· Chironian Home · NYMC Home   ~ Research ~ · Elite Scientific Endeavor: Models Avian Limb Development Using Systems Biology · Can Thyroid Hormone Prevent Cerebral Palsy and Brain Damage in Very Premature Infants? · Biochemist Seeks To Save Us From Stress   ~ Features ~ · Educator Marks Double Milestones: 20 Years at New York Med and Commodore of her Yacht Club · Early Interest in Research Fuels Plastic Surgeon's Goal to Give Conjoined Twins Separate Lives · 2003 Dean's Distinguished Research Award goes to Zbigniew Darzynkiewicz, M.D., Ph.D. · Chairs Named for Emergency Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery   ~ Students ~ · When the military pays your way, It's 4+ Years of Training · Second Year Sets the Stage for the Real World of Doctoring. This is your life, year two   ~ Alumni ~ · Alum Scores Key Achievements in Clinical Research of Alzheimer's Disease · Physical Therapy Grad Gets a Stint with the Grand Old Man of Ballet · A Physiologist Who Breaks the Mold with Kindness   ~ On the Cover ~ · What's Inside

WHEN THE MILITARY PAYS YOUR WAY, It's 4+ Years of Training There were 32 medical students attending New York Medical College on military scholarships in 2003-2004. Representing the Army, Navy and Air Force, they can be found in each of the four years of the School of Medicine. In return for having their tuition and fees paid, plus a monthly stipend for living expenses, the young men and women serve four years as an officer in their chosen branch after graduation. If you think they sign on just for the money, the remarks by these three students facing life in a war zone may lead you to a different conclusion. Marjorie Roberts Mark Giordano, Class of 2005, selected the Army for his service because he says it offers "the best and greatest variety of residency programs, such as internal medicine, psychiatry-I will probably go on to do child and adolescent psychiatry-or a fellowship in GI…My father volunteered to serve in the Army during World War II and Korea. He did his duty in armored units-tanks-in Okinawa. He died just before I got into medical school. He would have been very proud." Born in Saginaw, Mich., and bred in California, Ohio and New Jersey, Mark got a job at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Baltimore while he was attending Towson University's post-baccalaureate program to secure the requirements he was missing for medical school. His undergraduate degree from San Francisco State is in English literature…."Since I already am serving my community by becoming a doctor, I'm looking forward to serving my country by being in the military…Two summers ago I took the OBC [officer's basic course], so I have that under my belt. I'm also going to serve my residency in the military and then do the four years. "I've worked with some really good people and I look forward to working with them when I graduate," says the fledgling second lieutenant, who was agreeable to wearing his battle dress for the camera. Leah Sag, Class of 2006, chose the Navy "so she would always be on the shore side, never stuck in the middle." As if sent by central casting, Ensign Sag has the right credentials to mix medicine with the military, and then some. Born near Orlando, Fla., Leah majored in biology and minored in art at George Washington University, Washington, D.C. As soon as she graduates medical school, Leah will be promoted to lieutenant. She'll be in good company. One grandfather is a colonel in the Air Force, the other is a lieutenant in the Army. And there are two relatives who are not only physicians, but alums as well: her pediatrician father, Richard Sag, M.D. '75, Longwood, Fla., and her internist uncle, Jerome Sag, M.D. '72, North Wales, Penna. "My family has fought proudly in every American war dating back to the American Revolution," she declares. Leah will plunge right in after graduation since "the Navy likes you to do a tour first and then go into your residency. I'll probably stay on base for now and then ship out. I've always liked to travel and this should be a nice way to see the world...I'm interested mainly in primary care, but I could change my mind and become a flight doc. I've also been thinking about aerospace medicine." Adam Gorberg, Class of 2006, chose the Air Force, for a reason that could be construed as selfish, though it's not: "I want to work with a competent group of individuals who know their job-to be a team member and see the world!" He will make good on his obligation, however, after he completes residency training. "This job would give me good exposure to what's going on in the military," he says. There are others like him in his family. "My first cousin and his wife are both in the Air Force. My cousin is a combat pilot who has served in Iraq, Afghanistan and, in Desert Storm. His wife is a lieutenant in the medical corps, serving as a combat nurse. I also have uncles who served in the Army and Marine Corps," he adds. "I have had family members in every military conflict since and including World War I." Adam was raised on Long Island, but now lives in Florida. He is a graduate of SUNY-Albany. During his tour of service, Lt. Gorberg will have many other opportunities. "I could be a flight surgeon, responsible for the health of the crew. You have to sign off on the pilots and crew-members routinely to make sure they are fit to fly…"I could become a pilot or join Special Forces," he points out. "Being a pilot is something I've been considering all along. For now, though, I will fulfill my role as a student and then wear the uniform as an active duty officer."