Mentor Informational Interview - Ivonn Otavalo

This is an informational interview between Mentor Connection student, Ivonn Otavalo and one of her mentors, Dr. Robert Tasca. Dr. Tasca is a dentist at the Ryan Center.

Ivonn: What is your official title?

Dr. Tasca: Dental Coordinator.

Ivonn: What were your goals when you were 17?

Dr. Tasca: At the age of 17 I wanted to be a veterinarian.

Ivonn: Have these goals stayed the same throughout your life?

Dr. Tasca: My goals have not stayed the same throughout my life. I knew I wanted to go into medicine, however, I was not sure which field.

Ivonn: Why did you choose to pursue your career?

Dr. Tasca: I decided to become a dentist while in veterinary school. Most of my studies dealt with animal teeth or animal dentistry. I found it so interesting that it lead me to the field of Dentistry - but in humans.

Ivonn: What books/movies have influenced your career goals and choices?

Dr. Tasca: My work was not influenced by a particular book or movie.

Ivonn: What qualifications, courses, experiences or work did you do before going to university?

Dr. Tasca: I got a bachelors degree in physiology (pre-med courses).

Ivonn: What is the name of the school you went to?

Dr. Tasca: I went to NYU as an undergraduate and SUNY Stony Brook for Dentistry.

Ivonn: How many years have you been in school after graduating from high school?

Dr. Tasca: I remained in school for about 10 years after high school. 4 years of Bachelor education, 2 years of premed and 4 years of dental school.

Ivonn: Was tuition an obstacle? What advice can you give me about this?

Dr. Tasca: Tuition was not an obstacle as I got a scholarship at NYU. However, I had to take out loans for dental school. In order to be a dentist, or in medicine in general, it is important to take bio and chemistry courses as they are considered very important.

Ivonn: How do you handle obstacles/road blocks?

Dr. Tasca: The best way I handle an obstacle is to stay calm. If you are not calm, there is no way to solve the problem.

Ivonn: Did you confront many obstacles to become what you are today?

Dr. Tasca: Not too many, however, I had to be very disciplined as it takes a lot of hard work to become a doctor. I also had to learn how to manage my time.

Ivonn: What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Dr. Tasca: My strengths are that I am a very conscientious person and I always try to do my best. However, like all other human beings, I have weaknesses which include the tendency to be overconfident when it comes to knowing what is best for others.

Ivonn: Who is your hero?

Dr. Tasca: My hero is Ram Dass. Ram Dass was a Harvard professor of physiology. I was inspored by his writing. After teaching at Harvard, Mr. Dass became a monk.

Ivonn: Who do you take advice from?

Dr. Tasca: I take advice from Dr. Platt at the Ryan Center and of course, my wife.

Ivonn: Did you have any professional or personal mentors?

Dr. Tasca: Dr. Tinkler, a dentist who was very interested in my career.

Ivonn: What general advice can you give me in terms of the career I want to pursue?

Dr. Tasca: Make sure to like what you do and to take advantage of every opportunity you have to see what working is all about.

Mentor Informational Interview - Ivonn Otavalo

Mentor Informational Interview - Viviana Sanchez

This is an informational interview between Mentor Connection student, Viviana Sanchez and her mentor, Fay Barrett, MPH. Ms. Barrett is in charge of Prevention Education services at the Ryan Center.

Viviana: What is your official title?

Fay: I am the Coordinator for Prevention Education and Outreach Services at the Ryan Center.

Viviana: What were your goals when you were 16?

Fay: I wanted to help people but I didn't know in what capacity when I was in high school.

Viviana: Have the goals stayed the same throughout your life?

Fay: Yes, my goals did stay the same. When I graduated from high school and went to college, undergraduate major was in social work. I went on to graduate school for a Masters degree in Public Health.

Viviana: Why did you choose to pursue your goals/career? A certain event?

Fay: Well I did internships during my undergraduate college experience. Some of these internships were working as a social work intern and my last internship was working in an HIV unit. This last internship got me interested in HIV and I decided to pursue a job in HIV prevention.

Viviana: What books/movies etc. have influenced your career goals and choices?

Fay: A movie called " And the band played on" influenced my career goals and choices. This movie is about the spread of HIV.

Viviana: What qualifications, courses, experiences or work did you do before going to university?
Fay: I did my internships in the HIV unit during college. I also worked in a doctor's office and did volunteer work with the underserved community.

Viviana: What university did you go to?

Fay: I went to Lehman College for undergraduate and Hunter College for graduate school.

Viviana: How many years have you been in school after graduating from high school?

Fay: I remained in school about seven years after high school.

Viviana: Was tuition an obstacle? What advice can you give me about this?

Fay: Yes, tuition was an obstacle. I worked to overcome it while going to school. I got scholarships from TAP and PELL grants in order to help me with financial aid.

You can start applying to different colleges and see what financial aid they offer. You also need to make sure to keep your grades up. You can also try working for different organizations. For example, AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps is an organization that will give you scholarships towards college tuition.

Viviana: How do you handle obstacles/roadblocks?

Fay: I try to see what obstacles are holding me back. I list the different things I need to do in order to remove the barrier from reaching my goal.

Viviana: Did you have to confront any obstacles on your way to becoming what you are today?

Fay: I would say yes. Like the challenges of working while going to school. Also the stigma of working in HIV prevention.

Viviana: What are you strengths and weaknesses?

Fay: My weakness i that I try to do too many things all at once. My strength is the ability to see what is important to tackle first.

Viviana: Who is your hero?

Fay: My mother is my hero because she is a very strong Caribbean woman.

Viviana: Who do you listen to? Who do you accept advice from?

Fay: I listen to my mother and my husband. I first listen to what everybody has to say but I take what is beneficial for me.

Viviana: Did you have a personal or professional mentor?

Fay: Yes, one of my supervisors while I was doing my last internship.

Viviana: What overall advice do you have for me in terms of the career I want to pursue?

Fay: You really need to stay focused and enjoy what you are doing because it prepares you for the future. You need to ask for help and guidance as you go along. You also need to ask for extracurricular activities to do in biochemistry. Do volunteer work in that area. Find someone who is a biochemist in order to shadow and observe them to see what type of biochemist you want to become.

Mentor Informational Interview - Viviana Sanchez

Mentor Informational Interview - Zaire Smalls

This is an informational interview between Mentor Connection student, Zaire Smalls and her mentor, Lauren Kershinover, LMSW. Ms. Kershinover is a licensed social worker and the coordinator for the Single Stop Program at the Institute for Family Health.

Zaire: What is your official title?

Lauren: I am an LMSW and the Single Stop Program Coordinator. Single Stop is a case management program that we received a grant for.

Zaire: What were your goals when you were 17?

Lauren: My goals were to go to college and become a social worker so I could provide therapy for children.

Zaire: Have your goals remained the same?

Lauren: No, they are currently to expand the Single Stop Program and to try to make changes with health care reform and help as many patients as possible.

Zaire: Why did you choose to pursue your career/goals?

Lauren: I felt that it was my calling and that I have always had a gift of being in tune with peoples' needs.

Zaire: What books or movies have influenced your career choice?

Lauren: Elie Wiesley's "Night," a book about the Holocaust and Ann Franks Diary inspired me to get involved with social change. The Color Purple and Bastard Out of Carolina also inspired me.

Zaire: What qualifications, experiences or work did you complete before university?

Lauren: I was a peer leader helping athletes. I did peer education mediation for youth who were athletes.

Zaire: What University did you go to?

Lauren: SUNY New Paltz for my BA and SUNY Albany for my Masters.

Zaire: How many years of higher education do you have?

Lauren: 6 1/2 years.

Zaire: Was tuition an obstacle? What advice can you give me on this subject?

Lauren: You should apply for scholarships, financial aid and loans. I did a work study and had a part time job.

Zaire: What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Lauren: My strengths are my compassion and passion for my job. My weakness is that I can't say no.

Zaire: Who is your hero?

Lauren: It is not one specific person but a type of person: someone who addresses injustice and who is giving.

Zaire: Who do you take advice from?

Lauren: Friends, family, colleagues and therapist.

Zaire: Have you had any personal or professional mentors?

Lauren: My women's studies professor and another professor who was a physiologist who worked with homeless youth in San Francisco. A clinical supervisor upstate is also a mentor.

Zaire: What overall advice do you have for me in terms of the career I would like to pursue?

Lauren: Do something you feel passionate about and love. Make sure you take care of yourself in this field.

Mentor Informational Interview - Zaire Smalls

Mentor Informational Interview - Sherlyn Aldas

This is an informational interview between Mentor Connection student, Sherlyn Aldas and her mentor, Emelin Martinez. Ms. Martinez is the Reach out and Read coordinator at NY Presbyterian hospital.

Sherlyn: What is your official title?

Emelin: Reach Out and Read Coordinator.

Sherlyn: What were your goals when you were 16?

Emelin: My goals were to graduate high school, go to college and get my first car!

Sherlyn: Have the goals stayed the same throughout your life?

Emelin: No, they have changed.

Sherlyn: What are your current goals?

Emelin: Well now I want to go back to college and get a Masters degree in social work and start a community pre-school.

Sherlyn: Why did you choose to pursue your goals/career?

Emelin: I like to help children, especially those who are underprivileged.

Sherlyn: What books or movies have influenced your career goals and choice?

Emelin: The Purpose Driven Life.

Sherlyn: What qualifications, courses, experiences or work did you do before going to University?

Emelin: I worked at a pre-school for two years and I also worked in a camp.

Sherlyn: What university did you go to?

Emelin: Fort Lauderdale College for pre-law and I got a Bachelors in Human Services at St. Thomas University.

Sherlyn: How many years have you been in school after high school?

Emelin: 6 years.

Sherlyn: Was tuition an obstacle? What advice can you give me on this?

Emelin: It was hard to get financial aid. Do not get a student loan unless absolutely necessary and be sure to look for scholarships.

Sherlyn: How do you handle obstacles/roadblocks?

Emelin: I face my problems head on and find a solution or an alternative. I also pray to God to help me.

Sherlyn: Did you have to confront any obstacles to become what you are today?

Emelin: Not really.

Sherlyn: What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Emelin: My strength is that I am cooperative, empathizing, organized, compassionate and persistent. My weakness is that I am a perfectionist and very sentimental.

Sherlyn: Who is your hero?

Emelin: Jesus Christ.

Sherlyn: Who do you listen to? Who do you accept advise from?

Emelin: My mom or anyone who is an expert in the situation I need help in. It varies.

Sherlyn: Do you have personal or professional mentors?

Emelin: My personal mentor when I was in high school was Shermaine Brown, who i worked in the pre-school with.

Sherlyn: What overall advice do you have for me in terms of the career I want to pursue?

Emelin: Make sure your career is something you love, that you would do for free. That is how you know you love it. Find what you are passionate about and enjoy, no matter what obstacles come along.

Mentor Informational Interview - Sherlyn Aldas

Mentor Informational Interview - Tenzin Lhamo

This is an informational interview between Mentor Connection student, Tenzin Lhamo and her mentor, Crystal Thomas, DPT, CSCS. Ms. Thomas is the facility manager at SportsPT located in the Equinox gym.

Tenzin: What is your official title?

Crystal: Dr. Crystal D. Thomas DPT, CSCS Facility Manager/Senior Physical Therapist.

Tenzin: What were your goals when you were sixteen? Have the goals stayed the same throughout your life?

Crystal: When I was sixteen, I wanted to obtain a degree in Medicine or a Health care profession field (Dentist) so I participated in a program called the Summer Youth Health Careers program at Stony Brook University. It was there that I mentored with a dentist and realized that dentistry was not all that I expected.

Tenzin: If not, what are you current goals?

Crystal: Since Dentistry wasn't what I expected, I was introduced to physical therapy (P.T) while I was in the program and it stood out the most for me.

Tenzin: Why did you choose to pursue your goals/careers? A certain event?

Crystal: I like P.T because it has many different specialty areas such as Pediatric, Sports/Orthopedic, Rehab, Cardiopulmonary, Neurology and Animal P.T incorporated into one profession.

Tenzin: What books/movies etc. have influenced your career goals and choices?

Crystal: Even thought I can't recall the name of the book, I do remember a book where the main character dove in to a pool and hit her head. She fractured her neck and became paralyzed from the neck down. So in order to pass the time she discovered how to paint using her mouth.

Tenzin: What qualifications, courses, experiences or work did you do before going to university.

Crystal: I volunteered in P.T clinic and obtained a bachelor of science from Hampton University in Virginia. My courses included Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, Physics, Abnormal Psychology and Calculus.

Tenzin: What universities did you go to?

Crystal: Hampton University - Bachelor of Science
Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University: Doctoral Physical Therapy

Tenzin: How many years have you been in school after high school?

Crystal: 7 years total.

Tenzin: Was tuition an obstacle? Can you give me advice on this?

Crystal: Tuition was not a major obstacle. I received scholarships and student loans. My advice is to study hard, participate in extracurricular activities and community service and apply for as many scholarships as you can!!!

Tenzin: How did you handle obstacles/roadblocks?

Crystal: Research was one of my main obstacles. I handled this obstacle by asking questions to my guidance counselor, mentors, teachers and classmates. I researched and looked up things on the Internet and attended college preparatory/class seminars at the library, local universities and churches.

Tenzin: Did you have to confront any obstacles on your way to becoming what you are today?

Crystal: NO obstacles. NO EXCUSES. FIND A WAY! JUST DO IT!

Tenzin: What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Crystal: My strengths are that I am goal oriented, dependable, reliable, outgoing, charismatic and energetic. My weakness is that I am a very anxious person.

Tenzin: Who are your heroes?

Crystal: My mom, dad and sisters.

Tenzin: Who do you listen to? Who do you accept advice from?

Crystal: Mom, dad sister and from my mentors, teachers and friends.

Tenzin: Did you have personal or professional mentors? Who?

Crystal: Yes, my personal mentors are my parents and sisters. My professional mentors are Afriqiyah Woods, P.T and Seyal Vyas, P.T.

Tenzin: What overall advice do you have for me in terms of the career I want to pursue?

Crystal: You should find a career that makes you excited: stimulate your interests! You can acieve anything as long as you put your mind to it!! STAY POSITIVE! and KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE!

Mentor Informational Interview - Tenzin Lhamo

Journal Entry 6 - Faith Fordjour

This week was interesting in a way. I got the chance to interview my mentor Sonia Lugo. I learned a lot from her life experience. The main point of the interview was to get to know our mentors and that is what I did. I got to know my mentor on a personal level and she was very open to my questions. At the end of the interview, she gave me some advice on my career choice. She told me to never give up on my dreams and to not let anyone stop me from achieving my goals.

I also gave my mentor a card for Mentor Month in order to thank her for mentoring me. She was so happy to receive it. On Monday, I was visited by Sarah at my placement at Mt. Sinai. I was happy to see her and I showed her around my work place. After she left, there was this boy, Jose who came and started coloring. He left to see the doctor but he kept coming back to color. I got really fond of him and I even saw him when I was leaving. He came to say goodbye.

Journal Entry 6 - Faith Fordjour

Writing Workshop - Sherlyn Aldas

Exercise: Learning Log on Resident Dr. Blair Heinke's lecture on diet and exercise.

On Wednesday a resident, Dr. Heinke, came by to discuss diet and nutrition with the group. She asked us how we exercise and she gave us some ideas on how to continue. An example was using a pedometer and to make a goal in order to encourage exercise. She also told us that when making goals, to be sure to make them realistic goals. Fore example, we can not expect to lose 20 pounds in a month and if we do and fail, it will only make us give up. Another topic Dr. Heinke informed us of was about artificial preservatives and trans fats. Artificial preservatives are chemicals placed in foods in order to prevent spoiling, which can usually happen a lot quicker without it. However, these chemicals are very foreign to our bodies so it makes it hard to break them down. Trans fats are also similar; they are added in order to make food taste better but they are also hard to digest. Dr. Heinke recommended eating more organic food and healthier food as well such as vegetables and fruits or whole grain break. Even though Dr. Heinke gave us lots of information, I wish to learn about the chemicals and other things added to fast food which makes people addicted to it.

Writing Workshop - Sherlyn Aldas

Writing Workshop - Viviana Sanchez

Why would I be a good Biochemist Technician?

What a biochemist technician basically does is do a lot of investigative lab work on human micro organisms (take samples) such as blood, check cellular structure, bowel movement, urine, gastric juices etc. They are doctors who are really interested in the wonderful science of the human body and its functions. The need to have pretty good critical and realistic skills is very important. They need to use their thoughts and ideas in order to connect with their analytical research and the issues/problems that they may confront in the future. With all information gathered they need to have knowledge about scientific methods in order to experiment and come up with resolutions. They too need to know how to keep lab equipment safe and in proper shape. They need to know how to use it as well.

I think I would be a good biochemist technician because first of all I like learning about the human body and learning about lab work seems very interesting. I have been interested in this topic for a while now and I find it fascinating on how biochemist technicians gather research information on analyzing human micro specimens and how it affects the human body. They do this with proper lab equipment which they need to know how to take care of. I think I have known ever since I was young that i had an investigative and inquisitive mind/spirit especially when it comes to the functions of the human body. I am very organized and I am a very good listener and a good critical/logic thinker. I know that these are my strengths that connect to the skills that a biochemist technician needs.

Writing Workshop - Viviana Sanchez

Writing Workshop - Faith Fordjour

Exercise: Profiling an Obstetrician/Gynecologist using the My Health Career website. Faith would like to be an OBGYN so she answered the question "Why would you be a good OBGYN?"

Obstetricians and Gynecologists are two different types of physicians put into one due to the reproductive system. It is mostly simplified as an OBGYN. The Obstetrician specializes in the woman during pregnancy. Their job is to make sure that the woman is healthy and in good condition and also will come out as healthy as possible. That is where the Gynecologist comes in. The Gynecologist specializes in the woman's internal and external reproductive systems and how well it is or what they can do to make it better and/or healthier.

I would be a very good OBGYN. This is because I have the study of human anatomy and how the body works. Plus, as an OBGYN, I have to work with pregnant women and babies which is where my interests lie. I will have to be able to learn in a way that others will not have to and that works for me fine. What interests me the most is the fact that I am a female and I would like to learn about how my own body works and why it is what it is sometimes. Plus, as a female I be able to connect with the women. Most women would not like a man to be their OBGYN, as I wouldn't, so as a female OBGYN, it will help most women feel more comfortable and at ease so they can get the help that they need; whether doing during pregnancy or to make sure their reproductive systems are functioning well.

Writing Workshop - Faith Fordjour

HealthForum

This September 2009 study, commissioned by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies and carried out by leading researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland, provides important insight into how much of a financial burden racial disparities are putting on our health care system and society at large.

The researchers examined the direct costs associated with the provision of care to a sicker and more disadvantaged population, as well as the indirect costs of health inequities such as lost productivity, lost wages, absenteeism, family leave, and premature death.

What they found was striking. More than 30 percent of direct medical costs faced by African Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans were excess costs due to health inequities – more than $230 billion over a three year period. And when you add the indirect costs of these inequities over the same period, the tab comes to $1.24 trillion.

As legislators look for ways to make health reform pay for itself, it appears that eliminating health inequities can provide an important source of savings.

HealthForum

HealthTopics: Diet & Exercise

Prevention: An Apple-a-Day Isn't Gonna Cut It

by Naomi Freundlich
December 11, 2009

There is much to be hammered out before a final health reform bill emerges from Congress. Disputes over the public plan, abortion, financing and when reforms will actually take effect continue to delay progress. But on one thing, apparently, there is broad consensus: Nearly everyone supports prevention. In fact, a recent poll found that 71% of Americans favor increased investment in disease prevention and believe it will save money in the long run.

Prevention is a broad concept, encompassing everything from flu shots to prostate screening to smoking bans to confronting racism...

...Because the truth is, prevention does not always pay off—both in terms of health consequences and in economic terms. You can invest in community health centers and send out a legion of health educators to tell folks about diet, exercise, quitting smoking and having safe sex—but you might only have a minor impact on preventing disease. If there is nowhere to exercise safely in the community, if fresh produce is expensive and hard to find, if people are unemployed, suffering mental distress, facing the threat of losing their homes, confronting language barriers or cultural incompetence from providers, these interventions will have limited effect...

HealthTopics: Diet & Exercise

Tweeting

Hello Everyone,

We have started a Twitter account so you can keep up with our daily happenings. It also provides a place for students to check for last minute changes or details.

http://twitter.com/msiconnect

ou can just click on the sidebar of this website if you do not have a Twitter account.

MSI AHEC is also tweeting!

http://twitter.com/MSIAHEC

Tweeting

Writing Workshop - Khmran Malik

As January is National Mentoring Month, we will be devoting many of our Writing Workshops to mentors. As gaining as much information on our mentors' education, life experiences and background that lead to their chosen career is an important part of the mentoring process, students will shape their work around these issues.

Exercise: Journal Entry on Mentor Placement.

Journal Entry: Journal writing is primarily done drawing on an individual's personal experiences. However, it can also draw on articles, situations and events that affect or provoke a response from you. Journal entries can also be written in many different forms, including an unsent letter. An unsent letter can be a great way to reflect on the purpose of seemingly mundane, everyday chores (Writer's INC, 2001).

Khmran has written an unsent letter to his mentor doing just that. The aim is for this to help him uncover what he would like to ask his mentor during the next few visits.

"Dear Mary,

My recent experiences at the hospital have been very fun and are chances for me to learn how a hospital works. I have learned that you always knock before you enter a patient's room as well as give your name. Speaking with respect to patients even if they are not respecting you is very important. I also learned that beginning on time is very important for both yourself and staff. I was surprised to find out that the nurses have their own list of patients to look after. I thought the nurse's could look after anyone. I was also surprised to see that there were so many lists of patients that change hour to hour, day to day. I wonder if the patents have to have a surgery or something done to them even if they don't want to. Do you have to do it? I hope these experiences will help me pursue my dream of becoming a Physician's Assistant or Occupational Therapist. I wish these moments will help me in the future, working in a hospital.

Thank you,

Khmran"

Writing Workshop - Khmran Malik