Dear Incoming Students,

 

On behalf of the COM Class of 2010 and DPT Class of 2009, congratulations and welcome to the University of South Florida! We represent the Peer Advisory Committee (PAC), which is a selected group of students whose role is to make your transition into medical school and your first year a successful one. Previously, this committee has been made up of twelve members and is often referred to as '12 PAC'. This year, with the addition of two members of the Doctor of Physical Therapy class, we have fourteen. We look forward to meeting you and we are available this summer to answer any questions you may have.

 

As you begin to search for places to live, you may find our apartment guide helpful. It is a compilation of comments our class had about the places they lived this past year and if they would recommend them or not. One thing you should know is the area near the University Mall is a high crime area -- avoid apartments located on the West Side of Bruce B. Downs from Bearss Ave to Busch Blvd. Also South Tampa is not a bad decision. It is a 25 minute ride to class everyday, but it is 5 minutes from TGH and all the great bars in South Tampa.

 

Another document we would like to turn your attention to is the Little Sibling Questionnaire. Next year you will have an assigned Big Sibling from the class of 2010. He or she will be available to you for advice, guidance, and possibly hand-me-down textbooks. This is an informal questionnaire, please enjoy completing it. Only members of the 12 PAC will have access to this information so there is no need to censor your responses.

 

The Peer Advisory Committee also provides a First Year Survival Guide, which is a summary of pointers from the previous classes. This includes: a summary of all of all first year classes, information about textbooks and equipment, the role(s) of class officers and liaisons, class attendance policies, noteservice, videostreaming, what to do if a hurricane threatens the Tampa area, and a collection of restaurants, museums, gyms, etc. that members of our class wanted to share with you.

 

During the weekend before the start of your classes and your first week of school, we have organized many events for you to participate in so you can become familiar with the Tampa area, members of your class, and members of our class. We sincerely hope that you will be able to attend these events. Feel free to bring significant others and family members to any and all of these activities.

  

Saturday August 11, 2007 BBQ and Scavenger Hunt (11am)

This will be your first chance to meet members of the classes of 2010 and 2011 as well as faculty that you will be working with. After the BBQ, we will split you up into groups and send you out into the Tampa area (with detailed maps and someone who is familiar with the area!) to introduce you to some of our favorite hot spots. This event will begin in the picnic area beside the COM. Please bring a few extra dollars to give the drivers for the scavenger hunt as well as a change of clothes.

  

Sunday August 12, 2007 POM Dinner (6pm)

The first class that you will have is a 3 week introduction to the profession of medicine aptly named, The Profession of Medicine (POM). During this course you will be working closely with an assigned group of classmates. This dinner gives you the opportunity to meet those individuals who have been arbitrarily assigned to your group. In addition, there will be members of the class of 2010 dining with you to answer any last minute questions you may have before your first day of classes. We will meet in the atrium of the nursing building which is right beside the first and second year classrooms for some appetizers before splitting up for dinner. Sorry everyone is responsible for their own dinners.

 

Monday August 13, 2007 Big/Little Sibling Lunch *Free Lunch*

Maybe we should elaborate, although what more incentive is there? We will be providing the classes of 2010 and 2011 with free lunch in order for them to take this opportunity to meet or just meet up with their Big Sibling. It is a very casual encounter that will hopefully alleviate any anxiety you have on your first day of classes. This event will take place in the first year histology labs.

 

Friday August 17, 2007 80s Party (8pm)

The 80s party is to celebrate completion of your first week of medical school. As you will discover, the course, The Profession of Medicine, is designed to show you how various common health problems were dealt with in the 1980s and how they are dealt with now. This costume/theme party is to celebrate the 80s and to see your course director, Dr. Bognar dressed in a fantastic outfit deserving of the greatest mockery. He is our friend, not the enemy.

 

Saturday August 25, 2007 3^rd Annual Fun Run (9am)

This will be the third annual Fun Run (nomenclature that is derived as a parody from the 11th Annual Bull Run - see below) that is designed to ignite camaraderie between medical school classes and faculty. It is a charitable event in which the money raised will be donated to free health clinics in the community. Shirts for this event for the incoming class will be provided through 12 PAC. There will be a short run to get the blood flowing followed by some games such as a water balloon toss and water relays. Last year there was also a hotly contested beach volleyball game while others simply enjoyed the park.

 

Wednesday August 22, 2007 Bowling

Come and enjoy another great opportunity to get acquainted with your new classmates as well as us. The price will be $10 per person (please bring exact change) for all-you-can-bowl, shoe rentals, and a couple of free beverages, as well as drink specials. This event will occur from 8-12pm at University Lanes on 56^th St. You are welcome to bring friends and family.

 

Directions from USF:

1.      Go North on Bruce B. Downs heading towards Fletcher Ave.

2.      Make a Right on E. Fletcher Ave.

3.      Make a Right on 56th Street N

4.      Make a Right into 13109 N. 56th St N (AMF University Lanes)

 

Saturday September 29, 2007 11th Annual Bull Run

This event is a University of South Florida College of Medicine tradition in which all four medical school classes are invited to a night out in Ybor City. Shirts are purchased through 12 PAC and friends and family members are welcome to join. Each shirt will have a list of participating clubs and bars that have agreed to provide one beverage (alcoholic or non alcoholic) to the wearer of the previously mentioned shirt. Buses will be provided for members of the class of 2011 to and from Ybor City and there will be members of 12 PAC located at certain participating vendors should you become separated from your friends. Remember, as students embarking upon the medical profession, it is expected that those who choose to drink alcohol, will do so in a responsible adult manner!

 

Please stay tuned for more events to follow!!

 

The Peer Advisory Committee is a self-funded student organization. We raise our money for these events by selling shirts and equipment to incoming first year students. In addition to class shirts and shirts for Bull Run, we also sell physical diagnosis kits that you will need for the Physical Diagnosis class. These kits include the necessary (required) tools at prices lower than those offered by the bookstore on campus. We also sell scrubs that you will need for Anatomy Lab. Keep checking the 12-PAC website for updates. Click on the different links to find the Medical Sales Order Form (included with this letter), First Year Survival Guide, the Big Sib/Little Sib Questionnaire and the Apartment Guide.

 

So now that you are in medical school, what should you do now?

 

Relax and have a great summer!!!

 

 

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us via phone or email. We really mean it, we’d like to hear from you! Also, keep checking the website for updates. Once again, congratulations and welcome to the University of South Florida!

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Peer Advisory Committee Chairs

Deana Hussamy                  dhussamy@health.usf.edu                       c: (813) 380-7289

Thure Caire                          mcaire@health.usf.edu                             c: (850) 321-1541