Keck School Cell & Neurobiology chair receives AAMC teaching award

By Sara Reeve

For Mikel Snow, PhD, it’s an honor just to be nominated. The chair of the Keck School of Medicine of USC’s Department of Cell & Neurobiology has received the 2013 Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Robert J. Glaser Distinguished Teacher Award from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).

“I feel incredibly honored, even humbled by the magnitude of this award,” said Snow. “To be honest, I was deeply touched by the gesture of last year’s USC AOA [chapter] students who told me they would be nominating me. I do not think of myself in terms of anyone special, but rather someone who was fortunate to stumble into a teaching career that I happened to enjoy very much.” … Read More »

December 13th, 2013|Announcements|

MED-SCHOOL PARENTS GO TO CLASS

Keck School of Medicine of USC Dean Carmen A. Puliafito, MD, MBA, speaks at the Parents Association Mini-Medical School on Oct. 25. The annual event offers medical school students’ parents tours of the campus as well <span style=… Read More »

November 22nd, 2013|Announcements|

A SAFE HARBOR FOR PATIENTS

Third-year Keck School of Medicine of USC medical student Martin Tolosa examines a patient at the four-day Care Harbor clinic held Oct. 31 to Nov. 3 at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. (Photo/Jon Nalick) Third-year Keck School of Medicine of USC medical student Martin Tolosa examines a patient at the four-day Care Harbor clinic held Oct. 31 to Nov. 3 at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.
(Photo/Jon Nalick)

The annual Care Harbor event provides free medical and dental care to hundreds of people who have limited or no access to health care. (Photo/Jon Nalick) The annual Care Harbor event provides free medical and dental care to hundreds of people who have limited or no access to health care.
(Photo/Jon Nalick)

… Read More »

November 22nd, 2013|Announcements|

Keck students, benefactors celebrate success at Scholarship Luncheon

By Ryan Ball

Donor Norene Zapanta with Maria Sandoval, recipient of the scholarship named for Zapanta’s late husband, Edward Zapanta, a USC neurosurgeon and the first Hispanic member of the USC Board of Trustees. (Photo/Steve Cohn) Donor Norene Zapanta with Maria Sandoval, recipient of the scholarship named for Zapanta’s late husband, Edward Zapanta, a USC neurosurgeon and the first Hispanic member of the USC Board of Trustees.
(Photo/Steve Cohn)

The daughter of undocumented immigrants, Maria Sandoval credits excellent mentoring for helping her become the first member of her family to graduate high school and college. Now in her third year at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, she’s getting another boost in her quest to become a primary care physician and practice in her underserved community in the San Fernando Valley.

Sandoval is the recipient of this year’s scholarship named for Edward Zapanta, MD, the late USC neurosurgeon and first Hispanic member of the USC board of trustees. She recently had to the opportunity to thank Norene Zapanta for continuing her husband’s support of Hispanic medical students. The two shared a meal at the Keck School’s annual Scholarship Luncheon, held on Oct. 2 on the Harry and Celesta Pappas Quad. … Read More »

November 8th, 2013|Announcements|

High school students hit the lab for summer learning at Keck School

By Leslie Ridgeway

Jason Chen and Diana Zhou, both seniors at Diamond Bar High School, part of the Summer High School Advanced Research Program, work on a device they designed and built to measure reaction time. They envision using a form of the device in a future medical technology designed to warn surgeons of potential errors during procedures. (Photo/Jon Nalick) Jason Chen and Diana Zhou, both seniors at Diamond Bar High School, part of the Summer High School Advanced Research Program, work on a device they designed and built to measure reaction time. They envision using a form of the device in a future medical technology designed to warn surgeons of potential errors during procedures.
(Photo/Jon Nalick)

While many high school students were spending their summer working at coffee shops and restaurants or on their tans, a group of more than 20 students from private and public high schools throughout the Los Angeles area dug in to intensive science projects as part of a new program based at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

The Summer High School Advanced Research Program (SHSARP) gave students eight weeks of hands-on experience in several labs, including ophthalmology, cell and neurobiology and preventive medicine at the Keck School, and at the USC School of Pharmacy, USC School of Dentistry, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. … Read More »

October 18th, 2013|Announcements|

Physician Assistant students receive 100 percent pass rate on national certifying exam

By Elise Herrera-Green

The class of 2013 of the Physician Assistant Program at USC, comprised of 50 graduates, received a 100 percent pass rate for first-time test takers on the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). … Read More »

October 18th, 2013|Announcements|

Keck School student receives NAMME scholarship

By Elise Herrera-Green

Sheila Lau, a second-year student in the Keck School of Medicine of USC’s Primary Care Physician Assistant Program, has been selected to receive a 2013 National Association of Medical Minority Educators (NAMME) Scholarship. Lau was one of only eight students in the nation selected for this scholarship. … Read More »

October 18th, 2013|Announcements|

Pfizer’s J. Jean Cui explains modern drug discovery to Keck School students

By Marie Rippen

Only five percent of potential cancer drugs make it from phase I clinical trail to FDA approval, but J. Jean Cui, PhD, associate research fellow at Pfizer, beat the odds.

J. Jean Cui of Pfizer shared her perspective on drug discovery with Keck School students as part of the Careers in Science seminar series. (Photo/Cristy Lytal)
J. Jean Cui of Pfizer shared her perspective on drug discovery with Keck School students as part of the Careers in Science seminar series.
(Photo/Cristy Lytal)

Cui visited the Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research on Sept. 13 to share her perspective on drug discovery with students as part of the Careers in Science seminar series, presented by the center in conjunction with the USC School of Pharmacy and the USC Center for Excellence in Research. … Read More »

October 17th, 2013|Announcements|

Young adults make a difference in research, patient care

Young adults are the future of health care, and nowhere is that more evident than on USC’s Health Sciences Campus. … Read More »

September 18th, 2013|Announcements|

New and returning Keck School students make a splash at welcome receptions

It’s the start of the fall semester, and Keck School of Medicine of USC students are back on the Health Sciences Campus! … Read More »

August 30th, 2013|Announcements|

Keck students inspired to think beyond borders

By Ryan Ball
Moving beyond the metropolis of Panama City and into the rural provinces, Keck School of Medicine of USC student Javier Sotelo was struck by the disparity in health-care accessibility he witnessed. He was surprised to find himself handing out emergency kits to midwives and educators, who provide primary care in areas where physician visits involve traveling several hours over dirt roads.

Sotelo was one of 32 students who studied abroad last semester as part of USC’s Master of Science in Global Medicine program. He and some classmates recently participated in the inaugural Global Citizenship Roundtable, where they shared their experiences and encouraged Keck School of Medicine of USC students to broaden their perspective.
In addition to Panama, students visited Taiwan, Honduras and India. … Read More »

August 30th, 2013|Announcements|

PT student attends signing of student loan bill at White House

By Hope Hamashige

Zuleima Hidalgo, a student in the USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, was in attendance at the White House on Aug. 9 when President Barack Obama signed into law a student loan reform bill.

Hidalgo, who is about to enter her second year in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, was one of several students asked to attend the signing. Prior to putting his signature on the legislation, Obama thanked the students who had raised their voices in support of the legislation.

“Without their voice, without their participation, we probably would not have gotten this bill done,” Obama said. … Read More »

August 22nd, 2013|Announcements|

HANDS-ON IN STEM CELLS

James Hur (right), a student from Harvard-Westlake School, describes his research on healing radiation wounds at the USC Early Investigator High School (EiHS) & USC CIRM Science, Technology and Research (STAR) Colloquium and Poster Presentation on August 2. … Read More »

August 22nd, 2013|Announcements|

Practice makes perfect at Surgical Simulation Center

By Josh Grossberg

Becoming a doctor requires years of attending lectures, watching PowerPoint presentations and reading stacks of thick textbooks filled with charts and graphs.

But at some point, young students and physician residents at Los Angeles County + USC will have to put down the heavy tomes and pick up a scalpel or a needle holder to begin the work of helping to make patients better.

To help them reach that goal as skillfully as possible, the Department of Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC provides them with a variety of simulation options to teach procedural based skills. This provides the opportunity to practice — and practice some more — before they ever touch a patient. Now, students and young physicians can hone their skills in an environment that is safe, but also real enough to mimic the stress of a real-life situation. … Read More »

August 9th, 2013|Announcements|

Ford honored for working with underrepresented minority students

By Josh Grossberg

He’s a respected researcher, prolific author, valued mentor, and selfless humanitarian.

For Henri Ford, professor of surgery, vice dean for medical education at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, and vice president and chief of surgery at Keck School-affiliated Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, life’s journey has been one of learning, sharing and giving.

To honor his many contributions to healthcare, diversity and philanthropy, Ford was given the 2013 NMF Academic Medicine and Clinical Practice Award by National Medical Fellowships. The award was presented at the NMF Champions of Health Awards ceremony on June 26 in Los Angeles. … Read More »

July 25th, 2013|Announcements|

Keck student named to AAMC governing board

 

Mariya Kalashnikova Mariya Kalashnikova

By Jon Nalick

Keck School of Medicine of USC student Mariya Kalashnikova has been selected as the sole medical student representative to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) executive board.

The AAMC is governed by a 17-member board of directors, which manages the affairs of the association by providing strategic direction, fiduciary oversight and generative thinking.

Associate Dean for Student Affairs Donna Elliott said, “The Keck School of Medicine is honored to have one of our students, Mariya Kalashnikova, selected to serve … [she] will be the voice of all U.S. medical students and have a role in influencing medical education and health care policy on a national level.” … Read More »

July 25th, 2013|Announcements|

Henri Ford honored for working with underrepresented minority students

By Josh Grossberg

Henri Ford (center) celebrates with Keck School National Medical Fellowship winners (from left) Ruth Montes, Miriam Lassiter, Dr. Ford, Maria Sandoval and Edwin Kulubya. Photo/BlankLogo Photography Henri Ford (center) celebrates with Keck School National Medical Fellowship winners (from left) Ruth Montes, Miriam Lassiter, Dr. Ford, Maria Sandoval and Edwin Kulubya.
Photo/BlankLogo Photography

 

He’s a respected researcher, prolific author, valued mentor and selfless humanitarian.

For Henri Ford, professor of surgery, vice dean for medical education at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, and vice president and chief of surgery at Keck School-affiliated Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, life’s journey has been one of learning, sharing and giving.

In recognition of his many contributions to health care, diversity and philanthropy, Ford was recently honored with the 2013 Excellence in Academic Medicine and Clinical Practice Award from the National Medical Fellowships, presented at a ceremony on June 26.

The National Medical Fellowships is a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships for underrepresented minorities entering the health professions. … Read More »

July 16th, 2013|Announcements|

YouTube inspires cross-country trek for pharmacy student

By Alexis Young

PharmD candidate Cedona Watts is researching gene expression and translocation at the Center for Cancer Research in Bethesda, Md. Photo/Lillian Insalata PharmD candidate Cedona Watts is researching gene expression and translocation at the Center for Cancer Research in Bethesda, Md.
Photo/Lillian Insalata

After watching a YouTube video about the USC School of Pharmacy, Cedona Watts was convinced that she should leave her hometown of Huntsville, Ala., and head west to Trojan town. Now entering her fourth year as a PharmD candidate, Watts credits her USC education for the multitude of fellowships, scholarships and awards she’s received.

“That one YouTube video really inspired me,” said Watts, who graduated from the University of Alabama with bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and biological sciences. “I saw the dean and the different faculty in the video. Their message was to increase diversity within the pharmacy profession, and the other important things were the opportunities to do research and dual degrees.” … Read More »

June 28th, 2013|Announcements|

YOU SAY “POTATO,” I SAY “BATTERY”

More than 150 students from elementary schools surrounding USC’s Health Sciences campus participated in the 13th annual HSC Science Fair, held May 9, on the Harry and Celesta Pappas Quad. … Read More »

May 16th, 2013|Announcements|