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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 76
BY REPRESENTATIVE PATRICK WILLIAMS
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To commend the medical students of Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
Shreveport (LSU HSC-Shreveport) School of Medicine for the creation of the
American Medical Student Research Journal, an innovative online academic
publication.
WHEREAS, the American Medical Student Research Journal (AMSRJ) was created
by LSU HSC-Shreveport medical students as an online journal publication to promote
interest in research and to provide a platform for the development of critical thinking skills
needed to succeed in academia and clinical practice; and
WHEREAS, as a pilot academic publication, only the second of its kind in the
country, AMSRJ allows medical students to author, review, and edit case reports, original
research manuscripts, clinical experience essays, and health position policy articles under
the guidance of faculty mentors; and
WHEREAS, AMSRJ uses the web to make the research and publishing process more
accessible to medical student peers by providing a free, independent, open-access alternative
venue connecting students and encouraging collaboration with peers in a constructive review
process; and
WHEREAS, AMSRJ is an excellent learning opportunity for student reviewers and
editors to develop analytic appraisal skills and excellence in research standards; and
WHEREAS, the Shreveport medical students financed the AMSRJ start-up costs,
including registering as a nonprofit corporation, applying for federal trademark permissions,
and other initial operational costs such as web hosting and data backup services, through a
student-organized bake sale; and
WHEREAS, students advertise the AMSRJ by using e-mail and social media, and
submissions and requests for involvement have been received from across the nation; and ENROLLEDHCR NO. 76
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WHEREAS, the AMSRJ team has grown from a core group of twelve committed
LSU HSC-Shreveport student editors to include thirty-three faculty advisors from LSU
HSC-Shreveport and sixty-four reviewers from medical schools across the country; and
WHEREAS, the AMSRJ inaugural issue is anticipated to be published online in the
spring of 2014, and it is appropriate to commend the medical students, faculty, and staff who
have contributed to the inception of this unique online academic publication.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the Legislature of Louisiana
do hereby commend the medical students at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences
Center Shreveport School of Medicine for their innovative idea to promote academic
research and nationwide peer collaboration, and to provide a venue to develop analytic
appraisal and critical thinking skills.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to Dr. Robert A. Barish, Chancellor.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE