Interest Groups

The AI in Medicine club, also known as AIM, is a student-led hub where we explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing medicine. We’re all about sharing knowledge and sparking curiosity in AI through workshops, lectures, and hands-on research. It’s not just about learning; it’s a chance to innovate, collaborate, and grow in a field where AI meets health care.

If you’re considering WashU Med, AIM offers a unique peek into the future of medicine and AI. It’s a place where you can engage with cutting-edge technology, connect with peers and experts, and be at the forefront of this exciting intersection.

The Cardiovascular Interest Group (CVIG) is a student interest group that works with the division of cardiothoracic (CT) surgery to foster students’ interest and understanding of CT surgery. Each year, the CVIG hosts several events including an introductory informational session, presentations regarding current research in the department, and physician panels in which students can directly ask their questions about CT surgery to the current CT fellows. Our most popular event each year is our Anastomosis Lab, in which students learn how to suture an anastomosis directly from the CT surgery fellows and our CVIG faculty lead, Dr. Muhammad Masood. We aim to help students learn more about this field and to connect students with the surgeons and researchers that can help further their involvement in cardiothoracic surgery.

The Child Psychiatry Interest Group at WashU Med is part of a national group called Klingenstein Third Generation Foundation (KTGF), which provides programming and support for medical students interested in the field of child psychiatry. Our KTGF Child Psychiatry Interest Group facilitates opportunities for students including shadowing, research, and mentorship with residents. We also work with students to attend and present at the annual KTGF conference, which takes place at various medical schools around the country.

The Dermatology Interest Group (DIG) is dedicated to introducing medical students to the dynamic and fascinating world of dermatology! Throughout the year, DIG organizes a variety of events designed to offer valuable learning experiences and networking opportunities. One highlight is our subspecialty panel event, where students can explore diverse paths within dermatology, such as pediatric dermatology, dermatopathology, Mohs micrographic surgery, and more. This unique platform allows students to gain insights into different subspecialties and establish connections with experienced physicians in those fields. In addition to these panels, DIG hosts educational talks. Recently, a guest speaker from the Skin of Color Society discussed disparities in diagnoses among patients of color. The conversation delved into understanding how skin conditions might manifest differently, and we explored strategies to address and mitigate these disparities. As part of our yearly activities, we also organize an M4 match panel, allowing matched students to share their experiences with the application cycle and offer valuable advice. We aim to foster connections between students and the field, connecting them with faculty members and offering opportunities to delve deeper into dermatology beyond the standard curriculum.

The Emergency Medicine Interest Group (EMIG) collaborates with a team of Emergency Medicine (EM) residents and faculty in the department to organize events that introduce students to the world of EM. The group has organized many engaging events such as a panel discussion on life in EM with faculty, a talk on the impact of climate change in medicine, and a night dedicated to watching media depictions of emergency medicine. Additionally, the group provides career development opportunities, including shadowing and emergency/trauma case simulations. Whether you are curious about emergency medicine or seriously considering it as a career, I highly recommend that you check out the EMIG. It’s also an excellent opportunity to meet new people and enjoy a delicious slice of pizza.

Are you a medical student intrigued by infectious diseases? Well, the Infectious Disease Interest Group (IDIG) is the group for you! We recognize that not everyone lives and breathes microbiology, so the goals of IDIG are to endorse general interest in the field and provide opportunities for students to explore those interests. For example, we organize student volunteering opportunities for the annual WashU flu shot clinic, adult and pediatric shadowing, infectious disease-related lunch talks, and review nights for you (gunners) to flex your Sketchy Micro knowledge. We are connected to a wide network of faculty who have such unique paths in the field ranging from public health advocates to bacterial, virus, and parasite experts to hospital leaders and everything else in between. So whether you’re ready to apply to an Infectious Disease fellowship tomorrow or you just want to hear about some of the wildest case reports, our door is open!

The Internal Medicine Interest Group seeks to connect medical students to faculty and mentors within the field of internal medicine. Internal medicine is a foundation for all the subspecialties, and we encourage students to explore the field and learn more about its unique opportunities in longitudinal patient care and procedures. Some of our events include panels with physicians from different internal medicine subspecialties as well as procedural training events, such as joint injection workshops. We also provide funding for internal medicine-related conferences. To patients, internal medicine physicians are key players in their primary care, taking care to think of all systems at once.

The Medical Ethics Student Society (MESS) is a new student group whose mission is to foster discourse among students, faculty, and leading figures in the broader health care landscape about ethical practices in modern medicine. MESS organizes a mix of events, including smaller discussions about the role of ethics in patient care as well as larger seminars and panels about recent ethical controversies in medicine. Two of my favorite events have included a lunch talk about how patient narratives can shape end-of-life care in the case of ambiguous patient directives, as well as a panel composed of nephrologists, a journalist, and a health insurance CEO discussing the ramifications of increasing private-equity-based hospital ownership. MESS is a wonderful way to learn more about the medical humanities and participate in ethics-based dialogue about the practice of medicine.

Although WashU Med does not have a formalized Internal Medicine-Pediatrics residency program, the Medicine-Pediatrics Interest Group (MPIG) strives to increase awareness of the dual-specialty program among students at WashU Med. Medicine-Pediatrics residency provides a wide breadth of training in caring for individuals of all ages ranging from newborns to geriatric patients. Medicine-Pediatrics residents go on to pursue many different subspecialties (cardiology, infectious disease, pulmonary/critical care, women’s health, sports medicine, and more) and work in a variety of settings, including private practice, academic medicine, and hospitalist programs. MPIG supports students interested in applying to Medicine-Pediatrics by providing opportunities to connect with Medicine-Pediatrics faculty at WashU Med and facilitating lectures, case discussions, and workshops that expose students to the many careers open to Med-Peds physicians.

The Neurosurgery Interest Group (NSIG) aims to expose students to the field of neurosurgery. This group offers networking opportunities with attendings, residents, and other medical students interested in neurosurgery. Some of our past events include student research panels and case presentations. These events portray the daily life of a neurosurgeon and offer advice on preparing for a career in neurosurgery. NSIG also offers shadowing with residents and can establish connections for both clinical and basic science research.