Fall 2019 Xavier Times

THE XAVIER TIMES

A Medical School Experience on an Island unlike any other in the region!

SEPTEMBER 2019 Vol. 11:/No.13

White Coat Ceremony XAVIER UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE FALL 2019

Friday September 6th, 2019 On Friday September 6th, 2019 Xavier University School of Medicine held its Fall 2019 White Coat Ceremony. The ceremony was held at our campus in Aruba. The white Coat Ceremony is a momentous event in the journey of a medical student as it signifies the beginning of their journey through medical school to become doctors.

With fellow Xavier students, Xavier faculty and friends and family in attendance the new Xavier class received and put on the white coat for the first time to the joy of all in attendance at the ceremony and those who were watching via live stream.

At the White Coat Ceremony Dr. Dubey, Xavier’s Chief Academic Officer addressed the audience and spoke about how Xavier is continuing to strive forward to provide our students with the highest quality education possible. Speaking at the Ceremony as well was Guest Speaker Dr. Stalnaker, who is a former Chief Academic Officer at Xavier. One of the topics that Dr. Stalnaker spoke about was important days in a medical student's life and how the White Coat Ceremony was the beginning of many great and important days!

Photo: White Coat guest speaker and former Xavier Chief Academic Officer Dr. Stalnaker speaks to the audience during the ceremony

2 WHITE COAT

CEREMONY PHOTOS

XAVIER UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE / ARUBA

4 FALL 2019 INCOMING 2023 CLASS

8 NEW STUDENT INTERVIEWS

10 GUEST LECTURE

DR. STANLEY LEE

(516) 333-2224 • www.xusom.com • admissions@xusom.com Named a “Top 10 Caribbean Medical School” by MoneyInc.

Xavier White Coat Ceremony Photos

Xavier Chief Academic Officer Dr. Dubey address the audience at the White Coat Ceremony

Xavier student Kellon Olusola and a family member take a minute to celebrate the great achievement!

Xavier Chief Academic Officer Dr. Dubey along the White Coat Ceremony Guest Speaker and former Xavier Chief Academic Officer Dr. Stalnaker (Right)

Xavier students from left to right: Gurkirat Kaur, Khushboo Ghandi, Patrick Beck, Gurpavitar Bhullar, Rishamjot Bajwa and Meghna Anjit.

Xavier students recite their medical pledge during the ceremony

Xavier students Sheena Kapoor(Left), Hailey Pipersburgh (right) celebrate after putting on their white coats!

Xavier student Asem Saefan with White Coat guest speaker and former Xavier Chief Academic Officer Dr. Stalnakerdeminc Officer Dr.Dubey

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Xavier students from left to right: Saleeha Soofi, Oreoluwa Familoni, Mariam Fadel pause for a picture after putting on their white coats

New Xavier students from left to right: Meghna Anjit, Khushboo Ghandi, Gurkirat Kaur, Sheena Kapoor, Anoosh Khan

From left to right: Amandeep Wandhawan, Manreet Gill, Angelo Soukovelos, Jessica Christie wait to enter the white coat ceremony.

New Xavier student Michael Hanna with his father after the ceremony From Left to right: Guest Speaker Dr. Stalnaker, Xavier student Anjali Kaur Badwal and Xavier Chief Academic Offcier Dr. Dubey

STUDENT WHITE COAT ARTICLE

Jagraj Singh Dosanjh - MD 1 The White Coat Ceremony was a very momentous occasion for me in that it marked the official beginning of my future and career in medicine. The atmosphere was filled with excitement with individuals from all walks of life, many of whom have spent many years in undergraduate studies to make it to this day. The speakers gave us insight and hope that with hard work, discipline, and determination we all have the potential to one day wear the long white coat. The most memorable moment for me was walking on stage and seeing all my fellow students surrounded by so many supportive individuals. Family, friends, deans and guest speakers all emphasized that they were here for us, and want to see us succeed. Knowing that we were all here to dedicate our lives to the service of humanity was a truly humbling moment which only made me more eager to begin my studies. After putting on the white coat, I felt deep sense of responsibility and gratitude to those who have helped me to make it this far. I feel it is my duty to contribute, to the best of my abilities, to the field of medicine so that I can make a difference in the lives of others. I look forward to learning as much as I can so that I can make a positive impact on my community and beyond. Although I have four years of tough work ahead of me, I am confident that my unwavering dedication and commitment will carry me and my peers through unscathed.

IN THIS ISSUE WHITE COAT CERMONY PHOTOS 2 WHITE COAT STUDENT ARTICLE 3 INCOMING SEPTEMBER CLASS 4-6 FALL 2019 ORIENTATION 7

NEW STUDENT INTERVIEWS 8 DR. SERGEY KUNKOV INTERVIEW 9 XAVIER ALUMNI GUEST LECTURE 10 XAVIER ALUMNI HIGHLIGHT 11

ALUMNI GLOBAL MEET 2019 11 LOCAL SCHOOL VISIT BLOG 12

FOLLOW US: JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUPS: XUSUOM Student Group / XUSOM Alumni Group

3 xavier vi univer rs sity school of medicine

@xusomarub maruba

@XUSOM

xaviier univer rs sity school of medicine

XAVIER UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

INCOMING CLASS FALL 2019

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Anjali Kaur Badwal MD1

Anoosh Khan MD1

Devonne Shedrick MD 1

Gabriel Miranda MD1

Gurpavitar Singh Bhullar MD 1

Gurikirat Kaur MD 1

Hailey Pipersburgh MD 1

Ingrid Owor MD 1

Jagraj Dosanjih MD 1

Khushboo Gandhi MD 1

Meghna Ajit MD 1

Michael Hanna MD 1

Michael Rubezin MD 1

Moneesha Smith MD 1

Naveen CB MD 1

Radha Priyadharshini Sundar MD 1

XAVIER UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

INCOMING CLASS FALL 2019

Oreoluwa Familoni MD 1

Ramnikhil Sarikela MD 1

Roaa Saeed Hasan Asali MD 1

Saleeha Soofi MD 1

Sheena Kapoor MD 1

Taha Seraj MD 1

Amandeep Wadhawan Premed 1

Angelo Soukovelos Premed 1

Gaganpreet Jawanda Premed 1

Gurasis Mann Premed 1

Hany Metwaly Premed 1

Iheoma Duruiheoma Premed 1

Jaspreet Dherari Premed 1

Jennifer Henao Premed 1

Jessica Christie Premed 1

Manreet Gill Premed 1

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XAVIER UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

INCOMING CLASS FALL 2019

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Vibha Jadhav Premed 1

Harman Preet Kaur Premed 2

Jessee Tanasiuk Premed 2

Harjyot Prince Singh Premed 4

Yoshiyuki Tamura Premed 4

Amaah Penn MD 2

Cecilia Agada MD 2

Mmesoma Anietom MD 2

Abdelrahman Abdelghafour MD 6

Florentino Roque MD 6

Kellon Olusola MD 6

Mary Abdelmalak MD 6

Patrick Beck MD 6

Pooja Shah MD 6

Rishamjot Bajwa MD 6

REMEMBERING ORIENTATION - Gabriel T. Miranda, MD 1 For many people, studying at a new school in a foreign country may seem intimidating. I was one of those people. I did not know anyone, the location of my new apartment, or even the currency that was used in Aruba, but Xavier University School of Medicine eased my anxiety from the beginning. Two people from the administration of the school picked me up from the airport with a sign and a smile, showed me where the campus was, and then dropped me off at my new apartment. The day of orientation arrived. As I walked into the school auditorium, I was greeted by a professor with a smile and given my orientation packet. The packet was three pages, detailing the orientation schedule and the topics that were to be covered over the next three days. The first day was informative for me, the student, and for the parents attending as well. The dean of the school explained the curriculum, what students were to expect in classes, and where to direct any complaints or issues.

At the end of the day, the open panel that the professors hosted answered all of my questions that I had and others as well. Even though I had a good first day, I still felt like I was new because I didn’t know anyone (I am shy, and I didn’t introduce myself to anyone) and left to go home.

The second day of orientation changed my outlook. One section of the day planned was small group activity for the new students. It was there that I started getting familiar with my fellow classmates, met new people, and started feeling part of the school. The third day was the white coat ceremony. I came to school dressed more professionally than the other days. As I walked into the auditorium, I remember thinking that the room felt different than the previous days. Seats were assigned that day, having students sit in a certain section. As I took my seat, I said hello to my classmates that I met yesterday and also to my neighbors sitting next to me. The opening speeches piqued a sense of pride in me as I realized that I was starting a new journey in medicine. As I walked across the stage, put on my white coat and received my pin, I felt a feeling of accomplishment, thinking about how far I have come from my high school and undergraduate graduation to now. Finishing the white coat ceremony, as I stated the Physician’s Oath with my fellow classmates, I no longer felt new, I was motivated, determined to begin my journey on my own path of medicine.

Fall 2019 Semester Oreintation Photos

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New student

interviewS

Michael Hanna - MD 1 What year medical student are you?

I am currently a new MD1 student.

Why did you choose to become a medical doctor?

I desire to help others in an exceedingly meaningful manner.

Typically, when an individual has been injured or feels ill, their usual way of life is interrupted. Luckily, doctors and other health care professionals have the tremendous opportunity to restore these people’s lives to normalcy and even rescue them from the cold-dark grasps of death itself. My appreciation of life, after the death of my grandmother and uncle, my desire to aid those in need and my attraction to the complexity of the human body are just some of the many fuels of my goal to study medicine.

What field of medicine are you looking to go into and why?

Choosing a specialty is a big and life-altering decision.

Truthfully, I have no idea as to what I’d like to pursue yet. Initially, I had a bit of interest in emergency medicine however that flame has been extinguished now. As time progresses, I would like to find myself in a place where I am successfully using my gifts and talents to better not only myself but those around me as well. I would like to go into a field that I will not regret and into a field that I am deeply passionate about.

What is about medicine that you are drawn to?

As my understanding of human anatomy and physiology grows, I find myself increasingly fascinated with the way in which various components of the body can work simultaneously to produce the wonder that we call life. I am drawn to the fact that I have the potential to have a positive and dynamic impact on people’s lives. I am a rather conscientious person and so I believe that a career in medicine will satisfy my sense of duty and purpose. I am aware that medicine is a very challenging course due to its many different fields which are all unique in their own part. As a person who enjoys a challenge, I believe medicine is the best course for me and will provide a fulfilling and proactive career.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

In the future, I would like to have my own series of clinics back home in the Bahamas. Moreover, I would also like that they have a research facility integrated within my clinics. After all, research in medicine is crucial and absolutely paramount. Additionally, I would also like to have my own team of specialized doctors and researchers to assist me in my quest to provide quality healthcare to the general community. On the other hand, I would also like to be able to maintain a balance between my family life and medicine. I would like to have a wonderful family filled with kids and laughter. In the end, I would like to feel fulfilled and happy.

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What made you choose to attend Xavier?

There were numerous reasons why I chose Xavier University.

Firstly, the fact that Xavier has CAAM-HP and ACCM accreditation is a major plus in my opinion. These accreditations will be essential for the students of XUSOM, such as myself, to obtain residencies in the United States and Canada respectively. Additionally, the 100% USMLE Step 1 pass rate was nothing short of amazing. The statistics and data provided made me confident enough to believe that the faculty is capable enough to support the students and give them the necessary tools needed to succeed. Furthermore, the staff and faculty were very helpful and friendly throughout my entire application process which made me feel comfortable and accepted. They were prompt in their email responses and responded in a professional manner. Lastly, the smaller class sizes allow for one on one interaction with other students and professors. This will ensure that you are not treated as a mere number but instead as human being with feelings and a breath which christens a body.

What are three interesting facts about yourself?

• I am an incredibly curious person. When I was around 18 months old, I shoved about three pieces of quartz and two pieces of limestone in my mouth to “examine the taste”.

• In the last couple of years, I have developed an affinity for tea. I drink tea. Lots of it. Especially green tea.

That’s my drink of choice!

• I play the piano on the side and I enjoy listening to new types of music. In fact, I often quote song lyrics to describe circumstances in my life.

Hailey Pipersburgh - MD 1 What year medical student are you?

I am MD 1 so this is my first year!

Why did you choose to become a medical doctor?

It is a calling on my life to help others. This has been a dream of mine since I was a young girl. I find this profession to be stimulating and interesting. I have the opportunity to help humanity and I am excited to start this journey!

What field of medicine are you looking to go into and why?

The field I aspire to enter is OBGYN. Obstetrics and Gynecology gives me the privilege to support women and families. Not only provide support but advocate for women and families throughout their lifetime What is about medicine that you are drawn to?

Studying Medicine is definitely a difficult task. However i am drawn to it due to how it challenges me. There is so much to learn! Also a career in medicine empowers me to help others. It is the ultimate career and I am so privileged to be a part of it.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

I see myself owning my own OBGYN practice!

What made you choose to attend Xavier?

I actually came to Aruba for vacation and saw an ad for Xavier. I immediately fell in love with the culture of the school. The students are so friendly and the professors make time to get to know you. The curriculum is system based which is very helpful as I prepare for USMLE. I feel very connected and it’s only been my first week here.

Xavier is a great place that is establishing the next generation of physicians.

What is an interesting fact about yourself?

One interesting fact about myself is that I really enjoy photography.

AN INTERVIEW WITH

NEW ASSISTANT DEAN OF CLINCAL SCIENCE Dr. Sergey Kunkov

NEW CAMPUS

PROGRESS

Where are you from, and what educational institution(s) have you attended?

I finished my med school (Pediatric Medical Academy) in St Petersburg, Russia. I completed my pediatric residency at Downstate Medical Center/Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, NY and pediatric emergency fellowship at Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Jacobi Medical Center in Bronx, NY What other Hospitals or Medical Institutions have you worked at?

Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx, NY, as well as Stony Brook Medical Center, in Stony Brook, NY. What is your favorite part of helping to educate the next generation of Doctors?

My Favorite part of helping the next generation is, seeing yesterday’s student becoming teachers and trusted mentors themselves.

What Makes Xavier stand out to you?

Xavier has a Rigorous basic sciences curriculum on the great island of Aruba, where you can study hard and then have a great time off. Also on thing that Xavier offers is very strong clinical rotations stateside.

What piece of advice would you give to a student who is considering medical school?

Those who choose the medical career now will be witnesses and participants of the greatest transformation of medical care in our lifetime- consider, for example, how rapidly Artificial Intelligence is entering medical field and the transformation it will bring to the way we care for the patients.

Don’t listen to naysayers. Nothing is impossible. If you really want itstudy hard, be dedicated to learning every day, you’ll be a great doctor.

Remember- nothing worth having is easy. Becoming a doctor is a prime example of veracity of this saying.

What is an interesting fact about you?

One interesting fact about myself is that, I learnt Medical Spanish “on the job” out of necessity of taking care of primarily Spanish speaking patients.

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XAVIER WELCOMES BACK

GUEST LECTURER Dr. Stanley Lee – Class of 2015 -Tejal Patel, MD 6

YOU GO THROUGH XAVIER WONDERING HOW THE PAST STUDENTS HAVE FARED. YOU SEE THEIR PICTURES LINING THE WALLS OF THE SCHOOL AND WONDER WHAT THEIR XAVIER STORY WAS. THIS PAST WEEK WE GOT A VISIT FROM AN ALUMNUS, DR. STANLEY LEE. Dr. Lee did his Pediatric Residency at SUNY Downstate and rotations. Didn’t know what the best way to pick elective is currently conducting his Pediatric Pulmonology Fellowship rotations were either. Dr. Lee’s presentation spoke about his clinical experience and allowed us to ask any questions. He at Baylor University in Texas. worked hard and shared with us how he got an elective rotation for Pediatric Cardiology with John Hopkins. I feel like It took Dr. Lee half a second to have our undivided I have a much better understanding of what to expect out of attention. The moment he started speaking I knew this rotations. In addition he clarified the visa concerns for many wouldn’t be like any other alumni visit we have ever had.

He spoke to us and not down to us. He connected to us as a of our Canadian students. former student of the school with the same experiences that As a student when we think about the interview process, we we are currently encountering. tend to think the interviewer will be focused on our academia Dr. Lee started off by telling us about his time at Xavier and more so than anything else. Dr. Lee tied in the importance of being a part of the various clubs Xavier has to offer. He the organizations he was apart of. He was on SGA and mentioned that the interviewer will ask you about your time founded the AEP tutoring group. I’ve been involved with at Xavier and what you did. Furthermore, he was ready to talk AEP since MD2 as an OSCE tutor and as a student who about his time in Aruba - what the island has to offer and needed some extra tutoring outside of class. By founding The AEP, he has helped countless students perform better in your experiences here. We live on a beautiful island where their classes and also help students to make some money to countless tourists come to spend their vacation time. So make help with their tuition. He stressed the importance of being sure you find the time to explore and enjoy Aruba so you have something to talk about during your interviews aside from a part of clubs on campus, volunteering at health fairs or going to classes. even just running for a position in SGA. He then went on to share how he studied for the USMLE Step One. He built his stamina by sitting through 8 blocks of 46 questions. He learned how many questions he could do before he needed a break. He explained his way that when test day comes you already know that after 2 blocks you need a 10 minute break to do well on the future blocks. The practice helps not only build your stamina but it helps you learn what works for you and what doesn’t. This advice was different than what we usually get which is “just do questions.” Dr. Lee gave us a game plan so we can get the most out of doing questions that will shape us for the long run. Preparation for the Step One is a marathon not a sprint.

You need to practice smart and study smart to build up your stamina.

Like Dr. Lee, my end goal is to be a pediatrician. I never really understood how the clinics worked past the core

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I really appreciated the fact that Dr. Lee took the time to discuss what happens after Step One. He didn’t say things like “focus on step one and worry about clinicals when you get there”. Instead, he took the time and talked us through the Step One process, through clinicals and took us all the way into becoming matched with a hospital. Being matched is more than just an interview, he explained the impact a letter of recommendation has when you are getting ready to be matched. So when you are doing your rotations it is important to leave a good lasting impression on your attendings. You never know the attending who is writing your letter of recommendation just might be friends with the director of a program you are hoping to get matched into.

The two hours spent with Dr. Lee were two hours well spent.

I gained a lot of knowledge about what to expect after leaving Xavier. Our school may be small but it is giving rise to the amazing physicians of tomorrow and Dr. Stanley Lee is proof.

Alumni Article

Rami Sakaan, MD My name is Rami Sakaan and I am a recent graduate from Xavier University School of Medicine, and I am starting an Internal Medicine residency in July 2019 at Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth, Mississippi.

I started at Xavier University School of Medicine in 2014. Before that time, I was attending medical school in Syria finishing my 4th year in a 6 years program when the war erupted forcing me to leave the country. After moving to the United States, I started researching how to return and complete my medical education while taking English classes at the local college and working odd jobs.

My brother informed me he had met a resident at the hospital who completed medical school at XUSOM and he advised me to call the school and see if they would accept me as a transfer student. I immediately started contacting people to learn more about the school.

Before I knew it, I had applied and was accepted as part of the Class of 2018. This was the opportunity I had been searching for!

Upon the start of classes in Aruba, I had constant support from the faculty and my classmates as my English was still at its beginning stages. Most spent extra time with me after classes to explain some of the points that I did not fully understand and slowly I started gaining confidence.

Of all the classes at Xavier, a few classes stood out for me above the rest and I credit them for my success in my clinical rotations and on the Step exams. Anatomy at Xavier is still considered to be one of the top experiences I had on the island and I still remember the clever and unique mnemonics I learned in that class. Of note, one of the surgeons I had rotated with in Chicago wrote in my evaluation about the advanced knowledge I possess in anatomy and it is because of Xavier. I also cannot forget the teaching methods by Dr. Dubey in pharmacology and physiology, clarifying all the puzzling concepts. In addition, Dr. Neelem’s excellent notes for patho-physiology were supportive of all the rotations. But by far, her OSCE training was the absolute best preparation for Step 2 Clinical Skills and for bedside skills.

My advice to all the current medical students at Xavier is to keep working hard and take every available opportunity in school to learn and increase your knowledge. Trust me, one day you are going to look back at the hours spent in studying and preparing and you are going to be so proud when they start calling you Doctor.

Just remember FIGHT FOR YOUR DREAM AND YOU WILL CERTAINLY MAKE IT.

THIS YEARS ALUMNI GLOBAL MEET WEEKEND WILL BE HELD FROM OCTOBER 3RD- OCTOBER 5TH 2019

AT OUR CAMPUS IN ARUBA!

Our 3rd Annual Alumni Global Meets is less than 1 month away!

The Alumni Global Meet is an excellent opportunity for students and Alumni to network and build connections with each other and with the program directors who will be in attendance!

What a Xavier student had to say about the visit: “A few weeks ago, PMIG (Pediatric Medicine Interest Group) had the privilege to have 2 elementary schools come to our campus. The reason of their visit was to get a tour of our establishment and also learn a few things about our school. I think it's safe to say that they really enjoyed themselves, they had a chance to go into the microscope lab, and we held a mini health fair for them checking their vision, reflexes and blood pressure. We also showed them different parts of the human anatomy on the anatomage. They were fascinated, and we, as PMIG, couldn't be happier with the outcome. We are thrilled to inspire and cultivate the interest of medicine in the children on the island.”

LOCAL SCHOOLS

- Marie-Claire Larmonie, MD 5

Take A Trip To Xavier!

Recently Xavier University School of Medicine had the pleasure of hosting 2 local schools; St. Anna and St. Franciscus, on a visit to the University. The local students had a chance to tour the school and take part in activities with some current Xavier Students. This visit gave the local students an opportunity to learn about medicine in a hands on environment and allow them to raise their interest in potentially pursuing a career in medicine.

Named a “Top 10 Caribbean Medical School” by MoneyInc.

XAVIER UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE / ARUBA

North American Admissions Office 1000 Woodbury Road, Suite 109 Woodbury, New York 11797 USA T: 516-333-2224 F: 516-921-1070 E: Admissions@xusom.com

Aruba Campus Santa Helenastraat #23 Oranjestad, Aruba T: 297-588-7766 F: 297-588-6222

(516) 333-2224 • www.xusom.com • admissions@xusom.com