MAPS Mentor Feature: Dr. Lynne Holden, MD

By Alexa Mieses

In 2009, Dr. Lynne Holden was the recipient of the Bynoe-Thomas Memorial Award at the first annual Harlem, Take Care of Yourself Health Fair. MAPS members consider her a role model and we are not the only ones who think so. Dr. Holden was born in Philadelphia and later attended Howard University for her course of undergraduate study. She returned to Philadelphia and graduated from Temple University School of Medicine, before becoming a New York resident and physician in the Bronx. Dr. Holden is an attending physician of emergency medicine at Montefiore Hospital, associate professor of clinical emergency medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University, and is the founding president of Mentoring in Medicine (MIM).

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MIM is a non-profit organization that links students from disadvantaged backgrounds, as early as in third grade, with health care professionals across all fields. Visit MIM for more information. In addition to networking events, MIM provides MCAT and professional school application preparation, a clinical exposure program for pre-health students, and hosts the annual "Yes, I Can Be a Healthcare Professional," Conference in New York City. The 2010 conference will take place at Frederick Douglas Academy in December. More information to come soon!

Dr. Lynne Holden is not just a mentor to MAPS members she is an amazing physician, teacher and woman! Check out what the New York Times, the Lifetime Network, and Albert Einstein COM had to say!

Dr. Holden receiving the Bynoe-Thomas Memorial Award at the MAPS health fair in 2009

Walk It Out-- for Health!

By Gladys M. Yensi

Since the first week of June I have been a leader of a walking group at Mt. Sinai Medical Center. This walking group is part of a larger city-wide initiative: "The 16-Week Walking Challenge." This initiative was developed by Mentoring in Medicine, Inc. and is sponsored by the Amercian Heart and Stroke Association to mobilize the community to get out there and get active. By becoming active in this endeavor, I have not only made an effort to become a little more active than I used to be, but I have also realized the underlying importance of what the walking challenge represents.

Exercise and healthy diet has been shown to prevent and/or alleviate some of the symptoms of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and hypertension, as well as diabetes. Other lifestyle changes, like the cessation of a smoking habit, also help to ward off some complications of these diseases. Sadly, quitting smoking and not putting those extra two pinches of Goya® Adobo while cooking, are habits that are difficult to get people to change quickly. Perhaps engaging people to participate in low impact exercise is a habit that could be adapted and maintained more easily, especially when encouraged over 16 weeks. Such has been the challenge this summer.

This walking challenge is pertinent to the fundamental values of the Minority Association of Pre-health Students (MAPS). MAPS at CCNY not only has an affiliation with Mentoring in Medicine through Dr. Lynne Holden, but is also associated with the communities that the walking challenge targets; those in urban settings which are underserved-- Harlem and Washington Heights to name a couple. Not only do some of our MAPS members come from similar communities, but some of us may even be afflicted by diabetes or hypertension, or have family members, friends, and neighbors who struggle with these diseases. All members of MAPS aspire to become health care professionals and combat health disparities as leaders in our communities.

It has been fourteen weeks since I committed myself to leading the Mt. Sinai Medical Center group of the walking challenge. During these recent weeks I have worked with old friends and made new friends. We have enjoyed the scenic views of Central Park during our walks on beautiful summer afternoons, and have shared smiles and laughs as I instructed them in basic belly dance moves. There are only four weeks left of the challenge, but it's never too late to start making walking a habit. Furthermore, at the end of the walking challenge in mid-September, there will be a closing ceremony which will acknowledge the walkers and offer the opportunity for a raffle and giveaways. There will also be a free concert for the walking challenge participants. The details of this event has yet to be announced.

There are six walking groups in total from all five boroughs of New York City. The two most conveniently located near CCNY are those stationed at Harlem Hospital and at Mt. Sinai Medical Center. To learn more, please email WalkwithMIM@gmail.com. I hope to see my fellow MAPS members in the upcoming walks :-)

SNMA Annual Medical Education Conference 2010

By Alexa Mieses

The Student National Medical Association held its Annual Medical Education Conference (AMEC) this past week in Chicago, IL, entitled Healthy Impact 2010. Among the many well-known speakers was former surgeon general Dr. David Satcher. Dr. Satcher addressed the attendees during his "Healthy People 2010" presentation and touched on everything from health care reform and eliminating health disparities, to increasing the number of minorities in the health professions. In addition, this presentation served as a review of his Healthy People 2010 initiative which was put in place as a deadline by which to make certain permanent changes to the overall health of the American people and reduce health disparities. Though Dr. Satcher did not achieve all of the intended goals, he set a new deadline hoping to make these changes by the year 2020.

Dr. Satcher's large plenary session was not the only highlight of the AMEC pre-medical forum. The forum also included a seminar with Dr. Lynne Holden, MD, of Mentoring in Medicine Inc., on interview and presentation skills, a presentation from Dr. Bonnie Simpson Mason, MD, of Nth Dimensions Educational Solutions, regarding the business side of medicine, and a panel of six physicians at different stages in their lives addressed "Relationships in Medicine". The pre-medical track also included four medical school tours and eight hour-long recruitment fair with over thirty medical schools from across the country in attendance.

CityCollege MAPS Members at Premed Luncheon

Left to Right: Paola Morocho, Felicia Green, Christine Sulmers, Suky Martinez,

Alexa Mieses, Jasmine Cruz, Carlotta Ross

Congratulations Queens College on winning Region XI MAPS Chapter of the Year! CCNY is looking to be next! We're looking forward to seeing everyone next year in Indianapolis!

4th Annual Yes, I can be a health care professional! Conference

4th Annual "Yes, I Can be a Healthcare Professional!" Conference

"The mission of Mentoring In Medicine, Inc. (MIM) is to increase the presence of underrepresented healthcare professionals through mentoring, career development and exposure."

Date: Saturday, December 05, 2009 from 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM (ET)

Location:

Frederick Douglass Academy I

2581 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd

On 7th between 148th and 150th

New York, NY

Hosted By:

Mentoring in Medicine

Get more information or Register to attend at

http://mentoringinmedicineconference.eventbrite.com