A group of 6th-year UOC medical students in Christchurch have formed a group, called the Paediatric Interest Group (PIG), to do kind deeds to support sick children in Christchurch Hospital and in the city. Recently they donned superhero garb to tour the kids ward to cheer-up the sick children. Picture are, back row from left, Aidan Isidore (Trainee Intern and Designs Officer), Ren-C Tamayo (Trainee Intern and Logistics Officer). Mid row from left. Hamish Singh (Trainee Intern and Founder/President), Cathy Lee (Trainee Intern and Logistics Officer). Front right is Louise Kim (Trainee Intern and Vice-President).
A group of 6th year medical students dressed up in superhero gear last month to spark smiles from sick children in Ōtautahi.
The superheroes, all trainee interns from the University of Otago, Christchurch, visited a paediatric ward in Christchurch Hospital, handing out stickers, masks, and smiles.
They are part of a student club on campus known as the Paediatric Interest Group or ‘PIG’, led by Founder and President Hamish Singh.
“We saw World Superhero Day on April 28th as the perfect opportunity to help celebrate our region’s brave little superheroes, fighting their own battles in hospital,” Hamish says.
He founded PIG early last year as a “passion project” to provide medical students with non-clinical opportunities to enhance their own growth and empower local communities.
“Our group has now grown to over 190 passionate medical students on Instagram,” he says.
“We have several more initiatives lined up, with outreach to our great community of medical students, healthcare staff, families, and of course, children.”
The image PIG used to promote the event.
Past initiatives have included a bake sale, with proceeds donated to local charities ‘Full Bellies’ and ‘Tamai Sports’, who work to nourish and empower local children.
“Our ‘Knit for NICU’ sessions see medical students meeting up weekly in the lunch break to knit beanies and socks for babies in Christchurch Women’s Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit,” Hamish says.
As well, the group has started an event called ‘Pathway to Paediatrics’, allowing medical students to hear inspiring “tales from the front line” from senior paediatric doctors and registrars.
Some in PIG also volunteer for Radio Lollipop (an international charity providing play and entertainment for sick children in hospitals) on weeknights.
“This allows us to keep our inner child alive and develop our ability to simply be a kid –an important attribute for any clinician,” Hamish says.
Plans are also underway for a Teddy Bear Hospital event.
“The reaction we’ve received for our initiatives, particularly from children, their siblings and whānau has been simply phenomenal,” Hamish enthuses.
“Positive experiences from the small things our team and volunteers do for others helps bolster our personal development as future clinicians, one smile at a time.”
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Join us in Dunedin on King’s Birthday weekend (29 May-1 June) to celebrate 150 years of Te Kura Hauora o Ōtākou, Otago Medical School.
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