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On November 1, 2011, a new group of select New York City public school students was formally inducted into the NYAM community as participants in The Junior Fellows Program. The members of the Junior Fellows Class of 2012, representing nine schools from three boroughs, were joined by many of their school principals, assistant principals, teachers, librarians, school staff and family members. The academically rigorous Junior Fellows Program, a collaboration between NYAM’s Office of School Health Programs, the NYAM Library and several New York City medical centers, introduces students to current issues in public health, science, medicine and research and engages them in conducting secondary research in these areas throughout the school year.
Joanne De Simone Eichel, Director of NYAM’s Office of School Health Programs, welcomed the new Junior Fellows and encouraged them to “start imagining the possibilities for your own future,” noting that past graduates of the program have gone on to a variety of successful careers in the health professions. “We hope you will be challenged, excited, and inspired by all your experiences as a Junior Fellow,” she said.
The centerpiece of the event was an engaging and inspiring presentation by Raja Flores, MD, Chief of Thoracic Surgery and Ames Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center and NYAM Fellow. A pioneering thoracic surgeon who has made significant advances in the surgical treatment of lung cancer, Dr. Flores spoke to the Junior Fellows about his work and provided encouragement on the educational and career path ahead of them.
Dr. Flores showed the students a video in which he is performing a VATS lobectomy, a minimally invasive procedure that he has established as the gold standard in thoracic surgery. This remarkable method allows for the removal of lung cancer using just three small incisions in the patient’s torso. 
Throughout his presentation, Dr. Flores made a point of reminding the Junior Fellows that a career in medicine is completely within reach for each and every one of them. He translated some of the commonly used medical terminology that can seem intimidating to the uninitiated (“It’s not that hard—it’s just another language,” he explained) and asserted that “I don’t see why every person in this room can’t go to medical school if you want to. You have a curiosity about medicine that just needs to be fostered.”
This year’s Junior Fellows were recommended by their teachers and chosen for their drive and ambition and their willingness to learn more about the areas of public health, medicine, science and research—a fact that showed in their enthusiastic and knowledgeable participation in Dr. Flores’ presentation.
Melissa Mendelson, Project Director for the Junior Fellows Program, then provided an overview of what the new Junior Fellows can look forward to over the next several months, including seminars on science enrichment, the history of medicine, and global public health careers; writing and presentation skills workshops; and research in the NYAM Library, culminating in individual projects and research presentations at the end of the school year.
“After hearing Ms. Eichel and Dr. Flores speak, I know that you all are inspired and motivated to begin your journey as Junior Fellows,” Ms. Mendelson said. “We look forward to working with each and every one of you this year as Junior Fellows, and in the future as alumni, as part of our Scholars Program.”
Posted on November 2, 2011
Contact:
Andrew J. Martin
Director of Communications
The New York Academy of Medicine
1216 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10029
212-822-7285
amartin@nyam.org
Reporters: to arrange interviews with NYAM medical and urban health experts, contact
Andrew J. Martin, Director of Communications
212-822-7285 / amartin@nyam.org
Community Benefit: Innovative Models and Opportunities for New York
On March 1, 2012, the NYAM Section on Health Care Delivery will present a panel discussion on the Community Benefit standard, the legal standard for determining whether a nonprofit hospital is exempt from federal income tax, moderated by Ellen Rautenberg, President and CEO of Public Health Solutions.
Vimla Patel, Director of NYAM's Center for Cognitive Studies in Medicine and Public Health is part of IOM Committee report on Health IT and Patient Safety: Building Safer Systems for Better Care, a consensus report that outlines how health IT can help improve health care providers' performance, better communication between patients and providers, and enhance patient safety. Please click on link to read the full report.
