Written by Sumreet Sandhu, Dartmouth Class of 2025, Eichler Fellow 2023-24
Never tell a child that life is better
In heaven- scraped knees, loose feathers,
loss of a parent, forget her–
Stay here, doctors are tethers.
Doctors can’t go to heaven,–
the thoracic oncologist takes five
for a smoke break,
the pastor kneels
In His waiting room–awake,
they choose to carve their Paradise
with his pair of eyes.
The fluorescent light flickers over
His body– silent buzz of cosmic err
-while they argue about what came first
God or the Doctor?
Throughout the year, the Eichler Fellows learned to write poetry. For their capstone project, the fellows wrote a poem that encapsulated their fellowship experience, a moment that has special meaning, or a concept that was learned.
My name is Sumreet Sandhu. I'm a Dartmouth class of 2025 from California majoring in Anthropology. I was thrilled to dive deeper into the world of medical ethics, with Dr. Carpenter-Song and Dr. Mishra during my fellowship year!
Written by Nandhini Parthasarathy, Dartmouth Class of 2026, Eichler Fellow 23-24
He walks in,
complains of chest pain.
A doctor rushes over,
he’s taken for a scan.
Diagnosis: “Heart attack.”
The treatment plan:
“Take him up to surgery.”
He leaves the hospital a week later.
She walks in,
complains of nausea.
A doctor interjects,
“It could be your menstrual cycle.”
“But I’m also short of breath—”
“That’s probably cramps.”
Diagnosis: “Gastrointestinal or anxiety.”
The treatment plan:
“Tums.”
She passes away a week later,
an undiagnosed heart attack.
Throughout the year, the Eichler Fellows learned to write poetry. For their capstone project, the fellows wrote a poem that encapsulated their fellowship experience, a moment that has special meaning, or a concept that was learned.
My name is Nandhini Parthasarathy, and I am a member of the Dartmouth class of 2026 from Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Currently, I am planning on majoring in cognitive science and minoring in Spanish. I plan to be a physician as I am currently on the pre-health track; however, my exact future still remains hazy. A concrete goal of mine, though, is to be an active member in reshaping women's health and medicine. As the United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates, I argue that more research and time must be put towards tailoring medicine to fit women and their needs. Outside of the classroom, I am involved with acapella and research on campus. I am excited to be a part of the 2023-2024 cohort for this fellowship and learn how we can reshape the healthcare experience to not only help the patient better but support those working in the industry themselves.
Her daughter’s favorite food is from the diner on 9th street. And when he’s not sick, her son likes their milkshakes quite a lot. She works through the night trying to get herself back on her feet. But recently, the treatment bills have caused her to not.
Her husband works the day shift As a cashier at a truck stop And their son just graduated In his class, he was on top.
He wants to be a school teacher Helping people… he likes a lot. None of his friends are off to college, But he will make some on the spot.
Their house is in Claremont The town they call home It's blue with white shutters And their 3 pets there roam.
Many friends come by the house Often they share dinner and wine. It's in moments like these That everyone feels just fine.
But, they haven’t had a dinner party in a while. They have been working on rebuilding Many treatment pamphlets they have received Since mom’s diagnosis in the spring.
Dad was home late from work today He had it out with his boss. And mom had to leave for work again Even though her stomach was in knots.
And some days are better than others Some days they feel healthier by a lot But on still, their world keeps turning Diagnosis or not.
Throughout the year, the Eichler Fellows learn to write poetry. For their capstone project, the fellows write a poem that encapsulates their fellowship experience, a moment that has special meaning, or a concept that was learned.
Ramsey W. Ash is a ‘24 from Huntington, West Virginia who is interested in majoring in Anthropology on the pre-health track at Dartmouth College. Ramsey is largely interested in the fields of global health and rural medicine, and hopes to attend medical school following undergrad with aspirations to practice medicine abroad as a career. Additionally, Ramsey views his role in healthcare as largely driven by social justice, and he hopes to work to create a new era of culturally compassionate and equitably accessible healthcare, in America, and on the global stage. In addition to studying, Ramsey is a clarinetist with the Dartmouth College Wind Ensemble, has been studying music for eight years, and teaches music lessons to children in the Upper Valley through the Musical Empowerment program. Ramsey also enjoys holding customer service positions, and has worked in the service industry for the past year. Ramsey is grateful to be awarded the Eichler ‘57 Fellowship.
By Chidimma Okpara, Dartmouth Class of 2022, Eichler Fellow 21-22
Hunger’s face is weary,
heavy with uncertainty.
It growls unrelenting,
tapping our windows.
We often choose to ignore.
Open our hearts!
One supply at a time,
delivering relief and joy,
now and onward,
for everyone to share.
Throughout the year, the Eichler Fellows learn to write poetry. For their capstone project, the fellows write a poem that encapsulates their fellowship experience, a moment that has special meaning, or a concept that was learned.
Hello! My name is Chidimma Okpara, and I am from Bronxville, New York. I am a ‘23 pursuing a major in Neuroscience and a minor in Global Health on the pre-medicine track.
My goal is to attend medical school to pursue geriatrics, cardiology, or neurosurgery.
Before entering medical school, I would like to work in the public health sector, possibly with the New York Department of Health, dedicated to serving underserved communities.
I want to ensure minorities feel comfortable, respected and are ultimately confident that they are receiving quality care and are being advocated for when facing unprecedented medical challenges.
By Love Tsai, Dartmouth Class of 2023 and Eichler Fellow 22-23
Tell Me, for I do not know
Tell me what you see in me,
For I neither know what lies ahead nor
remember what came before.
It is one thing to wake for life, yet
another thing altogether when life wakes you up—
I do what I must and yet
I neglect what I need.
It is strange that they are not
the same; it is strange that it is not as
simple as I imagined.
Tell me what you see for me,
In myself I am not sure I recognize much
anymore; my proverbial elevator pitches up and down,
I craft my speech, altered by knowing what you
want, what they expect, what will tell the most
cohesive story and give credence to my whims and interests,
for I myself would like to know who I am and what I’ll be.
Never mind that humanity contains infinite complexities
within their finite thoughts, that the mind is
made up of so many ideals and contradictions that
reality itself seems like a construct and one’s elevator’s pitch
just one movement in a sonata,
beautiful but incomplete on its own,
missing the context and accompaniment that gives stability and
reassures it of its place in its world.
Tell me what you see
Tell me what to see
Tell me,
for I do not know
And in telling me
I can begin.
Throughout the year, the Eichler Fellows learned to write poetry. For their capstone project, the fellows wrote a poem that encapsulated their fellowship experience, a moment that has special meaning, or a concept that was learned.
Hello! My name is Love Tsai and I am a ‘23 from Metro-Detroit Michigan majoring in math and minoring in public policy. In my spare time, I enjoy being involved with various student groups on campus from performing arts to community service and social impact. After Dartmouth, I aim to take a gap year or two to further grow and explore before stepping back into academia and medical school. In the future, I hope to become a physician-advocate who can learn from my patients and empower them to positively impact health policy and clinical best practices. I am extremely excited to be an Eichler Fellow this academic year, surrounded by like-minded individuals who want to change the face of healthcare.
By Abby Hyun, Dartmouth Class of 2023, Eichler Fellow 2022-23
Excite, sustain, find joy in all we do
and seek to breathe, to wonder endlessly
For slowing ourselves down is such a clue
to fill our souls with this vitality.
Deriving meaning from a life so free,
discovering where true connection flows:
immerse ourselves within community
to find our fuel, our purpose as it grows.
The methods, stories, wisdom of the arts
and moments, feelings to internalize
allow us to renew our minds and hearts
and offer splendid sights for opened eyes.
For this I bring away from such a year,
my senses mesmerized, my gaze is clear.
Throughout the year, the Eichler Fellows learned to write poetry. For their capstone project, the fellows wrote a poem that encapsulated their fellowship experience, a moment that has special meaning, or a concept that was learned.
I’m Abby Hyun, a ’23 from NYC studying Classical Languages/Literatures and Education! I hope to attend medical school with the goal of one day practicing orthopaedic surgery or primary care sports medicine. Both the DHCF Academic Day and Short Course have taught me about the importance of making intentional decisions to prioritize myself and my interests, as well as using the lens of the humanities to approach healthcare, in order to find balance in my studies and career.
