The Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine Society (APMS) held its first meeting on March 17 at 4 p.m. in room 125 of the Oakland Center.
The meeting introduced the leadership team, outlined the club’s mission and provided an overview of its future plans.
Members learned about anesthesiology and perioperative medicine, including the roles of healthcare professionals before, after and during surgery.
The event highlighted mentorship, networking and hands-on learning opportunities planned for members.
Students had the opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with the leadership team, gaining insight into upcoming events, workshops, and shadowing opportunities.
Destin Meadows, founder and president of APMS, outlined the goals and opportunities for members.
“APMS aims to provide members with a variety of opportunities, including guest speakers from the medical field, educational workshops, volunteer opportunities within the community, and discussions about different healthcare career paths related to surgery and anesthesia,” Meadows said.
Meadows explained the inspiration behind starting the club on campus.
“The inspiration for APMS came from my own interest in anesthesiology and the realization that many students are not exposed to this field early in their academic careers,” Meadows said.
The club seeks to give students more exposure to anesthesiology and a better understanding of operating room practices.
“I wanted to create a space where students interested in medicine, nursing, anesthesia and other healthcare fields could learn more about what happens in the operating room and the broader perioperative environment,” Meadows said.
APMS emphasizes helping students grow professionally while learning more about healthcare careers.
“Ultimately, our goal is to help members explore their interests in medicine while also developing leadership, service, and professional skills,” Meadows said
Yousif Saleh, vice president of APMS, spoke about the benefits students can gain from attending the organization’s first meeting and becoming more actively involved.
“I hope the meeting gives students a clear understanding of what APMS offers and encourages them to get involved, learn more about perioperative healthcare, as it’s not talked about much, and connect with other students who share similar interests,” Saleh said.
Klea Saraci, secretary of APMS, shared her perspective on the sense of community within the club.
“As a pre-med student and aspiring physician, I wanted to be part of a community of students who are on a similar path as me,” Saraci said. “APMS is a great source of opportunities for growth, leadership, and meaningful connections, while also creating a supportive environment where students can learn from one another.”
Leopold Gach, treasurer of APMS, described his interest in the field of anesthesia and involvement in the club.
“I was interested in joining APMS because of my interest in the field of anesthesia, specifically the career path of becoming a CRNA,” Gach said. “Being involved in the club allows me to learn more about the profession and better prepare myself for furthering my education in the field of anesthesiology.”
The meeting marked the beginning of a series of efforts aimed at building a supportive and informative community for students interested in healthcare careers, with a particular focus on anesthesiology and perioperative medicine.
