Benjamin Koroma-Candidature for Vice President-Executive Term 2021/2022

CANDIDATURE PACKAGE FOR

VICE PRESIDENT 2021 - 2022 EXECUTIVE TERM

SLEMSA

Benjamin Koroma

CONTENT

TABLE OF

1

Acronyms

2

Motivational Letter

3

Action of Plan

4

Curriculum Vitae

ACRONYMS COMAHS: SLEMSA: IFMSA: SCOPH: NPO: SCORE: NGA: SC: HFS: HoFOSA: SRC: CWG: TECT: UNICEF: LPS: POA: OLM: EB: TO: ARM:

1

College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences Sierra Leone Medical Students' Association International Federation of Medical Students' Associations Standing Committee of Public Health National Public Health Officer Standing Committee on Research Exchange National General Assembly StandingCommittee Holy Family Holy Family Old Students' Association Student Representative Council Constitution Working Group The Evangelical College of Theology United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund La Plage Services Plan of Action Online Meeting Executive Board Team of Officials Africa Regional Meeting

MOTIVATIONAL LETTER Dear SLEMSA Family, Contemplate on a challenge you have survived or you are currently doing as such. That can be the departure of a friend or family member, escaping a harmful relationship, moving past an injury, or a sickness, and so on. In one way or the other, we have all gone through that annoyance, agony and disappointment that accompanies any of the obstacles that we experience throughout our everyday life. Our difficulties as a whole and encounters are unique, very much like each and every one of us is remarkable, however what we share for all intents and purposes are the emotions we experience. How we bargain, approve and handle our emotions makes us human.

The moment of entering medical school was very special to me because of the fact that I am on the path of achieving my dream of becoming a doctor.

However, it has not been an easy journey.

Martin Luther King once said: “We must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope”. This has been my mechanism of adaptation.

I am Benjamin Koroma, a fourth year medical student who in addition to that, has also had an amazing journey in the only medical students' association in our country, SLEMSA! My journey in SLEMSA started from a visit of a group of seniors who brought to my knowledge this wonderful platform for building leadership characters as medics. SLEMSA has also exposed me to IFMSA. My exposure to IFMSA is an eye opener to understanding the approaches of other medical students around the world to issues they face. However during this journey, I have come to understand that our association needs more than just traditional events. Because of this vision, today, I am filing my candidature package for the office of the Vice-President. I am a person who believes in taking the step to bring necessary change as the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, once said, and I quote as was stated: "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time.

We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek".

I have worked in various capacities for the continuity and growth of this family. I was the Direct of

2

Registration for the 6th NGA. I am ending my term as Assistant NPO in SCOPH. This term has been so successful in the history of the SC. The 2020/2021 financial year had so many physical activities in the history of our association. More is in store for this family if I am elected.

SLEMSA reminded me that it is so enjoyable to learn and even reconnected me with some cherished recollections. It caused me to understand that I am equipped for seeking things and of setting attainable objectives for myself and others. After that disclosure, SLEMSA turned into my favorite spot to look for self development for myself and others which is what it should always be.

The profession of medicine we have chosen is very unique and we must explore all opportunities to make ourselves perfect in it. It is now time for SLEMSA to give us productive holidays. The Medical Students' Holiday Clinic Visitation (MSHCV) will be initiated if I come into office. This will provide an opportunity to be exposed to all available medical resources in our country. Medicine is an art which we should constantly engage in to perfect it and that cannot be done if we do not expose ourselves in the field.

Our voices need to be heard! There are certain times we SLEMSians raise concerns of what we need our association should look into and address accordingly . It is now time those important concerns of ours are heard.

I am here to look into those concerns and work on them accordingly.

Allow me to end with these words from Wayne Dyer which are: “If you believe it will work out, you'll see opportunities. If you believe it won't, you will see obstacles”. Let us believe in what we are and capable of, and not only believe but also go out and into work to actually what should be.

I am ready for the task ahead and I hope you believe that together we can make A BETTER SLEMSA FOR US ALL! Yours sincerely,

Benjamin Koroma

PLAN OF ACTION

2

This candidature contains my vision and ideas for SLEMSA. This candidature was drafted considering the SLEMSA Constitution and Bylaws, and my own experience as a SLEMSian and an IFMSA member over the past years.

FOCUS ON THE MEMBERSHIP

CAPACITY BUILDING EVALUATION AND IMPROVEMENT

MEDICAL STUDENTS' HOLIDAY CLINIC VISITATION

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION INTERNSHIP

PREPARE FOR IT

BUILDING AND STRENGTHENING EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS

FOCUS ON THE MEMBERSHIP The dedication, passion and hard work put in by members is what makes this Association what it is. That's what makes us as members the center of the Association and of my candidature. I will work on their engagement and promoting their empowerment at all costs. I plan on working with all SC directors and class ambassadors to accomplish this.

It is of great importance to encourage every medical students to become a member especially freshmen. In doing so, the registration platform will be made available regularly as will be agreed upon by the EB. New members will be well exposed and educated to know more about SLEMSA and IFMSA which will serve as an eye opener for them and inspire them to work on their dreams for these Association because they are the future of both SLEMSA and IFMSA.

CAPACITY BUILDING EVALUATION AND IMPROVEMENT Capacity building is both a way to ensure sustainability of the Association and to empower members to speak up and take their positions as SLEMSians.

So many past EB members have been working on capacity building but have not checked how much they have built. It is time to know how many capacities have been built. A detailed survey will be made available to access the abilities of SLEMSians in relation to the past capacity building programs and to identify the areas to improve. As will be agreed upon by the EB, the survey will be done as many times as possible.

Ask anything! In order to increase transparency and promote accountability, I would like to host quarterly NMO OLM where, as the contact person to members, I would aim to: • Get them to know each other through OLM • Share any important updates from EB's side.

• Encourage them to ask questions regarding EB's decisions and general work at that moment.

I strongly believe that this would bring the EB significantly closer to members and avoid any possible misunderstandings and ensure that input and communication with members are done as regular as possible and not only during NGAs.

MEDICAL STUDENTS' HOLIDAY CLINIC VISITATION It is about time our SLEMSA started giving us productive holidays. The Medical Students' Holiday Clinic Visitation (MSHCV) will be initiated this executive term. It will be a program that will be providing us, medical students with the access to various hospitals around the country to partake in permitted clinical work.This program will help us to be exposed to so many medical facilities available in our country. Imagine getting the unique experience of traveling to the provinces to access the medical facilities there. In our profession, acquiring knowledge is a continuous process and our association should provide such platforms . This program will make us be aware of the health status of our beloved nation which will help prepare our hearts and minds to bring ways to improve the health system of our nation. The MSHCV program will be well organized to be more productive and enjoyable.

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION INTERNSHIP There are so many opportunities out there to explore. In taking a step to reach out for one, I would reach out to WHO for available internship programs. If elected, I would work on all necessary documentations to make this a possibility.

However, the possibility of such initiative will be looked into.

PREPARE FOR IT There are already things that the past EBs have started working on. It is the responsibility of every succeeding EB to continue with the already started work.

One of which is the Africa Regional Meeting (ARM). Hopefully this year as NMO, we are with great hope to win the bid and therefore we will be expecting to host the ARM 2022.

I will work to the best of my ability with the rest of the EB and all of us to have a one of its kind ARM for our association to make history.

BUILDING AND STRENGTHENING EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS Our external relation with other organizations and companies is very important.

Therefore, we need to build and strengthen those relationships. In doing so, they should be highly considered in our annual health activities (like the World Hypertension Day, World Diabetes Day, Breast Cancer Week and the rest). In the planning of any activity in a way to observe these annual events, they should always be considered. This will help us build a strong relation with them. This is what I plan to do by working closely with the rest of the Team of Officials (TO).

WORK TIMELINE 1st Quarter

2nd Quarter

Setting up my team

Release of Survey

Membership Registration

Membership Data availability

Membership Engagement

2nd Quarterly OLM

1st Quarterly OLM

3rd Quarter

Internship Program Preparation

4th Quarter

Signing MoUs with Hospital Managements where applicable

Fourth Quarterly OLM

MSHCV Program Test Case

ARM 2022 Preparation

3rd Quarterly OLM

MSHCV Program

Release of final survey

CURRICULUM VITAE 4

ABOUT ME

A responsible person of best practice who is well organized and detailed in handling issues. An innovative and hard working team player. A highly approachable and positive person with great relationship building abilities just as the capacity to lead, settle on basic choices and work to cutoff times.

BENJAMIN KOROMA

Medical Student

EDUCATION Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery

College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone 2017 - Present

Secondary School Education

Holy Family Schools 2009 - 2016

Primary School Education Olivet Baptist Primary School 2003 - 2009

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE SLEMSA General Assistant NPO SCOPH SLEMSA

Benjo Kay

CONTACT

benjaminkoroma@gmail.com

+23276395347 Benjamin Koroma @Benjamin Koroma Benjamin Koroma (Benjo Kay)

LANGUAGE English Krio

MY SKILLS Microsoft Office Suits Google Suits Creative Design Project Management Canva

2020-2021 Financial Year

Director of Registration 6th NGA 2021

Director of Technology Medical Festival 2022

OTHERS Secretary General Kidney Savers' Foundation December 2021 - Present

HoFOSA COMAHS Secretary General 2019 - Present

Deputy Minister of Legal Affairs SRC COMAHS 2019/2020

Secretary General CWG SRC COMAHS 2019/2020

Senior Prefect Holy Family Schools 2016

President H. F. Speculum News Press 2016

REFERENCES

President H. F. Computer Society

Mr. Charles Y. Fofanah School Quality Assurance Officer MBSSE Moyamba District Inspectorate Division

Volunteer at TECT Clinic

+23278059359

Mr. Abdulai Rahman Kosia Principal, Royal Academy Shool

+23278298084

Dr. Geoffrey Franklin Moses Internal Medicine Hospitalist

+23276053586

2016 December 2018 and November - December 2021

IFMSA MEETINGS ATTENDED IFMSA March Meeting | Online SCOPH Session March 2022

IFMSA August Meeting | Online SCOPH Session August 2021

IFMSA Africa WAKANDA Fest | External Affairs

Online September 2021

SCORE Pre NA Workshop August 2020

CERTIFICATES Introduction to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) | UNICEF Online Course | 2020

Introduction to Social Media | LPS Online Course | 2020

Informatics and Computer Basics

Holy Family Senior Secondary School December 2017