Terence Cardinal Cooke
About CSSR-TCC
Clinical-Based Internship – To Apply – Terence Cardinal Cooke Hospital and Medical Center
The Center for The Study of Science and Religion offers two research internship positions to motivated undergraduate students such that they may have the opportunity to gain hands-on research experiance in the field of medicine. Students perform research projects at the Terence Cardinal Cooke Hospital and Medical Center — a long-term care facility sponsored by the Archdiocese of New York and affiliated with New York Medical College.
The CSSR-TCC program runs for 10 weeks, from the end of May through the beginning of August. Students work full-time (about 40 hours/week) on independent study projects, under the guidance of medical staff . All fellows are required to write a report and to present their work to the CSSR. Participants receive a stipend of $3000. The CSSR-TCC program is sponsored by the Center for the Study of Science and Religion & The Earth Institute.
Clinical-Based Internship for Pre-Medical
Students: CSSR-TCC
CSSR-TCC is a full-time (40 hours/week), 10-week summer internship at a local hospital doing research related to care of the dying (palliative care).
ELIGIBILITY: You may apply if you are currently a pre-med sophomore or junior student in Columbia College, Barnard College, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, or the School of General Studies. Postbaccalaureate students at the School of General Studies are also eligible. You must have a particular interest in working with people during the last few weeks or months of their lives. An interest in bioethics would be expected, but is not required.
The fellowship is competitive, with awards based on grades, recommendations, previous experience, and an interview. No previous research experience is necessary and you do not need to be a biology major to apply. Students are expected to work full-time for the duration of the program, so participation in CSSR-TCC is not compatible with attending summer school or working at another job.
WHERE: Student will be doing research at the Terence Cardinal Cooke Hospital and Medical Center (TCCHMC, at 5th Avenue and 103rd Street.) This is a long-term care facility sponsored by the Archdiocese of New York and affiliated with New York Medical College. It includes patients with advanced AIDS, Huntington Disease, as well as those with cancer and other diseases that typically affect the elderly.
WHEN: Students will be working Mondays through Fridays from June 3th to August 9th, 2013.
THE SUMMER PROJECT
1. Education. You’ll read about treatment of the medical and psychosocial conditions of patients whose care is considered palliative (patients that are likely to live less than 6 months) and and end-of-life (a terminal prognosis whose duration is still undetermined). You will become familiar with the TCC End Of Life documentation, including what needs to be approved by which caregivers before a resident becomes officially “Hospice” or “End of Life”. You will learn about the different levels of care provided to different types of residents. You will do computer searches on assigned topics, make periodic presentations and work with the staff in following and evaluating palliative patients.
2. Clinical. While this is not specifically a clinical fellowship, you will participate in some clinical aspects of the programs, including going on rounds with attending physicians, adopting a floor in order to fully understand life at TCC, and interviewing some of the palliative patients. In addition, you will be able to follow rec, pet and music therapists, social workers, dieticians, chaplains, nurses and CNAs (Certified Nursing Assistants) to better appreciate the role that each plays in care of the dying.
3. Research. You will be expected to perform a research project during the fellowship. Most of the research activities are measures of patient palliative symptoms and needs, the quality of care provided and outcomes. You’ll be guided in developing a protocol, and learning some of the basics of research methodology. At the end of the summer, you will complete a written research paper summarizing your results and will present the findings at a TCC staff meeting.
4. Blog. In order to give your thoughts clarity and to report on your progress, you will periodically record your experiences on the CSSR blog, part of the Earth Institute website.
5. Variable. Dr. Lechich, the medical director of TCC, has varied needs that fluctuate with the unpredictable nature of palliative care. He may require assistance with any number of projects ranging from grant proposals to patient record audits to surveys, to gathering/creating educational materials, etc. You will have the opportunity to assist him in some or all of these institutional-improvement projects, as well as gain an appreciation for the responsibilities of a medical director from an outstanding physician.
QUESTIONS? Please email Program Coordinator Ashley Shaw (ays2111@columbia.edu)
To Apply
If you would like to be considered for the internship, please apply here before the deadline. A complete application consists of the following:
1. Resume (attach as a PDF file) Please emphasize experiences that demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, patience and interaction with the elderly/infirm if applicable.
2. Previous research experience Please provide a summary of your previous experience with laboratory or clinical research and patient care, if applicable.
3. Personal statement (attach as a PDF file) The personal statement should be no more than a page, single-spaced. It should describe your academic interests, career goals and why you would like to participate in the CSSR-TCC program.
4. An unofficial copy of transcript
5. Letters of recommendation are optional; they should be sent separately to Program Coordinator Ashley Shaw (ays2111@columbia.edu), by the recommender.
When all components of your application are received by the deadline, you will be contacted by e-mail for an interview appointment.
THE DEADLINE IS: March 15th, 2013
STIPEND: $3000, housing not covered
About Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center
Students will be doing research at the Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center, at 5th Avenue and 103rd Street. This is a long-term care facility sponsored by the Archdiocese of New York and affiliated with New York Medical College. The TCCHCC is a 729-bed continuing-care facility with a multitude of special care units, as well as two large outpatient clinics. It includes patients with advanced AIDS, Huntington Disease, as well as those with cancer and other diseases that typically affect the elderly.
“As a member of the Catholic Health Care System, we are committed to the belief that life is sacred and worthy of appropriate medical support and rehabilitative services. We provide unique approaches to the care and treatment of our residents and patients, and serve the elderly, people with developmental disabilities, and those who live with chronic illness; people of all races, creeds, economic means and ethnic backgrounds.
Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center’s staff respects the dignity of every human being and recognizes each individuals potential to live as independently as possible.”
- Terence Cardinal Cooke Website
The Center’s tradition of providing compassionate medical treatment began in 1890 with its predecessor institution, Flower Free Surgical Hospital, then associated with New York Medical College. In 1938, Flower Hospital and New York Medical College merged with Fifth Avenue Hospital at the Center’s present site on Fifth Avenue and 106th Street.
When New York Medical College moved to Valhalla in 1978, Flower Fifth Avenue Hospital redirected its acute care mission to become a center of diversified healthcare under the auspices of the Archdiocese of New York.
The Center provides a home and dignified lifestyle for those who live with chronic illnesses — the elderly, severely disabled children, and people with AIDS, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s Disease, or kidney failure.
In 1984, the hospital was renamed Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center in memory of New York’s beloved Archbishop, whose vision continues as the Center’s guiding light.
Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center continues to evolve to meet the needs of a changing population. In 1989, the Center opened a discrete unit for people with AIDS – the first of its kind in New York State. Within four years the program grew to its current size of 156 beds, and continues as one of the largest programs in the state.
In 1991, the Center again answered a need when, at the request of John Cardinal O’Connor, it opened a 24-bed unit dedicated to caring for people with Huntington’s Disease. In 1997, to accommodate the growing number of Huntington’s patients in need of care, the unit doubled in size. It remains the only one of its kind in New York State, and welcomes residents from around the country.
A special Cognitive Care Unit was designated for individuals who suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia in 1996, and in 1997 a 28-bed Subacute Transitional Care Unit opened for the care of stabilized hospital patients who no longer require hospitalization but are not yet well enough to return to their homes.
Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center
1249 Fifth Avenue. New York, NY 10029
General Information (212) 360-1000
Email tcchcc@chcsnet.org