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2 ABOUT THE NORTHEAST REGIONAL ALLIANCE MEDPREP HCOP ACADEMY PROGRAM The Northeast Regional Alliance (NERA) MedPrep HCOP Academy Program is a partnership between Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai's Center for Multicultural and Community Affairs, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Manhattan-Staten Island Area Health Education Center. The Program uniquely builds on the collective expertise of four outstanding institutions to expand health careers preparation for minority and disadvantaged students from junior high school through medical school with the goal of increasing competitiveness for medical school. Ultimately, we expect that our scholars will have the humanism, professionalism and interpersonal skills required of a future physician caring for a diverse population. The Northeast Regional Alliance (NERA) MedPrep HCOP Academy is a free summer enrichment program for under-represented and/or economically disadvantaged college students interested in the medical field funded by the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA). The NERA MedPrep Program The program is open to New York City and New Jersey resident college freshmen and sophomores interested in attending medical school. MedPrep is a 3-year summer commitment designed to give students an opportunity to develop key skills and competencies that are important to success on the road to medical school. • Participate in programs at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai • Stipend support • No Application Fee • MCAT Prep • Clinical and Research Experience • Academic Counseling and Mentoring • Cultural Competency Education *To provide a safe educational environment for all of our college pipeline programs, NERA will follow current CDC and Institutional guidelines for the Summer 2023 sessions; requiring that students participating in the program follow social distancing, wear a mask, and be vaccinated against COVID-19 (proof of vaccination will be required). These rules will be amended as new guidelines or regulations become effective. Please note that residential programs will have additional requirements.
3 Table of Contents GENERAL CONFERENCE ATTENDEE INFORMATION Conference Announcement........................................................................... 5 Conference Agenda....................................................................................... 6 Welcome Address by Dr. Monica Lypson.................................................. 8 Opening Keynote Speaker Dr. Syed Haider: .................................................... 10 HEALTH PROFESSIONS SCHOOL ADMISSIONS PANEL Moderator: Simran Wahan, MHA (SHPEP; NERA)…................................................. 11 Admission Panelist 1: Dr. Gary Butts (Mt. Sinai)…................................................. 12 Admission Panelist 2: Dr. Lynne Holden (Einstein)…............................................... 13 Admission Panelist 3: Dr. Will Turner (Columbia)…............................................... 14 Admission Panelist 4: Mercedes Rivero (Rutgers)….............................................. 15 WORKSHOPS Wellness & Work-life balance, Shauna Frederick............................................. 16 Imposter Syndrome in the Healthcare Field, Heather Butts........................... 17 The Heart of Your Application, Your Personal Statement, Deya Luna............... 19 Medical School Admissions Workshop, Keyauna Ramos.................................... 20 Importance of Internships & Extracurriculars, Marcia Jackson........................... 21 RECRUITMENT FAIR EXHIBITOR INFORMATION Recruitment Fair Exhibitor List........................................................................... 22 Manhattan-Staten Island Area Health Education Center (MSI AHEC) ................. 24 Temple University of Podiatric Medicine ......................................................... 26 Virtua Health College of Medicine and Life Sciences of Rowan University ........ 27 John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health ....................................... 28 Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University ......................................... 29 Rutgers New Jersey Medical School .............................................................. 30 Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai ....................................................... 31 Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons ......................................... 32 School of Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University ................................ 33 Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth ........................................................... 34
4 University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Medical School ................................ 35 Touro College of Pharmacy ................................................................................ 36 Conference Evaluation...................................................................................... 37 Acknowledgements............................................................................................ 38
5 January 11th, 2024, Dear Conference Attendee: It is a pleasure to welcome you to the 2024 Annual Virtual Medical School Winter Symposium! The symposium offers pre-medical students from the Tri-State region the opportunity to engage with a cohort of peers and to receive guidance from medical school faculty and administrators from across the country. Throughout the day, students can also attend sessions to further their personal, academic, and professional development. As you forge ahead on the journey to academic excellence and professional success, we hope that you’ll take full advantage of this opportunity to establish new relationships and prepare for a career in medicine. The conference planning committee has worked diligently to organize sessions that we hope will be both informative and inspiring. We are excited to have you join us and thank you for attending the 2024 Annual Virtual Medical School Winter Symposium! Best wishes, Conference Planning Committee 2024 Annual Virtual Medical School Winter Symposium Columbia University Irving Medical Center
6 Conference Agenda 1/11/2024 | 10AM-3PM 10:00 AM – Welcome Remarks, by Dr. Monica Lypson 10:15 AM – Morning Keynote Address, by Dr. Syed Haider, NYU Brooklyn Department Surgery; NERA Alum 10:30 AM – Demystifying Admissions Panel Moderator: Simran Wahan Panelist: Dr. Will Turner (Columbia) Dr. Lynne Holden (Einstein) Dr. Gary Butts (Mt. Sinai) Mercedes Rivero (Rutgers) 11:30 AM – Q&A 11:45 AM – Break 12:00 PM Workshop Block 1 • The Heart of Your Application, Your Personal Statement, Presenter: Deya Luna 12:45 PM – Break 1:00 PM – Concurrent Workshop Block 2 *BREAKOUT ROOMS* • Wellness & Work-life Balance, Presenter: Shauna Frederick • Imposter Syndrome in the Healthcare Field, Presenter: Heather Butts • Medical School Admissions Workshop, Presenter: Keyauna Ramos • Importance of Internships & Extracurriculars, Presenter: Marcia Jackson 1:45 PM – Recruitment Fair • Manhattan-Staten Island Area Health Education Center (MSI AHEC) • Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine • Virtua Health College of Medicine & Life Sciences of Rowan University • John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health • Zucker School of Medicine of Hofstra Northwell • Rutgers NJ Medical School • Icahn Medical School at Mount Sinai • Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University • School of Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University • Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
7 • University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Medicine • Touro College of Pharmacy 2:50 PM – Closing Remarks 3:00 PM – Adjournment
8 Welcome Address PRESENTER: Dr. Monica Lypson 10:00 AM – 10:15 AM Dr. Lypson is currently the Vice Dean for Education at Columbia University's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Rolf H. Scholdager Professor of Medicine, at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. She went to that position after serving as Vice Chair of Medicine and Division Director of General Internal Medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences. Her work focuses on innovations and improvements in health professions education and assessment, health equity, workforce diversity, faculty development, medical care delivery, and provider communication skills. Dr. Lypson's prior role in government included serving as the Director for Medical and Dental Education for the Veterans Health Administration, where she oversaw undergraduate and graduate medical education across the nation within the Department of Veteran Affairs. She is a board-certified general internist with significant leadership experience in clinical, educational, and administrative arenas. Prior to this role, she served in many hospital leadership roles at the Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System, including Acting Chief of Staff. She also spent years in educational leadership roles at the University of Michigan Medical School where she served as Assistant Dean for Graduate Medical Education, Interim Associate Dean for Diversity and Career Development and Faculty Director of the Standardized Patient Program. She is a clinician educator and has published over 80 peer-reviewed publications in top-tier medical education journals in the areas of resident assessment, communication skills, cultural competency education, workforce diversity and faculty development. Dr. Lypson has served as National Secretary and President of the Society of General Internal Medicine. She has held many other national roles focused on health professions education, including with the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (Internal Medicine RRC, volunteer site visitor and
9 currently DEI Advisory Board), the Association of American Medical Colleges (Chair, Group on Resident Affairs), and the National Board of Medical Examiners. As a medical education leader in administrative, organizational and professional matters she also serves as an executive coach; she has mentored faculty, staff as well as peers in various specialties and administrative areas. After graduating from Saint Ignatius, Dr. Lypson graduated from Brown University and received her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. She completed her graduate medical training at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Internal Medicine - Primary Care. Subsequently, she went on to complete a Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars program at the University of Chicago and a Master’s in Health Professions Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has trained to be an executive coach; and was part of the fourth cohort of the Aspen Health Innovator program which is part of the Aspen Institute. As a strategic, visionary thinker, Dr. Lypson inspires all people, at all levels, to meet their goals and optimize their full potential. She is immensely committed to high-quality, cost-effective care for all. Dr. Lypson continues to strive for wellness and work life balance. She has written on the topic of physician marriages especially in academic medicine, and is the wife of Dr. Andrew D. Campbell, a pediatric hematologist oncologist, and a mother of two school aged children.
10 Opening Keynote PRESENTER: Syed Haider, MD 10:15 AM – 10:30 AM _______________________________ PRESENTER BIO_________________________________ Syed Farrukh Haider is a PGY-4 General Surgery resident at NYU Brooklyn General Surgery Residency Program. Syed was born and raised in Pakistan and immigrated to United States in 2007. He graduated from City College at University of New York in 2014 and received Doctor of Medicine from Icahn School of Medicine in 2019 with Distinction in Medical Education and Research. During his time in college, Syed cultivated strong interests in academic research and health disparities as Colin Powell Partners for Change fellow at Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership. As a medical student, he held several significant leadership roles in medical school, notably serving as the President of Icahn School of Medicine Student Body and was selected as the Mount Sinai-GLG Global Health Scholar, where he co-founded a Student Leadership Program within Mount Sinai Human Rights Program that provides educational, research, and advocacy opportunities for students interested in working with refugees, asylum seekers and survivors of torture. Syed was a part of NERA Medprep Program from 2010-2012 and served as a Teaching Assistant for the program in 2016-2017 at Mount Sinai. As a General Surgery resident, Syed has excelled in research with a strong focus on health disparities in access to Minimally Invasive Surgery. Syed aims to become an Endocrine Surgeon with a strong focus on Medical Education and healthcare Disparities.
11 Demystifying the Medical School Admissions Process MODERATOR: Simrankaur Wahan (Simran), MHA 10:30-11:45 AM _______________________________ MODERATOR BIO_______________________________ Simran Wahan, MHA serves as the Program Coordinator for the NERA Med Prep HCOP Academy and Summer Health Professions Education Program at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. In this role, she is responsible for managing undergraduate student recruitment and program initiatives. Born and brought up in New York City, Simran graduated in 2023 with a Master of Healthcare Administration degree from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University and she holds a bachelor's degree in biology and psychology from Columbia University. Panelists: Dr. Gary Butts, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Dr. Lynne Holden, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Dr. William Turner, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Mercedes Rivero, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
12 _______________________________ PANELIST BIO_________________________________ Dr. Gary Butts, MD Dr. Gary Butts is currently Executive Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Mount Sinai Health System. He is a visionary leader with more than 20 years’ experience in designing, developing and managing DEI programs and strategies in executive level academic healthcare. Since 2014, he has been Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the Mount Sinai Health System and Dean for Diversity Programs, Policy and Community Affairs for the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Butts has overseen the development of one of the nation’s (if not world’s) most comprehensive, full thickness and impactful DEI programs for a health care system. In these roles, Dr. Butts is responsible for oversight, management and integration of all aspects of diversity programs and policies for the Mount Sinai Health System to ensure diversity and inclusion as an integral core institutional value and resource across the health system, including the medical and graduate schools (over 3,800 faculty and 650 students), graduate medical education (nearly 3,000 trainees) and the Mount Sinai Health System hospitals (42,000+ employees). In 2019, he co-founded the Diversity Innovation Hub (DIH): A Mount Sinai Venture, which he directs. A first for a health care system, the DIH intentionally intersects priorities of diversity and inclusion with innovation and technology, addressing the lack of inclusion of women and people of color in the health innovation and technology space by expanding the diversity and capacity of entrepreneurs with tech and innovation pipelines targeting high school, college and medical students and resident trainees. Dr. Butts recently chaired the MSHS Task Force to Address Racism across the health system and is a key lead in advancing the Roadmap for Action to implement the recommended strategies. Dr. Butts completed his training in pediatrics at Mount Sinai Hospital after graduating from Cornell Medical College. He holds joint appointments as Professor with tenure in the Departments of Pediatrics, Medical Education, and Environmental Medicine/Public Health.
13 ______________________________ PANELIST BIO_________________________________ Dr. Lynne Holden, MD Lynne Holden, M.D., discusses the importance of mentoring and increasing the number of medical students from first-generation and immigrant backgrounds and groups underrepresented in medicine. Dr. Holden is a professor of emergency medicine and senior associate dean for diversity and inclusion at Einstein and an emergency medicine physician at Montefiore. Dr. Lynne Holden earned her B.S. in Zoology from Howard University, graduated from Temple University School of Medicine and completed her medical training in the Jacobi/Montefiore Emergency Medicine Residency Program where she was selected as a Chief Resident. She is a practicing Emergency Department Physician at the Montefiore Health System in the Bronx, NY, Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (the 5th African American female in the country) and Vice-Chair of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Since October 1, 2022, Dr. Holden serves as the Senior Associate Dean, Diversity and Inclusion at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She has also been selected to be a Director at the American Board of Emergency Medicine-the first African American female in the organization’s 46-year history. With over 27 years in the Einstein community, Dr. Holden has served as a Co-chair of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Admissions Committee (13 years), as an Introduction to Clinical Medicine Instructor (5 years) , Co-Director of the Emergency Medicine Interest Group (2 years) and in various residency leadership positions (Associate Residency Director, Site Director at Montefiore, Associate Site Director now Interviewing Team) in the Jacobi-Montefiore Emergency Medicine Residency Program which is one of the largest training programs in the country.
14 _______________________________ PANELIST BIO_________________________________ Dr. William C Turner, MD Dr. William C. Turner is a practicing hospitalist and Associate Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he completed his undergraduate studies in Black Studies and Biology at Amherst College and received his medical degree from Mount Sinai Medical School in New York City. After completing his residency and chief residency in internal medicine at NYP/Columbia in 2002 Dr. Turner joined the faculty of Columbia University's Vagelos School of Physicians and Surgeons where he is an Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Faculty Advisor for the Black and Latino Student Organization (BALSO) and has clinical and research interests in medical education and diversity in medicine.
15 _______________________________ PANELIST BIO_________________________________ Mercedes Rivero Mercedes Rivero is currently the Asst. Dean of Admissions as well as the Director, of the EOF Summer Medical Experience Scholars Program at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark, NJ. With over twenty-five years of experience in medical education and admissions, she has garnered extensive leadership experiences while honing her skills in academic and career advisement, crisis management, program development, fundraising, public relations, and strategic communication. Dean Rivero has accomplished this while remaining focused and resolute in her commitment to advancing efforts that increase educational opportunities for students from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds. In addition to her extensive experiences in medical school admissions, Dean Rivero serves on the US Senators Service Academy nomination committee and is also tasked with identifying and mentoring highly qualified NJ high school students who have the potential to shape the next generation of leaders. Dean Rivero was a founding member of the Northeast Diversity Collaborative (NEDC), an educational initiative led by medical education professionals aimed at increasing resources and support for underrepresented students through focused innovation and impact projects. She has also served in various regional and national leadership roles, through the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), including as Chair of the Northeast Group on Student Affairs and member of the Executive Steering Committee. She previously served as Chair of the UMDNJ Affirmative Action Advisory Council, on the Board of Advisors for the National Youth Leadership Forum and a member of the selection committee for the National Medical Fellowships Program. Through various leadership roles, her experiences have served to strengthen her advocacy on issues that are most significant for disadvantaged students. Her work has been impactful and garnered many accolades over the years. In 2019, Dean Rivero was named "Honorary Medical Alumnus", an award presented by the Alumni Association of the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Rivero is the proud Mother to two amazing daughters: one a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Air Force and the other, a 3rd year cadet at West Point, the United States Military Academy.
16 __________ Workshop Sessions __________ Wellness & Work-life balance PRESENTER: Shauna Frederick, LMSW 1:00-1:45 PM ___________________________SESSION DESCRIPTION_____________________________ Join this session to learn about how having a good work-life balance is essential to joining the medical field! _______________________________ PRESENTER BIO_________________________________ An Inpatient Med/Surg Social Worker at the Mount Sinai Hospital; Shauna is a Licensed Master Social Worker, who additionally holds an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education. An experience service provider in the fields of education, prevocational services, supported employment, skills building, healthcare, and more. Shauna has a demonstrated history of working in early childhood education, youth development, healthcare, and the non-profit organization industry. Prior to Social Work, her work was in Early College and Career Schools (also known as P-TECH Schools) under the NYC Department of Education supporting students for college and careers competitive in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) industries. In her transition to the Social Work field, she began as a Case Planner in a foster care prevention program, supporting families by focusing on pragmatic solutions to difficult situations that impact the safety of children.
17 Imposter Syndrome in the Healthcare Field PRESENTER: Heather Butts, JD 1:00 PM-1:45 PM ___________________________SESSION DESCRIPTION_____________________________ Imposter syndrome refers to the persistent inability to believe that one’s success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one’s own efforts or skills. Professor Butts will discuss how imposter syndrome shows up in healthcare settings and tips for managing imposter syndrome. _______________________________ PRESENTER BIO_________________________________ Heather M. Butts, JD Heather M. Butts received her B.A. from Princeton University. She was a history major, concentrating on American and African American Studies. She received her J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law, her Master’s in Public Health from Harvard University, and her Master’s in Education from Columbia University’s Teachers College. Professor Butts is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. In addition, she holds appointments as an Adjunct Professor in Health Law and Bioethics at St. John’s School of Law and Long Island University Post. Before teaching, she served as a regulatory specialist at Columbia University’s Medical Center Institutional Review Board (IRB). Her responsibilities included training and educational efforts of the Columbia University research community. Before that professional experience, she was a Senior Associate at Price Waterhouse Coopers, LLP in New York City. She performed compliance risk assessments on projects involving reviews of faculty group practices, policies, and procedures. Professor Butts is the co-founder of H.E.A.L.T.H for Youths, Inc., a nonprofit organization focusing on college readiness and preparation. Her organization partners with 53 programs yearly to help more than 4,000 students achieve their college dream. During COVID-19, her organization has worked on dozens of projects to help the community including turning little free libraries into food pantries, getting resources to underprivileged families; organizing several community gardening programs to get fresh produce to those in need. Her publications include: Alexander Thomas Augusta: Physician, Teacher and Human Rights Activist for the Journal of the National Medical Association, Personality and Policy Perception: What Responses are Seen as
18 Appropriate for COVID-19, Federal Agencies Continue Focus on Clinical Trial Oversight (co-author), Housing Bias and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder(co-author) and two books including African American Medicine in Washington, D.C.: Healing the Capital During the Civil War Era and Healing Civil War Veterans in New York and Washington, D.C.
19 The Heart of Your Application, Your Personal Statement PRESENTER: Deya Luna 12:00 PM-12:45 PM _____________________________SESSION DESCRIPTION______________________________ Much in the way the heart pumps blood through the human body, the personal statement animates the rest of your medical school application. An effective personal statement not only connects all the distinct components of your application, but also allows readers to imagine you, the applicant, as a specific, living, potential new student—not just a name on the page. In this session, we’ll discuss the role your statement plays in the broader context of your application. After we discuss the broader picture, we’ll zoom in and discuss the mechanics of personal statement writing—including strategies for effective narrative writing, the drafting and editing process, and making every word count. _______________________________ PRESENTER BIO_________________________________ Deya Luna Program Manager, Office of Student Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Deya Luna currently serves as Program Manager for the Office of Student Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S), where she leads student life and pre-health pathway program initiatives. Born and raised in rural California, Deya holds a degree in linguistics from Columbia University and is currently a Master of Fine Arts Candidate in the Graduate Writing Program at the Columbia University School of the Arts
20 Medical School Admissions Workshop PRESENTER: Keyauna Ramos 1:00 PM-1:45 PM ______________________________SESSION DESCRIPTION____________________________ This presentation will provide a brief overview of the admissions process including requirements, program tracks, and application deadlines. We will also discuss support programs, student life, housing, and more. _______________________________ PRESENTER BIO_________________________________ Keyauna Ramos Keyauna Ramos graduated from Ohio State University in May 2017 with a B.A. in Strategic Communications and a minor in Women's Studies. She started working at Columbia VP&S in July 2018 in the Office of Student Affairs, and really enjoyed supporting the medical students. In October 2020, Keyauna transitioned to work in the Office of Admissions as an Admissions & Recruitment Coordinator where she has been dedicated to increasing diversity at VP&S. She loves to travel, try new restaurants, and dance.
21 Importance of Internships & Extracurriculars PRESENTER: Marcia Jackson 1:00 PM-1:45 PM _______________________________ PRESENTER BIO_________________________________ Marcia W. Jackson Marcia W. Jackson serves as Program Manager for the Manhattan Staten Island Area Health Education Center (MSIAHEC). MSI AHEC is a nonprofit program centered on creating diversity in the health professions. MSIAHEC offers programs to students in high school to post-secondary education. As Program Manager Ms. Jackson manages curriculum development, program partnerships and student recruitment for clinical and community-based internships in New York City. In her current role, Ms. Jackson enjoys working with students to define their career goals and curating initiatives that provide students with the tools to become health advocates for their community. Ms. Jackson holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Hampton University. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family in Brooklyn, NY., cooking and enjoying movies along with her newfound hobby practicing Pilates.
22 _______Recruitment Fair______ PRESENTERS: Various Admissions and Program Representatives 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM BREAKOUT ROOM INSTITUTION QR CODE 1 Manhattan Staten Island Area Health Education Center (MSI AHEC) 2 Temple University of Podiatric Medicine 3 Virtua Health College of Medicine & Life Sciences of Rowan University 4 John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health 5 Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University 6 Rutgers NJ Medical School 7 Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai 8 Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons
23 9 School of Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University 10 Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth 11 University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Medicine 12 Touro College of Pharmacy
24 Manhattan-Staten Island Area Health Education Center (MSI AHEC) ___________________________PRESENTER BIO_____________________________ Marcia W. Jackson serves as Program Manager for the Manhattan Staten Island Area Health Education Center (MSIAHEC). MSI AHEC is a nonprofit program centered on creating diversity in the health professions. MSIAHEC offers programs to students in high school to post-secondary education. As Program Manager Ms. Jackson manages curriculum development, program partnerships and student recruitment for clinical and community-based internships in New York City. In her current role, Ms. Jackson enjoys working with students to define their career goals and curating initiatives that provide students with the tools to become health advocates for their community. Ms. Jackson holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Hampton University. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family in Brooklyn, NY., cooking and enjoying movies along with her newfound hobby practicing Pilates. ___________________________PROGRAM DESCRIPTION_____________________________ Located in the community of Harlem, the Manhattan‐Staten Island Area Health Education Center (MSI AHEC) provides health professions education, career exploration and exposure primarily for minority and economically disadvantaged high school and college students in pursuit of a career in health care.
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26 Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine Susan Huggins is excited to represent Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine (TUSPM) where she has been part of the Office of Student Affairs and Admissions for the past 17 years. Susan is originally from Indiana and earned her BA in American Studies from the University of Dayton (OH). Prior to TUSPM, Susan worked at Stony Brook University (NY) in residential life. Susan enjoys working with students and helping them explore how podiatric medicine is a wonderfully rewarding career option and that TUSPM provides great education and training to become a well-trained and patient focused clinical care provider.
27 Virtua Health College of Medicine & Life Sciences of Rowan University _ John Nwafor has been the Assistant Director, Recruitment & Outreach for Rowan-Virtua SOM since 2022. John graduated from Rider University and has been working in graduate admissions since 2013. Prior to Rowan, John held regional director roles at two international medical & veterinary programs. Throughout his career in admissions, he has focused on developing diversity, equity, and inclusion programming geared towards creating educational pathways for underserved student populations. John has designed scholarships, as well as worked with many US undergraduate institutions to develop articulation agreements & MOUs to build strong applicant pipeline programs for students of all backgrounds.
28 John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Lauren Black is passionate about higher education and social justice. For over 15 years she’s blended these passions through her work at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in different capacities including working with a scholar program and serving as the academic program administrator for six years in the Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health. Over the past eight years she’s dedicated her work to higher education through her role as the Assistant Director of Recruitment and Events in the Office of Student Affairs at the Bloomberg School and most recently as Director. Additionally, she serves on an affinity group in the local Baltimore area regarding the needs of first-generation college students and served as a mentor for the Girls Empowerment Mission supporting a high school student through the college application process. Lauren received a dual degree in Psychology and Mass Communications with a concentration in Strategic Planning from Towson University and holds a master’s in higher education from Goucher College.
29 Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra Northwell Dr. Rona Woldenberg is a Professor of Radiology and the Associate Dean for Admissions at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra Northwell. She heads the Neuroradiology section of the national radiology in training examination (DXIT) sponsored by the American College of Radiology. She is a senior member of the Rules Committee and a member of the Education Committee of the American Society of Neuroradiology. In 2007, Dr. Woldenberg became a fellow of the American College of Radiology. Dr. Woldenberg was associate program director for the diagnostic radiology residency at North Shore from 1996 through 2010. She is a past president of the Eastern Neuroradiological Society. Dr. Woldenberg served as Founding Editor and Editor-in-Chief of Case in Point, an online daily case presentation sponsored by the American College of Radiology (2005-2010). Dr. Woldenberg received her B.A. from Princeton University in 1983 where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She is an Alpha Omega Alpha graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (1987) and is a member of their Medical Alumni Advisory Council. After a medical internship at Winthrop University Hospital, she did her residency in Diagnostic Radiology, chief residency and fellowship in Neuroradiology all at the North Shore University Hospital.
30 Rutgers NJ Medical School Humberto Baquerizo, MBA, EdD is the Program Development Specialist, Office for Diversity and Community Engagement, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He is currently overseeing the Northeast Regional Alliance (NERA) MedPrep Program, and MiniMed Program (PreMedical Honors Program), he is a member of the Community Engagement Projects and ServiceLearning (CESL) Course at NJMS. He collaborates with the Office of Admissions for recruitment and engagement opportunities and supports the pathway scholars with academic advising, leadership development, service, and mentoring. Dr. Baquerizo has a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership from Caldwell University, an MBA from the University of Phoenix, and a BS in Engineering Science from NJIT. He also received a Philanthropic and Corporate Social Responsibility certificate from Institute for Ethical Leadership, Rutgers Business School. He is an author; his story is part of the book "Hispanic Star Rising," a collection of 100 Latino stories to inspire you not to give up. His research interest includes: Student Success, Grit, Resilience, Social Determinants of Health, and Diversity in STEM.
31 Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Jessica Maysonet graduated from LaGuardia HS of the Arts in NYC, received her Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Purchase and has a Graduate Certificate in Management from CUNY School of Professional Studies. She has been in Admissions at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai for almost two decades and has played a major role in the implementation of the online admissions system as well as coordination of the admissions processes for both the Medical and Graduate Schools. Throughout her time in Admissions, she has worked with the Center for Multicultural and Community Affairs to increase diversity in medical schools. Originally from East Harlem, Jessica grew up and currently lives in the Bronx with her partner and two children. Matthew Hersey is from Massachusetts and received a bachelor's in journalism from Northeastern University. Matt joined Mount Sinai after having worked for two years for the Biomedical Science Careers Program at Harvard Medical School. He now lives in Brooklyn, has recently joined the MSTP Administration as MSTP Coordinator and is excited to support the next generation of MD-PhDs.
32 Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons Keyauna Ramos graduated from Ohio State University in May 2017 with a B.A. in Strategic Communications and a minor in Women's Studies. She started working at Columbia VP&S in July 2018 in the Office of Student Affairs, and really enjoyed supporting the medical students. In October 2020, Keyauna transitioned to work in the Office of Admissions as an Admissions & Recruitment Coordinator where she has been dedicated to increasing diversity at VP&S. She loves to travel, try new restaurants, and dance.
33 School of Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University Natalia O’Brien is the Student Outreach Coordinator for the School of Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University. With over 10 years of experience in a higher education environment, she is heavily focused on student success and program outcomes. Mrs. O’Brien facilitates the effective management of all aspects of the program from promotion and recruitment to logistics involved in execution and assessment. She is also a resource for potential applicants, helping them navigate the process of applying to our medical school and offering guidance on how to be the best candidate they can be.
34 Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth Aileen Panitz is the Admissions Director at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. She has worked at Geisel for eleven years and in the admissions field for twenty years. Her favorite things about Geisel are the incredible people – students, faculty and staff who create a tight knit, collaborative community along with the school’s commitment to quality improvement across all endeavors.
35 University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Medical School Michael A. Burgos – Assistant Manager Office of Admissions and Recruitment UMKC School of Medicine. With a decade of experience in teaching, advising, and recruiting, my role is to oversee all recruitment efforts for UMKC’s School of Medicine. Programs that I lead for areas of recruitment include our nationally recognized 6-year B.A./M.D. program and at the graduate level, our M.D., PA, and MSA programs.
36 Touro College of Pharmacy Rekha Kurikoti has an M.S. in Education from Adelphi University and a B.A. in Education from Boston College. She comes to TCOP from our sister school, the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, where she was the Assistant Director of Enrollment Management 2018- 2021. She has also worked in customer relations in the health and nutrition industry and as a Senior Recruiter for the Disney ABC Television Group. In her new position her responsibilities will include representing the College at career and pre-health fairs, info sessions and prospective student meetings; disseminating information about the College to prospective students, applicants, their family members and others; maintaining admissions files and communicating with applicants during the admissions process; recruiting and training Student Ambassadors; working with team members on social media and other information campaigns; and supporting the Assistant Dean for Admissions in preparing and updating admission materials, publications, web sites and related data. Rekha will serve on the Admissions Committee as a liaison for her department. She has an M.S. in Education from Adelphi University and a B.A. in Education from Boston College.
37 Conference Evaluation Thank you for your participation in the 2023 Virtual Medical School Winter Symposium. We hope that the resources provided will be beneficial to you as you continue on your journey to medical school. Please take a moment to share feedback with us about your conference experience by accessing the Qualtrics survey using the QR code below.
38 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The NERA Alliance wishes to extend gratitude to Columbia University Irving Medical Center and all featured guests for their support in ensuring the seamless execution of the 2024 Virtual Medical School Winter Symposium. Special thanks to all conference volunteers and presenters for their collaboration.