indigenous representatives!

If you are interested check out the NRHSN website http://www.nrhsn.org.au and if you have any queries let me know (clairewalter@hope4health.org.au).

Cheers, Claire Walter,Senior NRHSN Representative 2011

Welcome from the President

A world without health inequalities.

New website www.hope4health.org.au coming soon

Autumn Edition March 2011

Indigenous

latest events

international

Myboatingshop.com, after many months of hard

work and considerable Industry support, is nearing

its off icia l launch. I would like to thank all of you for

your continued patience. As we are bringing a concept

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If you have any questions please do not hesitate to

contact myself via email or on mobile

H4HGoldcoast

Australia

POSTAGE

PAID

AUSTRALIA

local

latest events

latest events

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National Rural Heath Student Network (NRHSN)

HOPE4HEALTH dental has grown! This year the dentistry cohort is represented on the HOPE4HEALTH executive by four students – Kylie, Heidi, Lizzie & Lauren. We are interested in recruiting more dentistry members and joining the medical students at the many social events, educational opportunities and community services planned for the year.

Beginning with Midnight Muster on March 19, we hope to have increased numbers of dental students becoming involved in the social aspect of HOPE4HEALTH. The events are novel, affordable, great for networking and enjoyment is guaranteed. With all proceeds going to a good cause we can all feel warm and fuzzy. The dental team is arranging rural clinical skills trips to Goondiwindi, during

which a group of dental students are invited to spend a weekend full of wisdom with oral health professionals. The program previously offered to medical students is being adapted to offer oral health skills and allow us to revisit course work that will come in VERY handy come VIVA time. Some of the activities on offer will include suturing, extractions, impressions, head and neck anatomy and the management of medical emergencies.

It will be a great chance to scrub up on the kind of content that we can be expected to know, but often don’t, and find a little embarrassing when asked about in clinic. But it’s not all work! Rural trips offer time for mingling and winding down away from the usual Gold Coast crowd.Saving the best till last, we are excited to

announce that the dental team are in the process of establishing emergency dental clinics in Indigenous communities that have not previously had consistent access to oral health care. Not only will this provide a sustained service for these communities, but student volunteers will get the opportunity to practice skills in an environment different to the university clinic whilst doing their bit for disadvantaged communities. All in all, we are looking forward to a huge and exciting year as the dental aspect of HOPE4HEALTH consolidates itself within an already great and growing enterprise.

Laura Curran, Kylie Arnott, Heidi Folkhard & Lizzie Dove

Dental

InternationalWelcome 2011, and welcome everyone to an exciting year of international health with HOPE4HEALTH. This year hopes to get new initiatives off the ground while continuing the support for current projects. On that note, I would like to start this article by extending an invitation to all students who have an interest or already have ideas on a worldly scale. It’s 2011 - the perfect time to step up and see what you can do for international health and what it can do for you and your career!

First up this year will be the Elective/Selective info night on April 19, during which HOPE4HEALTH will be promoting our scholarships for fourth year students who would like to undertake their placement in an underprivileged area internationally. These $1000 community grants will award four students with funds to put towards their airfares and provide their elective placement with vital medical supplies. Some of the supplies previous applicants have been able to donate include foetal heart imaging machines and wheelchairs. This is an opportunity to make a big impact and actually help develop healthcare services in the communities visited so that they can help the people who need it most.

As for new initiatives, Griffith Medicine aims to go where none have gone before with the development of the Refugee Health Project (RHP). This concept was developed in 2010 by two first year medical students with the help of interested persons from all other year levels. It aims to create a preventative health program for newly arrived adult refugees that is run and taught by volunteer student facilitators. The RHP will provide the South East Queensland refugee community with an invaluable service whilst students will gain experience in interacting with different cultures as well as using translators. The medical concepts taught will be basic but important, for example how to utilise emergency services and how to access primary healthcare in Australia. It is hoped that the skills gained by both parties in communication, understanding and respect will pave the way towards a better society for us all. This year the RHP and HOPE4HEALTH will continue to work with Refugee Health Queensland and the Multicultural Development Association to ensure that this idea can come to fruition.

Finally, 2011 will host the biggest RED PARTY that has been seen to date. This is an annual event run by medical schools throughout Australia to promote awareness and raise funds for HIV/AIDS. The money raised last year went to the Fijian group FJN+ to give much needed assistance to those affected on our neighbouring islands. This year we aim to make RED PARTY bigger than ever, involving all Griffith health science students and indeed even expanding it to other Griffith faculties. Working collaboratively we will no doubt raise more money

than ever before and in the process make it a night to remember!

I look forward to seeing you all throughout the year and I am eager to meet all the students who are keen to get involved in International health!

Marrillo Jayasuriya

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Clinical SkillsThis year HOPE4HEALTH will be continuing and improving our clinical skills workshops, which aim to provide first and second year students with an opportunity to revise and practice course material and to prepare for exams. To start the year off we will be having a first year History taking workshop so that the first years can practise their doctor and patient skills with help and hints from second and third year students.

Later in the year there will be cardiovascular and respiratory examination workshops for the first years and gastrointestinal, neuromuscular and integration workshops for the second years. But that’s not all! You’ve heard about how useful the ECG breakfast club is for third years; now we’re offering workshops to suit everyone! Pre-clinical and clinical, beginning and advanced classes are coming in semester two.

Last but certainly not least, the anatomy up-skilling sessions are back! Led by clinicians, for third and fourth year students these aren’t to be missed! More details will be provided at a closer date, so keep your ears to the ground and your eyes on your inboxes for more information. If you have any suggestions for the clinical skills workshops please shoot me an email at ashleigh@hope4health.org.au

Ashleigh Heron

This year the local portfolio is blossoming – expanding old events and establishing new ones to benefit our local community. In chronological order, here is a glimpse of the events planned for first semester:

Learn to Surf day is an opportunity not to be missed for all those new to the area and wanting to embrace coastal lifestyle, as well as for those who have been here a while but never made the most of our beautiful surroundings.

With all funds raised going to Surf Lifesaving Australia, you have the opportunity to learn the basics on giant foam boards (standing up is guaranteed), rented cheap at $50 for 2 hours with free instructors. More experienced HOPE4HEALTH members will be there to push you off, so you will essentially experience one-on-one teaching. There are still limited spots left so contact Ben at ben@hope4health.org.au. Be quick! See you on the 5th of March at the spit, just south of the jetty.

At midday on March 11th four brave HOPE4HEALTH members will be shaving for a cure. Come along to level three of GH1 for a barbeque and support Brenda, Ben, Dan and Marrillo. We will be auctioning off the privilege of performing the haircuts and accepting any donations on the day, but alternatively you can donate to the individual shavers or during PBL.

This year Teddy Bear Hospital expands to include at least five confirmed schools, all of which are returning because previous students have both enjoyed and benefited substantially from the program. As usual, the program is directed at six and seven year old primary school students and aims to teach them the basics about healthcare. It includes stations explaining what happens when they go to see a doctor, why it is important to practice sun safety and dental hygiene among others. This year the stations have had a facelift and promise to be more engaging than ever before. Not only do the primary school children have a fantastic time but the med students also have a ball, so it’s no wonder it is such a popular community placement for first years.

Later in the year, the local portfolio is proud to add the HOPE4HEALTH Clinical Touch Day to its repertoire of events. It is scheduled to occur in early spring. Also new this year, Organs for October is an organ donation drive in which we will try to sign up as many people as possible to be organ donors. Stay tuned for more information on these events.

If you have any questions or ideas for local health, don’t hesitate to email ben@hope4health.org.au.

Ben Wakefield

Local

Brave HOPE4HEALTH members Shaving for a Cure: Marillo, Dan, Ben & Brenda.

Looks like another big year for Indigenous Health. Your first opportunity to get involved this year is Close The Gap Day, aimed at raising awareness and putting pressure on stakeholders to close the large gap in life expectancy between Indigenous Australians and the remainder of the population. It is on March 24th this year - we’ll be showing the campaign DVD and encouraging people sign up to the Oxfam campaign.

Later in the year, we’ll be offering students an opportunity to attend the Dreaming Festival in Woodford. I went in 2010 and had an amazing time. It’s a real eye opener, a great immersion into Indigenous culture and a lot of fun.

As always, the Cherbourg specialist trips will be available for second year students. They run on a Friday every two months. It’s a great opportunity to both sit in with a few GCH specialists and to see Cherbourg. There will also be the Cherbourg Teddy Bear hospital trip, the Deadly Days Festival and Dreaming Tour in the second half of the year.

Finally, we hope to have some guests come in and talk to students throughout the year. These speakers will range from Indigenous elders to Indigenous doctors from the Kalwun Health Service in Miami to doctors who have worked in isolated Indigenous communities. Information on these events will be emailed to HOPE4HEALTH members and can also be found on the website under the Indigenous tab. If you would like more information, please contact Myfanwy Hood at myfanwy@hope4health.org.au.

Myfanwy Hood

Indigenous

If you haven’t noticed already, medicine loves acronyms, and Rural Medicine is no exception. So let me decode and elaborate on some of them: JRHW: Joint Rural Health Weekend, Atherton - April 29th - May 2nd. Health students from rural health clubs throughout Queensland come together for a weekend of clinical skills and networking. A weekend full of experiences and fun! RHSV: Rural High School Visits, Tannum Sands and Central Queensland - 7th - 12th May. One of two RHSV, this trip visits my old school and surrounding areas where we discuss with senior students the opportunities for a career in health (NOT just medicine) and the pathways to get there.

RDAQ: Rural Doctors Association of QLD Annual Conference, Cairns - 10 - 12th June. This annual conference provides a great opportunity to network with rural doctors and key decision makers in rural health at the Black Tie Ball. RSW: Rural Skills Weekends - Goondiwindi 15th - 17th April. A weekend of clinical skills such as “birthing in the bush”, suturing and burr holes in a rural setting, while having an opportunity to experience a rural doctor’s lifestyle.

RAD: Rural Awareness Dinner, Toowoomba- 1st July. A dinner aimed at students interesting in joining the Rural Longlook Program in 3rd or 4th year. The program allows students to study

in rural areas throughout their clinical years. We currently have students at Stanthorpe, Kingaroy, Goondiwindi and Inglewood, Millmerran and Gatton hospitals. These are just some events HOPE4HEALTH has planned for rural this semester, and details about each event will be emailed out as the dates approach. If you would like more information about anything rural or have some brilliant ideas please email me (dan@hope4health.org.au) or ask me at uni. In the meantime, THE MIDNIGHT MUSTER tickets are for sale, via our website. Grab your friends, a tent and your outback country best in order to raise money for the RFDS.Daniel Faux

Ubuntu Through Health provide medical assistance to the people of Khayelitsha, South Africa, whilst offering a unique educational experience for Australian and South African medical students. Ubuntu is an African concept based upon the connection of all human beings and sharing what you have to help another. “I am because we are” is a phrase that is often associated with the meaning of Ubuntu.

“Ubuntu [is] that profound African sense that we are only human through the humanity of other human beings. Nelson Mandela. UTH was established in 2010 by a group of HOPE4HEALTH members from Griffith University. It is a non-profit initiative that follows on from recent HOPE4HEALTH projects such as the establishment of a medical centre in Ghana, West Africa.

The program will initially provide assistance via medical service and tailored financial support of an existing medical clinic in the impoverished township of Khayelitsha. This will ensure the clinic provides the most effective medical service possible. Khayelitsha is a township on the outskirts of Cape Town with an estimated population of 1 million people: 40% are HIV positive. In recent years diarrhoea and gastroenteritis have overtaken HIV/Aids as the biggest

killer of children with the deaths doubling. The head of Cape Town’s health services has said that it is “…a lack of access to basic services that has the biggest impact on the health of Khayelitsha”. Actually meeting people who live in these conditions, and who live with these diseases, has put a face to those statistics for the students who recently visited Khayelitsha.

In January, several Griffith Medical students spent two weeks in the region on an intensive fact finding mission. An abundance of relationships were developed both in the desperate township of Khayelitsha and the beautiful University town of Stellenbosch. The final touches are being made to ensure that in 2012 an inaugural group of current third year medical students can have the opportunity to undertake a unique elective in South Africa. It will involve both internal medicine in one of the worlds largest teaching hospitals, Tygerberg Hospital, as well as community medicine and primary health care in Khayelitsha. Ubuntu Through Health will make a formal presentation at this year’s Electives and Selectives evening in April. We hope to see you there.

Ubuntu Through Health Team

Ubuntu Through Health

Rural

New website www.hope4health.org.au coming soon