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"The ACComPLISHED program has been an extremely valuable experience for me, both academically and personally. I’ve learned how to design and carry out a health intervention, how to assess effectiveness through measurable outcomes and not so many resources, and how to communicate health information in ways that are relatable and accessible. I developed skills in research, public speaking, survey design, and health education, all of which I can apply as I pursue a future career in medicine. Most importantly, I now have a project and set of materials I can showcase as evidence of my ability to translate complex health information into practical strategies for real people, and I made really meaningful friendships on the way."
JK "These last couple of months in the IYRC ACComPLISHED Community Health Program have been an eye-opening experience. It was an incredible opportunity to learn the first steps in conducting studies and research, as well as learning about impactful health topics from the teaching fellows. The lessons, in-person and on Zoom, are always thoughtful, impactful and engaging. The research skills such as using PRISMA guidelines to narrow down resources, have been an insightful skill to learn. I loved getting people excited and engaged in the capstone intervention project. My intervention project about autism is something I am proud of and willing to showcase."
EC "In August, I was able to look back on everything I learned in the ACComPLISHED program and see how much I grew. I felt more confident sharing health information with others, especially as a health liaison, and it was rewarding to see people start asking better questions about their health. I also wrapped up my project, which made me proud because it connected research to real community needs. Overall, this last month showed me how far I’ve come and made me excited to carry these lessons into my senior year and beyond."
Dean Sanaicela "Honestly, I did not even realize how the time flew by so quickly. Attending lectures every Saturday, discussing with Eugenia about my research topic and actually writing it, it was so fun that I never realized that I was learning with it too. This journey has been memorable, fruitful and a dream come true for someone like me. I enjoyed topics like neurology, pallative care, cancer biology, and a lot more that I can't even name. The breakout rooms allowed me to connect with my peers and PTFs. Talking with TFs like Eugenia Calvo has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. A huge shoutout to her. I have been able to write a systematic review successfully because of her and the supportive teaching faculty here at IYRC. I wish to be a part of it again and again, even if its through their other initiatives.
I enjoyed reading and watching the asynchronous material as well, it helped me to broaden my understanding of medical field. Thank you so much for this amazing experience IYRC! " Aayushi Dinesh Maurya "I would like to show my appreciation and thank both Paul and the IYRC team for organising this superb summer program! I am truly grateful for the number of opportunities this program has provided and have gained so much knowledge and skills that I know will absolutely be useful for the future. It was also wonderful getting to know such awesome like-minded and passionate fellow students. Additionally, the faculty presentations and discussions were superb, and each speaker was unique and extremely inspiring. Once again, thanks Paul and team!"
Isabel Pieterson "The Medicine & Research Summer Program has been something I have aspired to join since high school in Bangladesh, though at the time, I was unaware of the scholarship opportunities available. Thanks to the Lewis-Nguyen Scholarship, I was able to participate in both the MRSP and the ACComPLISHED program as a nontraditional program participant (a college freshman). These experiences allowed me to explore medicine and healthcare in depth while also gaining valuable exposure to topics such as healthcare systems, Medicaid, taxation, and healthcare administration, which are areas that are essential for any future healthcare professional to understand.
Both programs, with their interactive sessions and projects, including systematic review research papers, the health liaison program, patient history note writing, weekly differential diagnoses, the community intervention capstone project, and other skill-building trainings were truly crucial to my growth. I not only learned from these activities but also had the chance to apply my learning in meaningful ways. Overall, this has been one of the most enriching experiences of my academic journey so far, strengthening my enthusiasm and motivation to pursue a career in healthcare and biomedical research as a physician-scientist. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Paul Lewis and Neil Nguyen for making this opportunity possible, and to the entire IYRC team for their guidance and support. Special thanks as well to Kevin for the energy and enthusiasm he brought to the program." Farhan Zaman "It’s was a really good experience. I like working in group with students from abroad with different perspectives and value judgements than mine. The case study was very beneficial to me because it made me come out of my comfort zone and to think differently . That is think in a different way as I used to , having different cultural belief as if I was in a new environment and culture different than my culture. I will recommend this Case study to all High school students and I hope I will participate in the 5th edition."
Tame Moping Yann |
“The ACComPLISHED program was an amazing experience that gave me both knowledge and confidence in pursuing a future in healthcare. I learned how to connect science with real-world impact through research, community projects, and my role as a health liaison. What stood out to me most was seeing how even small efforts in health education can make a big difference in people’s lives. I left the program inspired, motivated, and more certain than ever that I want to dedicate myself to medicine.”
AJ "I want to extend a sincere thank you to everyone involved in organizing and leading this program. This summer has been an incredibly valuable experience that deepened my understanding of both clinical medicine and research. The structure of the program, particularly the use of the RIME framework, and our weekly meetings helped me develop a more systematic and thoughtful approach to clinical reasoning. Each case challenged me to think critically and make connections across different areas of medicine.
I also appreciated the emphasis on peer collaboration. Reading and responding to my peers’ posts gave me new perspectives and pushed me to refine my own thinking. The feedback from mentors was constructive and encouraging, helping me build confidence in both my clinical judgment and scientific writing. Overall, this program has strengthened my interest in medicine and reaffirmed my desire to pursue a career where research and patient care go hand in hand. Thank you again for such a supportive and enriching experience. I’m grateful to have been part of this learning community. Also, huge thanks to Dr. Paul Lewis and Neil Nguyen for their generous support, and being committed to make a meaningful impact, and trusting in the potential of high school students in medical field." Jana Mohamed Elhebishy "The IYRC was an incredibly fruitful experience where I had the chance to speak to, learn from, and collaborate with students from all around the world who shared similar interests and passions as myself. In addition, listening to keynote speakers during the conference itself gave me great inspiration to further investigate and conduct research into infectious diseases, social prescribing, or other concepts revolving around the overarching theme of global health."
Che Young Lee "I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the IYRC Columbia team and to Dr. Paul Lewis for granting me the opportunity to join this program through the Lewis-Nguyen Scholarship. This summer has been more than just an academic course — it has been a turning point in how I see myself as a learner, a future physician, and a member of a global community.
The program’s August modules — Biostatistics, R Programming, Dental and Oral Health, Financial Literacy, and Gastroenterology — challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone and showed me how interconnected health, research, and society truly are. Learning to analyze data in R and apply biostatistics to health research gave me tools I know I will use in my future work. Exploring oral health and gastroenterology reminded me of the importance of prevention, while the financial literacy module was an eye-opener about how social and economic factors shape health outcomes. What made this program so special was the way it combined rigorous science with humanity. I was welcomed not just as a student, but as an active participant in meaningful discussions and real cases. That sense of belonging gave me the courage to ask questions, think critically, and reflect deeply on what medicine means. IYRC Columbia Medicine and Reservoir summer program has inspired me to bring this spirit of learning back home — to share knowledge with peers who may not have the same opportunities, and to approach medicine with both scientific rigor and compassion." Alsu Kaderkayeva "This was my first time attending and presenting at the IYRC. Even with being virtual, the IYRC conference was such an amazing experience! I loved hearing about the innovative research done by my peers who presented at the conference and thoroughly enjoyed presenting! I hope to attend next year as well!"
Akshara Karthik "The IYRC offers a refreshing change of pace and a chance to share your passions with other students that are just as curious and open-minded as you are. If you believe in the power of asking and answering that initial question, the IYRC is the perfect place to develop as a researcher and global contributor."
Hannah Pescaru "This experience in the Colombia program has been truly amazing. I had the opportunity to connect with other teens who share the same driven mindset, and I was fortunate to meet new advisors who have guided me toward excellence. Receiving financial aid opened doors for me to be in spaces I never could have imagined, and for that, I’m deeply grateful."
CS "On the whole, it was amazing to hone our research and writing skills. Creating a case study for the IYRC was the perfect opportunity to practice academic writing and formulating an argument. Not to mention, navigating virtual platforms and time zones taught us about organization and planning. Certainly, it was an event that I recommend to all high schoolers."
Aleicia Zhu |
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"I was inspired by not only the world-renowned speakers but by the diverse health issues that students brought up. I never would have thought that I would be learning about issues so complex from students that are very passionate about their topics but at the IYRC, I did."
Chinedum Aguwa "I was astounded by the impactful implications of my fellow IYRC participants' projects and the substantive understanding and passion that my peers demonstrated during their presentations. I love that all of us came from different locations around the world, and hearing everyone's unique perspectives on popular topics like Covid-19, education, or activism as a result of our unique backgrounds. The questions that Paul and other audience members asked really got me thinking more about my project, and I'm sure my peers felt the same. It's really rare for a student research conference to be so well-organized and approach research from so many different angles, not just pure science research but also ethics, social justice, and art. It's such an honor for me to attend this conference and be among such talented peers."
Alice Feng |
"The IYRC was an incredibly enriching experience that enabled me to interact with an international community of researchers and scholars and learn about the constantly evolving research occurring in both the humanities and STEM fields."
Sena Chang "I am happy to see so many individuals around the world learning how to make their communities stronger. I was impressed by the research student's conducted and the data they were able to collect. Some research conclusions I have even incorporated into my own life!"
William Suringa "The IYRC was a fantastic experience. Not only do you get to work with people with similar interests from around the world, you also get insight from decorated professional in the global health and policy field."
Michael Maggio |
"This program has been very enjoyable. I found the various differnt workshops about different topics interesting. I think the topic that stood out to me the most was skin cancer. I found it the most applicable. I enjoyed learning the concerns in identifying different types of moles based on appearance to test for skin cancer. For example, if moles are symmetrical and consistent in color, it is not a concern for skin cancer. If the mole also doesn't grow, it's also not a concern for skin cancer. I found this part of the workshop interesting because it was applicable for all of us and in daily life. For example, we can screen ourselves for possible concerns of skin cancer. We can also teach others how to screen for skin cancer if they are concerned. I also enjoyed learning about parkinson's from Ryan's perspective. I think it was very insightful for us to hear from a person living with parkinsons. In addition, I also enjoyed learning about diets because this also felt very applicable for everyone to daily lives. I enjoyed learning about diet portions and the different nutrients that we need.
Currently for my capstone project, I am teaching my friends about autism. I'm planning on expanding it to the daycare that I am working at. I think that it would be very interesting to see the results. Specifically, I'm working on spreading awareness and acceptance around autism. I also want to teach people how to interact and accommodate people with autism.."
Currently for my capstone project, I am teaching my friends about autism. I'm planning on expanding it to the daycare that I am working at. I think that it would be very interesting to see the results. Specifically, I'm working on spreading awareness and acceptance around autism. I also want to teach people how to interact and accommodate people with autism.."
EC
