Dr. Garrett-Bakelman a Featured Speaker at the 2015 AMEC Conference (SNMA)


Dr. Garrett Bakelman

Dr. Francine Garrett-Bakelman

Dr. Francine Garrett-Bakelman recently spoke at the SNMA's Medical Education Conference (AMEC) held in New Orleans. An Instructor in Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, she was highlighted as one of four physician-scientists at the conference's Grand Rounds opening session. During her medical and graduate school training, Dr. Garrett-Bakelman served as an officer with SNMA and she is currently a Chairperson Emeritus.

SNMA, the nation's largest student-run non-profit organization of its kind, is dedicated to increasing the number of under-represented minority students entering and completing medical school. Since it was established in 1964, SNMA has provided more than 50 years of educational activities to its members and under-represented minorities within the educational pipeline, as well as through community service in under-served areas. Dr. Garrett-Bakelman holds both an M.D. and Ph.D., completed both Residency and Fellowship training at NYP-WCMC and joined the faculty working in Dr. Ari Melnick's laboratory studying the biological basis of disease in high risk Leukemia patients since 2012. She is also an Attending Physician on the inpatient Leukemia service at NYP-WCM.

As a featured speaker at the AMEC conference, entitled "Unsilencing the Unheard and the Underserved," Dr. Garrett-Bakelman addressed vital issues concerning SNMA member's education (1,500 members attended the event) and health disparities. Topics covered included potential paths to be taken to become a physician-scientist; career options post graduate training; and approaches to work-life balance. SNMA initiated a Physician Researcher Initiative in 2007 to educate its membership about careers in academic medicine and to establish a network of mentors. Dr. Garrett-Bakelman views her participation in SNMA events as "an opportunity to serve her colleagues and to help upcoming and aspiring undergraduate, graduate and medical students achieve their goals."

Prior to her bestowment as an SNMA Chairperson Emeritus in 2003, Dr. Garrett-Bakelman served as SNMA's Regional Director of New York and New Jersey (1999 - 2001), and as Chairperson of the National Board of Directors (2001 - 2002).