September 28, 2022 | Volume IV, Issue 19

Second Annual "Look at Larner" Attracts More than Two Dozen Attendees

In 2021, the College of Medicine’s inaugural “Look at Larner” outreach program attracted aspiring medical students from across the country – two of whom, Shani Legore and Camila Salcedo, are now first-year medical students at the Larner College of Medicine. Created by Class of 2024 medical students Mialovena Exume and Warrick Sahene, Look at Larner provides an opportunity for students from backgrounds typically underrepresented in medicine (URiM) who have a strong interest in pursuing a medical degree to gain first-hand experience about what it’s like to be a medical student at Larner. The Larner admissions and diversity, equity, and inclusion offices support the initiative. 

For this year’s Look at Larner, Class of 2025 members Jasmine Bazinet-Phillips and Karena Nguyen served as co-leaders and welcomed 27 individuals to the second iteration of the program, with first- through third-year medical students opening their homes to host attendees.

During their Look at Larner visit, guests were invited to find their “mirror,” an individual in the Larner community whose personal story resonated with their own path and journey as pre-medical students. Attendees also heard from 11 physicians who each shared a personal story about their journey to medicine. 

Larner medical students are now connected via the Group Me app with Look at Larner alumni to provide further networking and admissions support, like advising on the necessary steps to apply and gain acceptance into Larner. 

Bazinet-Phillips said, “Both Karena and I believe that, with the support of Dr. Leila Amiri, the new associate dean of admissions, the Look at Larner program will continue to grow URiM representation in our community.”

Link to the full article about the second annual Look at Larner.

Pictured above: Look at Larner attendees observe as Abigail Hielscher, Ph.D., assistant professor of neurological sciences (front left), displays anatomical specimens in the anatomy lab in the Given Building at UVM. (Photo: David Seaver)

College to Welcome Alumni & Honor Awardees at Reunion Oct. 13-16

The Larner College of Medicine will celebrate Reunion 2022 October 13 through 16. Highlights include the Class of 1972 50th Reunion Medallion Ceremony, tours of the college and new Firestone Medical Research Building, 2022 Larner College of Medicine Alumni Association Awards ceremony on Friday, October 14, an Alumni Town Hall and Reunion Class Dinners on Saturday, October 15.

Medical Reunion kicks off on Thursday, October 13 with two lectures: Distinguished Graduate Alumni Award Lecture and the Annual John J. Ouellette, M.D.’60 and Sally Ouellette Endowed Lectureship in the Vermont Lung Center.

This year’s Alumni Association Awardees include:

• Distinguished Graduate Alumni Award: Elizabeth J. Kovacs, Ph.D.’84, Professor of Surgery and Director of the Burn Research and the Alcohol Research Programs at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus 
• A. Bradley Soule Award: H. David Reines, M.D.’72, Professor of Surgery, George Washington University Medical School; Clinical Professor of Surgery and Master Educator, University of Virginia School of Medicine
• Distinguished Academic Achievement Award: James R. Howe, M.D.’87, Professor of Surgery, Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery; Director, Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine; Jacqueline S. Jeruss, M.D.’97, Ph.D., FACS, Professor of Surgery, Pathology and Biomedical Engineering; Associate Dean for Regulatory Affairs; Director, Breast Care Center and Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship; Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology; Ken Sartorelli, M.D.’87, Green and Gold Professor of Pediatric Surgery, UVM Larner College of Medicine, Vice Chair for Education, Department of Surgery, Division Chief, Pediatric Surgery, UVM Children's Hospital and UVM Department of Surgery, Surgeon-in-Chief, UVM Children's Hospital; Sharon Savage, M.D.’97, Chief of Clinical Genetics Branch; Clinical Director of Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics; National Cancer Institute
• Service to Medicine and Community Award: Mary Hamel, M.D.’92, Senior Technical Officer and Team Lead for Malaria Vaccines, World Health Organization; Susan Long, M.D.’92, FACS, General Surgeon, St. Joseph's Hospital, West Virginia University Medicine; Mariah McNamara, M.D.’02, M.P.H., Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Interim Assistant Dean for Students, UVM Larner College of Medicine; Attending Physician, Medical Director of Emergency Department, and Associate Chief Medical Officer for Medical Staff Affairs, UVM Medical Center
• Early Achievement Award: Molly Hubbard, M.D.’12 (Posthumous award), Fellow, Pediatric Neurosurgery, Oregon Health Science University; Adam Polifka, M.D.’07, Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida

Read the full article about Reunion and the Alumni Association Awards. 

Pictured above: Graphic image of Dr. Moo and the date of Reunion.

Wilderness Medicine Elective Tests Skills, Gets Fourth-Year Students Outdoors

Rock climbing, rappelling, kayaking, hiking and camping are among the activities that fourth-year medical students participate in during the two-week elective Wilderness Medicine course. The intensive curriculum takes students out of the hospital and into the woods, lakes, and mountains to learn and practice skills for rescuing people from drowning, diving accidents, altitude sickness, hypothermia, crush injuries, and suspension trauma.

Developed and led by Sarah Schlein, M.D., associate professor of emergency medicine and UVM Health Network Wilderness Medicine Fellowship director, the course provides an opportunity to focus on both the content and problem-solving of caring for patients in remote environments. Chance Sullivan, M.D., clinical instructor for emergency medicine and a Wilderness Medicine Fellow, also teaches in the course. 

“We put people in scenarios, and we talk about what happens," said Dr. Schlein. "Not just about the medical parts, but about the communication, leadership, and where things break down. The goal is to make mistakes and learn from each other.” 

“I love the idea of being a doctor without being in a hospital,” said medical student Nina Feinberg’23. “My dream is to work part-time in a hospital and part-time on expedition, helping people who want to be outside. For example, I could work at a research base in Alaska, or on hiking trips in the Grand Canyon ... It would be cool to be the doctor on board.” 

Read more and see photos from the Wilderness Medicine Elective course.

Pictured above: Fourth-year medical students participate in mock rescues in the backcountry woods of Vermont.

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