Two George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) faculty members have lent their expertise to two textbooks, which contain multiple contributions from GW.
Rohini Ganjoo, PhD, senior director of undergraduate studies in health sciences, director of the MSHS in Biomedical Laboratory Sciences program, and associate professor of biomedical laboratory sciences (BLS) at GW SMHS, and Lisa Schwartz, EdD ’10, director of pre-health professional advising and associate professor of BLS at GW SMHS, released two new books: Handbook of Research on Developing Competencies for Pre-Health Professional Students, Advisors, and Programs and Handbook of Research on Advising and Developing the Pre-Health Professional Student.
“The pre-health application process is complex and costly, creating a substantial barrier to otherwise highly qualified students from underrepresented backgrounds in the health care workforce,” said Schwartz. “Together, our books guide administrators, faculty, and staff who work with pre-health professional students to better support them through the nuanced academic and professional development and application process.”
The books cover a range of topics: assisting students on becoming competitive applicants to graduate health programs such as genetic counseling, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology, to best practices in pipeline programs and how to create a level playing field.
“Recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all academic journey and providing a safe space for students to share and overcome these challenges are needed now more than ever,” Ganjoo added.
Among the GW contributors to the textbooks were:
- Linda Cassar, DNP, interim director of the accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and clinical associate professor in the Department of Community of Policy, Populations, and Systems at the GW School of Nursing (SON)
- Andrew Clare, clinical educator in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences at the GW Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS)
- Patrick Corr, EdD ’21, visiting assistant professor of clinical research and leadership (CRL) at GW SMHS
- Ellen Costello, PhD, director of admissions, director of the physical therapy program, and associate professor of health, human function, and rehabilitation sciences (HHFRS) at GW SMHS
- Nicole DeVaul, PhD, assistant professor of anatomy and cell biology at GW SMHS
- Donnell Dawson, MSHS ’20, adjunct instructor of CRL at GW SMHS
- Kirsti Dyer, MD, adjunct associate professor of CRL at GW SMHS
- Vivika Fernes, BSPH ’21, a GW Presidential Fellow, CRL, at GW SMHS
- Leigh Frame, PhD, executive director of the Office of Integrative Medicine and Health, program director of the Integrative Medicine program, and assistant professor of CRL at GW SMHS
- Matthew Garber, ScD, associate professor of HHFRS at GW SMHS
- Souheil Ghannouchi, PhD, assistant professor of physician assistant studies at GW SMHS
- Bart Gillum, ScD, program director for the Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medicine (Post-Bac Pre-Med) Program and assistant professor of physician assistant studies at GW SMHS
- Alexandra Ibewuike, Post-Bac Pre-Med CERT ’20, GW SMHS
- Cameron Hogg, DNP, assistant professor in the Department of Community of Acute and Chronic Care at GW SON
- Holly Jonely, ScD, co-academic director of the orthopaedic residency, associate director of the physical therapy program, and assistant professor of HHFRS at GW SMHS
- Andrew Jones, Post-Bac Pre-Med CERT ’19, GW SMHS
- Shelley Kim, Post-Bac Pre-Med CERT ’20, GW SMHS
- Miriam Okine-Davies, assistant director of admissions and enrollment of HHFRS at GW SMHS
- Arlene Pericak, DA, associate professor in the Department of Community of Acute and Chronic Care at GW SON
- Jeffrey Sich, PhD, Associate Professor Emeritus of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine at GW SMHS
- Tammy Wang, MPH ’21, GW Milken Institute School of Public Health (Milken SPH)
- Maranda Ward, EdD, MPH, assistant professor of CRL at GW SMHS
- Alison Warren, MSHS ’17, adjunct assistant professor CRL at GW SMHS
- Karen Wright, PhD, program director for the Physician Assistant program and assistant professor of physician assistant studies at GW SMHS
The editorial advisory board included the following from GW:
- Shelley Brundage, PhD, chair and professor of speech, language, and hearing sciences at GW CCAS
- Marcia Firmani, PhD, director of the Medical Laboratory Sciences program, chair of the Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, director of the Clinical Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostic Sciences graduate programs, director of the Clinical Embryology and Assisted Reproductive Technology undergraduate program, and associate professor of BLS at GW SMHS
- Andrew Garrett, MD, MPH, section chief for emergency health operations, medical director for Emergency Health programs, and associate professor of CRL at GW SMHS
- Kathleen Thoma, EdD, interim program director for Clinical Research Administration programs and assistant professor of CRL at GW SMHS
- Sara Wilensky, PhD, JD, special services faculty for undergraduate education and assistant dean of undergraduate education at Milken SPH
- Jason Zara, PhD, associate dean for undergraduate studies and professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the GW School of Engineering and Applied Science
The books are currently available electronically at Himmelfarb Library.
