Opinions

Haad Arif Haad Arif (1 Posts)

Contributing Writer

University of California Riverside School of Medicine


Haad Arif is a medical student at the University of California Riverside (UCR) School of Medicine in Riverside, California, Class of 2025. In 2020, he graduated from UCR with a Bachelor of Science in biology. He then pursued his Masters of Business Administration at the UCR A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management before starting his medical school journey. He enjoys playing and coaching rugby and taking care of his bonsai tree in his free time. After graduating medical school, Haad would like to pursue a career in orthopedic surgery.




When Advocating Becomes Difficult: Health Care Professionals and War

The purpose of this piece is not to assign blame, nor is it to debate the inciting event for the current state of the people in Gaza. Instead, I hope to inspire you, the reader, to set aside any political differences and to lean into your role as both a human and patient advocate. I urge you to speak up in support of our colleagues overseas, who are treating and operating under the threat of death; for history will not judge our silence kindly.

It’s Time to Improve Medical Education on Obesity

In light of obesity’s concerning prevalence and economic burden, it becomes imperative that we equip future healthcare providers with the knowledge and skills essential for effective obesity management. However, despite the numerous consequences of obesity on both individuals and society, medical students are often found to be inadequately prepared to discuss weight management with patients.

Caring from a Distance

The gentle breeze of the summer evening embraces my hometown of Suwon, Korea. Holding my hand, my grandma takes small, deliberate steps forward. Two months into my fourth year of medical school, I am back home for a short break before beginning the residency application process.

Less Likely to Get a Kidney if You’re a Minority—Even if You’re a Kid!

During my three weeks working in the pediatric dialysis unit and the post-kidney transplant unit, I noticed a troublesome trend. The whiter and younger pediatric patients were resting comfortably in the post-transplant unit with their new surgically placed kidney being meticulously taken care of. The darker and older pediatric patients spent countless, mindless hours attached to a dialysis machine with little hope for a new kidney after years of being on the waitlist.

Traditional South Asian Dance: A Medium to Understand the Illness Experience

In disease and in health, our bodies tell stories. But more often than not, these stories are left unheard and unseen. A meaningful method for illuminating untold stories is through traditional/classical dance forms. Dance especially is a space for knowledge and roles to be authentically represented. For marginalized communities in particular, traditional dance has for centuries been a medium for creative expression and healing despite how circumstances and society have complicated their access to care.

From Spiritual Journey to Physiological Phenomena: The Fascinating Science Behind the Immediate Relief of Thirst

As a Muslim living in a city with a hot and humid climate, I can attest that when it’s time to break my fast, water is the only thing on my mind. Drinking water seems to immediately quench my thirst. But does this mean that the water is absorbed from my stomach into the bloodstream at the exact moment of consumption?

Response to “Language Matters: Reflecting on Bias in an Anatomy Textbook”

The recent article “Language Matters: Reflecting on Bias in an Anatomy Textbook” looks at the premise that “the sanctity of medical ‘truth’ and ‘evidence’ should preclude any bias.” We agree with this sentiment and acknowledge that historically there has been a lack of diversity and sexual equitability in the presentation of anatomy in textbooks and atlases. In this article the textbook referenced by the writer was printed in early 2014. While we acknowledge that there have been deficiencies in our textbooks in the past, a lot of content has been updated in newer editions.

Arthur Dalley (1 Posts)

Physician Guest Author

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine


Arthur F. Dalley, II, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, where served as Director for Medical Gross Anatomy and the Vanderbilt Anatomical Donations Program. He held adjunct appointments in Orthopaedic Surgery and at the Belmont University School of Physical Therapy. His work at Vanderbilt was preceded by 24 years at the Creighton University School of Medicine and 1-year sabbatical at the Mayo Clinic. He received Bachelor of Science (Zoology) and Doctoral Degrees (Anatomy) from the University of Utah. Vanderbilt student and peer teaching awards include Excellence in Teaching and Research for Innovations in Educational Programming Proven to be Effective, election to the AΩA Medical Honor Society and the Vanderbilt Academy for Excellence in Education, recognition as a Master Basic Sciences Teacher, and the graduating class’ annual Shovel Award for Outstanding Faculty Member. National awards include the AAMC/AΩA Robert J. Glazer Distinguished Teacher Award. He received 10 Golden Apple Awards while at Creighton University. In addition to co-authoring multiple editions of textbooks and an atlas with Drs.Keith Moore and Anne Agur (Moore’s Essential Clinical Anatomy, Moore’s Clinically Oriented Anatomy, Clinical Anatomy Cases, and Grant’s Atlas of Anatomy) that have translated into many languages, he served as the Gross Anatomy Consultant for the Stedman's Medical Dictionaries. Dr. Dalley is a founding member of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists, for which he served in all executive offices and editorial board of the journal CLINICAL ANATOMY. He also received the AACA’s highest honors, Honored Membership and the R. Benton Adkins Jr. Distinguished Service Award. He has been a member of the American Association of Anatomists since 1973, serving on the Board of Directors and the Sr. Advisory Board for the journal, Anatomical Educator. He was awarded the AAA’s highest educator honor, the Henry Gray Distinguished Educator Medal, and was named a Fellow of the AAA in 2015.