P&S BALSO

04/04/2017

web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe/10154201

01/31/2017

Happy almost Black History Month! Join us next Thursday, February 9 at 6:00 pm in Bard Hall Lounge (50 Haven Avenue) as we hear from Harriet A. Washington. Dinner will be served.

RSVP by this Friday 2/3 here: https://surveymonkey.com/r/NHVHHWH

12/21/2016

URGENT: City Harvest needs 20 additional volunteers for our mobile market this Thursday morning at Dyckman Houses. We had a group cancel their volunteer commitment. At this market, we distribute free fresh produce to the community. Volunteers are needed from 8:45am-12noon. If you can help, email [email protected]. Thank you & please spread the word!

10/06/2016

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration!
Hammer Riverview Lounge (4th Floor)
Thursday, October 13, 5:30-7:30 PM

RSVP HERE: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/92ZTW9M

09/26/2016

YOU ARE INVITED!

Event Name: Hispanic Heritage Month CUMC/ Community Mixer

Date: Thursday, September 29, 2016

Time: 5:30 PM-7:30 PM

Location: Columbia Community Partnership for Health, 390 Fort Washington Avenue between 177th & 178th Streets

Details: Join BALSO/ Digame Mas for a Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration Mixer! This month, we reflect on the relationship between the Columbia University Medical Center and the community. If we are to improve community health outcomes, it is vital for CUMC to work with the community in addressing its needs. This mixer will provide an intimate setting for a limited number of students and community activists/ residents to network and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by building the relationships that can contribute to our neighborhood's vitality.

If interested, please fill out the form below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckixkANfBn7pKqYiKzQK9u1eZOjRLMmNhil1eCq6pf-HjmPw/viewform

Please Note: Due to space limitations and the nature of the event (small networking mixer), only the first 15 students to sign up will be able to attend. You will receive an e-mail by Wednesday, September 28th at 8 PM letting you know of your status.

Please fill out this form if you would like to attend the Hispanic Heritage Month CUMC/ Community Mixer on Thursday, September 29 from 5:30-7:30 PM at Columbia Community Partnership for Health (CCPH). Note: Due to space limitations and the nature of the event (small networking mixer), only the first...

09/26/2016

Hispanic Heritage Month continues!

Meet Mario Jose Molina

Mario Jose Molina-Pasquel Henriquez was born on March 19, 1943 in Mexico City, Mexico. His love for science (especially chemistry) began early in his life. As a child, he converted an unused bathroom in his parents' home into his very own chemistry lab.

Mario Molina went on to graduate from the National Autonomous University of Mexico in 1965, earning a BA in chemical engineering, and in 1972, he earned his PhD from UC Berkeley in chemistry.

As a post-doctoral student, Molina joined the lab of Professor F. Sherwood Rowland, where he began to study chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). At that time, it was understood that CFCs were accumulating in the atmosphere, but it was believed that they had no effect on the environment.

However, just three months after they began working together, Molina and Rowland discovered that CFCs can only be degraded by solar radiation at high altitudes, and through this effect, chlorine was released into the atmosphere and was degrading the ozone layer. This became known as the "CFC-Ozone Depletion Theory."

The pair published their findings in Nature in June 1974, and initially, they were met with much resistance from the scientific community. Sensing the urgency of the situation and seeking systemic change, they held press conferences in order to alert policy makers, the media and the general public to this problem.

Finally, in 1976, the scientific community, following a review by the National Academy of Science, reached a consensus that action needed to be taken. As a result, the use of CFCs in aerosol cans and refrigerators were globally eliminated.

For his work in discovering the effects of CFCs on the ozone layer and the environment, Mario Molina, along with Rowland and Paul J. Cruzen, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995. By receiving the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Molina became the first Mexican-born individual to ever receive the prize in that field.

In addition to the countless honors, awards, and honorary degrees that Molina has been given following his discovery, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama on August 8, 2013.

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_J._Molina
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/1995/molina-bio.html

09/15/2016

HAPPY HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH!

Join P&S BALSO this month in celebrating Latinx culture and the many contributions of Latinx to our society!

Throughout the month (September 15- October 15), be sure to visit this page to learn more about upcoming events at CUMC as well as to learn about ways Latinx have contributed to medicine and beyond!

To Kick off the Month: Meet Dr. Helen Rodriguez-Trias

Helen Rodriguez-Trias (1929-2011) was born in New York City in 1929, and spent much of her childhood between NYC and Puerto Rico. She faced tremendous discrimination as a Puerto Rican child growing up in NYC, being placed in special education classes just because of her heritage.

She later attended the University of Puerto Rico, graduating in 1957. As a college student, she began to find her voice as an activist and became involved in issues regarding freedom of speech and Puerto Rican independence. After college, she went to the University of Puerto Rico's medical school, where she could combine her two passions: "science and people."

After graduating in 1960 with her MD and as a peds resident, she established the first newborn care center in Puerto Rico, and the hospital, under her leadership, saw the newborn death rate decrease by 50% in its first 3 years.

In the 1970s, Dr. Rodriguez-Trias came back to NYC to work as a community peds doctor in the South Bronx's Lincoln Hospital. There, she lobbied for culturally sensitive patient care and for all workers, regardless of position or education, to have a voice in the administration.

As a physician-advocate, the 70s saw Dr. Rodriguez-Trias bloom into a champion for women's health. One of her greatest fights was that against sterilization abuse-- the unethical practice of sterilizing women without their full consent that disproportionately targeted women of color, women with disabilities, and women of a lower SES.

In her fight, Dr. Rodrguez-Trias co-founded the following:
- The Committee to End Sterilization Abuse
- The Women's Caucus of the American Public Health Association
- The Committee for Abortion Rights and Against Sterilization Abuse
- The Hispanic Caucus of the American Public Health Association
Through her efforts, she helped to draft and pass the federal sterilization guidelines in 1979, which required informed and written consent in the patient's native language.

During the 1980's, she played an important role in the HIV/ AIDS epidemic, serving as the medical director for the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute where she focused her efforts on women with HIV. All of her advocacy work for the underserved and most vulnerable patient populations made her the natural choice to serve as the President of the American Public Health Association-- becoming the 1st Latina to do so.

Her illustrious career was celebrated on January 8, 2001, when she was honored by President Bill Clinton, who awarded her with the Presidential Citizen's Medal, the 2nd highest civilian award.

Unfortunately, Dr. Rodriguez-Trias passed away in December 2001 after a battle with cancer. While she may no longer be with us, she will not soon be forgotten. And today, we honor her spirit, her courage, and her selflessness. May we all carry on her legacy, and serve our patients not only as clinicians, but as their strongest advocates.

Sources:
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/changingthefaceofmedicine/physicians/biography_273.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Rodr%C3%ADguez_Tr%C3%ADas

09/15/2016

3rd ANNUAL LMSA POLICY SUMMIT IN WASHINGTON D.C.

Register Here: https://lmsa.site-ym.com/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=823198&group=

Are you interested in health policy, and the role it can play in making our healthcare system equitable for all? Well, you're just in luck! The 3rd Annual 2016 LMSA Policy Summit is being held from October 21st-23rd in Washington, D.C. Join students and healthcare professionals from all over the country who are passionate about taking their impact to the next level via advocacy and healthcare policy reform. In addition to the extensive networking opportunities, the summit will also provide you with leadership training and help you build those legislative skills!!

Not an LMSA Member?? NO PROBLEM! This conference is open to all.

Early Bird (ENDS ON SEPT 18)
LMSA Members: $35
Non-LMSA Members: $65

Regular Registration (Sept 19-Oct 20)
LMSA Members: $50
Non-LMSA Members: $80

Did I mention that attending this summit may be subsidized? If we get at least 4 registered LMSA members to attend, we qualify to compete for an $800 group travel award!!

If you are interested in attending, please contact Tina Roa, your LMSA Rep, at [email protected]. We will be organizing a group that will head to the conference together!

07/17/2016

In the wake of the tragic loss of Philando Castile, Alton Sterling, and so many others it is of incredible importance to reaffirm the value of Black lives: as our patients, as our classmates, and as our fellow citizens. Below is a resource on how to practice in the affirmation that














https://hkalodimos.wordpress.com/2016/07/15/affirming-the-value-of-black-lives/

In the wake of Alton Sterling and Philandro Castile’s untimely deaths at the hands of police, there is renewed focus on how we might remake our society into one which upholds and affirms the …

06/13/2016

We are incredibly saddened by the shooting that has occurred at Pulse in Orlando, Florida. We stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ family and send thoughts and warmth to the families and communities of many LGBTQ folks of Color who have been affected.

Join CUMC for a moment of silence, Tomorrow 5:15PM at Bard Hall.

04/17/2016

Thank you all so much for coming out to the Jazz Mixer last night! Photobooth pictures are up!!

03/30/2016

Participate in the CUMC LGBTQ Climate & Curriculum Survey to help report feedback and encourage growth of our schools around these issues! Cameron Alexander speaks more about the survey in the following quote:



Dear friends,
The CUMC Q***r and Ally Partnership, in collaboration with the Center for Student Wellness, invites all CUMC students to participate in a brief online survey.
More about This Study

Purpose: We are conducting a survey to assess perspectives on the Le***an, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Q***r, Intersex, and Ally (LGBTQIA) climate and curriculum at CUMC. Information gathered through this research may be used to shape both curriculum and resources for current and future CUMC students.

Eligibility: All CUMC students are eligible to participate in this study, which consists of an online survey taking approximately 10 minutes to complete.
Benefits for Participation: Participants will have the option to enter their email address for a chance to receive one of eight $25.00 gift cards to Amazon.com.

Contact Information: This study is conducted completely online. Please be in touch with the Co-Investigator of this study, Dr. Justin Laird, Assistant Director, Center for Student Wellness at [email protected] with any questions.

This research is being conducted by the Center for Student Wellness, a component of the Student Health Service at Columbia University Medical Center, located at 60 Haven Avenue, Lobby Level, New York, NY 10032.

Qualtrics sophisticated online survey software solutions make creating online surveys easy. Learn more about Research Suite and get a free account today.