A shared dream and home: Meet three CityDoctors scholarship recipients

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The demand for physicians, especially in urban areas, is expected to increase as the current physician workforce ages and retires. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) predicts a shortage of 46,000-90,000 physicians by 2025.

To help alleviate the doctor shortage in New York, St. George’s University partnered with NYC Health+Hospitals, and together, they have developed the CityDoctors Scholarship Program. St. George’s University Scholarship Committee and NYC Health+Hospitals jointly award full and partial scholarships to eligible incoming students accepted into SGU’s School of Medicine. 

The CityDoctors scholarship program grants students with medical aspirations the opportunity to advance their careers while lessening their burden of debt. Three scholarship recipients shared how CityDoctors has helped them fulfill their dreams of attending medical school.

Shahzeb Leghari

Term 2 medical student

Hometown: Lahore, Pakistan

Originally from Lahore, Pakistan, Shahzeb Leghari now calls New York home. While volunteering in a metropolitan hospital, Shahzeb saw others experience similar disparities to his own. This solidified his desire to become a physician in the community to ensure everyone has access to the basic rights of medicine.

Coming from an underprivileged background, scholarship resources were vital to Shahzeb’s ability to pursue a medical career.

“I hope for a world where healthcare is accessible to everyone, and there is a focus on preventative medicine so all of us can enjoy healthy lives,” Shahzeb said.

Dina Gomaa

Term 2 medical student

Hometown: Brooklyn, New York

Recognizing the issues facing tomorrow’s doctors, Dina Gomaa wants to be a part of the solution in the discipline she loves. Primary care specialties interest her because they allow Dina to get to know her patients and have holistic conversations about their health. The CityDoctors scholarship proved an excellent opportunity for Dina to achieve her career goals with fewer financial concerns.

During the pandemic, Dina worked in Urgent Care and saw firsthand how critical it was to have both passionate and empathetic physicians in well-staffed, quality healthcare centers. This experience contributed to Dina’s motivation to apply for the scholarship.

“It’s a privilege to serve New York City and give back to the people and places that got me here,” Dina said. “My community has shaped me into who I am, and I want to pay it forward.”

Sasha Zheng Gonzalez

Term 2 medical student

Hometown: Hastings on Hudson, NY

Sasha Zheng Gonzalez saw another side of the patient-physician relationship when her mother suffered a myocardial infarction. This experience prompted her to transition from the clinical side of patient care to becoming her mother’s sole advocate.

“Medicine is a multifaceted field, and it is vital to me to become a physician who sees the complete story of each patient,” said Sasha.

Sasha applied for the CityDoctors scholarship because it gave her the opportunity to fulfill her dream of becoming a physician while staying in close proximity to family and friends. This scholarship allows Sasha to continue serving and working within her community in her new capacity as a doctor.

 

Learn more about the CityDoctors scholarship program

 

—Madeleine Otto

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Bethany College and St. George’s University Forge Groundbreaking Partnership to Guarantee Access to Veterinary and Medical School

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Bethany College and St. George’s University (SGU) in Grenada, West Indies, are pleased to announce a transformative partnership that will provide aspiring students with a pathway to pursue careers in both medicine and veterinary medicine. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by both institutions, qualified students will have the unique opportunity to obtain a BS/MD or BS/DVM degree, seamlessly progressing from Bethany College to St. George’s University.

“Today marks a momentous occasion as Bethany College announces this highly attractive partnership with St. George’s University,” said Bethany President Dr. Jamie Caridi.   “Because of our agreement, Bethany students who aspire to become a veterinarian or physician will have a guaranteed pathway to veterinary school and a guaranteed, accelerated pathway to medical school at St. George’s University. Together we will equip and empower the next generation of compassionate healers and innovative leaders in healthcare and veterinary medicine.”

The partnership has established two 4+4 programs, in which Bethany College students who complete four years of pre-medical or pre-veterinary coursework and meet all requirements for admission are fast-tracked into four-year programs at the St. George’s School of Medicine or School of Veterinary Medicine. The partnership is also unveiling a 3+4 pathway with provisional acceptance to the School of Medicine. Candidates for the programs must maintain a strong undergraduate GPA and score competitively on relevant entrance exams.

 

“It is an honor to now count my alma mater among St. George’s University’s growing global network of partner institutions, and we look forward to the talent, dedication and service Bethany graduates will bring to SGU and to the medical and veterinary professions.”

 

  1. 4+4 Program: Under this program, students will begin their studies at Bethany College. After successfully completing the four-year pre-medical or pre-veterinary medicine curriculum at Bethany and meeting the requirements for admission into SGU’s School of Medicine or School of Veterinary Medicine, qualified students will proceed to SGU. Medical students will have the option to complete the first two years of their studies in Grenada or spend the first year at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom and the subsequent two years in Grenada, followed by two years of clinical rotations at SGU’s affiliated hospitals in the United States and/or the United Kingdom. Veterinary students will complete three years of study in Grenada and the final clinical year at SGU’s affiliated schools located in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, or the Netherlands.
  2. 3+4 Program: This program caters to students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in biology or chemistry (pre-med programs) at Bethany College. After three years at Bethany, students meeting all prerequisite coursework will have the option of spending their senior year at SGU, completing the first Basic Sciences year of the MD Program. Upon successful completion of this year, along with meeting all SGU prerequisites and maintaining good standing, the student will receive their bachelor’s degree from Bethany College. They will then continue their medical studies in Grenada, followed by two years of clinical rotations at hospitals affiliated with SGU in the United States and/or the United Kingdom.

Bethany College and SGU have collaborated to streamline the admissions process for students. Applicants can apply before or after matriculation at Bethany College. Applicants will receive fast track status and prioritized review, interviews, processing, and decisions. Additionally, SGU will provide a dedicated point of contact to support Bethany and its students throughout the application process. Application fees for SGU will be waived for applicants.

“The partnership between Bethany College and St. George’s University is a particularly special one since St. George’s University was founded by Bethany College alumnus Dr. Charles Modica, ’70,” said President Caridi. “We are extremely proud to count Charlie among our most distinguished alumni, and I am immensely grateful for his support of this endeavor.  I am also grateful to Don Werner, ‘69 whose passion and persistence helped forge this significant collaboration. Finally, I want to thank SGU Vice Chancellor Dr. Richard Liebowitz for his leadership and commitment to this important initiative.”

“As a founder and Chancellor of St. George’s University and as a Bethany College graduate, it is a unique pleasure and privilege to announce this partnership between the two institutions that will create more opportunities for Bethany College students to become leaders in the medical and veterinary fields,” says SGU Chancellor Dr. Charles Modica. “It is an honor to now count my alma mater among St. George’s University’s growing global network of partner institutions, and we look forward to the talent, dedication and service Bethany graduates will bring to SGU and to the medical and veterinary professions.”

Bethany College and SGU also intend to develop a study abroad opportunity to further enhance this incredible opportunity for Bethany students. This program would offer students a chance to earn credits in Grenada to count towards their Bethany degree. More details on this will be released in the coming months.

The partnership of Bethany College and St. George’s University represents a significant stride in providing aspiring medical and veterinary professionals with an unparalleled educational experience. By combining the strengths and resources of both institutions, this partnership aims to shape the future of healthcare and veterinary medicine.

 

 

Northumbria University and St. George’s University expand collaboration to offer new UK study options

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Following over 15 years of collaboration, Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK and St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies, have announced a renewed commitment aimed at delivering exceptional medical education to students worldwide.

The St. George’s University-Northumbria University medical education program was established in 2007 to create a pathway for highly qualified international students to pursue medical education.

Bringing together Northumbria’s well-established excellence in healthcare education and SGU’s reputation as an innovative medical school, the programme was designed to develop knowledge, clinical skills, and research interests while giving students the opportunity to experience two different healthcare systems and enable them to pursue practicing medicine across many specialties with a global perspective.

Going from strength to strength, the programme has grown significantly since its inception, leading to the development of a new Medical Degree Pathway to provide access to the SGU Doctor of Medicine degree for a wider range of students.

The original four-year Medical Degree program offered through the collaborative relationship between the two institutions was only open to graduates with a relevant bachelor’s degree. Under the new 10-year agreement, there are multiple entry points and study routes to qualifying.

The additional entry points allow students with high school level qualifications to achieve the same medical degree via one or two years of additional study. Students will begin their studies at Northumbria and complete one, two or three years of study, dependent upon their enrolment in either the four-year Doctor of Medicine, or the five- or six-year Medical Degree Pathway. They then travel to Grenada to complete one year of study in Principles of Clinical Medicine at SGU’s main campus in Grenada before undertaking two years of clinical rotations in the USA or UK.

 

“Northumbria University and SGU share a similar vision of producing outstanding healthcare professionals who are equipped to tackle real-world challenges in a diverse range of settings. This relationship will enable us to continue combining our expertise, knowledge, and resources to produce the doctors of tomorrow who will go on to make a positive impact on global health.”

 

Another key feature of the new relationship is the ‘dual degree’ opportunity. Students studying in Newcastle may achieve both a Doctor of Medicine Degree from SGU as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Sciences (BMedSci) from Northumbria.

 

Northumbria University Named United Kingdom’s University Of The Year 2022

 

Professor Andy Long, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University, said: “We have a long-standing relationship with St. George’s University, and we are thrilled to deepen our collaboration with them to offer exceptional medical education through additional pathways.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to welcome more students from a wider range of educational and international backgrounds to Northumbria. Together, we have created a unique educational experience that takes advantage of our collective strengths in a way that ensures our students are equipped with the tools they need to provide outstanding care to patients around the world.”

This year the two institutions celebrated the 2000th student joining Northumbria as part of the SGU programme and the new agreement will help the next 2000 students benefit from this unique study option over the next 10 years.

Dr. Richard Liebowitz, Vice Chancellor of St. George’s University, said: “The relationship between SGU and Northumbria is now in its 16th year. The new agreement provides the platform for the next 10 years of our relationship and reflects the commitment of both Universities to delivering an education that is truly global in nature and provides future doctors with a comprehensive education that prepares them for successful careers in medicine.”

Northumbria and SGU have also recently been shortlisted as finalists in The PIEoneer Awards 2023, in the ‘Public Private Partnership of the Year’ category.

The PIEoneer Awards, which this year will be held on Friday, September 22 in London, honor innovation and achievement across the whole of the global education industry. With a distinguished judging panel representing geographical and professional diversity, The PIEoneer Awards recognize both individuals and organisations who are pushing professional standards, evolving their engagement, or redefining the international student experience.

Dr. James Coey, Assistant Dean of Basic Sciences at St. George’s and the academic lead for the programme in Newcastle, said: “The Doctor of Medicine program at SGU opens doors for a medical career on an international scale. Northumbria University and St. George’s University share a similar vision of producing outstanding healthcare professionals who are equipped to tackle real-world challenges in a diverse range of settings. This relationship will enable us to continue combining our expertise, knowledge, and resources to produce the doctors of tomorrow who will go on to make a positive impact on global health.”

For more information, visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/sgu

St. George’s University Announces New Partnership with Husson University

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St. George’s University has launched a new partnership with Husson University that will give qualified Husson students fast-track status and priority entry into the St. George’s School of Medicine and School of Veterinary Medicine.

“Husson University is the premier professional educator in Maine,” said Dr. Philip A. Taylor, III, dean of the College of Science and Humanities at Husson University. “Agreements like this one with St. George’s University, smooths the transition of students from our rigorous undergraduate healthcare programs to graduate education. Maine, and the rest of the world, will need more qualified physicians to deliver care.” Medical Economics magazine supports this conclusion. According to a recent article, an estimated 6.4 million more physicians are needed to provide universal health coverage (UHC) across the globe.

Simultaneously, there is also a pressing need for more veterinary professionals. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates that employment opportunities for veterinarians will grow 19 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. Growing pet populations, increased pet longevity and new treatment options are driving the need for more professionals in this discipline. Creating a path that will help meet the increased need for medical and veterinary professionals makes this agreement important.

“This partnership will provide invaluable opportunities for Husson students to become leaders in the medical and veterinary fields,” said Dr. Marios Loukas, Dean of St. George’s University School of Medicine. “St. George’s is delighted to add Husson to our global network of partner institutions — and make graduate study in medicine and veterinary medicine accessible to a new group of promising students.”

The new partnership establishes “4+4” programs at the St. George’s University Schools of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. Husson students who complete four years of pre-medical or pre-veterinary coursework and meet all requirements for admission are fast-tracked for admission into four-year programs at the St. George’s Schools of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. Candidates for the programs must achieve a strong undergraduate GPA and competitive test scores on relevant entrance exams.

Students accepted into the “4+4” program at the School of Medicine also receive a $10,000 scholarship from St. George’s, distributed to them over their four years of study.

Students who enroll in the St. George’s University School of Medicine can complete their first two years in Grenada or spend their first year at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom and their second in Grenada. All SGU medical students spend their final two years in clinical rotations at hospitals in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Veterinary medicine students spend their first three years in Grenada and their final clinical year at schools in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, and the Netherlands.

“This partnership offers Husson students the opportunity to pursue an education that leads to a successful career. The international aspect of these programs also provides students with the opportunity to better understand international perspectives,” said Melissa Rosenberg, Husson University’s executive director of admissions. “We look forward to working together with St. George’s to help educate the next generation of doctors and veterinarians.”

Gold Humanism Honor Society inducts 59 students at 2023 ceremony

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On June 2, St. George’s University’s Gold Humanism Honor Society inducted 59 students. The annual Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) award recognizes students, residents, and faculty who exemplify compassionate patient care and serve as role models, mentors, and leaders in medicine. Recipients of the award are holistically compassionate individuals who exemplify the tenets of an excellent physician. Members of GHHS are collaborative in their approach to medical care, respectful, and inclusive towards patients’ needs and backgrounds.

The Arnold P Gold Foundation established the Gold Humanism Honor Society in 2002. The goal of the organization is to foster and acknowledge humanism during medical education. Over 160 medical schools have a GHHS chapter, awarding thousands of students with honors. The SGU GHHS chapter was established in 2004.

Celebrating a commitment to compassionate care

At this year’s GHHS induction ceremony, Dr. Robert Grant, senior associate dean of clinical studies, congratulated inductees on their achievements.

“As physicians, our profession has always embraced the concept of awareness of suffering and our ability to alleviate pain in many of its manifestations. As the esteemed Canadian physician Sir William Osler said: ‘A good physician treats the disease; a great physician treats the patient,’” said Dr. Grant. “Induction into the Gold Humanism Honor Society is not merely an honor but validates your commitment to remain as an exemplar of compassionate care and humanism always.”

Recent developments in SGU’s chapter include Associate Dean of Clinical Studies Dr. Toni Johnson-Liggins’s appointment as Chapter Advisor. She is replacing Dr. Cheryl Cox-McPherson, the prior Chapter Advisor who dedicated many years of service.

Students inducted into the GHHS are in the top 10 percent of their class and often involved in community service. GHHS is a steadfast advocate for humanism on medical school campuses and across healthcare institutions. Holding a GHHS chapter indicates that an institution highly values interpersonal skills and attitudes essential for excellent patient care.

 

View the program for a list of inductees

—Madeleine Otto

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School of Medicine 2023 Commencement Ceremonies Celebrate Resilience and Excellence

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Emotions ran high as St. George’s University medical students gathered for their 2023 School of Medicine commencement ceremonies on June 3 at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The audience was filled with proud families and loved ones celebrating the momentous occasion. Bright-eyed with broad smiles, students crossed the podium and were awarded their Doctor of Medicine degrees.

Several keynote speakers made remarks throughout the two School of Medicine commencement ceremonies and each acknowledged the obstacles students overcame on their journey to this moment. To kick off the ceremony, SGU Chancellor Charles Modica congratulated graduates on celebrating a milestone in their lives.

“You had every reason not to succeed, and you succeeded anyway,” Chancellor Modica said.

Toward the end of his speech, Chancellor Modica’s eyes glistened out of respect for students’ achievements.

“You did it all.” He smiled. “God bless you.”

 

View Commencement Ceremony

 

School of Medicine Dean Dr. Marios Loukas then added to Chancellor Modica’s sentiments.

“Students are dedicating themselves to the betterment of humanity,” Dean Loukas said. “Each and every one of you is an inspiration. You have overcome obstacles and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence, all in favor of a greater purpose, to make a difference in the lives of others.”

The ceremony ended with these powerful words by the Dean: “You have the power to shape the future of medicine, inspire the next generation of healers, and make a lasting impact on the lives of countless individuals. You are change-makers and embodiments of the audacity of hope.”

Graduates then transitioned from medical students to medical doctors. They formally received their MD degrees, recited their oath, and proudly turned their graduation cap tassels from right to left.

Meanwhile, faculty and audience members beamed with pride at the graduates’ culmination of years of hard work, ongoing tenacity, and perseverance. The 2023 graduating class exited the auditorium as freshly minted doctors well on their way to remarkable careers.

—Madeleine Otto

 

 

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Meet SGU’s New Associate Dean of Clinical Studies—Dr. Toni Johnson Liggins

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There’s a new face in the Office of Clinical Studies at St. George’s University School of Medicine! Dr. Toni Johnson Liggins joined the team as associate dean of clinical studies (US) at the beginning of May. Her responsibilities include working alongside Dr. Robert Grant, senior associate dean of clinical studies, to conduct site visits at SGU’s affiliated hospitals and clinical centers to ensure students receive all the resources they need to thrive in this part of their education. Dr. Liggins will also work with Dr. Grant to support clinical teaching faculty who supervise and teach students in these sites.

Dr. Liggins was most recently the director of medical education (DME) and the designated institutional official (DIO) at the Mount Carmel Health System in Columbus, Ohio, where she oversaw the education and training for all medical students and residents in the healthcare system. Before that, she was faculty at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. Dr. Liggins graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School and completed her residency training in psychiatry at the Cleveland Clinic, going on to practice psychiatry for over 25 years.

SGU News sat down with Dr. Liggins to find out more about her new role and professional passions.

St. George’s University: What are you most looking forward to in your role as associate dean of clinical studies?

Dr. Liggins: The face-to-face interactions with students. One of my favorite aspects of being in a role like this is having an opportunity to meet students and discuss their clinical experience and provide them with advice for how they can thrive in their education. I don’t take the opportunity to interact face-to-face for granted and look forward to making the most of my visits to clinical sites.

SGU: What brought you to SGU? 

Dr. Liggins:  In my previous role, I didn’t have as much opportunity to interact with students as I would have liked. I was just a step away from them, but I loved when I had a chance to speak with students about excelling in medical school and how to set yourself up to get the residency you want. I have 20 years of experience working in undergraduate and graduate medical education, as well as experience overseeing residences in a variety of specialties. As associate dean of clinical studies, I can use all of my knowledge and apply it to helping medical students at SGU get the most out of their education and prepare them to be the best physicians they can be.

SGU: What are some of your professional passions?

Dr. Liggins: As a trained psychiatrist, I am passionate about wellness, particularly mental health. We are finally in a time where the stigma of mental health is being addressed and we can include this part of health in our discussions of wellness.

I am also passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. I feel strongly about the importance of recruiting and training a diverse physician workforce and believe this is the best way to meet the healthcare needs of today and the future.

—Sarah Stoss

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See the Photos: Aspiring Physicians Take Sacred Oath at White Coat Ceremony

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It was all smiles as the newest class of medical students eagerly awaited to don their white coats at the St. George’s University School of Medicine White Coat Ceremony. The future physicians were cheered on by their family and friends as they walked across the stage on April 15 at Bourne Lecture Hall on SGU’s True Blue campus.

View SOM White Coat Ceremony Instagram Reel

 

During the ceremony, students are cloaked in white lab coats by various members of SGU administration and faculty or sometimes family members and mentors who have become doctors before them. Students then recite the Oath of Professionalism, where they pledge to honor the sacred trust and privilege society places on medical professionals.

What was it like to be coated? Check out the photos from the most recent SOM White Coat Ceremony.


  • Nerves and excitement filled the air as students waited patiently for their name to be called.

  • Dr. Marios Loukas, dean of the School of Medicine welcomed the Class of 2027 and shared three competencies they should always keep in mind—adaptability, positivity, and sacrifice. But above those three, most importantly, they should put their patients first.

  • This year’s keynote speaker was Dolland Noel, MD ’97, assistant dean of clinical studies, Grenada at SGU and head of the Clinical Training Unit at the Grenada General Hospital. A proud alum, Dr. Noel congratulated the students and reminded them that they are not only part of a fine institution but are also part of an amazing family.

  • With both his parents being doctors, SOM Term 1 student, Eric Lang felt privileged to have had a window into the profession that he also had fallen in love with. Coated by his proud dad, Dr. Thomas Lang, a rheumatologist from Baltimore, MD, Eric was grateful for his experiences scribing for his dad and conducting research at the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center.

  • Shivani Rao, an SOM Term 1 student from New Jersey, was happy to follow in her father, neurologist Dr. Chitharanjan Rao’s footsteps and share in the surreal moment of being coated by him.

  • Being at SGU felt like a dream come true for SOM Term 1 student Tina Tran. Originally from Vietnam but now living in Tallahassee, FL, her parents were delighted to travel to Grenada to support her on her big day.

  • SOM Term 1 student Shomari John has spent most of his life working toward achieving his goal of becoming a physician. He was ecstatic to finally be on his way, and though his family back in Trinidad and Tobago couldn’t be there with him, they watched the ceremony online and cheered him on from afar.

  • It was ear-to-ear smiles for SOM Term 1 student Leah Ayad and her father, Dr. Onsy Ayad, as he coated her at the White Coat Ceremony. Originally from Egypt but now working as a pediatric intensivist in Columbus, OH, Dr. Ayad was proud his daughter understood the huge responsibility it was to take care of another human being and chose to join the medical profession.

  • The ceremony concluded with students and other physicians in the audience reciting the Oath of Professionalism—pledging to uphold the highest ethical standards while treating their patients.

  • After the ceremony, students joined their friends and family to capture photos commemorating the special day.

  • SOM Term 1 student Britton Swisher, his wife Mary, and their twins Charlotte and James, share a moment with SGU Chancellor Dr. Charles R. Modica and his wife Lisa.

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– Ray-Donna Peters

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MD grad on what it was like to volunteer during Russia-Ukraine war: “I would do it again”

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Mariya Vengrenyuk, a 2016 School of Medicine graduate, volunteered during Ukraine-Russian war.

Dr. Mariya Vengrenyuk, a 2016 graduate of St. George’s University School of Medicine, felt the calling to help the people of her native country as the war in Ukraine broke out.

Last year, Ukrainian-born Dr. Mariya Vengrenyuk, a 2016 graduate of St. George’s University School of Medicine, felt the calling to help the people of her native country as the war in Ukraine broke out.

In the spring of 2022, Dr. Vengrenyuk, who moved to the US when she was nine, traveled overseas to volunteer for two weeks with two different organizations. She first offered her medical expertise and language skills to help refugees in the Poland-Ukraine border city, Przemysl, by volunteering with the humanitarian group, SSF-Rescuers without Borders. She then traveled to Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine—her hometown—to work with Revived Soldiers Ukraine, a group that helps to bring severely wounded soldiers to the US for costly surgeries and other medical treatments pro bono. She continues to work with the group now that she is back in the US.

SGU News recently got back in touch with Dr. Vengrenyuk, who is a travel hospitalist and a clinical investigator, to learn what it was like to treat refugees and soldiers affected by the Russia-Ukraine war and how she was able to use her medical skills in a war zone setting.

SGU: What kind of aid did you provide while you were there?

Dr. Vengrenyuk: At the border clinic, it was mostly urgent care type of treatments—headaches, cough, chest pain, high blood pressure, high blood glucose, mild scrapes/cuts. I was the only Ukrainian-speaking doctor—other doctors were from different countries—so I helped translate and used medical terms for the people crossing the border.

SGU: You previously shared that you needed to mentally prepare for the trip and that, as a doctor, you must be compassionate but not emotional—was that difficult to do in practice? 

Dr. Vengrenyuk: I tried to be strong in Ukraine and at the border. But the aftermath hurt me. It continues to hurt to this day. I have dreams about the war and the wounded. When I came back from that trip, I felt depressed. I can’t stop the war. It was not an easy trip for me emotionally because I am still very connected to Ukraine, even though I lived in the US for 23 years. I have family there. When I looked at the faces of the people crossing the border, their despair, pain, I could see my parents in them. And the children’s eyes… they were children, but their eyes showed that they had lived through more than many adults have.

Mariya Vengrenyuk, MD '16, volunteered during Ukraine-Russian war.

Dr. Vengrenyuk: “I would do it again. And I would go to other parts of the world.”

SGU: What were some of the hardest things to see while there?

Dr. Vengrenyuk: The wounded. Many people in Ukraine are missing limbs, eyes, and they have scars and burns on their faces and bodies. It is a whole new generation of people with disabilities.

The most memorable cases are of young men who were blasted on the battlefield and who still have amputations and shrapnel in their body.

SVM Grad Reflects On Ukraine Volunteer Experience: “By Helping People’s Pets, We Were Helping The People”

SGU: Were there moments of joy? 

Dr. Vengrenyuk: Seeing how many international people are willing to go and volunteer and how quickly the residents joined the volunteering forces. The morale was high, with everyone trying to stay strong.

SGU: What do you think you learned about yourself as a caretaker while volunteering in the Ukraine?

Dr. Vengrenyuk: I think I need more combat military medicine training. My internal medicine skills were useful, but I would like more surgical skills.

Mariya Vengrenyuk, a 2016 graduate of SGU School of Medicine

Dr. Vengrenyuk: “It was not an easy trip for me emotionally because I am still very connected to Ukraine, even though I lived in the US for 23 years. I have family there.”

SGU: Would you do it again?

Dr. Vengrenyuk: I would do it again. And I would go to other parts of the world. Unfortunately, to do such trips you need to have enough money saved so you can afford to take unpaid leave for one to two months in order to truly make a difference. Taking your vacation time from work is not enough.

I continue to volunteer at home by helping the soldiers we bring to the USA, taking them to their medical appointments, translating medical records, etc.

SGU: What is your advice for physicians who would like to give back on a smaller scale?

Dr. Vengrenyuk: We have enough of a healthcare crisis in the US alone where there is a need. There are homeless shelter clinics, abortion clinics, we have many of our own veterans in the US who are homeless and may have mental disorders, etc. There are ways to volunteer locally, even remotely, via telehealth.

 

-Laurie Chartorynsky

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O’Connor Hospital DME Shares Crucial Lessons Medical Students Can Learn During Clinicals

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Dr. Sharad Dass, a critical care pulmonologist and the director of medical education at O’Connor Hospital.

Dr. Sharad Dass, a critical care pulmonologist and the director of medical education at O’Connor Hospital, shares the crucial lessons that medical students should take away from their clinical rotations.

What should medical students expect to learn during their clinical rotations? Dr. Sharad Dass, a critical care pulmonologist and the director of medical education at O’Connor Hospital, has a few ideas.

The most important part of their learnings: learning to communicate and listening to the patient.

“It’s imperative that students learn to listen to the patient, understand where they’re coming from, and also use other resources [to get answers] because patients may not be able to express themselves clearly or understand what’s happening within their body in terms of their symptoms,” Dr. Dass said. “Students should also learn to communicate with patients in a language that is more familiar and understandable to the patients. We often use large medical terms and describe our medical thought process, which is often not easily understood.”

Another crucial part of their time in clinical rotations is learning how to conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner with the patients and other staff members in the hospital, Dr. Dass emphasized,

O’Connor Hospital, located in San Jose, CA, is a 358-bed acute care facility owned by the County of Santa Clara. According to its website, it offers a full range of inpatient and outpatient medical, surgical, and specialty programs to the more than 1 million residents of San Jose.

Dr. Dass moved into the hospital’s DME position in mid-2021 after previously being an internal medicine clerkship director there. He was instrumental in helping the hospital expand its medical education program for students.

Read more about Dr. Dass’ advice for clinical students:

SGU: What are the key lessons students should expect to learn during the clinical portion of their training?

Dr. Dass: As instructors, our goal is to bridge the gap for students between book knowledge and applying the knowledge in a practical sense to patients in a hospital setting. Every patient is different, and each may have a different way of explaining themselves that may not come across how students learned it in a book. We try to help students develop their approach to patients which will hopefully allow them to hone in on the diagnosis.

To reiterate, students have to listen and communicate with their patient. It takes practice.

SGU: What clinical rotations can students participate in at O’Connor?

Dr. Dass: The hospital offers internal medicine, family medicine, surgery, and OB/GYN core rotations as well as specific electives within these fields. For example, pulmonary & critical care, GI, emergency medicine, dermatology, and different surgical subspecialties such as vascular surgery and cardiothoracic surgery.

SGU: What residency programs are offered through the hospital?

Dr. Dass: The hospital has a family medicine residency program—that is combined program with Stanford University. They also have a sports medicine fellowship.

SGU: How is the hospital unique?

Dr. Dass: One of the things that I like about this hospital is that the doctors and preceptors are private practitioners. Many students finishing up their residency often go to big group practices. They don’t start up their own private practice because they have no idea how to, and they don’t know what it’s about. Being in our program, they may be able to appreciate the benefits of being their own private practitioner.

Additionally, despite being owned by the county, we’re a community-based hospital. So, it still has that small-town feeling where everybody knows everybody.

SGU: You are a trained critical care pulmonologist, what do you love about the specialty?

Dr. Dass: I’ve found that understanding pulmonary and critical care medicine made sense to me, working with the ventilators and in the intensive care units with patients with vascular issues—to me, I just enjoyed learning this field and found it challenging. I liked the physics and mechanics of the field. That’s a large part of understanding pulmonary function testing. I actually have my bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of California, Irvine.

In critical care, you kind of have to be the jack of all trades. You have to understand what can cause a critical situation. It could be different parts of the body, not just the lungs. It could be the heart. It could be the endocrine system. It could be the GI system. It could be anything or remain unknown. So, you have to be able to care for patients that may have developed a critical/life-threatening illness from any organ system in the body.  It can be stressful, but I like the level of energy in the intensive care.

SGU: What made you venture into academic medicine?

Dr. Dass: I’ve always been involved in teaching. Teaching helps me grow my own knowledge base and learn new concepts. I like the collegiality of being able to bounce ideas off of each other, ask questions, and so forth. I wanted to bring that back to our hospital with students.

One of my favorite meetings is where I speak with a student committee. The monthly meeting allows me and other administrators to go over any student concerns or suggestions on how to improve on the program. I appreciate the students’ involvement to improve their learning experience.

SGU: What do you think is the most important thing for physicians to remember when public health issues, such as COVID, arise?

Dr. Dass: My first piece of advice is don’t jump on any bandwagons. As physicians our first goal is to do no harm—and if one doesn’t fully understand an unproven treatment and begins to implement such then that can potentially be going against what we should be doing.

SGU: Any last words of advice for clinical students?

Dr. Dass: Concentrate on doing well on your shelf exams and the USMLE. That plays a big role in your ability to get into a residency, especially for those who know they have difficulty with test performance. Seek help because SGU offers lots of assistance for those students who need it for test-taking or clinical skill development. Getting good letters of recommendation is very important as well.  Most importantly, enjoy what you are doing and you will do better.

 

-Laurie Chartorynsky

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