Our academic interest groups provide students the opportunity to further pursue their academic passions by attending suture nights, clinical skills sessions and even speak with residents! Through these events, students can develop a better appreciation for a field and meet physicians who they may want to shadow in the future. Be sure to keep up to date with our events by accessing our calendar in the above menu!
Addictions Education Interest Group (AEIG)
Executives: Noah Martin, Gabriela Boge
The Addictions Education Interest Group (AEIG) is dedicated to promoting awareness and understanding of the field of Addictions Medicine. Our goal is to reduce stigma regarding addictions and build relationships between medical students and those who have addictions. We do this by collaborating with the community and organizing events that our classmates can participate in.
Anesthesia Interest Group (AIG)
Executives: Kasra Sorkhi, Leah Schwartz
Dedicated to providing University of Manitoba students with a greater understanding of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine. This will be accomplished with educational and networking sessions that are complementary to the medical school curriculum. In addition, the AIG aims to encourage students to consider anesthesiology as a possible career choice. Activities include clinical skills and procedure stations, interactive talks, and a critical care medicine session.
Cardiology Interest Group
Executives: Seungyeon (Julie) Yoon, Mateus Tomczyk
Our goal is to provide students with information regarding the pathway to cardiology, the day-to-day life of a cardiologist, and the various subspecialties you can pursue. Last year we hosted a “Careers in Cardiology” event, where students had the opportunity to talk to different cardiologists about their journey and subspecialty, as well as “An Evening in Cardiology” event, where we took a trip to St. Boniface Hospital to get a tour of the cath lab, electrophysiology lab, and more!
Dermatology Interest Group (DIG)
Executives: Kayla Curtis, Jaime McNicholl
A group aimed at teaching students about the field of Dermatology and its subspecialties. The goal is to foster an interest in Dermatology as a career and act as a forum for those already interested. Various events will be held throughout the year ranging from guest speakers to skills nights in an attempt to increase awareness and exposure to the field. It is worth noting that due to the high prevalence of skin pathologies in practice today, these events will be beneficial for students interested in almost any speciality.
Emergency Medicine Interest Group (EMIG)
Executives: Andre Hiebert, Jeffrey Wilson
Our goal is to assist students in learning more about emergency medicine. We will organize sessions that will serve as an opportunity to learn more about this specialty as well as to practice emergency medicine related clinical skills. We hope to provide a congenial environment for networking with other students, residents, and faculty.
ENT Interest Group
Executives: Kavneet Ghuman, Jaskaran Chadha
The ENT Interest Group (ENTIG) seeks to expose the medical students at the University of Manitoba to the amazing speciality of Otolaryngology! Our objective is to inform our colleagues on the scope of otolaryngologists and the path to becoming one. Students will have the chance to explore the field via events throughout including information nights and clinical skills practice sessions with attending and resident physicians.
Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG)
Executives: Brett Sirant, Minahil Noor, Miray Eskandar
The Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) is dedicated to helping medical students explore the diverse and rewarding field of family medicine. We hope to share the versatility and opportunities available to family medicine physicians through suturing workshops, information nights, and networking events. If you have any ideas for events, or other things you’d like to see, we’d love if you’d join our team.
Geriatrics Interest Group (GIG)
Executives: Regina Klassen, Jennifer Luo
The Geriatrics Interest Group (GIG) focuses on the common interest of working in or learning more about the field of geriatrics. We are involved in networking with similar groups nationwide, organizing opportunities to learn geriatric-specific knowledge and skills with our classmates, and getting involved in the community!
Infectious Diseases Interest Group
Executives: Quinn Tays, Lauren Shute
The Infectious Disease Interest Group (IDIG) aims to expose undergraduate medical students to the specialty of infectious disease and medical microbiology. We hope to provide insight into what a career in infectious disease medicine would look like and provide examples of interesting cases you might see on the job. As well, we strive to keep students informed of cutting-edge research within the field of infectious disease. We host multiple events throughout the year, including a case night with an infectious disease physician, presentations from researchers, and more fun events!
Internal Medicine Interest Group (IMIG)
Executives: Kasra Sorkhi, Jaime McNicholl, Miray Eskandar
IMIG is an interest group that provides opportunities to learn about Internal Medicine and the many sub-specialties that are within it. In addition, the group offers events that allow students to learn more about various medical topics and attend clinical skills workshops in the Clinical Learning Simulation Facility (CLSF). We also provide networking opportunities to students by being able to meet professors, physicians, and residents in the Internal Medicine field and as well connect with these individuals for shadowing experiences. Events held by IMIG in the past include Dinner with Internists, Q/A with Residents, Skills night, and many more.
Lab Medicine and Pathology Interest Group (LMPIG)
Executives: Bonita Shin, Jiasi (Vicky) Zhang
The Lab Medicine and Pathology Interest Group (LMPIG) is dedicated to promoting awareness and understanding of the field of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology! Our goal is to bridge the gap between medical students in pre-clerkship and the laboratory. We do this by collaborating with practicing pathologists and organizing events that our classmates can participate in!
Obstetrics and Gynecology Interest Group (OGIG)
Executives: Jenna Cross, Bonita Shin
The Obstetrics and Gynecology Interest Group is committed to educating medical students about the issues in women’s health that affect all areas of medicine. OGIG will provide information for those students specifically interested in obstetrics, gynecology, or other aspects of women’s health.
Oncology Interest Group
Executives: Demi Andromidas, Kayla Reynolds
The University of Manitoba Oncology Interest Group is a student-run society aimed to be the medical student’s guide to oncology. Our aim is to expose interested students to the multidisciplinary practice of oncology, including residents and attendings in medical, radiation, surgical, hematologic oncology and more.
Ophthalmology Interest Group
Executives: Chris Stockl, Fatima Saqib
A student interest group aimed at connecting interested students with attending and residents in ophthalmology. Events including speeches, Q&A sessions, etc. will be held throughout the year in order to engage students in this exciting field. We also fundraise with Orbis, a non-profit NGO dedicated to saving sight worldwide through initiatives such as the flying eye hospital.
Orthopedic Surgery Interest Group
Executives: Muhammad Hayat, Rhett Lough
The University of Manitoba’s Orthopaedic Surgery Interest Group connects medical students interested in orthopaedic surgery with professionals in the field. Join us to explore this field and connect with fellow students who share your passion.
Pediatric Interest Group (PIG)
Executives: CJ Moreno, Cate Vercaigne, Tiffany Tantakoun, Kaitlyn Merrill
The Pediatrics Interest Group (PIG) puts on many great events each year, including Halloween and Valentine’s Day Candy gram fundraisers, a dinner with physicians in various pediatric subspecialties, information nights run by current pediatrics residents about their path to residency, pediatric skills night, and more!
Physiatry and Sports Medicine Interest Group (PSMIG)
Executives: Rhett Lough, Sophie Poirier Cole
An interest group designed to expose undergraduate medical students to two musculoskeletal-oriented fields: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (aka PMR or Physiatry) and the 2+1 Sports Medicine program within Family Medicine. By providing information sessions as well as practical opportunities to explore these fields, PSMIG acts as a forum for students interested in pursuing a career in Physiatry or Sports Medicine.
POCUS Interest Group
Executives: Karanvir (Karan) Bhasin, Ruchira Thomas
Point of Care Ultrasound is an important tool in clinical practice for its use in diagnostic imaging and procedural guidance. However, students rarely get opportunities to use or learn about ultrasound in medical school. POCUS IG hosts skills sessions where students can receive hands-on experience and training with point of care ultrasound. Through these sessions students will learn a wide variety of POCUS techniques from doctors and residents.
Psychiatry Interest Group (PinG)
Executives: Michelle Guimond, Joshua Waldman
This interest group provides an exposure to the subspecialties of psychiatry. We facilitate panel discussions by specialists on topics ranging from mood disorders to child and adolescent psychiatry.
Radiology Interest Group (RaIG)
Executives: Dylan Walker, Mateus Tomczyk
Radiology Interest Group is a student-run group that aims to bring radiology exposure into pre-clerkship medical education in conjunction with radiologists affiliated with the Department of Radiology.
Research in Medicine Interest Group
Executives: Doris Goubran, Demi Andromidas
The Research in Medicine Interest Group aims to promote careers in medical research and to connect students with the resources needed to become involved with research during their medical education.
Student Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN)
Executives: Gerald Trojillo, Mercedes Stemm
Available Positions: Two Med 1 rep’s
Description (Goals): SIGN aims to stimulate medical student’s interests in neurology and make them aware of opportunities within the field. SIGN, being the University of Manitoba chapter of the American Academy of Neurology, looks to accomplish this by creating an environment of like-minded individuals and provide the encouragement and opportunities to pursue their neurology-based interests.
Responsibilities: Organize and facilitate events, invite guest speakers, and offer clinical exposures to enhance members’ understanding of neurology. We advocate for neurological health awareness, promote networking and leadership development, and engage in community outreach. Join us to explore neurology and build lasting connections with fellow students.
Past Events: Neurology & Neurosurgery Panel Night, Neurology OSCE Prep Night
University of Manitoba Surgery Club (UMSC)
Executives: Brett Sirant, Leah Schwartz, Jenna Cross
The University of Manitoba Surgery Club is made up of Manitoba medical students interested in pursuing a career in surgery. We work to connect students to mentors, get students exposed to the wide variety of surgical specialties available here in Manitoba, as well as create hands-on events where students can practice their surgical skills. Last year we organized a “Suture Night” where students had the opportunity to learn and practice suturing, and knot-tying, as well as a Laparoscopy simulation event. We look forward to reading your applications this year!
Urology Interest Group
Executives: Seungyeon (Julie) Yoon, Jason Ko
UIG is your portal to the world of Urology, offering you shadowing opportunities with physicians in the field, an opportunity to get hands on through skills nights, as well as giving you information about patient care and career development in the field.
Vascular Surgery Interest Group
Executives: Fatima Saqib, CJ Moreno
The Vascular Surgery Interest Group (VSIG) seeks to increase interest and exposure to vascular surgery, through surgical and clinical skills events as well as information nights. This group is for all students, whether interested in vascular surgery or not, with the ultimate goals being learning useful techniques, networking, and having a great time!