La Timone opens its doors to students of solidarity preparatory medicine

Thanks to the AP-HM, the preparatory-solidarity medicine Médenpharkiné, born in August 2020, open to young people from priority neighborhoods of Marseille, invests a building in La Timone. Optimal conditions to take care of the training of these future health professionals.

Remember. Last August 2020, a free medical stable opened for young people from priority neighborhoods in Marseille. Launched by the association Le Sel de la Vie, Medenpharkiné aims to fight against inequalities in access to education and support in higher education, to train the doctors, pharmacists, physiotherapists and nurses of tomorrow. A first in Marseille.

"The stables are very expensive, many cannot pay and therefore give up studying in this branch", explains Salim Grabsi, co-founder of the association Le Sel de la Vie. The first promotion, made up of about fifteen students, followed their apprenticeship within the After-M, the former McDonald's of Saint-Marthe, which has become a symbol of solidarity and mutual aid.

Then, for a little over a year, it was in the premises of the Resource, Training and Research Center (ACT), rue Paradis, that the students were able to study, supervised by tutors. Students ranging from second to sixth year in the Faculty of Medicine, who give their time and share their knowledge. Two cardiologists from Saint-Joseph Hospital joined the adventure as mentors, with the mission of supporting the entire group.

Medenpharkiné also relies on the experience, skills and expertise of two doctors, preparatory class and physics-chemistry teachers, a psychotherapist and an administrative team.

The guardians of Médenpharkiné receive the keys to the new premises © Aïssa Grabsi

Help from François Crémieux

With a second promotion of 36 students, and premises available only four days a week, the preparation quickly found itself cramped, until a few days ago. They will now be able to follow their education in other conditions, in a Timone building, which usually serves as a place of training.

Something made possible thanks to François Crémieux, director general of the Public Assistance of Marseille Hospitals (AP-HM). “We invited him during the pre-return course. From the start, he asked us what we needed. Locals ? Carefree. I'm taking an inventory of the AP-HM and I'll get back to you very soon. Three months later, we had our premises, says Salim, relieved. We are in heaven, we all had trouble sleeping we were so excited, ”rejoices Salim Grabsi.

The premises, located 150 meters from the Faculty of Medicine, are open from noon, after the end of classes. The preparation also has 2 rooms open every day and can also occupy the amphitheater of the AP-HM every weekend. “Students no longer have any worries about being able to revise now. Whatever time they want to go, they easily save 1h or even 1h30 by avoiding transport,” he specifies.

Free meals thanks to the solidarity restaurant Le République

The icing on the cake, as soon as the solidarity restaurant Le République opens on December 20, students will be able to benefit from free meals, delivered directly to their new review spots.

In a few days, a partnership agreement should be signed between the AP-HM and Le Sel de la Vie, for a sustainable provision of the premises.

“From now on, they have a much better chance of succeeding,” underlines Aissa Grabsi, the president of the association Le Sel de la Vie. Our goal for next year is to have 120 students. Many of them, at the Faculty of Medicine, went to see our tutors because they wanted to join the preparation course”.

Practical information

Registrations for the 2022-2023 promotion are open. You must contact the association Le Sel de la Vie by email at [email protected] or via social networks (Facebook, Linkedin).