Student Handbook
- Student Physician Awareness Day (SPAD)
- Follies
- Memorial Service-Convocation of Thanks
- Free Will Blood
Student Physician Awareness Day (SPAD)
Student Physician Awareness Day (SPAD) is an annual day of seminars addressing areas of interest in medicine chosen by the students. The purpose of this day is to supplement the medical school curriculum with information not usually found in textbooks. It is also a great opportunity for discussion between students, faculty, administrators, and clinicians.
SPAD, which began in 1985, has always featured the most current topics. Past speakers have included Randy Shilts, author of And the Band Played on: Politics, People and the AIDS Epidemic, and Neil S. Calman, M.D., an advocate for the underserved. Topics have ranged from healthcare disparities to complementary medicine to palliative care.
SPAD is unique to NYMC. It is run entirely by first-year students with guidance from the previous year’s committee. All students are given the day off as encouragement to attend. This is a great opportunity to get a better understanding of the non-academic side of medicine.
Follies
This is a night to show your talent or lack thereof. The skits and performances are fully produced and performed by students. Singing and dancing as well as skits of faculty, administration and student life are always likely to end up on stage.
This event is definitely more fun than sitting and falling asleep in your books while studying. Throughout the year think of situations that can be put on stage. Think you have no talent? Offer to be in a skit, work backstage, or just sit in the audience and have a good time. If you don’t come, you’ll be out of the loop for weeks.
Memorial Service-Convocation of Thanks
Many people contribute in various ways to the education of medical professionals. Not to be underestimated or even overlooked are those who have contributed the gift of their own bodies for the study of human anatomy. From the first day of class right up to the final oral practical examination, students study a cadaver with utmost respect and maintain appropriate decorum in the Alumni Gross Anatomy Laboratory.
In the springtime, a memorial service is held at which students, staff and family of the deceased show appreciation and thanks for this singular contribution to humanity.
M. A. Pravetz, O.F.M., Ph.D.
Free Will Blood
Free Will Blood coverage for students and their families (siblings, parents, grandparents, spouses and children) is obtained by each class at New York Medical College. Donation of a minimum number of pints by each class during the yearly blood drive of the Greater New York Red Cross Blood Program is required for coverage. Coverage lasts for one year following the donation. If blood is needed by a student or his or her family, the health facility should be notified that New York Medical College is a participant in the Free Will Blood plan.
