Truthfully, I really didn’t have any expectations for the training. I knew what CPR was in principle, but I didn’t know what to expect in terms of involvement nor mood at a training. Interestingly, it was far less taxing than I anticipated, especially for getting certified. I’d even call it fun, thanks to the approachable and enthusiastic EMS staff. This brings me to wonder how much of the staff, or really anyone, on campus and elsewhere is trained in CPR, which can no doubt become rather useful when you least expect it. Perhaps, like the swim test, students and staff should be required to learn other life-saving skills, especially CPR and the Heimlich maneuver… Food for thought.
Author Archives: amr352
The High Cost of Medicine
We’ve known that the cost of medicine, particularly in the US, is steep. But, Dr. Rosenthal’s talk this week showed just how steep that price is. Through a number of examples she gleaned from her time as a reporter for the New York Times, she demonstrated to the audience how the financials of medicine could be so unfair and potentially life-threatening. It’s interesting to hear how the US got to this point and even more so how it could be amended (she mentioned some form of a single-payer system would likely arise).
As a pre-med student, I’m conflicted between balancing the needs and finances of my future patients and the financial aspects of my own life, especially those which accompany doctors, like school debts and the costs of operating a practice. At the same time, Dr. Rosenthal highlighted the superfluous expenses hospitals and other medical professionals charge.
Until a more perfect system is implemented into law, a balance between the healthcare industry should be struck with the people they serve. That will keep physicians true to their oath and the people they care for.
Humanitarianism Made Human
Last Monday’s talk A Path Appears: Transforming Lives, Creating Opportunity by Nicholas Kristof was a true educational delight. I regularly read his articles on the New York Times which center on humanitarianism and social justice. His talk focused on these same topics, albeit explained from a more personal perspective than his journalism.
Specifically, he spoke on the theme of investment and the creation of opportunity for the disenfranchised around the world. Most of hat Kristof said was not surprising to me; the statistics about the number of impoverished around the world, initiatives by NGOs and other foundations, etc. But what truly made the talk different from a governmental report was his humanization of these distressed people by sharing his experiences as a journalist and his travels to remote villages all over the world. One story that made an impression was that of a young Chinese girl who was forced to drop out of school because her family could not pay the yearly fee of $13. Kristof later received thousands of dollars in donations to help her and her schoolmates gain an education, yet it struck me how such a fundamental aspect of childhood could would have to be given up because of a “mere” $13.
Nick Kristof is a splendid columnist and speaker. I thought he aptly described several of the issues plaguing the developing world, and yet also offered hope that they would too will be resolved and fall to the dustbin of history.
Dealing with the Media
It was simply a delight to hear Professor Schwarz speak at the most recent Rose Cafe this week. Speaking on the the topic of “fake news” was rather enlightening for both the unique perspective he presented and for how it challenged me to think what precisely constituted fake news. I loved hearing about the professor’s research on the topic as he interviewed the publisher and reporters of the New York Times (my favorite newspaper) on how the paper operates and regulates itself. He was particularly enthusiastic and engaged the audience through thought-provoking questions such as assessing the bias of information we are expose to. I especially enjoyed his vague resemblance to Chuck Schumer. I’ll be looking forward to the next time he comes to speak to us, and likely even take a class or two with him!
A Human Voice
The King’s Speech is indeed a remarkable movie. Its cinematography, plot, acting, and choice of classical music (including one of the most famous uses of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony) all summed to a tasteful and engaging experience.
But what was truly remarkable about the film was not merely its acting or how it was shot, but rather its humanizing depiction of the Royal Family. One is meant to think of royalty as near deities, without faults nor true human needs nor desires. Yet, the entire premise of this movie is that these people are as faulty as the rest of us; we are exposed to their blunders and failings from Edward VIII teasing his brother to George’s unwillingness to assume the thrown because of the insecurity he feels when speaking. This disconnect between commoner and lord is acknowledged by George himself while speaking to his speech therapist, Lionel: “I’m struck by how little I know of his life, and how little he knows of mine.” To this effect, Lionel acts as the interface between he ordinary and the extraordinary kingdom of kings. The film is a reminder that everyone is a person, from the common popper to a regal deity.
It was an excellent movie with an excellent story. I would recommend it.
The Law Personified
It not everyday the average person gets to interact with a sitting judge on a candid level. It was interesting to hear about his favorite cases, how to weigh the consequence’s of one’s actions, and his perspective on who the law serves and how it should be applied. Yet, the most rewarding part of the event was heading to the dining hall afterward with a couple other residents and just getting to know each other. We talked about out favorite children’s books, the restaurant Judge Miller’s wife owns in the Commons (Madeline’s), and just got to know each other. Getting to know Judge Miller as a judge was certainly rewarding, but getting to know him as a person was the best of all.
An African Education
As a US native I hear a to about the state of African political and economic affairs from an outsider’s perspective. This is why it was so refreshing and interesting to hear from Dr. Kutela who researches the how a national economy can effect a child’s education. The root lies in stabilizing the income of the children’s parents year-to-year so that they don’t need to have their kids work in the field for them to make a livable income. But it was also heartening to hear Dr. Kutela’s own life story from being one of those impoverished children working on a farm to beginning 1st grade at the age of twelve to earning a PhD in economics. I knew I was lucky to be a student at Cornell, but now even more so now that it really has been put into perspective.