CMS Spring Newsletter

CMS SPRING NEWSLETTER

CLASS OF 2018 Spring NewsletterCONTENTSNEWS FROM THE CURRICULUM COMMITTEEL/A/Y/E/R/S, A POEMUPDATES ON THE FIRST YEAR CLINICAL EXPO PROGRAMPAYING IT FORWARD: AN ACCOUNT OF COMMUNITY SERVICEREIMAGINED CURRICULUMTHE STORY BEHIND THE HOUSE SYSTEMHONORING PATRICK KENTA PERSONAL REFLECTION ON THE ICCEMERGING TRENDS: JOURNAL CLUBSPHI DELTA EPSILON, A NEW BEGINNINGEMANUEL HOUSE BOOK DRIVEUPCOMING EVENTS

GOOD NEWS FROMTHE CURRICULUMCOMMITTEE By Rana RabeiIn previous months, the Curriculum Com- Under the revised policy, the minimum re-mittee approved new revisions to CMS quirements for an A have been lowered toclerkship grading policy, which have al- a minimum shelf score of 0.25 SD aboveready gone into effect for third year stu- the national mean. While the minimum re-dents. The changes in the grading policy, quirement of 3/5 Exceed Competency Stan-championed by our M2 and M3 student dards in clinical evaluation has remained,leaders Jake Aaron, Nick Hawley, Victoria a change in the definition of this term hasHoch, Rushil Desai and Abby Kaye, have made excelling in competency standardsmost notably made the clinical evaluation more achievable for students based on theircomponent of clerkship score more ob- training level.jective and attainable for us all. The proposed changes that are now in ef-Previously in order to receive an A in a fect have been long in the making. We areclerkship rotation, students were required very lucky to have such forward thinkingto score a minimum of 0.35 S.D. above and hardworking classmates, championingthe national mean of the NBME examina- causes that make life easier for all of us.tion. In addition, they were required toreceive at least 3/5 Exceed Competency The new clerkship grading policy has beenStandards markings from their clinical uploaded on D2L. To view it, self enroll inevaluator. EAC102.

L/A/Y/E/R/SBY A STUDENT IN THE CMS CLASS OF 2018The loss of an opportunity for a teaching The myriad of weapons began to attack.moment, ScalpelsI should be grateful Probesbut am I? ForcepsEmpty space, Scissorswhere blood should seep and gush. Initially, one by oneLayers exposed but strength gained with experience.space Timid slices became deep gashes.“This is a privilege” The layers of humanity began to strip“Think about what this means to you” with the skin.“Think about how you feel” Is this muscle?‘You have to write something’ Should I be doing this?reverberanceWhat should I be feeling now? Jokes. Jokes of food.I stared blankly I should be a vegetarian.expecting something. Jokes of obesity.Anything.Sandra, did that hurt? I should work out more.Are you here? Jokes.Six of us in total Can she hear us? The smell.Hesitant, The s m e l lUnsure Not so pungent,Picking up the foreign objects but - it encroaches.questioning… Lingers

Adipose tissue The enantiomeric differencesLiquefying under pressure brought forth with trembling clarity.Covering everything I began to switch placesIncluding me. Four score forwardScrapping Would I donate my body to science?Dabbing Reflections;Slicing un-reflected;Visibility reflecting our humanityLayers piecing togetherIs this muscle? one by oneFace down layersFace coveredFace wrappedblindLack of recognitionDeal with the job at handDon’t ask, don’t tellCharts,Diagrams,Images,Words,and lecturesGiven life by deathGiven depth by deathThank you SandraContact Joseph Guerrero if you would like to assist with the BodyDonor Memorial Program, to pay tribute to the body donors whohave played such a big part in our education.

UPDATES / CLINICAL EXPOSUREBY RANA RABEILast quarter, the CMS Class Council of 2018, in partnership withthe Office of Alumni Relations, created the first ever First YearClinical Exposure Program. The goal of this program is to matchfirst year medical students with CMS alumni for flexible shadow-ing arrangements. With more than 120 specialties and subspe-cialties available, we believe that the sooner we start to shadowdifferent specialists, the sooner we can narrow down our inter-ests when it comes to choosing a residency path. So far, theClinical Expo Committee has successfully matched 85 M1s witha diverse array of specialists practicing in the Chicagoland area,and they are currently in the process of matching many morestudents.

EXCERPTSFROMSTUDENTS “Dr. Maurice had me listen to patient's heart with a systolic murmur.” ”..the radiologist showed a lot of CT and MRI images, which I could actually somewhat interpret.” ”She also took the time to answer some of the questions I have about the administrative side of healthcare, which I really appreciated.” ”Shadowing a physician who owns her own practice gave me a good idea of what it's like for a physician to own her own business.” ”Dr. Cooper made sure I was getting exactly what I wanted out of it, which was a broad overview of what they do at their practice. I even got to shadow other doctors in the practice.” ”She has a strong emphasis on the integrative healthcare method, with special emphasis on nutrition and diet. Being with her for a few hours, I was encouraged to take on healthier diet myself.”The feedback we have received from students that have already completed their first shad-owing experience has played an instrumental role in shaping the future of the program.Since its inception the program has evolved from a quarter-based shadowing arrangementto a rolling cycle program. After each shadowing requirement is complete, students cannow request to be matched with another physician in a similar or different specialty.If you are interested in shadowing CMS alumni in the Summer quarter, either in the Chi-cagoland area or beyond, please complete the form provided to you via email.

THANK YOU Without administrative supportALUMNI this program would not have beenRELATIONS possible. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Office of Alumni Relations for partnering with us on this labor intensive but worthwhile initiative. We are very lucky to have such enthusiastic and capable administrators cham- pioning on our behalf. If you run into our alumni relations officers on your way to and from the library, be sure to thank them yourself! Clockwise from top: Martha Kelly Bates MFA, Jenny Gillespie, Elizabeth Mayer, Jennifer Cusick, Kelly Reiss

CMSGIVINGBACKBy Nick WelshAs we all know, medicine is both a sci- We are thrilled to have classmates com-ence and an art. The countless hours mitted to making a difference in the com-spent studying is a testament to our com- munity and hope their story inspires youmitment to learning the science of medi- to act. STEP UP and FHPC are in needcine. Unfortunately, this often leaves little of additional tutors to meet the studenttime for practicing the art of medicine. demand for the program. When speak-Some exemplary peers break the mold ing with Zach and Adriana, Adriana saidand dedicate hours to serving our com- that she participated in a similar programmunity and show the compassion, profes- at her high school and it was her expe-sionalism, and dedication that is the art of rience in that program that sparked hermedicine. interest in medicine.Adriana Fresquez and Zach Allegretti, Please consider taking the time to repayM1s involved in STEP UP and the Future the actions of individuals who helpedHealthcare Professionals club (FHPC), you achieve your dream of becoming atutor and mentor students at North Chica- physician and volunteer with STEP UPgo Community High School each week. and the Future Healthcare ProfessionalsThis involves everything from one-on-one Club. For more information, contactacademic support and ACT exam prep to [email protected] interested students clinical skillsand about the wide range of healthcareprofessions. STEP UP and FHPC are notonly serving to enrich the lives of youngadults in North Chicago, but they are alsoenriching the future of medicine by inspir-ing these students to consider careers inmedicine.

ReimaginedATcHLUAuMNrKNrIiYcOUulumRELATIONSBy Rana RabeiLast month at the latest University Open engaging, and clinically driven.Forum, our dean Dr. Tomkowiak asked thecrowd of faculty, staff, and students what In October 2014, the curriculum task force,they expect the healthcare field to look like made of CMS faculty, administration, and10 to 20 years from now. There were no students, was appointed with the overallshortage of responses, as the audience goal of conducting a comprehensive reviewshouted ideas that included minute clinics, of the current program, as well as discuss-interprofessional teams, mobile health, and ing the value and feasibility of various edu-personalized medicine. cational models to build the framework and content of the new curriculum. The taskThe overwhelming response to Dr. Tom- force is currently divided into 10 subcom-kowiak’s question underscores the rapid mittees and in Phase I of operations. Thechange occurring in healthcare, and med- details about the various subcommittees,ical schools across the United States are including leadership and objectives, can berevisiting their curriculum to keep pace with found under “Task Forces” in the Reimag-medical information and delivery changes. ined Curriculum webpage.As many of you know, Chicago Medical Even though the new curriculum will notSchool began its own ambitious undertak-ing to revise the medical curriculum last directly impact the existing classes, institu-year to better meet the educational needsof future CMS graduates through the cre- tional investment in new technology plat-ation of a Reimagined Curriculum. Accord-ing to the executive summary available on forms, hiring of eight full-time clinical facultythe CMS website, the guiding principles ofthe Reimagined Curriculum include a learn- to run the new Clinical Sciences Depart-ing experience that is student-centered, ment, the emerging culture of on-going innCovloaticokn wandisimepfrrovoemmentto, apn:d new stu- deMnt,afarutlthy,aanKdeadllmyinBistarattieons pMartFneArs,hips wiJlleunndnoyubtGedilylliemspproivee,ouErleixzpaebrieencthe at ChMicaagyoeMre,dJiceanl Snchifoeolr. Cusick, Kelly Reiss

ReimaginedATcHLUAuMNrKNrIiYcOUulumRELATIONS In the coming months there will be various opportunities for students to learn about the drivers and goals of new curriculum and to provide feedback that helps shape the fu- ture of medical education at CMS. Dr. Mary Ann Clemens, the Assistant Dean of Curriculum Development, has begun this initiative by attending the most recent monthly M1 Student Leaders Meeting. There, Dr. Clemens gathered student feed- back on the existing curriculum and various components of the new curriculum that are currently under consideration.A STORY FROM THE ICC The Users/Students Sub Committee taskBy Valerie Chavez force, chaired Victoria Hoch and AbbyStruggling to stable my trembling handsthat held my sweat smeared notes, my Kaye, has already reached out to new CMSvoice suddenly cracked as I explained thepatient encounter to the attending that alumni currently in their residency training and will be hosting several student focus groups for existing CMS students in the spring term. We invite you to take advan- tage of these opportunities to have your voice heard. Clockwise from top: Martha Kelly Bates MFA, Jenny Gillespie, Elizabeth Mayer, Jennifer Cusick, Kelly Reiss

MAKING NEW TRADITIONS:THE STORY BEHIND THE HOUSE SYSTEMBY JOSEPH GUERRERORosalind Franklin University is relatively tiny—a feature that many stu-dents appreciate—so it seems likely that we would all cross paths andeventually come to know one another. Yet on exam day, almost withoutexception, I notice someone that I have never seen before. The thingis, a medical school class of nearly 200 people is not very small at all,and with a group this large, identity and connectedness could suffer if itwere not for the efforts of many within our community.

One such effort—led by M3s Melissa Rojas Jamie Keen (current M2s)—and Dr. Baiyeeand Nick Hawley—was the development as an advisor—to help in the development.of the Chicago Medical School House Sys- The system continues to flourish under theirtem. At the time, Melissa and Nick were the leadership.newly appointed chairs of the M2 StressReduction Committee (now known as the Medical schools that are divided into Hous-Wellness Committee). They wanted to find es often incorporate these affiliations intoa way to welcome the incoming class to many of their traditions. Field Day will con-the school and ignite a culture of unity. An tinue, much to everyone’s delight, but theend goal of this initiative was the hope that current House and Class Councils are al-future alumni would remain deeply rooted ways looking for new ways to incorporatein their affiliations here at CMS. Melissa had the House System into various studentthe idea of a “Field Day”—a school-wide, activities. One initiative that will be comingfriendly competition—which would take to fruition this Friday is the Class of 2018place right at the beginning of the school Pinning Ceremony. This ceremony—whichyear. will reward students with a House pin to recognize completion of their first year inMelissa and Nick brought the Field Day idea medical school—was imagined for CMS byto Dr. Reifler. They were excited to learn Rushil Desai (M2). Another idea the Housethat Houses were part of the design of the Council is working on is to start a HouseLearning Community System that was al- point system, rewarding points to Housesready in place; CMS Field Day seemed like for student involvement and performancea perfect opportunity for unveiling them. in events; the House that accumulates theAround the same time, Nick was devel- most will win a super-duper prize.oping the CMS Sibs Program to pair M2swith M1s and improve vertical integration. It is exciting to be a student in ChicagoThis program became the Peer Mentoring Medical School at a time when the HouseCommittee, and was incorporated into the System is so young and malleable. ThoughHouse System. As Nick and Melissa transi- we may not know what the House Systemtioned from lowerclassmen to upperclass- will be like in the future, we get the incred-men, the House System gained creative ible honor of making it an integral part ofnew leaders such as Brett Goldman and CMS now.

tht&ahnafkan&kiyrfwoyaoureeulwl ell In his time in office, Patrick Kent has acomplished more than we can manage to keep track of. We were shocked to discover that he will not be the ESC president forever. After cycling through the various stages of grief, we have arrived at somber accep- tance, and we would like to share with you some examples of Partrick’s major accomplishments in the past year.

As an ESC President, Patrick Kent haschartered the Campus Environment Com-mittee, which gave RFUMS its first cen-tralized way of changing campus spacesand gave it its first student representationon the RFUMS Spaces Committee. Patrickalso had a leadership role in initiativingpaving of the Woodlands Trail, an effortthat benefits many of us on a daily basis.He created the “Leadership Pulse” meet-ings as a means of connecting on-cam-pus class presidents and vice-presidents.Patrick has also been responsible forimproving our student-student relation-ships with DePaul University by helpingimplement the Inaugural RFUMS Day atDePaul Basketball games. If you attend-ed the RFUMS Fright Fest Day, you canthank him for helping student councilsfund the event through ESC funds. He hasalso served as the RFUMS’ representativeto the Illinois Board of Higher EducationStudent Advisory Committee.Even though Patrick is leaving the ESC,he is not leaving student leadership all to-gether. Patrick is currently running for theStudent Representative position on theBoard of Trustees, and we wish him thebest of luck.

A STORY FROM THE ICC As a member of the Interprofessional ClinicBy Valerie Chavez Initiative (ICI) Panel, the student organization that runs the ICC, my learning continuesStruggling to stable my trembling hands outside of the clinic. At every meeting, wethat held my sweat smeared notes, my work as a team with one goal in mind: pro-voice suddenly cracked as I explained the viding high-quality patient care to the localpatient encounter to the attending that underserved population. Sometimes it is asnight at the Interprofessional Communi- if our interprofessional HMTD skills kick intoty Clinic (ICC). As though on cue, the M4 full gear. The pharmacy students demon-and first-year pharmacy students on my strate ways to discuss the importance ofinterprofessional team sent me reassuring medication compliance with patients, thesmiles. Presenting to an attending for the psychology students help us understandfirst time, I was more nervous than when I the importance of the Patient Health Ques-did my first standardized patient exam. Yet, tionnaire (PHQ-9), and the nursing studentsI am grateful that I had this experience and share valuable information about patientmany other experiences like these at the education. Together, we collaborate toICC because of the constant support from continually improve our still relatively youngthe volunteers, panel members, and inter- clinic, which ultimately enhances the care ofprofessional medical providers. At the end our patients. Never could I have imaginedof my first presentation that evening, the that so much time and energy goes into thephysician gave me some pointers and he administrative functioning of a communitycouldn’t wait to see my improvement on the health clinic, but with the ICI, I have hadnext presentation. the opportunity to learn and grow from this amazing experience. Further, my colleagues on the ICI Panel continuously impress me with their unyielding drive to help others, as well as their leadership abilities. As a first year medical student, there is no better opportunity than the ICC to learn from patients, physicians, and other health professionals. From practicing how to con- fidently take blood pressure to navigating through our EMR system, volunteering at the ICC prepares me to excel during my clinical years. As I raise my hand during our panel meetings and engage in passionate discussions about clinic flow, I develop my leadership and administrative skills that I know I will use as a future healthcare pro- fessional. I am truly grateful to the ICC for teaching me what a classroom never could.

A Journal for Your Thoughts represented an efficient means to increaseBy Nick Welsh dermatology exposure, while also gaining insight into the field of dermatological re-Two student organizations are representing search, which is critical for dermatologyCMS’s commitment to research by hosting residencies. The interest group’s first journalrecurring journal clubs. Tom Adams (M2) club discussed basal cell carcinoma, thehas successfully created the Neuroscience most common cancer in the US, ensuringJournal Club, which explores various topics that the topic would be relevant to futureincluding stress, learning, and optogenetics. clinicians of any field.Recently, Dr. Marina Wolf, the chair of theDepartment of Neuroscience and an expert Journal clubs foster intellectual curiosity,in the field of addiction, led a discussion improve critical thinking, and prepare usabout the recent paper published by Dr. for careers as healthcare professionals thatNora D. Volkow, M.D., the Director of the use cutting edge, evidence-based medi-National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). For cine, and CMS is fortunate to be containthe upcoming meeting, the group plans on such strong student and faculty researchersdiscussing neuroprosthesis. committed to sharing their passions. For more information about either journal club,The newly rechartered Dermatology Inter- contact Tom Adams or the Dermatologyest Group, under the leadership of Bethany Interest Group.Underwood (M2), has recently incorporateda journal club into its organization. MelikaRezaee, the M1 student representative,said that they believed that a journal club

PHI DELTA EPSILON In just 15 months, the Beta Tau chapterBy Joseph Guerrero of Phi Delta Epsilon has begun to make a name for itself amongst the RFUMS and Chicagoland communities. This past Octo- ber, PhiDE hosted “Pie a Phi”—a fun (and whipped cream) filled way to raise money for charity. Then, on April 25th, PhiDE will be hosting its spring philanthropy event: the first annual Dr. Rosalind Franklin Night. This event will feature a talent and fashion show with participants from all RFUMS schools showcasing their skills in hopes of winning the honorary title of “Dr. Rosalind Franklin.” Both of these fundraising events benefit Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, the fraternity’s philanthropic partner.A recent significant addition to CMS’s com- In the spirit of education, the fraternity ismunity was the re-chartering of Phi Delta hosting the Aaron Brown Distinguished Lec-Epsilon’s (colloquially “Phi-D-E”) Beta Tau tureship on April 20th. Open to all RFUMSchapter at Chicago Medical School. Last faculty, staff, and students, attendees willacademic year, a group of current M2 and hear a lecture from Dr. Scott Hollister of theM3 students re-launched a PhiDE colony at University of Michigan. This year’s Lecture-CMS. In August of 2014, PhiDE was official- ship is entitled, “3D Medical Printing: fromly re-chartered as the Beta Tau Chapter of Concept to Clinic, from Education to Re-Phi Delta Epsilon, and after fall recruitment, generation.” Dr. Hollister has been featuredthe Chapter had grown to nearly 100 mem- in Nature, Science, and the New Englandbers. Journal of Medicine, and was granted the 2013 Breakthrough Award by Popular Me-PhiDE is a medical fraternity that since its chanics.creation over 100 years ago has been de-voted to the life-long growth, support, and PhiDE is a tight-knit community, which is aeducation of its members. Their motto is great resource to a student in an environ-Facta Non Verba, Deeds Not Words, which ment as demanding as medical school. Thespeaks to the practical and proactive nature fraternity is continually working to expandof the organization. Through philanthropy, its diverse network, which provides benefitscommunity development, formal training, to members and often serves non-mem-and mentoring, PhiDE provides relevant bers as well. With so much growth and ac-and actionable information and guidance complishment since re-chartering last year,to medical students, pre-medical students, PhiDE members are excited to see whatand healthcare professionals. the fall will bring in terms of philanthropic events, professional development opportu- nities, and new members.

ReimaginedATRcHLUBAuARTeMcNHLEerUiLKNAurArmMINniYTrKNcOIriaOIeiYUuNcgO’SlsUuiunlmuemdBREeBLAronTIioOekN’Ss This past quarter, the Emanuel House col-Book lected over 1600 books for Bernie’s Book Bank donated by members of the RFUMS family. Bernie’s Books is a great local charity that collects, processes and re-distributes books to at-risk children in the Chicagoland area. They are committed to showing chil- dren the value of reading early in their lives. Each child is given six of their own books, twice a year. This successful book drive would not have been possible without the hard work and leadership of Jamie Keen and Sarah Carballo (M2s) who organized the event. When asked about Bernie’s Books, Jamie referenced the role reading has in educa- tion: “since books were such an important part in our lives and fueled our love for edu- cthaoCtiuolgnohttchiatktwwwaesiscaeognrfteirnauot ewmtaoypttouorgspiuv:ee today, we back.” Martha Kelly Bates MFA, InsJpeirnednbyy GEmialnleueslpHioeu,seE, lthize aClbasesth CMlaorctkhCroawfoaiMKstuheieneKrsacltemeiylolyooleBflfnreyR2e,or0yneBJ1mireiea8’assisnwsteBtneidolol siobapfketeM:oBdruoaFrnnCuAkap.tui,cnsogimacinpkgo,rftuionnd- Jenny Gillespie, Elizabeth Mayer, Jennifer Cusick, Kelly Reiss

apil 17 /4 pm Connect with CMS Alumni & find your pediatric focusat Chicago Medical School’s Pediatric Pathways Thursday, April 23, 2015 7:00 - 9:00 PMCentennial Learning Center RSVP here POST PINNING FUNDRAISER April 17/ 8 pm Benefiting class council’18 & Bernie’s Book Bank