February 18, 2025

The New CHSU Ambassadors are having a book donation drive from February 12-28th.

Please donate new or gently used school aged books (grades K-6) and drop in the donation boxes in the COM OSA Suite and at Nicole Contreras cubicle at the 120 building.

The Ambassadors will deliver the books to a rural elementary school in honor of "Read Across America week" March 2-6, 2025.

The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) celebrated their 41st West Regional Conference at the UC Riverside School of Medicine on February 8, 2025.

Elizabeth Martinez, DO, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Education at CHSU-COM, was awarded the Faculty Service Award for her efforts in supporting the LMSA chapter at CHSU. Ruth Beltran, medical student and officer for the CHSU chapter of LMSA, was involved in nominating Dr. Martinez.

Additionally, student doctor Sara Jhanjar presented her research poster at the exhibition.

We are so grateful for their contributions to LMSA and can't wait to see what more they'll do at CHSU!

Written by Ahana Chakraborty, CHSU-COM Medical Student

On February 1st, 2025, premed students from Fresno State and UC Merced were invited to the CHSU-COM to experience 'Med Student for a Day' (MSD), as part of the national Pre-SOMA ShaDO Week.

This all-day event was organized by second-year medical students at CHSU, including board members from our school’s OPSC and Pre-SOMA chapters, and the Radiology Interest Group, including: Ynez Nguyen, Felicia Hung, Ariana Kaxon-Rupp, Gigi Thao, Shyenna Wongsavanh, Ahana Chakraborty, Lynn Fadel, Alex Nguyen, Josh Pham, and Austin Jones 

The goal of this event was to provide these students with an introduction to osteopathic medicine, the life of an osteopathic medical student, and the medical school application process.

Students were able to attend a clinical skills workshop, which included stations with a complete neurological exam, auscultations, and ultrasound. They also practiced osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) techniques, participated in whiteboard case discussions, networked with medical students and fellow premeds, and received numerous resources to be successful medical school applicants.

Written by Negin Fadaee, MPH, CHSU Medical Student and AWS Vice President

On January 28th, the CHSU Chapter of the Association of Women Surgeons (CHSU-AWS) joined forces with the Fresno Madera Medical Society (FMMS) and ProAssurance to host a special event titled, "Incisions and Insights: A Panel and Mixer Event,” celebrating Women Physicians Day.

The event showcased an inspiring panel of eight distinguished surgeons from various specialties, five of whom were women. The panelists included urologist Dr. Jamie DiPietro, general surgeons Dr. Ariel Millard, Dr. Fateh Entabi, and Dr. Christina Kwock, endocrine surgeon Dr. Farah Karipineni, pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Natalie Limoges, vascular surgeon Dr. Abed Joseph, and orthopedic hand surgeon Dr. Kent Yamaguchi. Together, they represented a diverse spectrum of expertise, providing attendees with invaluable insights. The event was well-attended, with over 50 students and staff members engaging in the conversation.

The first segment of the event featured a lively and thought-provoking panel discussion. Students had submitted questions in advance, which the panelists addressed with enthusiasm and depth. The conversation touched on a wide array of topics, from family planning and work-life balance to empowerment for women in the medical field. The panelists offered a rich tapestry of perspectives and experiences, making the session both dynamic and highly engaging for everyone involved.

Following the panel, the second part of the event included a mixer where attendees had the chance to personally interact with the panelists in a more intimate setting. This allowed for more one-on-one conversations and the opportunity to network with leaders in the surgical field. Attendees were treated to delicious food and refreshments, generously provided by FMMS and ProAssurance, ensuring a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere for all.

CHSU-AWS is committed to continuing its mission to foster leadership, community, and education within the surgical field. The event was a resounding success, and the Chapter looks forward to hosting more opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and the celebration of women in medicine.

Paula Scariati, DO, MPH, MS, Chair of Specialty Medicine at CHSU-COM, will be presenting at the 2025 Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons of California (OPSC) Annual Convention on March 1.

Dr. Scariati's presentation is titled, "Ouch! Insights From an ex-CMIO Who Became a Trauma Patient in Our Healthcare System."

Congratulations to Dr. Scariati!

Submitted on behalf of Nicole Njike Bobga, MSBS Class President

The recent Mentor/Mentee event between COM and MSBS students at CHSU took place on February 4, 2025. At this inspiring gathering, MSBS students and their COM mentors came together to share wisdom, guidance, and support.

This event provided a valuable space for meaningful conversations, career insights, and personal growth. COM Mentors offered their expertise, while MSBS Mentees gained encouragement and direction for their academic and professional journeys.

These connections are vital in fostering a strong, supportive CHSU community. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this event a success!

The Mental Empowerment Committee has posted the "Pawsitivity" board (between classrooms 150A & 150B) with all the students' pet pictures . 

So go on by and take a look at the adorable pets! 

Can you guess which pet belongs to which student doctor???

The Financial Aid Office is celebrating that February is Financial Aid Awareness Month.

Throughout the month we will be sending informational emails to all students on topics such as filing out the FAFSA, scholarship searches and other financial aid resources. 

They hosted a “Conversations with Financial Aid” sessions at both COM (Teaching Kitchen area) and the 120 building (Student Lounge) on Thursday, February 13th and literacy webinar on February 18th.

As always, students are welcome to call, email or stop by the Financial Aid Office if they have any questions or need financial aid assistance. 

Join the CHSU Fresno Polar Plunge team set up by Matt Basgall, CHSU Director of Security, to support the Special Olympics NorCal.

The Fresno Polar Plunge will be held on Saturday, March 15 at the Millerton Lake Crow's Nest Boat Dock.

Find the Fresno Polar Plunge on the website and register for the CHSU team.

Written by Negin Fadaee, MPH, CHSU-COM Medical Student

The Overdose Prevention Committee (OPC) at CHSU-COM is dedicated to preventing overdose deaths in the Fresno/Clovis area and greater Central Valley. OPC is a Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) committee that was established in response to the rise in preventable overdose deaths across the nation.

OPC focuses on six different public health matters, including: Good Samaritan Laws, naloxone (Narcan) distribution, medication assisted treatment (MAT), harm reduction, stigma reduction, and barriers to access. Nationally, there are five region administrators who oversee each osteopathic medical school’s OPC. 

OPC collaborates with the Fresno Department of Public Health, Fresno Madera Medical Society, and Substance Use Navigators to provide naloxone administration training, harm reduction resources, and opioid overdose education. OPC also provides overdose training to first year medical students alongside CHSU’s clinical skills course and has created a campus policy for storing and administering naloxone on campus.

For this academic year, OPC established ties with Fresno State on its "Wellness Wednesday” team to promote harm reduction on its campus. At these outreach events, OPC gathers outside the Student Health and Counseling Center to distribute naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and informational handouts regarding harm reduction and overdose education. The CHSU-OPC team utilizes their manikin, Anikin, to train attendees how to spot signs of an opioid overdose and properly administer naloxone.

On January 25th, the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA) and Dermatology club collaborated to establish a skin cancer screening event at CHSU campus for the greater Fresno area. 

The clinic served local community members and provided resources for local low-cost clinics, skin care in the sun, and social services. CHSU students were able to gain valuable clinical skills by conducting a focused integumentary physical exams and work closely with a local Dermatologist, Dr. Gregory Simpson.

APAMSA is planning for future skin screening events, and hopes this free clinic will continue to be an annual event for the community. 

The CHSU College of Biomedical Sciences and Health Professions MSBS Program recently hosted a booth next to the CHSU-COM Admissions team at the SUMMA Conference on the Stanford Campus.

The MSBS Office of Admissions is excited to recruit for our Class of 2026 and look forward to growing this program. 

The Bates’ Visual Guide to Physical Examination has a fresh new look!

The upgraded platform offers easier navigation while still providing* the same high-quality video collections to support your learning:

1.      Physical Examination

2.      Communication and Interpersonal Skills

3.      OSCE Clinical Skills

If you have any questions or issues, please contact the library at library@chsu.edu.

*You do not need an LWW account to view these collections. 

Let's dive into the fascinating (and sometimes sneaky) world of study biases!

From selection bias to confirmation bias, learn how these hidden culprits can skew results, mislead conclusions, and wreak havoc on research.

Friday, February 21, 2025

10:00am - 10:30am PST

This is an online event. Event URL will be sent via registration email.

Presented by:

Lisa Ennis, DrPH, MA, MS, MPH

Dean & Professor of Library and Information Sciences

University of South Carolina, Aiken

Written by Pulkit Singhal, CHSU-COM student

Third- and fourth-year medical rotations offer students invaluable opportunities to build connections and explore pathways beyond traditional routes.

Pulkit Singhal, OMS4, discovered one such opportunity during his rotations at Sutter Gould Modesto and Sutter Memorial Medical Center (MMC). While working alongside preceptors and surgical techs in Neurosurgery, Pediatrics, and Neurology, he frequently heard about their experiences participating in medical missions to the Philippines through the Saints Francis and Clare Foundation (SFCF).

Inspired by their stories, Singhal inquired about the mission, applied, and was accepted to join the February 2025 medical mission in Kalibo, Aklan. His dedication to work-life balance and the relationships he cultivated along the way led to a unique opportunity—his 10-year-old son was also able to join the mission.

Together, the father-son duo traveled to the Philippines, where they provided medical care to underserved communities while immersing themselves in the local culture. The experience deepened their bond and reinforced the importance of global outreach in medicine.

By leveraging local connections to serve on an international level, Singhal’s journey highlights the flexibility and generosity of the medical community. His story serves as a reminder to keep our hearts and minds open to unexpected opportunities that can enrich both our personal and professional lives. For more information on the Saints Francis and Clare Foundation and their medical missions, visit https://www.sfcfcalifornia.org.

The CHSU MSBS Class of 2025 invites you to attend the

Multicultural Celebration

Thursday, March 20, 2025

3:00-4:30 pm

120 N. Clovis Campus Student Lounge.

Bring an item that represents your culture, like traditional clothing, artwork, music, food, etc., that tells the story of your heritage.

The Journal Club is a capstone activity of CHSU MSBS program, providing students with a platform to engage with cutting-edge research in the field. Through active participation in Journal Club presentations, MSBS students enhance their critical thinking, communication skills, and scientific literacy, all of which are essential for their professional growth.

Starting January 31, 2025, for a duration of four weeks, students will present and analyze current research articles each week. These presentations lead to in-depth discussions that examine study methodologies, results, and implications while fostering an environment of scholarly debate. The sessions encourage students to critically evaluate findings, explore alternative interpretations, and propose future research directions, deepening their understanding of the scientific process.

As students continue participating in these weekly sessions as part of the Critical Thinking and Research Methods course, they refine their ability to critically assess scientific literature and build a strong foundation for future research endeavors. This active participation in the Journal Club truly exemplifies the program's commitment to empowering students to become competent leaders in the healthcare field.

The Policy Development Committee (PDC) at CHSU is responsible for reviewing and making recommendations on the University's official policies, including new policies and amendments or revisions to existing ones. The PDC meets regularly and forwards its recommendations to President Dunn for approval. Once approved, the new and revised Policies are posted on our CHSU website at: https://chsu.edu/policies/. At the January Committee meeting, PDC reviewed and recommended approval of new and revised policies. The following policies were approved by President Dunn on January 31, 2025:

MSBS Graduate Student Progress Committee Policy

This policy establishes a framework to evaluate and support graduate students' academic progress in the MSBS program. The policy was amended to clarify the qualifications for service on MSBS Graduate Student Progress Committee. 

COM Governing Statute Numbers 3a and 3b

COM Governing Statute 3 has been divided into three separate sections to improve clarity. The new Statute 3a focuses on COM administration, while 3b concerns the role of faculty, and 3c details the role of committees. There were no substantive changes to Statutes 3a and 3b at this time, but the Policy Development Committee expects to review proposed amendments at its February 2025 meeting. 

COM Governing Statute Number 3c

COM Governing Statute 3 has been divided into three separate sections to improve clarity. The new Statute 3c details the role of committees, including the Curriculum Committee (COM-CC), Assessment and Outcomes Committee (COM-AOC), Faculty Development Committee (FDC), Admissions Committee (COM-AC), Students at Academic Risk Committee (StARC), Student Progress Committee (COM-SPC), Rank and Promotion Committee (RAP), Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC), and College Administrative Committee (COM-CAC). Statute Section 3c includes amendments to the composition and structure of these committees, with related policies linked by hypertext for easy reference.

COM Student Progress Committee Policy

This policy has been revised to update the responsibilities of the COM Student Progress Committee. Adjustments include changes to procedural terminology and clarification of decision-making authority.

COM Final Course Grade Appeal Policy

The COM Final Course Grade Appeal Policy has been revised to enhance fairness in the evaluation and appeals process by identifying the criteria for appeal. The policy establishes a standardized process for students to appeal final course grades while maintaining the academic integrity and responsibility of faculty and course directors.

Student AI Policy on Academic Integrity Pertaining to Artificial Intelligence (New)

This policy provides rules and guidelines concerning the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by CHSU students. The policy identifies the responsibility of faculty to set rules for students in their courses. It also identifies acceptable and prohibited uses of AI tools. It is expected that there will be regular review and updates to the Policy in order to align with ongoing technological advancements. In the future, the Committee expects there will be revisions to address intellectual property concerns and that a separate policy will be developed concerning faculty and staff use of AI.

Upcoming Events and Observance Awareness

• February: Black History Month, National Cancer Prevention Month, American Heart Month, Financial Aid Awareness Month
• World Day of Social Justice - Feb 20
• Rare Disease Day - Feb 28
• Ramadan - Feb 28 - Mar 29

Find information on our website about multicultural events and traditions, gender identity, religious and faith-based holidays and traditions, and awareness observances of diverse members of our campus community.

COM Office of Admissions Events

• Accepted Students Day (Virtual) - Feb 22
• COM In-person Interview Day (Invite Only) - Feb 24
• Madera Unified RISE Conference - Feb 24
• Big Fresno High School Career & College Fair - Feb 26
• Bakersfield College Spring Transfer Day - Feb 26
• CSU Bakersfield Pre-Med Club Presentation - Feb 26
• Financial Aid Info Session - Feb 27
• AMSA Presentation - Feb 27
• Primary Application Closes for COM Class of 2029 - Mar 1
• CUSD Latino Student Success HS Conference - Mar 3

• MSBS Interview Day - Feb 26
• Multicultural Celebration - March 20

Health and Wellness

February is Heart Health Month

Good nutrition and lifestyle play big roles in keeping your heart healthy. You can decrease your risk of heart disease by making smart food choices. Read on to learn more about ways to protect your heart.

Fruits and Vegetables

Including plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, and legumes can provide a great benefit to heart health, especially blood pressure maintenance. They are a great source of dietary fiber, are low in calories, and provide antioxidants.

Potassium is a mineral to highlight from fruits and vegetables, as it is clinically proven to reduce blood pressure levels and risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease. Try including tomatoes, bananas, spinach, squash, and beans to your plate!

Fats

Be mindful of saturated fats when choosing what foods to eat. Foods known to be higher in saturated fats are red meats, bacon, butter, full-fat dairy, and ice cream. They should be eaten in moderation to maintain your body’s ultimate health. Swapping for unsaturated fats such as avocados, olive oil, walnuts, and almonds can be effective and beneficial toward heart health. 

Get Moving!

Incorporate physical activity into your lifestyle. A goal of 2 hours and 30 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity is recommended along with a variety of strength training, stretching, and balance exercises. Even simple daily activities such as walking, biking, or dancing can be effective in maintaining your heart health!

Column courtesy of Maria Torres, MS, RDN; Culinary Medicine Instructor, Biomedical Education (COM).

The CHSYou Wow Program gives you the opportunity to show your appreciation for employees, students, and colleagues and acknowledge them for their hard work.

OPSC Board Members and Volunteers

OPSC organized Med Student for a Day event on Saturday Feb 1st, and the whole event was organized very well and ran very smoothly. Thank you for taking a step further into introducing medicine to future generations, and to involve CHSU med students in providing guidance, advice, and our experiences to anyone who wants to know more about the field. 

Submitted by Lucia Liu, OMS-II

Valley Mentors and Volunteers

The 1st CHSU's Future Physicians Fair was amazing! Shout out to Valley Mentors for their months of hard work in planning this, and the volunteers for making sure everything ran smoothly. I am pretty sure every high school student and parent had a great time and learned a lot! Good job!

Submitted by Lucia Liu, OMS-II

Mikaela Garces

I want Mikaela to know how much the MSBS team appreciates all that she does for the program and for the students every day. With every event the MSBS has had, Mikaela is always there to help out in any way she can, even if it means staying late or working a few hours on the weekend, she will do what needs to be done to help the program run efficiently and as smoothly as possible. The students appreciate how relatable she is and often rely on her to be a voice for them when issues arise or if they have questions. Mikaela is always very open when it comes to receiving feedback and will often ask what she can do better the next time or what else can she add to a process. 

Thank you, Mikaela, for being someone our team can depend on no matter what and for being such a great team player. We appreciate you!

Submitted by Rosemary Sanchez

Dr. Peter Botros

I would like to acknowledge Dr. Botros for his invaluable support with student-led events over the past two weekends. He showed genuine compassion and served as an excellent mentor to the pre-med students. His passion for Osteopathic medicine and his emphasis on the importance of collaboration truly stood out.

Submitted by CHSU Medical Student

Jonathon Vargas

I'd like to WOW Jonathon on hosting/facilitating his first admissions event, an in-person interview day. He did a wonderful job and helped make the event a success. He takes every opportunity he can to improve and the team appreciates that! Way to Go!

Submitted by Jennette Munn

Jacob Moon

I'd like to WOW Jacob for his hard work in creating and facilitating brand new Admissions events. He has successfully accomplished multiple events recently and they have all been well received. From Scribe Night, to our new Open House format, as well as our on-campus events for Incoming students, he has been an event planner extraordinaire! Thank you for all you do!

Submitted by Jennette Munn

Berenice Aboyte

I'd like to WOW Berenice for jumping in to travel to some of our recent recruitment events! As we search for a new recruiter, this has been instrumental in keeping CHSU's name out there and at the forefront of pre-med students' minds. Thank you for your help with recruitment and for all you do!

Submitted by Jennette Munn

Tianna Taylor

I'd like to WOW Tianna for hitting the ground running as soon as she got here! She has helped the team immensely for all our events and the preparation prior. She is a wonderful member of the team and we appreciate all that she does!

Submitted by Jennette Munn

Desiree Landano

I would like to sincerely thank and recognize Desiree Landano for her unwavering support and dedication to fourth-year students like myself. Navigating rotations can be unpredictable and ever-changing, yet Desiree has been an anchor of stability, providing guidance and reassurance throughout the process. Her meticulous attention to detail—ensuring every "t" is crossed and every "i" is dotted—has been instrumental in making our final year a success. Her tireless efforts behind the scenes do not go unnoticed, and I truly appreciate her commitment to ensuring a seamless experience for all students. Thank you, Desiree, for all that you do!

Submitted by Pulkit Singhal