Fellow Bio:

My fourth year of medical school was a busy one from a variety of perspectives. After doing close to nothing as a third year from an advocacy perspective, I began again getting involved with the organizations and issues that have interested me.

I became the Region VI Trustee for AMSA and used many of the skills I learned in LOCUS to help chapter leaders at various schools in Illinois and Wisconsin implement their own programming.

I also became very interested in issues surrounding prescription drug prices and the roles of the pharmaceutical industry in marketing to physicians. After taking a research based activism course through Albert Einstein in the Bronx, NY, I proposed a project investigating the volume of drugs prescribed befor and after a drug loses its patent. I hope to show that even though a drug becomes cheaper, its sales do not go up because the drug is no longer marketed aggressively.

I also did do the PNHP slide show for 1st years during my fourth year. I also turned the slides over to a 1st year who had an interest in the issue.

I am very grateful to LOCUS for the skills, the connections, and the support. It is rare to find a community like this in med school. I'll always appreciate it.

My project entails raising awareness in the community about the need for a National and/or State Health Insurance Program.

The goal of my project is to raise awareness about the barriers to health care access under the current health care system. Hopefully, this awareness among medical students and within the community will translate into enthusiasm for future health care initiatives on the political level.

• The major achievement since my last report was planning and executing a "Candlelight Vigil for the Uninsured" at the Wisconsin State Capitol on September 6th, 2001. According to the cover story in the Capital Times, approximately 300 people attended, including 100 medical students. The story was also covered by the Badger Herald, the state nursing newspaper, the 10 o'clock news on two local stations, and numerous radio stations. Speakers included representatives of national organizations, community activists, and Chuck Chvala, who spoke about his Senate Bill 133 which would create a single-payer state run insurance system.
• In addition, I have also given the Physicians for a National Health Program slide show presentation to the undergraduate group, AHANA, as well as to the Social Work program's Health Care Field Unit class.
• I attended the Physicians for a National Health Program annual meeting in Atlanta in October, with the generous support of LOCUS and the Family Medicine department.

The biggest challenge I have encountered has been the follow-up concerning Senate Bill 133. In the aftermath of September 11th and the current budget shortfall, it seems as if the priorities of politicians and the public are elsewhere.

Resource Needs:

E-mail, phone calls, presentations, etc.

Last update:

December 22, 2001

Graduation Requirements Progress Chart
If you complete the requirements outlined below, you will graduate as a LOCUS fellow.

A indicates the item has been completed.

Completed	When	What	On-line
	Year 1: Beginning of Semester 2	New Project Report	Submit Report
	Year 2: Beginning of Semester 1	Project Update	Submit Update
	Year 2: Beginning of Semester 2	Project Update	Submit Update
	Year 3: Beginning of third year	Project Update	Submit Update
	Year 4: August of fourth year	2-3 page final summary of project that includes a reflective evaluation of the project process	N/A
	Ongoing	Participate in program evaluation (written and/or focus group)	View Options
	By the end of fourth year	Select poster, presentation, paper, creative option or your own idea	View Options

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© 2003 University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Family Medicine