AAHM Conference Newbies and Buddies Program For (relatively) new AAHM conference attendees:  (Newbies) Are you new to the American Association for the History of Medicine?  Haven't been to many or any of our annual meetings before?  Would you like to know someone is going to meet you there?  Sign up for our Conference Buddy Program!  The Student Section is coordinating "Newbies" and "Buddies" for the AAHM's annual meeting in Rochester, Minnesota. (It is okay if you're not an official AAHM member yet!). Look for your Buddy either: o Thursday evening, April 29, at the Opening Reception in the Mayo Siebens Building, Phillips Hall, First Floor. o Friday morning, April 30, at the President's Breakfast for New Members, 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. in Centennial Hall, Kahler Grand Hotel Mezzanine Level. If these times are not convenient, you may also arrange a meeting with your Buddy.  This individual may be a professor, a student, a librarian, a clinician, etc.  We will not be matching you by field or specialty: the point is merely for you to meet someone who has some familiarity with the organization and the meeting.  Feel free to ask your Buddy any questions you may have. Your buddy will probably be able to introduce you to people who share your interests.  Or maybe they'll just introduce you to some interesting people!  We have no other formal activities scheduled besides the initial meeting, but we hope you'll interact with your Buddy and new acquaintances throughout the conference. For experienced AAHM conference attendees: (Buddies) Do you remember what it was like at your first (or second) AAHM meeting?  Isn't it great to look forward to seeing all those people you know now?  Although our conferences are not terribly large, they can still be intimidating to new attendees. The Student Section is looking for "seasoned veterans" to volunteer to serve as conference Buddies.  For the 2010 Rochester meeting, we are promoting a program similar to ones other organizations use to welcome new conference attendees.   Look for your Newbie either: o Thursday evening, April 29, at the Opening Reception in the Mayo Siebens Building, Phillips Hall, First Floor o Friday morning, April 30, at the President's Breakfast for New Members, 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. in Centennial Hall, Kahler Grand Hotel Mezzanine Level. If these times are not convenient, you may also arrange a meeting with your Newbie.  Your job is to introduce yourself and answer any questions s/he might have regarding AAHM or the conference.  We will not be matching on the basis of fields or specialty: the point is merely to connect people together. Introduce your Newbie to people who share their interests.  Or just introduce them to all the interesting people you know!  After your initial meeting, you have no more formal responsibilities, but we hope you'll continue to check up with them throughout the conference.