“Point of Care Ultrasound in Primary Care: Time to Get on Board” — Southern Medicine Podcast is Now Available

This episode of the Southern Medicine podcast explores the growing role of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in primary care. Tatiana Havryliuk, MD, and Randy Glick, BSB/PM, MCP, discuss practical applications, challenges in implementation, and tips for providers looking to adopt POCUS in their practice.

Dr. Tatiana Havryliuk is an emergency physician and founder of Hello Sono. With 15 years of experience using POCUS in diverse settings, from urban EDs to Everest Base Camp, she is dedicated to extending its benefits to more patients. With Hello Sono, she and her team support practices in building compliant, high-quality, and profitable POCUS programs through tailored education and implementation.

This topic is important because POCUS is crucial now as it enables faster, more accurate bedside diagnoses improving patient care and reducing costs. Affordable, portable devices make it accessible for small practices, and with growing use in medical training, providers must stay updated to stay competitive.

Satisfy DEA Requirements with SMA’s Online CME Courses

Four CME courses that can help healthcare professionals satisfy mandatory DEA requirements on opioids and/or substance use disorders are now available in SMA's online CME libary.

These courses provide essential knowledge to enhance patient care and support professional development and include:

• Assessment and Management of Patients with Pain and Substance Use Disorders
• Screening/Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorders in Non-Specialty Healthcare Settings
• Neurobiology of Addiction
• Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder/Overview of Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Benefits of SMA CME Courses:

• Available online for your convenience.
• Free for SMA members.
• $25 per course for non-members.

Don't miss this opportunity to stay informed and compliant while advancing your expertise. Enroll now!

Call For Nominees: The 2025 Timothy Llewelyn, MD, Memorial Award

“Wards: With UAB Montgomery Internal Medicine” — PIT Committee Podcast is Now Available

This podcast episode is part of SMA's Physicians-in-Training Committee's "Expectations" series, featuring a conversation between a physician, resident, and medical student on topics such as research, wards, OR tips, and shadowing. The series provides insights into working with a healthcare team at different training levels.

In this episode, titled Wards: With UAB Montgomery Internal Medicine, PIT Committee member Jordan Beam is joined by Dr. Bryan Strickland and Dr. Xuan Zhou.

SMA Partner Offers Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease Interdisciplinary ECHO Series

Beyond the Stethoscope: Why Point-of-Care Ultrasound is a Game-Changer for Primary Care

It's 10:30 a.m. on a busy Thursday in your primary care clinic. Mrs. Smith, a 52-year-old patient, arrives for a sick visit. She has been having a cough, fatigue, and mild shortness of breath for 5 days. She did have a sore throat and rhinorrhea preceding her symptoms. Her oxygen saturation is 94%, and you hear coarse breath sounds on the right. You wonder if she has a vira

l infection or a bacterial pneumonia that requires antibiotics. You’d normally send her out for a chest X-ray, but instead, you reach for your point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) device.

Figure 1 shows the patient’s right lung base. What do you see?

Fig 1(a). Right lung base showing pleural effusion and consolidation.

Fig 1(b). Right lung base consolidation (white circle) and effusion (white arrows).
Notice the presence of a spine sign, visualization of the spine superior to the diaphragm (black arrows).

Figure 2 shows a normal right lung base from a different patient.

Fig 2. Right lung base showing a mirror image artifact of the liver being reflected over the diaphragm (black arrows). The spine stops at the diaphragm, thus confirming lack of consolidation or effusion at the right lung base.

Within a few minutes, you visualize a consolidation in the right lower lobe that confirms your suspicion of a bacterial pneumonia. You start her on appropriate antibiotics, thus saving time, reducing costs, and avoiding unnecessary radiation. You also show Ms. Smith exactly what’s going on in her lungs, and she walks away fully committed to taking her medications as prescribed.

This case highlights how POCUS can revolutionize diagnostics in primary care settings, providing real-time, actionable insights at the bedside. While this technology has been used in emergency medicine for over two decades, it's now increasingly making its way into primary care due to its proven benefits.

Why Now is the Time for POCUS in Primary Care

Affordability: POCUS devices have become significantly more cost-effective. Handheld units now range from $2,000 to $10,000, compared to traditional cart-based systems that used to cost over $20,000.

Evidence-Based: POCUS is supported by robust clinical evidence demonstrating improved diagnostic accuracy, expedited care, and better patient outcomes. It is endorsed by multiple medical organizations as being within the scope of practice for primary care providers.

Value-Based Care: POCUS aligns with value-based care initiatives, reducing unnecessary referrals and imaging, and improving diagnosis accuracy. This translates into reduced healthcare costs and improved patient outcomes.

Addressing Workforce Shortages: With shortages of ultrasound and radiology technicians, POCUS offers a convenient, in-house solution for primary care providers.

Revenue and Patient Engagement: In a time when many practices are seeing decreased patient volumes and stagnant reimbursements, adding services like POCUS can attract new patients, increase patient satisfaction, and generate additional revenue.

Common Primary Care Scenarios That Benefit from POCUS

1. Soft Tissue Infections: POCUS excels in evaluating cellulitis and abscesses, distinguishing between the two when the physical exam is uncertain. This prevents unnecessary incisions, reduces antibiotic misuse, and saves patient discomfort. [1-3]
2. Respiratory Complaints: Lung POCUS can detect pneumonia, pleural effusions, pulmonary edema, and pneumothorax with greater sensitivity than chest Xray. It’s especially useful for children, pregnant women, and patients at higher risk from radiation exposure. In addition, focused cardiac ultrasound can rapidly screen for pericardial effusion and reduced systolic function.
3. Abdominal Pain: Biliary and renal POCUS can efficiently evaluate patients with abdominal pain, detecting conditions like cholecystitis, nephrolithiasis, and hydronephrosis, which can prevent unnecessary CT scans. Plus, POCUS can be used for screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms in male smokers over 65 years old.
4. Musculoskeletal Pain: Assessing joint effusions, tendonitis, tendon ruptures, fractures, and even dislocations is possible with POCUS, providing immediate guidance for management.
5. Lower Extremity Pain or Swelling: POCUS can be employed to exclude proximal leg deep venous thrombosis (DVT) using a compression technique, preventing unnecessary emergency department referrals. [8,9]
6. Procedural Guidance: Using POCUS for procedures like joint injections, abscess drainage, or difficult IV access improves both success rates and patient comfort.

How POCUS Benefits Your Practice

POCUS does more than enhance patient care; it can also improve your clinic's bottom line by:

1. Boosting patient satisfaction through faster diagnosis and treatment.
2. Increasing adherence to follow-up imaging when patients see the results firsthand.
3. Expanding your service offerings to attract new patients.
4. Allowing for in-house imaging capabilities, reducing referrals, and enhancing revenue potential. 

In Conclusion

POCUS is a game-changer for primary care providers, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, reducing costs, and improving patient outcomes. With devices now more affordable than ever and training readily accessible, it’s time for primary care practices to integrate POCUS into their diagnostic toolkit. This technology empowers providers to deliver high-quality care that aligns with value-based care principles, ultimately leading to better patient satisfaction and financial performance.

References

1. Tayal VS, Hasan N, Norton HJ, Tomaszewski CA. The effect of soft-tissue ultrasound on the management of cellulitis in the emergency department. Acad Emerg Med. 2006;13(4):384-388. doi:10.1197/j.aem.2005.11.074
2. Costantino TG, Satz WA, Dehnkamp W, Goett H. Randomized trial comparing intraoral ultrasound to landmark-based needle aspiration in patients with suspected peritonsillar abscess. Acad Emerg Med. 2012;19(6):626-631. doi:10.1111/j.1553-2712.2012.01380
3. Rehrer M, Mantuani D, Nagdev A. Identification of peritonsillar abscess by transcutaneous cervical ultrasound. Am J Emerg Med. 2013;31(1):267.e1-267.e2673. doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2012.04.021
4. Ticinesi A, Lauretani F, Nouvenne A, Mori G, Chiussi G, Maggio M, Meschi T. Lung ultrasound and chest x-ray for detecting pneumonia in an acute geriatric ward. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016 Jul;95(27):e4153. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000004153. PMID: 27399134; PMCID: PMC5058863.
5. Pirozzi C, Numis FG, Pagano A, Melillo P, Copetti R, Schiraldi F. Immediate versus delayed integrated point-of-care-ultrasonography to manage acute dyspnea in the emergency department. Crit Ultrasound J. 2014;6(1):5. Published 2014 Apr 27. doi:10.1186/2036-7902-6-5
6. Baid H, Vempalli N, Kumar S, et al. Point of care ultrasound as initial diagnostic tool in acute dyspnea patients in the emergency department of a tertiary care center: diagnostic accuracy study. Int J Emerg Med. 2022;15(1):27. Published 2022 Jun 13. doi:10.1186/s12245-022-00430-8
7. Adhikari S, Amini R, Stolz L, et al. Implementation of a novel point-of-care ultrasound billing and reimbursement program: fiscal impact. Am J Emerg Med. 2014;32(6):592-595. doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2014.02.051
8. Mumoli N, Vitale J, Giorgi-Pierfranceschi M, et al. General Practitioner-Performed Compression Ultrasonography for Diagnosis of Deep Vein Thrombosis of the Leg: A Multicenter, Prospective Cohort Study. Ann Fam Med. 2017;15(6):535-539. doi:10.1370/afm.2109
9. Hannula O, Vanninen R, Rautiainen S, Mattila K, Hyppölä H. Teaching limited compression ultrasound to general practitioners reduces referrals of suspected DVT to a hospital: a retrospective cross-sectional study. Ultrasound J. 2021;13(1):1. Published 2021 Feb 2. doi:10.1186/s13089-021-00204-y
10. Andersen CA, Brodersen J, Rudbæk TR, Jensen MB. Patients' experiences of the use of point-of-care ultrasound in general practice - a cross-sectional study. BMC Fam Pract. 2021;22(1):116. Published 2021 Jun 18. doi:10.1186/s12875-021-01459

About the Author

Dr. Havryliuk is an emergency physician with over 15 years of clinical point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) experience, a past Emergency Ultrasound Director at Brooklyn Hospital in NY, and the founder of Hello Sono. She is on a mission to empower clinicians with POCUS to take better and more efficient care of their patients by addressing two key barriers, lack of competency and infrastructure. 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tatiana-havryliuk-md/
Email: tatiana@hellosono.com

*POCUS images provided courtesy of Hello Sono.

Former SMA President Dr. Christopher Jackson Highlighted on MedCentral Website

Christopher D. Jackson, MD, FACP, FSSCI, SMA's Immediate Past President, is featured in a recent Physician Profile on the MedCentral website. In the article, Dr. Jackson reflects on how his family’s influence, rooted in kindness and compassion, guided his journey into medicine and inspired his commitment to servant leadership.

Click here to read the article.

Videos from SMA’s 2nd Annual Virtual Abstract Competition Available on YouTube

SMA is excited to announce that videos from the 2nd Annual Virtual Abstract Competition are now available for viewing on YouTube. We are grateful to all of the talented physicians-in-training who contributed their work and shared their insights. Their presentations represent hours of hard work and a deep commitment to advancing medical knowledge.

SMA also extends its appreciation to the medical schools and training programs that supported these participants, fostering an environment that encourages research and collaboration.

Randy Glick, SMA Executive Director, remarked, "We’re proud of each and every one of these physicians-in-training who dedicated their time and effort to participate in the competition. Their dedication to research and advancing their knowledge shines through in these presentations, and it’s inspiring to see such promising work from future leaders in medicine."

Visit SMA's YouTube channel and click on the VAC 2024 playlist to view the videos and support these outstanding future physicians!

Congratulations to SMA’s 2024 Annual Scientific Assembly Abstract Winners

Southern Medical Association Announces Recipients of the 2024 Dr. Donna Breen Scholarships

The Southern Medical Association (SMA) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Dr. Donna Breen Scholarships, awarded during SMA’s Annual Scientific Assembly held October 24-26 in Atlanta, Georgia. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Dr. Donna Breen, MD, FACS, SMA’s 2021-2022 President, these scholarships, each valued at $2,250, have been awarded to Madison Thornton, a fourth-year MD/MPH student at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, and Ben Loftis, a third-year medical student at the University of South Alabama’s Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine.

Madison is applying to Internal Medicine-Pediatrics (Med-Peds) programs and has a passion for adult congenital cardiology. Her career aspirations include advancing academic medicine, contributing to medical education and mentorship, and advocating for public health.

Ben has served as a leader in SMA’s Physicians-in-Training Personal Development and Wellness Subcommittee, where he is dedicated to supporting the well-being of future healthcare professionals. He is also involved in research on provider wellness and burnout and has held roles as orientation leader for an incoming class and President of the Calm Nutrition Group.

"Dr. Breen’s remarkable generosity has allowed SMA to invest in deserving students like Madison and Ben, individuals committed to advancing medicine and bettering patient care," said SMA Executive Director Randy Glick. "We are deeply grateful to Dr. Breen for her continued leadership and support."

SMA extends warmest congratulations to both recipients and appreciates the commitment of all applicants who strive to make a difference in their communities. It is through generous donations, as well as contributions to SMA’s Research and Education Endowment Fund, which has provided more than $3.7 million in financial support through scientific research grants, loans, and medical student scholarships. To learn more or to donate, please visit https://sma.org/research-and-education/

Ben Loftis and Madison Thornton
with Dr. Donna Breen

Southern Medical Association Announces Recipients of the Society of 1906 and Society of 1924 Scholarship Awards

The Southern Medical Association (SMA) is proud to announce the recipients of its prestigious Society of 1906 and Society of 1924 Scholarships, awarded during SMA’s Annual Scientific Assembly held October 24-26 in Atlanta, Georgia. These scholarships, each in the amount of $2500.00,  are presented annually to medical students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and a commitment to advancing health care.

This year’s Society of 1906 Scholarship, commemorating the founding of the Southern Medical Association, has been awarded to Charissa Obeng-Nyarko of the Florida State University College of Medicine. Charissa graduated from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in 2017, after which she completed a two-year fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, where she contributed to translational research and gained clinical experience with diverse patient populations. This experience deepened her desire to pursue a career in medicine and she plans to pursue residency training to become an academic dermatologist following medical school. Although Charissa wasn't able to attend the presentation ceremony in person, she sent a sincere message, thanking SMA for her scholarship.

Shivani Jain

The Society of 1924 Scholarship, which celebrates the establishment of the SMA Alliance, has been awarded to Shivani Jain from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. Shivani is completing her MD training at LSUHSC, having previously earned her undergraduate degree in Biology and Sociology. She has also completed graduate training in Medical Genetics, Epidemiology, and Global Health, show- casing her commitment to healthcare improvement across disciplines. 

"Each year, we are inspired by the dedication and vision of this year’s recipients,” said Randy Glick, SMA Executive Director. "These scholarships serve as an investment in the next generation of healthcare leaders, supporting their education and empowering them to make lasting impacts in their chosen fields. We are honored to support Charissa and Shivani as they continue their journeys in medicine.”

The SMA extends heartfelt congratulations to both recipients and appreciates the commitment of all applicants who strive to make a difference in their communities. The Society of 1906 and Society of 1924 Scholarships are made possible through generous contributions to the SMA’s Research and Education Endowment Fund, which has provided more than $3.7 million in financial support through scientific research grants, loans, and medical student scholarships. To learn more or to donate, please visit https://sma.org/research-and-education/.

SMA Celebrates Partnership with Constellation Quality Health, as Constellation Awards Scholarships to Future Medical Leaders

The Southern Medical Association (SMA) is proud to recognize Constellation Quality Health for its generous support of the next generation of healthcare professionals. During SMA’s Annual Scientific Assembly, held October 24-26, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia, Constellation Quality Health awarded two $2,500 scholarships to outstanding third-year medical students.

Michael
Chuvanjyan

The first scholarship, the Constellation Quality Health Scholarship, was awarded to Michael Chuvanjyan from the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in acknowledgment of his exceptional academic performance and dedication to patient care.

Brendan
Rosamond

The second scholarship, the Constellation Quality Health Donald J. DiPette Scholarship, was presented to Brendan Rosamond from the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine honoring his commitment to the field of medicine. This  scholarship is named in honor of Dr. Donald J. DiPette, a distinguished leader within SMA and the  medical community, known for his unwavering dedication to medical education.

Although neither student could attend the presentation ceremony in person, Michael and Brendan each sent a heartfelt message, thanking Constellation Quality Health and SMA.

Randy Glick, Executive Director of the Southern Medical Association, stated, “We are thrilled to celebrate the achievements of these talented students and to recognize the invaluable partnership we have with Constellation Quality Health. Their support plays a crucial role in promoting the education and development of our future healthcare providers, and we are proud to honor the legacy of Dr. DiPette, who has been a guiding force in advancing medical education, as well as SMA.”

Steven Martin, President and CEO of Constellation Quality Health, commented, “We believe that investing in the education of future medical leaders is essential for the advancement of healthcare. Both Michael and Brendan exemplify the qualities we seek to encourage in our future physicians. We are excited to support their journeysand look forward to seeing the impact they will make in the medical community. Furthermore, Dr. DiPette's unwavering commitment to medical education serves as an inspiring example for all of us, and we are honored to carry on his legacy through these scholarships.

This partnership highlights the commitment of both the Southern Medical Association and Constellation Quality Health to fostering excellence in healthcare education and supporting the development of skilled healthcare providers.

Congratulations to Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital IM Residency Program — The 2024 SMArtBowl Winning Team!

Southern Medical Association Installs Dr. Loretta Loftus as President for 2024-2025

The Southern Medical Association (SMA) is pleased to announce the installation of Loretta Loftus, MD, MBA, as President for the term 2024-2025. Dr. Loftus was installed on October 26, 2024, during SMA’s Annual Scientific Assembly held in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Loftus is a Professor of Medicine and Oncology and serves as the Vice Chair of the Department of Breast Oncology at the University of South Florida College of Medicine and Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. She is also the principal investigator for Moffitt’s National Comprehensive Cancer Network Breast Outcomes Project. Previously, Dr. Loftus was an Assistant Dean and Professor of Medicine, as well as Section Chief of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine and Truman Medical Center.

She earned her BS degree from Tulane University and her MD from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Dr. Loftus completed her internship and residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center, followed by fellowships in Hematology and Medical Oncology at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York. Additionally, she holds an MBA from the University of South Florida College of Business.

During her presidency, Dr. Loftus plans to focus on wellness and the prevention of comorbid conditions prevalent in SMA's geographic territory. She will also advocate for diversity in membership and leadership, and work to strengthen ties between academia and the community. "It is a privilege to serve as President, and I am committed to developing innovative programs for accessible education that address these initiatives," she said. “Service to others is a core commitment of mine, and I look forward to continuing this work in my new role.”

An active member of SMA for over 40 years, Dr. Loftus was a founding member of SMA’s Southern Association of Oncology and played a key role in its formation. She has also served on SMA’s Education, Steering, and Strategic Planning Committees. In 2017, she was the guest editor for the Southern Medical Journal’s special issue on breast cancer, a role she will reprise in 2025. In addition to her work with SMA, Dr. Loftus is a member of the Mystery Writers of America and aspires to publish her own mystery novel.

SMA Celebrates Success of Its 116th Annual Scientific Assembly

From October 24-26, 2024, the Southern Medical Association (SMA) proudly hosted its 116th Annual Scientific Assembly in Atlanta, Georgia. The event brought together professionals across various medical specialties, providing an opportunity for attendees to fulfill mandatory DEA requirements on opioids and substance use disorders, while engaging in enlightening discussions with expert faculty on topics ranging from finding joy in medicine to the impact of AI on clinician performance. Other key areas included sessions on hypertension and cardiovascular disease, professional boundaries, racial disparities in provider-patient communication, as well as palliative care, music therapy, and the environmental impact on patient care. In addition to these educational sessions, attendees had the chance to interact with exhibitors showcasing the latest in medical advancements and innovations.

"This year’s Assembly was a success, thanks to the dedication and enthusiasm of everyone involved,” noted SMA Executive Director Randy Glick. “Our outstanding faculty inspired learning and engagement through their expertise, our attendees contributed to enriching discussions, our leadership shaped a vision for excellence, and our valued exhibitors and sponsors provided support to help make this meeting possible. We are excited to build on this momentum as we look forward to next year in New Orleans.” 

In addition to the educational sessions, physicians-in-training had the chance to showcase their research and case studies as they presented oral and poster abstracts, competing for more than $9,000 in awards. 

Another Assembly highlight was the Third Annual SMA SMArt Bowl, a medical trivia contest featuring teams of medical students and residents competing for $5,000 in prize money. 

The Assembly concluded with two celebratory events: SMA recognized outstanding medical students with more than $14,000 in scholarships in support of their educational journeys, and attendees gathered for the installation of Loretta Loftus, MD, MBA, as SMA’s 119th President. Dr. Loftus brings a wealth of experience to her role and looks forward to leading SMA in fostering continued collaboration and advancement in health care.

A Direct Approach to Research: Using Population Data to Introduce Medical Students to Data Collection

For many medical students, the path to getting involved in clinical research has a high barrier to entry. While research is a crucial part of medical education, the process of securing research opportunities, mentors, and adequate databases with the security clearance and data processing tools necessary to access them can be challenging. I faced these obstacles firsthand, struggling to find a way into clinical research during my early years of medical school. By the time I had begun research projects during my third year, I wished I had some low-cost tools that could have exposed me to gathering and applying my own data without the burden of needing connections within a particular health system.

However, there does exist a valuable and often overlooked tool that can introduce medical students to meaningful research even before they begin their clinical rotations: open-source population data. Provided by state health agencies, this data is publicly available and free to use. Some examples that I have used are the CDC WONDER database and the SC Rural Healthcare Dashboard. Unlike hospital records or other clinical data, which often require deep connections within academic departments, population health data is easily accessed by anyone with an internet connection. There’s no need to navigate institutional red tape, request permissions, or wait weeks for approval to access the information. This immediate availability makes population data a great place to start for medical students looking to conduct research.

The benefits of using open-source population data in medical education are numerous. First, it can serve as a powerful teaching tool for medical schools. By incorporating population health data into their clinical evidence curricula, schools can give students hands-on experience in data analysis and epidemiology, helping them understand how large-scale health data informs policy and clinical decisions. Second, working with state-level data helps students become familiar with the health challenges specific to their region, as well as learn more about their local health department. This is particularly important for future physicians, as an understanding of local health issues can enhance their ability to address the needs of the communities they will one day serve.

Additionally, many medical students are passionate about tackling health disparities. Population data offers a unique opportunity to explore these disparities at the state level. By analyzing data on chronic diseases, mortality rates, and access to healthcare, students can identify disadvantaged populations and regions within their state, and students can overlay this information with other variables such as funding dollars, medical education, and demographic data. This type of research not only builds students’ skills in applying online data to real-world problems but also empowers them to contribute to discussions on health equity. A student who is well-versed in the disparities that exist in their own communities will become a powerful healthcare advocate later in their career.

In short, medical schools should emphasize the use of population data as a research tool for students. By doing so, they can help bridge the gap for students who lack access to traditional research opportunities, while simultaneously fostering a deeper understanding of their local public health and disparities. This must not be an attempt to flood the field with lower-quality projects but serve as a stepping stone that can teach the next generation of medical students how to acquire, analyze, and present relevant data. Open-source population data is a readily available, cost-free resource that holds immense potential for teaching and learning. Encouraging its use can help train the next generation of physicians to not only become skilled clinicians but also be informed researchers and advocates for their communities.

Sources:

SC Center for Rural and Primary Healthcare. SC Rural Healthcare Resource Dashboard. Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina, School of Medicine; 2023. https://arcg.is/0fLSCW

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024, August 21). CDC WONDER. CDC.gov. https://wonder.cdc.gov/

Gabriel Patrautanu is a medical student at University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Class of 2025, and serves on the PIT Committee's Personal Development Subcommittee. Zuhaab Temuri is a fourth-year medical student at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect an official policy or position of the Southern Medical Association.

October 2024 SMArt Rounds – Sports Medicine Talk on Hand & Upper Extremity Part I

SMA’s PIT Committee and Staff Take Part in Medical Student Orientations

Members of the Southern Medical Association's (SMA's) Physicians-In-Training Committee, along with SMA staff, recently participated in medical student orientations across the Southern Region to introduce the benefits of joining SMA. These outreach efforts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), the University of South Alabama (USA), and the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) successfully led to the addition of 30 new medical student members.

"It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with medical students across SMA's territory," said Caroline Branche, SMA's Director of Outreach. "I truly enjoyed sharing the various ways SMA can support them on their medical journey, and I look forward to seeing their future involvement with the organization."

About the PIT Committee

The duties of the Physicians-in-Training Committee are to participate in the development and evaluation of educational activities and programming of the Association aimed at pre‐medical students, medical students, interns, residents, and fellows. The Physicians‐in‐Training Committee will assist the Association in building the Association’s Foundational Pillar that recognizes that physicians in training have importance, special needs, and concerns, and will support their growth and development in their future healthcare careers.

Photo Captions --Upper Right: Physicians-In-Training Committee Member, Grace Howell (M3) represents SMA at UMMC's medical student orientation.
Middle Left: Physicians-In-Training Committee Member, Matt Holmes (M2) and Director of Outreach, Caroline Branche take part in UAB's medical student
orientation; Lower Right: SMA's Director of Outreach Caroline Branche shares the benefits of membership during USA's medical student orientation. 

SMA Announces Call for Abstracts for Its 2025 Physicians-in-Training Leadership Conference

2024 SMA Annual Scientific Assembly Survey