Students Receive Award at Mass. Medical Society Research Poster Symposium

Three second-year students were recognized recently by the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) at its 13th Annual Research Poster Symposium, an interdisciplinary research event that allows residents, fellows and medical students to present their work in four areas: basic research, clinical research, clinical vignettes and health policy/medical education. The symposium was held at the MMS headquarters in Waltham, Mass.

David Silverman, Erin Smith and Ian Benjamin were awarded third prize for their poster “Impact of CALM Service Learning Group on Medical Student Perspectives on Substance Use Disorder in Pregnancy”. The CALM program (Cuddling Assists in Lowering Maternal and Infant Stress) eases maternal and infant stress through cuddling and caring for newborns with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), who are born to mothers with substance use disorder. This non-pharmacological program also helps students understand the needs of this vulnerable population in a compassionate way, and gives them the opportunity to expand their knowledge and enhance their communication skills so that they will be more comfortable in approaching this sensitive health issue later in their career.

Associate Dean for Student Affairs Angela Jackson, MD, congratulated the students for their “outstanding contribution to the field and community…It is a wonderful way to highlight the great work done by BUSM students in the CALM program.”

Submitted by M. Ihsan Kaadan, MD