Probably one of the best medical suggestions a physician can offer:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/28/health/28case.html?ref=health
I wonder what experiences the University of South Dakota School of Medicine Admissions Committee has in these such situations?
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Understanding Genomics
We are living in one of the most exciting times for modern human medicine and science. The human genome has been deciphered, stem cell and regenerative medicine therapies are on the near horizon (in fact the first Phase I stem cell clinical trial has been approved by the US FDA), and personalized genomic medicine(s) will soon be the norm. What exciting times!
However, with these changes, my thoughts turn to the quality of education and the abilities of the University of South Dakota School of Medicine faculties ability to teach these incredibly radical (textbook altering) concepts. Clearly, not one member of the USD SOM has a background in Stem Cell Biology, not one member has any training in Regenerative Medicine, not one member has even the slightest abilities or training in the fields of Pharmacology & Toxicology (a boggling concept considering physicians precribe regulated drugs and biologics), and certainly not one member of the faculty has any training in the fields of genomics, epi-genomics or bioinformatics.
In a very short time, the standard of care for individuals who are in need of pharmaceutical(s) treatment will involve a highly complex (but simple) pre-prescription genomic analysis of the patients DNA (or in some cases RNA activities). Prior to a patient starting a therapeutic regimen, they will undergo an relatively non-invasive DNA donation (something as simple as a oral swab), a genomic profile will be built and a result compiled of the patients genome sequence will be rendered. With this information scientists will consult with the patients physician an will be able with higher proficiency, detail the appropriate dose of a specific drug, whether or not a specific drug can be used in combination with other medications, and if there are any potential conflicts between therapies and mediciations. This might sound like futuristic thinking, but it is already upon us (in more ways than any of the students or faculty at USD SOM are aware of ... I assure yo of that).
My concerns are in the facts that none of the USD SOM faculty have any background in translational medicine. As has already been pointed out, a majority of the faculty at USD SOM have no research fundiing, do not participate in biomedical research, and certainly have limited (or no) publications. I wonder, how is it that the USD SOM faculty will teach these subjects, when they themselves have NO experience? I assure you that the students have no background or experience in this extremely important area of medicine!
Not long ago, the standard though-pattern of medical science was that following a heart attack, that the cardiomyocytes and associated cardiac tissue was permanently damaged and could not regenerate. Today (and only a short time from previous thought patterns), we know that cardiomyocytes and associated tissues do have the capability of regenerating and in some cases can be replaced with mesenchymal stem cell therapies. I wonder (though we all know the answer) to what level does the USD SOM faculty know these fundamentally groundbreaking discoveries?
My argument stands strong and focused -- the faculty (especially the PhDs and MS) at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine are just not qualified to hold the positions that they hold and they are certainly not qualified to sit on an Admissions Committee.
South Dakota, it is time, stand-up and demand that the Governor and the State Legislature upholds the mission set-out by the Citizens of South Dakota concerning this Medical School. South Dakota is being robbed and this is something we cannot afford!
However, with these changes, my thoughts turn to the quality of education and the abilities of the University of South Dakota School of Medicine faculties ability to teach these incredibly radical (textbook altering) concepts. Clearly, not one member of the USD SOM has a background in Stem Cell Biology, not one member has any training in Regenerative Medicine, not one member has even the slightest abilities or training in the fields of Pharmacology & Toxicology (a boggling concept considering physicians precribe regulated drugs and biologics), and certainly not one member of the faculty has any training in the fields of genomics, epi-genomics or bioinformatics.
In a very short time, the standard of care for individuals who are in need of pharmaceutical(s) treatment will involve a highly complex (but simple) pre-prescription genomic analysis of the patients DNA (or in some cases RNA activities). Prior to a patient starting a therapeutic regimen, they will undergo an relatively non-invasive DNA donation (something as simple as a oral swab), a genomic profile will be built and a result compiled of the patients genome sequence will be rendered. With this information scientists will consult with the patients physician an will be able with higher proficiency, detail the appropriate dose of a specific drug, whether or not a specific drug can be used in combination with other medications, and if there are any potential conflicts between therapies and mediciations. This might sound like futuristic thinking, but it is already upon us (in more ways than any of the students or faculty at USD SOM are aware of ... I assure yo of that).
My concerns are in the facts that none of the USD SOM faculty have any background in translational medicine. As has already been pointed out, a majority of the faculty at USD SOM have no research fundiing, do not participate in biomedical research, and certainly have limited (or no) publications. I wonder, how is it that the USD SOM faculty will teach these subjects, when they themselves have NO experience? I assure you that the students have no background or experience in this extremely important area of medicine!
Not long ago, the standard though-pattern of medical science was that following a heart attack, that the cardiomyocytes and associated cardiac tissue was permanently damaged and could not regenerate. Today (and only a short time from previous thought patterns), we know that cardiomyocytes and associated tissues do have the capability of regenerating and in some cases can be replaced with mesenchymal stem cell therapies. I wonder (though we all know the answer) to what level does the USD SOM faculty know these fundamentally groundbreaking discoveries?
My argument stands strong and focused -- the faculty (especially the PhDs and MS) at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine are just not qualified to hold the positions that they hold and they are certainly not qualified to sit on an Admissions Committee.
South Dakota, it is time, stand-up and demand that the Governor and the State Legislature upholds the mission set-out by the Citizens of South Dakota concerning this Medical School. South Dakota is being robbed and this is something we cannot afford!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Setting The Record Straight
I am always fascinated by people who say/do one thing and then thirty seconds later (or even sometimes while they are saying "it") are doing just the opposite. This is the case with Shawn Vuong. In response to our exposing-of his antics, he sends out an message trying to draw a truce from South Dakota's Medicine. In fact, Shawn goes as far as offering to meet-up for dinner an discussing the issues raised on this blog. At the same time as requesting a cease fire, Shawn goes as far as posting on his other website a commentary about me and this website saying that he is not going to discuss the contents of this web-blog and further claims that the content of this web-log is nothing more than "[an] incredible amount of lies, name-calling, and childish antics." Of course, Shawn is welcome to his opinions, the First Amendment of the United States Constitution provides this opportunity for/to him. On the flip-side, there is nothing about the content of this website based on lies. We have simply pointed out the facts of the situation. Anyone is welcome to comment on anything that they believe is a lie and I will respond in kind.
As for meeting-up with Shawn, I would be happy to do so, but I do not see how that will solve or add-to the mission of this group. We have already engaged the South Dakota State Legislature and are working for radical change within the make-up of the University of South Dakota School of Medicine.
I find it amazing that an individual (like Shawn Vuong) was admitted to a medical school that has a State Constitutional Mandate focusing the educational requirements of the admitted students into the areas of family practice/rural medicine (see our earlier post for the exact reference to the mandate), but then makes open claims that he intends to most likely specialize in neurology (or similar sub-specialty) and that he has no interest (or intention) to practice in primary care medicine. In fact, in one of his personal web-entries, Shawn claims :
As for meeting-up with Shawn, I would be happy to do so, but I do not see how that will solve or add-to the mission of this group. We have already engaged the South Dakota State Legislature and are working for radical change within the make-up of the University of South Dakota School of Medicine.
I find it amazing that an individual (like Shawn Vuong) was admitted to a medical school that has a State Constitutional Mandate focusing the educational requirements of the admitted students into the areas of family practice/rural medicine (see our earlier post for the exact reference to the mandate), but then makes open claims that he intends to most likely specialize in neurology (or similar sub-specialty) and that he has no interest (or intention) to practice in primary care medicine. In fact, in one of his personal web-entries, Shawn claims :
"...The truth is the current physicians know [primary care medicine] falling apart, and they have been telling us students to stay far far away. Doctors comment (whether in person or on blogs) about the unhappiness in their respective fields, low reimbursement rates after high debt accumulation from school, shrinking scope of practice, decreasing respect, increasing pressure to see more patients faster than ever before, decreasing amount of independence and autonomy, and no political help in sight ... So, smart medical students are doing only what they can, dodging primary care. Even the practicing physicians aren't so sure they want to hang around any more."
Amazing, maybe it is time that the Admissions Committee goes back and reads Shawn's Secondary Essay where the questions focus on the mission of the Medical School.
The questions composing the Secondary Application from the University of South Dakota School of Medicine are as follows:
1. Given the mission of this school, please justify why you should be accepted for admittance.
2. Describe the type of medical practice you envision for yourself in 10 to 15 years.
3. Describe how your experiences in health care or social care activities will help you become oa good physician.
4. Breifly describe a crisis situation in your life, how you have worked through thte crisis, and what you learned from this experience.
5. What are your career plans in the event that you are not admitted to a medical school: a) this year, b) afer several applications.
I wonder how Shawn and the 75% of the "other" USD students that did not/do not abide by the mission statement of this school answered these questions?
In short, this weblog has been nothing but fair, truthful and balanced. We have provided valuable information to the State of South Dakota and anyone has the opportunity to respond to the comments and postings of this website. I would be happy to personally meet with anyone concerned about these issues and extend invitations to all, however, since I spend a potion of the year at my home in Pacific Grove (Monterey, CA) you will need to arrange your own travel.
Amazing, maybe it is time that the Admissions Committee goes back and reads Shawn's Secondary Essay where the questions focus on the mission of the Medical School.
The questions composing the Secondary Application from the University of South Dakota School of Medicine are as follows:
1. Given the mission of this school, please justify why you should be accepted for admittance.
2. Describe the type of medical practice you envision for yourself in 10 to 15 years.
3. Describe how your experiences in health care or social care activities will help you become oa good physician.
4. Breifly describe a crisis situation in your life, how you have worked through thte crisis, and what you learned from this experience.
5. What are your career plans in the event that you are not admitted to a medical school: a) this year, b) afer several applications.
I wonder how Shawn and the 75% of the "other" USD students that did not/do not abide by the mission statement of this school answered these questions?
In short, this weblog has been nothing but fair, truthful and balanced. We have provided valuable information to the State of South Dakota and anyone has the opportunity to respond to the comments and postings of this website. I would be happy to personally meet with anyone concerned about these issues and extend invitations to all, however, since I spend a potion of the year at my home in Pacific Grove (Monterey, CA) you will need to arrange your own travel.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
The History of Medicine
So, in my entry of calling-out Shawn Vuong, who is now claiming not to be the individual posting inappropriate comments on this web-blog (sorry, but we have multiple MAC and IP addresses that link you to the comments ... and someone in your class gave you up), this individual claims that he is just ignorant in many of his postings and thought ideas. Well, I am sorry, but this excuse just does not work for me. Maybe, we should forgive the atrocities of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party, because they were just learning and ignorant. The most appalling statement comes from Shawn's rationalization of his statements: that he is young and a first year medical student and that he is just asking people to teach him other ways. Sorry, this excuse is just bullshit (sorry for the language, but it fits that circumstance)!
The purpose of this weblog was simply to make change in a system that has compounding examples of unqualified individuals making serious decisions that ultimately affect the Citizens of South Dakota. Anyone was welcome to post a comment in response to a blog entry, however, Shawn abused this policy (going as far as cloning my name - Gerry Gilbertson, MD, JD) and then went as far as making beligerant posts.
Shawn is confident that his posts on this website (South Dakota's Medicine) will not result in academic harm to his position within the USD School of Medicine ... I would not be so sure of that Shawn. We are exposing your website and there is no need to go back and erase past postings and comments as we have already imaged your entire weblog (again, it is so nice to have friends and colleagues at the senior management level at Google). We are certain that the NPs and the RNs within greater SD are going to be so glad when they get to work with you. My predicition ... you drop out of medical school by third year!
Just one of many stupid statements (blog entries) by Shawn Vuong:
Are people really this stupid? Most people believe in their little voodoo medicines for a while. Magnet therapies, acupuncture, homeopathy, naturopathy, therapeutic touch, or even chiropractic care will have it's placebo effects work out for a while. But there comes a time in every sick person's life that they realize "hey, this crap isn't really physiologically based and I need to see a real doctor." But obviously these parents were just too...(brainwashed, dumb, gullible) I don't even know what the word is, but it makes me sick.
Shawn, maybe it is time for you to learn that people have the legal right to choose what is best for them in terms of health care management. As a physician, we have the obligation to present what we think is the best course of action for an individual, but at no time do we have the legal right to impose a course of treatment. Patients have the right to obtain as many medical opinions as they so choose and in most cases there is physician-to-physician disagreement. I do not consider medical practices such as acupuncture, chiropractic therapy, homeoptahy (etc...) as "voodoo medicines." In fact, western medicine has become too dependent on chemically synthesized medicines. As a near twenty year biomedical scientist, I can tell you of countless instances where patients underwent a standard-of-care treatment regimen, it failed, turned to other methods and are disease free. The body has an amazing ability to heal (or regenerate) itself ... sometimes as physicians we need to back-off aggressive therapies and listen to our patients ... in the end, it is always their choice!
"Western medicine" is less than 100 years old. Until the early decade of the 1900s, a physician was commonly trained by shadowing (1-3 years) an MD, investing about $100 in his (and sometimes her) medical bag, and going out into the community a hanging up a shingle. Heavy metals and laudnum were common prescriptions ... didn't matter if you had cancer or a tooth ache. People were probably sicker after visiting the physican than prior to walking through the front-door. On the other hand, American Indians, Chinese and other medical forms have had significant "healing powers" for centuries (eons in China).
A physicians primary duties are to concentrate on healing the mind, body and soul ... one division is not independent of the other. Poping pill-after-pill usually does not get the job done!
Morphine, CsA, Rapa, FK506 ... are all wonderful "drugs" and all "discovered" by indegenous peoples centuries ago.
The History of Medicine is an awesome subject ... take a course (or 10) and you might learn something.
The purpose of this weblog was simply to make change in a system that has compounding examples of unqualified individuals making serious decisions that ultimately affect the Citizens of South Dakota. Anyone was welcome to post a comment in response to a blog entry, however, Shawn abused this policy (going as far as cloning my name - Gerry Gilbertson, MD, JD) and then went as far as making beligerant posts.
Shawn is confident that his posts on this website (South Dakota's Medicine) will not result in academic harm to his position within the USD School of Medicine ... I would not be so sure of that Shawn. We are exposing your website and there is no need to go back and erase past postings and comments as we have already imaged your entire weblog (again, it is so nice to have friends and colleagues at the senior management level at Google). We are certain that the NPs and the RNs within greater SD are going to be so glad when they get to work with you. My predicition ... you drop out of medical school by third year!
Just one of many stupid statements (blog entries) by Shawn Vuong:
Are people really this stupid? Most people believe in their little voodoo medicines for a while. Magnet therapies, acupuncture, homeopathy, naturopathy, therapeutic touch, or even chiropractic care will have it's placebo effects work out for a while. But there comes a time in every sick person's life that they realize "hey, this crap isn't really physiologically based and I need to see a real doctor." But obviously these parents were just too...(brainwashed, dumb, gullible) I don't even know what the word is, but it makes me sick.
Shawn, maybe it is time for you to learn that people have the legal right to choose what is best for them in terms of health care management. As a physician, we have the obligation to present what we think is the best course of action for an individual, but at no time do we have the legal right to impose a course of treatment. Patients have the right to obtain as many medical opinions as they so choose and in most cases there is physician-to-physician disagreement. I do not consider medical practices such as acupuncture, chiropractic therapy, homeoptahy (etc...) as "voodoo medicines." In fact, western medicine has become too dependent on chemically synthesized medicines. As a near twenty year biomedical scientist, I can tell you of countless instances where patients underwent a standard-of-care treatment regimen, it failed, turned to other methods and are disease free. The body has an amazing ability to heal (or regenerate) itself ... sometimes as physicians we need to back-off aggressive therapies and listen to our patients ... in the end, it is always their choice!
"Western medicine" is less than 100 years old. Until the early decade of the 1900s, a physician was commonly trained by shadowing (1-3 years) an MD, investing about $100 in his (and sometimes her) medical bag, and going out into the community a hanging up a shingle. Heavy metals and laudnum were common prescriptions ... didn't matter if you had cancer or a tooth ache. People were probably sicker after visiting the physican than prior to walking through the front-door. On the other hand, American Indians, Chinese and other medical forms have had significant "healing powers" for centuries (eons in China).
A physicians primary duties are to concentrate on healing the mind, body and soul ... one division is not independent of the other. Poping pill-after-pill usually does not get the job done!
Morphine, CsA, Rapa, FK506 ... are all wonderful "drugs" and all "discovered" by indegenous peoples centuries ago.
The History of Medicine is an awesome subject ... take a course (or 10) and you might learn something.
Back To A Familiar Topic
As has been the mission of this blog from its inception we are continuing on the subject of whether or not the faculty composing the Admissions Committee of the University of South Dakota School of Medicine are qualified to maintain their positions. As you are completely aware, it is our opinion that individuals such as Paul Bunger and Ann Settles (just to name two) are just not qualified to be members of this admissions committee. In a counter-argument to our position it has been noted and claimed that Bunger's qualifications are stemmed from a basis of:
"Bunger is more than qualified, earning his PhD from the University of Nebraska (1974) and that the students adore him." And, the "Ann Settles is well liked by the students and has earned numerous teaching awards." One objective claim was based on the fact that Ms. Settles is the widow of a former USD professor who earned a PhD in Anatomy and as such this made her qualified to both teach and be a member of the USD School of Medicine Admissions Committee. Of course, we say these counter-arguments are elementary and hog-wash!
To the best of our knowledge, Paul Bunger has no training in higher education academia nor in business management, psychology, or education. How about a EdD? Not Paul Bunger. Let just face the facts. Bunger is just someone who earned a PhD and found out really quick that he was not and is not a competent scientist. His publications are nearly non-existant and his research funding ... well ... it just does not exist!
As for Ann Settles, where are these teaching awards that some speak so profoundly about? My guess, they just do not exist, or if they do exist, they are internal teaching awards, but nothing bestowed by a national accreditating organization.
The short story, people like Bunger and Settles have dug themselves in at USD, and in thirty years have done nothing with their careers. Bunger worked under the tutalage of Settles deceased husband ... the inbreeding is just inexcusable!
Maybe, just maybe, the Citizens of South Dakota will wake-up and realize the little country club that is being operated on tax payers dollars at this institution. We have the attention of several State Representatives and State Senators ... change is coming!
Of course, people like Settles and Bunger are certainly welcome to make a defensive argument at any time ... they will be given full access to post (without edits).
"Bunger is more than qualified, earning his PhD from the University of Nebraska (1974) and that the students adore him." And, the "Ann Settles is well liked by the students and has earned numerous teaching awards." One objective claim was based on the fact that Ms. Settles is the widow of a former USD professor who earned a PhD in Anatomy and as such this made her qualified to both teach and be a member of the USD School of Medicine Admissions Committee. Of course, we say these counter-arguments are elementary and hog-wash!
To the best of our knowledge, Paul Bunger has no training in higher education academia nor in business management, psychology, or education. How about a EdD? Not Paul Bunger. Let just face the facts. Bunger is just someone who earned a PhD and found out really quick that he was not and is not a competent scientist. His publications are nearly non-existant and his research funding ... well ... it just does not exist!
As for Ann Settles, where are these teaching awards that some speak so profoundly about? My guess, they just do not exist, or if they do exist, they are internal teaching awards, but nothing bestowed by a national accreditating organization.
The short story, people like Bunger and Settles have dug themselves in at USD, and in thirty years have done nothing with their careers. Bunger worked under the tutalage of Settles deceased husband ... the inbreeding is just inexcusable!
Maybe, just maybe, the Citizens of South Dakota will wake-up and realize the little country club that is being operated on tax payers dollars at this institution. We have the attention of several State Representatives and State Senators ... change is coming!
Of course, people like Settles and Bunger are certainly welcome to make a defensive argument at any time ... they will be given full access to post (without edits).
Big Mouth and Nothing of Substance to Back-it-Up
Now that we have exposed Shawn and his insanity (especially if you read his comments .. both on this website and his own website), lets go a little further.
Shawn Vuong: from Hartford, South Dakota, Graduated in 2004 from West Central H.S., and earned a Bachelors of Science-Biology from the University of South Dakota.
Shawn, word of caution, do not "mess" with people who have access to the keys of information.
I personally have near twenty years of expertise in gathering "information;" about the same number of years spent in biomedicine. My expertise is unquestionable, a lesson you should learn quickly!
Let's talk a little more on Shawn's personal views (excerpts from his web blog) in an up-coming entry. Topics include Shawn's views on Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners, homeopathy and other traditional forms of medicine, chiropractors, etc. I think you will be shocked (and amazed) that someone like Shawn was admitted to "our" medical school. I would bet that he is one of the individuals with the < 3.0 GPA and 5s on the MCAT .... yeap USD actually admitted several students with these "credentials." Of course, Shawn can refute these claims by simply posting his USD Certified Transcript and AMCAS Certified MCAT scores on this website or his own personal blog website.
Shawn Vuong: from Hartford, South Dakota, Graduated in 2004 from West Central H.S., and earned a Bachelors of Science-Biology from the University of South Dakota.
Shawn, word of caution, do not "mess" with people who have access to the keys of information.
I personally have near twenty years of expertise in gathering "information;" about the same number of years spent in biomedicine. My expertise is unquestionable, a lesson you should learn quickly!
Let's talk a little more on Shawn's personal views (excerpts from his web blog) in an up-coming entry. Topics include Shawn's views on Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners, homeopathy and other traditional forms of medicine, chiropractors, etc. I think you will be shocked (and amazed) that someone like Shawn was admitted to "our" medical school. I would bet that he is one of the individuals with the < 3.0 GPA and 5s on the MCAT .... yeap USD actually admitted several students with these "credentials." Of course, Shawn can refute these claims by simply posting his USD Certified Transcript and AMCAS Certified MCAT scores on this website or his own personal blog website.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Identity of a Troll
Hi All,
For all my normal readers of this blog, I would like to take a moment to share the name and e-mail address of the individual who has been posting inappropriate messages to this blog site.
Name : Shawn Vuong
e-mail: Shawn.Vuong@usd.edu
blog: http://medicallymindnumbing.blogspot.com
We will be posting the University of South Dakota Student Ethics Policies in an upcoming entry. A formal complaint, along with copies of all Shawn's inappropriate messages are being assembled and will be forwarded to both the Dean of the Medical School and the President of the USD.
I am certain that Shawn's first year medical student status will soon be in jeopardy. As for a physician, this kid would not be allowed to come near me or my family ... not even with a 10 foot pole. Clearly, Shawn has some deep-seeded emotional problems that he might want to take care of;; quickly.
If you would like to follow some of Shawn's other crazy musings, you can visit his blogsite at:
http://medicallymindnumbing.blogspot.com
In particular ... check out Shawn's opinions on Nurse Practitioners.
Please feel free to contact Shawn and let him know of your displeasure in his demeanor and approaches to conflict.
For all my normal readers of this blog, I would like to take a moment to share the name and e-mail address of the individual who has been posting inappropriate messages to this blog site.
Name : Shawn Vuong
e-mail: Shawn.Vuong@usd.edu
blog: http://medicallymindnumbing.blogspot.com
We will be posting the University of South Dakota Student Ethics Policies in an upcoming entry. A formal complaint, along with copies of all Shawn's inappropriate messages are being assembled and will be forwarded to both the Dean of the Medical School and the President of the USD.
I am certain that Shawn's first year medical student status will soon be in jeopardy. As for a physician, this kid would not be allowed to come near me or my family ... not even with a 10 foot pole. Clearly, Shawn has some deep-seeded emotional problems that he might want to take care of;; quickly.
If you would like to follow some of Shawn's other crazy musings, you can visit his blogsite at:
http://medicallymindnumbing.blogspot.com
In particular ... check out Shawn's opinions on Nurse Practitioners.
Please feel free to contact Shawn and let him know of your displeasure in his demeanor and approaches to conflict.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Another Tragedy
A recent e-mail from a blog reader:
sorry for the delay, I've currently been busy figuring out what I'm
going to do next year. I got rejected from USD a couple of weeks ago
and am deciding between some DO programs. I was working in one of the
labs here at USD so it was a little disappointing.
I admit I hadn't thought about the USD admissions committee until your
blog. However I have always wondered about why certain people get the
right to decide who our future doctors will be.
Before I came back to USD I had graduated with a 3.7 and got a 29 on my mcat.
So that's basically my story. How about you? What inspired you to
speak out? You've definitely attracted some attention and have
handled them well.
Once again, an individual rejected by this Admissions Committee. It seems odd that someone with such good scores was rejected, but yet, the Admissions Committee offered positions to several people with 2.5 GPAs and 5s on the MCAT. Most likely, a relative of someone on the Admissions Committee (yeap ... the subject of our next post ... the sons/daughters of the Admissions Committee that were admitted).
sorry for the delay, I've currently been busy figuring out what I'm
going to do next year. I got rejected from USD a couple of weeks ago
and am deciding between some DO programs. I was working in one of the
labs here at USD so it was a little disappointing.
I admit I hadn't thought about the USD admissions committee until your
blog. However I have always wondered about why certain people get the
right to decide who our future doctors will be.
Before I came back to USD I had graduated with a 3.7 and got a 29 on my mcat.
So that's basically my story. How about you? What inspired you to
speak out? You've definitely attracted some attention and have
handled them well.
Once again, an individual rejected by this Admissions Committee. It seems odd that someone with such good scores was rejected, but yet, the Admissions Committee offered positions to several people with 2.5 GPAs and 5s on the MCAT. Most likely, a relative of someone on the Admissions Committee (yeap ... the subject of our next post ... the sons/daughters of the Admissions Committee that were admitted).
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Lacking Expertise In So Many Areas
Over the past few months of research (this is a new concept for many of the USD faculty) and digging deeper-and-deeper into the University of South Dakota School of Medicine faculty make-up, I am shocked (okay, not really shocked) at the fact that not one member of the School of Medicine has any training in public health. My questions become, how is this an effective faculty to teach “medicine?”
What is a physician and what does it mean to practice medicine? Is a physician (and medicine) not a public health servant? Shouldn’t a physician be well-versed in the practice of public health? Do you think it is more important for a physician to be more literate in the science of public health than industrial organic chemistry? These (and many more) questions keep me awake at night and terrify my outlook at the competency of the medical professionals (especially the graduates from the University of South Dakota School of Medicine) within the State of South Dakota.
How is it possible that a medical school faculty is void of public health professionals? I am baffled. For reference, take a look at the qualifications and the enormous number of course offerings provided by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health (http://www.sph.umn.edu). The UMN SPH has consistently rated in the top five graduate schools for public health … usually battling head-to-head with Harvard in the national rankings! I would argue that the SPH at the UMN offers more courses than any other department within the University. Maybe, South Dakota should take a lesson from Minnesota. And, maybe the faculty of the University of South Dakota should step-down from their high-horses and go back to school and earn a MPH/MS in Public Health.
Public Health is not the only area of expertise lacking at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine. I am equally amazed that there is no one on the faculty qualified to teach in the areas of Human Nutrition or Kinesiology. Again, I refer you back to the question of what is a physician?
In a recent report, F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America, 2008 report
from the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, South Dakota was indicated as the 20th most obese State in the Union and ranks in the top ten (# 7) in the Nation for Type II Diabetes. In fact, in 2007-2008 the incidence rate for new Type II Diabetes diagnosis increased by 181% compared to previous periods of analysis. These numbers are alarming and unacceptable. However, there is no surprise that the health levels of South Dakota are in such dismal conditions considering the lack of professional education being provided by the University of South Dakota School of Medicine.
To be fair, the faculty of the USD SOM are not fully responsible for this health crisis, but there is no doubt that a major burden has to fall on he shoulders of the USD Administration and the Faculty of the USD. When you have a Medical School that does not have a faculty trained in the methods of Public Health (or Nutrition) it is hard, maybe impossible, to train the future physicians in the science of Public Health practice. Epidemiology is the study of disease and disease progression … not one member of the School of Medicine (or the USD for that matter) has any training in this most important study.
To the best of my knowledge, not one new biomedical therapy, not one single new drug, not one single significant contribution to the fields of medicine have been generated by the University of South Dakota School of Medicine faculty. What is it that these people are experts at? A majority of the faculty do not have research appointments or funding. The faculty are certainly not publishing. Where is their expertise?
This post focuses on the significant short-comings of both the University of South Dakota School of Medicine and its infrastructure and the qualifications of the appointed faculty within the School of Medicine. Our nation is sick, there are few public health professionals that would disagree with me on this subject. Our medical costs are some of the highest in the world (and by most reports the USA spends that greatest amount on health care), but our intervention is some of the poorest on a dollar-by-dollar analysis. Disease such as type II diabetes and obesity are (for the most part) completely preventable with an appropriate public health initiative. However, when our public health professionals are not trained in the methodologies of public health practice, we as the public have little hope in quality and effective therapies.
Over the past few years, several students have applied to the USD School of Medicine with graduate training (either with earned Masters of Science or Masters of Public Health) in Public Health and were subsequently denied admission into the medical school. How is this possible? Clearly, these are students with advanced expertise in the fields of medicine and are far more qualified than the faculty or a majority of the applicants. Decisions such as these make me question the competency of the USD School of Medicine Admissions Committee on a far greater scale. Blunders such as this are unacceptable at any level.
Why is it that no one from the South Dakota State Health Department sits on the University of South Dakota School of Medicine Admissions Committee?
South Dakota, it is time for us to stand-up and take-back control of our medical school. This is our medical school our health depends on a competent medical school. Pick-up your telephones, engage your e-mail, or send a letter via US Postal Service to your elected representatives and your Governor and DEMAND action!
What is a physician and what does it mean to practice medicine? Is a physician (and medicine) not a public health servant? Shouldn’t a physician be well-versed in the practice of public health? Do you think it is more important for a physician to be more literate in the science of public health than industrial organic chemistry? These (and many more) questions keep me awake at night and terrify my outlook at the competency of the medical professionals (especially the graduates from the University of South Dakota School of Medicine) within the State of South Dakota.
How is it possible that a medical school faculty is void of public health professionals? I am baffled. For reference, take a look at the qualifications and the enormous number of course offerings provided by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health (http://www.sph.umn.edu). The UMN SPH has consistently rated in the top five graduate schools for public health … usually battling head-to-head with Harvard in the national rankings! I would argue that the SPH at the UMN offers more courses than any other department within the University. Maybe, South Dakota should take a lesson from Minnesota. And, maybe the faculty of the University of South Dakota should step-down from their high-horses and go back to school and earn a MPH/MS in Public Health.
Public Health is not the only area of expertise lacking at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine. I am equally amazed that there is no one on the faculty qualified to teach in the areas of Human Nutrition or Kinesiology. Again, I refer you back to the question of what is a physician?
In a recent report, F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America, 2008 report
from the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, South Dakota was indicated as the 20th most obese State in the Union and ranks in the top ten (# 7) in the Nation for Type II Diabetes. In fact, in 2007-2008 the incidence rate for new Type II Diabetes diagnosis increased by 181% compared to previous periods of analysis. These numbers are alarming and unacceptable. However, there is no surprise that the health levels of South Dakota are in such dismal conditions considering the lack of professional education being provided by the University of South Dakota School of Medicine.
To be fair, the faculty of the USD SOM are not fully responsible for this health crisis, but there is no doubt that a major burden has to fall on he shoulders of the USD Administration and the Faculty of the USD. When you have a Medical School that does not have a faculty trained in the methods of Public Health (or Nutrition) it is hard, maybe impossible, to train the future physicians in the science of Public Health practice. Epidemiology is the study of disease and disease progression … not one member of the School of Medicine (or the USD for that matter) has any training in this most important study.
To the best of my knowledge, not one new biomedical therapy, not one single new drug, not one single significant contribution to the fields of medicine have been generated by the University of South Dakota School of Medicine faculty. What is it that these people are experts at? A majority of the faculty do not have research appointments or funding. The faculty are certainly not publishing. Where is their expertise?
This post focuses on the significant short-comings of both the University of South Dakota School of Medicine and its infrastructure and the qualifications of the appointed faculty within the School of Medicine. Our nation is sick, there are few public health professionals that would disagree with me on this subject. Our medical costs are some of the highest in the world (and by most reports the USA spends that greatest amount on health care), but our intervention is some of the poorest on a dollar-by-dollar analysis. Disease such as type II diabetes and obesity are (for the most part) completely preventable with an appropriate public health initiative. However, when our public health professionals are not trained in the methodologies of public health practice, we as the public have little hope in quality and effective therapies.
Over the past few years, several students have applied to the USD School of Medicine with graduate training (either with earned Masters of Science or Masters of Public Health) in Public Health and were subsequently denied admission into the medical school. How is this possible? Clearly, these are students with advanced expertise in the fields of medicine and are far more qualified than the faculty or a majority of the applicants. Decisions such as these make me question the competency of the USD School of Medicine Admissions Committee on a far greater scale. Blunders such as this are unacceptable at any level.
Why is it that no one from the South Dakota State Health Department sits on the University of South Dakota School of Medicine Admissions Committee?
South Dakota, it is time for us to stand-up and take-back control of our medical school. This is our medical school our health depends on a competent medical school. Pick-up your telephones, engage your e-mail, or send a letter via US Postal Service to your elected representatives and your Governor and DEMAND action!
Hitting a Nerve with the Unversity of South Dakota School of Medicine Faculty
I understand that this blog is really irritating the University of South Dakota faculty and administration. Recently, the USD attempted to shut-down this blog with threats to eBlogger and its parent company Google (its nice when one has friends who work for the internet giant). Maybe, the USD administration should take some advice from its law school faculty on the premise and gurantees of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The USD administration has went as far as making claims about defamation of character; again, learn the premise of the law before "you" make such claims. To help "you" out, I'll just guide you on a short outline of of the principles of defamation. To prevail on a defamation claim you must prove: (1) that the statements made are false, (2) that the statements were made to a third party, (3)the statements were made with intent to harm you or your reputation. Since ALL faculty (and administration) at the USD are "public figures," the burden of proving actual malice must be demonstrated.
Okay, so there is my $200K legal lesson to the USD. The facts of this blog stand strong. A majority of the faculty of the University of South Dakota School of Medicine are just not qualified to hold a position within a medical school ... this is certainly true for the PhD level individuals.
South Dakota its your move!
Okay, so there is my $200K legal lesson to the USD. The facts of this blog stand strong. A majority of the faculty of the University of South Dakota School of Medicine are just not qualified to hold a position within a medical school ... this is certainly true for the PhD level individuals.
South Dakota its your move!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Where are the Epidemiologists?
With the recent (over-blown) media-scare of H1N1 (i.e., Swine Flu), I began thinking about the qualifications of the faculty of the University of South Dakota School of Medicine as they relate to public health. As has been a consistent issue addressed by this blog, not one single member of the USD SOM has training (not even peripherally) in Public Health nor Epidemiology. To go even further, not one member of the University of South Dakota School of Medicine has any formal training in medical microbiology or infectious disease. With this in mind, I began to wonder and think about the qualifications of these "so-called" experts. I wonder, how it is possible, that a medical school faculty can be composed of individuals who have absolutely no expertise in the basics of halth care, and still consider "themselves" a school of medicine. Not one member of this faculty holds a Masters of Public Health (i.e., MPH), not one member has formal training in Infectious Disease, not one member has even a basic background (let alone formal training) in Epidemiology or Biostatistics.
South Dakota, are we immune from the threats of global health? South Dakota shouldn't we expect more?
These fields of study are of primary importance to the education of community health primary care physicians. Public health is our first line of defense and of essential importance. To have a School of Medicine faculty composure that is so grossly unqualified is embarassing!
South Dakota ... stand up ... lets make a change ... we deserve better!
South Dakota, are we immune from the threats of global health? South Dakota shouldn't we expect more?
These fields of study are of primary importance to the education of community health primary care physicians. Public health is our first line of defense and of essential importance. To have a School of Medicine faculty composure that is so grossly unqualified is embarassing!
South Dakota ... stand up ... lets make a change ... we deserve better!
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