We acknowledge that the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict has had a profound impact on our medical community and fellow medical students. Many of us are grappling with a wide range of emotions, including fear, uncertainty, sadness, and anguish. OMSA is dedicated to the safety and well-being of our community. Support systems are in place, and we strongly encourage you to reach out if you need assistance or guidance. You don’t have to navigate this alone. Below, we have compiled a list of resources available at various medical schools.
In these challenging times, we emphasize the importance of medical students being mindful of the influence their words and actions have on their peers and community members. It is crucial that we engage with one another with empathy and kindness, whether in-person or on social media platforms. OMSA firmly denounces and has zero tolerance for Islamophobia, Antisemitism, violence, and hate speech in any form. Our unwavering commitment to humanity, empathy, and compassion remains a cornerstone of our future roles as healthcare professionals and must be upheld, particularly in the present circumstances.
Students have the right to feel safe in their academic and clinical environments. We also stress the importance of medical school leadership to be vigilant in addressing instances of learner mistreatment. It is the responsibility of institutions to ensure that medical students are well-informed about both informal and formal reporting procedures. This necessitates clear and transparent communication. Upholding due process and transparency of these processes is of paramount importance.
OMSA remains steadfast in advocating for a community where empathy, safety, and understanding prevail. Let us stand together in supporting and respecting one another as we navigate these challenging times.
Sincerely,
The Ontario Medical Students Association (OMSA)
Officially founded in May 1974 during the Ontario Medical Association’s AGM, the Student Section of the OMA was started using the acronym “OMSA” (short for Ontario Medical Students Association) in 2004.
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