May 2026

As Year 1 and Year 2 students head into exams over the next couple of weeks, we wanted to start this edition with a few reminders for STUVAC: study hard, but please, for the love of all things medicine and the grind, look after yourself too.

The preclinical years are such an important part of medicine. At times, they can feel overwhelming, abstract, and like someone decided to turn the human body into a bunch of learning objectives with minimal learning material to study from… Oh wait that’s just clin years hehe. But this is where you are building the fundamental knowledge that will carry you through your clinical years and beyond. It is normal for it to feel difficult. It is also normal to feel like you do not know enough yet because, quite literally, you are here to learn.

To remind you of that, we thought we would share a few gentle humblings from students in the years above you:

A fifth year student asked a FACEM whether you could live without your gallbladder, despite having been in countless cholecystectomy procedures. Iconic behaviour if you ask me.

A third year student once put shoe covers on their head and head covers on their shoes before going into surgery. Infection control said “veeeery interesting...”

A fourth year student… (tragically myself… this is Jacques by the way) quizzed on what structures you would cut through to do a hip replacement, confidently answered “gastrocnemius” instead of “gluteus maximus.” The hip was nowhere to be found. The calf had entered the chat.

These moments are funny, but they are also a reminder that making mistakes is part of being a student. Whether you feel anxious, embarrassed, or manage to laugh it off, those are often the moments that stick with you and help you learn. Everyone makes mistakes, even the students who look like they have their life together with their colour coded Anki decks and a emotional support water bottle. Suspicious behaviour, honestly.

On another note, Wellbeing Week looked absolutely fabulous. A huge congratulations to Kaitlyn, Boston, and Rand for all the work you guys put into making it such a success. You all did a wonderful job, and it was so lovely to see students engaging with something that prioritised connection, balance, and wellbeing, three things medical school often treats like optional side quests.

We have an exciting edition for you this month, and we hope it brings a mix of useful updates, familiar faces, and a few moments of encouragement to keep along your medicine journey as we head into a busy part of semester.

DON’T FORGET TO FILL IN THE NSWMSC STUDENT SURVEY!

This Month’s Edition Contains…

Harvey’s Presidential Address

Boston’s Big Beautiful Wellbeing Week Breakdown

An update on AI in Medical Education (Insights into the AI symposium hosted by Macquarie Uni)

Himanya attends AMSA’s Rural Health Summit in Armidale Recap

CHARMS Events! The CHARMS Medicine Ball 2026

What is happening with NSWMSC and AMSA Events?!

An opportunity to help a research team at CSU!

If you have a story for us and would like to contribute to the next newsletter, please reach out to either of us (Grace Ross) or (Jacques Fletcher-Cauchi) via messenger, or send an email:

[email protected] 

[email protected]

NOTE: Sign up to receive FLUORO in your email! Also please send us stories of how you are going, we love to see and hear it all.

CHARMS President Address - Harvey Lew

G’day beautiful people,

We’re somehow already nearing the midpoint of the year, and I know things are beginning to feel increasingly busy across both pre-clinical and clinical years. I hope everyone is managing okay and finding little moments to breathe amongst study, placement, and everything else life insists on throwing at us.

Firstly, I hope everyone enjoyed CHARMS Wellbeing Week at the beginning of May. It was fantastic seeing students get involved across the different events and activities throughout the week. A huge thank you goes to our CHARMS Wellbeing Officer, Mia, as well as our incredible Events Team, Rand and Kaitlyn, for all the hard work and organisation that went into making the week happen. You all did an amazing job. As a reminder as well, we encourage all RCS SODA representatives to continue organising wellbeing events and opportunities within your local regions wherever possible.

This month also saw myself, Leah, and Anita take part in the ‘Be a Health Hero’ event at the Murrumbidgee RCS, organised by the Three Rivers Department of Rural Health. We spent the day teaching school students about different pathways into health professions and running practical sessions involving suturing, airway management, wound care, basic life support, and other hands-on skills. It was a genuinely rewarding experience and a really lovely reminder of the importance of rural outreach and inspiring future healthcare students.

There have also been ongoing discussions between CHARMS and the School of Rural Medicine regarding the Year 4 elective placement structure. A reminder to our Year 4 students to please submit your preference via the Google Form provided through Brightspace by Sunday 31 May at 5pm.

To our first and second-year students, best of luck as mid-year exams begin creeping closer. Be kind to yourselves over the coming weeks, stay steady, and remember that consistency is usually far more valuable than panic.

On the placement front, I’m currently surviving my run of evening shifts in Griffith ED, which has certainly been an experience. Hopefully everyone else is having a slightly more restful time on placement than I am at the moment.

That’s all for now my loves. Take care of yourselves, and take care of each other.

Chat soon,

H <3

Boston’s Big Beautiful Wellbeing Week Breakdown

CHARMS was excited to host another successful Wellbeing Week, giving students the chance to step away from the usual pressures of medicine and take some time to relax, connect, and recharge. The week was designed to support student wellbeing and acknowledge the hard work students have been putting into their studies.

The week started with a yoga session led by a local instructor, giving students the opportunity to slow down, stretch, and focus on mindfulness to distract from their usual study stress. It was a great reminder of the importance of looking after both our physical and mental health, especially as medical students balancing study, work, and personal commitments.

Later in the week, students came together for a grazing board lunch, with wraps, snacks, lollies, and plenty of food to enjoy. It was great to see so many people come along, catch up with friends, and refuel between classes and study.

To finish the week, a multicultural dinner and movie night was held in the movie room, celebrating the diversity within our cohort while giving everyone a chance to unwind after a busy week of classes. Students brought dishes representing their cultures, which were shared and enjoyed while relaxing and watching a movie together.

Overall, Wellbeing Week was a great success and a valuable opportunity for students to take a break, spend time together, and enjoy a range of activities outside the usual demands of medicine. A special thank you goes to our Events Coordinators, Kaitlyn and Rand, for organising such a fantastic week and putting together all of the activities.

AI in Medical Education Symposium

Many of us are already using AI to study — and the data is increasingly showing that students are engaging with these tools in their learning. The AI in Medical Education Symposium provided valuable insight into not just whether AI should be used, but how it should be used safely, thoughtfully, and effectively in medical education.

AI is an incredible tool, but it should elevate your study rather than replace the clinical reasoning you are trying to build. As medical students, it is important that we can still independently formulate a differential diagnosis list based on signs and symptoms, understand the pathophysiology behind disease presentations, recognise why certain clinical features occur, decide what investigations are appropriate, and then work through management. If AI gives us the answer before we have learned how to think through the problem ourselves, we risk outsourcing the very skills we are meant to be developing.

The symposium brought together professors, doctors, medical educators, and medical students from 22 universities across Australia and New Zealand, with many different minds contributing ideas about the future of AI in medical education. It was exciting to be in a room where the conversation was not about fearing AI, but about using it responsibly to improve learning, clinical judgement, and ultimately patient safety.

Francis, Shanker and I also managed to get a selfie, so watch out for Justine’s newsletter to see the three of us absolutely thriving in the room.

Here is a pic of me hogging the microphone as usual ;)

Himanya attends AMSA’s Rural Health Summit in Armidale Recap

Last weekend, I took a little road trip to beautiful Armidale for the AMSA Rural Health Summit held at the UNE campus. With the theme of ‘From the Ground Up: Building the Future of Rural Health’, the summit featured presentations from rural health clinicians, Q&A sessions about rural training pathways, and opportunities to meet other medical students at social events.
It was valuable to hear the insights of clinicians, including GPs, orthopaedic surgeons and RGs, and their journey from internship and residency to working in rural and remote areas. One of the sessions delivered by HNELHD featured CSU Alumni Dr Cameron Martin speaking about his experience as a current JMO at Tamworth Hospital. We miss you Cammy <3
Highlights of the weekend for me were learning more about Indigenous and refugee healthcare delivery in the Hunter New England LHD, and participating in the RACGP Rural Rescue Challenge, where we were able to practice primary and secondary survey skills alongside students from around the country! One of the best parts of student events like this is making new friends from so many other medical schools.
Overall, it was a fantastic experience, and if you have the opportunity to attend in the future I recommend it! I’m very grateful I was able to attend and had such a wonderful time.

CHARMS Events

Clinical Students! - Reach out to your SODA Rep’s! CHARMS have given each RCS money for Wellbeing Activities! ;)

The organisation of the CHARMS Medicine Ball 2026 is well underway!

Save the Date: 1st August 2026

NEW VENUE: Orange Ex Services’ Club - Coral Sea Room

Theme: Elegant Evening Attire - A Night of Fantasia

AMSA Events!

AMSA National Convention 26’ - https://adl26.adl26.org.au/adl26-australian-registration/

For those attending, you will have a blast!

Don’t forget to fill in the RACGP grant to have your Con Ticket and Travel Costs covered!

Competition link: (Ends 1st June)
https://racgp.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6PxkhkGfHYcd5Pw

NSWMSC Events!

Beyond The Curriculum! Tickets $5/pp

25th July 2026

Emergency Medical Challenge / Sports Day / Social Night

Tickets are $10/pp or $40 when you sign up as a team of 6!

• EMC has Sold Out! BUT, you can still put a CSU team together to win the Sports Cup!

• Just send me a message ;)

• Great to socialise with medical students from other universities!

• Saturday, 20th June 2026

Follow our socials to stay up to date!

Instagram: @nswmsc

Facebook: NSW Medical Students’ Council

Delphi Study Invitation: Help Shape a National Survey on HIV PrEP

CHARMS is sharing this opportunity on behalf of the CSU research team.

Researchers are seeking participants to help refine a national survey on HIV PrEP awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and access among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Australia.

You may be eligible if you are:
• Someone with experience using or considering PrEP
• A GP or clinician who prescribes PrEP
• A sexual health or HIV prevention worker

Participation is flexible, takes approximately 60 minutes total, and participants will receive $150.

Submit your EOI via the link below, or contact [email protected] for more information.

What is Happening in the Regions?!

There are some pretty cool events on in all areas so check out yours below ;)

ORANGE

• https://www.orange360.com.au/Events

BATHURST

• https://www.bathurstregion.com.au/events/photo/page/5/

PARKES

• https://www.parkes.nsw.gov.au/Community/Events-and-Festivals

COFFS HARBOUR

• https://www.coffscoast.com/events/

PORT MACQUARIE

• https://www.portmacquarieinfo.com.au/whats-on/events

WAGGA WAGGA

• https://visitwagga.com/calendar

GRIFFITH

• https://visitgriffith.com.au/festivals-and-events/whats-on/

ALBURY/WODONGA

• https://www.visitalburywodonga.com/whats-on/

SWAN HILL

• https://www.visitswanhill.com.au/whats-on/

Some events require tickets, so make sure you double-check before accidentally donating your money to something you didn’t plan on attending.

Rural Doctors Network Conferences and Events for 2026!

Here is the link for RDNs website! Highly recommend signing up to their newsletter: https://www.ruraldoctors.org/site/index.cfm?module=news&pagemode=indiv&page_id=4432295

Events for 2026

1. Obstetrics Procedural Conference - 29-30 May, RDN Office & Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards

2. ALS 1 - 17 June*, Batemans Bay

3. New GP Orientation Workshop - 18-19 June*, Batemans Bay

4. Rural Allied Health Conference - 27 November*, Sydney and online

5. ALS 2 - 25-26 November, Sydney

6. Rural GPs Conference - 26-28 November, Sydney

7. Medical Student Rural Inspiration Conference - 28 November, Sydney

*Date subject to confirmation

Opportunities

• Tertiary Health Study Subsidies - Currently Final Year Offering!

  • 2026 applications open in late Jan for up to $12k if you’re considering clinical marshmallow roles with NSW Health once you’re finished studying (First Years!!! and Final Years!!!)

  • You can register to be notified when applications open here

• MedWorld Scholarship

  • This one isn’t open yet but again you can sign up to be notified when apps open here

  • Looks to me to be $10k, with open voting for recipient

Click the link above to be taken to Orange360, for all things happening in Orange! There are some cool events brewing about 😉 

Until next time beautiful people!

Grace and Jacques x