Opinions

Evan Simonsen (1 Posts)




Out of Sight and Out of Mind: Carceral Health in the Medical Education Curriculum

Published by Evan Simonsen

Approximately 5% of Americans will be incarcerated at some point in their lives, a number that varies greatly along racial lines. Why don’t we talk about this far-reaching public health issue, and driver of racial disparities in health outcomes, in our medical education? During the course of my medical education, I listened to countless lectures and took part in many discussions regarding the social determinants of health in the context of marginalized and underserved populations. …

The Physician CEO Advantage: Why Leadership Training Belongs in Medical Education

Published by Kush Savsani

Healthcare is inherently a high-stress field, requiring constant adaptability, critical decision-making and steadfast resilience in the face of unpredictable challenges. Effective leadership in this environment demands a unique combination of skills: the ability to navigate regulatory changes, leverage medical advancements, address complex patient needs and ensure organizational stability. Physicians, who operate daily within these high-stress settings, are uniquely equipped to lead in such demanding environments. Their firsthand experience enables them to understand the pressures faced …

Bridging Personal and Professional Perspectives on Mental Health Medication

Published by Jacob Murphy

As medical students, we spend years preparing for the daunting hurdle that is the summer between the third and fourth year of medical school, a twelve week stretch in which you prepare for USMLE Step 2, perform at your highest caliber on a sub-internship in the specialty of your choice, and craft your application to residency. Accordingly, as I approached this part of medical school myself, I expected its accompanying level of academic stress. I …

The Forgotten Prescription: Addressing Nutrition Neglect Amongst Medical Students

Published by Ashley Thornton

Being a health care professional can, at times, feel ironic because our intention is to promote health and wellness, yet we often neglect our own. As medical students, we consume large amounts of information in short periods of time, which can be both stressful and mentally strenuous. We often must be awake for long hours, whether it’s for rotations, for studying or for both at once. This lifestyle can foster many unhealthy habits, but are …

When Advocating Becomes Difficult: Health Care Professionals and War

Published by Haad Arif

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

Published by Joslyn Schipper

In light of obesity’s concerning prevalence and economic burden, it becomes imperative that we equip future health care 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

Published by Boyoung Ahn

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!

Published by Lien Morcate

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

Published by Mili Dave

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.

Hannah Korah (6 Posts)

Contributing Writer

University of Arizona-Tucson

Hannah is an MD/PhD student at the University of Arizona-Tucson who joined the program in 2020. In 2018, she graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in microbiology and cell science with a minor in bioinformatics. After graduation, Hannah dedicated 2 years at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-NIDA branch to research novel therapeutic treatments for opioid addiction in a behavioral animal model. She completed her PhD in Medical Pharmacology in 2024. She enjoys hiking, trail running, and reading in her free time. Hannah is looking forward to experiencing the variety of opportunities the program has to offer her in helping her decide the right path and specialty best fit for her.