Conferred to medical students in their first year of training, the white coat is a symbol of professionalism that creates a sense of responsibility to become compassionate healers for those who wear it. We invited seven of our future women in medicine to share their personal journeys and thoughts about becoming a superwoman in a white coat. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“To me, the white coat means privilege and to be a superwoman is to use that privilege to elevate the voices and concerns of others. In medical school, I have seen the power of the white coat in many ways, ranging from smiles and greetings from Muslim patients who see me in it to marching with other students in white coats on our Day of Action against repealing of the ACA.”

—Sayeeda Chowdhury, MS I

 

 

“To me, a superwoman doctor is no longer the woman who can play all of the roles in her life perfectly. [Instead] it’s about: understanding that it’s OK to spend a little too much time in the library or dancing in my room; learning to be patient with my learning process and to ask for help when I need it; challenging myself with experiences that will help me grow. Ultimately, I think that being a superwoman in a white coat is about being an “ordinary” woman is hardworking, humble, caring, and deeply human.”

Slavena Salve Nissan, MS I

 
 

 

 

“I don’t think you need a white coat to embody kindness, sincerity, empathy, honesty, and patience—values I feel should be among a person’s core characteristics. If these values are intrinsic, which they should be, you can never take them off—like a coat. To be a true superwoman, every interaction would be the same across the board, whether you’re dealing with a patient, friend, or relative.”

—Efe Chantal Ghanney, MS IV

  “I don’t think I’ve achieved “Superwoman” status yet, but if and when I do it’s because I’ve been blessed to be in environments like Mount Sinai where people are fiercely passionate about both achieving their own goals and supporting the dreams of others.  Here, I’ve learned that hard work builds strong allies, that I am not alone in working towards a life of professional and personal happiness, and that there is room for wellness while pursuing my lifelong dream of being a physician.  Wearing the white coat, for me, is gratifying not only because it comes after years of hard work, but also because it reminds me that I will have the privilege of a very full life – one built on family, friends, patients, and a job that I absolutely love.”

—Catharine Kappauf, MS I

 
 

 

 

“I come from a long line of both doctors and strong women in my family. My grandmother, or YiaYia as we say in Greek, was accepted to medical school at a young age, but was not allowed to go. Throughout my childhood, my grandmother always stressed education and hoped that I would follow the path of medical school that she always dreamed of. I am honored to follow in the footsteps of my mother in becoming a female physician and carry out my YiaYia‘s dreams to become a doctor. The traditions tied to medicine within my family have inspired my journey to becoming a superwoman in a white coat.”

—Kalla Gervasio, MS IV

   

“I have dedicated myself to becoming an integral part of the very systems that oppress and divide, so that in better understanding them, I can open doors for those who have been shut out. To me, a white coat is an avenue for creating opportunities for others.”

Chierika Ukogu, MS I

 

 

 

“To me, being a superwoman in a white coat means continually learning about other’s experiences, what others value in life, and not making assumptions about or asserting my own worldview on others. As a future doctor, it will be critically important to have a constantly open mind and really listen to patients and colleagues, so that I can meet them where they are, rather than where I assume them to be.”

Jordyn Feingold, MS I


ABOUT THESE SUPERWOMEN

Sayeeda Chowdhury is a first-year MD/MPH student with an interest in human rights, social justice, and women’s health. She is a co-leader of AMWA, Muslim Students Association, the Human Rights and Social Justice Program, and volunteers as a Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention (SAVI) Advocate.

Slavena Salve Nissan is a first-year medical student and an aspiring physician-writer who can never have too many love poems in her life. She is the student leader of Sinai Arts, a contributor for the AAMC’s Aspiring Docs Diaries, and a medical student editor for in-Training. You can find her poetry, photography, and thoughts on social media @slavenareina on Instagram and Twitter.

Efe Chantal Ghanney is a fourth-year medical student at the Icahn School of Medicine. Efe Chantal has done extensive work with the African Research Academies for Women (ARA-W) to bridge the gender disparities in science and research—work that saw her share the stage with Former President Bill Clinton. She is currently a MasterCard Foundation Advisor for seven Clinton Global Initative University Alumni. After graduation this spring, Efe Chantal is heading to UCLA to begin her residency in Urology.

Catharine Kappauf is a first-year medical student with interests in surgery, women’s health, and oncology.  She is the EHHOP NutritionCorps coordinator, a tour guide coordinator, an EHHOP interpreter, and a member of IcahnBeWell.  She is passionate about performing arts, and continues to dance as much as possible.

Kalla Gervasio is a fourth-year medical student at the Icahn School of Medicine. She recently matched to Wills Eye Hospital at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA for her ophthalmology residency starting in July 2018. Prior to this, she will be completing a transitional year internship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC.

Chierika Ukogu  is a first-year medical student at the Icahn School of Medicine. She studied Human Biology at Stanford. Upon graduating, she conducted clinical research with the Women’s Health Research Center at the University of Pennsylvania and competed at the 2016 Olympics. She hopes to address social determinants of health, as well as conduct research, write, teach, and mentor others in the future.

Jordyn Feingold is a first-year medical student at the Icahn School of Medicine. She is passionate about integrating the science of well-being into medicine and creating cultures that enable practitioners and patients to thrive. Jordyn completed her undergraduate studies in Health and Societies as well as her Master’s of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) at the University of Pennsylvania. For more information about positive psychology or the REVAMP theory, reach out to her at: Jordyn.Feingold@icahn.mssm.edu.

A Place for Narrative Medicine within Ophthalmology

Narrative medicine combines medical practice with humanism and art. One fourth-year medical student has co-founded an online publication that shares medical professionals and students reflections after treating patients who have suffered from opthalmological issues—through creative narratives. 
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Vision (1-3): Perception, Self-Awareness, and Fantasy

Vision (1-3) alludes to our naive fascination—an exploration of perception, self-awareness, and fantasy.
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Let’s Talk: Superwomen in Medicine

Conferred to medical students in their first year of training, the white coat is a symbol of professionalism that creates a sense of responsibility to become compassionate healers for those who wear it. We invited seven of our future women in medicine to share their personal journeys and thoughts about becoming a superwoman in a white coat. 
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Medical Students Advocate to #ProtectOurPatients

Medical students at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) are trained to be informed advocates, activists, and change-makers for their patients and society. A few ISMMS students joined the #ProtectOurPatients movement in Washington, DC to sound a clarion call for change.
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Medical Students Dare to Enter the Tank

To culminate InFocus 7, the Department of Medical Education designed the School's first #MedEdTank, allowing third-year medical students the opportunity to pitch health care process improvements to leaders of the Mount Sinai Health System—in "Shark Tank" fashion.
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Totentanz

Totentanz

Outside the wind tears

still-green leaves from their branches

pulling them up and off 

like a corn shucker

ripping husk from kernels.


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How to Save a Life: Confessions from the Front Line

As is the case with most medical schools, the institution at which I receive my medical education is home to a myriad of student interest groups for nearly every clinical specialty.There’s your standard fare of IMIG, PIG, and SIG (for internal medicine, pediatrics, and surgery respectively), but then there are a few that are a bit more esoteric, such as the Transplant Surgery Interest Group (TSIG).
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Race and Racism in Medicine: An Evening with Dr. Mary T. Bassett

When we invited Dr. Mary T. Bassett, commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, to speak about racism in the health care system at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), we knew that it would be a powerful conversation.
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A Modern Family of Medicine

Whenever anyone asks how many siblings I have, I just start laughing. It’s not a very straightforward story, but the direct answer is incredibly high; something like 27. 
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Inspiring Innovation One High School Student at a Time

As the health care sector continues to face new challenges every day like rapidly rising costs and an increasing prevalence of chronic disease, the need for innovation is becoming exceedingly apparent. Now more than ever, we need people to disrupt the status quo and develop revolutionary innovations aimed at solving some of our most unsolvable problems. 
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We Are Not Throwing Away Our Spot

It started with a simple Facebook post in October 2016.
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Still Waiting for Someone to Pinch Me

The White Coat Ceremony is a rite of passage for beginning medical students that creates a psychological contract for professionalism and empathy in the practice of medicine. Slavena Salve Nissan, MD Candidate 2020, reflects on the ceremony's impact on her first step towards becoming a doctor. 
read more

Let’s Talk: Superwomen in Medicine

Conferred to medical students in their first year of training, the white coat is a symbol of professionalism that creates a sense of responsibility to become compassionate healers for those who wear it. We invited seven of our future women in medicine to share their personal journeys and thoughts about becoming a superwoman in a white coat. 
read more

Reflections on the White Coat

Every year, medical schools nationwide celebrate the incoming class of medical students during the White Coat Ceremony—the official start of their medical careers. Since its inception in the early 90s, the White Coat Ceremony has become a revered tradition that emphasizes the importance of both scientific excellence and compassionate care for patients. 
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Maria, Maria.

On September 20, 2017 Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 storm, struck Puerto Rico, my home. It destroyed the entire island’s infrastructure and left 3.4 million people without electricity, water, and cell phone service—making internal and external communication, nearly impossible. These are facts. I’d like to get personal. I’d like to share how I was affected by this hurricane. 
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Still Waiting for Someone to Pinch Me

The White Coat Ceremony is a rite of passage for beginning medical students that creates a psychological contract for professionalism and empathy in the practice of medicine. Slavena Salve Nissan, MD Candidate 2020, reflects on the ceremony's impact on her first step towards becoming a doctor. 
read more

So How Do We Actually Die?

Every year, students at the Icahn School of Medicine write Op-Ed articles about topics in health care and advocacy to culminate InFocus 4. Caitlyn Braschi's article, "So How Do We Actually Die?" was one of the 10 exemplary articles selected to appear in the 2016 issue of Physicians as Advocates—InFocus 4. We share her story. 
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Looking In

Every year, students at the Icahn School of Medicine write Op-Ed articles about topics in health care and advocacy to culminate InFocus 4. Charlotte Austin's article, “Looking In” was one of the 10 exemplary articles selected to appear in the  Physicians as Advocates—InFocus 4, and focuses on marginalized identities. We share her story. 
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All Roads Lead to Palliative Care—New York to Africa

During my sophomore year of college, I was thinking seriously about applying to medical school, but I was not sure if I would be able to handle working with dying patients. I decided to volunteer at a local hospice over the summer to confront that question as well as my personal fear of death. 
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Pitching Novel Ideas for Sustainable Solutions

Doctors do incredible things; they treat disease and improve the health of their patient populations.  Unfortunately, this has come at a price. Literally.
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Inspiring Innovation One High School Student at a Time

As the health care sector continues to face new challenges every day like rapidly rising costs and an increasing prevalence of chronic disease, the need for innovation is becoming exceedingly apparent. Now more than ever, we need people to disrupt the status quo and develop revolutionary innovations aimed at solving some of our most unsolvable problems. 
read more

Skipping the Gym to Walk with a Doc

In a city where gym memberships run as high as $200 a month (with restrictive hours and the long term commitments), two of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai’s best qualities really come to a fore: 
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We Are Not Throwing Away Our Spot

It started with a simple Facebook post in October 2016.
read more

Still Waiting for Someone to Pinch Me

The White Coat Ceremony is a rite of passage for beginning medical students that creates a psychological contract for professionalism and empathy in the practice of medicine. Slavena Salve Nissan, MD Candidate 2020, reflects on the ceremony's impact on her first step towards becoming a doctor. 
read more

Looking In

Every year, students at the Icahn School of Medicine write Op-Ed articles about topics in health care and advocacy to culminate InFocus 4. Charlotte Austin's article, “Looking In” was one of the 10 exemplary articles selected to appear in the  Physicians as Advocates—InFocus 4, and focuses on marginalized identities. We share her story. 
read more