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A New "Coat of Arms" for First-Year Students

By Laura Sestokas, M2

Students from the Class of 2014 were welcomed into the medical profession by donning their white coats and reciting the Declaration of Geneva for the first time.

Putting on a white coat for the first time holds immense meaning for medical students.

The white coat is a symbol of the medical profession; it is a symbol of a lifelong commitment to healing; it is a symbol of immense responsibility.

By donning the white coat, medical students are welcomed into the medical profession. At the same time, they are accepting the challenges and the responsibilities that this symbol represents.

On the day that I received my white coat one year ago, I experienced two overwhelming emotions. I was excited—to finally begin the path of becoming a physician, and to be accompanied by my fellow classmates, who I knew would be integral companions on my journey. I also felt tremendously humbled by the privilege of being able to care for the sick, and humbled by the expectations that I would need to meet in order to do it well.

In August of this year, my fellow second-year students and I attended another White Coat Ceremony. This time, we sat next to our "little siblings" in the incoming first-year class and watched their fluttering mix of emotions as they waited for us to help them slip into their own white coats. The first years were excited, they were nervous, they were proud—just like we were one year earlier. Their energy was invigorating.

This year's ceremony was also important to members of the second-year class, albeit for different reasons. The ceremony gave us pause; a time to reflect on how we had been transformed by our individual and collective medical school experiences over the course of our first year. It gave us time to think about how we were forever changed by our first days in the anatomy lab, by our first encounters with patients in the clinical setting, and by the first time we put on the white coat.

In his welcome speech to the incoming class, Bruce Henschen, a third-year medical student and president of Student Senate, reflected that while learning about disease from books, lectures, and research articles during the first two years of medical school, students can become detached from the human side of medicine. In learning about disease, Bruce encouraged us to consider our future patients, who are "real human beings ...[whose diseases are] wrapped up in their social context, genetics, childhood and adult experiences, complex choices, the opportunities given to them, and the policies that influence their circumstances."

In the midst of learning how the body should work and the overwhelmingly many ways in which it can fail, the second years were reminded to think about the people we are learning for.

At the end of the ceremony, we stood to recite the Oath of Geneva—the first years for the first time, the second years for the second—making important pledges to ourselves and others as members of the medical profession.

The sense of excitement and humility I felt on Day One of medical school returns every time I put on my white coat.

Transitioning from Classroom to Clinical

By Nitin Yerram, M3

Third-year medical students went through a week-long Introduction to Clinical Clerkships, where they practiced emergency skills like giving inoculations before they began their clerkship experiences.

With two years of traditional "book learning" in the rear view mirror, the start of clinical rotations is daunting for any student. Fortunately, Feinberg provides us with a significant transition from the first two years of medical school to the next two years of our lives with a week of orientation. The ICC week – Introduction to Clinical Clerkships – was developed to provide a foundation to start our third year of medical school. From lectures on how to write a history and physical from scratch, quick tips on the electronic medical record system at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, to being recertified in CPR, the week was filled with informative details that we will continue to build upon in the years to come.

However busy the week was, it was hard not to face the fact that medical school was moving faster than any of us anticipated. It seemed like just yesterday we were sitting in the first day of our M1 orientation week, most of us recent college graduates eager to jump in to medical school. In addition to laying the foundation for our clinical clerkships, ICC provided some reflection on how we have progressed toward our goal of becoming a doctor. With a strong emphasis on being humanistic, some of us contemplated on how two years have provided us with experiences – some personally challenging and some academically challenging – that would teach us those intangible qualities to make us good physicians.

The week ended with a similar ritual we experienced during our M1 year – a white coat ceremony. Although this time, we received a white coat with our name embroidered in purple, a sign that we have started a new phase in our education. The event celebrated our completion of two years of schooling, with two more years to come. However, the most important function of this rite of passage was not just the acknowledgement of our accomplishments, but to remind us that it takes more than a degree to become a doctor.

Class of 2014 "Retreat" Together

By Bennett Butler, M1

First-year students got the chance to know one another during the Breakaway Retreat as part of Orientation Week in August. The Class was divided into color-coded groups and worked together to complete a number of tasks.

On a sunny Tuesday in September, our incoming class of 2014 kicked off Orientation Week right with a trip to Iron Oaks for our` Breakaway Retreat. Five groups, stylishly color-coded, went head to head in non-competitive team-building exercises. The forest served as the perfect backdrop for activities like swinging from trees towards hula-hoops, walking across balance beams, and sharing intimate details about our personal lives with each other. For those groups brave enough to face the challege, Iron Oaks offered a 14 foot sheer wall which could only be scaled with the help of your teammates (or the ladder behind it). One by one, we stood at the wall's base and allowed our classmates to shimmy onto our legs, then shoulders and finally up and over the wall itself. More than a few knees were skinned, and I'd be lying if I said that everyone approached the wall enthusiastically, but when each person had safely reached the top and the proverbial dust had settled, the sense of accomplishment was almost tangible.

The med school class which arrived at Lurie later that afternoon was closer than the one that had left for Iron Oaks in the morning. Each of us had let our guard down, done something risky and, as a result, had made at least a few new friends. Moving forward into the next four years of medical school, it's nice to know that our class can band together to overcome the obstacles put in front of us, and have a good time in the process. Maybe it's too early to declare ourselves the greatest class in Feinberg history, but if Iron Oaks was any indication, our future is bright. Heads up Northwestern, the class of 2014 is here!

Students Thank Scholarship Donors

By Kelly Walker, M2

Scholarship recipients showed their appreciation to their generous benefactors during a Scholarship Brunch at the end of Alumni Weekend in April 2010.

It was quite exciting – and intimidating – to sit next to Janice Feinberg during the Scholarship Brunch last spring; even more nerve-racking than my impending remarks to the attendees about my scholarship. That nervousness lasted only a few moments, because soon Mrs. Feinberg and I were exchanging impressions of California and favorite restaurants. It's interesting to look back over a short year and see what a surprising journey it's been.

I was told to treat medical school interviews like a first date to find a perfect match, something that was echoed in my interview with Dean Thomas. And Feinberg was love at first sight. I loved the city, I loved the snow and the 9-degree December day, I loved the student involvement in the curriculum, and I especially loved the opportunities to expand on my medical education. I would have come here without a scholarship, but I sure appreciate everything I've been offered. When I got my acceptance I screamed, laughed, almost drove off the road, and called my parents, to which my step-dad's response was, "We're real proud of you, but you know we'd be proud of you if you were working at Target."

A couple of months later I received about the best news since getting my acceptance ... . I was sifting through some e-mails when I came across this message, "Dear Kelly, You have been awarded the Medical Alumni Scholarship for each of your years at Feinberg."

That must be what it feels like to win the lottery. This scholarship has meant so much to me. It not only has taken the financial load off my shoulders, it has given me freedom to focus on academics and extracurriculars. Instead of working, I can volunteer at clinics, lead student groups, pursue a social life, (yes, believe it or not) and engage in opportunities I never would have thought possible.

I tried to put this appreciation into words as best I could, but in the end I just had to sit back, relax, and hope that Mrs. Feinberg could see what a difference she had made in my life, and hopefully, what I had to offer Northwestern. Although I don't know exactly which road medicine will lead me down, I know that the support of the Feinberg community, including scholarships, mentors, and the opportunities for personal development, will help me exceed expectations for the physician that I am to become. Without the generous support of our donors, students like me would not have the ability to pursue the dreams, desires, and even digressions from medicine that will make us into great physicians.

These sentiments were echoed throughout the day as other recipients met their donors and conveyed thanks for the great opportunities we are being given.

Senate Serves as Liaison for the Student Body

By Katie Costello, Feinberg staff

The Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Student Senate represents the student body in their interactions with each other, the university, medical school faculty and deans, and hospital administration. The senate also organizes and funds educational and social activities on behalf of their peers.

The senate is comprised of four class presidents, as well as a representative from each of the 16 colleges. Colleges break each class into four groups and are named in honor of their faculty mentors. The societies — Mary Thompson, Howard Ricketts, T.K. Lawless, and John A.D. Cooper — are an extension of the colleges and are named in honor of four historic graduates of the medical school. Much of the activities and volunteer work organized through the colleges and societies are accomplished by means of the senate.

At the end of the academic year, the voting members of the senate — four college representatives from each class, all class presidents, and a representative from the Medical Scientist Training Program — hold an election to determine which seven students will serve as officers for the Executive Board and committee chairs for the coming academic year.

Here's a look at the 2010-2011 Student Senate Executive Board and Committee Chairs:

Bruce Henschen Class of 2012	President: Bruce Henschen, Class of 2012 Bruce Henschen, a member of the Macken College and Ricketts Society and former Executive Board secretary, is pursuing a combined Doctor of Medicine/Master of Public Health degree. As president, his central duties are to develop a vision for the senate's future, report to and work with the school administration, and to speak on behalf of the student body at various annual engagements such as Founders' Day and alumni meetings. Henschen says he's excited to work with the deans and the senate to make the medical school more effective and student-centered. "I think we as a senate are best positioned to listen to students' concerns and to enact solutions that address them," Henschen says. "We are able to promote changes that benefit students, as well as provide valuable input into Feinberg's vision for the future."
Laura Sestokas Class of 2013	Vice President: Laura Sestokas, Class of 2013 Laura Sestokas, a member of the Baumgartner College and Thompson Society, is pursuing a Doctor of Medicine degree. Formerly a member of the Campus Affairs Committee, Sestokas helped organize the Feinberg Formal and assisted in some of the Alumni Weekend events. She has also been involved in releasing the Friends of Feinberg e-newsletter, a publication for friends and family members of current students, as well as recent alumni, and acting as a counselor at Camp Wildcat. In the year ahead, she will act as co-producer of In Vivo, Feinberg's student-run sketch comedy show. As vice president, Sestokas will be responsible for the organizational aspects of the senate, namely, organizing meetings and making sure that ongoing senate projects are being completed in a timely fashion. "I hope to help the societies find a prominent place in the Feinberg culture," Sestokas says. "I believe that young students benefit tremendously from the experience and advice of their elder colleagues; societies will be an invaluable tradition that will help make this possible."
Kruitika Lakhoo Class of 2013	Treasurer:  Krutika Lakhoo, Class of 2013 Krutika Lakhoo, a member of the Nevin College and Cooper Society, is pursuing a Doctor of Medicine degree. During her M1 year, Lakhoo was involved in various student organizations. She was the minority Health Commitee Chair for the American Medical Students Association (AMSA) where she helped organize a health fair for an underserved community. She also serves on the South Asian Medical Students Association and started the new Cardiovascular Health Society Student group as an interest group for those looking to go into fields in Cardiology. As treasurer for the Executive Board, Lakhoo will be in charge of managing the senate’s finances. "I hope that I will be able to properly allocate funds so that student groups can put on the various amazing events that they do!"
Leah Ansell Class of 2013	Secretary:  Leah Ansell, Class of 2013 Leah Ansell, a member of the Martin College and Ricketts Society, is pursuing a Doctor of Medicine degree.  As secretary, Ansell will be responsible for taking minutes and meetings and updating the senate web site to ensure that everyone remains informed of senate activities. Additionally, she is responsible for monitoring and updating all of the class e-mail lists.
Darren Boyd Class of 2011	Academic Affairs Committee Chair: Darren Boyd, Class of 2011 Darren Boyd, a member of the Garfield College and Lawless Society, is pursuing a Doctor of Medicine degree. He is the outgoing Executive Board president and serves as the standing president for the Class of 2011. As president during the 2009-2010 school year, Boyd was heavily involved in senate activities like overseeing the implementation of the UPass Program, working on the Code of Conduct redesign, and helping out on the Friends of Feinberg e-newsletter. Boyd is also active in the Community Health Clinic, volunteering in the primary care and cardiology services. As chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, Boyd says he has the opportunity to continue to work on the projects that he feels passionate about — those projects that'll have a lasting impact on future classes of students.  "I'll continue to work on the code of conduct redesign and am particularly interested in ensuring the recommendations of that group will be included in the new curriculum," says Boyd.
Paul Bottone Class of 2013	Student Organizations Committee Chair: Paul Bottone, Class of 2013 Paul Bottone, a member of the Nevin College and Cooper Society, is pursuing a Doctor of Medicine degree. Bottone serves as the president of the Class of 2013 and is active in many extracurricular programs. In fact, he's a teen tutor for Chicago Youth Programs, a volunteer for the Buddy Program with the Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, and an instructor for the Barreto Boys and Girls Club of Chicago Science Club. He is also co-president and co-camp director of Camp Wildcat. As Student Organizations chair, Bottone will inform new group leaders about obligations for senate funding and recognition, as well as monitoring adherence to those requirements. He also looks forward to facilitating the formation of new groups and continuing the work of existing groups. "Feinberg's diverse collection of student groups is one of its strongest assets," Bottone says. "Through the various organizations on campus, students are able to pursue their interests and affect changes in the community and beyond."
Ronak Vashi Class of 2013	Campus Affairs Committee Chair: Ronak Vashi, Class of 2013 Ronak Vashi, a member of the Golden College and Lawless Society, is pursuing a Doctor of Medicine degree. In addition to her role as chair, Vashi is the Golden College Senate representative. She also serves as president of the South Asian Medical Students Association, acts as coordinator for Fusion, the annual multi-cultural show, and as a participant in Patient Perspectives. In her role as chair of the Campus Affairs Committee, Vashi will be responsible for coordinating school-wide events and handling issues concerning campus space. Her central duties will involve helping to plan Family Day, Feinberg Formal, and Alumni Weekend — events that, she says, help remind medical students of "where we came from, where we are now, and where we are heading."  Ronak will also have a role in helping to complete the renovation of the Traisman Student Center. "Between busy days that revolve around classes, research meetings, and rotations, it is easy to lose track of the interesting and diverse crowd that makes up Feinberg," Vashi says. "I hope to bring people together and foster a sense of community here at Feinberg, as the connections we make in medical school will, no doubt, be beneficial in our careers as physicians."

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