The COMmunicator
The Newsletter of the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

September 2005

       
                                                                                        Photos by Sarah Bannister, MS II

Welcome to the COMmunicator, UNECOM's chief source of news, events, and lots of gooey information that will make your teeth stick together. This is a site designed primarily for current students and perusing alumni, so the more stuff you submit, the better it will be. Please keep your hands and feet inside the guards as we embark on another academic year... 

TOP STORY

Calming the Perfect Storm: Coping with Stress in Med School
by Steve Smith

 Into Harm’s Way

Helicopters flew into 100-ft waves.  Fishing trawlers clawed wetly at mountains of water which roared down upon them for days on end.  Winds gusted at hurricane force and pulled the tops off of waves like taffy, throwing pebbles of water like grapeshot which could kill a bird in mid-flight.  Such mind-numbing, killing power had not been seen for decades and could only be described ironically by weathercasters as “The Perfect Storm.”

Sebastian Junger crafted a best-seller when he caught the visceral power of a North Atlantic Nor’ Easter as it tore through the lives of deep-sea fishermen on the eastern seaboard. We read his book or watched the movie with white knuckled fascination, our stomachs churning as all the ingredients for an appalling storm were whipped together before our eyes.  We pitied the men who drowned in the heaving sea, yet we also wondered at the mental solvency of those who seem to tempt fate by thrusting themselves into harm’s way.  After all, we thought, we would never have ventured into such troubled waters.

Or would we?  According to Dr. Jane McCabe of the Counseling Center at UNE, medical school contains all the right ingredients for a perfect storm of stress.  It is a breeding ground of potential anxiety so potent that nothing else quite compares. Even the military, says McCabe, does not equal the stress imposed upon medical students, unless one considers soldiers in sustained combat.  Why is med school so peerlessly stressful, and what steps can be taken to reduce such stress to surviveable (if not enjoyable) levels?

 All the right ingredients

You don’t have time to read this article.  In fact, you’ve wasted your time to get this far at all.  You don’t have time to sleep, and sitting down to eat is a waste of time so prodigal as to be laughable (if you had time to laugh, which you don’t.)  You’ve got to study for that Gross Anatomy test, or Neuro, or the Embryo exam.  Stress seems to come in never-ending, overwhelming waves, each trough promising a new crest to climb as you desperately try to hang on by your fingernails. And the best part is, you’ve spent over $30,000 for the privilege of drowning yourself. Why in the world are you here?

Dr. McCabe has been working for nearly twenty years with med students, and she identifies a number of ingredients which seem to work together to form a potent recipe for stress:

Ø  Medical school is catalytic, which means that it tends to exacerbate whatever pre-existing baggage      students may bring with them.

Ø  Students have left the support structures they had at home, and are introduced to a foreign environment where they have not yet found their place.

Ø  Med students have no time. They are in class from 8-5, then study until the wee hours of the morning. At least undergrads had blocks of time between classes (whether they used them wisely or not).

Ø  Perspective is rapidly lost in this artificial environment. Med students spend extensive time with the same 125 people every day, all of whom are extremely competitive and narrowly focused. It is an insular community that feeds off of its own erroneous thinking. 

Ø  Humanity may seem lost in the machine-like revolutions of a med student’s academic day. Professors may seem narrow, multiple choice tests limit creative thinking, and textbooks take on the lithographic quality of a medical school Ten Commandments.

Ø  Unlike undergrads, med students have a hard time dealing with disconfirmed expectations. That is, undergrads can switch majors if their initial plans fall flat. Med students feel obligated by pride or pressure to stay in their chosen track.

Ø  Extreme competitiveness is a pressure-cooker that never lets a student relax.  There is a drive for perfection which blows basic limits out of the water. Basic needs such as eating, sleeping, laughing, spending time with loved ones, exercising, and breathing (seriously) can be ignored.

Ø  Students take on a Dante-esque abandonment of hope as they feel the walls closing in on them in their classrooms of despair.

All of these ingredients form a witch’s brew that can poison the lovely days and bracing environment of graduate school in Maine.  Students become rigid, snippy, and overwhelmed. Consequently, they suffer through the semester, and they bring all of their loved ones into the same storm of stress which they seem unable to address.  It is a perfectly miserable storm in which to live.

Calming the Storm – Creating Boundaries

You grudgingly admit that you may be one of those overwhelmed med students: you have a caffeine-blood level of 0.32; your Golden Retriever has applied to the UN for refugee status; and the iron-lung provides just enough white-noise to drown out your senseless babbling about Peapods and cadavers.  Clearly, you could use some stress-relief.  Dr. McCabe offers insight into creating effective boundaries which can help limit the run of stress and lower the sea-level in your life. These include:

Ø  Self-awareness. Know how you study best, what your needs are, what activities you like to do. Set up boundaries around these things so that you have time allocated to them. You will be a more effective student if you are not exclusively a student. Really, it’s true.

Ø  Prioritize. Not everything in life is equally important.  Stop, drop, and roll in a figurative sense, put out your current fires, and plan out what is truly important and what is merely the tyranny of the urgent.

Ø  Manage Anxiety. There are a number of tools which help lower anxiety levels. These include

1.) Addressing anxiety early.

2.) Breathe (you can’t live very long if you don’t. Plus, shallow breathing cuts off oxygen to your brain and impedes memory.)

3.) Focus on the basics. Now is not the time to join Oprah’s Book Club, nor should you run for your state’s senate.

4.) Self-talk. Think about your worldview, then re-frame illogical or harmful perspectives or demands. Counsel yourself (it’s free!)

5.) What is the next step? Live in the present, not in the future. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

6.) Use resources early. The Counseling Center is a great resource, or you can sit down and talk to a friend or family member.

7.) Basic maintenance – eat food, drink water, breathe oxygen, sleep sleep, etc.

  All of these tips can help you to reduce your anxiety, calm the storm that seems to be destroying your world, and bring a measure of contentment in the midst of an admittedly hectic schedule.

Further Resources

The Counseling Center at UNE serves both graduate and undergraduate students.  They help provide tools for students to address their own struggles, whatever those might be.  Approximately 17-22% of students each year take advantage of the Counseling resources on campus.  Counseling is strictly confidential, and is FREE.  There are both male and female clinicians, 3 full-time and two interns.  There are currently no session limits, and the prevailing theory is a Cognitive-Behavioral approach which seeks to address faulty thinking while changing destructive behaviors.  Counselors can work with an individual student, a student with their partner, or just the partner (no children, please.)  Students may walk in or call to make an appointment. The contact info is:

             UNE Counseling Services
               Room 109, Decary Hall
               Phone: (207) 283-0171, ext. 2549
            Or toll-free at 1-866-743-2230 

Dr. McCabe mentions that the most common impediment to med students seeking help is the stigma that “If I seek help, I’m weak.” She scoffs at this notion, and reminds student doctors that everyone is merely human, and counseling experience is helpful for every clinician in the helping vocations.

By setting proper boundaries, seeking help from outside sources, and reframing erroneous or negative thinking, medical students can lessen the impact of stress as they sail through the swelling seas of UNECOM.

UNECOM News

Notes from the Dean

White Coat Ceremony to take place on October 6  

Patricia A. Kelley, Associate Dean for Students, on the annual White Coat Ceremony:

"The White Coat Ceremony was an idea conceived by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation to “create a psychological contract for professionalism and empathy” in medicine. The first White Coat Ceremony took place in 1993 at Columbia’s College of Physicians and Surgeons. In the fall of 1997, we initiated the White Coat Ceremony at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. At that time, Dr. Arthur Vanderburgh was the featured speaker. This year, a relative of Dr. Vanderburgh, Dr. Philip Slocum, will be our guest speaker. Dr. Slocum is Dean of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, at A.T. Still University, located in Kirksville, Missouri. 

This year the White Coat Ceremony will take place at the Holiday Inn by the Bay (in Portland) and will begin at 7:00 p.m.  Following the ceremony there will be a reception in the Casco Bay Room.

Watch for additional updates and information (especially about parking)  via e-mail and the next edition of the COMmunicator."

NEWS

UNE recognized by US News & Word Report:
(From By-the-Week)

UNE has been ranked as one of the "Best Universities" in the North that offer "a full range of undergraduate and master's programs" in the 2006 edition of "America's Best Colleges" from U.S. News & World Report. This is the fourth year that U.S. News has ranked UNE a top regional university.

UNE was ranked number 70 in the top tier of this category. No other university in the state was ranked higher. Other top educational institutions from New England in this category include Providence College, Fairfield University, Bentley College, St. Michael's College, Quinnipiac University, and Emerson College. (see the U.S. News website at http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/rankindex_brief.php )  

Press Conference To Be Held at UNE by Governor Baldacci:

UNE will be hosting an important press conference, held by Governor John Baldacci, on the Research and Development Jobs Bond, on Thursday September 15, 2005 at 3:00 pm in Harold Alfond Center for Health Sciences, Room 205, UC.

Members of the community are welcome to attend this important event. Opening remarks will be made by President Featherman.

Additionally, Mayors Wallace Nutting and Mark Johnston will address the group, along with UNE Trustee and Senator Barry Hobbins.

Events/Items of Interest

Van Certification Classes

Chuck Morin, our Fleet Manager, will be hosting classes for Van Certification. If you are interested in taking a class, please make a selection from the list below and contact Carrie Bernier in facilities at extension 2368 for sign up.  Please note that van certification is required in order to be authorized to reserve or use any UNE Fleet Van.

University Campus  

Dates:

September 12th    10:30 am to 12:00 pm   St. Francis Room
September 13th    4:00 pm to 5:30 pm       St. Francis Room
October 18th        3:00 pm to 4:30 pm       St. Francis Room
October 20th        9:00 am to 10:30 am     St. Francis Room
November 9th       9:00 am to 10:30 am     St. Francis Room
December 8th       3:00 pm to 4:30 pm       St. Francis Room

Westbrook College Campus

Dates:

September 19th:   3:00 pm to 4:30 pm     Blewett 006
October 3rd:         3:00 pm to 4:30 pm     Blewett 006
Additional Classes as needed

New Dining Services Website 

Dining Services at UNE has a new website, www.unedining.com.  On this site students, faculty and staff can find information for both the UC and WCC including up to date menus, meal plan information, hours of operation, calendars of events and links to nutritional resources as well as an area for feedback to us.  Additionally, our catering guide will be uploaded to the site shortly.  As always, your comments and feedback are encouraged and welcome.

Dan Roy
General Manger, UC

Jeff Carter
General Manger, WCC 

UNECOM SEMINAR SERIES

Wednesday, September 21, 2005
12:00-1:00
Alfond Building Room 113

Richard A. Cohen, M.D. , Director, Vascular Biology Unit, X708
Department of Medicine
Boston University School of Medicine

  TITLE: Oxidation of proteins in cardiovascular disease

Annual Memorial Service:

The annual Memorial Service to honor our anatomical donors and their families will take place on Saturday, September 17th at 7:00 p.m., at the campus cemetery near the Health Center, UC. We cordially invite you, your family, and friends to attend and acknowledge the priceless contribution of the people who have donated their bodies to the College of Osteopathic Medicine.

In case of inclement weather, the Service will be held on the same date and time in the Alfond Center for Health Sciences.

Art Gallery at UNE:

The Art Gallery presents "A Celebration of the Artists of Southern Maine," an exhibition of works by more than 40 artists in the Ogunquit Art Association (OAA) starting July 29 through September 26.

In addition to the Opening Reception, there will be two Conversations with the Artists held on September 15 and 22 from 5:00-6:30 p.m.

For more details about this show and related programs, call extension 4499, or visit www.une.edu/artgallery

Exhibitions and events are free and open to the public.

Essay Contest

American Association for the History of Medicine
Osler Medal Essay Contest, 2006

The William Osler Medal is awarded annually for the best unpublished essay on a medical historical topic written by a student enrolled in a school of medicine or osteopathy in the United States or Canada. First awarded in 1942, the medal commemorates Sir William Osler, who stimulated an interest in the humanities among medical students. The writer of the winning essay will be invited to attend the 2006 AAHM meeting, 4-7 May, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Travel expenses will be provided.

All current medical students who are in good standing are eligible. Essays may pertain to the historical development of a contemporary medical problem, or to a topic within the health sciences related to a discrete period of the past, and should demonstrate either original research or an unusual appreciation and understanding of the problems discussed. The essay (maximum 9,000 words, including endnotes) must be entirely the work of one contestant.

  Complete contest information may be viewed on the AAHM website (www.histmed.org/Awards).

  Entries must be postmarked or submitted electronically no later than 15 January 2006.

  Website Tips

Thanks to everyone for all the feedback and your suggestions for improving our new website. We have already implemented some of these suggestions and will be carefully considering others over the next few weeks. In the meantime, here are a few tips:

1. To get to the UNE homepage from anywhere in the website, click on the "University of New England" logo in the upper left-hand corner. This is a common website practice, but some people are not aware of this.

2. Using the search engine: If you are searching for a specific multi-word phrase, such as "Health Literacy Center," put the phrase in quotation marks when you enter it into the Search entry form.

3. Looking for U-Online, WebCT, or Campus Pipeline? Click on the "E Services" link at the bottom of nearly every page. (There is also a link to the Libraries at the bottom of nearly every page).

4. Check the "Favorites" (in Internet Explorer and "Bookmarks" in Firefox and Netscape) that you have stored in your web browser: Most of our pages now have the suffix ".asp" instead of ".html" so your "favorites" might not come up when you use the "Favorites/Bookmarks" option on your web browser.

Steve Price
Director of Communications
207-283-0171 ext. 2269
sprice@une.edu

Alumni News

Alumni Profiles

(None for this month. Look next month for an alum interview.)

 Alumni News

Effective 9/1/05, Doris Newman, DO ('98), is the Director of Medical Education for UNE. She is also Co-Director of the Family Medicine and Neuromuscular Medicine (NMM) residency.

Audrey Okun-Langlais, DO ('86), is Director of the Family Practice residency and Co-Director of the Family Medicine and NMM residency.

Charlotte Paolini, DO ('89), and Bruce Bates, DO, are Co-Directors of the Geriatrics Residency Program, which will begin taking residents in July of 2006.

Community News

News and Events

A Few Good Apples (and Cider and Donuts, Too!)

Are you looking for a way to decompress after a long week of studies and exams? Do you want to participate in authentic Maine culture? Do you like donuts and cider? Thompson's Orchards and Cider Mill in New Gloucester has all of the above and more! Thompson's makes their own cake-donuts and fresh Maine cider, available at their store or after you pick your very own bushel of delicious apples. Thompson's also has jams and jellies, orchard pies, crafts, and harvester baskets. Take a group of friends and head up to New Gloucester for a beautiful fall experience. Thompson's can be found at 276 Gloucester Hill Road, New Gloucester, Maine 04260, or call at 207-926-4738.

(Feel free to submit any community activities which you think others might enjoy.)       

SGA and C&O Info

SGA and C&O Meeting Schedule

The SGA meetings are every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month.

The C&O meeting is every 3rd Wednesday of each month.
  
For individual C&O meetings, see below (see also officers with questions regarding schedule):

(If there are discrepancies in this schedule, please email Steve at comsa@une.edu to resolve the time.)

UNECOM CLUB AND ORGANIZATION PRESIDENTS
ACADEMIC YEAR 2005-2006  

Faculty and Staff News

Faculty Notes

OSP has recently learned of the following new awards to COM faculty:

1) Amy Davidoff (Pharmacology/COM) has been awarded a new $25,000 grant from the Diabetes Action Research & Education Foundation for a project entitled "Efficacy of blueberry (vaccinium angustifolium) extracts in treating diabetes-induced metabolic complications", starting 1/1/06.

2) Emily Rines, Coastal Healthy Communities Coalition, (Division of Community Programs/COM)  has been notified of a new 18 month contract from the Maine Office of Substance Abuse in the amount of $82,500 to provide a "Coordinated Substance Abuse Prevention Program".  This will implement multiple substance abuse prevention strategies in the Old Orchard Beach and Kennebunk and Kennebunkport (MSAD #71) school districts.

3) Ed Bilsky, Pharmacology/COM, has received a three year award in collaboration with the University of Arizona from the Office of Naval Research for continuation of the project entitled "Non Toxic Glycopeptide Anagesics for Combat Casualty Care".  Total award to UNE is expected to be $513,850 over three years.

Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard putting these proposals together!  Additional information of these projects can be obtained from the Principal Investigators indicated above.

Publications

India Broyles(UNE/COM), Peg Cyr (MMC), and Neil Korsen (MMC), (August 2005).  "Open Book Tests:  assessment of academic learning in clerkships" in MEDICAL TEACHER, vol 27, no. 5, 456-462.  MEDICAL TEACHER is an internaltional journal of education in the health sciences. 

India Broyles (Pediatrics) Rorie Lee (Graduate Medical Education), Mildred Savidge (Family Medicine), Sarah  Sprafka (Predoctoral Education), Evelyn  Schwalenberg-Leip (Faculty Development), and  Kathy Thompson (Biochemistry).   "Stages of Concern during Curriculum Change".  A poster and oral presentation at the International Association of Medical Science Educators, Los Angeles CA, July18, 2005. http://www.iamse.org/conf/conf9/abstracts/c10.htm

India Broyles (Pediatrics) Rorie Lee (Graduate Medical Education), Mildred Savidge (Family Medicine), Sarah  Sprafka (Predoctoral Education), Evelyn  Schwalenberg-Leip (Faculty Development), and  Kathy Thompson (Biochemistry).  "Creating a Medical Education Unit: Pearls and Pitfalls."  A poster displayed at the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, Bethesda MD, June 23-24, 2005.

Steve Hartman and James Norton. A review of King HH and Lay EM, "Osteopathy in the Cranial Field," in Foundations for Osteopathic Medicine, 2nd ed. Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine, 8,2 :24-28.

MEAT and POTATOES
(All the basic ingredients to make your tummy warm on a cold winter's night)

This is all the information which we already gave you but which is now crumpled up in a wad beneath your car's front seat.  We told you you'd need it...