Featured Articles
sackler b [news]
Remembering Why
Jon Snyder M'07
For two months this past summer I had the privilege to work in a rural hospital in South Africa. The town of Klabisa offered little in the way of the modern world except for a severely understaffed hospital and an opportunity for a young medical student like me. I was able to live and work as one of the 6 doctors assigned to this 300 bed hospital and learn what it is really like to practice medicine for people in need. More importantly, it helped me to remember why it is that we suffer through long hours and days of class. I hope that you enjoy my story and that in some small way it helps you in rediscovering what it is that first brought you to medicine. Nothing is more sacred than bring life into this world and tonight I got my chance to participate. My first cesarean section as a medical professional came with a phone call at 7:15 in the evening. All of the other doctors were off and Ruben, the one remaining community service doctor asked me if I would assist him in performing the surgery. I had not been planning to sit in on one for another 2 days but here was my chance coming up and smacking me in the face. As we went down to the operating theater to check on the patient we discover that the real on call doc, David had asked the nurses to wait and see if she can deliver naturally. When the nurses call a doctor for a C-section it usually means that it has to happen, the nurses are experts in child delivery so if they think surgery is needed then that is more that likely the case. In hindsight, Ruben's decision to take the woman into surgery probably saved the baby's life.
sackler a [tufts community]
Class of 2008 Orientation
Laurel Vuongie M'08
After years of all those pre-med classes, surviving 8 hours of the MCATS, shelling out big bucks for the applications, and sitting through med school interviews ("So, what is the meaning of life?"), the 169 members of the TUSM Class of 2008 finally arrived on August 23, 2004. We kicked off orientation week bright-eyed, dressed-to-impress, and ready to meet as many classmates as possible. We ended the week ready for another vacation, but familiar with every bar in Boston, getting punk'd and meeting some of the best med students in the city. Orientation began with a slew of introductions to half of the schools deans and administrators, including Dean Rosenblatt himself. But what was most impressive about this first day was Dr. Laurie Demmer's clinical presentation. Instead using the traditional and often blah use of PowerPoint, Dr. Demmer introduced us to a mother who personally shared with us her story of delivering a 25 week old baby and the struggles she and her son survived the ensuing months. We were then given a chance to question the mother, a chance to begin practicing our clinical skills. Unfortunately, the day ended with a financial aid entrance interview, where we were reminded that not only would we owe close to a quarter of a million dollar at the end of four years, but that if we ever accidentally forgot to make a payment, our credit would be ruined. Essentially, we were told we were going to be dirt poor for sometime and worse if we weren't mindful.
harrison ave [entertainment]
Romero Britto
Ahmad Minkara M'07
Through his vibrant colors, joyful themes and commanding compositions, Romero Britto has become one of the most important living Artists in contemporary Pop Art. Upon inspection, there is an almost magical quality to Britto's story. The eighth of nine siblings growing up in an impoverished home, Britto's humble beginnings led to his personal vision that everyone should enjoy and live with art. This definitive belief influenced his artistic style and subject matter and is often described as Neo Pop. Britto creates a completely new expression that reflects his optimistic faith in the world around him while alluding to influences of early and modern masters. The global art community has embraced Romero Britto with private and corporate commissions, exhibitions and museum shows. This overwhelming success has reinforced Britto's belief that "art is too important not to share". As a result, Britto has given his time, talent, and funds to hundreds of worthwhile philanthropic organizations. The realization of this dream come true is ongoing for Britto, who maintains a studio open to the public for anyone and everyone to enjoy his art. This natural inclination for Britto to express himself visually became apparent to those around him from his early childhood. Born in 1963, in Recife, Brazil, Britto often painted images from his active imagination on scraps of cardboard and newspaper. Britto's large family nurtured his developing skills by providing art books for him to study. "My Mother raised us by herself and I remember being alone a lot of the time with papers and paint. I would sit and copy Toulouse Lautrec and other masters out of the books, day after day." That this pastime became the crux of Romero's vision is no surprise. He said, "As a child growing up poor in Brazil, I was introduced to the darker side of humankind. The result was that I started painting to bring light and color into my life." By the age of fourteen, Britto received honors at his first public exhibition held by the Organization of American States. Although encouraged by this early success, the modest circumstances of Britto's life as well as his strong respect for discipline led him toward more practical, academic pursuits. Britto received a scholarship and went on to study law at the Catholic University of Pernambuco. However, law and government created a lifestyle that seemed too pessimistic for this Artist, who is constantly in search of happiness in everyday life. Thus, after two years, Britto made a life defining choice to explore his natural inclination for art.
the y [sports and recreation]
Russia's Newest Sensation the Talk at the 2004 U.S. Open
Amit Sura M'08
The William sisters, Roddick, Capriati, and Agassi were all in action this year at the U.S. Open. But lets be honest, I did not take the four hour Chinatown bus and half and hour subway ride to Flushing Meadows to see them in action. I was there to see Russia's latest sensation and model, Maria Sharapova, deemed the new Anna Kournikova but who actually knows what to do with her tennis racket. Maria Sharapova has an interesting background. Besides her stunning looks which have men in their middle ages quiver, her potent groundstrokes and fierce determination have allowed her to rise past her counterparts with a WTA ranking of nine this year. From the streets of Nyagan, Russia, Maria and her father had nothing more than 12 dollars when they both migrated to the states. After having been recognized by none other than Nick Boletteri, previous coach of the likes of Monica Seles, Andre Agassi, and yes, even Anna Kournikova, Maria took off winning three ITF events (considered the minor leagues of professional tennis). It was only two years later at this year's Wimbledon, that she struck gold, overthrowing former number one Lindsay Davenport and reigning Wimbledon queen Serena Williams to claim the crown.
posner [humerus]
Yankees Acquire Cuban Pitchers
Charlie McCormick M'08
Havana, Sept. 9-In a stunning move with uncertain geopolitical ramifications, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner today announced that his organization had concluded negotiations with Cuban leader Fidel Castro to acquire wholesale the dictator's island-including its lucrative wellspring of pitching talent-for an undisclosed sum. "This is a win-win situation," Mr. Steinbrenner was quoted as saying to reporters after the announcement, while putting out a cigar in a rhinoceros-foot ashtray. "Just look at how many important players have come off of that island. And think of how much talent hasn't made it over. Instead of the mess of defecting or getting smuggled across, I thought to myself while bathing in Montrachet '78 champagne one night, 'It would just be so much easier to buy the whole damn island.'" The normally reclusive Gen. Castro also seemed to welcome the development, noting, "It was really only a matter of time, if you think about it. Think of how many things have a bigger GDP than Cuba: your larger second-world countries, many U.S. states, Halliburton, and of course, the great Yankees organization. We knew we were ripe for acquisition, and it was a matter of finding a good fit." Before settling on the billion-dollar Yankees behemoth, Cuba had considered competing offers from titan investor-recording duo Warren and Jimmy Buffett, as well as Virginia. (The latter had been seeking a site for its lucrative proposed "South Virginia" franchise to offset losses from West Virginia, its disastrous economic and genetic experiment).