AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ANTIGUA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

AUA Health Fair A Major Success

Each semester, it is an AMSA (American Medical
Student Association) tradition to perform acts of community
outreach and service in an attempt to interact with the locals
of whatever area they are in and to expose students to medical
practices early on. According to www.amsa.org the mission
statement of AMSA is:

“The American Medical Student Association is

committed to improving health care and
healthcare delivery to all people; promoting
active improvement in medical education; in-
volving its members in the social, moral and
ethical obligations of the profession of medicine; assisting in the
improvement and understanding of world health problems; con-
tributing to the welfare of medical students, premedical students,
interns, residents and post-MD/DO trainees; and advancing the
profession of medicine.”

What’s Inside?
Health Fair...........................................1-2
From the Editors...............................3-4
Faculty Spotlight................................5-7
Student Spotlight...............................8-9
Academic Matters.........................10-11
Rumor Mill...........................................12
New Campus Tour..............................13
BSU Movie Premiere.........................14
Photo Spread.......................................15
The Counseling Corner..............16-17
The AUA chapter has embraced this charter and has put on
health fairs in the heart of the Antiguan community each se-
mester. Our goal for the May-September 2009 session was to
make this a bigger and better health fair than the ones previ-
ously organized. With great pride, I am able to say that we
were able to succeed and surpass our goals.
The Health Fair took place in downtown Antigua in the central
market where fruits and vegetables are sold. Over 400 patients
were seen by a combination of 250 student volunteers and
AUA faculty. Along with this overwhelming student response,
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 AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ANTIGUA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

we were able to combine our efforts with those of a local group,

the JCI, whose goals were very similar to those of AMSA: to pro-
vide quality health care to the Antiguan community free of cost.
With all of our pooled resources, we were able to offer the widest
spectrum of health exams that I have seen in my four semesters
here. Tests included: blood glucose testing, blood pressure reading,
body mass index calculation, history taking, eye examinations as
well as HIV testing through AMWA (American Medical Women’s
Association). Thanks to the contributions of our professors: Dr.
Manjunath, Dr. Ephraim and Dr. Sri we were able to allow each
patient to have one on one interaction with physicians regarding
any questions they may have had answered.

The Health Fair was such a large success due to the community
outreach that we received. Local businesses like Townhouse Me-
gastore, Epicurian, Bargain Center and Mt. St. John’s Hospital of-
fered so much support ranging from water donation for all of the
students who participated, a cooler, blood drive sign up capability
as well as blood glucose machines. The generosity of AUA also
made this event possible: from the donations of tables, chairs and
privacy curtains to pamphlets, free prints and most importantly the
megaphone that made my job so much more colorful that day.

Thank you to all of you who participated. I hope the experience

was as enlightening for all of you as it was for me. For almost two
days after the event I heard people talking about the interesting
cases that they had seen, including Bell’s palsy, rhonchi, sudden
blindness, blood sugar that was almost off the charts and so much more. I hope that AUA students were
able to see that beyond all of the books, exams and studying that there is a reason to all of this and that
there is an end result – treating patients. I also am optimistic that the Antiguan community was able to
see us as more than the doctor’s down by Epicurian and as people just like them with our own back-
grounds and stories.

In closing, I urge all of you to volunteer for AMSA events in the fu-
ture. It is one of the oldest medical student organizations, boasting more
than 60,000 members. The alumni number alone is a good reason to join but
moreover, it is the pledge to provide health care and education that should
draw you…after all, that is why you’re here aren’t you? Finally, thank you
to all of the students who came to our event and made it such a wonderful
day, professors who provided extra credit, donated their time at the health
fair, donated materials to use the day of and all of the local vendors
that so generously provided us with anything we needed. By: Marium Syed - Med 4
AMSA Medical Coordinator
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The Whole Story...

While I have been a card-carrying atheist since I was old enough to open a high-school biology book, I also
happen to enjoy the occasional episode of “7th Heaven.” Strange I know, but what can I say? I have a weakness
for goofy television and besides, Lucy’s husband is a total hottie. Yet out of all the episodes I’ve seen, there is
one that stands out most in my memory. I don’t remember the premise, but somehow, the Reverend Camden
ended up explaining precisely what entails a lie. He was very clear on this point: A lie of omission is just as
bad as a “regular” lie...Which means that leaving out an essential part of the story is not OK as far as he and
Jesus are concerned. ...And for once, the three of us agree.

Students can talk for hours about the discrepancies between what we were led to expect from AUA versus what
we actually got. Many of us thought we were going to be in the hospital every week during Med 1, when the
truth was that we went once over the entire semester. We were all told our loans would cover our utility bills,
but never that the cost of electricity in student housing would be more than 10 times what we would pay off
campus, much less informed as to why there was such a huge variation in price. We were assured that classes
would be small and we would have a choice between morning or afternoon sessions, but not that sections
would be combined for some semesters but not others, and that not all departments were fully prepared to teach
two sections per day.

Then, as though two wrongs can make a right, (which incidentally is covered in an entirely different episode of
the show) we complain to each other that succeeding at AUA is impossible, that teachers intentionally try to
fail us, and that their questions are unfair. We insist to our parents that although we study 10 hours a day, we
are still worried about maintaining a 2.5 GPA. We argue relentlessly over a few points on an exam, knowing
full well that had we studied harder, those few points wouldn’t matter so desperately.

Why do we subject ourselves and each other to the charade of hiding certain facts and amplifying others? What
exactly is the danger if everyone were to admit everything about everything to everyone? ...What do we have to
be so ashamed of?

The answer, usually, is ourselves. When we find ourselves unwilling to tell the whole story, it’s generally be-
cause we know there is something morally ‘off’ about our part in it. But feeling this way should be interpreted
as a signal to open up and figure out why, rather than close off and try to forget it. Maybe I’ve seen too many
episodes of “7th Heaven,” but I still believe that people respond primarily to honesty, even if some parts of the
whole are less than perfect.

AUA is literally still a “work-in-progress,” and I

am generally OK with that. Overall, I like the
school, I like the teachers, and I think I am get-
ting a good education. However, I also think the
administration is prone to selling a commercial-
ized image of AUA’s future rather than its current
reality, and often tends to gloss over the school’s
faults while playing up its assets. ...This then
backfires when students who feel as though they
have been deceived proceed to magnify the bad
points and ignore the good. It all deteriorates into
a vicious cycle of subjectivity, and in the end, it is
often the most genuinely well-intentioned indi-
viduals who are unfairly stuck in the
crossfire...Surely the Rev. Camden (not to men-
tion Jesus) would disapprove.
Katie Schmitz - Med 3
**Disclaimer** AUA Pulse Editor-in-Chief
This editorial is not meant to imply that AUA is benefitting from or has intentionally created any of the adverse cir-
cumstances mentioned here. It is based solely on my own experiences and observations over the past year. Dr. Bell
has stated that the he and the university are working hard to rectify these issues and he hopes they will be resolved
as soon as possible.
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AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ANTIGUA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

Khrystal is currently
hard at work on an in-
depth piece investigating
the ongoing student loan
situation. Look for her
article in the next AUA
Pulse!

Khrystal Boone - Med 4

AUA Pulse Assistant Editor-in-Chief
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 AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ANTIGUA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

Faculty Spotlight on... Dr. Bharati!

Last semester when I was in enrolled
in microbiology, I received some of the
lowest grades of my life on the first three
quizzes. As both my undergraduate and
graduate degrees are in the field of com-
puter science, I was not trained to memo-
rize random facts, and this was not help-
ing me in micro, as was demonstrated by
my poor performance. When I discussed the
issue with Dr. Bharati, she sympathized
and asked me questions regarding the
problems I was having understanding the
material. She realized that my main prob-
lem involved categorizing the information.
Afterwards, she went the extra mile to
help me and told me to come see her every time we finished an organ system (which was
almost every other day). Every time I would go to her office, she would patiently listen to
all my complaints and then spend at least an hour going over the material with me and
asking questions to test my understanding and help me see the patterns so I could better
categorize the information. She helped me make sense of micro, and because of her, I ended
up liking the subject and even became one of the T.A.s. She is a wonderful and caring
teacher with a beautiful smile; a teacher that AUA students are blessed to have. There are
several aspects of her amazing personality that many of us don’t know, and for this reason,
I decided to interview Dr. Bharati for the faculty spotlight.

Me: Could you tell us about your childhood?

Dr. Bharati: I am the oldest among three siblings, I have a younger sister and a younger
brother (upon asking, Dr. Bharati denied that she bossed around her younger siblings). I
grew up mostly in North India. Due to my father’s job, my family moved a lot. So parts of
my childhood were also spent in South India. My family moved so much that between the
1st and 10th grade I attended six different schools. However, all of my college education is
from South India.

Me: So how many languages do you know?

Dr. Bharati: My mother tongue is Malyalam. However, most of my life I spent in North India
so I am also fluent in Hindi. Then due to the time I spent in South India I also know Kan-
nada, Telugu and Tamil. In college I learned French, and English was taught in school. (So
this makes seven languages!)
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 AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ANTIGUA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

Me: How did you come to study microbiology?

Dr. Bharati: Well when I was a student I took the entrance exam for medical school. How-
ever, I realized that my heart wasn’t really into medicine. At that time there was a medi-
cal school that was offering a combined curriculum for medical microbiology. In that cur-
riculum we were offered a year of basic sciences combined with two years of medical mi-
crobiology. I took that pathway and after I finished my studies I started working at the
medical school in Manipal. The job at Manipal consisted of three parts that included teach-
ing (to medical, dental, nursing and graduate students), working at the diagnostic lab, and
research. It was also during my job at Manipal that I received my PhD.

Me: What area did you concentrate on for your research?

Dr. Bharati: My research area is in diagnostic aspects of bacterial meningitis - more specifi-
cally, the molecular methods for diagnosing bacterial meningitis.

Me: What are the differences you have noticed between our student body here at AUA and
the student body at Manipal?

Dr. Bharati: I have noticed that when it comes to learning the material that is taught in
class, what the students find difficult or easy is the same whether at AUA or at Manipal. I
was teaching the mainstream medical students in Manipal and since the curriculum there is
more demanding in terms of volume, and they had to work towards getting a degree in
medicine, most of them were focused on achieving that goal. However, the students here are
very open in expressing their opinions, both their appreciation and their dislikes whereas in
India they always maintain a distance between themselves and the faculty. I also like the
fact that the students here always acknowledge their professors. On the other hand the
students in India are lot more inhibited in giving their opinions.

Me: OK let’s move on to some fun stuff. What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend
your free time?

Dr. Bharati: I love reading and craft work, and recently I got interested in glass painting. I
also enjoy solving crossword puzzles and Sudoku puzzles; in fact, I deliberately had to stop
doing them because I am addicted to crossword puzzles and Sudoku. I was trained in Indian
classical dance and music, I like listening to music and because my husband is a big fan of
60s and 70s rock music, I got used to listening to that as well.

Me: You just mentioned painting and I have always noticed that you wear nice color combi-
nations. ... Do you have a favorite color?

Dr. Bharati: I don’t have a favorite color. However, I love the black and white combina-
tion and I don’t like dull colors. I love mixing and matching my clothes. Especially in India,
since you have more options when creating your outfits, I used to mix and match all differ-

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ent kinds of colors. In fact, many of my friends and colleagues used to call me the “queen
of mix and match.”

Me: From this I can tell that you must be very artistic. Did you take courses in art? How
did you start to paint glass?

Dr. Bharati: I never took a course in painting, but I always liked glass painting and one
day I just decided to read up on it and start. I am an Aries so it is part of my nature to
be impulsive. Once I set my heart on something, I always have to do it. I am very much a
typical Aries; however I think that time has mellowed me a little. I am also a romantic at
heart and a dreamer, and I enjoy creative activities.

Me: Who has been the most influential person in your life?

Dr. Bharati: There are many people who have influenced my life. I would say that my
mother has had a huge influence on me, as well as my grandfather. When I was little, I
always wanted to be a teacher and used to use the doors in my home as the chalk board.
He bought me my very first chalk board. Also many teachers had a hand in molding me.

Me: Is there any message you would like to give to our student body?

Dr. Bharati: My advice for the student body is to learn for the sake of obtaining knowledge
and to be curious about science. Don’t learn for the sake of grades, as grades don’t always
reflect knowledge. Knowledge is empowerment and it gives you confidence. Knowledge earns
you respect from your patients and peers. Learn for the joy of learning and that will enrich
yours and someone else’s life.

By: Aisha Waheed

Med 4

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Student Spotlight On... Dantong Xu!

For all of you dedicated AUA Pulse readers, here
is something new for your taste buds. And for
those who are first-time readers, this is for you
too. This edition of the AUA Pulse is putting a
new spin on the Teacher Spotlight and introducing
the Student Spotlight. It’s nice to know more
about your professors, but we are all here to be-
come physicians, so why not hear first-hand from
our very own peers how they made through each
semester?

The Student Spotlight this month is on Dantong

Xu. He is a Med 4 who has very successfully
completed every previous semester, so I sat down
with him to uncover the secrets to his success. ...
So if you are hoping or praying for a miracle, here
are a few keys to help you unlock the mystery of success here at AUA.

Me: When did you begin your coursework at AUA?

Dantong Xu: I started here as a Med 1 in May of 2008.

Me: What is your GPA?

Dantong Xu: Well, I have received mostly As in my courses here at AUA so I would say
above a 3.5

Me: How many hours do you study a day?

Dantong Xu: On weekdays, I study around 7-8 hours. On weekends, I would say about 12
hours or so.

Me: Are there any outside resources you use to study?

Dantong Xu: I always read the assigned text books. I don't usually use any outside resources.

Me: Any advice for Med 1s - Med 4s??

Dantong Xu:
Med 1: Read the books not the power points
Med 2: Go to class
Med 3: Go to class because lectures are very helpful in understanding the information
Med 4: Study and don't get distracted
For all: commit yourself to study after class, otherwise you won’t make it
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 AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ANTIGUA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

Me: What was your favorite class and why?

Dantong Xu:
Anatomy Lab: It is a good supplement for the lecture.
Histo: I like Dr. Singhs and Dr. Getas unique style of teaching, they draw and make you draw in-
stead of using powerpoints
Physio: Dr. Sanii explain everything thoroughly. He puts his passion into teaching and is willing
to take time to explain things.
Path I: Dr. K helps to link topics to clinical cases. He makes it easier to read the book.
Micro: Dr. Bharti helps prepare you well for the Shelf exam.
Pharm: Dr. Morcos' slides are simplified and very straight forward.
ICM Lab: It is a good supplement to better understand the material. They break you into small
groups and ask questions to make it interactive.

Me: Can you offer any tips to students new to the island?
Dantong Xu: If you aren’t mentally prepared, you have to sit down and make sure medicine
is for you. You have to be determined. It’s a lot of hard work. I hope everyone succeeds. There
are no short cuts in medicine. You have to study every day.

Me: Where do you want to go for 5th semester?

Dantong Xu: I would like to go to Baltimore if it is offered because it’s close to home; how-
ever, all the sites have their unique benefits.

Me: How do you plan on studying for the Comp Shelf and Step I?
Dantong Xu: For the Comp Shelf, if time allows, I would like to review physio and biochem.
For Step I, I plan to take time off, review every subject once to integrate everything together,
and probably take Kaplan Prep/Review because they are well established to aid in the integra-
tion of the information.

Me: What kind of doctor do you want to be?

Dantong Xu: I want to go into internal medicine and possibly specialize in nephrology, cardi-
ology, or endocrinology. I know for what I don't want to go into: pediatrics or obstetrics/
gynecology.

Thank you all for reading this article in its entirety. I hope it
has shed some light on the keys to success here at AUA. That’s
it for this edition of the Student Spotlight. Stay tuned to find
out who our next student will be.....

By: Nicole Roberts

Med 3-4

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 AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ANTIGUA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

Academic Matters...
If you have read the series of articles in the Pulse thus far about class attendance and
power points you might, like me, be wondering: Why the great divide? Chinaʼs Great Wall sits
between students and faculty. Yes, doors exist allowing us to visit one another but as yet the
wall seems to stand. It is time to move from this series of monologues to a dialogue between
the two sides.

The Med 2 class took a step in the right direction this past month when their SGA repre-
sentatives met with both Dr. Bell and Dr. Sanii to discuss class attendance and the quality of
courses. The overriding premise of this meeting was that no one knows better what it is like to
be an AUA student than an AUA student. The two deans were in complete agreement of this;
however, Dr. Bell pointed out that the student body grumblings could not be addressed if not
presented to the administration. Last semester, course evaluations were completely revamped
and presented to students in a short, electronic and anonymous format. All of the changes
made to the course evals were at the recommendations of the student body. And yet little over
thirty percent of the student body filled out the evaluations despite multiple reminder emails
and extensions. What can the administration conclude but that the remaining seventy percent
or so are happy with the way the courses are being taught? It is hard to disagree with their
logic. This is not to say that the course evaluations that were filled out were thrown to the side.
However, when a small percentage of an already small percentage complains about something,
it is difficult to take it as actuality.

Although it was agreed that students should use the evaluations to their advantage, the
pending need for more effective educational tactics still remains. To further address this issue,
the Med 2 reps presented several learning tactics that they wish to see implemented in their
classes in the coming weeks. These tactics were compiled to accommodate all types of learn-
ers; the listeners, the doers, and the seers. Firstly, the organization of a lecturerʼs PowerPoints,
not only sets the bar for what is expected of a student, but also assists the student to hone in
on the “high yield” topics. In an accelerated program such as ours, the need for effective study-
ing is of GREAT importance and integral to our success as medical students.

Having structured PowerPoints, avail-

able at least 24 hours prior to a lec-
ture, allows a diligent student the op-
portunity to not only be prepared for
the dayʼs lecture, but prevents time
spent on downloading PowerPoints as
the professor lectures. The Med 2
class also proposed weekly quizzes,
which would not only improve class
attendance, but also provide the stu-
dents insight for their upcoming ex-
ams. Other suggestions included, but
were not limited to, fill-in-the-blank
PowerPoints, multimedia based class-

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 AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ANTIGUA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

room learning, more pointed objectives, and a better organized s-drive.

All of the above suggestions are well and good, but if the student body does not make
concessions on their end nothing will be accomplished. Sometimes I feel that we students, my-
self included, need to be reminded that we are in medical school. It will never be easy. Not eve-
ryone becomes a doctor-- not because they do not have the brains for it, but because they are
not willing to put in the required effort. The faculty does not look good by failing us, they want
every single one of us to succeed. At the same time they cannot lower the bar or hand out
exam questions just to pass every student.

It is time for us students to become more proactive when it comes to our education. If
you do not understand something in class, raise your hand and ask questions or go to a pro-
fessors office hours. If a professor asks a question, answer. What are you losing by getting it
wrong? Be respectful and come to class on time, it is distracting not only to the professor but to
your fellow classmates as well when doors are opening and closing constantly at the start of
class. Come to class, even if all it does is show the professor that you care enough about your
education to lose some precious sleep time! I, for one, am guilty of not doing many of the
above. But if the professors are willing to make the effort, then so should I.

I rewrote this article a million times so I would not sound like a fortune cookie or a televi-
sion evangelist near the end, it didnʼt work. We each know what we have to do to succeed. The
question is whether or not we are going to put in that extra effort required. For those of you that
are, I will see you at graduation :)

- Dona Hasou
Med 2 and SGA Executive Secretary

Thank you:

Thank you to Matt Wirsing, Nardeen Zaklama, Zohaib Haque, Donad St. Jean, Shahniwaz Labana, and Chris-
topher Buelvas for taking time out from busy Med 2 schedules and taking constructive steps forward in trying to
improve course quality for not only their class but for future med classes.

Thank you to all SGA representatives for taking a lot more time than people realize out of your personal
schedules to serve the student body, especially when it comes to academic matters. Finally, the Med 2 class
would like to thank all of their Med 1 and Med 2 professors. We do appreciate all you have done and continue
doing. For our future med 3 and 4 professors, we look forward to working with you.

If you would like a copy of the Med 2 meeting outline please feel free to email me at dona.hasou@gmail.com

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 AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ANTIGUA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

THE RUMOR MILL:

“I heard there was a shooting at the Roof Top!”

Fact: Indeed, there was recently a shooting at the Roof Top basketball courts located
off Factory Road in the evening hours. Please exercise caution if you play basketball
there late at night.

“Everyone’s saying Dr. Krishnanand and Dr. Geetha are leaving after this semester.”

Fiction: Dr. Bell, Dr. Krishnanand, and Dr. Geetha have all confirmed that they will
continue teaching at AUA next semester.

“I heard you can't do 5th semester in Baltimore anymore.”

Fact: Baltimore will no longer be offered as a site for 5th semester coursework. How-
ever, clinical rotations will continue there without interruption. The decision to remove
Baltimore is in favor of students and was initiated by AUA. 5th semester students would
have less hands on clinical experience due to the new management of the hospital, ac-
cording to Dr. Bell.

Someone said there were rats in the anatomy lab!!??”

Fact: A rat was recently found in the anatomy lab while prosectors were working on a
cadaver. The rats snuck in through a hole behind the washing machine. Efforts are being
made to rectify the situation and avoid any future rat invasions.

“I heard the September incoming class is going to have 400-500 students!”

Fiction: In an interview with Dr. Bell, the Pulse learned that the Fall 2009 class will not
be any larger than previous September classes, and will be accommodated within the
university’s current capacity.

“OK what really happened with Dr. Kumar and Dr. Shankar?”

As per the email sent out by Dr. Bell, “As of June 23rd, 2009, Drs. Mo-
han Kumar and Pinakini Shankar have been relieved of their duties with
the American University of Antigua.”

Heard any rumors lately? Wanna know the facts? Email me: vaseema@auamed.net and I’ll do
my best to get to the bottom of it. Tune in next time for more rumors, and more truths!

*Note: Issues above have been thoroughly researched and cited. Any questions By: Vaseem Ahmed
or concerns should be directed to Vaseem Ahmed at vaseema@auamed.net Med 3
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 AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ANTIGUA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

A Tour of the New Campus!

Dr. Bell recently hosted a tour of the
$60 million 17-acre new campus for
SGA class presidents and board mem-
bers. Hopes are that classroom instruc-
tion will begin in Fall 2009, although
construction will not be fully completed
until some time after that.

Amenities at the new campus will in-

clude a 400-seat auditorium, 16,000
square feet of fully soundproof class-
rooms, a three-story library, athletic
fields, and anatomy, microbiology and
ICM labs. The Nursing school will also
be located on the new campus, and on-
campus housing will eventually be Dr. Bell and the chief project engineer stand
available for incoming students. with SGA members in front of drawings of
the new campus
Dr. Bell said future students will be
tested exclusively via computer, for in-house MInis as well as Shelf exams. The new technology and
resources are scheduled to be implemented over the course of the next year.

The new auditorium will allow fu- Classrooms will be partitioned to hold
ture Med 4 classes to hold their 120 students each, maintaining AUA’s
White Coat ceremonies on campus. commitment to small class sizes.

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Black Student Union

Hosts Movie Premiere
On Thursday, June 25th, over 200 AUA students and faculty poured
into the Deluxe Cinema in downtown St. John’s for the premiere of
Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen. The first of its kind, the movie
premiere boasted LIME-sponsored “double-bubble” top-ups, a full
service snack bar, and complimentary 5-minute “teaser” massages.

Proud hosts of the event, the Black Student Union of AUA led by
President Gerdie Jean, displayed diligence and patience in dealing
with the bustling crowd. Many anticipated mishaps, such as “cutting”
line and saving seats, were held to a minimum. Everyone who at-
tended was seated, and most people were able to sit with those who
they arrived with.

The event was promoted effectively during the weeks prior. Tickets
sold out within days, and auctioned tickets went for over double the
initial asking price. Complimentary day spa vouchers from ‘D’ New
‘U’ Spa Boutique led raffle ticket sales to surpass the $400EC mark.
BSU President Gerdie
All in all the Black Student Union was able to raise over $1400 EC for Jean at the premiere
the Cedar Valley Elementary School. Proceeds will be allocated to-
wards purchasing the popular Hooked on Phonics easy-learning set
for students of CVES.

An action-packed movie, affordable concession stand snacks, and ample

crowd control culminated in a largely successful event for the BSU. Next
up is Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Stay tuned for more info.

Dapo Iluyomade - Med 3

Free “teaser” massages were

Students wait in line before the movie offered by ‘D’ New ‘U’ Spa
Boutique
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 AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ANTIGUA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

Med 4 Date Auction!

The “pickings” at the auction. More than Med 4 President Diane

$3000 EC was raised for the Med 4 White Phillip at the auction.
Coat ceremony

Med 4 Basketball Tournament!

The Guys’ and Gals’ teams at the Rooftop

Court. ... Over $3000 EC was raised for the
Med 4 White Coat ceremony.

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 AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ANTIGUA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

“On Coping with Change and Taking Control”

I want to talk about two issues that I speak about frequently with patients and students: Change and
Control. There is a tendency to speak about these subjects in a very intellectual and rational manner.
I will try to avoid that since these terms often have strong emotional components as well. I also do
not want to simply describe the problem. Like any good health-care provider, I want to also help you
to understand what you can do about it.

Regarding “Change”: This is a term many of us fear and most of us avoid. In some cases it is be-
cause Change means Loss, and this is in fact one kind of change. Many of us go to great pains (both
physical and emotional) to avoid Change at any cost. Change is seen as bad, unnatural, undesirable,
and a source of distress. If we are relatively content and happy in our present life, then Change is
viewed as a threat to that happiness. So we focus our efforts on strategies to maintain and preserve
this homeostasis.

A related term is “Control”. Control is a common issue that all of us face at some time in our lives.
Typically, our perception is that we are, “in control”. We go to the store, and fix our meals, and drive
our cars. We make a plan to complete our undergraduate training and apply to medical school. We
fly to Antigua and pay tuition, study hard, buy books, etc. So, with some sense of accomplishment,
we believe we are in complete control of our lives, our careers, and our destinies.

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This is fine until something goes wrong (that is, until something changes). Maybe it is something
small—a flat tire, an argument with your friend, a less than optimal lab grade. Perhaps it is something
more devastating—a broken arm, an automobile accident, a relationship ends, a failed course in
medical school, or a family member dies. How can that be? How can we be in control of our life and
allow these things to happen? Where is our control?

One of the most frequent questions I ask patients and students (over and over) is: How do we control
what we cannot control? Well, the simple answer is we do not—we control what we can control and
accept what we cannot control. The reality seems to be that Change is not the exception—it is the
rule. Stasis is the exception. So it appears that, despite our best efforts (and faulty perceptions), we
cannot control Change. Well then, what can we do?

By understanding the limits of your control (and the inevitability of Change), you begin to focus on
what you can control. I may not be able to control how I feel (angry, sad, frustrated, happy, etc.), but I
can control the expression of these feelings. I can explore these feelings and try to understand them.
I may not be able to control which questions occur on my next Mini-Exam, but I can make and imple-
ment a plan so that I am sufficiently prepared for the exam. I can get the proper amount of sleep dur-
ing the implementation of this plan and the night before the exam. I can address my nutrition so that
my brain and body are adequately nourished and prepared. I can exercise and have healthy, non-
medical school interests and hobbies that engage me and help me
to manage my stress and avoid burnout.

So, while I cannot control others, I can control me. But that control
is incomplete, and I need to understand the limits of my control.
Other people, environments, and a myriad of situational variables
may influence me, but I am the “CEO” of my thoughts, my feelings,
and my behavior.

Now that’s really taking control.

By: James M. Rice, RhD
Associate Professor &
University Counselor

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