The good doctor-to-be

Schweitzer Fellows donate time for community health

Published November 3, 2003; Category: DARTMOUTH MEDICAL SCHOOL

Eight second-year students at Dartmouth Medical School, recipients of the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship, are performing community service projects this year, from working with hospice patients to educating patients in cardiovascular fitness.

The 2003 fellows, selected by the New Hampshire/Vermont program, are contributing at least 200 hours of service towards filling the health needs of the community.

Students Shirin Sioshansi and Roy Wade are focusing on a cultural versatility program to empower their fellow students to provide the best health care by keeping patients' cultural identities in mind.

"We don't think of ourselves as cultural experts," said Sioshansi, "but we feel it is important to address this issue and provide an introduction to the complications that cultural differences can bring to a doctor's office." They are leading workshops and discussions on how other cultures view disease and health care, conducting mock interview sessions, and examining health disparities among various groups in America. "We hope that DMS graduates will seek to learn about a patient's culture as they learn how to treat their illnesses," said Sioshansi.

Elizabeth Eisenhardt is using her interest in the healing arts by teaching a ballet class for DMS students and community members.

"I hope to instill an appreciation of the art, and to help teach music appreciation," she said. "I hope this will provide stressed medical students much needed personal meditation time as well as increasing body awareness."

Eisenhardt plans to put together a dance troupe to perform in local senior homes and hospitals. "That way, she said, "we will be able to inspire others and keep our souls healthy too."

Emily Walker and Krista Heydt are leading a team of medical students to educate patients of the Good Neighbor Health Clinic in White River Junction, Vt., on methods of maintaining cardiovascular health, and to provide one-on-one support in making necessary lifestyle changes.

"In med school, we focus most of our energy on learning how to handle the outcome of a disease or health issue," Walker said, "but we think it is extremely important to learn about methods to control and prevent diseases, so they never become issues. Many patients can make a significant impact in their long-term health by making a few changes in their eating habits, exercise regimen and stress level."

Heydt added, "I feel like it will make a big difference for people. It will be like having your own personal trainer to strengthen your muscles - this just focuses on the heart muscle."

Joe Dwaihy is connecting literature with medicine in his efforts to provide companionship and conversation to hospice patients. He plans to write a book based on their life stories and his experiences with them in their final days.

"There's a lot of prose by doctors, teachers and writers, but it is difficult to find something written by a student," said Dwaihy, who will focus his time on patients who are dying alone. "I believe I'm in a unique position to connect to hospice patients - they are vulnerable because they are faced with the end of life and I am vulnerable because I have so much to learn."

Katrina Mitchell is starting a peer support group for area teens. "We realized there is no 'safe' place for Hanover teens to go and talk about emerging drug and alcohol issues," Mitchell said. She and fellow medical student Christopher Jons will provide a forum for "at risk" teens to address substance abuse concerns in a positive, non-punitive environment. Mitchell and Jons are building on their experience working with teens, and they plan to incorporate community service activities, social activism and hiking trips to build a community of hope.

"Teens are under so much pressure already," said Mitchell, "that we feel that an easy, positive environment where they can rely on their peers and not be threatened with punishments will pull them through their struggles toward recovery."

Joe O'Donnell, Senior Advising Dean, said much can be accomplished when funds are combined with young idealism and an academic environment to nurture them. "Our students learn about patient care in lectures, but the Schweitzer fellows are in a unique position to actually apply this knowledge to benefit themselves and the community," he said.

By ANDREW NORDHOFF