Voices in the Clinic Room
What happened to his smile? / Minutes ago, he was beaming. / Now the patient’s face contorted as he yelled. / Fury filled every crevice and crack of his face.
Off the Shelf
Off the Shelf is our section for creative works by medical students.
Writer-in-Training
Drexel University College of Medicine
Rohit is a second year medical student at Drexel University College of Medicine. He graduated from Georgetown University in 2012, and then went on to teach reading to elementary school students for two years. After teaching, he worked in health policy for a year, and then matriculated to medical school. Currently, he is pursuing an MD/MPH degree and hopes to work in community health and harm reduction. He is passionate about health equity, LGBTQ rights, and racial justice. By far, his greatest skill is reciting lines from Pixar’s Up.
Thanksgiving
I found such peace in our stillness. / Your stomach rumblings almost music. / I caught myself peeking ever so often, / to find solace in your breathing.
A Bridge Too Far (2016)
A digital illustration by medical student David Yu.
Not My Bones
These are not my bones. / I do not know from where they come, / Or to whom they belong;
Anatomy as Art: Installation #18
At Albany Medical College, upon our orientation to gross anatomy, we are asked to draw our feelings on blank index cards prior to entering the cadaver laboratory. As we progress through the year, our sentiments regarding anatomy may remain the same, or may change, and these drawings allow us to look back at this milestone we crossed as budding medical students.
Wistful Thinking (2016)
“All an average medical student wants in life is knowledge, fitness, travel, individuality, and a sense of direction (is that too much to ask?)”
Testimony (2016)
An explosion of peaceful energizing love / Hidden sun god and goddesses / Cropping the harvest
Anatomy as Art: Installation #17
At Albany Medical College, upon our orientation to gross anatomy, we are asked to draw our feelings on blank index cards prior to entering the cadaver laboratory. As we progress through the year, our sentiments regarding anatomy may remain the same, or may change, and these drawings allow us to look back at this milestone we crossed as budding medical students.
Anatomy as Art: Installation #16
At Albany Medical College, upon our orientation to gross anatomy, we are asked to draw our feelings on blank index cards prior to entering the cadaver laboratory. As we progress through the year, our sentiments regarding anatomy may remain the same, or may change, and these drawings allow us to look back at this milestone we crossed as budding medical students.
Alive
rivers of blood / dried / by formaldehyde
The Doctor He Became: Reflections on a Nazi Concentration Camp Doctor
He remembered the days / his hands were used / only / to heal, comfort
Baby Boy
Oh my little baby, you will be my salvation. / Tiny little baby will improve on my race. / Oh my little baby, you’re my brand new creation. / You appear so different when I look at your face.
Contributing Writer
Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons
Mikey Montalbano is a medical student at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons and an NYC-based Actor/Singer/Songwriter. Hailing from Berkeley, California, Mikey holds a BM in Music Theatre from NYU Steinhardt, and has been performing live improvised comedy at the Peoples Improv Theater, Magnet & UCB since 2010.
