Hey everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well and congratulations on completing your first exam of medical school!

Under the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) portfolio of the MMSA, 3 working groups exist to address various topics and focus on projects that work towards improving equity and inclusivity in medical school. These groups are:

* Race and Ethnicity * 2SLGBTQIA+ * Accessibility

The members of these groups take part in various activities throughout the year, including curriculum review, advocacy and information campaigns, and event planning. Some examples of events completed over the past year include:

* History and Medicine Showcase Night highlighting how various medical innovations have roots in marginalized communities. Indigenous physicians as well as historians had a sit down conversation while students enjoyed a catered lunch. Part of this event was an Instagram highlight of various innovations that students researched. * EDI and Global Health Conference: the largest student run medical conference in Manitoba is planned by the EDI working group members! Topics of past years include patient advocacy and healing forward, and the conference brings together medical students, residents, staff, and community members over a full day of speaker highlights and interactive sessions. * Curriculum reviews: students in the working groups work with course leads to review course topics and address where equity directed changes and improvements can be made, as well as where new content can be added. More information about curriculum reviews is included in the application form questions. * Lunch and Learn series: students from various working groups brought in speakers to discuss topics, such as working in South Africa as a Black physician during Apartheid, throughout the school year so students could learn from physicians while enjoying a free lunch. * Members are able to join the RFHS EDI committee, and be involved in projects beyond the medical school. * Members may also work with other physicians, healthcare workers and/or community members who can advocate for equity focused changes.

The goals and outcomes for the working groups are very much determined each year by the members, so if you are interested in having an idea come to life or to be involved in meaningful work during medical school, joining a working group is an excellent opportunity to do so!

Working group members will have their work credited on their MSPR, and this will not interfere with the 2 group maximum for Interest Groups. As membership in the working groups is a 2 year term, members selected in their first year of medical school will automatically be in the working group in their second year as well.

Any questions about the working groups in general and EDI work within the MMSA can be directed to the MMSA Vice-Stick EDI Senior, Fatima Saqib (she/her) (saqibf@myumanitoba.ca) or the Vice-Stick EDI Junior, Patricia Machekera (she/her) (machekpc@myumanitoba.ca).

To apply for a working group, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/cUbrxqYyqM2AAWV1A

Applications will close at 11:59 pm on Wednesday, Sep 17th, 2025.

Kindly,

Fatima Saqib (she/her) Student | Class of 2027 Vice Stick Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Sr. Manitoba Medical Students’ Association Max Rady College of Medicine