2020 Medical School Winter Symposium

2020 Medical School Winter Symposium

"Demystifing the Admissions Process for Students
Underrepresented in the Health Professions"

Thursday, January 16, 2020
9 AM – 5 PM

Columbia University Irving Medical Center
104 Haven Ave

New York, NY 10032

Sponsored
By:

Table of Contents

2020 Medical School Winter Symposium Program Schedule …………………………………………2
Welcome Keynote Address/Speaker ………...………………………………………………………....4
Northeast Diversity Collaboration Panelist
“Demystifying the Admissions Process” …………………………….………………………..…….... 5
Pre-Health Recruitment Fair Exhibitor List…………………………………………………………….8
Research Poster Presentation Presenters …………………………………………………..…………..9
Breakout Workshop Leaders & VP&S Student Panelist
“Kaplan MCAT Review” ………………………………………………………………………………11
“Medical School Mock Interviews”………………………………………………..............……….12-13
“The Transition from Pre-Med to Med Student” ………………………………………………......12-13

Medical School Winter Symposium Schedule

CHECK-IN: 9:00 AM
[VEC 404/405]
WELCOME: 9:30 AM – 9:35 AM
[VEC 401]
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: 9:35 AM – 10:00 AM
[VEC 401]:
Hasani Swindell, MD (PGY-4)
New York Presbyterian Hospital, CUIMC
PANEL PRESENTATION I: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
[VEC 401]
“Demystifying the Admissions Process”
Northeast Diversity Collaboration Panel
PANELISTS:
Nilda I. Soto, MS Ed Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Gary C. Butts, MD Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Elizabeth A. Wilson-Anstey, EdD, MA Weill Cornell Medical College
Hilda Hutcherson, MD, MS Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia
Mercedes Rivero, MS Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

RECRUITMENT FAIR: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
[VEC 404/405]
POSTER PRESENTATIONS: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
[10th Floor Space]
LUNCH: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
[Lobby]

2

Option 1[Concurrent Workshops-Please choose one]: 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM

Option 2 “Kaplan MCAT Review”
[Room 401]
Option 3 Facilitator:
Jeffrey Koetje, MD
Director, Kaplan Partner Solutions
Kaplan Test Prep

“Medical School Mock Interviews”
Reserved for students who are currently in application cycle ONLY
[Rooms 701A, 701B,901A, 901B]:

INTERVIEWERS:
Denice Arnold ‘23
Mychael Delgardo ‘23
Ahmed Owda ‘21
Ogo Okolo ‘23
Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia

“OD IS NOT THE WAY TO BE”: Opioid & NARCAN Training
[Room 902/903]
Facilitator:
Jose Rios
Overdose Prevention Coordinator, Housing Works

PANEL PRESENTATION II: 3:30 PM – 4:25 PM
[VEC 401]
“The Transition from Pre-Med to Med Student”

PANELISTS:
Mychael Delgardo ‘23
Alaní Estrella ‘23
Ahmed Owda ‘21
Ogo Okolo ‘23
Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia

CLOSING: 4:25 PM – 4:30 PM
[VEC 401]

*Program Subject to Change

3

Meet the Keynote Speaker

Keynote:
Hasani Swindell, MD
PGY-4, Orthopedic Surgeon
New York Presbyterian Hospital | Columbia University Irving Medical Center

A native of Southfield, Michigan, Hasani Swindell grew up as an avid fan of
athletics, which ultimately sparked his interests into medicine and a future
career in orthopedics. Athletics are what initially opened his eyes to the delicate
interplay between injury and the ability to restore function and improve a
patient’s quality of life through surgery. He attended the University of
Pittsburgh where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences and a minor in
Sociology. While at the University of Pittsburgh, he cultivated his interests in medical education as he served
as President of the Pre-Medical Organization for Minority Students (POMS) where he organized shadowing,
skills sessions and mentorship opportunities between medical professionals and undergraduate students.
Additionally, at Pitt, he performed sports-related concussion research at the UPMC Center for Sports
Medicine.
After his undergraduate training, he attended Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
where he obtained his medical degree and started his Orthopedic Surgery residency at New York
Presbyterian – Columbia University Medical Center. He is currently a 4th year resident at Columbia and has
authored several peer-reviewed publications during his time at Columbia. He also served as a resident
member of several national organizations including the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
(AAOS), American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), Arthroscopy Association of North
America (AANA) and the J. Robert Gladden Orthopedic Society (JRGOS), an organization geared towards
promoting mentorship and involvement of minorities in orthopedics.

He is currently pursuing a fellowship in Orthopedic Sports Medicine and is passionate about increasing the
representation and exposure of minority students within the field of orthopedics. In his free time, he enjoys
watching and playing basketball, film and traveling the country whenever he’s not working.

4

Meet the “Northeast Diversity Collaboration” Panel

Panelist:
Nilda I. Soto, MS Ed
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Assistant Dean Office of Diversity Enhancement

A native of the Bronx, Ms. Soto has been a member of Einstein's administration
since 1990. In her role as assistant dean of diversity enhancement, Ms. Soto
administers and supervises minority student activities at the medical school, and
is involved in the recruitment, admission, and retention of individuals underrepresented in medicine. She
serves as director of both the Einstein Enrichment Program and the Diversity Student Summer Research
Opportunity Program. Ms. Soto received her Bachelors and Masters degrees from Fordham University.

Panelist:
Gary C. Butts, MD
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the Mount Sinai Health System
Senior Associate Dean for Diversity Programs, Policy and Community Affairs

Gary C. Butts, MD is responsible for oversight, management and
integration of all aspects of programs and policies to advance diversity and
inclusion for the Mount Sinai Health System, including the medical school. He
holds joint appointments as Professor with tenure in the Departments of Pediatrics, Medical Education, and
Environmental Medicine/Public Health. Under his tenure, the medical school and health system have been
recognized annually by Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED), the Human Rights Campaign for
LGBTQ inclusion and quality care and by DiversityInc for the Top 10 Hospitals and Health Systems for 4
consecutive years, achieving #1 ranking in 2017 and 2018. He has been acknowledged for leadership and
service by the National Medical Association, the National Medical Fellowships, and the Association of
American Medical Colleges. In 2015 he was awarded the Mount Sinai Jacobi Medallion and in 2016, he was
elected to the AOA Medical Honors Society.

5

Panelist:
Hilda Hutcherson, MD, MS
Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons | Senior Associate Dean
Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs | Professor Obstetrics & Gynecology

Dr. Hilda Hutcherson received her undergraduate degree from Stanford
University and her medical degree from Harvard Medical School. She
completed a medicine internship at the University of California in San
Francisco, and her residency in obstetrics and gynecology from Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
Since completing her residency, she has held numerous positions and served on countless committees and
boards. She is presently a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Senior Associate Dean for
Diversity and Minority Affairs at Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Panelist:
Mercedes Rivero, MS
Asst. Dean for Admissions
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

Mercedes Rivero is the Asst. Dean for Admissions at Rutgers New Jersey
Medical School. With over twenty years of experience in Undergraduate Medical Education, she is
committed to contributing to efforts that increase educational opportunities for students from disadvantaged
and underrepresented backgrounds. Dean Rivero has served in various leadership roles, at a regional and
national level, through the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). However, she is particularly
proud to be amongst great colleagues as a founding member of the Northeast Diversity Collaborative
(NEDC). There is a culture of caring and compassion that permeates the NEDC, an educational initiative led
by a small group of medical education professionals aimed at increasing resources and support for
disadvantaged students.
Dean Rivero was born and raised in Queens, NY and raised by a single Mother. She attended the public
school system in NY and went on to complete her undergraduate studies in Health and Human Services at
Syracuse University. As a product of New York State’s Higher Educational Opportunity Program (HEOP),
she appreciates the importance of creating opportunities and is passionate about encouraging the next
generation of collaborative, thoughtful, compassionate and humanistic physicians. Dean Rivero holds a
master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Drexel University.

6

Panelist:
Elizabeth A. Wilson-Anstey, EdD, MA

Elizabeth Wilson-Anstey, Ed.D. is the Assistant Dean of Diversity and Student
Life at the Weill Cornell Medicine. She assumed the title of Assistant Dean in
2003. Dr. Wilson-Anstey collaborates with Deans of the medical college to ensure
and enhance the recruitment of a diverse student body. She advises premedical
students nationally as they prepare to apply for medical school admission.
Dr. Wilson-Anstey is the director of the Travelers Summer Research Fellowship
Program for Premedical Students at Weill Cornell. She is a member of the Diversity Council, the Community
Service Advisory Board, and the Weill Cornell Medicine Community Advisory Board. In addition, Dr.
Wilson-Anstey is a member of the Committee on Diversity and Multicultural Affairs of the Associated
Medical Schools of New York.
Dr. Wilson-Anstey has received many honors for her work advancing diversity in medical education. Weill
Cornell awarded Dr. Wilson-Anstey with the Pioneers in Diversity, Administrative Staff Award for
extraordinary service, mentorship, and commitment to students at Weill Cornell and throughout New York
City. She also received the Excellence in Community Empowerment award from MAChO, a community
service organization at Weill Cornell Medical College. The University of Guyana Medical Students
Association has named Dr. Wilson-Anstey an Honorary President ex-officio of the Medical Students
Association Award for her years of contribution to the University of Guyana School of Medicine. In 2017,
Dr. Wilson Anstey was inducted into the Hunter College Alumni Association Hall of Fame in recognition
of outstanding achievement. In 2018, Dr. Wilson-Anstey received the Outstanding Citizenship Hall of Fame
Award from MIPO, Making the Impossible Possible. On April 7th 2019, she was the recipient of a Woman
of Distinction Award from the New York State Assembly. During Diversity Week at Weill Cornell
Medicine, a lecture in Dr. Wilson-Anstey’s name will be held annually in recognition of her outstanding
contribution to the Travelers Summer Research Fellowship Program and for her inspiring commitment to
diversity at Weill Cornell.
Dr. Wilson-Anstey was born in Guyana, South America, and moved to the United States in 1968. She
attended the City University of New York, Hunter College, majored in Psychology, and graduated Magna
Cum Laude in 1993. She completed her Master’s Degree in Higher Education at the New York University
School of Education in 1999. In 2016, she completed her Ed.D. in Executive Leadership at St. John Fisher
College. Dr. Wilson-Anstey pursued her research in the “Effectiveness of the Travelers Summer Research
Fellowship Program in Preparing Premedical Students for a Career in Medicine”.

7

`Recruitment Fair Programs and Institutions

Genetic Counseling Graduate Program
Columbia, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons

Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

Manhattan Staten Island
Area Health Education Center (MSI AHEC)

NERA MedPrep HCOP Academy
Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP)

Summer Public Health Scholars Program (SPHSP)
Gerald E. Thompson Undergraduate Pre-medical Program (GET-UPP)

Columbia, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons

Kaplan Test Prep

Institute of Human Nutrition
Columbia, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons

Weill Cornell Medical College

Postbaccalaureate Programs
Columbia University School of Professional Studies

8

Research Poster Presentation

Presenter: Samantha Verdugo
Home Institution: Hunter College
Expected Graduation: May 2021

Research Title: Food Insecurity in Washington Heights/Inwood: A Public Health Solution

Project Abstract:

Social determinants of health include the social, political, and economic disadvantages that prevent
marginalized people from receiving adequate health care; understanding these determinants can better
inform the work of physicians. One example of a determinant is food insecurity: the limited or uncertain
access of obtaining food, or in some cases, hunger. Food insecurity is an issue that affects the predominantly
Hispanic, immigrant community of Washington Heights/Inwood in Northern Manhattan. 35% of
Washington Heights/Inwood residents receive assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP) or the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC),
which are food assistance programs for low-income individuals. Recently, national enrollment in these
programs have been declining. Currently, there is no data that tabulates the number of patients on SNAP
and/or WIC at New York-Presbytarian (NYP) clinics. NYP community initiatives such as the pediatrics
initiative (ANCHOR-WALLE) and CHALK (Choosing Healthy & Active Lifestyles for Kids) are working
to understand and close the gap between SNAP and/or WIC patients who are enrolled and those who are
eligible but not enrolled in these programs within Washington Heights/Inwood. The enrollment in these
food programs may be declining due to the arduous application process and the Trump administration’s
proposed public charge rule. The latter would persecute immigrants who receive SNAP benefits. Tracking
patients who have screened positive for food insecurity would help identify populations who are eligible
but not enrolled and would help community initiatives, as well as physicians, provide short term and
long term solutions for patients. A literature review was conducted utilizing government articles, PubMed,
and Hunter College Food Policy Center articles from June 2017 to July 2019 and assessed to identify the
decline in SNAP and/or WIC enrollment. Qualtrics surveys were also used to track this decline. Our
literature review suggests that a decrease in SNAP and/or WIC enrollment is due to the long and time-
consuming application process, which can deter patients with competing priorities from applying. In
addition, the proposed public charge rule is instilling fear within the immigrant community; immigrants
don’t enroll in SNAP out of fear of potentially revealing their immigration status, regardless if they’re
eligible or not. This demonstrates the trickle-down effect discriminatory ideals can have on SNAP
enrollment. Tracking enrollment in these programs helps doctors determine which patients need additional
nutritional support, which can affect their overall health. Preliminary studies suggest on-site
SNAP and/or WIC enrollment in clinics could help close the gap between eligible, unenrolled
patients and enrolled patients, by providing application assistance on-site.

9

Research Poster Presentation

Presenter: Harrison Chiu
Home Institution: Rutgers University
Expected Graduation:
Research Title: Demographics of Gun Violence in New Jersey
Project Abstract: May 2021
On average, 100 gun-related deaths occur every day in the United States (suicide, homicide).
Nationally, minorities are disproportionately affected by gun violence as victims.
Housing, financial, and social instability [including intimate partner violence (IPV)] are associated with higher
gun-related death rates in major metropolitan areas.
Gun-related injury deaths continue to threaten public health in NJ, particularly in urban cities.
Secondary and tertiary intervention strategies (including community support and legal methods) decreased
gun violence and gun-related death in Massachusetts.
Operationalization of public health strategies requires research and understanding of affected populations.

10

Meet the “Kaplan MCAT Review” Facilitator

Jeff Koetje, M.D.
Director of Business and Strategy for Pre-Health Programs
Kaplan Test Prep
Jeff Koetje, M.D., a graduate of Northwestern University Feinberg School of
Medicine, is currently Director of Business and Strategy for Pre-Health
Programs in Kaplan Test Prep’s national office, where he has also served as
a director of Kaplan Partner Solutions, a higher education consulting team
within Kaplan Test Prep, which supports diversity, enrichment, and education equity programs. Since
discovering that his interests were less related to clinical medicine or biomedical research, and more related to
the systems of education through which future professionals are developed, he has worked in various capacities
in the "interstitia" of formal education. In 2012 – 2016, Dr. Koetje served as Director of Education and
Experiences for the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), in which capacity he developed national
programming and educational opportunities related to the social mission of medical education. Dr. Koetje is
motivated in his personal and professional life by a deep commitment to anti-racist, intersectional feminist, and
queer advocacy for structural transformation in the (pre/medical) educational context.

11

Meet the Mock Interview Workshop Leaders &
The Transition to Med School Panelists

Ahmed Owda
Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons

MD Candidate, Class of 2021
Mock Interview Leader & Transition to Med School Panelist

My name is Ahmed Owda and I’m currently a 3rd year medical student at
Columbia VP&S. Originally of Sudanese origin, I was born overseas and moved
around a bit before my family settled in mid-Michigan. I attended the University
of Michigan where I majored in Neuroscience and minored in African Studies. During my time at
undergraduate, I was involved in a handful of organizations in the Black community and also spent time
tutoring and mentoring younger students alongside conducting workshops at a nearby juvenile center. After
graduating in 2017, I started at Columbia the following summer with the Class of 2021. I’m still undecided
on specialty but considering anesthesiology or ophthalmology – long term I plan to get involved in global
health, specifically in Sudan.

Alani Estrella
Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
MD Candidate, Class of 2023
Transition to Med School Panelist
Alaní Estrella grew up in Lafayette, Colorado and studied biochemistry at the
University of Oregon. After graduating, he researched the genetics of lung
disease at the University of Colorado for three years. Working with doctors in
the lab inspired Alaní to shadow them at the hospital and to interpret for
Spanish-speaking patients at a free clinic. Now as a first-year medical student, Alaní is currently interested in
palliative and end-of-life care. Ask him about art in medicine!

12

Mychael Delgardo
Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons

MD Candidate, Class of 2023
Mock Interview Leader & Transition to Med School Panelist

My name is Mychael Delgardo, a first-year medical student here at Columbia
VP&S! I am originally from Inglewood, a small community within Los Angeles,
California. I spent my entire life, Cali, until moving to New Orleans to attend
Xavier University of Louisiana, a small Historically Black University. I am straight through student (showing
it is possible to do senior year in college and interview season at the same time) and therefore did not take any
gap years. A few facts notable facts about me: I am the first-year class president, I have multiple publications
in cancer biology, and I am interested in pursuing a career in neurosurgery.

Ogo Okolo
Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
MD Candidate, Class of 2023
Mock Interview Leader & Transition to Med School Panelist

My name is Ogo, and I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. I graduated
from Case Western Reserve University in 2018, and received a bachelor's
degree in Biology. Before coming to Columbia, I spent my gap year conducting full-time research at the
National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. At the NIH, I investigated novel treatments targeting
developmental growth disorders. I am currently a first-year medical student which interests in Cardiology. I
like to stay active in my free time (basketball, running, lifting), as well as exploring the city with my friends
and family!

Denice Arnold
Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons

MD Candidate, Class of 2023
Mock Interview Leader

My full name is Denice Marie Arnold, I was born in Denver, CO, and I am
ethnically half Belizean, half Guamanian. Where I’m from is a difficult question to
answer because I have moved all across the United States, but my parents are
currently living in Atlanta, GA, so that is where I call home. I went to the University of Pennsylvania for my
undergraduate studies and majored in Neuroscience. In 2018, I graduated and spent my gap year traveling
and teaching (both in Atlanta and in China!). I am now attending Columbia University for medical school
and will hopefully graduate in 2023 with an MD on track to becoming either an obstetrician/gynecologist or
a pediatrician. I have only just started my journey in medicine, but I am excited for all that is to come!

13

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Presenters, Volunteers, Recruiters, and Administration:
Thank you for your time and participation as well as
your help in ensuring the seamless execution of the
2020 Medical School Winter Symposium.

To all attendees:
Thank you for joining us. We hope that the knowledge
you have gained will help you to successfully prepare

for medical school. Moreover, we wish you much
success in your future endeavors.

2020 Medical School Winter Symposium Planning Committee

Hilda Hutcherson, MD, MS
Samantha McLaughlin, MA

Marcus Howard, MPH
Ashley Boyce
Deya Luna