Medical students at Touro University California have stepped up to make a positive impact during the coronavirus pandemic. Together, students Ruby Gilmor, Hashir Qamar, and Nicholas Huerta administered COVID vaccines during one of the first mass vaccinations events in the state. “As a medical student who is currently on my internal medicine rotation, I have witnessed the incredible efforts put forth by healthcare workers first-hand and felt I had a responsibility to join and directly contribute to the vaccination efforts in the fight against the pandemic,” said Gilmor. What advice do these future doctors have for someone debating whether to receive the vaccine? “Many people are hesitant to receive the vaccine due to fears that it was rushed to development. I would say that the development of the vaccine within such a short amount of time is a testament to how far science has progressed over the years and shows what can be achieved with collaboration towards a common goal. This vaccine will save many lives and give us the best shot at returning to normalcy in our society,” Gilmor said. “I believe there is no better alternative than getting the COVID-19 vaccine when it comes to protecting yourself and others from COVID. If someone is debating whether to get the vaccine, I would first try to understand why they might be concerned and then explain the facts including how it’s about 95% effective, the potential yet minimal side effects and clarifying any misconceptions,” said Qamar.

Touro School of Health Sciences annual Advocacy Day lets students work directly with key legislators on topics that affect the occupational therapy (OT) field throughout New York. While it was run virtually this year, several OT students from the SHS Manhattan campus attended, including Nathan Sylvain. According to Sylvain, "Ahead of Advocacy Day, I was selected to be an Ambassador, where I was responsible for leading a group of OT students in advocacy efforts in front of select assemblyman and legislators. At first, I was extremely nervous as I had never participated in this type of event, let alone held such an important leadership role, and had little time to prepare. Although this was a challenge, I quickly stepped up to the plate. I contacted the legislators and assemblyman directly via email and phone calls to try and set up a meeting to advocate for Bill 3202. This bill allows patients to have direct access to OTs without a required referral from a physician, nurse practitioner, or any other healthcare provider for up to 12 sessions or within a 30-day period. If passed, this bill will help to ensure patients get treated quicker, which will lead to shorter recovery times. We ended up having a meeting with the assistant of Richard Gottfried, an attorney and politician serving as a member of the New York State Assembly from the 75th district. She was very insightful and informed us of key next steps to get this bill passed. What's exciting is that she just told me that Assemblyman Gottfried is looking to sign the bill, so I think it's safe to say that Advocacy Day was a success and great learning experience overall!"

#wednesdaywisdom from #winstonchurchill

Join us for this special event MLK/FBI: SCREENING AND CONVERSATION Join us on Thursday, March 4, at 7pm ET, for a Conversation on “MLK/FBI” with director, Sam Pollard producer, Benjamin Hedin and historian and Harvard Law professor, Annette Gordon-Reed. RSVP link in bio! Don’t miss this important Film Series event. @mlkfbi @ifcfilms #MLK #MLKFBI #film #justice #freedom #activism #culture #politics #event #free

The Jewish Medical Students Association (JMSA), in partnership with Jewish Family Services of Orange County, created a Purim Shaloch Manos Program where Touro Middletown medical students gathered together on Purim last Thursday to deliver shaloch manos (gift bags) to local Holocaust Survivors and Jewish adults living in group homes. Gabrielle (Gabby) Weinberg, Founder and President of the Jewish Medical Students Association and OMS-II said, "I was so impressed by the turnout. Even in the middle of a pandemic, Touro medical students from all different backgrounds took time out of their extremely busy schedules to participate in the mitzvah (good deed) of bringing joy to others on one of the happiest days on the Jewish calendar. I am so grateful to everyone who participated. I would also like to give a huge thank you to Jewish Family Services for their fundraising efforts for this event and working so hard to help make this happen!”

Do you have gently used glasses in need of a new home? There’s a donation box on campus outside the third-floor library at TouroCOM Harlem! The annual drive for prescription glasses, sunglasses and readers to donate to people in need around the world was on pause last year due to Covid-19, but is up and running again thanks to the OOPTIC (Otolaryngology/Ophthalmology Touro Interest Club). More than 130 eyeglasses have been donated with more expected, according to OOPTIC President Dominique Pean, OMS-II. “We focus on bringing vision and hearing awareness to the community,” said the club’s vice president Angela Centeno-Gavica, OMS-II. The eyewear is distributed by VSP Eyes of Hope, a nonprofit vision benefit company started by a small group of optometrists who had a vision to provide affordable, high-quality eye care and eyewear to people in need around the world. Pictured with donations along with their donation box are, L-R, OMS-II Christiana Reeve, OOPTIC President Pean and Vice president Centeno-Gavica.

Alum Spotlight! Dr. Robin Akselrud, a Touro School of Health Sciences occupational therapy (OT) alumna turned OT Assistant Professor at Long Island University, has just released her newly created "My OT Journey Planner." The planner is designed to serve as a tool for students and OT practitioners to stay healthy through personal development and mindfulness strategies that they can carryover and use with clients in their fieldwork and OT practice. The idea behind the planner came to Dr. Akselrud after reading the Center for Disease Control (CDC) report showcasing that from April-June 2020, young adults and essential workers in the U.S. had disproportionately adverse mental health outcomes, including an increase in anxiety, depression, trauma/stressor-related disorders, an increase in substance use, and an elevated level of suicidal ideation (as compared to the same period in 2019) due to the COVID pandemic. As it is even more critical for these groups to continue to maintain and promote their own mental and physical health, Dr. Akselrud got right to work to address this growing need in hopes her planner will help others during this challenging time.

#wednesdaywisdom from #mayaangelou #blackhistorymonth