MARC gINSBURG

What did you do before acceptance to medical school?
I worked in cardiology at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Canada as a registered nurse (RN). I became a mentor for new nurses and become involved in teaching assessment and management of cardiology patients. I then was trained in critical care nursing.

Do you have family, children and/or a significant other? Did they come to Statia with you? What have they done on Statia to keep busy?
I am married to a beautiful and brilliant engineer. My family has made the transition to the Caribbean a truly remarkable experience. I have a wonderful wife, and a delightful 18-month-old son. I could not imagine being anywhere without them, and enjoy their company every morning before classes, and in the evenings. My wife Gill is president of our school’s Spouse’s Association, and when she is not at a spouse club meeting, picnic or outing, she and our son are visiting the library, botanical gardens, swimming at the local pool, or meeting other spouses with kids at the beach.

Why did you choose USESOM for medical school?
I chose USESOM because I am intent on working as a physician in North America. I also wanted my family to be in a safe and comfortable environment and have social opportunities while I was busy with studies. I wanted a medical school with a solid curriculum, with good preparation for the USMLE, and I wanted to have early clinical exposure. USESOM provided all of these essentials.

In what area of medicine do you plan to practice?
My experiences as a nurse working in Intensive Care have been phenomenal; this is a place where I found that all of my senses were truly tested! It was incredible to work within a team comprised of people with so many varying skills. I look forward to being able to work in that environment again, this time in the capacity of a physician.

What are your best memories, favorite things, about medical school on Statia?
I will miss the magnificence of nighttime on Statia; you can see full constellations, and even the Milky Way! I will miss the local people. Several weeks ago I was asked by a local Statian why he did not see me and my son on our regular jogging route (with baby in a jogging stroller). He was actually so dismayed that we had to change our typical jogging route because of a fallen tree that he had the fallen tree moved! Our Landlady took to my wife and son so keenly that she renovated and completely redecorated our apartment to outfit it for a toddler. There is an old synagogue on Statia where we made some good friends. My very best experience at our medical school has been the support of faculty in encouraging student projects and presentations and special support for student research projects and publications. I am certain I would not have had this opportunity at any other Caribbean medical school.

After your Basic Sciences education is complete, will you return to Statia for a visit?
My family and I will come back to Statia for a visit. We would like to be able to give something back, not just to the school but to the community of Statia. It is very rare in this day and age to meet people who take a genuine vested interest in you and your well-being, and ask for nothing in return. While the next few years will be full of more hard work and focus on clinical training, Statia will remain near and dear to us - and a home away from home!

Catch up on previously featured students in the Student Spotlight Archive.