Day at the Legislature

Wednesday, February 18, 2009, 8:00 a.m.

Utah State Capitol building

Contact: Jennifer London at jenlondon22@yahoo.com or 801-547-7852

The Utah Medical Association and the UMA Alliance invite medical students, medical student spouses, and friends to attend the annual Day at the Legislature. Here is a chance to be a part of the political process. Learn what bills and resolutions are before the legislature this year concerning health issues and the family of medicine.

    Starting at 8:00 a.m., Becky Edwards will speak. We will then have the opportunity to talk to legislators and sit in on committee meetings. At noon there will be a luncheon with guest speakers from the legislature. So mark your calendar and join us for an educational, informative day “on the Hill.”

    Please contact MSA co-president Jennifer London if you are interested in attending and if you’d like to stay for lunch.

Medical Marriages Night

Saturday, February 21, 2009, 6 p.m.

HSEB

Contact: Sarah Buchanan at snjbuchanan@yahoo.com

Both medical students and their spouses are invited to this event, so  look forward to an informative evening out together. Learn from medical doctors and their spouses in a question-and-answer panel discussion while you enjoy an elegant dinner. Baby-sitting will be provided for a $2 per child fee (please RSVP to Sarah by February 14th for the baby-sitting service). We are grateful to the UMA for offering to sponsor this wonderful event. Don’t miss one of the favorite occasions of the year!

Member Spotlights

Learn some names, faces, and fun facts about fellow MSA members, and then look for them at upcoming events!

For MSA Book Group leader Jen Swendsen, the homestretch of the medical school journey is in sight: her husband, Scott, is now in his third year. Jen has tried to maintain a positive perspective throughout Scott’s schooling, as she has reminded herself “to enjoy every step of medical school rather than wasting these years wishing for the future.”

    Jen grew up in Houston, Texas, which she says helped her both appreciate diversity and fear cold weather. She faced her cold-weather fears when she came to BYU, where she majored in Piano Performance and minored in Spanish. Now she teaches piano and takes care of her two-year-old daughter, Kate, who loves to read and sing. In early May, the Swendsens are expecting another girl.

    During the holiday the Swendsens visited Scott’s family in Canada, where Jen reports that she enjoyed “zero responsibilities” and some winter sports. One of Jen’s New Year’s resolutions is “to be more patient and laid back as a piano teacher and as a mom.” And, of course, she’ll continue her involvement in MSA. She says that she especially values the MSA friendships she’s made: “It’s been great to meet so many amazing women with positive attitudes and to find friends who understand what it’s like to have a husband in medical school.”

MSA member Lindsay Nicholas is married to Zach, who she describes as “a second year and loving it!” The Nicholases have enjoyed their experience at the U of U, Lindsay says, and they “are looking forward to many more fun-filled years throughout this journey.”

    Lindsay grew up in Smithfield, Utah, a small town in Cache Valley. She says that her hometown taught her to learn the value of service and of caring for others. Lindsay attended the University of Utah and graduated last May with a BA in History. Now she’s busy supporting Zach and their two sons, who she dubs her two little “heartbreakers.” Dylan, almost three, keeps her “running and laughing,” and Brighton, 5 months, has “the cutest red hair and brightest blue eyes you’ve ever seen.” During the holidays, Lindsay and Zach enjoyed spending Christmas Eve at home together with just their boys for the first time. In 2009, Lindsay is committed to “serve more and complain less.” She says that through MSA she’s learned that “being involved and serving others really is the best way to live. I’ve found that it enriches mine and my family’s life more than I could have imagined.”