Meeting at Weill Cornell in New York briefed about WCMC-Q

Up to 70 faculty, administrators, physicians, and students met at Weill Cornell in New York on March 3rd, to hear more about the exciting developments at WCMC-Q.

They were invited to the meeting by Dean of WCMC-NY, Dr. Antonio M. Gotto Jr., to keep the wider Weill Cornell community in New York City updated about the new branch campus in Qatar.

Student Overseer Joe Habboushe, who spent some time at WCMC-Q last summer assisting with the MCAT course, reports that the meeting, which was organized by Dr. Bernice Grafstein, went very well.

Dean Gotto outlined the background and history of the school, while Dr. Daniel R. Alonso, Dean
of WCMC-Q, explained how the new Medical College has grown and where it is headed. He talked about the new building and facilities, and gave an overview of both the Pre-medical and Medical Programs.

Joe also gave a visitor’s perspective, and spoke about the moves to connect the two campuses, including the summer exchange program and joint MSEC (student government) video-conferenced meetings.

Faculty member at WCMC-Q, Dr. Pablo Rodriguez del Pozo,spoke on medical ethics and student perspectives. Finally, Dr. Carol Storey-Johnson, Senior Associate Dean for Education at Weill Cornell in New York, talked about her views, teaching strategies, and faculty involvement from New York.

To get a feel for the sophisticated distance learning experience at the Doha campus, the audience watched a
7-minute taped lecture by Professor James B. Maas on narcolepsy - part of the Psychology 101 course that was taught at Cornell University in Ithaca last semester and broadcast at WCMC-Q by streaming video.

The meeting concluded with a short question and answer session, in which most of the questions were fielded by Dean Alonso.

† Photographs by Pat Kuharic/ Weill Cornell Art & Photography.