Wollongong University Health Over Wealth (WUHOW)

WUHOW is a non-profit organisation founded by students from the Graduate School of Medicine. WUHOW provides a platform for students to discuss and act on issues relating to a basic level of healthcare for everyone; regardless of their social, geographical or financial circumstances. With a strong focus on global health and development issues, we have become an important member of the Australian Medical Students Association’s (AMSA) Global Health Network (GHN).

During 2008, we have held a number of educational and fundraising events. A 24 hour fast raised over $3000 for the ‘Bairo Pite Clinic’ in East Timor. We have also held a joint seminar series with SHARP and are currently getting ready for Red week – a week of fun events to raise money and awareness for HIV/AIDS. WUHOW has many more exciting projects in the planning stages and we hope to continue our excellent relationship with WUMSS and establish greater ties with the broader community.

To find out how to get involve with WUHOW go to the WUHOW homepage.

 The Student Seminar Series (SSS)

Every student enrolled in UOW’s MBBS programme brings unique experience and wisdom to the GSM, so why not share it? Among the students are former military captains, engineers, lawyers, nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists, musicians (and many more), who have knowledge that they can use to improve each others medical education, and to ultimately become better doctors. The Student Seminar Series is a venue through which students share their expertise to the benefit of fellow students and GSM staff.

The SSS takes place at 12:30pm every second Friday following CBL wrap-up in the GSM lecture theatre (Wollongong), check the 'Upcoming Events' on the right of the WUMSS website for details on the next SSS.

For more information on the Student Seminar Series contact Jonathan Lloyd ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

20 August 2010:
Aubrey Litvack: to be announced

Critical Care and Surgery Special Interest Group (CCASSIG)

CCASSIG is a student run organisation aimed to educate UOW medical students about the opportunities available in different specialty areas. It has an emphasis on anaesthetics, critical care and surgery, but also explores other specialties including rehabilitation medicine, paediatrics. Activities co-ordinated by the group will include skills workshops that teach basic techniques from these fields, and seminars run by local specialists. We also aim to put students in touch with specialists that can guide them in the fields that they are interested. CCASSIG aims to give students a diverse exposure to different disciplines. For information on how to get involved email

The General Practice Students Network (GPSN)

The GPSN is an organisation which in addition to promoting General Practice, provides a forum by which members can provide essential feedback on medical student issues relating to General Practice. It allows students to gain insight into the role of a GP and learn about opportunities within general practice. GPSN also allows student to network with other medical students as well as registrars and GPs. This is acheived thought the events hosted by the GPSN club in each medical school.

GPSN Wollongong has hosted a number of events this year, all of which have been very successful. Early in the year, with the help of WUMSS a suturing workshop was held at Med Camp. Thoughout the year our other events included: Ice breaker BBQ's, GPSN seminar series, cocktail parties. The events planned for October include a combined GPSN Wollongong/ UNSW/Sydney/ UWS harbour cruise and the annual careers night. Our direction for next year is to continue to host these events and more.

For more info on the GPSN go to their GPSN Homepage.

The Students’ Health Alliance for Rural Populations (SHARP)

SHARP aims to raise medical students’ knowledge of rural and remote health issues in Australia, doing so through a number of activities which have a rural focus. Some of these activities include traveling to regional and remote towns to conduct health check-ups of local children, exposing medical students to the rural community, meeting medical professionals in those areas, and traveling on “Rural Road Trips” to explore the regions where students may be placed during Phase 3 of the UOW MBBS course. SHARP also assists students to become involved in conferences, seminars, rural camps and holding educational talks in rural and remote communities. Together with WUMSS, SHARP brings guest speakers to the medical school to showcase their experiences and to show students what can be achieved in rural and remote health.

This helps to create an awareness of rural issues and hopefully motivates students to work in these areas. Through SHARP, med students can network with students from other faculties and universities that share a common interest in rural health.

For more info on SHARP and their upcoming events go to the SHARP Homepage.