Swiss Medical Students' Association
The Swiss Medical Students’ Association (swimsa) is an independent association representing all medical students in Switzerland. It was founded in 1917, and currently maintains 30 member organisations, 10 of which are local medical students' associations and 20 are public health and awareness organisations/projects. All medical students of Basel, Bern, Fribourg, Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, Lugano, St. Gallen and Zurich are represented on a national and international level. History. In 1917, the medical faculties of Switzerland unites to form the Association of Swiss Clinicians ("Verband der Schweizer Klinkerschaften", VDSK). In 1951 the IFMSA (International Federation of Medical  Students' Associations) was founded by the VDSK and associations of six other countries in Copenhagen, Denmark. From then on the IFMSA has been representing the interests of medical students on an international level. Later on the VDSK underwent a reform to become the Association of Swiss Medical Students ("Verband der Schweizer Medizinstudenten") VSM, from which the organization IFMSA Switzerland had split, concentrating solely on professional clinical exchange for medical students. In 2006 the VMS and IFMSA Switzerland approached each other and decided to create a joined venture under the name of Swiss Medical Students’ Association (swimsa). Nonetheless IFMSA-Switzerland mutated  to swimsa Exchanges and remained a legally independent organization, still taking care of international exchanges. Further founding members of swimsa were the medical student organizations "Achtung Liebe", promoting sexual health and education, and "Gruhu", enabling medical students to volunteer for clinical electives in third world countries. In 2014 the organization swimsa Exchanges was dissolved and formally integrated into swimsa. Member Organisations. The student councils of the medical faculties of Basel, Bern, Fribourg, Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, Lugano, St. Gallen and Zurich are recognized as members of swimsa with voting rights at the national delegate assembly, which takes place twice a year . Other medical student organizations, also known as swimsa projects, are represented as members with voting rights as well. Currently there are ten such organizations/projects. Usually the organization/projects have their own constitutions and are as such "de jure" independent from swimsa. Activities. swimsa is the official representation of Swiss dental and medical students and has seats in various commissions, such as the Commission of Swiss Medical Daculties SMIFK (Schweizerische medizinische Interfakultätskommission) or the Ministry of Health BAG (Bundesamt für Gesundheit). In addition the swimsa organizes international exchanges and takes part at the activities of the IFMSA. The association collaborates  with various projects and organizations on the topics of public health, medical education, sexual and reproductive health including HIV/AIDS and human rights. The SMSC – Swiss Medical Students` Convention- takes place twice a year and enables students throughout Switzerland to meet and exchange experiences and ideas. Furthermore, once a year a trainings weekend is organized. Awards. swimsa honors medical students with the "U ROCK swimsa Award". The "U ROCK swimsa Award" is presented twice a year during the SMSC (usually April and November) to people who have shown excellent commitment and endurance. The candidates are chosen by the executive  board to be voted on by the national delegate assembly. The following list shows the recipients since its introduction: