2012 Committee Nominations

To nominate, please email nominate@insight-health.org.au with the following information:
Your Name
Year Level
Position You Are Nominating For
150 words or less about why you think you are the best for the role.

Please also prepare a two minute speech with an extra minute for questions for the AGM. We will be sticking strictly to these times and people will be stopped with a two minute bell.
 

Chair

Alyssa Fitzpatrick 5th Year Medicine
“INSIGHT has inspired me with its capacity to act as an agent for change. From Memberships Officer to AMSA Global Health Committee Representative, including a 12-month term on the AGH Executive, I have continued to be motivated to be a part of this collaborative group. As Chair in 2012, I will continue to engrain Insight’s role within the medical school, igniting our members with a passion for global health equality and equipping them with skills to contribute in their future careers. As such, in 2012, my agenda as Chair will be to put global health at the forefront of medical school culture. By building on our current foundations, we can consolidate our funding pathways to reconceptualise existing projects, expand the current aid project and create new avenues for medical student involvement by linking with external organisations. And together, Insight will continue to effect change locally and internationally.”

Vice Chair

Alyssa Fitzpatrick 5th Year Medicine
“INSIGHT is defined by its collaborative and supportive committee approach, and as Vice-Chair I would continue to ensure that communication is open and frequent, providing an accessible conduit between the Executive and the Committee. With a particular emphasis on supporting the Education and Curriculum officers, I would advocate for increased focus on these key portfolios. I envisage INSIGHT taking on some elements of the AMSA Code Green campaign, including consideration of the environmental impact of our activities, and a strengthening of Insight’s advocacy for expanding opportunities in International Health within the curriculum. The introduction of a series of INSIGHT educational seminars would be a key strategy to increase global health awareness within the medical school body. My previous experience holding five committee positions over three years would place me in the ideal position to assist the Chair in completing his/her tasks as a diligent and supportive Vice-Chair.”

Secretary

Joule (JJ) Li 2nd Year Medicine
“My passion for Insight started last year after being inspired at the Birthing Kit Workshop. Motivated, I involved myself with 2 Working Parties (Quiz Night, Amazing Raise). Through these, I realised how truly blessed we are to be able to contribute so much to people less lucky than ourselves. While unfortunately I wasn’t elected to this year’s Committee, I’ve nonetheless remained involved via the Friends Router, especially giving Official Documents feedback. In 2012, I wish to return to Insight with more passion than ever before. My broad grassroots Insight experience, combined with AMSS Committee, AMSF Working Party Secretary, and extensive Official Documents experience, have prepared me well to tackle the behind-the-scenes role of Secretary. Utilising my enthusiasm, unwavering reliability, and email addiction (checked 4+ times a day!), I set myself 3 goals: write ‘Committee Guides’ to ease everyone into their new roles, timely distribution of agendas/pre-reading, and up-keeping Official Documents.”
 
Chantelle Yam 4th Year Medicine
“Since my involvement with Insight and having witnessed global health firsthand, I have developed a passion for doing my part in the fight for global health equality. My experiences as AUMO Co-Chair has cultivated strong time-management and organizational skills, together with ample practice in writing minutes and instructing via email, thus preparing me well for this role of Secretary. Furthermore, as Senior Medical Student Representative this year, I’m well acquainted with the committee’s inner workings and in shifting my focus to Insight for 2012, I would be thrilled to tackle a larger role and contribute some ideas I have for Insight’s future. As always, tasks will be approached with diligence and professionalism, ensuring minutes are readily available within 48hrs and action points followed through. I will serve to support the team, being accessible day and night and guarantee all matters discussed within the executive are regularly communicated to the committee.”

Sponsorships Officer

Danielle Fitzpatrick 3rd Year Medicine
“Insight’s success in inspiring and mobilising students to action relies upon our strong partnerships with ongoing sponsors. As Development Fund Dinner Convenor in 2011 (and Junior Medical Representative in 2010), I have extensive experience in promoting the goals and values of Insight to external organisations and negotiating to achieve mutual outcomes. With a conscientious and professional manner, I will continue to maintain a high level of communication with our sponsors through regular meetings and email updates. My goal for 2012 is to firstly continue to formalise our sponsorship agreements and prospectus through major and focussed packages for social and educational events and our aid portfolio. Using this structure, I will then aim to expand our sponsorships network by exploring partnerships in areas including pathology and allied health, and more broadly finance and student travel.”
 
Katherine Watson 5th Year Medicine
“As the Cree Indian proverb goes, “only when the last tree has died, and the last river been poisoned, and the last fish been caught, will we realise we cannot eat money”. This may well be true, but in having secured more than $5000 worth of sponsorship as AMSS Red Party Convenor in 2011, as well as $3000 for the AMSS Publications portfolio in 2010, I am acutely aware of the opportunities that sponsorship can create for student organisations whose activities heavily rely on the generous support of their sponsors. I would love the opportunity to create these for INSIGHT. In 2012 I hope to streamline the sponsorship portfolio by creating event-specific prospectuses in addition to one specifically targeting majors, developing a database for potential sponsors for the benefit of prospective INSIGHT committees and event convenors, and exploring the idea of tiered sponsorship with the current committee.”

Treasurer

Ha Lu 2nd Year Medicine
“Insight and global health have captivated my interest since becoming a member in O-week. I see Insight treasury as an opportunity to work with the committee to bring about positive changes at the committee and social level.
I have extensive financial experience which includes book-keeping in the retail sector over the past four years and completing mathematics and commerce tertiary subjects. As treasurer, I will develop book-keeping, monetary management and budgeting frameworks to ensure financial integrity, transparency and fiscal responsibility at every level of Insight. Furthermore, I intend to explore investment strategies for Insight’s accumulated savings and the viability of an online payments gateway.
I will contribute governance knowledge from experience on executive committees including as AURHA treasurer and AMSF sponsorship officer. I also have one year full time industrial experience in small business management. As a pre-clinical executive member, I will focus on ensuring high levels of pre-clinical involvement.”

Education Officers (2)

 

Curriculum Officer

Sarah Borg 5th Year Medicine
“After attending numerous Insight events over the years and involving myself with the Events Working Party this year I am very keen to engage myself in a more intensive role and be part of the Insight committee in my final year next year.
As a student who is very interested in global health I have chosen every possible relevant elective that the MLTU has allowed: International Health in second year, and Global Health in fourth year (which I will be doing again as a sixth year SCAP). Asides from these electives and the occasional lecture on public health, there are very limited opportunities in our course to learn about global and public health. If selected for this position next year I will endeavour to create more opportunities for medical students to be taught about global health issues (public health lectures featuring slides full of lists of statistics not included!)”

Events Co-ordinators (2)

Anni Chen & Xi (Cicy) Li 2nd Year Medicine
“Our love affair with Insight began on Day One of O-week. Since then, we have been heavily involved with all aspects of Insight, attending both social and educational events, committee meetings and Global Health Conference. We have been on EVERY Insight event working party, many for multiple years. Through this, we have gained an excellent understanding of the events and how they run. We also have extensive events coordination experience outside of Insight. Cicy was events coordinator of AURHA this year and has also run many past campaigns for organizations such as World Vision. Anni has coordinated international exchange programs and various other functions. In short, we can run anything from a casual BBQ to a fancy dinner! Our vision for Insight Events next year is ‘livelier, bigger and better!’ We will do our utmost to push for more marketing, bigger venues and greater attendance to promote Insight’s inspiring work”
 
Sophie Thoo and Annabelle Hayes 3rd Year and 2nd Year Medicine
“Insight was founded by two medical students who wanted to inspire changes in global health. As two current medical students also passionate about this goal, we would be excellent events coordinators for Insight in 2012. We both have previous experience in organising events down to the last details – from bake sales and fetes through to a youth camp and organizing functions through part-time jobs. These will mean that as a team we have the skills to ensure that Insight events in 2012 not only meet, but exceed expectations. As a combination of a clinical student and pre-clinical student, we will be a dynamic team perfect to organize events catering to the needs of the whole medical school. It is these traits, along with our enthusiasm for the role that will help us to create amazing Insight events to educate and empower more students with regards to global health issues.”

Memberships Officer

Lorenzo Chewparsad 3rd Year Medicine
“In my role as Junior Medical Representative (now Pre-Clinical Medical Representative) in this past year, I have had the opportunity to have an active involvement in the semesterly pre-clinical membership drives. As a result of getting to know the behind-the-scenes of the membership role and the members themselves, I would love the opportunity to take on this role next year. Insight is growing; with the introduction of an executive, the inclusion of a nursing officer and the ascending number of new faces in Florey every year and I believe that as the Membership Officer, I would aid and assist in this growth over the next year. The Membership Officers of Insight have provided an avenue of communication, information, enthusiasm and support for me since my entrance into Medical school. It is this that I hope to provide to all members of Insight in 2012.”

Aid Co-ordinator

Johanna Warren 3rd Year Medicine
“Insight has a number of exciting aid projects in place, which I have developed an interest in during my work as Allied Health Coordinator this year. In 2012 I’d love the opportunity to further Leigh’s work on these projects, which form a major part of Insight’s agenda. I plan to hold the Birthing Kits Workshop at PAC again and secure early funding so that we can increase the number of kits back to that of previous years. Given the consistent success of the Birthing Kits Workshop, I have ideas for another “hands-on” aid event later in the year, possibly integrated into the Global Health Workshop. I have discussed this with a nurse who organises aid projects in PNG; she has suggested potential “hands-on” student projects for which she can facilitate transport overseas. I also plan to run another textbook drive in 2012, after many enquiries about this during the year.”

Indigenous Health Officer

Mark Hassall 5th Year Medicine
“Insight contributes excellent to a wide range of overseas medical aid work and it is exciting to see our involvement in local Indigenous health beginning to grow as well. I was fortunate enough to accompany this year’s Indigenous Officer to the APY lands for a medical outreach visit, as well as arranging a second trip to the isolated community of Yalata. Medical Students can not only learn a great deal from these extra-curricular exposures, but can also contribute to the ongoing healthcare in these remote Indigenous communities. There is great scope to improve Insight’s ongoing work here and to involve and expose more students. I am currently contributing to Brydie’s excellent work in securing funding for future student trips and I look forward to pursuing this project and more in 2012.”

Marketing Officer

Charmaine Chai 5th Year Medicine
“For 2012, I will be nominating for the position of Marketing Officer on the Insight Committee. I’ve always loved using photoshop and have recently branched into using illustrator and indesign, and feel that in the position of Marketing Officer I will be able to contribute to the committee next year and embrace my creative side! I think that my past experience as Chair and Sponsorships Officer of Insight puts me in a unique position to assist next year’s committee in moving forward with Insight’s cause.”

Pre-Clinical Medical Representative

Edwina Munns-Cook 2nd Year Medicine
“I am the best person for the position because I am passionate about issues related to global health and I believe I can positively and effectively inform others on the state of international health care. I am also passionate about the future prospects of working internationally with organisations such as Medecins Sans Frontieres, and plan to volunteer in South America and India during my medical degree, having already undertaken a medical placement in Thailand in January this year. I have the organisational, communication skills and the drive to proactively inform and involve other junior medical students in Insight events. I have strong team-work skills, having had wide ranging experience of working in multiple teams, which will assist other Committee members in coordinating and running those events successfully. Whilst a member of the Committee, I would be keenly interested in creating new projects run by Insight overseas, further strengthen existing projects”

Clinical Medical Representitive

Afsana Hasan 5th Year Medicine
“Look no further, I will be the best senior medical representative ever! My long history of involvement in Insight (since MBBS I) puts me in an ideal position for this role. As Education Officer, I revolutionised the educational events. This includes organising the inaugural Future Callings night for medical and dentistry students, and providing students with a showcase of overseas placements in the Global Health Seminar. I also bring my organisational experience as current Co-Chair of the Adelaide University Golf Society, and global health experience from spending 4 weeks in a rural Indian hospital.
I believe this position is more than just discussion board posts and putting up posters. I will provide much needed support to committee members in their roles, particularly for events and their promotion. I would also like to collect our members’ thoughts and opinions so that we can continue to give our members what they want.”
 
Alexander (Lachie) Birrell 3rd Year Medicine
“Have you ever noticed that when you are at Quiz night, Medcamp, Birthing kits workshops or even Jazz night that you feel safe to leave your belongings unsupervised? That is because the medical community in general is filled with good-hearted people that you can trust. I genuinely believe that everyone that I know in medicine is committed to making the world a better place, in one way or another. And I know that when faced with the opportunity to help improve the quality of life of others, that those individual 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th year students will pounce at the chance to make him or herself useful. Please give me the opportunity to show those students how they can make themselves useful and I know they will follow through with it. Thank you.”

Allied Health Liason

Alexander (Lachie) Birrell 3rd Year Medicine
“As Allied Health Liaison I would aim to support the new nursing officer in promoting Insight events to this cohort. I would also like to expand the allied health branch of the Global Health Workshop from 2011, or create a stand-alone educational event for allied health students. As part of this educational event I plan to organise a “global village” style activity that involves liaison of medical, nursing, dentistry, engineering, psychology, development studies and health science students. This could involve discussion on how all of these arenas contribute to developing world health, possibly with reference to a new Insight overseas aid project for students from these courses to become involved in. I am an enthusiastic hard worker that is easy to approach and work with. After involvement in Insight working parties during 2011 I am thoroughly looking forward to becoming more involved with the organisation over coming years.”

Dentistry Officer

 

Nursing Officer

 

AMSA Global Health Representative

Deeva Vather 2nd Year Medicine
“Insight and the AGH improve the lives of many disadvantaged people. I feel strongly about global health equity and this is why I would love the opportunity to increase my contribution to these organisations in 2012. Through attending committee meetings, lecture bashing, discussion board posting, and supporting three of Insight’s working parties, I’ve gained a further understanding of how Insight operates, it’s values and it’s goals. I think that this knowledge will help me effectively liaise between Insight and the AGH and share Insight’s point of view during policy discussions. I also had the opportunity to attend the 2011 Global Health Conference. Having had an amazing experience there, I’m keen to promote GHC and expand the 2012 Adelaide delegation. While I understand that this position is a big commitment, I’m prepared to put in the work to ensure that Insight and the AGH continue to have an excellent relationship.”

DFD Convenor

Katherine Watson 5th Year Medicine
“The growth of INSIGHT over the past five years has been a joy to watch. While I have no past experience with INSIGHT, I have a diverse set of skills from roles on other committees that I would love the opportunity to use as DFD Convenor. As past Publications Officer, current Philanthropy Officer and Red Party Convenor for the AMSS, and as a current member of the AMSA GHN Publications team, I have vast experience in events management, the coordination of working parties, marketing and sponsorship (including securing over $5000 of sponsorship for Red Party this year). Just as important to this role is a genuine passion for global health and desire to see INSIGHT succeed. These qualities, my experience and fresh perspective will help me deliver a DFD that will not only allow INSIGHT to sustain their current initiatives, but raise the profile of the fantastic work they do.”

IT Officer