El_Breezyy

Hello! A longtime lurker to the forums, figured I'd post with the deadline looming in 15 or so days... My name is Chris - I am a 2012 graduate of Penn State University. I received my undergraduate degree in Public Relations, and moved to Buffalo NY after graduating. Odd place, right? I was an undergraduate assistant with PSU Football and had intended to coach collegiately as a Graduate Assistant - that came crashing down with the dismissal of Joe Paterno and his entire staff. So - I somehow found myself linked with a group of neurosurgeons starting a Vascular Institute & Innovation Center in Buffalo. I've been the Manager of Training at the Jacobs Institute for the past 2 years. Our courses are either cadaveric tissue based or incorproate endovascular simulation and 3D printed vascular models. To make a long story short - our group hosted a neurosurgeon from Medellin, Colombia for 6 months - he left this June. His institution, Universidad EAFIT, is looking to create a neuroendovascular fellowship in Medellin, alongside the development of a neurosurgical training center. I thought their needs might dovetail well with a Fulbright, and proposed a Full Research study in Medellin for the 2015-16 year. My included a gap analysis of current neurosurgical training needs in Medellin and essentially a tech transfer package from our best practices at UB neurosurgery to Colombia. Ancillary to the program is my coursework and community involvement. I'll be taking Spanish & Healthcare Institution MGT if selected. Lastly, I proposed creating a spanish language lecture for adolescents on concussion injuries - something I already do for a non profit in Buffalo. I received letters of affiliation from Univ. Buffalo Neurosurgery, and Universidad EAFIT. Letters of recommendations included the president of the hospital, assoc. head coach of West Virginia Univ football, and a personal relationship from my time as a coach for best buddies. We will see what happens - who knows? Was an exciting opportunity to apply for this and get it going. I wish you all the absolute best of luck in your pursuits. It has been exciting to follow you all as we jointly wait with baited breath! I'll be posting regularly as we close in...talk soon and thanks for reading! CR