Dear AKMG Family,
As the COVID pandemic is winding down, our spirits are higher than ever. Let us keep doing the excellent work that we have been engaged in, but do find time for rejuvenation, releving stress and enjoying some family time. Most importantly keep time aside to look after yourself. Surveys suggest that anywhere between 2/3 to 3/4 of physicians experienced burnout during this pandemic. See some tips adapted from the British Columbia College of Family Physicians below.
- Be regular in eating healthy meals, hydrating and sleeping regularly
- Take breaks to stretch and get fresh air
- Chat with your colleagues, family and friends
- Avoid negative coping strategies such as excessive caffeine, sugar, alcohol or drugs
- Develop a buddy system for support and monitoring
AKMG New Year virtual get together
We Celebrated New Year 2022 with a virtual get together on Saturday, February 12, 2022 with an interactive period, a CME talk and a variety of entertainment events.
Enjoy the Videos
Dr. Teresa Varghese takes over as the Chair of Young AKMG
We welcome Dr. Teresa Varghese as the new chair of the young AKMG group. Teresa completed her MBBS education from KMC Manipal. She has a keen interest in business innovation and is committed to connecting our organization with the younger physicians and dentists of malayali heritage practicing in North America.
Online Membership Directory
We are upgrading the look and functionality of the membership directory. Please send your photograph (a clear high quality headshot) and a brief biography (2-3 sentences) to akmgoffice@gmail.com or to office@akmg.org. Details such as address and email will be available only to members after logging in. The login function is also being updated. Please bear with us for a few weeks as we build a beautiful online directory.Please forward your professional headshot as soon as possible.
SAMPLE PROFILE FROM THE NEW DIRECTORY.
AKMG Toronto 43rd Annual Convention
As you know, the 43rd annual convention of the Association of Kerala Medical Graduates will be held in Toronto from August 4-6, 2022. Thank you to all of you who are supporting us by registering as AKMG Patrons and Champions. Patrons and Champions will be allotted the best available rooms as soon as you register. We are planning on providing all meals and entertainment included with registration. Please register ASAP to help us plan the best possible experience for you in Toronto this summer. This will be a global Convention with over 50 registrations already confirmed from AKMG Emirates members.
Call for Abstracts
We are inviting trainees and junior faculty members to submit abstracts relating to their original research, systematic reviews or meta-analyses to the AKMG 2022 CME in Toronto, Canada. Larger case series are acceptable. Informative Case reports may be considered. Project proposals without data or results will not be accepted. Abstracts may already have been presented at other meetings prior to AKMG 2022. Abstracts cannot be submitted on data that has already been accepted for publication as a manuscript (publication in abstract form from a conference presentation is acceptable).
- Please ensure the e-mail address of the corresponding author is accurate, as this will be the sole method of communication regarding acceptance.
- There is a limit of 500 words for each abstract. This does not include abstract title and author names. Longer submissions will be cut off at the word limit.
- All submissions must be submitted via email to office@akmg.org
Tables or graphs will be accepted (not counted towards word limit). - You will receive an e-mail confirmation for each submission.
The submission deadline is May 31, 2022. Abstracts will not be accepted after the deadline. - Abstracts will be blindly reviewed & graded by members of the AKMG CME Abstract Review Committee.
- The Abstract Review Sub-Committee will choose outstanding abstracts suitable for podium presentation.
All abstract presenters will be provided certificates. Three top ranked abstracts presented at the convention will receive certificates of distinction and cash awards. The Top Trainee Awards were established by Dr. Joji Varghese, a cardiologist from Texas, in memory of his parents Mr. TK Varghese and Mrs Ammini Varghese.
Top abstract: $1000 CAD
Runner Up 1: $750 CAD
Runner Up 2: $500 CAD
Trainee Conference Support
AKMG has subsidized the registration fees for medical trainees to attend the Convention in Toronto. Choose registrant type as trainee on page one of registration and in page two, from the drop down menu on membership type against your name, select medical students, residents/fellows. You should see the registration fee reduced to $300 CAD. This includes attendance of all programs, CME and food during the convention (August 5 and 6, 2022). The preconference day event on August 4, including dinner at the CN tower is extra and you can add that to your registration on page two.
If you wish to support the hotel room for trainees, please reach out to us. This will encourage and help more trainees to attend our convention. Thank you for continuing to support the growth of this organization.
Dr. Vinod Chandran, MD, PhD, DM, FRCPC
CME Chair, 43rd AKMG Convention, Toronto
AKMG CALIFORNIA CHAPTER SPRING VIRTUAL MEETING MARCH 5, 2022
Please mark your calendar and join us for a fun filled entertaining and informative AKMG Zoom/Virtual Meeting organized by AKMG CA Chapter on Saturday March 5th 4 PM to 6 PM PST. We plan to have informative sessions on current and advanced topics in Medicine by the most eminent physician speakers from various specialties in Southern California. There will also be a variety of entertainment programs, soulful music and dance performances by our own talented artists in AKMG. Please do not miss this wonderful opportunity to meet and greet your colleagues, classmates and acquaintances from different parts of USA, CANADA and overseas.
Congratulations to Padmasree Dr. Sosamma Iype
We proudly celebrate the Padmasree award bestowed on Dr. Sosamma Iype, who is Dr. Rebecca Varghese's mother. Dr. Sosamma Iype is a retired professor from Kerala Veterinary and Animal Science University, Thrissur. She has worked for several decades to help conserve the vechur cow that was on the brink of extinction.
Souvenir & Newsletter Spring 2022 submission
AKMG 2022 Convention Souvenir Committee seeks original submissions for publication in the 2022 Annual Souvenir. We propose an overarching theme: "Positive by choice – we can and we will", intended to reflect on how we collectively stand up against the pandemic.More Details
Regards,
Dr. Nigil Haroon
President, AKMG
