Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
I have been at Sophie Davis almost
exactly one year - I started November 15,
2014.
Where were you before you came to
Sophie Davis?
I started my professional life as a
Before this, I was in Atlanta, Geor- high school physical educator. I taught
gia at the Centers for Disease Control
high school physical education for four
and Prevention. I was the Physical Activ- years and coached many different sports,
ity and Health Branch Chief in the Naincluding womens and mens cross countional Center for Chronic Disease Pretry. What got me to this point is that I
vention and Health Promotion within the have a very strong family history of heart
Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity,
disease; my grandfather and my father
and Obesity.
both died suddenly. I wanted to learn
more about heart disease to try and preWow, thats so cool. Youve done
vent it so other people would not feel
a lot! How do you describe your
how I felt when I lost two of the most
job, and whats your favorite part important men in my life very suddenly.
about it? Whats your least faSo, thats really what inspired me to study
vorite part about it?
and do cardiovascular disease research.
I am a Professor and Chair of the
Department of Community Health and
Social Medicine. I teach, do some research, and have a number of administrative duties right now because we are
building a newer and bigger department.
We have eight faculty, of which four are
new, and we are working together to
ensure our department supports Sophie
December 2015
IN THIS ISSUE:
(continued on page 6)
Feature, Page 6
She is a New Yorker for life and a
strong believer in family first. In school,
she was an athlete and today her passions include physical activity and heart
disease prevention. A soft-spoken, wise
woman with an accomplished career, she
is one of Sophie Davis newest faculty
members, having arrived just last year.
As Chair of the Department of Community Health and Social Medicine, she is
whole-heartedly invested in getting students to realize the mission of the school.
Meet Dr. Joan Dorn.
Op-Ed, Page 4
Volume L Issue 2
Hey everyone!
EDITORS NOTE
We at the Biograph hope that youve all had a wonderful fall semester. As always, we
would like to thank our faculty advisor, Dean McBeth, and all who have contributed to
this current issue. This issue has a variety of topics to offer: the AMSA fall conference,
the Sophie Davis auction, an exclusive interview with our very own Dr. Dorn, a feature
article on gene therapy, Vision Latinas Fall Soccer Kick-Off, and an Op-Ed on medical
school curriculums. The Biograph has new members and contributors, and we would like
to welcome them all to our growing family. Were looking forward to all of your future
contributions! Have a wonderful break everyone!
2015-16 Biograph E-Board
If you would like to contribute to the Biograph, e-mail us at: sophiebiograph@gmail.com.
Also visit our website at http://www.sophiebiograph.com/
ARTICLE CONTRIBUTORS
Gabriella Schmuter
Caleb Garard
Loren Moon
Amaris Geisler
Richard Xia
Swati Patel
Muna Amadife
Club Advisor
Dani McBeth, Dean of Student Affairs
Executive Board
Monica Rizkalla, President/Editor-in-Chief
Sujith Maracheril, Vice President/Layout Editor-in-Chief
Tanzib Razzaki, Treasurer
Nora McNulty, Secretary
Article Editors
Jennifer Puthota
Sanya Goswami
Madona Gadalla
Nora McNulty, Chief Article Editor
Layout Editors
Samantha Calpo
Elizabeth Kim
WeB Design Editor
Joseph Kennedy
On November 14th, the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) conducted their annual fall
conference and all AMSA chapters from around the
United States were invited. The event hosted physicians-in-training and presenters who came together
from all over the nation to share their ideas about improving the quality of health care. This day was especially important because, among the schools that
were represented, Sophie Davis was given an opportunity to represent itself through Sophie students who
facilitated narrative medicine group discussions. The
group discussions allowed for the students to showcase their strengths as well as discover the extent of talents
among other medical students.
The theme was Humanity at the Heart of Health Care. Under the umbrella of this theme, the day was divided
into four paths, each focused on a particular topic. The first was Social Justice in Health Care, which addressed the
underlying operation of institutional racism within the health care system. The second was Empathetic Communication Skills, which was about transforming health care by listening to the narratives patients and care providers
give. The third path was Technology, Innovation, and Compassionate Care, which looked at both the untapped
potential of and the limitations of our technological innovations in healthcare and the need to maintain humanism
and ethics at the forefront of medical care. The last path was entitled Your Journey to Residency, which focused on
match-to-residency programs and the shift to competency-based education within residency programs.
Under the empathetic communications skills pathway, Sophie Davis facilitators (Khalid Awwal, Diana Yusim,
Soberjot Singh, Mary Anne Marshall, Victoria Twito, Jennifer Puthota, and John Mancini) all -lead workshops
centering on listening to the narrative of the patient. They used tactics such as drawing, reflective writing, and
group discussion to reflect on the interaction between the patient and physician and, more specifically, trying to
help their audience recognize that the motive for the patient coming into a hospital or clinic may or may not align
with what the doctor believes their motives to be, which needs to be considered before administering medical care.
It is up to the doctor to listen to the patients concerns, challenges, hopes, and desires to properly treat their patient.
These ideas are especially important for prospective physicians to build awareness of the grievances patients have
regarding the medical community and to understand the existing barriers and tactics that can be used to effectively
communicate with the patient and alleviate their concerns.
John Mancini reflected on his experience at the conference, saying, It was an amazing experience. It made
me realize how privileged I am to attend Sophie Davis, where integrating the importance of humanities and interpersonal care in medicine is part of our everyday curriculum. I was a nineteen-year-old mentor in a room full of
people in their mid-twenties, yet I felt, in the realm of Narrative Medicine, I was among the most knowledgeable.
Thats privilege.
While there were a lot of great presenters there at the AMSA workshop, Sophie Davis students were able to
use knowledge from Health, Medicine, and Society and Narrative Medicine courses to really stand out. This opportunity allowed for Sophie Davis to promote their name and to raise awareness.
Next year, the Sophie Davis chapter of AMSA is looking forward to hosting the event. Make sure to join AMSA
and get in on the action!
Caleb Garard
Second Year
OP-ED
OP-ED
Have you ever thought about
what makes you, biologically, who you
have come to be? The smallest thing
that makes you as you currently are
your genes or, more specifically, your
DNA. Genes are microscopically small,
yet so incredibly powerful. What happens when your genes are changed and
they are not as they should be? Gene
mutations are the result of these alterations in your DNA and around
four-thousand diseases can be traced
to gene mutations or disorders. Fourthousand genetic disorders means that
many people around the globe are affected, but, unfortunately, medical professionals, currently, cannot do much
to help these individuals other than to
attempt to alleviate symptoms. But, in
recent times, gene therapy has arose as
a new possibility for the millions with
genetic disorders around the globe: to
completely and permanently alleviate
their symptoms.
Gene Therapy? It sounds like
something out of a science fiction novel, but, with our recent advancements
in technology, it is not surprising we
are able to alter genes. Although gene
therapy has the potential to revolutionize modern medicine, it is a rela-
FEATURE
Also, I have always been very athletic and enjoy taking walks with my
family. So, besides heart disease, my
other love is physical activity. Being
physically active is a great way to enjoy
good health. Including physical activity
in my research seemed like a natural extension from being an athlete to a teacher
to studying how it helps us be healthy.
I learned a lot from my peers and
If you could change one thing
colleagues as a student and I still learn a
about your college years, what
lot from students today. Young people are
would it be?
bright and have been exposed to so much
What has been the most signifiby the time they get to college. I have to
cant or rewarding moment of
I would have taken more chances
be on top of my game just to be able to
your career thus far?
and gotten more involved in campus life. offer something more. The challenges are
I went home too much because, as an
different. As a college student, I had to
Seeing students of mine become
only child, I was very close to my parents. make sure that I learn, but now I have to
successful and do things they never
And, also, my boyfriend, who is my hus- make sure that our students learn.
thought they could do. To be there when band for almost forty years now, was also
the lightbulb goes on and they realize
there. I would go home back to Buffalo
What do you think differentiates
they have just done something really
frequently on the weekend.
Sophie students from other colgreat. To see young people reach their
Those were my choices then, but,
lege kids?
potential is for sure the highlight.
as I watch young people now and as I
watched my own daughter when she was
I have been in academia for a really
As a child, what did you want to
in college experiencing so much more
long time, but I have never seen a group
be?
than just coursework, I think, if I would of students so true to themselves, so
have done anything, I would have exdedicated and hardworking, so passion
I wanted to be an astronaut the
plored more out of my comfort zone.
ate about what they do, and probably
first lady astronaut. When I was a little
I also would not have worried so
the scariest part so smart for only havgirl, I remember going to the school
much about my grades; it turned out
ing seventeen or eighteen years on this
auditorium to watch John Glenn launch they do not really matter. What matters is Earth. I was on the Admissions Commitinto space and I thought, Oh, I rewhat I learned.
tee last spring, and I saw that students
ally want to do that! But, I get sick on
who applied to Sophie Davis were not
amusement rides, so I figured out pretty What are some major differences only book smart, but also understanding
quickly that I was not going to do well up between your experience as a col- of the challenges of todays society. The
there! I needed to stay on the ground.
lege student and how the college students are the reason I came to Sophie
experience is now?
Davis. They are passionate and true to
Where are you originally from?
the mission of the School.
The major difference is technology.
I was born in Niagara Falls, NY
We had very little when I was an underWhat was the funniest moment
and I grew up in a suburb of Buffalo
graduate student. We did not have peryouve had with Sophie students?
called Williamsville. I have spent most of sonal computers, cell phones, and we had
my life in New York State except for the
maybe two or three TV stations. Tech
The funniest moment was actually
last three and a half years when I was in
nology has changed the way students
involving a high school student who was
Atlanta.
learn and has tremendously increased
attending the Summer Pipeline program.
access to information! It has also reduced She was terrified of dogs, but eventually
Do you have any siblings?
the need to memorize important facts
worked up the courage to pet my dog
and enhanced the need to become critiMillie. Her reaction to her own success in
I have no siblings I am an only
cal thinkers.
overcoming her fears was both funny and
child and I have one daughter.
It has also changed the way stutouching. She was very excited but more
dents get to know and interact with each importantly quite proud of herself. That
Where did you go to college?
other. While it has helped students stay
was a joy to see!
What did you study?
in touch and communicate quickly, just
She returned just last month and
like email, technology has also reduced
participated in our Saturday morning
My bachelors degree came from
interpersonal interactions.
Walk with a Future Doc program (where
FEATURE
Millie is a regular participant). Again, she
made me laugh as she approached Millie and was still pretty excited about her
comfort with petting a dog.
Speaking of Walk with a Future
Doc, can you tell me more about
it and why students should be a
part of it?
Walk with a Future Doc at Sophie
Davis is the first of its kind in the United
States. It is patterned after a national
initiative called Walk with a Doc. Walk
with a Doc was started in Ohio by Dr.
David Sabgir. He started it on a Saturday
morning with his patients. Together they
would walk, talk, and enjoy each others
company. Walk with a Doc has grown
across the country, with groups walking
in almost every state as well as internationally. But, walking is only the vehicle;
it is really about developing relationships,
social support, making new friends, and
physicians and patients talking with each
other out of the office.
The health benefits of physical activity are well known, yet many
Americans do not even get the minimal
amount recommended. What better way
to help people be more physically active
than to create opportunities to walk and
talk with future physicians from their
own community? The community walks
and our students get to interact with our
neighbors and learn that, just by walking
and talking with people, they can make
them feel better. The hope is that Sophie
Students will embrace this program and
carry it with them as they go on to be
Primary Care physicians.
What is CHASM and what is its
purpose?
CHASM is the Department of
Community Health and Social Medicine.
It is a department that trains our students
to have a solid understanding of the
many factors that impact health. It has
been said, Your zip code may be more
important to your heath than your genetic code. The conditions in which we
live explain in part why some of us are
healthier than others and why all Americans are not as healthy as they could
Sold! The Annual Sophie Davis Fifth Year Auction
took place on November 6th in the Harris Hall Lounge
and, once again, it was an unforgettable event. A week
after Halloween festivities, Sophie Davis students dressed
in elaborate and imaginative costumes, put on a performance, and strut down the catwalk to blasting music as
competing audience members bid for a chance to win
the students presenting. Students from all years of Sophie
Davis competed and some students were bid off for hundreds of dollars with the money raised from the event going toward fifth years funds for future Sophie events. Most
students found themselves auctioned off in groups, but
there were a number of brave individuals who conquered
and fearlessly owned the catwalk themselves.
With performances including students in the first year to their fifth year of Sophie Davis, the auction featured
some of Sophies most talented, physically-exceptional, and hysterical students. Beloved first-year class representative,
Peter Ko, kicked off the night strutting
as he strutand
anddancing
danced his way down the catwalk to the popular K-Pop single, Gangnam
Style. A number of equally great acts followed, including first-year students who chose to show off their physiques,
dressing as body-builders, firemen, and policemen, as well as other students who incorporated Game of Thrones or
Duvalsaint
Pirate themes into their presentation to the audience. The winner for best costume of the night was
wentPascale
to Pascale
Saint
whose impressive makeup and style at the event would easily pass her off as Drake on the streets of New York.
Sophie Davis students hope the Fifth Year Auction will continue to be a Sophie Davis tradition and raise more money
as students are further encouraged to participate and develop the annual event.
Gabriella Schmuter
First Year
On Tuesday, October 27th, Sophie Davis most promising athletes participated in
the Annual Fall Kickoff, a soccer tournament hosted by the Sophie Davis Chapters of Vision Latina and the Student National Medical Association. The event was a great success
with student athletes playing for and viewers cheering for the best teams to ever grace the
floor of the Marshak gym. A grand total of three teams entered, each vying for bragging
rights and the chance to hold the title of the greatest Sophie Davis soccer team for the
2015-2016 year. So, of course, this was a huge deal for everyone playing.
Before reviewing the tournament itself, I need to mention the food. No Sophie Davis event is complete without food and the Fall
Kickoff was no exception. Event-goers were treated to all-you-can-eat sub sandwiches and, believe me when I say it was all-youcan-eat. We may have taken because, in hindsight, it was probably a bad idea to eat that many sandwiches just before playing.
The three teams playing for Sophie Davis glory, two freshman teams and one upperclassmen team, played a round-robin
tournament, where every team faced one another to build up a number of points to be crowned the ultimate Sophie Davis soccer team. Each team played two games with a classic soccer scoring system, meaning the winning team of the match received 3
points, the losing team gained zero points, and teams that drew scored one point each.
In the end, one freshman team took the entire tournament with six points, going undefeated after winning both of their
games. The upperclassmen took one win from the tournament, earning three points, while the second freshmen lost both of their
games, but not for lack of trying.
Regardless of who won, the event was a great success and enjoyable to both the players and spectators. Hopefully, the success of this event will translate in to future athletic events at Sophie Davis.
Congratulations to those who one and good game to all who played!
Loren Moon
First Year