UMHS students recently competed in the 31st Annual McLaren Research Symposium at McLaren Oakland in Michigan for their original research projects, quality improvement studies and case reports. Two UMHS students placed 1st and 2nd, in a competition primarily consisting of residents as entrants.
1ST PLACE WINNER: UMHS student Alex Heromin in front of his OB/GYN case report for the 31st Annual McLaren Research Symposium in Michigan. Photo: Courtesy of McLaren Oakland
Another group of our students recently went to Yale University to present their laparoscopic research findings at a national research forum.
The UMHS Endeavour takes a look at both the 31st Annual McLaren Research Symposium at McLaren Oakland Hospital in Michigan and the student presentation at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.
2ND PLACE WINNER: UMHS student Asad Naeem at McLaren Oakland. Mr. Naeem won 2nd place in the research category with an Internal Medicine resident, for 'Cannabinoid (K2/Spice) Induced Cerebral Edema.' Photo: Courtesy of McLaren Oakland
31st Annual McLaren Research Symposium
McLaren Oakland Hospital in Michigan is a newer clinical rotation site for UMHS and many of our students have been leaving their mark in a positive way throughout their rotations there. Some UMHS students have been heavily involved in research and case reports during their clinical rotations, despite the heavy course load and daily grind with which medical students are all too familiar.
Alex Heromin, just starting his fourth year, entered his OB/GYN case presentation titled “Ectopic Pregnancy on a Cesarean Scar.” Despite being the only student to enter in the case reports category, and competing against all resident physicians, he was awarded 1st place. He also entered two original research projects “Adequacy of Computed Tomography in Detecting Unstable Cervical Spine Injuries in Blunt Trauma Patients” with surgery resident Dr. Bryan Payne and “Resident Physician Response to Difficult Blood Draws at McLaren Oakland,” with fellow classmate Anuj Agarwall.
When Anuj was asked what made their research project so relevant to his field of interest, he said, “It allowed us to identify an area of quality improvement and provided a doorway to further our research in the coming years.”
Asaad Naeem won 2nd place in the research category with an internal medicine resident, for “Cannabinoid (K2/Spice) Induced Cerebral Edema.”
Ahmad Jarrar also competed, entering in the original research category for “Failure of Intervention in Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus in the In-Patient Setting” with chief Internal Medicine resident Dr. Clarissa Dass.
AT MCLAREN OAKLAND: (left to right) Anuj Agarwal, Alex Heromin, Dr. JoAnn Mitchell DME at McLaren Oakland Hospital and Ahmad Jarrar. Photo: Courtesy of McLaren Oakland
Being involved in research is an imperative part of medical school. Many U.S. students have extensive research experience.
When asked about why IMG medical students should be involved in research, Ahmad said, “It helps medical students observe a particular specialty or topic more closely. Research offers a different perspective from clinical rotations and helps develop close relationships with physicians and residents.”
Renee Tolly said, “Research allows us, as a younger generation, to look into many uncertainties in our field and the chance to move toward resolutions.”
AT YALE: UMHS student Alex Heromin presenting research at the Yale AACH Research Symposium. Photo: Courtesy of UMHS students
Presentation at Yale University AACH Research Symposium
Alex Heromin, Holly Huth and Renee Tolly have been working on a surgical research project entitled “Communication Strategies for Introducing Novel Laparoscopic Instruments: A Pilot-Scale Randomized Control Trial to Improve Surgical Safety” at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, MI with Drs. Hesson and Lewis since last year. After their initial findings, they presented at the 4th Annual Michigan State University Conference on Women’s Health Research last November. After more data was gathered and further conclusions were made, they recently went to present their research and subsequent findings to the American Academy on Communication in Healthcare (AACH) at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut June 16 to 19, 2016.
IN FRONT OF THEIR RESEARCH POSTER: Holly Huth & Renee Tolly at Yale. Photo: Courtesy of UMHS students
When asked about his experience at Yale University, Alex Heromin said, “It was such an honor to have the top experts in their fields from around the country asking us questions about our research and being genuinely interested in our findings.”
Many of the attendees and speakers were some of the top medical and health professionals from around the United States, many holding multiple degrees. Program directors across various fields of medicine attended, from internal medicine to OB/GYN to surgical specialties like urology, to name a few.
“I was very humbled to be spending the weekend with such distinguished doctors and professionals as a Caribbean student. I think it speaks volumes that we had the privilege to represent UMHS at a national level. We definitely helped to put a big crack in that glass ceiling for many aspiring doctors educated around the world!” Alex Heromin said.
AT YALE: Holly Huth, Renee Tolly & Alexander Heromin. Photo: Courtesy of AACH member
When asked about their original motivation to start this research project, Holly Huth said, “The three of us are extremely motivated students and are constantly looking for opportunities. A friend and mentor of ours, Dr. Ashley Hesson, an OB/GYN resident at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, helped to guide and mentor all of us through this particular research project. She was a pivotal part of the process and we are very grateful for her guidance.”
The research project results demonstrated that short, laboratory-training sessions can increase instrument specific knowledge and efficacy. They also revealed that interventions designed to optimize understanding and psychomotor skills in new device use may translate to decreased operative morbidity. They are still discussing plans to unveil a second phase of the research this fall.
Mary Abel, UMHS Clinical Site Coordinator at McLaren Oakland, praised the students.
“They really shined, showing that UMHS is filled with a lot of talented young minds,” Ms. Abel said. “We are very proud of our students.”
UMHS students are continuing to pave new ground and excel in many areas, both academic and humanitarian. We cannot wait to see what other exciting and momentous accomplishments our student body will continue to achieve in the future.
UMHS STUDENT AT MCLAREN OAKLAND: Ahmad Jarrar also competed, entering in the original research category for “Failure of Intervention in Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus in the In-Patient Setting” with chief Internal Medicine resident Dr. Clarissa Dass. Photo: Courtesy of McLaren Oakland
UMHS STUDENT ASAD NAEEM: At the McLaren Oakland event. Photo: Courtesy of McLaren Oakland
GROUP SHOT: A the 31st Annual McLaren Research Symposium in Michigan. Photo: Courtesy of McLaren Oakland
(Top photo) UMHS STUDENTS WIN IN RESEARCH COMPETITION: (left to right) Ahmad Jarrar, Alex Heromin & Anuj Agarwal at 31st Annual McLaren Research Symposium in Michigan. Photo: Courtesy of McLaren Oakland
About UMHS:
Built in the tradition of the best US universities, the University of Medicine and Health Sciencesfocuses on individual student attention, maintaining small class sizes and recruiting high-quality faculty. We call this unique approach, “personalized medical education,” and it’s what has led to our unprecedented 96% student retention rate, and outstanding residency placements across the US and Canada. Check out our newest medical school website page.
Scott is Director of Digital Content & Alumni Communications Liaison at UMHS and editor of the UMHS Endeavour blog. When he's not writing about UMHS students, faculty, events, public health, alumni and UMHS research, he writes and edits Broadway theater reviews for a website he publishes in New York City, StageZine.com.
