Blog: First Things First

November 8, 2024

Dear College of Medicine Community,

As Veterans Day approaches, I want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to those who have served in our armed forces. Our veterans are remarkable individuals who have answered the call to protect and defend the freedoms we cherish. These heroes embody the values of duty, honor, and unwavering commitment to our country.

This Veterans Day, let us come together to recognize not only their sacrifices but also the sacrifices made by their families, who have stood by them through every challenge. Remember those we have lost, honor those still with us, and take inspiration from the courage and resilience of the veterans among us at CNU and across our hospital network.

The men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform inspire me every day, and I take great pride in working alongside the many veterans here at CNU and throughout our hospital network.

With deep gratitude,
Rich

Photo taken in 2018, during the unveiling of these statues, at National Harbor which features several military soldiers that honor the U.S. Armed Forces. The collection, titled “America’s Team - Protecting Your Freedom,” was introduced on Veterans Day 2018 and includes five statues representing each military branch (Coast Guard, Air Force, Army, Marines, and Navy).
Designed by Ivan Schwartz of Studio EIS. Photo courtesy of my personal photo library 🙂.

Richard S. Isaacs, MD, FACS
Dean California Northstate University College of Medicine
Senior Vice-President of Medical Affairs and Chief Academic Officer
Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery


November 1, 2024

Today, we take a moment to recognize and celebrate the remarkable achievements of our students and faculty. Their collective efforts have led to significant contributions in medical literature, with several articles and case reports recently acknowledged for their impact.

Engaging in research during medical school is a powerful way for students to advance in the field of medicine while fostering their own development. At California Northstate University College of Medicine (CNUCOM), research is a fundamental part of our educational philosophy. It gives students hands-on experience with the latest advancements in medical science, hones critical thinking, and strengthens evidence-based diagnostic skills, ultimately improving patient care. Working alongside faculty mentors, students also gain invaluable networking opportunities and guidance, both crucial for their career growth.

Through research, students not only build resilience but also contribute meaningfully to medical progress. This commitment reflects the spirit of lifelong learning and a deep dedication to medicine. At CNUCOM, our students participate in a wide range of research projects, enriching their medical education and solidifying their place in the scientific community.

California Northstate University College of Medicine (CNUCOM) has established a number of successful research collaborations that highlight our commitment to advancing medical knowledge and fostering academic growth:

Student Research Committee (SRC): Established in 2023, the SRC promotes collaboration between students and faculty across various specialties. It provides valuable mentorship and creates opportunities for students to present their research at conferences and publish their findings in academic journals.

Intramural and Extramural Grants: These grants are designed to support faculty-student research projects, particularly in the fields of cell biology, virology, and translational research. As a result of this initiative, many students have had the opportunity to co-author publications alongside faculty members.

Regional and State Collaborations: CNUCOM partners with medical centers in Sacramento County and Northern California, including the California Department of Health Care Services. This collaboration offers students a wide range of research opportunities, significantly enhancing their scholarly accomplishments.

Some recent contributions include:
Published Articles:

  1. The Journal of Perioperative Medicine
    Title: The Effectiveness of Patient Education on Laparoscopic Surgery Postoperative Outcomes to Determine Whether Direct Coaching Is the Best Approach: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
    Authors: Bhagvat Maheta, Mouhamad Shehabat, Ramy Khalil, Jimmy Wen, Muhammad Karabala, Priya Manhas, Ashley Niu, Caroline Goswami, and Dr. Eldo Frezza
    Citation: JMIR Perioper Med. 2024 Jun 27;7:e51573. doi: 10.2196/51573.
  2. The American Surgeon
    Title: What Should I Use? Impact of Adhesion Barriers on Postoperative Abdominal Complications: A Systematic Review
    Authors: Bhagvat Maheta, Priya Manhas, Ashley Niu, Lauren Ong, Anya Ramsamooj, and Dr. Eldo Frezza
    Citation: Am Surg. 2024 May 25:31348241258718. doi: 10.1177/00031348241258718.

Academic presentation accepted for the 2025 Western Medical Research Conference in Carmel California, January 16, 18, and 18, 2025:

  1. “A deep learning based approach, uncovers novel mediators of MIRNA restraint of type-2 immunity.” Author: Shaan Sekhon and Eslam Mohamed, PhD. Recipient of the WAFMR Student Subspecialty Award in Immunology and Rheumatology (Shaan Sekhon).

Academic presentations accepted for the American Heart Association’s annual International Stroke Conference 2025 in Los Angeles, February 5, 6, and 7, 2025:

  1. “The Impact of COVID-19 on Stroke Hospitalizations in California: A Seven-Year Analysis of Trends and Outcomes.” Authors: Sugamjot Kaur Badhan,Soham Venkat Kondle, Arnav Wadhawan, Jaskarn Sahni, Anura Ratnasiri
  2. “Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on In-Hospital Stroke Mortality in California: A Retrospective Analysis from 2016 to 2022.” Authors: Jean Shanaa, Robert Augustynski, and Sean Chang, and Anura Ratnasiri

Published Case Reports:

  1. An Atypical Manifestation of Necrotizing Fasciitis in a Patient With Type II Diabetes. Authors: Dawnica Nadora, Denise Nadora, Daniel Razick, and Dr. Eldo Frezza Citation: Cureus 16(2): e54062. doi:10.7759/cureus.54062.
  2. Atypical Pleural Effusion in an Immunocompetent Patient With Valley Fever: A Case Study and Review of the Literature Authors: Sean Chang, Neil Hsu, Mariam Khalil, and Dr. Eldo Frezza Citation: Cureus 16(4):e57983.doi:10.7759/cureus.57983.
  3. Don’t Hang Around, It Could Be Incidental: A Case Report of Hangman’s Fracture and Review of the Literature. Authors: Manya Bali and Dr. Eldo Frezza Citation: Cureus 16(6): e63285. doi:10.7759/cureus.63285.
  4. A Case Report of Deterioration in a Non-frail Octogenarian Burn Patient Authors: Manya Bali, Dawnica Nadora, Oliver Wu, Kristina Polizzi, and Dr. Eldo Frezza Citation: Cureus 16(10): e71808.

Please join me in congratulating all CNUCOM students for their remarkable contributions to these projects and the exciting milestones they have achieved. I am incredibly proud of their accomplishments and deeply appreciative of the mentorship provided by our dedicated faculty. Together, we are fostering a legacy of research excellence, and I look forward to witnessing even more outstanding contributions from our students in the future.

Richard S. Isaacs, MD, FACS
Dean California Northstate University College of Medicine
Senior Vice-President of Medical Affairs and Chief Academic Officer
Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery