3 ways integrative medicine can lower cervical cancer risk: SOM grad featured in mindbodygreen

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doctor examining patient

What is the difference between integrative and traditional medicine solutions? 

“Integrative practitioners heal by treating your whole body, including the environment your body lives in and the lifestyle you expose your body to,” according to St. George’s University School of Medicine graduate, Dr. Dana Cohen. 

Dr. Cohen graduated SGU in 1995. As an internal and integrative medicine specialist practicing in New York City, she treats patients by offering alternative approaches to health and wellness that can complement traditional methods of treatment.  

Dr. Cohen recently shared her expertise in wellness blog, mindbodygreen. In her article, “I’m a holistic MD: What I tell my patients to do to lower cervical cancer risk,” she discussed holistic strategies to lower the risk of cervical cancer.  

Her three tips included ways to:   

  • Take care of your immune system with essential nutrients and supplements; 
  • Keep hydrated; and 
  • Reduce stress. 

“Taking a holistic, proactive approach to your immune health will also enhance your overall well-being and quality of life—yet another reason to start implementing these tips today,” Dr. Cohen wrote.  

 

Read the full article

 

 

 -Laurie Chartorynsky

Related articles:

On the blog: What is preventive medicine?
Grad tackles hem/onc and integrative medicine fellowships to treat patients’ “whole health”
A first of its kind: SGU launches center for integrative medicine

“Pizza, Pets and Vets:” SVMAA fosters alumni-student connections with relaunched lunchtime workshops

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Pizza Pets and Vets - photo of SVM graduate, student, SVMAA and Alumni Affairs administration

The Office of Alumni Affairs and SVMAA relaunched a networking initiative designed to give SVM students on campus a fresh perspective on what it is like to work in the field of animal care and to create connections between students and SVM graduates.

St. George’s University’s Office of Alumni Affairs and School of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Association (SVMAA) recently relaunched a networking initiative designed to give SVM students on campus a fresh perspective on what it is like to work in the field of animal care and to create connections between students and SVM graduates.  

Renamed “Pizza, Pets and Vets,” the lunchtime talk series was kicked off on September 13. More than two dozen aspiring veterinarians gathered at Charter Hall Lab to listen to Kimberly Ferizolli, DVM ’14, medical director and lead veterinarian at Central Florida Community Pet Clinic. She shared her experiences as a veterinarian and co-founder of the nonprofit organization that offers high-volume, high-quality spay and neuters, mainly to feline patients. Her comments were followed by an engaging Q&A period and, of course, a pizza lunch. 

“Coming back to the island and talking to the students was a way to pay it forward,” Dr. Ferizolli said. “It’s so great to give back to SGU because that’s where my dream started. I wanted to let students know that no matter how hard school is—it is possible to make your dreams come true and to continue on with your goals.”

View reel

 

“Students can greatly benefit from the wealth of knowledge, experiences, and shared community amongst our more than 2,500 esteemed SVM alumni,” said Tara Paterson, DVM ’03, MSc, president of the SVMAA and associate professor of Small Animal Medicine & Surgery at SGU. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to bring together our alumni community with our current students, creating connections and fostering a spirit of learning that lasts a lifetime.” 

 

Alumni who are planning to visit Grenada, please email aa-svm@sgu.edu or SVMAA President Dr. Tara Paterson if you would like to volunteer for a “Pizza, Pets and Vets” workshop. 

 

Alexandra Prince, a Term 4 student and current SVM president within SGU’s Student Government Association, attended Dr. Ferizolli’s talk, noting that the session was very informative. 

“It was genuinely really amazing,” Ms. Prince said. “I think we as students are looking for those networking opportunities.”  

Ms. Prince is interested in veterinary medicine that specializes in exotic and aquatic animals, as well as surgery and feline medicine. “I want to meet as many veterinarians who specialize in these areas as possible to get a good idea of what each field actually looks like in practice,” she said.  

Student networking and mentorship opportunities

“Pizza, Pets and Vets” is just one of the ways that the Office of Alumni Affairs and SVMAA plan to increase engagement between SVM students and alumni.  

In addition, Ms. Prince has been named the SVM student-alumni representative. Having Ms. Prince in this position will further encourage connections and networking among the two groups as she shares how alumni can help make students’ SGU experience more valuable, SVMAA said. Ms. Prince said she hopes to connect students with alumni based on their area of veterinary interest or geographic location as part of her role. 

 

“It was genuinely really amazing. I think we as students are looking for those networking opportunities.”

 

Students on campus will also have opportunity to connect with SVM alumni attending the upcoming VetBolus conference, taking place in Grenada November 2 to 4. During the “Alumni Student Night,” students will be able to speak with several SVM graduates in a speed-dating type of environment.  

“The immediate goal of Alumni Affairs is to improve alumni engagement across all our support areas, which include connections with prospective students, current students (future alumni), and other alumni,” said Dr. Brendon La Grenade, SGU’s vice provost for Institutional Advancement. “This will be done through selective programming, driven by alumni interest, like ‘Pizza, Pets and Vets.’ We encourage all SVM alumni to follow your newsletter and SGU social media, stay in touch with SVMAA current events, and share your ideas with us.”   

SVM alumni interested in sharing their professional experiences during a “Pizza, Pets and Vets” lunchtime talk (in person or virtually) should email aa-svm@sgu.edu or contact SVMAA President Dr. Tara Paterson.  

 

— Tonya Duncan and Laurie Chartorynsky

  

 

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SGU alum shares journey to a fulfilling career in cancer outreach

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Patrick Dineen, MD, MBA, is the current program manager of cancer prevention and screening at Stony Brook Cancer Center where he leads their mobile mammography program. The program provides breast cancer screenings to historically underserved communities.

One St. George’s University School of Medicine and School of Graduate Studies alum is playing a key role in making screening for breast cancer more accessible for women on Long Island through his career in cancer outreach.

Patrick Dineen, MD, MBA, is the current program manager of cancer prevention and screening at Stony Brook Cancer Center. In his role with Stony Brook, he helped establish their mobile mammography program. The program provides breast cancer screenings to historically underserved communities.

“We screen uninsured women, we also screen insured women. The working woman, who works hard, has a family, takes care of a partner, children, the last person she takes care of is herself,” said Dr. Dineen. “When we’re parking outside of her business, and she sees us, she knows she can be back at her desk in 15 minutes and get her annual screening done.”

The impact of outreach

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, nearly 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. In 2023 alone, there will be almost 300,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer in the United States. One of the most important prevention measures for invasive breast cancer is early detection.

 

Dr. Dineen spent his first few years at Stony Brook getting the mobile program off the ground and presenting its value to the community and businesses across Long Island. The program began servicing the community in 2018 and has since performed over 7,000 cancer screenings and detected over 40 cancers. A priority for Dr. Dineen in the inception of the program was ensuring the mobile unit’s staff was representative of the community, emphasizing the need for diversity.

“An interesting statistic is that in the brick-and-mortar facility at Stony Brook Breast Cancer, 12 percent of the women screened are minorities. Almost 80 percent of the women screened on the mobile unit are minorities,” Dr. Dineen added.

Dr. Dineen reviewing Stony Brook’s mobile mammography unit’s blueprint with his staff.

Dr. Dineen’s outreach efforts extend beyond the Long Island community. He publishes papers and speaks at conferences to inspire other healthcare professionals to think about how they can better serve communities in need. He is also the co-chair of mammography for the Mobile Healthcare Association, a national organization dedicated to increasing access to quality healthcare.

“Health equity means bringing healthcare, especially what we offer in breast cancer screening, to as many people as possible regardless of their gender, insurance status, immigration status, social determinants of health that stand in their way; making healthcare as accessible as possible to as many people as possible. And that is exactly what our program at Stony Brook was built for,” said Dr. Dineen.

Finding his path

Dr. Dineen’s interest in  cancer outreach is personal. His father, an orthopedic surgeon, passed away from cancer at 54 years old. In response to his father’s death, Dr. Dineen started a non-profit foundation that strives to bring happiness to cancer patients, the Dr. Patrick J. Dineen Memorial Foundation.

“My father was a doctor, and seeing how he led his life and the impact he made on other people’s lives made me want to be just like him,” Dr. Dineen said. “I know he would be proud of me as he has since passed from cancer, which led me down the path I’m on today.”

While Dr. Dineen ended up with a career in cancer outreach, the path he took to medical school was not a traditional one. He majored in accounting and planned to enter a career in business after graduating with his bachelor’s degree. Dr. Dineen also pursued his other passion, ice hockey, playing on a minor league team. It wasn’t long, though, until he realized his true calling was in medicine. And for Dr. Dineen, choosing SGU for his medical school journey was an easy decision.

“What made SGU stand out to me were the people that I knew in the healthcare system,” said Dr. Dineen. “Growing up in the world of medicine, SGU was a name that I repeatedly heard. I knew I would find the right home at SGU because of its reputation and others before me who had similar paths and were now happy, comfortable, and successful upon graduation.”

Once he was on his way to a career as a physician, Dr. Dineen realized he didn’t want to give up his passion for business. He decided to combine his interests and pursued his MBA with the goal of working on the business side of medicine.

A perfect day on the job

Dr. Dineen eventually crossed paths with Stony Brook Medicine. They approached him with the opportunity to lead their mobile mammography program.

“I stepped back and thought about my values and what I love. I love speaking with people, I’m a person of the community, I love having an impact,” Dr. Dineen said. “Despite it being a different path than the one I originally intended, a career in cancer outreach was the right way for me to move forward in healthcare.”

Dr. Dineen meeting with community members to discuss the importance of breast cancer screenings.

Evaluating where he is now, Dr. Dineen is grateful to have taken the road less traveled. It allows him to experience what he deems his perfect day in the role.

“My perfect day is getting feedback from those I supervise or our community partners about the impact we made. Although it’s a bittersweet moment when our team finds someone’s cancer, we also recognize that if we hadn’t discovered it, the patient might never have undergone screening for various reasons. Screenings allow us to find cancer before there is a physical manifestation. I can’t imagine a better day than hearing stories about the lives we’ve saved.”

—Sarah Stoss

 

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SVM alumna featured on Animal Planet TV series

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Dr. Regan Schwartz, 2019 SVM graduate

Dedicating yourself to helping animals in need is a noble calling, but it may not be fully understood to what lengths veterinarians go to save the animals that come into their clinic. One St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine graduate is helping to change that as she gives an inside look at her daily life as a veterinarian in the Animal Planet series, “Pets and Pickers.”

Dr. Regan Schwartz, a 2019 SGU graduate with a dual degree in veterinary medicine and public health, practices at the Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS), a nonprofit organization in Richmond, British Columbia. The television show, which aired its first season in the spring of 2022 (it was recently renewed for a third season), follows Dr. Schwartz and her colleagues at RAPS hospital in their day-to-day professional lives and seeks to raise awareness about animal welfare.

“There was a vision for the show, and it evolved,” said Dr. Schwartz. “The primary goal of the program is to raise awareness of the organization and grant exposure to encourage further support and involvement.”

Six veterinarians are featured in “Pets and Pickers.” The film crew shadowed the veterinarians over the course of six months, filming enough for two seasons worth, based on specific cases of interest and conducted interviews at the end of the show. After many weeks of the camera crew following the cast around the hospital, Dr. Schwartz said they all became like a big family.

“The filming process was a rewarding experience. I’m very proud of the work we’ve done on these first two seasons,” added Dr. Schwartz.

 

Dr. Regan Schwartz, a 2019 School of Veterinary Medicine graduate.

A Passion for Helping Animals

Originally from Toronto, Dr. Schwartz decided to apply to SGU when she discovered their dual-degree program in public health and veterinary medicine. Dr. Schwartz’s lifelong passion for community service and supporting communities in need led her to work extensively abroad, including in Nicaragua, Nepal, and Africa, before she began her current position. So, when a role opened at RAPS, Dr. Schwartz knew the opportunity would allow her to continue doing the work she loves. The show came later.

Dr. Schwartz said that SGU provided a supportive environment with a small faculty that prepared her for a career in veterinary medicine. But she attributes her greatest strength as a veterinarian to her parents, who instilled extreme compassion and empathy when she was growing up.

“I feel animal suffering so deeply that I work hard to alleviate it,” said Dr. Schwartz. “When I watched myself on TV, I definitely saw it as an asset, and it reassured me that this is what I’m meant to do.”

 

Regan Schwartz, a 2019 School of Veterinary Medicine graduate.

 

– Madeline Otto

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School of Medicine Grad Featured in AMSA’s The New Physician

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St. George's University campus, sunset view

Earning an MD from a Caribbean medical school offers several benefits to future physicians, and St. George’s University alum Joshua Ramjist, MD ’11, is sharing his advice for those weighing the pros and cons of attending an institution outside of the United States.  

“My advice? Go for it, but do your research first,” according to an editorial written by the pediatric surgery fellow in the Spring issue of the American Medical Student Association’s The New Physician.  

Titled, “A Global Education Helped Me Become a Better Doctor It Can Do the Same for You,” Dr. Ramjist shared his positive experience as a student at St. George’s University and why he chose to attend a Caribbean medical school.  

Read the full article

 

Among the reasons he is glad he went to SGU, in his words: 

  • A truly international education: A diverse array of classmates led to learning about different cultures and their healthcare systems. 
  • Global clinical experience: Dr. Ramjist spent his first year of medical school in Newcastle, UK thanks to a partnership between SGU and Northumbria University (he spent his second year in Grenada); he traveled to Thailand to participate in a two-week long selective; and completed rotations and ultimately matching in Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY.  
  • The ability to practice anywhere in the world: SGU gave him the tools needed to pass licensing exams not just in the US but in other countries.  

 

“Many medical school hopefuls may not consider Caribbean medical schools. But that can be a mistake. Caribbean schools can offer a truly global education, and open up a path to practicing medicine in the United States or Canada.”

Dr. Ramjist added that prospective students need to do their research before committing to a school, looking at things like residency placement and licensing exam pass rates; how well a school supports students in their journey both academically and non-academically; scholarship/financial aid opportunities; and accreditation, among other aspects.  

All that said, today, Dr. Ramjist, MD, MSc, MBA, FRCS(C) practices in the division of general and thoracic surgery at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario. In 2019, he was named as the Maimonides Medical Center Department of Surgery’s Chief Resident of the Decade.  

“My international education has allowed me to better care for patients of different backgrounds and identities. I can relate to their experiences when I’m at their bedside. And I see them not just for the disease they have but as a whole person, culture and all,” he said. “For these reasons, I’d encourage any student considering a Caribbean medical school to take the leap.” 

 

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SAS Alumna Awarded Top Student by Royal Society of Biology

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St. George’s University proudly congratulates Shanelle Gilkes on winning the Royal Society of Biology award for top student. The RSB award recognizes outstanding achievements in biological research by students in the accredited B.Sc. in marine, wildlife, and conservation biology program. The honor represents a significant accomplishment of a student’s dedication to scientific research. Shanelle is a recent alumna and the first SGU awardee from the program.

The Royal Society of Biology is responsible for advancing education and professional development and encouraging public interest in the life sciences. One student who has completed their capstone research project receives the award yearly. The Royal Society of Biology award is highly regarded within the scientific community. The honor provides students a significant advantage when applying to universities for graduate studies or pursuing further scientific research.

The winning project

Shanelle’s winning capstone research project focused on comparing harvested Queen Conch (lobatus gigas) populations using empty shells as a proxy measure of age at the Woburn Bay and Hog Island sites in Grenada. A lack of data in Grenada on the population structure of the queen conchs makes determining sustainability challenging. This study aimed to estimate the age of harvested queen conchs via empty shell measurements as a metric to determine whether the population is being sustainably managed. Maintaining sustainable yields and harvest of queen conchs has important implications for species conservation, local fisheries, and overall ecosystem health.

“With a personal interest in marine wildlife and conservation, I was drawn to Queen Conch research. This species is of significant ecological and economic importance,” Shanelle said.

When asked about her plans for the future, Shanelle discussed her desire to make a difference.

“My ultimate goal is to positively impact my field and contribute to meaningful change. I plan to use the knowledge and skills gained through my studies and this recognition to further this goal and pursue my passions.”

Shanelle’s SGU experience

Shanelle says that pursuing the marine wildlife and conservation program offered educational and personal growth opportunities. With the challenging academic curriculum and experienced faculty, SGU provided a solid foundation in her field of study.

“Attending SGU and pursuing the marine, wildlife, and conservation program provided me with an excellent academic foundation, practical experience, and valuable connections. This all helped me succeed in my academic and professional pursuits. With hard work and dedication, SGU helped me reach my goals and achieve my dreams,” Shanelle said.

Shanelle embodies the remarkable caliber of students produced in our accredited B.Sc. program in marine, wildlife, and conservation biology. The department extends congratulations for receiving this significant award. They hope it further motivates Shanelle to pursue endeavors in scientific research and conservation biology.

—Madeleine Otto and Sarah Stoss

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Meet the School of Veterinary Medicine 2023 Commencement Speaker

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The 2023 commencement speaker for the St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine commencement on June 4 is Brittney Kilgore, DVM. Dr. Kilgore is an SGU SVM alumna and a veterinarian at Lifeline Animal Project in her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to her work as a veterinarian, Dr. Kilgore is actively engaged on social media, bringing awareness to special cases and alternative therapies in veterinary medicine.

SGU News sat down with Dr. Kilgore to ask her a few questions about life as a veterinarian and her advice for future SGU graduates.

St. George’s University: What is your ultimate career goal?

Dr. Kilgore: To open a feline-only clinic emphasizing integrative approaches to medicine and therapies.

SGU: Do you plan to incorporate your social media influence into your career? If so, how and what do you think about the potential of social media for other veterinarians?

Dr. Kilgore: I currently try to show special cases and bring awareness to alternative therapies. I’m huge on education, so I like expanding other people’s knowledge on the options for animals, whether as pets and owners or even just participating in veterinary medicine in unique ways such as podcasts, pop-up events, etc. Social media growth requires dedication, but many out there love to see what their pet’s veterinarian is like and what makes them stand out.

SGU: Is there a standout memory/moment from SGU that you feel exemplifies your experience?

Dr. Kilgore: This is a hard one, as so many memories exemplify my time at SGU. I’d say giving tours as an ambassador. From giving tours of the school and answering questions about SGU to making vlogs around the island to show what all Grenada was about outside of SGU was one of my most impactful memories. SGU was an amazing experience to receive my DVM degree, and living in Grenada played a huge role in that experience as well.

SGU: Do you have advice for prospective/entering students?

Dr. Kilgore: I always tell people to keep their heads up. It’s a long journey and not easy, but it’s so rewarding when you can finally say and do the things you’ve always dreamed of. Keep that dream alive and front and center at all times.

SGU: What would it be if you had to leave your graduating class with only one message?

Dr. Kilgore: Always remember to experience life outside of this career, as we did as students on our island home. We will dedicate so much to this profession throughout the years, but we must find time to discover ourselves and live life to the fullest.

—Madeleine Otto

 

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MD grad on what it was like to volunteer during Russia-Ukraine war: “I would do it again”

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Mariya Vengrenyuk, a 2016 School of Medicine graduate, volunteered during Ukraine-Russian war.

Dr. Mariya Vengrenyuk, a 2016 graduate of St. George’s University School of Medicine, felt the calling to help the people of her native country as the war in Ukraine broke out.

Last year, Ukrainian-born Dr. Mariya Vengrenyuk, a 2016 graduate of St. George’s University School of Medicine, felt the calling to help the people of her native country as the war in Ukraine broke out.

In the spring of 2022, Dr. Vengrenyuk, who moved to the US when she was nine, traveled overseas to volunteer for two weeks with two different organizations. She first offered her medical expertise and language skills to help refugees in the Poland-Ukraine border city, Przemysl, by volunteering with the humanitarian group, SSF-Rescuers without Borders. She then traveled to Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine—her hometown—to work with Revived Soldiers Ukraine, a group that helps to bring severely wounded soldiers to the US for costly surgeries and other medical treatments pro bono. She continues to work with the group now that she is back in the US.

SGU News recently got back in touch with Dr. Vengrenyuk, who is a travel hospitalist and a clinical investigator, to learn what it was like to treat refugees and soldiers affected by the Russia-Ukraine war and how she was able to use her medical skills in a war zone setting.

SGU: What kind of aid did you provide while you were there?

Dr. Vengrenyuk: At the border clinic, it was mostly urgent care type of treatments—headaches, cough, chest pain, high blood pressure, high blood glucose, mild scrapes/cuts. I was the only Ukrainian-speaking doctor—other doctors were from different countries—so I helped translate and used medical terms for the people crossing the border.

SGU: You previously shared that you needed to mentally prepare for the trip and that, as a doctor, you must be compassionate but not emotional—was that difficult to do in practice? 

Dr. Vengrenyuk: I tried to be strong in Ukraine and at the border. But the aftermath hurt me. It continues to hurt to this day. I have dreams about the war and the wounded. When I came back from that trip, I felt depressed. I can’t stop the war. It was not an easy trip for me emotionally because I am still very connected to Ukraine, even though I lived in the US for 23 years. I have family there. When I looked at the faces of the people crossing the border, their despair, pain, I could see my parents in them. And the children’s eyes… they were children, but their eyes showed that they had lived through more than many adults have.

Mariya Vengrenyuk, MD '16, volunteered during Ukraine-Russian war.

Dr. Vengrenyuk: “I would do it again. And I would go to other parts of the world.”

SGU: What were some of the hardest things to see while there?

Dr. Vengrenyuk: The wounded. Many people in Ukraine are missing limbs, eyes, and they have scars and burns on their faces and bodies. It is a whole new generation of people with disabilities.

The most memorable cases are of young men who were blasted on the battlefield and who still have amputations and shrapnel in their body.

SVM Grad Reflects On Ukraine Volunteer Experience: “By Helping People’s Pets, We Were Helping The People”

SGU: Were there moments of joy? 

Dr. Vengrenyuk: Seeing how many international people are willing to go and volunteer and how quickly the residents joined the volunteering forces. The morale was high, with everyone trying to stay strong.

SGU: What do you think you learned about yourself as a caretaker while volunteering in the Ukraine?

Dr. Vengrenyuk: I think I need more combat military medicine training. My internal medicine skills were useful, but I would like more surgical skills.

Mariya Vengrenyuk, a 2016 graduate of SGU School of Medicine

Dr. Vengrenyuk: “It was not an easy trip for me emotionally because I am still very connected to Ukraine, even though I lived in the US for 23 years. I have family there.”

SGU: Would you do it again?

Dr. Vengrenyuk: I would do it again. And I would go to other parts of the world. Unfortunately, to do such trips you need to have enough money saved so you can afford to take unpaid leave for one to two months in order to truly make a difference. Taking your vacation time from work is not enough.

I continue to volunteer at home by helping the soldiers we bring to the USA, taking them to their medical appointments, translating medical records, etc.

SGU: What is your advice for physicians who would like to give back on a smaller scale?

Dr. Vengrenyuk: We have enough of a healthcare crisis in the US alone where there is a need. There are homeless shelter clinics, abortion clinics, we have many of our own veterans in the US who are homeless and may have mental disorders, etc. There are ways to volunteer locally, even remotely, via telehealth.

 

-Laurie Chartorynsky

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SVM grad reflects on Ukraine volunteer experience: “By helping people’s pets, we were helping the people”

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Andrew Kushnir, DVM ’19, traveled to Ukraine and Poland to provide on-the-ground support for refugees and their pets—who have evacuated from the war-torn area. He shared lessons learned frome the nearly year-long experience.

Last we spoke with Andrew Kushnir, DVM ’19, in March 2022, he was at the Ukrainian-Poland border crossing in Medyka, Poland providing medical assistance to refugees’ pets. What was supposed to be a three-week trip ended with Dr. Kushnir staying for most of last year to work with animal rescue groups and zoos to help vulnerable animals affected by the Russian-Ukraine war.

During his time in Ukraine and Poland, Dr. Kushnir saw horrific destruction and pain but also experienced joy and gratitude through the eyes of the animals he cared for, including three African lion cubs. Dr. Kushnir, who returned to the United States in December, is still processing all that he saw and experienced while overseas but has had some time to reflect.

After some of the most “challenging, terrifying, and beautiful months of my life, I know now that I am forever changed as a result of my time there, and a part of me still hasn’t returned from overseas,” he said.

At the one-year mark of the war, Dr. Kushnir shared his experience, what he learned about himself as a veterinarian and caretaker, and his plans to continue supporting animals—and their owners—most in need.

St. George’s University: How long were you in Ukraine/Poland?

Dr. Kushnir: At the beginning of the war, I worked with IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare), helping refugees cross into Poland with their pets. We functioned out of a blue tent about approximately 100 feet from the official border crossing in a humanitarian village set up to help Ukrainians fleeing destruction. Many of the animals I saw were in rough shape when they crossed, and as a veterinarian, I was responsible for doing everything I could to help them. We knew that by helping people’s pets, we were helping the people. In total, I was at the border for three months, before venturing into Ukraine solo to see where I could help on the ground.

In the fall, I was volunteering at a veterinary hospital in the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa—a beautiful city that typically is vibrant and full of people—but at the time, had lost about half of its one million residents. I had only intended to spend a few weeks there, but shortly into my stay, three African lion cubs were abandoned at the city train station, and I knew I had to get them out. It was another three months in Ukraine and then a month at the Poznan Zoo in Poland, caring for the African lion cubs and a black leopard cub, all rescued from Ukraine.

SGU: What other kinds of animals did you treat? What were some common forms of aid you provided to them?  

Dr. Kushnir: At the border, I saw mostly dogs and cats but occasionally exotic pets like snakes, birds, and even some turtles. The condition these animals arrived in at the border ranged from totally healthy to wounded, emaciated, dehydrated, and stressed. We had a tent set up with various meds sourced from home and the human medical tents at the humanitarian village. We were a lily pad for refugees as they mainly were headed on a path toward somewhere else in Europe.

When I was in Odesa, I saw many species of reptiles, birds, wild owls, raptors, and small mammals; and then, of course, the lion cubs. Toward the end of my time in Ukraine, I was in Kyiv at a rescue center, Wild Animal Rescue Ukraine, for large predators. The day we evacuated to Poland, we anesthetized and loaded up four adult African lions and an Asiatic black bear; the lion and leopard cubs were much easier to get into their crates for transport and didn’t require anesthesia.

Read: Ukraine-born MD grad travels to Poland to help refugees in need

 

SGU: What were some of the hardest things to see while over there?

Dr. Kushnir: After a while, the air raid sirens, the sounds and sights of artillery, and suicide drone attacks sadly become a normal part of daily life. It was startling when the attack was close by, of course, but then you continued on with your day. It’s life in war.

The most heartbreaking moments for me were probably those first couple of months at the Polish border, interacting with folks whose homes were destroyed days prior and who worried about their loved ones now under occupation. My father was a boy when his family fled Ukraine on foot during World War II, and I often saw him in every child who crossed, fleeing another war. I could not help but reflect on how recurring life can be.

SGU: Can you talk about a patient case that affected you? How so?

Dr. Kushnir: I remember it was a cold, wet October night. I had the three two-month-old cubs with me in Kyiv at this point, and most of our days were without power, water, and gas. We had a short window of available electricity, so I quickly boiled some water for their milk formula and went to feed them in their room. Despite having a bit of power available, it was common practice to have all lights turned off at night to make yourself less of a target from Russian suicide drones or aerial surveillance. I was feeding the cubs when I heard a sequence of loud thuds from what felt like right outside the window of the house. Initially, I thought it was from the horses in the stall outside kicking the walls, but then I saw flashes of light through the windows. I was in the vicinity of a combined missile and suicide drone attack that not only could I see, but I could feel. Once I registered what was happening, I remember looking down into the  cubs’ eyes as they suckled unbothered, not knowing what was happening around them, just happy and content that their bellies were filled. Their peace brought me peace. I like to think those cubs saved me as much as I saved them.

“Many of the animals I saw were in rough shape when they crossed, and as a veterinarian, I was responsible for doing everything I could to help them. We knew that by helping people’s pets, we were helping the people.”

 

SGU: Were there moments of joy?

Dr. Kushnir: It feels strange to admit, but there were many moments of immense joy during my time in Ukraine and Poland, despite the horrific scale of destruction that is still happening. At the border crossing, we helped about 1,800 animals, which means we helped at least that many people worried about their pets.

Performing an orthopedic procedure on a wild owl found by Ukrainian soldiers on the frontlines, and then having those same soldiers release him back to the wild was a huge win. Finally, after months of careful planning and logistics, getting the lion cubs across the Atlantic Ocean and to one of the best sanctuaries in the world was a also monumental win.

SGU: What do you think you learned about yourself as a caretaker while volunteering in Ukraine?

Dr. Kushnir: I have always wanted to work with the most vulnerable animal populations, it’s what I find the most fulfilling and rewarding about this job. I’ve traveled to some very questionably-safe areas of the globe but have rarely ever felt unsafe—you can ask my psychiatrist father what that says about my personality!

SGU: Do you have any missions planned for the near future?

Dr. Kushnir: I’ll be returning to southern Ukraine in a few weeks to help set up a veterinary hospital at the only animal shelter in the city of Kherson; a city that was liberated by Ukraine a few months ago. It should be a quick mission, pending I don’t find anymore lions!

I am also in talks about joining a veterinary mission to Turkey, but we still have much to figure out. The geologic and geopolitical instability in southern Turkey and Syria presents specific challenges that need to be worked out thoroughly before an international mission is planned.

SGU: What is your advice for physicians and veterinarians who want to give back in a similar way? What should they be prepared for based on the lessons you’ve learned from your experiences?

Dr. Kushnir: Working in disaster events and humanitarian crises is not for everyone. You are exposed to some of the darkest elements of the human experience but also to some of the most uplifting as well. Crises happen in the world, whether from human conflict or from natural disasters, and it’s a certain type of medical professional who can function in that environment. Away from diagnostic machines, away from our preferred medicines, away from clean sterile operating tables, we have to work with what we’ve got and be very clever about it.

 

– Laurie Chartorynsky and Sarah Stoss

 

 

 

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Pursuing a Dual Degree in Veterinary Medicine: Grads Share Their Experiences

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Dr. Adria Rodriguez, an associate professor of small animal medicine and surgery, and professional development in SGU’s School of Veterinary Medicine, received her dual DVM and MSc from the University.

Many students at St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine take part in unique educational opportunities that can transform their careers. One SGU course of study is a veterinary dual-degree program, where students can combine earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree with one of several master’s degrees, including: a Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Science (MSc), or Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Whether it’s exploring the intersection of animal health and the human world, focusing on fundamental and applied research, or improving their business skills, each of these programs provides in-depth learning opportunities for aspiring veterinarians, according to Dr. David Marancik, associate dean of graduate studies for SVM.

“SGU’s graduate programs of study are diverse and can match the student’s career goals—allowing them to gain advanced knowledge and expertise within their field of choice,” Dr. Marancik said.

SGU News spoke to several dual degree veterinary alumni to find out how their degrees from the University have enhanced their career prospects and the advice they offer to students considering this educational route.

Why Pursue a Dual Degree

Sydney Friedman, DVM ’21/MPH ’21, an associate veterinarian at Hoboken Vets Animal Clinic in Hoboken, NJ, had always known she wanted to work with animals as a child. She initially pursued her DVM degree so that she could educate others and herself about disease transmission from zoonosis and preventative methods.

She then learned about the opportunity to obtain an MPH degree.

“By obtaining my MPH, I have gained additional knowledge of these diseases affecting humans, animals, and the environment, which has allowed me to expand my veterinary career in ways I didn’t think were possible,” Dr. Friedman said.

Sydney Friedman, DVM ’21/MPH ’21, an associate veterinarian at Hoboken Vets Animal Clinic in Hoboken, NJ, says her dual degree allows her to educating my clients on vaccines, disease processes, disease control, as well as disease spread.

In her current role, Dr. Friedman said she educates her clientele about the importance of preventative medicine.

“I am continuously educating my clients on vaccines, disease processes, disease control, as well as disease spread,” she said. “I am also accredited by the [U.S. Department of Agriculture] to write health certificates for international travel, allowing for additional conversations surrounding regional diseases. Having both a DVM and an MPH gives me the knowledge needed for these conversations.”

 

On the SGU Blog: What Can You Do with a DVM/MPH Degree?

 

Heather Douglas, DVM ’06/MBA ’11, owner of Douglas Animal Hospital in Osseo, MN, said she decided to pursue her MBA degree several years after earning her license so that she could make the most appropriate financial decisions for her practice. Douglas Animal Hospital treats a wide variety of animals from cats and dogs to geckos, snakes, potbellied pigs, and hamsters. She is also heavily involved in community services—both in the states as well as Grenada. Dr. Douglas founded the non-profit veterinary service, GrenVet, which provides free care to animals in Grenada.

Heather Douglas, DVM ’06/MBA ’11, owner of Douglas Animal Hospital in Osseo, MN, said she decided to pursue her MBA degree several years after earning her license so that she could make the most appropriate financial decisions for her practice.

“I was very interested in learning more about business and how that would benefit my practice in the long run,” Dr. Douglas said. “My degree in animal science was a step to becoming a veterinarian, but the MBA was chosen to ensure my practice was successful long-term. A dual degree gives additional ways to expand your knowledge and perspective, which can promote your career.”

A Unique Advantage

Earning a dual degree can give veterinarians a leg up over peers, especially when applying for specialized career positions.

“Soon after I got my MBA, I was hired as a medical director for a 24/7 emergency and general practice veterinary hospital that had 12 doctors and over 30 support staff. I would never have been considered in the running for the medical director position if I didn’t have my MBA,” according to Jennifer Lopez, DVM ’11/MBA ’13.

“The MBA at SGU really helped me understand the financial and marketing management side of the business and how to think strategically,” she added. “For instance: how to afford that laparoscopy equipment that one doctor wanted; how to optimize the surgery schedule; or how can we best utilize our technicians, front desk staff, etc.”

Jennifer Lopez, DVM ’11/MBA ’13, a professional services veterinarian for Antech Diagnostics and Imaging, says her MBA continues to prove useful. She is also a certified compassion fatigue and clinical trauma professional.

Dr. Lopez has since moved on from her position as medical director and today serves as a professional services veterinarian for Antech Diagnostics and Imaging, where her MBA continues to prove useful.

At her job, Dr. Lopez focuses on helping business owners optimize the medical and business aspects of veterinary medicine. She is also a certified compassion fatigue and clinical trauma professional, helping trained veterinarians avoid or prevent compassion fatigue when treating patients.

“What I love most about veterinary medicine is that there are so many opportunities to not just be proponents of animals and their health, but the diversity in how to use our degree,” Dr. Lopez said. “You can be a part of the food industry, policymaking, or an entrepreneur owning a practice or several practices. Adding a second degree will help you to further your career in ways you may not have considered at first.”

 

“My dual degree was the start of the path that my professional career has taken, and I could not be happier.”

 

Joseph R. Frame, DVM ’21/MSc ’20 in Wildlife Conservation Medicine, agreed. Dr. Frame, a small animal emergency/critical care service veterinary specialty intern at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital, is currently in advanced training to become a board-certified specialist in emergency and critical care and, like Dr. Lopez, recognizes the positive impact his dual degree has on his career prospects. Eventually, he hopes to be able to teach and train the next generation of veterinarians.

He is passionate about zoo companion species, such as chinchillas, bearded dragons, and birds—all animals that come into the emergency room he works in.

Joseph R. Frame, DVM ’21/MSc ’20 in Wildlife Conservation Medicine is a small animal emergency/critical care service veterinary specialty intern at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital. He is currently in advanced training to become a board-certified specialist in emergency and critical care.

“My master’s degree gives me a unique advantage over other veterinarians because it allowed me to really hone my critical thinking skills,” said Dr. Frame. “I love veterinary medicine because it is very much like solving a puzzle and many times it takes a lot of critical thinking skills. I’m very glad that I pursued a master’s degree because I think I’m a better doctor for it.”

A Word of Advice

Earning a dual degree may not be easy; the curriculums are rigorous and challenging, and students need to be committed if they choose to go this route.

“When considering a dual degree, be clear on your why, and make sure that it aligns with where you see yourself professionally,” according to Adria Rodriguez, DVM ’08/MSc ’10, MS TCVM, ACC, an associate professor of small animal medicine and surgery, and professional development in SGU’s School of Veterinary Medicine. “Do it because you want to do it, and be realistic with your time management skills and finances.”

For instance, will students be able to allot the time necessary to pursue both degrees and take care of your well-being while pursuing them?

“The dual degree curriculum is rigorous, and self-care is of utmost importance on your path to success,” Dr. Rodriguez emphasized.

Dr. Rodriguez, who supervises Term 5 SVM students in the Junior Surgery and Anesthesia Laboratory, said obtaining her MSc expanded her knowledge in research methods, statistics, and other fields, greatly helping her in her role as an educator, clinician, and researcher.

“My dual degree was the start of the path that my professional career has taken, and I could not be happier,” she said.

Echoed Dr. Frame: “It is a long road, and there will be some bumps along the way. If a dual degree is something you really want to do, pick yourself up and keep going. I missed several family events while in veterinary training, but it was all worth it after working with a real patient for the first time.”

 

 

– Ronke Idowu Reeves and Laurie Chartorynsky

 

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