Dear friends and esteemed colleagues,

As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout New York and the world in general I find myself asking the question of what can I do to help? I believe I am not the only medical student who feels this way. We have all dedicated our lives to helping others by joining the medical profession.

The number of cases of COVID-19 continuously grow and medical establishments will inevitably become inundated with patients. Many of those who need treatment – be it COVID-19 or any other medical condition – will certainly begin to receive a worse standard of care. This can already be seen by the shortage of medical supplies in neighborhood stores.

The number of medical students in the greater New York City area alone is well into the thousands. While we are not fully trained, surely there is some level of clinical education we can rapidly undergo to be able to help the medical field. The goal would be to optimize our current medical education toward present issues.

Just some areas that students could be helpful for:

1. Widespread telemedicine education on steps to prevent illness.

2. Being a part of an overarching medical school curricula task force for innovative solutions throughout the pandemic.

3. Telemedicine call line for medical students to field basic questions regarding symptoms.

And many more possibilities with the point being our services (on a voluntary basis) can be used for what is deemed appropriate by medical school leadership.

A possible solution to the change in medical education:

Adjusting first and second year curricula to allocate 3-6 months of fourth year medical school to the current schedule to keep students on track for graduation.

I humbly believe the current cohort of medical students can be a tremendous asset to stifling the COVID-19 pandemic. While there are surely students who oppose this strategy, establishing a voluntary program for medical students to join a COVID-19 task force would bring a huge boost in the numbers of boots on the ground in what is essentially a medical war. In establishing the Pandemic Alliance of Medical Students (PALMS), I propose we implore those in charge of our medical education to allow us to join the valiant fight against COVID-19. The time has come to be proactive rather than reactive.

Sincerely,

Raphael Gildengorn

A Fellow Medical Student

FAQ

By signing up am I agreeing to go to the front lines and interact with people who have COVID-19?

No no a thousand times no. This is simply a way for us to be proactive about our interest in helping stop this pandemic. We are not in charge and are only saying we are willing to help in any way we are directed by medical school leadership.

Why should I care?

There are going to be those who joined the medical field to make a quick buck and not to help people. However, I do not believe the majority of students have this reasoning. There are many easier and less grueling ways of making a nice living. Even if you personally do not care there is no reason to take issue with other people caring.

Sure I want to help but I want to keep my distance.

There are many avenues we can help in that would involve no more contact than you already have.

Hey I’m a nurse, pa, etc am I included?

This is by no means meant to exclude any medical professional in training. This is an attempt to take one huge step in the right direction and I encourage anyone who can to get involved. Medical Student simply means students in the medical field. Nurses, PAs, Pharmacists, etc ARE included. We need everyone's help.

Medical students are already getting kicked out of hospitals because they’re in the way. Why do you think you can help?

While this is true it is because resources must be optimized. Medical training in non-related fields while extremely important does not take precedence to an ongoing pandemic.

There’s already a shortage of supplies you’re just going to be in the way.

We will most likely help in ways that do not require us depleting necessary medical supplies.

Who do you think you are?

I am just a concerned medical student who wants to help. Regardless of my credentials this will likely be happening anyway.

See this article where Governor Cuomo is already getting in touch with medical schools about options. https://www-rochesterfirst-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.rochesterfirst.com/coronavirus/gov-cuomo-retired-medical-workers-med-school-personnel-to-act-as-reserve-staff-during-covid-19-outbreak/amp/?usqp=mq331AQFKAGwASA%3D&_js_v=0.1#referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24s&share=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rochesterfirst.com%2Fcoronavirus%2Fgov-cuomo-retired-medical-workers-med-school-personnel-to-act-as-reserve-staff-during-covid-19-outbreak%2F

What is the point of this petition?

The point of this petition is for medical students to express their desire to help in this time of need. It is time for us to be proactive.

Hey your plan seems half decent but I noticed three grammar mistakes, a spelling error, and a run on sentence.

I apologize for any mistakes going through this process. I wish I could bring in experts to help with this petition and hopefully that can be arranged in the near future.

I still don’t get who you are or put you in charge.

I am not in charge and I’m a nobody just trying to help. I do not believe I am in charge – we are all in charge of our current responsibility as medical students.

I have suggestions, comments, criticism.

Please include it when you sign I will do my best to work on it. This is a work in progress.

Is this only for New York?

While I happen to be in New York this is really something needed worldwide. I hope we can truly make an impact.

Hey you’re just doing this to add it to your resume you don’t actually care.

I guess for the cynics among us it can look that way. But to prevent something positive from happening because of some dark thoughts seems a little too much. I acknowledge the fact this may or may not help my resume but if it makes you feel better I won’t put it on my resume. The only public recognition I am willing to accept is to further the cause. Maybe I’ll wear a mask.

What happened to that dumb thing you wrote about medical students doing more clinical work?

I sincerely apologize it seems that idea goes contrary to the general consensus of medical schools. I’m just trying to do my best here sheesh… I could really use some help with possible solutions as I didn’t exactly inherit Albert Einstein’s brain…

You keep adding FAQ when will it ever stop??

I am adding FAQ as I get feedback. Hence the frequently asked questions on an emerging petition.

Sincerely,

Raphael Gildengorn

A Fellow Medical Student