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On November 30, 2012, 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 2013, representing eight middle and high schools from East Harlem, Brooklyn, and Queens, were joined by many of their school principals, assistant principals, teachers, librarians, school staff, and family members. The academically rigorous Junior Fellows Program, a partnership between NYAM’s Office of School Health Programs, the NYAM Library, and several New York City academic 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 stated that “this program, in collaboration with the NYAM Library, was started about 15 years ago with 25 students. To date, more than 1200 students have successfully completed the program to develop their interests in public health, science, medicine and research." Ms. Eichel then thanked the audience for taking a special interest in the Junior Fellows and helping to make the program a success.
NYAM President, Jo Ivey Boufford, MD, added that Junior Fellows alumni have gone on to participate in science competitions and research conferences, attend medical school, and pursue a range of health careers. Dr. Boufford then officially inducted the students into The Junior Fellows Program on behalf of NYAM.
“We know that your schools, parents, and teachers are very proud of you, and we are delighted to welcome you as official members of the Junior Fellows class of 2013,” Dr. Boufford said. 
The event’s special guest speaker was NYAM Fellow Raja Flores, MD, Chief of Thoracic Surgery and Ames Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center. With infectious enthusiasm, compassion and humor, Dr. Flores, a renowned thoracic surgeon, took the time to encourage and empower the incoming class of Junior Fellows.
In his dynamic presentation, “Cancer, Research, and the Road to Medical School,” Dr. Flores provided an overview of cancer terminology and treatment.
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.
“It just another language, and you’ll learn that language,” said Dr. Flores as he told the new Junior Fellows not to be intimidated by medical terminology or the number of years required to complete medical school and an internship, residency, and fellowship. He also stressed the importance of working hard in school, speaking up, and not worrying about being cool.
“It’s the geeks of today that are the rulers of tomorrow,” Dr. Flores assured the students.
Melissa Mendelson, Project Director for The Junior Fellows Program, then provided an overview of what the participants can look forward to over the next several months, including interactive seminars on science enrichment, public health and the history of medicine; writing and presentation skills workshops; and research in the NYAM Library, culminating in individual research projects and poster presentations at the end of the school year.
“I want to emphasize exactly how special you all are; the fact that you were chosen for The Junior Fellows Program speaks volumes about your drive and ambition and your willingness to learn more about the areas of public health, medicine, science, and research,” 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 December 7, 2012
Contact:
Andrew J. Martin
Director of Communications
The New York Academy of Medicine
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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
The 2012-2013 Duncan Clark Lecture - The Affordable Care Act: An Insider’s View
Featured Speaker: Sherry Glied, PhD, former Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
November 19, 2012 - The NYAM Section on Health Care Delivery welcomes Sherry Glied, PhD, former Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, who will deliver the 2012-2013 Duncan Clark Lecture on "The Affordable Care Act: An Insider's View."
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The New York Academy of Medicine with support from the New York State Heath Foundation released a new report, Federal Health Care Reform in New York State: A Population Health Perspective.
This report identifies opportunities that build on both the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act (ACA) and New York’s ongoing efforts toward improving the health of its 19 million residents.
Read press release
Read report
