Students in Action
April 2012
Outreach Van Project Newsletter 2012
As stated on the Outreach Van Project website, “The Boston University Medical Center (BUMC) Outreach Van Project (OVP) was founded in January 1997 by several students at the Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health under the guidance of an advisory board and aid from several Boston University affiliated community agencies. The mission of the Project from its inception was to have a positive impact on the health and well being of the medically underserved populations in the Greater Boston area.” Their 2012 newsletter shows what they have been up to this year and gives a more in-depth look at topics related to homelessness. Read it here: Outreach Van Project 2012 Newsletter
BUDDS Carnival
This entry was submitted by Erin Krizman ’14 (BUDDS student coordinator)
Diane Haddad '14 and Tina
The BUDS program is a student-coordinated service learning elective that pairs first and second year medical students with teens or young adults with Down syndrome. The program provides medical students first-hand experiences in learning about Down syndrome directly from individuals with Down syndrome and their family members. The pairs meet each month to participate in social activities, including visiting museums, attending sporting events, exercising, sharing a meal, and spending time together with family or friends.
Through participation in the BUDS program, students improve their understanding of the diagnosis of Down syndrome and the medical, emotional, and social implications for individuals and families.
Isaiah Giese '14, Brady, Jess Lin '14, Kristine Karkoska '14, Amanda Chu '14, and Tina
Kristen Hart '15, Katie and Bob (Kristen's friend)
Rebecca and Kristin Schwarz '14
Achal Patel '13, Ryan Camilon '13, Sarah, and Kyle Trudeau (PhD Candidate)
The BUDS program began in 2011 and has received the generous support of the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare. Seeing a need to further advance awareness and knowledge about developmental disabilities, the leaders of the BUDS program co-founded a student organization in 2011, the BUDDs Awareness Group. As all physicians, regardless of specialty, will likely encounter individuals with developmental disabilities, the BUDDs Awareness Group aims to provide opportunities for medical students to improve their knowledge and communication skills by interacting with individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. For more information, see: blogs.bu.edu/budds
January 2012
Food for Thought
Food for Thought snacks setup in the Alumni Office, including trail mix, fruit, coffee and tea.
- “This is so sweet of you guys”
- “This is a momentum changer, for sure!”
- “Thank you so much this is really awesome and appreciated!”
- “Here is the trail mix I’ve been hearing so much about!”
- “This makes me so happy”
June 2011
Class of 2011 Commencement
The 2011 graduates of the School of Medicine celebrated commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 20th and Saturday, May 21st. Assistant Dean for Alumni Affairs Jean Ramsey ’90 was on hand to congratulate each graduate and welcome them officially as alumni of the School of Medicine.
View a story on commencement here.
Commencement photos: Click on each thumbnail to view a larger version of each image. Please contact mturley@bu.edu with any requests for images.
Student Volunteers Make an Impact at Alumni Weekend
Every year students from the School of Medicine volunteer during Alumni Weekend to provide assistance to the Alumni Association and enjoy time with our alumni guests. This year volunteers helped to greet and mingle with guests during the Reunion Reception, joined alumni for a barbecue lunch and guided them on tours of the medical campus Saturday afternoon and greeted guests as they arrived to the Renaissance Hotel for the Annual Banquet. In addition to Alumni Weekend student volunteers help the Alumni Association with many other events and projects throughout the year. Three graduating students who stood out for their service during their time at the School of Medicine were recognized with the Student Volunteer Award during the Annual Banquet. Recipients were Daniel Kirshenbaum, Kristen Lindgren and Brandi Ring.
Below are photos of our student volunteers during Alumni Weekend 2011. We are grateful for their help and service to the school!
March 2011
Kick Back Kafe Event
BUSM students participated on Friday, February 4th, in the Kick Back Kafe. The annual talent show included performances of poetry readings, singing accompanied by acoustic guitar, The Doctors Notes BUSM student acapella group and much more. View videos of these performances here
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January 2011
Photos of what was left on campus after the blizzard:
Click here to view a time-lapse video shot in Copley Square and posted by the Boston Globe.
September 2010
Students Coordinate Donor Appreciation Ceremony
Each year the first year students at the School of Medicine are supported in part by the Alumni Association to hold a donor appreciation ceremony, where they honor the lives of those who chose to give their bodies to science posthumously. Students show their gratitude for this gift of life and learning received during Anatomy Lab through performances and words from guests speakers.
Photos of this event were taken by Tim Ryan ’13 and are featured below.
June 2010
Student National Medical Association Organizes Community Health Fair
Participants in the Student National Medical Association coordinated the “Get Healthy Be Happy Health Fair” which took place in Dorchester on Saturday, April 10th. Students promoted the event in the community by posting flyers in three different languages. The program included job interviews, free screenings, speakers, wellness information and a kid’s table. Refreshments and entertainment were also provided.
View photos of this event taken by Tim Ryan ’13 below.
American Medical Association Student Group Takes Part In Bike Tour For Charity
School of Medicine students proudly sported BUSM Alumni Association gear as they participated in the Miles for Healthier Lifestyles bike tour on Saturday, April 24th. The event was part of the American Medical Association-Medical Student Section’s community service project where medical students show the public that they are committed to helping both patients and themselves by adopting lifestyles that focus on nutrition and exercise.
This was a non-profit event that was organized by all New England and New York medical schools. The relay teams of 15-20 medical students traversed New England stopping in different locations to pass on a baton to another school. At each location there was a kickoff event. For Boston, the kickoff event was held at Boston City Hall where the press and the public were invited to watch as Boston University, Harvard, Tufts, and University of Massachusetts medical students started their biking journey.
Program Offers Medical Students Research Opportunities
Written by Mary Hopkins
A decade ago, Suzanne Sarfaty, M.D. ’88, assistant dean for academic affairs and director of international health programs, developed the Medical Student Summer Research Program (MSSRP) at BUSM in response to student requests for greater access to research opportunities.
Students conduct research full-time for eight to 10 weeks in a variety of Medical Campus departments including medicine, surgery, dermatology, ophthalmology, cardiology, and emergency medicine. They work with faculty from the Medical Campus within the context of ongoing clinical and basic science research. Potential projects and mentors are identified through a database of research experiences maintained by the BUSM Office of Enrichment, or students identify projects by independently seeking mentors throughout the Medical Campus.
At the conclusion of the summer, the student researchers submit summaries of their work, even if the project is ongoing. Work often continues during the academic year.
Sarfaty has sought funding to help defray the cost of living expenses in the summer so students don’t have to find outside work and can focus on the research. The MSSRP offers up to 30 competitive scholarships each year. “We have had the good fortune of benefiting from some very generous donors, like Jerry Serchuck, and Peter Mozden, M.D. ’53, who has been connected to the program from its inception and established an endowment for scholarships by soliciting donations from his classmates ” said Sarfaty. “But as this is an ongoing program, we care continually in need of new funding.”
“It is my belief that research is a fundamental obligation of the medical profession,” said Jerry. “Every disease diagnosed, treatment provided, and student trained is only possible because painstaking research has shone a little light in the darkness.”
Alumni share their thoughts on the value of the Student Summer Research Program – To view, click here
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March 2010
Students present production of Vagina Monologues to Medical Campus community, raise funds for charity and awareness of violence towards women and girls.
On Feb. 5 and 6, 2010, students representing the School of Medicine, School of Public Health, and the Graduate Medical Sciences presented The Vagina Monologues to the Boston University Medical Campus. The theatrical blockbuster by V-Day.org founder Eve Ensler was a main component of the School’s V-Day campaign, organized by members of the cast (see photos below).
V-Day was created to serve as “a catalyst for mobilizing women and men to heighten awareness about violence against women and girls. By creating this global community, V-Day strives to empower women to find their collective voices and demand an end to the violence that affects one in three women in the U.S and around the world.”
The show was brought to the medical campus in 2009 by second year medical student Sandra Truesdell, who was involved with the show in college. All of the proceeds from the show were donated to the Boston Medical Center Domestic Violence Project and Casa Myrna Vasquez. Two members of the BUMC community, JoAnne Timmons and Dr. Sharon Levine, were named the 2010 Vagina Warriors, a title that honors women who are impacting their communities in a manner that affirms the ideals of V-Day. For more information concerning V-Day and The Vagina Monologues, please visit www.vday.org.
