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Category: Just for Fun

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Happy Earth Day!

What exactly is Earth day? 

Founded in 1970, Earth Day became an annual event to demonstrate support for environmental protection worldwide. Today, Earth Day is celebrated by billions of people worldwide. Not sure what you can do to help make a positive impact? Here are some small changes you can make that can make a difference:

Reduce plastic use. 

Did you know that every minute, two garbage truck loads of plastic are dumped into our oceans? If we continue our plastic use like this, there will be more garbage in the ocean by weight than there are fish in the ocean. You can reduce the amount of plastic you consume by purchasing foods that come in glass or cardboard packaging, avoiding single use plastics like straws or silverware, and storing leftovers or other foods in reusable containers instead of plastic baggies.

There are several ways we can contribute to cleaning up the plastic and trash in our environment. One of them is to participate in the Great Global Cleanup. Several locations within the DC area are participating in removing trash from local neighborhoods, rivers and parks. It also would not hurt to educate your own students about the impact of pollution and plastic on our ecosystem. 

The air we breathe, the water we drink, and our habitat matters. There are inexpensive and simple ways that we can reduce our carbon footprint at home. Only use heating and air conditioning as needed, and changing the degree by one degree can actually save a significant amount of energy! Shut the windows, unplug electronics and appliances when they are not being used to reduce energy usage. Invest in reusable bags and use them when you go shopping instead of using single use plastic bags! 

If you are interested in finding out what more you can do as an individual to make a big difference for Earth, the Sustainable GW initiative offers information for students and for faculty and staff for introducing more sustainable and earth friendly habits in our life. They also feature different ways that you can become involved. 

What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to understand what we can do to make an environmental difference in our lives!

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The Himmelfarb Library staff is excited to celebrate the return of our annual art show and this year there are two ways to participate! The art show will take place in-person on the library’s first floor and online via our institutional repository, the Health Science Research Commons. By choosing to display your artwork in our virtual art show, your paintings, drawings, sculptures or other creative works will be archived in our Himmelfarb Library Annual Art Show 2022 collection! 

Our in-person art show will take place in the library from Monday, April 11th until Friday, May 6th. To celebrate the start of the art show, there will be an opening reception Monday, April 11th from 4-5:30 pm on the library’s first floor. Come out to support your colleagues and view the amazing artwork on display. 

Interested in submitting to the art show? Today, April 8th, is the last day! Bring your artwork (up to five pieces per artist) to the Circulation/Reference desk by 4pm. If you’d like to participate in the virtual art show, please email your files to Catherine Sluder at crharris@gwu.edu. It is possible to participate in both the in-person and virtual show or you can pick one of the shows and participate that way. 

If you have questions, please contact Catherine Sluder. We hope to see you during the reception or over the course of the in-person art show! 

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National Library Week (April 3 - 9, 2022) celebrates our nation's libraries and library workers' contributions, and promotes library use and support. This year’s theme is Connect With Your Library!

Connect with Your Library poster, ALA

National Library Week was created by the American Library Association in 1958 to promote reading. Research in the mid 50’s documented the rising popularity of radio and television and librarians and book publishers feared they would displace books and reading as leisure activities. Today social media, gaming, streaming television and other electronic media are an even greater threat to reading. From 2003 to 2018, the average amount of time Americans spent reading for personal interest per day fell by six minutes, to less than 16 minutes per day (American Academy of Arts and Sciences). But there is also evidence that suggests the pandemic fueled a resurgence in reading. The American Time Use Survey by the Department of Labor found a 25% increase in reading among American adults in the second half of 2020. And Publisher’s Weekly reported an 8.9% rise in print book sales in 2021, with the biggest increases in fiction books, especially young adult fiction.

At Himmelfarb Library, the Consortium Loan Service supports the lending of books from any Washington Research Libraries Consortium (WRLC) library to our users for free. This opens a vast world of literature and non-fiction to all our library users. To search for books owned by all the WRLC libraries, use Health Information @ Himmelfarb and change the search scope to Articles + GW & Consortium as shown below.

Screenshot of Health Information @ Himmelfarb search box
Then search for any book title desired and if located at a WRLC library, you can place a Consortium Loan Service Request. CLS service usually delivers the item by courier to Himmelfarb Library in 2-5 days. You’ll be contacted when the book is available for pickup. You can view a brief instructional video on placing CLS requests on our YouTube channel.

Did you know that Himmelfarb has a Humanities and Health collection with novels and popular non-fiction titles? The collection is housed on the first floor in the nook area. Books have a 3 week checkout period and can be renewed up to two times. We’ve also recently introduced a free little library leave one/take one shelf in the same area.

Beyond CLS and our collections, we encourage our users to support the public libraries in their community. The DC region has many excellent public library systems and these days public libraries offer much more than just print books. You can loan books for your ereader with services like Overdrive or even get audio books! DC Public Libraries offers streaming audio services and Arlington County Public Libraries has a digital magazine service. Montgomery County Public Library’s Hoopla provides access to ebooks, audio books, TV, comics and more. Visit your local library’s website to find out about all the services being offered.

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Photo of MD class of 2022 students at Himmelfarb Library orientation in 2018.

After four years of medical school, the MD Class of 2022 has made it to Match Day! Congratulations from all of us at Himmelfarb Library! We are so proud of what you've accomplished during your time here. Tune in to watch Match Day live! Remarks from leaders begin at 11:10am, and students will open their envelopes at Noon.

Here’s a look back at when you were just starting your med school journey.

Images from SMHS's Class of 2022 Himmelfarb Library orientation (August 2018).

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Roses are red, and violets are blue…wait, is that the best we can do? 

As Valentine's day is here, I always like to ask myself: what does the holiday actually mean to me? Retail stores are filled with heart shaped boxes, flowers and balloons, but is that really what it is all about? Perhaps it’s historical origins in Rome might interest you, or maybe it might be a good idea to take a moment to look around ourselves and identify who we are grateful for in our lives and make the time to go out of our way to do something for them. 

Consider this: a valentine is not just a store bought card or something sugary sweet! Love comes in all shapes and forms, and the best part about that is there are endless ways to show our loved ones that we care about them, and value their presence in our lives! 

A valentine can be anything to help those you love. Why not run some errands for a family member? Maybe taking some time out of your busy day to have lunch with a parent or an aunt? If you're scratching your head for ideas, breakfast in bed never hurts! 

Maybe your valentine is a beloved pet! What a better time to get creative, why not make your dog a two ingredient valentines’ day treat! Cat lovers, we haven’t forgotten about you; I can’t think of a single cat that would resist a tuna and catnip delight! 

If you want a reason to spend some time in the kitchen, what better way to express that you care and love your partner, friend, or family member with a little bit of time and effort? If you are feeling something light and citrusy, Eatingwell has an alluring recipe for Lemon Meringue kisses! If you are looking for something that requires fewer ingredients and just a little bit of time, these Chocolate covered strawberries are sure to impress your Valentine. These chocolate strawberries are gluten free & heart healthy! 

Looking for something to do? Why not have a game night indoors, and enjoy dessert over a board game, Scrabble, Monopoly, or chess? If you are looking to get outside, the National Gallery of Art is opening it’s Art Sculpture Garden on February 14th. 

What does Valentine's day mean to you?

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Mentoring is a relationship that can benefit both the mentor and the mentee. Having a supportive mentor is often critical for success and growth when becoming a new professional or changing jobs. Mentoring relationships are valuable for students who are exploring careers, or need strong recommendations to take their next step into the professional world. Being an effective mentor can help hone your leadership skills, expose you to different perspectives and ideas, enhance your reputation, and bring the satisfaction of having helped a junior colleague or student.

Image by Tumisu on Pixabay https://pixabay.com/illustrations/mentor-mentoring-teaching-learning-4205038/

At GW there are several departments that provide support for mentoring. One of them is housed in Himmelfarb Library! The SMHS Center for Faculty Excellence is located on our first floor. Helping support and develop mentoring relationships for faculty at all stages in their careers is part of their services. They have programs to support both Micro-Mentoring, which is one-on-one mentoring, or Peer Mentoring Groups for cohorts of 6-8 junior faculty. Additionally they will present Effective Mentoring Workshops to departments on request. Visit their Mentoring Resources page for more information on these programs and their Mentoring Toolkit.

The Milken Institute School of Public Health has TEAM Milken - Transition, Engagement, Academics, and Mentorship. The program aims to provide individualized support to GWSPH majors to help them thrive academically and professionally. A peer mentoring program for undergraduate students will launch this spring. The TEAM has 30+ staff and faculty participants to provide outreach and guidance.

The Office of the Vice Provost for Research provides resources for mentoring researchers. This includes mentoring undergraduate students through research internships and assistantships, and mentoring post-doctoral researchers. Research at SMHS offers advice to medical students on finding a research mentor.

The Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship includes mentoring as a core component of the program. They sponsor a mentoring network through the GW Innovation Exchange. The exchange helps students interested in entrepreneurship connect with alumni or community professionals to find collaborative opportunities and internships.

Talent@GW has some free online learning resources on mentoring available through LinkedIn Learning. 

Himmelfarb’s collections provide access to information on mentoring in medicine and health sciences:

Clutterbuck DA, Kochan FK, Lunsford LG, Domínguez N, Haddock-Millar J. The SAGE Handbook of Mentoring. SAGE Reference; 2017. Book Stacks BF637.M45 S34 2017 https://wrlc-gwahlth.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01WRLC_GWAHLTH/ibd6lr/alma991000412889704110

Evans MM, Kowalchik K, Riley K, Adams L. Developing Nurses Through Mentoring: It Starts in Nursing Education. Nurs Clin North Am. 2020 Mar;55(1):61-69. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnur.2019.10.006. Epub 2019 Dec 24. PMID: 32005366.

Henry-Noel N, Bishop M, Gwede CK, Petkova E, Szumacher E. Mentorship in Medicine and Other Health Professions. J Cancer Educ. 2019 Aug;34(4):629-637. http://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-018-1360-6. PMID: 29691796.

Roberts SE, Nehemiah A, Butler PD, Terhune K, Aarons CB. Mentoring Residents Underrepresented in Medicine: Strategies to Ensure Success. J Surg Educ. 2021 Mar-Apr;78(2):361-365. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsurg.2020.08.002. Epub 2020 Aug 21. PMID: 32839148.

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National Blood Donor Month 2022 Logo.
Image from@AABB (https://twitter.com/AABB/status/1478072422326800385/photo/1)

January is National Blood Donor Month. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a proclamation designating January as National Blood Donor Month (NBDM) on December 31, 1969 (AABB, 2021). Originally meant to honor blood donors and to encourage more people to give blood during the winter months when blood supplies are traditionally low due to lagging donations from the holidays and cold and flu season, it is not uncommon for there to be shortages in the blood supply during January. 

January 2022 is no exception! According to a joint statement put out by the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB), America’s Blood Centers, and the American Red Cross, the nation’s blood supply is currently at a critically low level. The joint statement explains that blood centers have reported less than a one-day supply of certain blood types. As of yesterday, January 11, 2022, 36% of the country’s blood centers have a one-day supply or less, and only 2% of the nation’s blood centers reported having a three day or more supply (enough to meet normal operating demands) according to America’s Blood Centers. The American Red Cross, which supplies 40% of the nation's blood supply, states that the organization is facing “its worst blood shortage in over a decade, posing a concerning risk to patient care” (American Red Cross, 2022). 

While the blood supply is traditionally lower in January, the current COVID-19 case surge, winter storms, blood drive cancellations, staffing challenges and donor eligibility misinformation have all posed additional threats to the current blood supply. The American Red Cross states that an overall 10% decline in donations since March 2020, and a 62% decline in college and high school blood drives resulting from the pandemic have also influenced the blood shortage crisis (American Red Cross, 2022). Meanwhile, the demand for blood has not decreased. According to the joint statement, “blood donations are needed now to avert the need to postpone potential lifesaving treatments” (AABB, America’s Blood Centers, American Red Cross, 2022).  

Regardless of your blood type, donating can make a positive impact! The requirements for donating blood are simple: Donors must be healthy and feeling well, be at least 17 years old, and weigh 110 pounds or more. If you have donated blood recently, wait at least 56 days before making another donation. 

You can participate in National Blood Donor Month and help replenish critically low blood supplies by scheduling an appointment to donate blood today! The American Red Cross is currently offering extra incentives to blood donors who donate by January 31, 2022 including a chance to win a trip to Super Bowl LVI! Contact one of the following organizations to find a blood collection site near you:

Donating blood is safe as blood donation sites have adapted safety protocols to comply with local, state, and federal safety regulations to protect blood donors and staff. Donors and staff are required to wear masks, donor beds meet social distancing needs, and cleaning processes have been enhanced. One unit of blood can save up to three lives, yet less than 5% of eligible donors give blood. Donating blood is an easy and free way you can make a positive contribution during these times, so celebrate National Blood Donor Month by donating in January! 

Blood is an essential medicine infographic with statistics about blood donation.
Downloadable infographic from AABB available at https://www.aabb.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/donors-and-patients/aabb-blood-essential-medicine-poster.pdf?sfvrsn=b1c0ba68_2

References

America’s Blood Centers’ (January 11, 2022). America’s blood centers’ website. https://americasblood.org/

American Red Cross (2022). Worst blood shortage in over a decade. National blood crisis. https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/red-cross-national-blood-shortage-crisis.html

Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB). (2021). National blood donor month. https://www.aabb.org/for-donors-patients/national-blood-donor-month

Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies, America's Blood Centers, American Red Cross (January 10, 2022). Joint statement: Blood donors urgently needed during national blood donor month and throughout the year. National blood donors month. https://www.aabb.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/positions/joint-statement-blood-donors-urgently-needed-during-national-blood-donor-month.pdf?sfvrsn=4506f62e_6

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Happy New Year! 2022 is here, and if you are like many of us, you might be scratching your head while pondering what sort of resolution to make for the months ahead. The good news is, a resolution is little more than a goal. What’s even better is that a single goal can be life changing! If you are thinking “What kind of resolution is best for me?”, don’t worry; you are not alone.   

When creating a goal for yourself, it’s a good idea to take a step back to see the wider picture in your life. It’s important to consider your own desires and ask yourself: “What do I want to achieve this year?” A resolution does not always have to have a requirement for size or length, it can be as simple as reading a book by summer. 

There are a few things to consider when thinking about a New Year’s resolution that is right for you. First, be honest with yourself. Perfection is not expected, and you would be surprised how much easier it is to make a sustainable and achievable goal if you simply state any truths about yourself that are related to your goal. If I want to cut back on sugar, I need to accept the fact that I consume too much sugar to begin with, and that it is a weakness of mine! With that information, I can come up with a plan to combat that sweet tooth with a healthier and just as delicious alternative. 

Next, try to be realistic, but not too lax when it comes to setting a goal. It is important not to bite off more than you can chew. If I want to lose weight (which I do!), I need to look back and accept that I have not exercised in a long time, and then make a plan to exercise - perhaps 3 days a week for 30 minutes. Or if you want to make reading a larger part of your life, you might challenge yourself to read one chapter a week rather than one chapter a month! Progress becomes a reality when you push yourself to try. Remember: you made that goal because you want it! When drafting a goal, use language that encourages you to be accountable. For example, use statements like “I will” instead of “maybe.” 

It can also be helpful  to write down your goal in a planner, or use a calendar to track your progress. Make a plan to check in with yourself weekly. Ask yourself what worked well, and what needs more attention or focus moving forward. Don’t punish yourself if you didn’t meet your weekly goal! My favorite thing about goals is that tomorrow always offers a fantastic opportunity to start again. 

Himmelfarb Library is happy to assist you with all of your research needs so you can make progress towards obtaining your medical related goals! Welcome back, and let’s start this new year with a good attitude and a step in the direction that will set us all up for success! 

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With the Holidays just around the corner, the grocery baking isles are popular. Are you one of the many who plan on baking some holiday treats this year? Recipes remain one of the timeless traditions that we pass down to each other, received from both friends and family alike, even through multiple generations. From our kitchens to yours, here are a few Himmelfarb favorites that we would love to share with you!

Andy, our Interlibrary Loan specialist, highly recommends Pillsbury Peanut butter blossom cookies! If you have a problem with peanuts, you can always substitute the peanut butter for sunflower, or cashew butter! One tip: Bake for 7 or 8 minutes at the recommended temperature for soft, not crunchy cookies. 

Laura Abate's daughter discovered this gem of a recipe which was a hit at a neighborhood cookie exchange! Why don’t you try these alluring Chai Sugar cookies for yourself? 

Ruth Bueter, our Serials librarian, has said that Betty Crocker’s Sugar cookies are a Holiday classic!

Have you ever tried a Spritz cookie? Their color & vanilla almond flavor set them apart from the rest. Vegan? These Gingerbread cookies come with their own vegan icing recipe for decorating. For those who need to keep their diet free of gluten, these Snowball cookies are truly in the spirit of the season, and also include a dairy free option. 

From the Himmelfarb library, we wish you a safe & warm Holiday season this year and the happiest of New Years!

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Published on 1 Comment on Thanksgiving: What’s on your plate?

It’s that time of the year again! While many of us may be taking a moment to find what we are grateful for, a lot of us might be scratching our heads while asking ourselves: what do I make for this holiday weekend? 

If you are looking to change things up a bit, why not make this Cornbread Stuffing? Even choosy eaters might be willing to give this one a try! Are you looking to zest up the potato based side? This flavorful Sweet Potato Casserole has my attention. Watching the carbs? This Sausage and Butternut Squash Frittata is bound to make your feast packed full of protein and veggies! If you are looking for more greens, this low carb Broccoli salad with Bacon is definitely a traditional delight. Vegetarian? This Butternut Roasted Squash Risotto will no doubt have your guests lining up for seconds! 

For the main course, this Turkey dinner with homemade Gravy looks tempting! Who can say no to gravy with worcestershire in it? Is gluten an issue? No problem. We found a savory and easy to make slow cooker gluten free turkey breast. If meat is off the menu, this Vegetarian Lasagna is easily customizable to your own liking! Not into squash? Just add more broccoli. 

Lastly for dessert, this Keto pumpkin muffin with cream cheese filling is not just for low carb lovers. If dairy is an issue, this Dairy Free Chocolate Silk Pie is likely going to be on my baking list! Are you looking to impress? These Pumpkin Cannolis have certainly caught my eye. 

From our kitchens to yours, we wish you all a safe, warm, and happy Holiday weekend from the Himmelfarb library. 

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