Mount Sinai AIHH Grand Rounds: A Thoughtful Way to Adopt AI in Health Care

Feb 10, 2026 | Artificial Intelligence, Featured, Research, School

Isaac Kohane, MD, PhD, Chair of the Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, was keynote speaker of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai’s Windreich Department of AI and Human Health (AIHH) December 2025 session of AIHH Grand Rounds.

Health care systems across the country have been increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) systems to assist and augment what clinicians and researchers can achieve. As adoption of machine learning accelerates, thought leaders have been scrutinizing how AI is being embraced.

“Many doctors are already using these tools, such as OpenEvidence, but without visibility or oversight by health care systems,” says Isaac Kohane, MD, PhD, Chair of the Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School. OpenEvidence is an AI-powered clinical decision support and medical search engine.

Dr. Kohane is a prominent researcher in biomedical informatics and AI whose nearly 400 papers have been cited more than 95,000 times, according to Google Scholar. He was the keynote speaker of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai’s Windreich Department of AI and Human Health (AIHH) December 2025 session of AIHH Grand Rounds. Dr. Kohane wants to see not just more use of AI, but more responsible use—a theme of his lecture, which was titled “A Tipping Point for Clinicians’ Influence Upon AI-Driven Clinical Decisions.”

Dr. Kohane gave a lecture, titled “A Tipping Point for Clinicians’ Influence Upon AI-Driven Clinical Decisions,” which focused on where the opportunities lie for the health care industry to use AI more, but in a thoughtful way that accounted for human values and ethics.
The AIHH Grand Rounds is a monthly seminar series hosted by Mount Sinai’s Windreich Department of AI and Human Health (AIHH). Clinicians and researchers who work extensively with AI, including Girish N. Nadkarni, MD, MPH, CPH, Chair of AIHH (left) and David L. Reich, MD, President of The Mount Sinai Hospital (right), attend to learn and discuss the latest developments in the field.
AI is transforming the health care and scientific publishing industries, with its potential to save time and effort for individuals and institutions. However, as long as there are incentives for perverse behaviors regarding AI, there will be bad actors abusing the technology, says Dr. Kohane. These fields need to collectively reset such cultures and behaviors.
A theme Dr. Kohane discussed in his lecture is the need to build in human values within AI models. There will be occasions when a broad, normative model will fail to account for the needs of an individual patient. He proposes that the responsibility for building human values in AI lies with the clinicians and researchers who use it.
A highlight of the AIHH Grand Rounds is not merely the lectures presented, but the discussions that occur after. These discussions help foster collaboration between researchers as they share ideas.

“I chose these topics for Grand Rounds because I view the Icahn School of Medicine and its leadership as among the most forward-looking in the country,” says Dr. Kohane, “and therefore they should be truly focused on setting an example in terms of accelerating adoption options that are both safe, and also enabling patients and clinicians to benefit from the complementarity of AI to human expertise, as well as changing the promotion process to reflect greater engagement with reproducibility and robust research.”

The AIHH Grand Rounds is a monthly seminar series that showcases developments in how AI, science, and medicine intersect, and features an open discussion to foster collaboration. The inaugural session launched in September 2025.

How should health systems think about engaging with AI as it pertains to patients, clinicians, and researchers in a way that is beneficial to all parties? Dr. Kohane discussed the following themes during the seminar.

Transforming the institution with AI

By their nature, large health care systems in the United States are high-revenue, low-margin businesses, and because of that, they face challenges in moving rapidly with change to avoid disruptions.

Institutionally, AI adoption has found more comfort and scalability on the administrative side of operations, including reimbursement and corporate functions. AI is a critical lever, but not a priority for health care system spending presently, according to Dr. Kohane.

However, the application of AI on the clinical side, including continuity of care, clinical operations, and quality and safety, remains nascent or in pilot stages.

“It’s actually the doctors who are leading [with AI adoption], even when their own institutions are not supporting them directly,” says Dr. Kohane.

That landscape is slowly changing as health care leaders begin to engage their clinicians with AI support where it is needed now, but it should not be at the cost of extended, effortful multi-year governance conversations, Dr. Kohane pointed out. The incentives for using AI in the practice of medicine must be focused on improving care rather than maximizing revenue.

“And so, I anticipate that the future first adoptions will happen in specialized high-end services like concierge services, primary care, or cancer care,” he says. “But eventually, it would become a requisite for the safe practice of medicine, and for meeting the expectation of our patients, that ultimately our health care systems will be propelled into more significant engagement [with AI].”

Transforming publishing and literature review with AI

“Every part of the scientific publication process—that is, the generation of manuscripts and review of manuscripts—is going to be augmented by AI,” says Dr. Kohane. “That is going to present, or is already presenting, challenges that the whole peer-review publishing industry is not well equipped to handle.”

Dr. Kohane discussed a case study in which he created a hypothesis that was incorrect, and with AI tools was ultimately able to generate data that were not only fictional, but designed by AI to avoid detection by the majority of fake-data-generation detectors.

“We’re going to really have to address, first and foremost, the incentives that drive perverse behaviors,” he says. An industry that prizes publication volume, or publishing in high-profile publications over producing work with actual scientific impact—such as important but unglamorous replication studies—is only going to drive bad actors.

In the right hands, AI will increase the efficiency and quality of scholarly scientific review. AI can serve as a prism that allows clinical and laboratory experience to be distilled into new knowledge, forming a substrate for truly lifelong medical education. “However, we have to reset the culture and incentives,” Dr. Kohane says.

Transforming AI with human values

In an industry where urgency and time matters, AI presents a strong value proposition with its capability to process large datasets and execute large volumes of actions in a blink of an eye. Time-consuming tasks can be automated by AI, but when decisions that pertain to the care of individuals with unique needs are left to a normative model that adheres to overarching policies, the individual’s needs might not be met.

The solution is not to turn away from AI, but to develop personal models that account for the needs of not just the patient at hand, but also their caretakers, doctors, or any other relevant stakeholders, says Dr. Kohane. It is about building human values within an AI model, which can flag when an individual case does not align with the normative model.

That work to develop such projects falls on the health care system, says Dr. Kohane. He introduced the Human Values Project, an international initiative led by Harvard Medical School’s Department of Biomedical Informatics, which aims to characterize how AI models respond to ethical dilemmas in medicine, measuring both their default behaviors and their capacity for alignment. And he proposed that researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine have that potential to develop their own human values-based AI models.

“My takeaway from presenting and participating in the AIHH Grand Rounds really stemmed not from the presentation itself, but from discussions I had afterwards with various leaders of the AI efforts,” says Dr. Kohane. “My sense was that more than most institutions, [Mount Sinai’s] leadership was willing to invest and take a chance on pilots of deployments of these technologies to learn fast and adapt fast. And at the same time, everybody recognized that this is very challenging, given our current regulatory environments and incentives.”

Dr. Kohane ended his presentation with a line of wisdom for participants to consider: “There is no one to lead this in the direction we want, other than us.”

Learn more about the Windreich Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health and AIHH Grand Rounds

An Early Interest in Immunology Set the Stage for Building a Scientific Career at Mount Sinai

Updated on Feb 8, 2026 | Featured, School

Ananya Parthasarathy, MSBS

Ananya Parthasarathy, MSBS, a first-year student in the PhD in Biomedical Sciences program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, recalls developing an interest in immunology while growing up in India, including becoming involved in a project to investigate bacterial contents in Indian street foods.

She completed her Master of Science in Biomedical Science at the Icahn School of Medicine in June 2025, and is now continuing to work in the Immunology Multidisciplinary Training Area in the lab of Karen Edelblum, PhD, studying intraepithelial lymphocytes. Before this, she completed her bachelor of science, with honors, in biology at Azim Premji University in Bengaluru, India, where she gained research experience working with bacterial and cnidarian model organisms.

In this Q&A, she discusses why she chose Mount Sinai, the focus of her research in the immune system, and her career aspirations.

Why did you choose to study at Mount Sinai?

I chose to study at Mount Sinai because of the strong research focus of the MSBS program, particularly the wide array of research opportunities in studying immune functioning at barrier sites. Through the MSBS program, I gained not only theoretical knowledge from immunology elective courses, but also invaluable research experience in working with mouse models and using a variety of experimental techniques to study immune functioning in the small intestine.

What were some of your accomplishments during your time in the Master of Science in Biomedical Science (MSBS) program?

During my time in the MSBS program, I had multiple opportunities to present my research to faculty and my peers to receive feedback on my project. In doing so, I received awards such as best presentation at the MSBS Research Symposium in June 2024, and best poster presentation at the Pathology Research Day in May 2025. Outside of Mount Sinai, I attended the American Physiology Society Summit in April 2025, where I was awarded a Research Recognition Award and a Distinguished Abstract Award. Towards the end of my MSBS journey and the start of my PhD, I applied for and received the Society for Mucosal Immunology Technique-Sharing Travel Grant, which will contribute to my PhD project in 2026.

How did the MSBS program prepare you to apply for a PhD program?

The research and academic experience I gained during the MSBS program prepared me for PhD applications. Being part of PhD-level courses delving into fundamental concepts of biomedical science and immunology ensured I had a strong foundation of theoretical knowledge to conduct research. The exposure to multiple research techniques and the resources available at Mount Sinai allowed me to perform independent research and write a thesis for my MSBS degree, which ultimately prepared me for research as a graduate student.

Why continue your education at Mount Sinai with a PhD in Biomedical Sciences?

I enjoyed working in the Edelblum Lab, which is the primary reason I chose to continue my education at Mount Sinai. During the MSBS program, I completed all the academic requirements for the PhD in Biomedical Sciences, which allowed me to jump straight into full time research as a first-year PhD student. Additionally, the multitude of opportunities at Mount Sinai to present one’s research, as well as the accessibility and availability of resources to answer a wide array of research questions, encouraged me to continue my education at Mount Sinai. I also appreciate the collaborative nature of the immunology and graduate student departments at Mount Sinai, and was keen to continue working in such a supportive environment.

What made you interested in the immunology training area?

I have always been interested in understanding how bacteria influence the human body, particularly the immune system. Growing up in India, I was no stranger to conversations about the hygiene hypothesis and the importance of probiotics to the gut microbiome; these conversations made me interested in understanding how microbes in the human body can influence immune functioning at steady state, as well as how this can change in the context of disease. I interned at a microbiology lab in high school to investigate bacterial contents in Indian street foods, and conducted research for my undergraduate thesis on how skincare products affect the human skin microbiome.

What is the focus of your research?

My research in the Edelblum lab explores the role of gd intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) in intestinal homeostasis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). As an MSBS student, I studied the role of CD47 in gd IEL migration, and am finishing up this project to publish soon. For my PhD, I am investigating regulators of gd IEL activation and migration at steady state, focusing on the role of CD103 in signal transduction.

What are your plans after you complete your PhD?

After my PhD, I intend to continue conducting research in immune functioning at barrier sites, whether that be in industry or academia. As a first-year student, I look forward to gaining more experience in academic research, as well as in teaching and mentoring, to better understand the trajectory of my scientific career post graduate school.

Learn more about the PhD in Biomedical Sciences Program

Mount Sinai Nurses: Inspiring the Next Generation Through Unique Learning Opportunities

Updated on Dec 18, 2025 | Featured, Nursing, School

2025 Student Nurse Intern graduates

With a laser focus on cultivating the next generation of nurses, the Mount Sinai Health System leads the way with two unique and popular programs for students. Both provide an invaluable, hands-on, hospital-based experience to those on a path to becoming a nurse. The Summer Student Nurse Internship is available to nursing students who have completed at least one year of nursing school, and the Nursing Pathway Program is open to high school students who may be interested in a nursing career.

Summer Student Nurse Internship

This year, Mount Sinai received 800 applications for its Summer Student Nurse Internship Program. Nearly 150 college students were accepted into the program, representing 40 nursing schools from throughout the United States. Each intern was paired with a registered nurse mentor who they shadowed throughout the 10-week summer program, working nearly full-time hours and on a paid basis.

“Because of the length of the internship, student nurses are able to gain a deeper understanding of how the nurses work, how the unit functions, and what their role will be like as a nurse on the units that goes far beyond what they get from a textbook or clinical rotation,” says Kathleen Schulz, MA, RN, Nurse Education Manager, Nursing Education and Professional Development.

From left: Sophia Cimino, student; David Reich, MD, Chief Clinical Officer of the Mount Sinai Health System; Beth Oliver, DNP, RN, FAAN; and Maria Vezina, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN. Sophia was honored for outstanding performance.

In the summer of 2023, Rhoda Rae Bonglo, RN, BSN, interned at The Mount Sinai Hospital on a postpartum mother-baby unit as a rising senior at the University of Alaska Anchorage. She described her internship experience as a bit of a shock in the beginning.

“Nursing school is much more theory-based, and while we have clinicals, that’s a once-a-week experience, usually following a different RN each time,” she says. “By contrast, the Mount Sinai internship helps you transition as a new grad by bringing the textbook and the classroom to life. I was able to work with the same clinical nurse for three months, three times a week. This gave me some continuity and an invaluable way to learn tips, insights, and how to organize my day as a full-time nurse.”

All aspects of the student nurse internship program are aimed at supporting these future nurses at a critical time in their career path. For example, a series of weekly Enrichment “Lunch and Learn” Sessions provided insights into interviewing, creating resumes, transitioning to practice, exploring advanced practice nursing, and other critical topics. There are also structured reflection opportunities for the interns to meet, hear about one another’s experiences, and build relationships. Mount Sinai continues to expand the practice settings available to the interns, this year adding positions in the OR, hospital-at-home program, behavioral health and ambulatory settings.

Following graduation, Ms. Bonglo applied for a position with the Health System and now works in the Heart Failure Unit at The Mount Sinai Hospital. “I knew without a doubt that’s where I wanted to work,” she says. “I knew the culture, I knew the systems, and I had a few connections with the staff. My internship made for a much smoother start to my nursing career.”

Nursing Pathway Program

Now in its third year, the Nursing Pathway Program is managed by Mount Sinai Nursing in partnership with the Mount Sinai Office for Health Data, Outcomes and Engagement Strategy (HDOES). Developed for local New York City high school students, this six-week summer internship program introduces sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school to the field of nursing through immersive, hands-on experiences.

“At Mount Sinai, we recognize that the future of nursing begins long before a student enters nursing school,” says Beth Oliver, DNP, RN, FAAN, Chief Nurse Executive, Senior Vice President, Cardiac Services, Mount Sinai Health System. “The Nursing Pathway Program allows us to reach talented, compassionate high school students early—helping them see the incredible opportunities within our profession. By nurturing their curiosity and confidence, we are building a stronger, more diverse nursing workforce to serve our communities for generations to come.”

Graduates from the 2025 High School Pathways Program

This year more than 100 high school students participated in the program, primarily identified through a long-standing collaboration with Grant Associates and NYC Public Schools. Among them were children of Mount Sinai 1199SEIU members, whose placements were made possible through support from Human Resources Labor Relations and an established partnership with the 1199SEIU Child Care Funds & Child Care Corporation—demonstrating a continued commitment to grow from within. Participants were selected based on their grade point average and an application essay. They were then paired with nurse managers and gained exposure by shadowing nurses and patient care associates, observing team meetings and safety huddles, engaging in select non-clinical patient care activities, and more.

“Some of the most gratifying feedback we get comes from parents who share that the experience totally changed their child’s perspective,” says Mackenzy Scott, MBA, RN, CPHQ, Associate Program Director, ​Quality and Safety, Cardiac Services. “They emerge really gung-ho about a career in nursing.”

Popular components of the program include a visit to the Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing, where the high school students gain a feel for a critical step in the pursuit of a nursing career. During weekly “Summer Wednesday” presentations, interns from throughout the Health System gather to learn directly from nurses about the various roles and specialties within the profession.

“The Summer Wednesday series was intentionally designed to expand the interns’ understanding of health equity and care delivery by exposing them to presenters from across the Health System, including nursing, medical illustration, data analytics, environmental health, communications, and more,” says Tiffany Keith, MSW, Assistant Director, Mount Sinai Office for Health Data, Outcomes and Engagement Strategy. The sessions typically included morning presentations facilitated by subject matter experts, followed by afternoon panel discussions and interactive intellectual exercises.

“Many of the students mentioned how reassuring it was to hear about the nurses’ varying career journeys,” says Olivia Boos, Pathways Coordinator and Administrative Assistant, Nursing Operations and Cardiac Services.

All involved agree the interns also bring a welcome burst of energy and enthusiasm to their assigned care settings. “It’s important to recognize that it’s not only them learning from us, but we are learning from them,” Mr. Scott says.

To promote this two-way learning, interns are asked to create a summer project—a proposed initiative or idea based on their summer experience—that they present at the program graduation. This year, interns shared their perspectives on artificial intelligence; supply tracking systems; mental health awareness; the importance of preventive care; advancing health equity; and extending mobile health to New York City neighborhoods.

The Mount Sinai Health System administrators of the High School Pathways Program

“It was incredibly fulfilling to watch students discover the many career paths in nursing,” Ms. Keith says. “Not only are they learning about their passions, but they are also drawing parallels between health equity and their own lives and thinking critically about ways to close health care gaps. It was an honor to experience this program through the eyes of the participants.”

“Mount Sinai nurses are leaders,” says Maria L. Vezina, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Vice President and Chief of Nursing Practice, Education, Advanced Practice Nursing Credentialing, and Labor Relations Partnerships for the Mount Sinai Health System. “They serve as exemplars of what it means to be a strong, skilled, and compassionate nurse. And it’s even more gratifying to see how they inspire young minds to shine.”

Fostering Connections and Collaborations With AI Grand Rounds

Nov 19, 2025 | Artificial Intelligence, Featured, School

The Windreich Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health at Mount Sinai hosts a monthly AI Grand Rounds, which serves as a forum for clinicians and researchers to share their findings. The October 2025 session featured Vera Sorin, MD, Cardiothoracic Imaging Fellow at the Mayo Clinic as a speaker.

To foster better awareness and collaboration of AI efforts, the Windreich Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health (AIHH) at Mount Sinai established its monthly Grand Rounds—sessions for faculty, trainees, and staff to share ideas, learn about cutting-edge developments, and explore how AI and data science are transforming research and clinical care.

“The Grand Rounds series reflects our ongoing commitment to fostering dialogue, intellectual curiosity, and innovation at the intersection of technology and human health,” said Girish N. Nadkarni, MD, MPH, CPH, Chair of AIHH.

Modeled after medical Grand Rounds—but adapted to the unique focus of AI—the series provides a venue where clinicians, data scientists, and researchers can come together to discuss challenges, share insights, and identify opportunities for synergy.

Each Grand Rounds features invited speakers who are recognized leaders in their fields—both within Mount Sinai and from the broader AI and biomedical research communities. Presentations may cover topics such as machine learning applications in health care, ethical AI, biomedical informatics, and translational data science.

The AI Grand Rounds invites speakers who are recognized leaders in their fields, both from within Mount Sinai and externally. In Dr. Sorin’s presentation, she talked about post-deployment AI monitoring in health care radiology, challenges with foundation models, and innovative ways to overcome them.

The inaugural session kicked off in September, with Anthony Costa, PhD, Director of Digital Biology at Nvidia, as its featured speaker, who presented about accelerating the representation of biology and human health with artificial intelligence. The October session’s featured speaker, Vera Sorin, MD, Cardiothoracic Imaging Fellow at the Mayo Clinic, presented on post-deployment AI monitoring in health care radiology, discussing both technical and performance monitoring approaches at Mayo and addressing challenges with foundation models.

The schedule for 2026 is currently being confirmed, with AIHH leadership planning on balancing internal and external voices for the sessions.

Beyond highlighting excellence in research, organizers hope the AIHH Grand Rounds can inspire new methodologies, help participants explore interdisciplinary research ideas, and build meaningful professional connections, said Dr. Nadkarni.

“These sessions are designed to spark new collaborations, inspire cross-departmental initiatives, and deepen our shared understanding of how artificial intelligence can advance human health,” said Dr. Nadkarni. “Over time, we hope the Grand Rounds will serve not only as a learning platform but also as a catalyst for innovation that drives the Department’s research and clinical missions forward.”

Learn more about the Windreich Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health and AI Grand Rounds

A Journey of Firsts at the White Coat Ceremony

Updated on Oct 3, 2025 | Featured, School

For the class of 2029 of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, the White Coat Ceremony marked the start of their medical careers. It was also an opportunity for Mount Sinai staff and faculty to pass on their wisdom about what it means to be on that path.

“As students, it represents the privilege you have earned to study medicine,” said Eric J. Nestler, MD, PhD, Interim Dean of the Icahn School, speaking to the crowd at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center on Tuesday, September 16. “As practitioners, it will be a constant reminder of your sacred responsibility to patients. And to your patients, it will symbolize the deep trust that they place in you,” he said.

Incidentally, remarked Dr. Nestler, just as the event was the first White Coat Ceremony for the incoming class, it was also the first that he had presided over as Interim Dean since assuming the role last year. The incoming class is a diverse group from different socioeconomic, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, with representation from 31 states, 52 different schools, and two who joined from the military. Collectively, class members speak more than 20 different languages.

The new students are stepping into a world that will contain many firsts for diagnosing and treating patients, led by artificial intelligence and genomic sciences, and Dr. Nestler said it will be a world unrecognizable to himself, his peers, and his mentors: “You are preparing to join our profession as it faces a revolutionary inflection point.”

But behind the prestige and brilliance, doctors must remember that they, too, are human, said Brendan G. Carr, MD, MA, MS, Chief Executive Officer and Kenneth L. Davis, MD, Distinguished Chair of the Mount Sinai Health System.

“The point is that medicine will take a toll. And we used to celebrate that. But we don’t anymore,” said Dr. Carr. “We don’t want the numb version of you. We want the version of you that feels deeply and sees the connection you have with your patients. And we want the professional version that commands authority and respect and is polished and professional.”

Class of 2029, By the Numbers

128

Class size

7,529

Number of traditional entry applications

54%

Percentage of women

18

First-generation college students

519

Median MCAT score of class

3.94

Median GPA of class

The class of 2029 is entering medicine with a vision for shaping the future. Click on each student’s name to learn more about why they chose to enter the field and the impact they hope to achieve.

Jude Barakat

Cesar Espinal

Eva Ingber

Rahmah Jingo

Jude Barakat, Class of 2029

Why did you choose to enter medicine?

I chose to enter medicine after seeing my mom battle her diagnosis with her rare autoimmune disorder, scleroderma. With such a complicated diagnosis, we visited tons of physicians and physician-scientists, where I saw first-hand the impact of their discoveries. Over years, these professionals gave me the invaluable gift of long hikes with my mom and celebrating life milestones—like this White Coat Ceremony—by her side. I hope to do the same for others through my pursuit of science and medicine.

What do you see as gaps that exist in medicine, and how do you think you can help bridge that gap?

I observe a disconnect between scientific research and clinical practice. It’s not only important to pursue our scientific curiosity, but to ground that research and inquiry in advancing care for our patients. In pursuit of my physician-scientist training, I hope to help bridge the gap, speaking both a scientific and medical language to improve human health for my patients and on a larger scale.

What drew you to the Icahn School of Medicine?

As an MD/PhD student, I appreciated that the “bench-to-bedside” translational research model is baked into the very nature of Mount Sinai as both a hospital system and a powerhouse in biomedical research. Beyond the lab, I instantly felt the supportive and collaborative atmosphere from the students and faculty the moment I entered Second Look, the event for accepted students to learn more about the program. Plus, Mount Sinai has the best location of any medical school in the world: next to Central Park and a train ride away from any action of New York.

Interesting facts about yourself?

When not doing science or medicine, I love to watch reality TV—specifically Survivor; I even minored in psychology to study social behavior and dynamics. A life goal of mine is to be on Survivor… maybe during grad school?

 

I am a medical student and so much more. I’m also… an educator and mentor.

Cesar Espinal, Class of 2029

Why did you choose to enter medicine?

I chose to enter medicine because this field will allow me to have an impact on someone’s life during their most vulnerable moments. Having seen how my own life and the lives of my loved ones have benefited through the efforts of compassionate health care workers, I feel both a deep desire and responsibility to provide that same care for others. Whether it’s through a clinical intervention or just being there to listen, I know that my actions as a physician will have the potential to be life-changing. The white coat bestowed upon me symbolizes not just knowledge, but a commitment to consistently honor the privilege of being relied upon to do what is best for my future patients. With every step I take toward honoring that trust, I find myself living out the very reasons I chose this path.

What do you see as gaps that exist in medicine, and how do you think you can help bridge that gap?

A major gap I see in medicine is the lack of adequate language access for patients with limited English proficiency. Through my experience researching language access in New York City public hospitals, I have become aware of the fact that patients who don’t share a common language with their care team often struggle to fully understand their care, and relying on telephonic or video interpreters can make it even harder to feel truly connected and comfortable.

Now, as a medical student, I am grateful to take a more active part in addressing them as a Spanish interpreter at the East Harlem Health Outreach Partnership, where I hope to serve as both a language and cultural bridge between patients and providers. Through work like this, I hope to grow into a physician who not only recognizes these invisible barriers but also becomes more mindful of how to better connect with patients whose languages I do not speak.

What drew you to the Icahn School of Medicine?

I was initially drawn to the Icahn School of Medicine because of the FlexMed program, which allowed me to live in Spain and Argentina to strengthen my fluency in Spanish—it’s my heritage language that I didn’t grow up speaking, even though my mum is from Mexico, and my dad is from the Dominican Republic. During those years, I also conducted research at NYU Langone, Bellevue Hospital, and the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, examining language access and minority health in hospitals serving largely Hispanic communities across New York City.

Now, I hope to bring these skills and experiences back to East Harlem by serving the vast Hispanic patient population that comes to Mount Sinai for care. Access to such a community has always been central to where I envision practicing medicine, as I strive to bridge language gaps for the community I come from but could not always fully connect with. Achieving this dream has only been possible because of the Icahn School of Medicine, which gave me the foundation I needed to serve this community today.

Interesting facts about yourself?

I’ve traveled to five continents and I’ve lived in four. But more impressively, I can solve a Rubik’s cube in 17 seconds.

 

I am a medical student and so much more. I’m also… a runner, a cyclist, and hopefully a future triathlete.

Eva Ingber, Class of 2029

Why did you choose to enter medicine?

I was an avid reader as a teen, deeply stirred by the works I read, such that I often thought to myself: I want to do this. At the time, I thought “this” meant that I strictly wanted to be a writer, a storyteller. Over time, I learned what it was that truly inspired me: I wanted to touch people’s lives the way books touched mine. Over time, this same feeling—coupled with an ever-growing interest in science, a craving for interpersonal connection, and a firm belief that actions often speak louder than words—led me to the realization that I didn’t just want to write people’s stories, I wanted to take an active part in shaping them. This desire was cemented the summer before my senior year of high school, when I had my first shadowing experience. I witnessed a J–pouch procedure, and the surgeon had me hold the freshly removed colon.

I often think back to that moment, to the emotions I felt all at once: disbelief that I was holding a part of the human body, deep sadness for the patient who just lost an organ and whose life would be forever changed, but also reverence for the ingenuity of medicine. I have been privileged to witness cutting-edge procedures, but my reverence of medicine is equally attributable to the littlest moments I’ve seen: a resident holding a hysterectomy patient’s hand as she awoke from surgery, a physician delicately fixing the gown of an anesthetized patient for privacy, an entire operating room of staff singing Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” for a patient as she drifted to sleep. The stimulation and connection I’ve sought on the page are everywhere in the hospital. I am inspired and deeply moved by the humanness of medicine, a field that is a constant reminder of the paradoxical duality of our existence: we are flesh and bone, and we possess such awesome potential.

What do you see as gaps that exist in medicine, and how do you think you can help bridge that gap?

I have observed—both in the clinical space, amongst my peers, and during my own experiences as a patient—the helplessness that can arise in the moments after leaving a physician’s care. A patient can be given instructions but face frustrating and confusing obstacles in trying to complete them. I feel that the onus of navigating these next logistical steps should not fall squarely on a patient’s shoulders. The logistic and circumstantial barriers to care can be mitigated by more physicians not only telling patients what their next steps should be, but how they can accomplish them.

This clarity might be as simple as affirming for a patient that their office will handle filling the prescription or that they will take care of reaching out to pathology to receive the necessary slides. I hope that every patient I am privileged to treat not only feels cared for in my presence, but leaves with this same feeling, empowered and confident in their understanding of their health and how to continue protecting it.

What drew you to the Icahn School of Medicine?

As a volunteer researcher at Mount Sinai during my undergraduate years, I would walk into the Annenberg Building and be surrounded by the vibrancy of Mount Sinai—doctors and nurses in scrubs running to grab lunch between shifts, families coming to visit loved ones, researchers carrying samples on ice, cleaning staff making sure that the hospital shines, and delivery people bringing essential goods to their respective locations.

I’ve seen firsthand the unique paradox of the Mount Sinai community: that despite its large size, its magnitude of accomplishments, Mount Sinai has created and cultivated warmth and intimacy across the institution in a way that is palpable. From the new ASCEND curriculum that breathes life into the facts and goes beyond lecture learning, to the cutting-edge research and clinical opportunities that come from the immersiveness of a medical school that’s part of a hospital, to the equitable model of care and emphasis on the dynamic role of physicians, I am inspired by the way the Icahn School of Medicine teaches and practices the art of medicine. I wanted to attend a medical school that, like me, believes care goes beyond a diagnosis—and I know with absolute certainty that Mount Sinai is that school.

Interesting facts about yourself?

I was in a rock band growing up. I was the lead singer!

 

I am a medical student and so much more. I’m also… daughter, sister, granddaughter, wife, writer, reader, artist, lover of music (anything from Frank Sinatra to Taylor Swift), and an exercise aficionado.

Rahmah Jingo, Class of 2029

Why did you choose to enter medicine?

I have felt a calling to medicine for as long as I can remember. My dad is an internist, and as a kid, my favorite days were going with him to work. I loved seeing my dad share the understanding and caring side of himself that I loved so much with his patients. This was my earliest insight into how special the physician-patient relationship truly is. I grew older and pursued patient-facing experience by volunteering as an EMT and working at an urgent care facility. I learned to anticipate and respond to my patients’ needs, and I built meaningful relationships grounded in compassion and trust during moments of vulnerability. My work gave me the clarity to recognize my purpose: to pursue the clinical training and scientific knowledge that would best equip me to meet others’ health needs. I chose medicine knowing it is a privilege to wake up every day with the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

What do you see as gaps that exist in medicine, and how do you think you can help bridge that gap?

There are an overwhelming number of issues that come to mind. Limitations exist in structural barriers to care, workforce burnout, policy changes, health care costs—to name a few. In pursuing a medical career, I have considered the way being a physician would put me in a unique position for advocacy that leads to widespread policy changes. I’ve seen how practicing medicine informs research that uncovers clinically relevant solutions to address such gaps. However, I am but one individual, still uncovering where medicine will ultimately take me. At this stage, I know the most important thing I can do is hold hope for a better future. Hope allows us to imagine what a better future looks like, and from that imagination, tangible and necessary action may arise.

What drew you to the Icahn School of Medicine?

I attended a medical conference early in my undergraduate career when I first met students from the Icahn School of Medicine. It was very easy to see myself attending this school; I saw a bit of myself in the students I met. I made sure to ask the “hard” questions about life as a medical student, and left with the feeling that I would be well-supported and welcomed by this institution. I got the sense that the values the Icahn School upholds aligned extremely well with my own. I wanted to be in a school that centers the patients, the greater community around us, and the pursuit of science. All of those factors gave me confidence that I would fully step into my potential as a doctor by attending the Icahn School.

Interesting facts about yourself?

For middle and high school, I went to international schools in my hometown, Atlanta, Georgia, and in Kampala, Uganda. Because of that, I have made lifelong friends from many different places around the world.

 

I am a medical student and so much more. I’m also… a daughter, a sister, and a friend. I’m also a person who commits herself to too many hobbies!

Beyond the Scalpel, Learning About Humanities in Medicine

Updated on Oct 9, 2025 | Featured, School

From left to right: Alexis Hatch, MD student and organizer of the Two-Minute Talks in the Medical Humanities; Suzanne Garfinkle, MD, Director, Academy for Medicine and the Humanities; and Jacob Appel, MD, JD, MPH, Assistant Director, Academy for Medicine and the Humanities.

Training to be a researcher or physician at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai isn’t just about excellence at the bench and bedside but also understanding the humanity that underpins these callings.

Thus exists the field of “medical humanities,” an area of study that draws upon the arts, the humanities, and the social sciences to enhance medical practice. On Thursday, September 18, members from the Mount Sinai Health System were invited to share and learn about topics where humanities and medicine intersect at the inaugural Two-Minute Talks in Medical Humanities.

With just 120 seconds each, 18 presenters—spanning faculty members, medical students, master’s students, and PhD students—covered topics they were passionate about: Where did Leonardo da Vinci think the soul was located in the body? How has the medical stretcher evolved through time? Can listening to Indian classical music have therapeutic effects?

“As a student admitted through Flex Med, a program designed to bring students in the humanities into medicine, I know firsthand how valuable a humanities background is when learning how to be a compassionate physician,” said Alexis Hatch, a second-year MD student, who came up with the idea for the event.

The inspiration for Two-Minute Talks came from Ms. Hatch’s time as an undergraduate at the University of Chicago, where she participated in a similar event. “When I started as a student ambassador for the Academy for Medicine and the Humanities at the Icahn School of Medicine, I immediately thought a similar event would draw students and faculty to share their interests outside of clinical medicine or research,” she said. “I knew the interest was there—every time I shadowed a physician, they seemed much more interested in discussing my history degree than any scientific research I did!”

“We loved the idea because you can teach an audience a great deal in two minutes, and the time limit made each talk extra dynamic,” said Suzanne Garfinkle, MD, Founding Director of the Academy, and Assistant Clinical Professor of Medical Education. “The event offered a very special window into participants’ creative and scholarly passions. I could see these two-minute lectures developing into a real Mount Sinai tradition.”

Take a look at what some of the presenters talked about during the event in the slideshow below.

Alexis Hatch, medical student and organizer of the Two-Minute Talks in Medical Humanities, gave a presentation on things that exist today thanks to the existence of tuberculosis.
In addition to tuberculosis camp towns—the roots of places like Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Pasadena, California—Stetson hats and the fictional character Sherlock Holmes had origins relating to the disease. For the latter, author and physician Arthur Conan Doyle based Sherlock Holmes’ deductive reasoning traits on the methods he used to debunk a failed tuberculosis remedy at the time.
Jeffrey Laitman, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Medical Education, talked about Leonardo da Vinci’s search for where the soul is located in the body anatomically.
Leonardo da Vinci, said Dr. Laitman, was obsessed with the human skull, and searched for the “senso commune,” which he thought was where the soul was located. The polymath thought he had found its location: at the floor of the third ventricle, just superior to the pituitary fossa.
Vasundhara Singh, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine (Hospital Medicine), and Medical Education, elaborated on the history of the medical stretcher. “Why do I care about stretchers? Because I spend half my time bent over them,” she said.
The earliest stretchers date back more than 150 years, and were also called “ambulances.” Over the decades, stretcher designs were informed by wartime constraints for space, and eventually paid more attention to comfort and materials, said Dr. Singh.
Some spiritual healing retreats in “hot igloos” in Mexico promoted on social media are simply co-opted traditional birthing huts, said Jaime Gonzalez, medical student, who talked about indigenous Mexican birthing practices.
Giving birth in hot houses is still practiced in parts of Mexico. Culture and tourism might have been intertwined, but it important for tourists to be mindful of the origins of some of these practices, said Mr. Gonzalez.
Enna Selmanovic, PhD candidate, spoke about brain donation law and representation in the United States.
Brain donation has the potential to greatly advance understanding of human disease but is complicated by law, culture, family dynamics, and ethics. “These choices shape the stories that medicine tells us about disease, and whose medical history is left out,” said Ms. Selmanovic.

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