Skip to main content
Home
Menu

Mobile navigation

  • Admissions
    • Admissions Overview
    • How To Apply
    • Admissions Requirements
    • Info Sessions
    • MCAT
    • Tuition and Fees
    • Scholarships
    • Canadian Applicants
    • HBCU & HSI Partnerships
    • Career Changers
    • Transfer Applicants
    • Med School Readiness
    • Take a Campus Tour
    • Parents Guide
    • PreMed Advisors
  • MD Program
    • MD Program Overview
    • Why Ross
    • Curriculum
    • MD/MPH
    • Faculty and Staff
    • Academic Resources
    • Residency Appointments
  • Student Life
    • Student Life Overview
    • Return to Campus
    • Housing
    • Barbados
    • Campus Services
    • White Coat Ceremony
    • Clubs and Organizations
    • Safety & Security
    • Merchandise Store
  • About
    • About Overview
    • Accreditation and Approvals
    • Faq
    • Facts and Figures
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Information By State
    • News
    • RUSM Podcast
    • Ross in the Media
    • Ross Video Library
    • Mission and History
    • Provost
  • Apply Now
    • Start Your Application
    • Continue Your Application
    • Submit your AAMCAS Application
    • Submit Your AACOMAS Application
  • Request Info

Social Media Navigation

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • SnapChat

Utility Navigation

  • Admitted Students
  • Alumni
  • Apply Now
  • Request Info
Home

Secondary Navigation

  • Alumni
  • Current Students
  • Admitted Students
Search
Cancel Search

Main navigation

  • Admissions
    • Admissions Overview
    • How To Apply
    • Admissions Requirements
    • Info Sessions
    • MCAT
    • Tuition and Fees
    • Scholarships
    • Canadian Applicants
    • HBCU & HSI Partnerships
    • Career Changers
    • Transfer Applicants
    • Med School Readiness
    • Take a Campus Tour
    • Parents Guide
    • PreMed Advisors
  • MD Program
    • MD Program Overview
    • Why Ross
    • Curriculum
    • MD/MPH
    • Faculty and Staff
    • Academic Resources
    • Residency Appointments
  • Student Life
    • Student Life Overview
    • Return to Campus
    • Housing
    • Barbados
    • Campus Services
    • White Coat Ceremony
    • Clubs and Organizations
    • Safety & Security
    • Merchandise Store
  • About
    • About Overview
    • Accreditation and Approvals
    • Faq
    • Facts and Figures
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Information By State
    • News
    • RUSM Podcast
    • Ross in the Media
    • Ross Video Library
    • Mission and History
    • Provost
  • Apply Now
    • Start Your Application
    • Continue Your Application
    • Submit your AAMCAS Application
    • Submit Your AACOMAS Application
  • Request Info

Breadcrumb

  1. About Ross University Schoool of Medicine
  2. News
  3. Third Year Medical Students Katherine Francis and Ramzi Ibrahim Found a Way to Assist Their Mentors Outside the Hospital Walls

Third-Year Medical Students Katherine Francis and Ramzi Ibrahim Found a Way to Assist Their Mentors Outside the Hospital Walls

The global pandemic may have pushed pause for in-person clinical rotations but two third-year Ross University School of Medicine students at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital in Michigan—Katherine Francis and Ramzi Ibrahim—found the fast-forward button. They aren’t waiting around for the next cue; they’ve found ways to lend a hand to those they shadowed earlier this year.  

Katherine Francis_Ramzi Ibrahim

Katherine Francis

“This is unbelievable—it feels almost like when the hurricane hit during my first semester,” Katherine said comparing COVID-19 to the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017. “It’s surreal and I can’t believe it’s happening. As a doctor going into the medical field, it’s amazing to watch everyone stepping up to the plate to help right now. It’s tough for the patients—they can’t even see who’s caring for them. All they see is a set of eyes and I can imagine it’s isolating for them but it’s also a big switch for healthcare workers.”

Restless sitting on the sidelines, Katherine found a way to contribute. She joined a student research group that gathers raw COVID-19 data that will later be analyzed. “We can see how patients are doing from different points of view—comorbidity, how treatments are working and other issues.” The group began collection shortly after students were dismissed from clinicals as a safety precaution. St. Joe doctors then asked for student volunteers. “I had to jump in. We have access to electronic medical records on our phones so we can review the progress notes, make sure overnight patients didn’t have adverse events, read the complaints and look through notes from nurses and specialists. It’s a way for us to help care for patients from afar.”

Inspired to enter the medical field from family members, Katherine said she is intrigued with how a body works internally. The internal medicine student was able to witness various procedures, echocardiograms and arrythmias before the virus stopped hands-on work. Now she is enrolled in an online elective with Cleveland Clinic but misses the patient interaction. For fun, Katherine enjoys watching movies, taste-testing different culinary cuisine and traveling. Moving to Miami from Nicaragua 20 years ago, Katherine said she looks forward to exploring Michigan once the state reopens and planning a visit to the Sunshine State to reunite with her family.

Ramzi Ibrahim

Another internal medicine student, Ramzi Ibrahim, stepped into the medical world after watching his dad provide care to pulmonary patients. And now he gets a front-row seat for a variety of diagnoses and treatments. “I love internal medicine. As young trainees, we go into medical school with a goal of changing healthcare—being a part of the future in medicine. But that’s all changed so now we want to do whatever we can to support our community healthcare heroes.” Ramzi started the year by assisting residents and focusing on non-COVID-related ailments such as diabetes and hypertension, but he wasn’t satisfied with sitting out while the pandemic took over.  

He soon began offering support to residents—documentation, notes and listing current symptoms, while also providing telehealth care and social support to patients. “We ask if they’ve talked with their loved ones. We tell them that we’re here for them.” Disappointed that he can no longer experience face-to-face lessons from attending physicians, whom he refers to as his work family, Ramzi said, “I’m going to do whatever it takes. You have to go above and beyond for the residents if you want to get the most out of this experience.”

Born in New Jersey, Ramzi lived in Jordan for a bit before settling in Arizona with his mom and brother, who team together to run the family clothing store. “I get the chance to build a bond with my friends and family now that I couldn’t have done if COVID hadn’t happened.” He praises Ross Med for ensuring there wasn’t an education gap due to the virus and has enjoyed learning virtually. Besides continuing his medical studies, Ramzi spends time exercising, reading books and playing games.

Despite all the chaos, Ramzi continues to seek out the positive during these tough times. “This pandemic is tough but it’s making medical students stronger. This experience will make us more resilient and more adaptable. Now we will be able to work through whatever is thrown at us. There are going to be a lot of bumps in the road to becoming the physicians we want to be and we need to learn to overcome challenges like this. We should try and be like all those physicians out there who have put their heart and soul into this job every day.”

 

Appreciative and Thankful 

We appreciate your commitment to the continued well-being of our Ross Med community and support during this unprecedented time. Please visit the Ross Med website for the latest updates regarding COVID-19.

We thank and honor all healthcare workers through our Care for Caregivers website as well as the Ross Med Wall of Gratitude. 

Mon, 15 Jun 2020, 12:00:00
Wall of Gratitude
 and Care for Caregivers

Share

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • email
Ross University School of Medicine

CAMPUS ADDRESS: TWO MILE HILL ST. MICHAEL, BB11093, BARBADOS

ADMISSIONS ADDRESS: 2300 SW 145TH AVENUE, SUITE 200, MIRAMAR, FL 33027 ADMISSIONS: 754-707-5547 EMAIL: [email protected]

Social Media Navigation

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • SnapChat

Footer Navigation

  • Events & Webinars
  • Contact Ross
  • Request Information
  • EMPLOYMENT
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap

Academic Catalog | Student Handbook | Student Consumer Information | Online Cookie Policy

© 2020 Ross University School of Medicine. All rights reserved.

Secondary Footer Navigation

  • Call
  • Chat
  • Apply
  • Request Info
  • "Chat Now"