Honoring the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. #mlkday #mlkday2022

NASA Astronaut Andrew Morgan talked to budding doctors from TouroCOM Middletown and around the country last week about how a career in medicine or in the military can bring medical students to space! As a physician, colonel in the U.S. Army, and astronaut for nearly a year on the International Space Station, COL Morgan's vast and unique experiences attracted over 50 participants eager to hear about aerospace medicine, military medicine, and all things space. In the hour-long Q&A on zoom hosted by the school’s Armed Forces Medical Club, COL Morgan talked about the health effects of long durations in space including gravity and radiation; the field of aerospace medicine and applying for residencies; and the competition to become an astronaut. “We select a class every four years,” he said, noting the NASA astronaut program received 18,000 applications for the most recent class in 2021. Backgrounds of those chosen are varied and include pilots, engineers, scientists, and physicians, among others. “Medical doctors have been highly represented from the earliest class, back to Apollo,” he said, adding about 10 percent of the NASA Astronaut Corps have been physicians. “The odds are long but they’re zero if you don’t apply.” COL Morgan described his career as “long and rewarding” and said he has no intention of leaving soon. “It will be over before you know it and worth it the whole way!”

#TBT TouroCOM Middletown students held a health fair last month for the residents at the Middletown Warming Station. The Warming Station provides a safe, overnight space for homeless men and women living on the streets. The event was spearheaded by the Honor Society and several clubs and faculty joined in. “Everyone had a great time and the residents of the Warming Station were very appreciative!” said Aarsh Shah, OMS-II, president of the campus American Medical Association Club.

#WednesdayWisdom #wordstoliveby #quotestoliveby

Meet Simal Ali, a student at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Middletown, who was recently recognized by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine for her efforts in promoting the field. She launched a campus interest group last year that has over 110 members. "My classmates and I share a desire to become comprehensive providers for our patients, and so sharing resources on how lifestyle modifications can be used as primary treatments for chronic diseases just makes sense. We have subcommittees focused on education, nutrition, and physical activity, among others. With over 100 members it’s obvious we have articulated a vision that anyone can get behind!" Ali says. Fun fact: Ali is in the U.S. Army and this past summer spent six weeks with hundreds of medical students from across the country training and learning all about military medicine. She plans to pursue residency with the Army and become board certified in the field.

#touro50 "What I appreciated most about Touro was the institution's conscious effort to remain involved in the community. One of my favorite memories was participating in a career fair at a nearby elementary school. The students were so excited to ask us all about how we chose our career paths, and we were equally as excited to share with them. Representation matters, and as a physician of color it was of utmost importance for me to demonstrate to children at an early age that these accomplishments are also within their reach." -Gabrielle Jasmin, DO, M.S., Chief Pediatric Resident, The Children's Hospital at Montefiore, TouroCOM Harlem, Class of 2018 #tourocollege #tourocom #wearetouro

#FBF to the Scrubs Club in 2011! The Scrubs Club program provided elementary school students with monthly classroom visits by healthcare professionals, mentors from Touro’s Physician Assistant program, and special trips and events. Here, Touro President Dr. Alan Kadish teaches third-grade children about the heart and how it functions. To show their appreciation, the students made Dr. Kadish an honorary member of the Scrubs Club and presented him with a frame containing one of their scrubs, a yellow stethoscope, and photographs from the program. #Touro50 #wearetouro #tourocollege

#wednesdaywisdom from the legendary #bettywhite