education
Mindfulness as a Tool to Build Confidence
By: MaryAnn Ulasi I spotted a number 5 on the concrete street. By number 5, I mean the stage of a particular “bug” that was made famous by the swarm that landed in NYC last year. Its growth curve is visualized in order of the clockwise circuitous pathway of a quarter; it reminded everyone what they were looking at. As I continued to gaze at the nymph stage of the dead lanternfly with its mangled red body, crushed under spotted black and white wings, I was sucked into a moment of time that I rarely experienced - the present. It was gross and painful, and the exposure was a little too much for real life. After all, for most of us, real life is not the present but rather the past or the future and the irony is hardly ever obvious to us. I certainly have been guilty of living...
Impact of Narrative Medicine in Surgery
By: Raslina Shrestha, MD “We can make the world a better place, one story at a time.”- Lisa Gerber A revelation unfolded during my shifts in the burn ward in Nepal. As the patients grappled with excruciating pain, disfigurement, and an arduous path to recovery, I observed an extraordinary phenomenon: patients from diverse backgrounds, occupying different beds, formed unexpected bonds of friendship and support. They shared their personal stories, extended solace to one another, and, most significantly, provided invaluable insights into coping and healing. It became abundantly clear that shared experiences and a sense of community had a remarkable impact on the recovery process. To bolster the confidence of these patients, they needed to be reminded that they were not alone. Motivated by this insight, I stumbled upon the realm of “Narrative Medicine”, the intersection of the humanities, art and health care. This emerging discipline equips clinicians to better comprehend...
Brushstrokes and Incisions: Exploring the Artistic Aspect of Surgery and Drawing in Human Exploration
By Alessandra Yasumi Rodríguez Cárdenas In exploring the profound relationship between art and surgery, it becomes evident that their interconnected narratives extend far beyond the realms of canvas and operating theaters. To comprehend the significance of art, surgery, and their relationship, it is imperative to delve into their origins. First, most writers describe that the birth of art started in Europe with cave art, but most do not attribute these origins to one art genius. It is noteworthy that the development of art and drawings is often viewed as a result of cultural evolution and the dynamic interaction between artists and viewers. Indeed, Gombrich proposed that “art and drawings develop through artistic expression shaped by the continuous dialogue of various cultures”. On the other hand, the roots of surgery can be traced back to pioneering anatomists like Galen [129 – 210 AD], who dominated the first era of surgery in...
Optimizing Your 3rd and 4th Years of Medical School: Resources for Networking, Mentorships, and Continuing Research
By Kayla Martinez, MS4 Approaching the final years of medical school is a paradox of fulfillment and stress. While students eagerly anticipate the conclusion of their academic journey, the looming task of applying for residency introduces a new layer of reality and pressure. Third and fourth years of medical school are opportunities to further your career by networking, finding mentors, and continuing research. Drawing from my experience as a current general surgery applicant, I have curated valuable resources that I believe can greatly assist prospective applicants navigating the uncertainties of what steps to take next. Networking: Networking provides access to various opportunities, such as research collaborations, clinical experiences, and mentorship. Building a network allows medical students to connect with professionals who can offer valuable insights and guidance. Attempt to make strong connections with residents and attendings in your specialty of choice. For example, if you connect or bond with a...
Fear of Applying or Fear of Rejection: Finding The Courage to Apply to New Opportunities: Part 2
By Denise Nemeth Rejection, once an unwelcome guest, has transformed into a catalyst for growth and redirection in my career. While my initial reaction to rejection was reluctance, I now am incredibly grateful for the role rejection has played in shaping my professional journey. I have evolved to not only make peace with it but actively seek and advocate for it among others. Growing up under the influence of my brilliant mother, who consistently expected nothing but the best from me, I naturally became an overachiever, albeit sometimes to my own detriment. As a child, I constantly strove to be at the top of my class and even school, including upperclassmen. Truthfully, I never struggled with academics, but I was not one to not put in the work. As my mother would say, it was my “only job”. And so, when the time to perform well in college came, I...
Fear of Applying or Fear of Rejection: Finding The Courage to Apply to New Opportunities: Part 1
By Morgan Hopp Applications for on-campus opportunities, national opportunities, tuition scholarships, travel stipends, research, the list of applications goes on and on. As a medical student, the opportunities sound wonderful and important for matching into the right residency program, but there is limited time to take advantage of all the opportunities, even if you are selected for them. After a few rejections, it becomes overwhelming just to figure out if you are a reasonable candidate and should put the effort in to apply. It is overwhelming to ask your mentor to submit another letter for an opportunity you are applying for…especially when the last few were straight rejections. Then, you might hit a spiral - one I wish I was not as familiar with - if none of these applications turn into opportunities. Without any of these amazing opportunities, will I have a chance in the match, let alone match...
Navigating Medical School, Residency and the Wild World of Medical Networking.
By Charoo Piplani Remember the days when the medical journey seemed like a straightforward path of applications and interviews? Ha! In retrospect, however, it was never nearly as straightforward as it appeared. We have always needed our networks or people with whom we built connections on our journey. Remember the high school teacher who wrote you that letter of recommendation, or the attending who made that phone call, or even your peers who were kind enough to introduce you to another superior at a new institution? They were all very much a part of networking. Networking in healthcare has traditionally revolved around in-person collaborations, mentorship, and shared research interests—amidst those awkward elevator rides with experts in the field. However, in the era of virtual connections, platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter have emerged as powerful gateways. Who knew that these platforms weren't just for memes and job postings? And thankfully so,...
Art and Humanities in Surgical Education: A Necessity or a Luxury in the Age of AI?
By Razan M. Baabdullah, BDS, MS, FRCDC They say empathy is the cornerstone of a compassionate healthcare provider. They say that you must approach your patients as sentient beings. They say that you have to foster the patient-doctor relationship. But they time you, they love efficiency, and they like to see numbers and figures, big ones. Quality? Well, not so much. They like ubiquitous monitors, electronic medical records, and certainly a screen in the room where it soon becomes the focal point and more valued than the patient in the room, stealing attention from the very humans we swore to prioritize, and now we are turning our backs to them to face the screen. Now, we are spending more time, not with human beings, but with insurance papers, to face once again screens, forms, and emails. Let me be clear: I’m no Luddite. I’m not averse to technology or contend...
How to make the best of your surgery rotation during your 3rd year of medical school
By Anna Sabu Kurian Third year of medical school is one of the most important and interesting times because it helps you find your specialty of choice in medicine. The world of surgery might seem intimidating as a medical student, but there is enough room for everyone to learn and make the most out of the clinical rotation. The clerkship duties include daily rounds, operating room experience and clinics. Here are a few suggestions for the optimal third year experience in the operating room Read about the specific surgical procedures the night before they are scheduled. Make sure to review the anatomy; and vasculature of different structures involved. The surgery textbook by Dr. Virgilio is a good resource. Practice suturing, one hand ties (make sure that you know how to do them with either of your hands), two hand ties and instrument ties. Reference below for a video tutorial https://www.youtube.com/@dr.omedary8170...
New technologies in neurosurgery
By: Barbara Buccilli, MD Of all the things I learned in medical school, the one lesson that will always stay with me throughout my career is that medicine is continually evolving, and as doctors, we must evolve with it. While we receive our medical school degrees, we should never leave medical school completely behind, as medicine will outpace us if we do. This profession is for individuals who have an insatiable hunger for learning, much like a shark's constant need to swim. We should continuously pursue new technologies until they become the standard of care, and even then, we should remain open to newer technologies replacing them. Over the past year, I have developed a fascination with magnetic brain stimulation, the integration of virtual reality and robotics in stroke recovery, and brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies. How far can we push these new techniques, and how far can they push us?...
