Annual MSTP Retreat
by Victor Borza (G3)
We had a wonderful MSTP retreat last month at Henry Horton State Park, where we introduced the new M1 class, reflected on successes and challenges from the past year, discussed our research with each other, and engaged in some fun-spirited competition. Congratulations are in order for Edwards-Goodpasture college, winners of the 2023 Golden Pipette award! We also learned that golf spectators sometimes bear a striking resemblance to a certain “powerhouse of the cell” organelle. This year, we returned to our pre-COVID tradition of overnight retreats – fitting timing, as the G3 planning committee was the last class to experience an overnight retreat when they started as M1s. This year also saw the launch of a dedicated Antiracism, Diversity, and Inclusion session at retreat (see more below). Special thanks to retreat co-chairs Megan Tigue (G3) and Victor Borza (G3), the G3 class, and especially to Bryn Sierra (Program Manager) for orchestrating this retreat.
MSTP Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion Session at MSTP Retreat
This year, we launched a new type of session for retreat focusing on the MSTP’s commitment to antiracism, diversity, and inclusion (ADI). The session – titled “From Theory 2 Practice” focused on practical ways to enact change from more junior positions in the academic hierarchy. Starting with a context talk introducing our terminology and highlighting some ideas for how MSTP students can be involved in making change in the ADI space, the session then focused on an interview with Dr. Benjamin Collins, a VUMC attending and research fellow specializing in the ethics of artificial intelligence and algorithmic bias. We finished with small-group discussions and sharing out of two cases grounded in real-life clinical examples: “A Biased Scoring System” and “Structural Iatrogenesis”. Special thanks to Victor Borza (G3), Candace Grisham (G3), Ansley Kunnath (G3), Sarah Reed (G3), Megan Tigue (G3), and especially to Dr. Lourdes Estrada (Associate Director) for putting together this session. If you are interested in joining the MSTP ADI Council, reach out to Co-Directors Drs. Lourdes Estrada and Megan Williams