Congratulations to the new WAMSS Committee for 2024!
For contact details, please visit: https://wamss.org.au/about/contact/
For previous year committees,
check out the Committee page: https://wamss.org.au/about/wamss-committee/
EXECUTIVE
PRESIDENT - ANDREW CHANG
The President is the spokesperson of the society and is a member of the WAMSS Executive. The President is primarily responsible for the overall management and direction of the society in collaboration with the other Executive members, both in the short and long term, sitting as an ex-officio member of the WAMSS Foundation. The President is also responsible for representing WAMSS to key stakeholders such as the UWA School of Medicine, the Postgraduate Medical Council of WA, the Australia Medical Association and Doctors in Training Committee, AMSA, and other government steering committees, industry bodies, and School of Medicine committees as required.
VICE PRESIDENT INTERNAL - DULI JAYALATH
The Vice President Internal has a number of defined responsibilities including chairing the WAMSS Committee, acting as the primary liaison for WAMSS to the Medical School, coordinating the Education Portfolio, representing WAMSS and the student body on numerous School of Medicine Education committees, the UWA Student Guild Education Council and other external committees. The VP Internal also ensures Committee and subcommittee members are adequately trained in internal procedures, sponsorship, budgeting, effective representation and advocacy, in collaboration with the rest of the Executive.
VICE PRESIDENT EXTERNAL - SHEV DIAS
The Vice President External coordinates all sponsorship activities in WAMSS, seeking general sponsorship, and facilitating communications between sponsors and individual portfolios. They coordinate the marketing approach and external branding for the society, as well as managing external affairs roles, including liaising with AMSA Representative, Interhealth Co-Chair/s, Marketing Officer/s, Undergraduate Communications Officer, Website and IT Officer and WAMSS Electives and Exchanges Officer.
VICE PRESIDENT ACADEMIC - DOUGLAS MOK
The Vice President Academic coordinates Academic Portfolio, including liaising with the Student Grand Rounds Coordinators, Academic Events Coordinators and SHMRC Convenor/s. They liaise with UWA School of Medicine and external academic providers, including by representing WAMSS on the Scholarly Activity committee alongside others as defined by the Executive in conjunction with the VP Internal. They coordinate the academic resources provided by WAMSS (eg. WAMSS Notes) including educational seminars run (eg. Scholarly Activity night).
VICE PRESIDENT SOCIAL - SHANE LIM
The Vice President Social coordinates the Social Portfolio, including liaising with the Social Representatives, Orientation Events Co-cordinator/s and Red Party Chair/s. They work with the Social Representatives to coordinate their primary social events, as well as supporting a subcommittee to host and run the annual Medical Dinner. They act to ensure safe and engaging WAMSS social events through coordination of a welfare number, implementing reporting pathways and securing venue deals.
VICE PRESIDENT WELFARE - ILEY JOHNSON
The Vice President Welfare coordinates the Welfare Portfolio, including liaising with and supporting the Sports Representatives, Volunteering Officer, Mental Health Chair/s, Indigenous Chair/s, Queer Chair/s, and Mature Chair/s. They represent WAMSS at the Student Matters Committee. They act to develop and maintain wellbeing and equity initiatives, including policies that pertain to the WAMSS Committee and its activities as directed by the Executive.
SECRETARY - ALEX TRUONG
The Secretary is largely involved with the day-to-day running of the society. A major component is ensuring meetings and communication between the Committee and student body runs efficiently. They act to keep an accurate WAMSS membership database; give notice of and compile agendas for upcoming Committee meetings; take minutes at all WAMSS meetings and maintain the WAMSS calendar; maintain the official documents of WAMSS; and coordinate the WAMSS elections.
TREASURER - SINENG JIANG
The Treasurer is responsible for the financial integrity of the society. This includes budgeting on an annual and event basis; receiving and issuing invoices and accounting for all WAMSS account transactions; and updating and submitting required financial documentation to the Australian Taxation Office on behalf of WAMSS. They act to liaise between all WAMSS portfolios and the Executive.
INTERNAL PORTFOLIO
VICE PRESIDENT INTERNAL
The Vice President has a number of defined responsibilities including chairing the WAMSS Committee, acting as the primary liaison for WAMSS to the Medical School, coordinating the Education Portfolio, representing WAMSS and the student body on numerous School of Medicine Education committees, the UWA Student Guild Education Council and other external committees. The VP Internal also ensures Committee and subcommittee members are adequately trained in internal procedures, sponsorship, budgeting, effective representation and advocacy, in collaboration with the rest of the Executive.
YEAR REPRESENTATIVES
There are two Year Representatives elected from each year group. They sit on the relevant School of Medicine year group committee and represent the view of their year group on educational issues, provide regular feedback, advocate for issues affecting their year group and coordinate information distribution. They also oversee the year social media group, coordinate year group events, and assist in promotion of various WAMSS events throughout the year.
RCS REPRESENTATIVE
The Rural Clinical School (RCS) Representative is elected by students completing their 3rd year as part of the Rural Clinical School. They sit on the RCSWA committee, collate feedback from the various RCS sites and represent the view of the Year 3 RCS cohort on educational and course issues. They collate regular feedback from RCS sites and report back to the VP Internal. They also coordinate any RCS student group events.
ELECTIVES AND EXCHANGE OFFICER
The WAMSS Electives and Exchanges Officer (WEEO), in conjunction with their selected subcommittee, is responsible for coordinating all electives and exchange-related business within WAMSS. The role of WEEO involves being the primary contact for the UWA Electives Coordinator; preparing third year students for their overseas placements, including the organisation of the annual WAMSS Electives and Exchanges Night; coordinating the AMSA Exchanges program in WA and promoting it to WAMSS students; and providing support and coordinating activities for incoming students coming to Perth on short-term AMSA exchanges.
EXTERNAL PORTFOLIO
VICE PRESIDENT EXTERNAL
The Vice President External coordinates all sponsorship activities in WAMSS, seeking general sponsorship, and facilitating communications between sponsors and individual portfolios. They coordinate the marketing approach and external branding for the society, as well as managing external affairs roles, including liaising with AMSA Representative, Interhealth Co-Chair/s, Marketing Officer/s, Undergraduate Communications Officer, Website and IT Officer, and WAMSS Electives and Exchanges Officer.
AMSA REPRESENTATIVE
WAMSS is a member of the Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA), the peak national representative body of medical students in Australia. The AMSA Representative channels feedback and issues, including attending three national councils during the year to represent the interests and position of UWA medical students ; keeping in constant contact with both the WAMSS Committee and the AMSA Executive to facilitate rapid communication of current issues; working with the AMSA advocacy team to target issues of local importance as necessary (e.g. internships); coordinating AMSA policy ThinkTanks, the WAMSS Delegation at AMSA National Convention, and organising other local AMSA events.
INTERHEALTH CO-CHAIRS
The Interhealth Chair/s are responsible for running Interhealth, WAMSS’ global health group. In this role, they chair a large subcommittee of subcommittees of WAMSS and oversee a number of different projects addressing global health issues; including Global Health Short Course, LINCS, Teddy Bear Hospital Crossing Border for Health, Zonta, Institute for Indian Mother and Child, Code Green, Lookout, and Sexual Reproductive Health. They manage the day-to-day affairs of Interhealth, provide a link to the WAMSS committee, facilitate regular Interhealth meetings, liaise with project coordinators, represent the global health interests of WAMSS to stakeholders, and provide long-term guidance and direction to Interhealth.
MARKETING OFFICERS
The Marketing Officers are responsible for running the marketing of WAMSS to the student population and work to develop a broad range of membership benefits. This role produces and markets merchandise, manages WAMSS’ social media presence, and publishes the Reflex along with other publications with the assistance of other portfolios.
UNDERGRADUATE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
The Undergraduate Communications Officer (UCO) coordinates the WAMSS Associate Member program, which aims to run a variety of social and academic events and provide support for undergraduate students with an interest in studying medicine. The responsibilities of the UCO include selecting representatives to the Undergraduate Communications subcommittee and coordinating their activities, organising a range of undergraduate-specific educational and/or social events, and creating a weekly bulletin for undergraduates. As the medical programme and pathway continues to evolve this position is open to interpretation and expansion.
WEBSITE & IT OFFICER
The role of the Website & IT Officer is to manage the WAMSS website. This will involve updating of the website’s features and continued improvement of the website. They assist other portfolios with relevant IT technical support, maintain the WAMSS online ticket sales system, and maintain the WAMSS computing equipment, domain registration and email system.
ACADEMIC PORTFOLIO
VICE PRESIDENT ACADEMIC
The Vice President Academic coordinates Academic Portfolio, including liaising with the Student Grand Rounds Coordinators, Academic Events Coordinators and SHMRC Convenor/s. They liaise with UWA School of Medicine and external academic providers, including by representing WAMSS on the Scholarly Activity committee alongside others as defined by the Executive in conjunction with the VP Internal. They coordinate the academic resources provided by WAMSS (eg. WAMSS Notes) including educational seminars run (eg. Scholarly Activity night).
STUDENT GRAND ROUNDS COORDINATORS
The Student Grand Rounds Coordinators facilitate the WAMSS Student Grand Rounds (SGR) program. Previously, this has involved coordinating the Teaching on the Run program for clinical year tutors in conjunction with Winthrop Professor Fiona Lake, organising the SGR tutorial program, and overseeing the Clinical Buddy program – a peer-mentoring program to assist 2nd year students in the transition to hospital base placement. This may involve selection of a Clinical Buddy coordinator who facilitates much of the logistics.
ACADEMIC EVENTS COORDINATORS
The Academic Events Coordinators have the responsibility of organising events throughout the year to supplement and add to the standard medical curriculum. The events run are flexible and can change year to year, but include initiatives such as the Emergency Medical Challenge; WAMSS Mock OSCE for 3rd and 4th year students; preparation for Practice workshop for 2nd year students transitioning from pre-clinical to clinical environment; and organising academic lectures, as appropriate.
SHMRC CONVENORS
The Students in Health and Medical Research Conference (SHMRC) is an evening research symposium showcasing research from health science students at the University of Western Australia. It is typically held in the second half of the year. Since its establishment in 2007, SHMRC has developed into a distinguished research conference where students are able to present pioneering research that is both inspiring and innovative. The symposium gives student researchers the opportunity to share their research with clinicians, researchers, fellow students, and the WA health community, as well as receiving meaningful feedback from expert researchers. The Convenor/s lead and coordinate the activities of the SHMRC subcommittee to ensure the successful running of SHMRC; including logistics and sponsorship.
SOCIAL PORTFOLIO
VICE PRESIDENT SOCIAL
The Vice President Social coordinates the Social Portfolio, including liaising with the Social Representatives, Orientation Events Co-ordinator/s and Red Party Chair/s. They work with the Social Representatives to coordinate their primary social events, as well as supporting a subcommittee to host and run the annual Medical Dinner. They act to ensure safe and engaging WAMSS social events through coordination of a welfare number, implementing reporting pathways, and securing venue deals.
SOCIAL REPRESENTATIVES
The Social Representatives are responsible for the organisation and running of WAMSS social events. This position involves coordinating the logistics and promotions of social events and liaising with the WAMSS Executive. The social events are determined by the Social Representatives, in consultation with the WAMSS Executive.
ORIENTATION COORDINATORS
The Orientation Events Coordinators are responsible for the organisation and running of various orientation events for the incoming students as they commence their medical degree. This includes (but is not limited to) an Orientation Camp, and a Welcome BBQ run in conjunction with the School of Medicine. Orientation Camp is the major introductory event for new medical students, comprising educational and social elements. Some of the duties involved with organising Orientation Camp include booking the venue and coordinating logistics for the weekend; organising and facilitating the weekend activities; and recruiting student leaders.
RED PARTY COORDINATORS
The Red Party Coordinator/s are responsible for overseeing the organisation of the annual Red Party and Red Aware campaigns. The year-long campaign has two main aims; to raise funds for Oxfam Australia’s Securing Rights in the Context of HIV and AIDS Program in Zimbabwe, and to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS-related issues. Roles and responsibilities of the Red Party Coordinator/s include overseeing the Red Party subcommittee; negotiating appropriate venues for large-capacity charity events; promotion and sponsorship of events; and liaising with external parties and other sponsors.
SPORTS REPRESENTATIVES
Sports representatives are responsible for organising the sports events of WAMSS at multiple levels. The role of Sports representatives involves organising inter-year events (including dragon boats, Hunt Cup, inter-year soccer and inter-year netball and football); organising intervarsity sporting events such as WAMSS vs Curtin Physio Footy and the WAMSS vs MSAND (Notre Dame) Western Derby; facilitating the WAMSS team for participation in inter-Faculty sports; working closely with the Lookout Representatives to organise and coordinate the WAMSS Relay for Life team; and facilitating creation of WAMSS teams for external sporting events (e.g. City to Surf).
MEDICAL BALL REPRESENTATIVES
Medical ball representatives play a vital role in the organisation of the annual medical ball, a celebration of achievements of both staff and faculty of the academic year. Responsibilities of the medical ball representatives will include liasing with the Social Vice-President to organise a date, theme and location for the ball, working closely with the Social Vice-President and Treasurer to produce a budget that accounts for ticket pricing, catering, drinks packages and any other miscellaneous expenditures and contacting external stakeholders to secure financial support for the ball through sponsorship or otherwise.
WELFARE PORTFOLIO
VICE PRESIDENT WELFARE
The Vice President Welfare coordinates the Welfare Portfolio, including liaising with and supporting the Sports Representatives, Volunteering Officer, Mental Health Chair/s, Indigenous Chair/s, Queer Chair/s and Mature Chair/s. They represent WAMSS at the Student Matters Committee. They act to develop and maintain wellbeing and equity initiatives, including policies that pertain to the WAMSS Committee and its activities as directed by the Executive.
INTERNATIONAL OFFICER
The International Officer is a position dedicated to international student advocacy and support. They represent international students at the WAMSS Committee and liaise with the Executive to support international students studying medicine at UWA. The coordinate orientation for incoming UWA international medical students, disseminate pertinent information, liaise with the President and MD4 Representatives regarding final year internships, and liaise with the Sub-dean International of the UWA School of Medicine with regards to international student welfare and issues.
VOLUNTEERING OFFICER
The role of the Volunteering Officer is to provide local volunteering opportunities for medical students at UWA. The responsibilities of the Volunteering Officer includes selection of a suitable charity(s) for WAMSS to support for 2022; coordinating and undertaking ongoing fundraising throughout the year for the selected charity, which may include events such as Pancake Day; facilitating opportunities for students to volunteer with local organisations, such as Ronald McDonald House, Fair Game, Manna; and working closely with the Sports Representatives to organise and coordinate the WAMSS Relay for Life team.
MENTAL HEALTH CO-CHAIRS
WAMSS Mental Health is the mental health awareness and student wellbeing branch of WAMSS. The WAMSS Mental Health Chair/s oversee a subcommittee and coordinates the running of a variety of events promoting medical student self-care, as well as implementing national initiatives like the AMSA Mental Health Campaign at a local level and advocating for mental illness education and discussion in the general community. Their responsibilities include planning and executing WAMSS Mental Health events such as Medfest and Blue Week; managing the day-to-day affairs of WAMSS Mental Health, chairing WAMSS Mental Health meetings and supporting team members in the performance of their duties; and representing WAMSS at the Student Matters Committee, in collaboration with the Vice President Welfare.
INDIGENOUS CHAIR
The Indigenous Chair represents the Indigenous medical students on the WAMSS Committee and liaise with the Executive to support Indigenous students studying medicine at UWA. This may include organising events for Indigenous medical students (e.g semester catch-up events); representing students on issues of Aboriginal Health teaching (in conjunction with the Education Portfolio); and organising educational events about Aboriginal Health and advocating on Aboriginal Health issues.
MATURE CHAIR
The Mature Chair's role is to represent the interests of mature-age medical students, liaise with the School of Medicine and the Executive to support mature age medical students. The responsibilities of this position include representing Mature Age medical students’ interests at all committee meetings; organising educational events for all UWA medical students and providing inclusive event materials to existing WAMSS events; and advocating for Mature Age issues.
QUEER CO-CHAIRS
The Queer Chair position represents the interests of queer medical students, liaise with the School of Medicine and Executive to support queer medical students, and encourage engagement with queer education. The responsibilities of this position include representing the interests of LGBTIQ+ medical students at committee meetings; organising educational events for all UWA medical students, and providing inclusive event materials to existing WAMSS events and committee positions; advocating for Queer health issues; and liaising with the AMSA Queer project to raise awareness of available opportunities for queer students. They also collaborate with the UWA School of Medicine for the continued development and integration of Queer Health content into the UWA medical curriculum.
TEDDY BEAR HOSPITAL COORDINATORS
Teddy Bear Hospital Coordinator(s) will be responsible for coordinating the Teddy Bear Hospital Program, a global program that provides primary school students with the opportunity to interact with young doctors. The program is a unique and interactive way for children to experience the atmosphere at a hospital without being patients themselves. Our goals are to help alleviate the fear of doctors in young children through role play, to promote healthy lifestyle messages to young children and to provide opportunities for medical students to develop communication skills and an understanding of children.
NON PORTFOLIO BOUND
PRESIDENT
The President is the spokesperson of the society and is a member of the WAMSS Executive. The President is primarily responsible for the overall management and direction of the society in collaboration with the other Executive members, both in the short and long term, sitting as an ex-officio member of the WAMSS Foundation. The President is also responsible for representing WAMSS to key stakeholders such as the UWA School of Medicine, the Postgraduate Medical Council of WA, the Australia Medical Association and Doctors in Training Committee, AMSA, and other government steering committees, industry bodies, and School of Medicine committees as required.
SECRETARY
The Secretary is largely involved with the day-to-day running of the society. A major component is ensuring meetings and communication between the Committee and student body runs efficiently. They act to keep an accurate WAMSS membership database; give notice of and compile agendas for upcoming Committee meetings; take minutes at all WAMSS meetings and maintain the WAMSS calendar; maintain the official documents of WAMSS; and coordinate the WAMSS elections.
TREASURER
The Treasurer is responsible for the financial integrity of the society. This includes budgeting on an annual and event basis; receiving and issuing invoices and accounting for all WAMSS account transactions; and updating and submitting required financial documentation to the Australian Taxation Office on behalf of WAMSS. They act to liaise between all WAMSS portfolios and the Executive.
FOUNDATION CHAIR
The Foundation Chair is responsible for ensuring the functional operation of the Foundation committee. They are also the primary liaison with the WAMSS Executive, coordinate and allocate Foundation projects, and deliver the Foundation report at the WAMSS AGM. The role of Foundation Chair includes researching and drafting feasible long-term plans for the operations of the Association at the instruction of the Committee or Executive; acting as an advisory council for the Association; being the primary contact liaison for the WAMSS Executive; and accepting new Foundation applications in conjunction with the WAMSS President.
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
The WAMSS Immediate Past President (IPP) is the previous years President, who acts to ensure clear continuity between WAMSS committees and provides a source of independent, reliable information and advise. This honorary position ensures that new committees and WAMSS Presidents are supported to the fullest, and able to continue working towards promoting student issues and fair representation to external stakeholders.