The Experience Of Learning

Question of Moral Judgment: Advanced Directives End of Life Conversations by Ann Christelle Labossiere Jul 28, 2017         It becomes a question of moral judgment when an individual is receiving end of life care. How do we know what is best for them in moments in which they face a terminal illness? How can the medical staff act a support system if the patient has an advanced directive, but the family members don’t want to see their loved one go?         In a podcast on The Cost of Dying & Moral Choices at the End of Life at the Ethics Center and the Commonwealth Club of  Silicon Valley, the audience listens to Lisa Krieger-research reporter for San Jose Mercury News- discuss her father. This was taken place on May 14th, 2013 and the topics discussed are still relatable and will continue to be in later years-morality and death.         Despite not personally knowing him, the audience learns a great lot abou...

Medical Plants aren’t Taught in Med School Is Alternative Medicine Being Excluded? by Ann Christelle Labossiere         In the Western civilization known as America, pre-med students aren’t learning about medicinal plants. While many doctors can tell you that they went to school for alternative medicines, the idea of herbs in as being a part of the medical community has been contentious. According to the online Merriam Webster Dictionary, alternative medicine is defined as “any various systems of healing or treating disease not included in the traditional medical curricula of the U.S. and Britain.”         In a 2011 article published on The Atlantic by David H. Freedman, titled The Triumph of New-Age Medicine, Freedman starts off the article discussing a clinic in Maryland funded by National Institutes of Health. The clinic is called the Research Center of Excellence. There at the clinic, they perform alternative treatments l...

Feeding Into Medical Stigma Narrative of Blood Discrimination in America By Ann C. Labossiere        Horrifyingly, not too long ago, the FDA expanded a particular ban. According to a NY Times Article in 1990 Now No Haitians Can Donate Blood , the FDA made a policy change stating that all Haitians were banned from donating their blood on American soil (Lambert). Haitians and people from Sub-Saharan Africa were also banned from donating blood (Lambert). Born in Haiti myself and coming here when I was 5 years old with my mother, that simply hurt. The pain hit hard for many reasons. So many immigrants look forward to joining and becoming a part of this nation that brags unity for all. However, it is the same country that targeted a particular group. Although, that would not particularly be the first case. At what point does a nation target groups in the process of health policies? Claims to help benefit the community come in conflict when stigmas unconsci...

  The Power of Empathy    by Ann C. Labossiere " Gentleman , this is no humbug," Dr. Warren, a well-respected surgeon had historically told the curious eyes of the audience in MGH's Ether Dome. This meant business. I do not know the life story of many. In fact, even those closest to us have a world untouched by the soul: the internal thoughts and feelings. However, as humans, we have the gift to empathize sometimes, an innate part of our system. Upon visiting Mass General Hospital with my peers for our History of Science Class, I was reminded of the importance of history. After taking the Red Line to Charles/MGH stop, we walked to the entrance of the Main Administrative Room of Mass General. It was automatically opening and social, imitating an airport as we went past the front desk. Living in Boston for about 9 years, I have never truly researched the historic nature of Boston. This field trip left the question of what lens is appr...