For more information about PCOM's Biomedical Sciences Program, click here.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Medical Decisions by Alexis Mark


Of all the professional arenas one could choose from, health and medicine calls to me the most. You might ask what is the attraction to medicine, as I too often ponder the reasons why I have decided to commit to this field and think about where I’m heading. Well, the simple answer is, I like it! The bit more involved one requires my learning more about myself and the fact that I am intrigued by science's endless possibilities to discover more about the human body and its intricate functions. My experiences over the first year of the Biomedical Sciences program here at PCOM have deepened my passion for further understanding the application of science to medicine. Currently I am pursuing the research track during the second year of the Biomedical Sciences master’s degree. Over the next few blog posts I will discuss classes in the first year in more depth and my experience with the research track.

But FIRST, allow me to introduce myself: my name is Alexis, and I am also a contributor to Biomedventures... welcome to joining our journey! Here is a little bit about me and what I have done before arriving at PCOM:

2007 - present: Medical Missions for Children Volunteer (www.mmfc.org)
I have been a volunteer with this incredible organization that is dedicated to providing medical care to global populations that do not have access to adequate medical care. Groups of healthcare professionals headline missions, which focus on surgical cases involving repair of cleft lip, cleft palate, and microtia, as well as skin grafts for burns patients. During the spring of 2008, I participated in a mission to L’viv, Ukraine and photographed patient cases and surgeries. Currently, I assist with procuring donations of medical supplies for future missions, and with donations for auctions at annual benefit galas.

2007 - 2010: Clinical Research Study Assistant, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), NY, NY- (www.mskcc.org)
My position at this preeminent cancer research center focused on clinical trials within the Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) service. I worked with several principal investigators of studies to monitor regulatory processes, and was involved in ensuring trials were conducted according to FDA and sponsor rules and regulations. In addition, I created patient progress reports for those participants enrolled in BMT trials. MSKCC was a wonderful experience during which I had the privilege to work with highly-esteemed oncologists that affirmed my commitment to working in the medical field.

Summer 2007: Alpha One Foundation, Dublin, Ireland (http://www.alpha1.ie/)
My internship after graduating from college took me to the Emerald Isle! :) As a clinical research assistant I participated in many facets of the organization. I helped with recruiting potential candidates in clinics around Dublin for the Targeted Screening Detection Program with the head Clinical Research Nurse. The recruitment process entailed assessing patients’ medical history for respiratory illness and providing the patient with a brief summary of the condition Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. By shadowing the scientists in the lab on site, I assisted with minor experimental procedures. I thoroughly enjoyed working with the team at this foundation and seeing firsthand the medical system of another country.

Spring 2007: Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA
During the spring semester of my senior year at Boston College, I was a health communication research assistant. I assisted in the development of studies, for a principal investigator in the Communication department, by collecting audio documentation of interactions between medical school students and standardized patient educators (SPE) within the context of a routine doctor’s visit. After each recording, I analyzed segments of dialogue between medical school students and SPEs for verbal and nonverbal communication behaviors. The results of this data collection and analyses by myself, other research assistants, and the principal investigator have been used in several health communication research publications. This area of research particularly exciting for its relevance and useful applications in fostering more productive medical visits.

Finally, I truly encourage all readers to post comments, feedback. Let us know how we all can help in answering questions you might have. And, if we don’t have the answer, we will work to find someone who does! Welcome to discovering more about PCOM and best of luck in your exploration of professional studies!

Monday, July 11, 2011

The PCOM Family... By: Phil Koehler


Hey everyone, my name is Phil Koehler and I am a second year Biomedical Science Student at PCOM. I hope through my posts I convey the incredible experience I have had during my time at PCOM thus far. Essentially, like many of you, I consider myself a non-traditional student as I spent a couple years working in between undergrad and grad school. I decided on PCOM after committing to the process of improving as a healthcare provider, student, and medical school applicant.

After graduating from Lehigh University in 2008 I went to work in Manhattan for the world’s leading healthcare advertising company (CDM), working in the consulting division as a project manager. I learned about the business of science and was exposed to the world of pharmaceutical marketing. More importantly, I learned that I wanted to do something else with my career. After a year and a half I came across a position working as a Medical Assistant for an Anesthesiologist’s private practice in Brooklyn. My job mostly consisted of taking patient history and assisting in the OR during minor surgical procedures. Quickly I became energized by the feeling of helping others and confirmed that I wanted to continue on my dream of becoming a physician. After being accepted to the Biomed program I moved back home to the area and am now completing the second year in the research track of the program.

There are many things that I have enjoyed and gained from the program. One of the great advantages of the program is that it has been an opportunity for me to solely focus on my studies. As an undergrad I wrestled for a top 10 division I program, earned a music industry minor, and played in many small jazz/rock groups while studying biology. Undergrad was a great life experience, but I am not sure I ever realized my academic potential because I couldn’t focus my energy only on my studies. PCOM’s program has helped me commit to the process of learning and not just earning good grades. I have learned how to take my studying to the next level and focus on mastering one area of my life. I also learned to balance my personal life, as I got married in the middle of the first trimester. So far, my best word of advice would be to do your best to enjoy the process of learning and focus on improving as a healthcare provider and not just an applicant. There are many projects throughout the year that helped me do this. In MBM we completed a family tree of health history and team-based-learning (TBL) excercises, in anatomy we had to complete an autopsy/analysis of our cadaver and presented a lecture to the class, and in neuroscience we presented to the class on neurological diseases. All the projects enrich the curriculum and were welcomed breaks to the rigorous coursework.

A second word of advice I have would be to take advantage of the PCOM family. You will quickly learn that the quality of people associated with PCOM is second to none. I found the professors have an incredible passion for medicine and teaching, and take great pride in producing great healthcare providers. I served as Secretary on the Biomed Student Council, which was a great opportunity because I was able to connect with many of my classmates. Having classmates with similar goals, values, and life experiences helped me push myself and reach my potential. The amount of people that are involved in the PCOM community is simply awesome. There are an insane amount of groups, clubs, extra-curricular activities, volunteer opportunities, etc. The alumni network is vast, as there are always physicians who you can shadow and want to help you achieve your goals. There are research opportunities in almost any discipline imaginable, and they are available to all types of students. I truly believe that the quality of people at PCOM creates an atmosphere that brings success.