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One of the hallmarks of the School of Medicine (SOM) is the multiple opportunities for students to publish alongside faculty. Sean Lynch, SOM Class of 2021, and Sivan Shahar, SOM Class of 2022, are prime examples of that with Mr. Lynch already having published five times and Ms. Shahar doing so twice during their years at NYMC. The latest study, “Psychiatric Emergencies during the Height of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Suburban New York City Area” was published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research in October of 2020.

Faculty authors included Stephen J. Ferrando, M.D., chair and Har Esh Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Lidia Klepacz, M.D., assistant clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences; Rhea Dornbush, M.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences; Abbas Smiley, M.D., Ph.D., research assistant professor of surgery; Ivan Miller, M.D., assistant professor of clinical emergency medicine; Mohammad Tavakkoli, M.D., M.P.H., M.S., clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral medicine; and Abraham Bartell, M.D., M.B.A., clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences.

“Being involved in cutting-edge research, particularly during a time when clinical and volunteer activities were suspended due to the pandemic, was extremely rewarding and allowed us to feel like we were still able to give back,” says Mr. Lynch and Ms. Shahar. “We were also among the first to nationally publish on this topic which was very exciting.”

The research project investigated the effect of COVID-19 on psychiatric emergencies at Westchester Medical Center (WMC) last spring, as compared to the two-month period immediately preceding COVID-19.

“In comparing the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods, a significant decline in emergency psychiatric volume was observed in children and adolescents (C/A), but not adults,” say Mr. Lynch and Ms. Shahar. “COVID-19 period C/A patients had more new onset disorders but were less likely to present with suicide attempts, impulse control disorders and agitation/aggression, while adults were more likely to have no access to outpatient care and present with anxiety disorders.”

Mr. Lynch and Ms. Shahar were involved in both developing the project and writing the IRB protocol as well as contributing to the study procedure by reviewing and analyzing patient charts.

“We also aided in writing the manuscript and the submission process, which provided us with further insights into the development and execution of a research project from start to finish,” they said.

Currently, they are assisting Drs. Ferrando, Dornbush and Klepacz, on a long-term study examining long-term neurological and cognitive impairments in people who have recovered from COVID-19, including helping with the submission of the IRB proposal, performing neuropsychological testing and preparing laboratory specimens to send for testing. 

“Sean and Sivan are phenomenal medical students, who are highly motivated and consistently involved throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Dr. Ferrando.  “They have been essential to our department's ability to establish a research program with multidisciplinary faculty, students and residents, aimed at addressing some of the critical clinical questions related to COVID-19.  We welcome their ongoing involvement and encourage other students to take part in clinical research. Such experience can be an invaluable part of their medical education."

“NYMC provides us with an environment that not only allows us to assist on research projects but also encourages us to take initiative to pursue research in our fields of interest,” according to Mr. Lynch and Ms. Shahar. “We feel very privileged to have faculty who welcome our participation and that continue to educate us far beyond the walls of our classrooms.”