June 25, 2009
Welcome to the LSU Medical School in New Orleans! You are about to embark on an amazing adventure that will
culminate in your receiving in a medical degree. In four years, you will be called doctor! The LSUHSC family is so
excited to have you become a part of our community and to help you on your journey. It is an exciting time to begin
your medical school experience in New Orleans with so many new developments at the Medical School and in the
city. Take advantage of every opportunity you have to learn and grow as a person and future physician! Your
experiences in medical school will be truly unique and should be shared with as many people as possible. You will
find that the support of your family, friends, classmates, upperclassmen, and faculty is essential to survival during
your four years of training. If you need assistance in any way, please don’t hesitate to ask for advice in the Office of
Student Affairs or by contacting myself or other student leaders on campus.
In order to introduce you to the many facets of medical school and to give you a chance to meet students and
professors, a few days of orientation have been scheduled beginning on Wednesday, August 5th, 2009. You should
attend all sessions during orientation, as these lectures are the means by which the school communicates information
to you prior to the start of classes. Announcements pertinent to the Class of 2013, information about the medical
campus, and the “nuts and bolts” of your courses and labs will be discussed throughout the orientation process.
On August 7th following the last orientation session, Dr. Steve Nelson, the Dean of LSU School of Medicine, will
host an informal reception for incoming freshman. This offers a friendly environment for meeting faculty,
classmates, and other medical students. The SGA will be hosting a Back-to-School party that will give you another
chance to relax and make some new friends. It will be Friday, August 14th from 9 p.m.-12 a.m. at Generations Hall
featuring Big Sam’s Funky Nation! Tickets will be sold during orientation.
Looking back on my first days of school, I remember feeling overwhelmed by the sea of new faces and mount of
text books that I could not imagine reading in one semester. Here are some tidbits of information, advice, and
suggestions that may help to ease your transition.
A used book sale will be provided for your class sometime during orientation week by AMSA, one of our
student organizations. Listen to your professors’ recommendations and chat with upper classmen for advice
when determining what to buy or not buy. Be aware that the used books will vary in “wear and tear” as
well as edition, so please be prepared to shop around. The school bookstore is also being stocked up with
new textbooks in anticipation of your arrival.
Family Day, an annual event hosted by SGA and the students of the medical school classes will be held in
the Spring semester on Saturday, March 27th. This is a chance for you to share the experiences of your year
(both work and play) with your family members. Included in your orientation packet will be an envelope
and a form to fill out the addresses of your parents, so they will receive information regarding the Family
Day events. Parents of the first year students particularly enjoy the event, so please take the time to fill out
and turn in this form.
Football tickets for LSU home football games are disbursed to the med students on a first come, first serve
basis in Student Affairs by Ms. Bobbie Millet, usually on the Monday before the games. Keep you ears
open for more details about where the distribution process will be held. You will need to present your
student ID in order to get a ticket.
The medical school has an active Student Government Association (SGA) that serves as a great way to get
involved during your time here. SGA meetings are held several times a semester and are open to all
students. You will be receiving a schedule of meetings via e-mail. At these meetings, student concerns or
ideas are addressed, and events such as parties, community service projects, and student interest group
meetings are planned. You will receive a weekly e-mail from our SGA Secretary, Catherine McGee, with
any school updates or upcoming meetings. Class officer elections for the Class of 2013 will be held
following your first exam, usually in early October. Your class leader until these elections will be the L2
Class President, Danny Eads, who you will meet at orientation.
As a student, you will also have the chance to explore the many possible specialty fields through
participation in student-run interest groups. These organizations provide you with the opportunity to
interact with upper level students, residents, faculty members and community-based physicians in the fields
you are investigating. During orientation, you will have the chance to visit with the student leaders of these
groups at the student organization fair. Many groups will pass out fliers, or provide sign-up lists so you can
get on their e-mailing lists to receive periodic updates of their activities. Organizations will also post the
dates of meetings and events on the SGA calendar at
http://www.medschool.lsuhsc.edu/sga/MonthlyCalendar.asp.
Please remember to bring your check book to orientation, as you will be paying fees on the first day. These
include things like course tuition, class dues, books, and supplies.
Important Places on Campus:
The Student Affairs office is located on the 7th floor in the Lions Center.
The Cafeteria is located on the 3rd floor of the MEB.
The Bookstore and Financial Aid are both located on the 2nd floor of the Resource Building.
The entrance to the Library is located on the 3rd floor in the Resource building.
The Business Office to pay fees or collect loan checks and the Parking Office to get parking stickers
and gate cards are located on the 2nd floor of the CSRB, room 265.
Student Health has established a business office on the 7th floor of the Lions Eye Center, and for
students who need to be seen by a physician, services are available at 2820 Napoleon Ave, Suite
890.
For those of you purchasing the student health insurance, we are in the process of transitioning insurance
carriers to Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Information concerning health insurance will be dispersed to you as
soon as it becomes available.
You should check your school email DAILY as class schedules will periodically change. Professors will
primarily use this form of communication to disperse important information regarding exams, review
sessions, and assignments.
One final thought: Thoroughly read your packets so you can ask any questions that may come up. The start of
medical school can be somewhat overwhelming, but getting through registration should be a manageable task if you
are prepared. I will also meet with your class at orientation, and would be happy to answer any questions you have
regarding student life, both in the classroom, and out.
Congratulations and good luck as you embark on a new, exciting chapter in your life. If you have any questions that
come up this week, or throughout the year, feel free to call or email me. Make lots of new friends, study hard, play
hard, and remember to take some time for yourself!
Best of Luck,
Rachel Pastorek
Student Body President 2009-10
rpasto@lsuhsc.edu
225-954-4911