Aesculapian Society Update
Walter Guillory II
Class of 2020, LSUHSC School of Medicine
President, Aesculapian Society
Today is odd. With the majority of the world's normal functions significantly upended,
medical students may wonder what their role is, and who will guide them amid the uncertainty
of board exam and rotation cancellations. Fourth years prepare to step into medicine
in the midst of disaster. Hindsight may very well reckon today as the great event
of this generation.
Encouragingly, our faculty here at LSUHSC work diligently to meet this challenge,
as they have during other tumultuous periods. I was only 13 years old when Hurricane
Katrina hit, but I've heard many stories of the grit and sacrifice of LSUHSC faculty.
During crisis, our professors support each other, their patients, and their students
with the selfless contribution of their time and skills beyond the normal call of
duty and with diminished regard for their personal struggles. They exude adaptability,
creativity, and determination. In a powerful demonstration of their unwavering commitment
to the students' education, we held our semesterly Course Evaluation Committee (CEC)
meeting on April 1 via Zoom, attended by an admirably high number of faculty members.
We examined the Fall 2019 L1 and L2 courses, including a new topic of discussion pioneered
by Aesculapian Course Evaluation Coordinator Saman Kamal: an analysis of common themes
seen *across* the Fall courses. Her innovative addition and crisp preparation facilitated
one of the most effective and action-oriented CEC meeting discussions in years, despite
the limitations of videoconferencing.
Praise is especially due to Drs. Robin English, Joy Sturtevant, Andrew Hollenbach,
Jeffrey Hobden, Grace Athas, Daniel Kapusta, Catherine Hebert, Ms. Alisa Roy, Ms.
Pam Galindo, Mr. Herman Williams, and all our spring course and clerkship directors
and coordinators. During a time of upheaval, they have tirelessly worked to maintain
the educational standards of the LSUHSC New Orleans medical students, and they beautifully
exemplify what can be accomplished when selflessness, perseverance, and unflappable
commitment win the day.
What a joy it has been to serve alongside the Aesculapians for four years. Their intelligence,
their moxie, and their ingenuity fills me with pride. Despite the unusualness of this
day, our members adapted with aplomb, helping to keep the ship afloat while several
storms threatened its structural integrity. Treasurer Tim Montet painstakingly navigated
how to fairly handle reimbursements for our members due to cancelled activities. Survey
Coordinators Ashley Duhon and Bren Davis are adjusting our surveys to not only accurately
reflect the rapid and necessary changes brought about by the times, but also to provide
faculty with a precedent for comparison when the next disaster strikes. L3 Class Coordinator
Kia Sayers has been instrumental in helping to ensure this. Our L2 and L1 surveys
continue to be dutifully disseminated in a timely manner, thanks to Anna Catinis and
Michael Stocker. Real-time course feedback meetings continue to be held via teleconferencing,
thanks to the effective leadership of our class coordinators including Michael Bates
and Taylor Boudreaux. Our official reports, alongside our first iteration of the Aesculapian
Snapshots, were delivered in a timely manner, thanks to Sam Kamal and our Class Editors
Elizabeth Prejean, Logan Kinamore, and Hannah Theriot. And were it not for the excellent
work of L4 Class Coordinator Daniel McBride and Class Editors Amy Hui and Adam Haydel
in the fall, our foundation in the spring might not have been as strong. Altogether,
a crew of excellence and diligence. Thanks to all their efforts, I have full confidence
in the future of the Society to weather any storm that comes its way. What more could
I ask for?
Regrettably, our annual Excellence in Teaching Awards banquet could not occur this
year. However, I anticipate that what promised to be a special evening this year will
only give way to a far sweeter evening next year as the faculty and Aesculapians gather
together to celebrate not only exceptional teachers, but also the passing of this
great test we find ourselves in now. Our tireless Vice President Alex Denys has ensured
that this year's awardees received the personal speeches written by their Aesculapian
nominators, which would have been delivered to introduce the winners at the banquet.
We hope these speeches bring the greatest honor currently possible to our deserving
faculty.
The greatest of praise belongs to Dr. Taniya De Silva, our outgoing Aesculapian clinical
faculty advisor. This professor exemplifies the best characteristics a person can
have, and I find it difficult to describe her in sufficiently honorary terms. You
simply have to experience Dr. De Silva to understand. Despite her obvious clinical
brilliance and lofty position within the School of Medicine, she cares about you,
the individual student. She makes her students feel welcomed, important, talented,
and useful. The softness of her heart can pierce through any dark day. My life has
been enriched by serving in the Society during her advisory tenure. In addition, and
no less remarkable, is our basic science faculty advisor, Dr. Terrel Master. Although
I feel blessed to have worked with Dr. De Silva for two years, I feel cheated to have
had only one year with Dr. Master. She is a professor of extreme competency and an
uncommonly kind nature. Her students laud her endlessly, citing her ability to mentor
them, her teaching talent, and her comforting yet professional nature. She will continue
to be a wonderful guide to the Aesculapians next year.
I have no doubt that normalcy will one day return. Furthermore, I confidently hope
that LSUHSC will examine the many lessons made clear by the present crisis, working
toward implementing tangible changes that, with the benefit of hindsight, can make
this harrowing experience worthwhile. At the time of this writing, we are two days
away from electing my successor and next year's executive board. As my term as President
of the Aesculapians concludes amid a changed reality, I feel strengthened to have
serve an organization of such exemplary people, and I have full confidence that the
Society will enter the 2020-2021 school year stronger than ever before.
Signing off,
Walter Guillory II
President of the Aesculapians