May 26, 2009 By: yunews
May 26, 2009 -- Bat-Sheva Maslow鈥檚 graduation from Albert Einstein College of Medicine represents not only the end of her formal medical education, but the conclusion of four turbulent years of complex choices and unexpected rewards. The 27-year-old鈥檚 extraordinary, against-all-odds story highlights her tenacity, perseverance and focus during difficult times.
The first year of medical school is demanding for any student, but for Maslow, there were added complications. Soon after she and her husband Jon arrived on campus, he was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin鈥檚 disease (lymphoma). They decided to pursue aggressive therapy and Jon responded well to treatment.
鈥淓instein was extraordinarily accommodating, particularly Dr. [Nadine] Katz [associate dean of students] in helping me manage my course load and my personal obligations. I was able to finish first and second year without any issues or delays.鈥
Once Jon was in good health, the two decided to start their family. During her final year at Einstein, while juggling a busy clerkship, Maslow became pregnant with twins. Due to a variety of factors, it was a high-risk pregnancy. 鈥淭hankfully, Aderet and Tehlia were born beautiful and healthy and no one was happier to meet them than Dr. Katz,鈥 she said.
Maslow鈥檚 personal experiences have informed her career choice; she will begin her residency in obstetric-gynecology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
