Anesthesiology Interest Group

With the field of anesthesiology becoming increasingly sought after, the UMMC Anesthesiology Interest Group (AIG) takes pride in providing students with an avenue to explore the field and gain meaningful experiences along the way. With about 230 members, AIG has grown into one of the most interactive interest groups at UMMC, offering students opportunities to participate in hands-on learning, community service, research and professional development. Through the dedication of our members and the combined efforts of our students, residents, and faculty, we were honored to be recognized as the “Best Overall AIG in the Nation” by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) last year. As we move forward, we hope to build upon this success while continuing the traditions that have made AIG such a strong organization.

From the beginning of the academic year, one of our primary goals was to build a strong sense of community by connecting students with one another and fostering meaningful relationships with Anesthesiology residents and faculty. Last year was incredibly productive, with strong engagement from students, residents, and faculty throughout the year. One of the highlights was our first event of the 2025–2026 academic year, the Annual AIG Meet & Greet. Last year’s Mediterranean-themed event, titled “A Whole New World,” featured food from local restaurants Aladdin’s, Aplos, and Keifer’s. More than 50 students, residents, and faculty attended and enjoyed an evening filled with great food, music, and fellowship. We also hosted several informational meetings covering topics such as academic versus private practice, the residency application and Match process from our newly matched M4 students, advocacy within Anesthesiology, and important information for students beginning their medical school journey. Community service was another major component of our organization. We hosted our annual Mississippi Food Network Day of Giving, where members helped package food and supply boxes for underserved communities in Jackson. We also volunteered with Stewpot Community Services, where we helped clean delivery trucks used to transport supplies throughout the community. Additionally, we introduced a new service opportunity through the DEA National Drug Take Back Event, partnering with local police departments to collect unwanted, expired, and unused prescription medications. We were proud to contribute to such impactful initiatives and hope to continue these partnerships this year. We also remained committed to providing hands-on experiences for students interested in learning more about Anesthesiology. With the help of our Anesthesiology residents, we hosted our annual SIM Lab, allowing students to gain practical exposure to skills such as intubation, nerve blocks, and anesthetic medications. We also provided research opportunities to interested students and were proud to have strong representation from AIG members at last year’s ASA conference. Finally, we introduced AIG apparel, offering custom sweatshirts to students, residents, and faculty. This helped strengthen our sense of community and gave members another way to represent and connect with the organization.

As we begin another academic year, we are excited to continue building upon the foundation and traditions that have become such an important part of AIG’s culture. We are grateful for the continued support of our students, residents, and faculty and are honored to have the opportunity to continue investing in and supporting students interested in Anesthesiology.