Egyptian grad finds his way to pediatric residency in the US

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Ahmed Hussein, MD ’22, has never been one to settle. He started his career in pharmacology in 2010 but soon realized it wasn’t the right fit for him. He found himself longing to make a greater difference in the lives of patients and decided to follow his dream of becoming a doctor in the US.

As someone who had grown up in Egypt, he didn’t have much knowledge of the US healthcare system and knew he needed to select a school that could help him gain this knowledge while providing high-quality medical education. Dr. Hussein soon found SGU, and he hasn’t looked back since.

Today he is a first-year pediatrics resident at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Hussein shared with SGU News how he successfully reached his goal of becoming an MD with the resources provided to him throughout medical school.

St. George’s University: What made you want to pursue medicine and why did you choose pediatrics specifically?

Dr. Hussein: ”If you are lost in a desert and you know that you are walking in the wrong direction, will you keep going in the same direction or will you stop and change it?”

These words, said by my mother, resonated with me when I was thinking about changing my career as a pharmacist to pursue medicine. We can all be helpful to the vulnerable, but being on the frontline, diagnosing and treating patients, was my main drive to pursue medicine.

Pediatrics as a specialty wasn’t something I considered before starting my clinical rotations. However, I enjoyed it so much during my clinical training that it quickly became the only specialty I applied for during Match. Seeing how resilient the children are while fighting their illnesses is very rewarding. Plus, the cuteness factor is very real!

Since graduating from pharmacy school in 2010, I was fascinated by the hematology/oncology field, and it is my goal to sub-specialize in it once I successfully finish my residency.

SGU: What was the application process to SGU like and how did you feel once you were accepted?

Dr. Hussein: My application process to SGU was seamless, which I believe was the case for my colleagues as well. There was always someone to contact for questions, aid, or just reassurance.

Once I got the news about my acceptance, I felt that I was about to embark on a new journey that would require hard work, day in and day out, to reach my destination—MD.

SGU: How did you participate in campus life at SGU?

Dr. Hussein: I enjoyed the extracurricular selectives offered by SGU, such as dissection (Anatomy Cadaver lab) and wilderness medicine. The new campus gym and the intramural soccer league were my favorite physical activity to participate in on campus.

SGU: What was your favorite aspect of living in Grenada and what do you miss most?

Dr. Hussein: THE BEACH! And I can’t forget to mention the beautiful sunsets.

SGU: How did SGU help you with your academic achievements and USMLE preparation?

Dr. Hussein: I came to find out that SGU has very high USMLE passing scores for a reason! The modules taught and tested during the basic science years are very detailed. I was provided with all the tools that I needed to do well in standardized exams, such as DES facilitators who helped me set up study schedules, go over materials that I didn’t grasp well, and many other things.

SGU: Where did you do your core clinical rotations and what was your experience like?

Dr. Hussein: I did my clinical rotations at Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York. I had a wonderful experience rotating between different departments during my core rotations as well as my electives. Also, I met the love of my life in this hospital, who is currently my wife. So, this place will always be memorable!

 

“My application process to SGU was seamless, which I believe was the case for my colleagues as well. There was always someone to contact for questions, aid, or just reassurance. Once I got the news about my acceptance, I felt that I was about to embark on a new journey that would require hard work, day in and day out, to reach my destination—MD.”

 

SGU: What was the Match application process like for you?

Dr. Hussein: I believe the Matching process is one of the most stressful parts of the MD journey. However, preparing for it mentally by reaching out for advice from recent graduates and the Office of Career Guidance and Student Support helped me a lot.

It’s crucial to have a game plan to tackle the application process and interview season. But I was provided with assistance while still in Grenada. OCG provided me with a framework for filling out the application and my CV, and they provided reviews before the submission date. In addition, each clinical site has mentors that tailor their advice based on the students’ Step 1 grades, clinical performance, and the specialty they are applying for!

SGU: What did it feel like when you learned you Matched?

Dr. Hussein: I didn’t believe it. I kept checking the National Residency Matching Program website every five minutes to be sure!

SGU: Why was SGU the right fit for you?

Dr. Hussein: Coming from the Middle East, I didn’t have much information about the US healthcare system, which is very different from Egypt and the UAE (where I used to work). So, to be able to integrate myself into this system, I was looking for a medical school with a great track record of graduates matching with US hospitals. And the answer was SGU!

SGU: Do you have advice for international students (especially those from Egypt) considering medical school and insight on why they should consider SGU?

Dr. Hussein: Grenada is a wonderful island that accepts students from all over the globe and luckily for us (Egyptians) it doesn’t require a visa application process. In addition, in my experience, SGU was successful in matching me into the US healthcare system which is ultimately the goal.

SGU: Since graduating from SGU and matching in pediatrics at Maimonides Medical Center Program, what has your transition from med student to MD been like?

Dr. Hussein: One thing I learned quickly in med school is you’ll never “feel” 100 percent prepared for an exam or patient encounter during clinical rotations! However, I channeled this self-doubt to do my best, analyze my shortcomings and try to address them before my next exam or patient encounter. With the same mindset, I tackled my first block of residency. It’s a lifetime journey of learning and it begins by being open to self, peer, and supervisor appraisals.

 

—Sarah Stoss

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SOM Grad: Becoming a clinical faculty member is a “great way” to give back

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Dr. George Mammo may have graduated St. George’s University in 2017, but as a clinical professor and hospitalist at Humboldt Park Health, he interacts with future SGU doctors almost daily.

“I find it very rewarding because I was in their position not too long ago,” Dr. Mammo said of working with clinical students. “As a young attending, I see so much of myself in many of them. I feel that it’s a great way for me to give back.”

Humboldt Park Health is a 200-bed acute care hospital located in the Humboldt Park area of Chicago, IL. Formerly named Norwegian American Hospital, the institution rebranded in 2021 as part of a wider initiative to better serve its local community.

Dr. Mammo was part of the inaugural class of residents at the hospital. Now he is not only an attending physician there, but has joined SGU’s clinical faculty on site to teach third- and fourth-year med students the clinical skills they need to prepare them for residency.

SGU News asked Dr. Mammo what clinical students at Humboldt will learn and the lessons they will be able to take with them in their career.

St. George’s University: How long have you been a clinical faculty member?

Dr. Mammo: I’ve been part of the clinical faculty for six months now.

SGU: What are some of the day-to-day ways that you interact with SGU students?

Dr. Mammo: From bedside teaching rounds to lectures in clinical medicine, I directly interact with students on a one-on-one basis and guide them in their development as clinicians, especially in their ability to formulate a differential diagnosis and plan of care for a patient. I emphasize to students and residents that the diagnosis in the vast majority of cases can be narrowed down from collecting a detailed history and physical examination, and this is mastered by the art of applying the full breadth of pathophysiological knowledge that is unique to their journey as a physician-in-training.

SGU: What are some of the skills that students might acquire over the course of their time here?

Dr. Mammo: I would say the two most important skills that students should acquire are first, how to take a thorough history from a patient. And with that history, learn how to narrow down their differential diagnosis to come up with what will be the ultimate best course of action and best treatment route for that patient. But it all starts with taking a good history. From day one I try to impart that in the students. I just can’t emphasize that enough. As they improve their physical examination skills they will also improve their clinical skills.

SGU: Why did you choose medicine as your career path? What appealed to you about going to med school?

Dr. Mammo: I chose to go to medical school wanting to understand the fabric that binds and connects us as humans, and by understanding this fabric to solve the problem of pain and suffering. I have always imagined that if we can alleviate people’s pain, physically, mentally, and emotionally, that there is hope in the healing of the human condition, and years later I see this positive impact on countless lives on a daily basis in practice.

SGU: What fascinates you about family medicine? Why did you choose that specialty?

Dr. Mammo: Family medicine is really the one specialty that allows you to do the most good for the most amount of people. It allows you to be as specific and focused, yet as well-rounded and skilled as you’d like, or as general as you’d like. You can really tailor your practice and the way that you approach medicine, see patients, and take care of patients.

SGU: How did you choose SGU and how would you describe your SGU experience?

Dr. Mammo: I was born in the metro Detroit area, definitely a blue-collar city, to immigrants from the Middle East. Throughout my life, they gave me all the virtues of hard work, persistence, and committing myself fully to the goals that I set for myself and my life.

What piqued my interest in going to SGU was the fact that it’s probably the most diverse place where you can go to get a medical education. In my experience at SGU, it was phenomenal and wonderful to get to know people from all over the world. Not just from the US or Canada, or even students from the local area in the West Indies, but from all over—Brazil, Italy, China, South Asia, Africa, and the rest of the world. I don’t think you would get that experience anywhere else. So I think it just enriched my experience of being a student in a way that being at an American medical school you may not get.

SGU: What is one piece of advice that you would like to pass on to students to be successful in their clinical education?

Dr. Mammo: My advice to all students would be that medicine is a profession of lifelong learning. And so as you approach every milestone and move forward, remember that we’re all students of medicine for life and we’re always learning and that includes even when we get into practice.

In addition, always remember that, whatever it was that fueled you to go into medicine, keep it there and allow that to continue to be what drives you to do the best thing for your patient. But that requires you to continue to learn, stay up to date, and always be a student of medicine.

 

 

– Brett Mauser and Laurie Chartorynsky

 

 

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Grad Performs Life-Changing Heart Surgery for 9-Year-Old Ukrainian

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Photo courtesy of Catholic Health – St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center®

Dr. Sean Levchuck is a 1989 St. George’s University graduate.

One of St. George’s University’s very own alumni came through during a time of need for a 9-year-old girl from Ukraine, performing life-changing heart surgery free of charge.

Through the Gift of Life program, Sean Levchuck, MD ’89, the chair of pediatric cardiology at St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn, NY, performed a non-invasive Amplatzer ASD Occluder procedure that closed a hole in the child’s heart.

“It is always a special day when you can give an assist to someone who is struggling through tough times,” said Dr. Levchuck, according to the news article featured on Catholic Health’s website. “It’s especially great given the circumstances that surround this little girl’s case. She comes to St. Francis from a country that is in pieces and going through the worst of times. I know I speak for the whole team when I say how honored, blessed, and grateful we are to be given the opportunity to help this beautiful child live a long and healthy life.”

 

Read the full article

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Kenya study abroad experience for future MDs returns

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For the first time since 2019, a group of St. George’s University School of Medicine students honed their cultural understanding and competency in providing medical care through a unique study abroad experience.

Last month, 20 students embarked on a two-week trip to Kenya as part of the 2022 Kenya Selective. During the experience, students were introduced to the culture of the country as well as to the way Kenyans, in different parts of the country and under different circumstances, receive health and community care. The students participated in activities such as ward rounds at several hospitals, visiting a local orphanage, and even got to hike amongst the wildlife in the Great Rift Valley in Hells Gate National Park.

“Going to Kenya was an eye-opening experience for me,” said Kadee-Ann Fleming, an incoming Term 2 SOM student who participated in this year’s selective. “I gained a wider perspective of global healthcare and was amazed by the exceptional work ethic of the healthcare professionals there.”

Ms. Fleming aims to become a well-adapted physician and be an excellent representation of hope and positivity to her future patients, she said. As an experience focused on emphasizing compassion in medicine, the Kenya Selective brought Ms. Fleming several steps closer to achieving this goal, she said.

 

Basic Sciences Portal Page

 

What Is the Kenya Selective?

The Kenya Selective provides Term 1 and 2 SOM students with practical experience in tropical medicine. The opportunity to participate in ward rounds—a highlight of the trip—is unique, as students typically need to wait until their clinical years for this type of training. The curriculum helps students gain insight into the field of global health and the specific healthcare dynamics in Kenya.

“The most common feedback from students is that the selective provides a life-changing experience,” said Dr. Calum Macpherson, dean of the School of Graduate Studies, director of research at campus-based Windward Islands Research and Education Foundation (WINDREF), and course director for the Kenya Selective.  “They’re able to see a part of Africa in a unique way and understand the significance of One Health, which broadens their perspective as aspiring physicians.”

In the past, international selectives available to students included trips to Thailand, Prague, Sweden, and India. Information on future selectives will be available on the Basic Sciences Selectives portal page.

“Selective courses offer students unique experiences that may not be covered in their regular curriculum, based on the passions and experience of each individual instructor,” said Charles ‘Wes’ Price, director of the Center for BioMedical Visualization and instructor of anatomical sciences. “We are passionate about teaching concepts that we use daily and that enhance the offerings students normally receive in their degree.”

As for what the 2022 Kenya Selective offered Ms. Fleming, she reflected on how the uniqueness of the experience increased her passion for medicine: “I truly developed a greater appreciation for my chosen career, for which I am very grateful.”

 

 

—Sarah Stoss

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Grenadian SOM Grad Continues Family Legacy in Medicine

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Grenadian nationals Natalie Harford, MD ’22, and her older brother Nicholas Harford, MD ’20, have always been inseparable when it came to attending school. So, it came as no surprise when Dr. Natalie Harford made the decision to follow in her brother’s footsteps and attend St. George’s University two years after he enrolled.

“The fact that my brother went to SGU played a big part in my decision at the time,” said Dr. Harford, who graduated this past June. “What can I say—my brother has always been a successful role model throughout my life, and I don’t regret my decision to apply to SGU one bit.”

Indeed, the family had much to celebrate as the younger Dr. Harford walked across the stage to be hooded by her sibling at SGU’s 41st commencement ceremony at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, NY. Like her brother two years earlier, she and her fellow students from the Class of 2022 join a network of more than 19,000 alumni practicing in the United States and around the world.

“Hooding my sister was a great honor,” said Dr. Nicholas Harford, currently an internal medicine resident in Connecticut and the first doctor in their family.

“It was also extra special to be a part of the experience standing on stage since I wasn’t able to stand there at my own commencement ceremony in 2020 due to the pandemic. We owe that moment to our parents as they supported both of our dreams to become doctors. It would not have been possible without them.”

A Family Celebration

Having two children in medical school at the same time did provide a challenge for the Harford siblings’ parents—with both working full time jobs to make their children’s dream of becoming physicians possible. Their mother, Pratima Harford, also ran a successful international take-out food stall called Flavor House just outside of the True Blue campus. Over the years, she’s fed many SGU students and sometimes acted as a second mother while they were studying far from home.

Drs. Nicholas and Natalie Harford

“It was definitely a lot of sacrifice and a huge life challenge that we took on as a family,” shared Mrs. Harford. “The moment when our son hooded our daughter, we felt like we were witnessing our nine years of hard work come together in that one special moment. We couldn’t have been prouder of how happy and successful they both have become. It was truly a celebratory day for our entire family.”


A Doctor in the Making

Born in Guyana, and living in the Fiji Islands for five years, the Harford family eventually moved to Grenada.

Upon graduating from secondary school in Grenada, Dr. Natalie Harford had the option to attend T. A. Marryshow Community College or apply to SGU’s premedical program. Passionate about science—particularly anatomy—she carefully considered her options before joining her brother at SGU.

“I was drawn to SGU because it offered me a continuous seven-year pathway to earn my medical degree,” stated Dr. Harford. “And who wouldn’t want to enjoy being in the comfort of their home country to complete a degree, especially when it happens to be a paradise island like Grenada.”

 

“The best advice I can give anyone considering applying to medical school is to go after your passions and don’t be afraid to encounter challenges on the journey, it makes the reward that much sweeter.”

 

During her time at SGU, Dr. Harford was a member of the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) and the Indian Cultural Student Association (ICSA). She was also a teaching member of the Department of Educational Services (DES) and the Academic Enhancement Program (AEP).

“At SGU I grew both academically and personally,” said Dr. Harford. “In addition to pursing my medical degree, I had the pleasure of expanding my knowledge on the different cultural backgrounds of my peers and newly made friends. This was an invaluable experience, learning how to communicate and understand someone else’s belief system and how it impacts their lives—a skill I foresee utilizing to better the way I communicate in both my practice of medicine and in my everyday life.”

Dr. Harford will be entering the 2023 Match and hopes to secure a residency in pediatrics. The COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench in her clinical rotation timeline causing delays which prevented her from applying to this year’s Match.

“From day one of my pediatrics core rotation, I fell in love with the energy, the people, and the patients,” she said. “Being a part of a pediatric team of healthcare professionals feels like my niche, and I cannot wait to join this amazing specialty.”

For now, Dr. Harford’s current plans include giving back to her alma mater as a teaching fellow, while brushing up on her Spanish and sign language skills, along with completing her USMLE Step 2 examinations and her ERAS application.

“The best advice I can give anyone considering applying to medical school is to go after your passions and don’t be afraid to encounter challenges on the journey, it makes the reward that much sweeter,” she said.

Drs. Nicholas Harford, Joanna Rayner, Natalie Harford & Mrs. Pratima Harford (from left to right)

– Ray-Donna Peters

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6 pieces of advice every new resident should hear

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For those who celebrated their residency placements this past Match Day, the wait to begin the next step of their medical career is finally over. July typically marks the start of residency, and in the weeks between Match Day and this month, soon-to-be interns wait with anticipatory excitement.

With this wait comes questions and worries, but no incoming class of residents is the first to embark on this journey and they certainly aren’t in it alone. There is always a community of more seasoned MDs available to turn to for wisdom and advice.

“Keep in touch with your alumni association so you can hear about get togethers at national specialty meetings, events in your region, and other fun things like periodic reunions for your class,” said Dr. John Madden, director of St. George’s University’s Office of Career Guidance and Student Development and an SGU graduate. “This will help you maintain the sense of community and support you built while attending medical school at SGU.”

One of the most valuable resources to incoming residents are those who have recently completed their intern year and can offer seasoned advice on how to best make the official transition from med student to MD. Check out what these SGU graduates had to say.

Kaitlyn McSurdy, MD ’20

Hometown: Ringtown, PA

Current position: PGY-3 internal medicine resident and soon-to-be chief resident

Hospital: Temple University Hospital

“Trust the process and don’t get bogged down comparing yourself to others. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it—your seniors and attendings will trust you more if they know you’re not afraid to ask for help—and seek frequent feedback on how you can improve. Most importantly, despite the chaos of intern year and residency, never lose sight of why you chose this as your career.”

 

“You will grow so much in just one year, and you will be so surprised when the next wave of interns comes in and they are looking to you for the same advice and guidance that you once received from your helpful colleagues.”

 

Olufunso Adeniran, MD ’21

Hometown: Long Island, NY

Current position: PGY-2 family medicine resident

Hospital: Case Western University Hospital

“The most important lesson that I’ve learned throughout my career is that having a positive attitude can help you go far.

Focus on being the best in the current stage you are in. Residency is a fast-paced environment with learners at all different stages. It’s so easy to compare yourself to more knowledgeable senior residents or even your attendings and beat yourself up for knowing less. But really there is no comparison. For you, the knowledge will come. Be patient with yourself. Your goal should be to become the best intern you can possibly be. A huge part of being an intern involves not knowing everything—not knowing most things actually—but as you try your best, read, and ask questions, you get better!”

Christopher Reilly, MD ’20

Hometown: Hillsborough, NJ

Current position: PGY-3 emergency medicine resident

Hospital: HCA Florida Brandon Hospital

“You’re going to make mistakes. But the only way to progress is move forward and learn from them. Failure is necessary to become a better doctor. Remember that you have your senior residents, and your attendings, there for you when things aren’t going the way you planned. Keep that in mind.”

Hannah Nguyen, MD ’21

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Current position: PGY-2 psychiatry resident

Hospital: Arrowhead Regional Medical Center

“The most important thing I’ve learned throughout my career is to play to my strengths and work on my weaknesses. Taking this approach while studying, networking, and working will allow you to tap into your full potential.”

Chris Lewis, MD ’21

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Current position: PGY-2 general surgery resident

Hospital: Atlantic Health-Morristown Medical Center

“One piece of advice I would give to incoming residents is to take every day as a learning experience. There will be good days and some bad days, but the overall year will be full of learning whether you realize it or not. Make time for yourself. Setting aside some time outside of work to make sure you are doing something that you enjoy will drastically improve your mood and work ethic.

And finally, it is okay to be a bit nervous or intimidated with the responsibility. It’s natural and happens to everyone, whether they admit it or not. All it means is that you care for the patients and understand the responsibility that you have to do right by them.”

Shelby Parker, MD ’21

Hometown: Albuquerque, NM

Current position: PGY-2 emergency medicine resident

Hospital: University of Rochester-Strong Memorial Hospital

“Be honest with yourself about what you know and don’t know, and never hesitate to ask your senior, attending, or nursing colleagues for help. Everyone starts as a beginner, and your job during residency is to learn how to become a great doctor—no one expects you to know it all from day one. You will grow so much in just one year, and you will be so surprised when the next wave of interns comes in and they are looking to you for the same advice and guidance that you once received from your helpful colleagues. Also, always respect and thank your colleagues and consultants! We’re all in this together with a common goal of taking care of patients.”

—Sarah Stoss

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Clinical faculty spotlight: Dr. Otto Sabando, DME at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center

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What is it like to be a clinical student at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, NJ?

Dr. Otto Sabando, DO, FACOEP, FACEP, FFSMB, as the director of medical education for St. George’s University students who are completing their clerkships at the hospital as well as its designated institutional official (DIO), sees hundreds of new clinical students each year.

As the DME for the 526-bed acute care hospital, Dr. Sabando oversees the hands-on training students receive as part of the clinical portion of their medical education. St. Joseph’s offers all core rotations for third-year students as well as elective rotations in specialties like anesthesiology, cardiology/interventional cardiology, gastroenterology, hematology/oncology, and orthopedic surgery, for example.

Dr. Sabando has been working at St. Joseph’s for the past 17 years, however his first foray into medicine was as a hospital corpsman for the US Navy early on in his career. The lessons he learned in the military, he says, are invaluable to med students and he tries to pass on those lessons today. Dr. Sabando shared with SGU News his best advice for how med students can be successful in clinicals and residency.

SGU: What are some key lessons or attributes that students will acquire during their clinical rotations at St. Joseph’s?

Dr. Sabando: I always tell students when they start that they are starting over. The first or second year you pretty much accumulated knowledge, but now you’re actually going to interact with patients.

I expect students to learn how to converse with patients, communicate well within a team, and certainly become team members with the nurses. The nurses have a lot to teach you, so definitely respect them. And finally, to be on time and be professional. Those are the five big things I always tell them. If they can do that, then they will do well in clinicals.

SGU: What is your overall impression of St. George’s students?

Dr. Sabando: Early on in my career as a residency director here, we had several St. George’s students coming through who were really interested in emergency medicine. I was impressed by them. Their knowledge base was awesome, the way they spoke to the patients, the way they interacted with a team, I mean, bar none, they were highly trained individuals who knew that they were getting into a competitive field. So, from that to seeing students today, in general, they are well-trained and can stand on the same ground as med students from US medical schools and osteopathic schools.

 

“The most important advice I can give to students and new residents is don’t stop studying, don’t stop networking, and certainly practice evidence-based medicine.”

 

SGU: You started your career in the US Navy. What traits did you acquire while in the Navy that helped you during your medical career? 

Dr. Sabando: My parents were immigrants from Ecuador, and they really didn’t have funding for myself and my brother to go to college. I enlisted in the military and became a hospital corpsman in the Navy. That’s where I met nurses, PAs, doctors, and then I went on to field medical service school with the Marines. I really enjoyed it.

The people we served in the Marines, wherever we were stationed, the population we served at that moment, it was just an incredible feeling to be able to help them. And then having the doctors and nurses guide us as a corpsman and medics was something I never forgot.

In addition, the leadership skills that I developed, the communication, the teamwork, and the discipline, it all came from there.

SGU: You then went on to become a DO, specializing in emergency medicine. Why did you choose that field?

Dr. Sabando: I remember really enjoying all my third-year clerkships and then my very first fourth-year rotation was in emergency medicine, and it all came together. It was everything that I learned in my third year plus my experience in the military—it was a lot of acute care and triage—I felt at home. So, I decided to pursue the career.

SGU: Why do you like working with medical students?

Dr. Sabando: It’s always exciting to have that student who’s coming in eager to learn from you. There’s nothing greater than the student turning around and saying thank you for teaching me, even if it was just one patient.

While I enjoy being able to impart knowledge onto medical students, there is also the potential for them to impart knowledge onto me because they’re fresh from medical school and maybe they have something new they can share with me that I haven’t yet read about.

SGU: For a student who may be considering applying for a residency at St. Joseph’s, how can they be competitive?

Dr. Sabando: The residency directors get thousands of applications each year. In emergency medicine, for example, for the eight positions that we have, we generally average around 1,200 applications. So how do we sort through that?

  • The very first thing we do is we look at board scores. Students have already taken the USMLE 1, so really everything’s going to hinge on that second board score.
  • If you’re currently rotating with us, we’re going to be taking a closer look at your evaluations, the Dean’s letter, and anything that might make you stand out.
  • In addition, the personal statement is very important—that’s definitely going to set students apart. Program directors love reading personal statements, and sometimes residents help screen applicants as well. They may notice something that the residency director has not.
  • Finally, good grades.
  • The bottom line is you are competing against the rest of America, and you have to be the best, if not for yourself, then for your patients.

SGU: What’s the best piece of advice you received throughout your career that you can impart to students?

Dr. Sabando: The best mentors that I had were very knowledgeable because they always stayed on top of new research and reading material.

That’s what keeps you fresh, so the most important advice I can give to students and new residents is don’t stop studying, don’t stop networking, and certainly practice evidence-based medicine.

SGU: Are there any other tips you want to share with students on how to be successful in clinicals?

Dr. Sabando: Just to remind students about the importance of professionalism in the hospital environment. This is essentially an ongoing job interview, and the biggest challenge is to make sure that they’re processing, that they’re on time for rounds or, for example, if there is an issue, that they call up and inform us that they will be running late. Like any job, just be professional about it.

 

 

 

— Laurie Chartorynsky

 

 

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Community volunteering helps clinical SOM students see big picture

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A volunteer experience can be eye-opening and educational for aspiring physicians, according to three St. George’s University clinical students.

Third-year SOM students Zekeria Sawaged, Natalia Cardona, and Peter Killian, who are currently doing rotations at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, recently attended a Children’s Mental Health Day event at Allaire Community Farm in Wall Township, NJ. Run by the state’s Children’s Inter-agency Coordinating Councils (CIACC), the event brought together many agencies who work to serve children with mental health needs.

Ms. Cordona, Mr. Sawaged, and Mr. Killian assisted at the hospital’s “Trauma Injury Prevention” table and offered information to visiting families about the importance of wearing bike helmets. They also had the opportunity to speak to other agency representatives attending the event to learn about the work that these advocates are doing in the community, and meet with county officials and organizers of the event. At the end of the day, the students had a chance to relieve some stress by feeding goats who live on the farm.

Clinical students at Jersey Shore University Medical Center take a break from their rotations to participate in community service.

“Children’s Mental Health Day was as much of a learning experience for the children and families as it was for us,” said Mr. Killian, an aspiring emergency room physician. “There are so many programs available to the general public that healthcare providers are not familiar with. As a potential ER doctor, learning about resources that help to prevent injury, self-harm, and eventual emergency room visits was eye-opening.”

The students were able to take part in the event through the hospital’s “Med-Students Making a Difference” program, started in 2020. Students are invited to choose a community project that they have a passion for and participate in various outreach programs offered by the hospital, according to Tracy Nerney, BS, RN, MMBA, the trauma injury prevention coordinator at Jersey Shore University Hospital.

According to Ms. Nerney, the program:

  • Raises student awareness about many aspects of healthcare
  • Gives them the opportunity to develop their presentation skills
  • Provides accomplishments they can add to their portfolio.

“They also develop a positive sense of self as they see the impact they can make and collaborate with other students while having some fun! Zekeria, Natalia, and Peter did a great job in representing our organization and they plan to share what they learned with other medical students,” she added.

As for the students, they felt the day was valuable for their training as future physicians.

“Being a part of the community is integral to my training as a future psychiatrist, as the interactions and the bonds built are priceless,” said Mr. Sawaged. “As doctors in training, we have a responsibility to continue engaging with the communities that trust us to better their experience. This event allowed us to expose children and their families to mental health resources, while also providing outlets for those who are in need.”

Added Ms. Cardona: “Participating in Children’s Mental Health Day was a humbling experience. We got the chance to educate children and families about the importance of taking care of themselves physically and mentally. As a future pediatrician, I believe that going into the community and educating children early will be the key to leading healthier adult lives.”

 

 

— Laurie Chartorynsky

 

 

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Celebrating Pride Month: How to be an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community

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SGU students celebrate Pride Month.

Each year, the LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer and/or Questioning, and Asexual and/or Ally, plus) community celebrates its liberation movement throughout the month of June.

Named “Pride Month,” it is a chance for people who identify as LGBTQIA+ and others, such as allies—heterosexual and cisgender people who support equal civil rights, gender equality, and LGBTQIA+ inclusion movements/efforts—to gather and commemorate both the struggle and challenges faced as well as the positive changes made to acknowledge and support this group.

But what does it mean to be an ally to underrepresented groups like the LGBTQIA+ community, and how can we all support these members of the St. George’s University community in our day-to-day lives?

To offer perspective, meet Gabrielle Rivera (she/her), the incoming fall term president of Pride & Equality SGU student club and a Term 5 School of Veterinary Medicine student, shared tips on how we can all become allies to underrepresented groups such as LGBTQIA+ people, and why observances like Pride Month can elevate the importance of diversity and inclusion and create a community of mutual respect and support.

St. George’s University: What does Pride Month mean to you? 

Ms. Rivera: Pride Month means representation for the marginalized LGBTQIA+ community by promoting equal rights and self-affirmation. It allows our community to celebrate, be visible, and stand up for the fundamental right to love. Our ability to celebrate Pride Month would not have been possible without our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans minority groups of color in the 1960s. Their courage to stand up for equal rights paved the way for LGBTQIA+ folks to be included. I am thankful for their determination, and I hope our community can keep taking steps forward so one day we won’t have to “come out” anymore.

 

Read more: A desire to make an impact leads grad to become expert in LGBTQIA+ healthcare

 

SGU: How can students, faculty, and staff in the SGU community be an ally to all? 

Ms. Rivera: Allyship is such a pivotal part of our community, and we encourage our allies to join us as we continue to create a safe space for our community at SGU. Allowing yourself to be an ally helps the LGBTQIA+ community feel safe and seen within your presence.

  • One way to be an ally can include integrating inclusive language in your everyday life. Asking someone their pronouns when you first meet them shows you are open-minded and inclusive.
  • Another great way to be an ally is becoming involved in the events/opportunities for the LGBTQIA+ community by the Pride and Equality club or the other clubs/events on campus.
  • Denouncing anti-LGBTQIA+ comments or jokes during your everyday life helps the fight against the discrimination that is still present. All of your allyship efforts help build up our community as we continue to push for acceptance and understanding.

 

“Allowing yourself to be an ally helps the LGBTQIA+ community feel safe and seen within your presence.”

 

SGU: What does it mean to be supportive of all different walks of life? 

Ms. Rivera: When you are supportive of all different walks of life you are open to all people despite their gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, etc. You create a safe space for someone to be their authentic self without judgement.

SGU: How can we create a community of mutual respect and support? 

Ms. Rivera: We create a community of mutual respect and support by the acknowledgment that not everyone is the same. Even though you may not understand someone’s identity or sexual orientation, you still hold mutual respect and support for that person. This will bring togetherness within a community.

SGU: How do observances like Pride Month elevate the importance of diversity and inclusion in healthcare? 

Ms. Rivera: Observances like Pride Month elevate the importance of diversity and inclusion in healthcare by bringing awareness to the essential need for embracement towards all different people no matter their identity or sexual orientation. Having acknowledgements that promote diversity allow healthcare professionals to live their lives freely and with integrity as we give back to our human or animal patients. Creating a more accepting environment for medical workers will only help people feel safe and comfortable in their work environment amongst colleagues.

SGU: How can the SGU community get involved with P&E SGU?

Ms. Rivera: All members of the University are eligible for membership within P&E SGU including faculty, students, and staff. You can join by filling out our form. Also follow us on Instagram @PrideandEqualitySGU and Facebook Pride & Equality SGU.

 

Join Pride & Equality SGU

 

 

–Jessica Epps and Laurie Chartorynsky

 

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SOM grad returns to train the next generation of physicians

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Before deciding to attend medical school at St. George’s University, Michael Keenaghan, MD ’06, considered entering the field of astrophysics with hopes of becoming an astronaut. He had been filled with a desire to both “know” everything and to help people. However, it was a family friend and former chair of pediatrics who recommended he apply to SGU, which inspired him on the path to specializing in pediatric critical care.

Not only does Dr. Keenaghan have a passion for his specialty of choice, that passion also extends to teaching the next generation of medical students. Since completing his residency training at SUNY Downstate (he served an additional year as chief resident) and his fellowship at New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital Columbia University, Dr. Keenaghan has been involved in academic medicine. At NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, where he worked for the past eight years, he was the associate director of pediatric critical care and associate chief academic officer. While there he developed and managed a pediatric simulation center focused on developing trainees’ procedural skills.

In 2013, he took on an associate professor position at SGU where he assisted students at patients’ bedsides at Kings County hospital. Three years later, he was appointed associate medical director of education and became involved with advising students initially with SGU’s Office of Career Guidance and then through its onsite student advisors.

But little did he know that his two passions would eventually lead him back to Grenada one day. Earlier this year, Dr. Keenaghan accepted a full time position within the School of Medicine as an assistant dean of students, moving with his family back to the island. In this new position, Dr. Keenaghan manages SOM’s academic advisors for clinical students. He discussed with SGU News his new role, how it feels to also teach Term 5 SOM students, and his plans to work with Grenada General Hospital to support and grow its pediatric critical care service.

St. George’s University: Can you share why you wanted to come back to Grenada and work at your alma mater?

Dr. Keenaghan: I was given a great opportunity to help students achieve their academic goals, as well as provide pediatric critical care support for the children of Grenada.

One of the best rewards in being an intensivist, after caring for an extremely sick child—a day, a week, or a month later when all the lines and breathing tubes have been removed—they smile. It is a priceless moment.

SGU: What are you most passionate about in your work?

Dr. Keenaghan: Each doctor, over the course of their career can contribute to about 2,000-2,500 extra patient lives lived. In pediatric intensive care, if I do my job well, I may contribute far more since my patients are so young. However, being able to help many more caring people become doctors every year, multiples that logarithmically. Alone I can help some, but together we can help the world. Being a teacher and assistant dean at SGU truly makes that possible.

SGU: Share what your experience was like at SGU and its impact on your life?

Dr. Keenaghan: I met my future wife a month before moving to Grenada in 2002.  Being 2,100 miles apart, she kept me focused on my studies and not distracted. She was my greatest support when school was the hardest. I think without her I wouldn’t be a doctor, but without SGU there would be no us, and our five amazing boys. Grenada gave me my first two dogs, lifelong friends throughout the world, and now is the place that I call home. I’d say it had a pretty large impact.

SGU: How well do you feel that SGU prepared you for the next step in your journey?

Dr. Keenaghan: I felt extremely prepared. I learned to persevere when things may not be in my favor, which has helped me on to all the next steps. From those lessons I learned the power of second chances, both in my own experiences and in my patients.

SGU: What plans do you have for the future in your new role?

Dr. Keenaghan: They are too numerous to count, but I’ll start with growing the Clinical Academic Advising Development and Support team and services to continue to help students succeed. Also, providing support to the healthcare professionals at the Grenada General Hospital in any way they need.

SGU: What advice would you give to prospective students who are considering applying to SGU?

Dr. Keenaghan: Don’t hesitate to follow your dream. Dedicating yourself to study and becoming a physician means giving up a few things for a few years. While pursuing your MD there are no immediate rewards along the way, but the long-term ones are worth every minute and every penny. Sitting in biochemistry learning about mitochondria for the third time, may not be the most fun, but standing in the ICU remembering that methylene blue improves mitochondrial respiration and starting it on a patient with severe shock, then saving their life, that’s worth it.

 

 

– Ray-Donna Peters

 

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