GSDM Students Attend New England Global Health Conference
On Saturday, January 10, 2015, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) students attended the New England Global Health Conference for Medical and Dental Students and Residents. The all-day conference sponsored by Massachusetts Medical Society and held at its headquarters, featured keynote addresses and mini-lectures by area doctors on a variety of global health topics, as well as hands-on skill workshops and networking opportunities.
The morning kicked off with several mini-lectures on pertinent global health topics including the “Global Burden of Disease—An Overview”, given by Endocrinology Specialist at Boston Children’s Hospital Dr. Julia von Oettingen, and “Basic Oral Health”, given by Instructor in Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology at Harvard School of Dental Medicine and Chief of Oral Health Services at Cambridge Health Alliance Dr. Brian Swann.
Following the mini-lectures, Pediatric Residency Assistant Program Director at UMass Memorial Medical Center Dr. Patricia McQuilkin presented the keynote address “Academic Collaboration in Global Health.” In the afternoon, another significant presentation, “Ebola, International Disasters, and How You Can Get Involved” was given by the Director of Disaster Response at Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health Dr. Hilarie Cranmer and Chief of the Division of International Emergency Medicine and Humanitarian Programs at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School Dr. Stephanie Kayden.
Later in the day, GSDM students participated in a dental workshop instructed by Harvard School of Dental Medicine’s Assistant Professor in Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology Dr. Brittany Seymour, Instructor in Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology Dr. Brian Swann, and Clinical Instructor in Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology Dr. Donna Hackley, along with Clinical Associate Professor at University of Massachusetts Medical School Dr. Hugh Silk. They also took part in a Medical Ethics workshop presented by Instructor of Medicine at Boston Medical Center Dr. James Hudspeth, along with another workshop of their choice.
In addition to all of the informative lectures, the conference provided a great networking opportunity for the attendees. To promote discussion, students and faculty were encouraged to sit together during lunch. Coffee and dessert in another room allowed for further introductions and free flowing conversation.
“This conference brought together students and residents from all of the medical and dental schools in Massachusetts,” said Associate Dean for Global & Population Health Dr. Michelle Henshaw. “It was very rewarding to see students work across disciplines to identify and find solutions for the many health challenges faced by developing nations. Everyone in attendance, students and faculty alike, left with new skills, knowledge, contacts, and an increased passion for addressing the complex health needs of our global population.”
GSDM students and faculty in attendance were: Nicholas Capezio DMD 18, Ayinkeran Gunarajasingam DMD 18, Associate Dean for Global & Population Health Dr. Michelle Henshaw, Guanghui Ling AS 16, Oral Health Promotion Director Ms. Kathy Lituri, and Angela Wu AS 16.
Photos are available on Facebook and Flickr.