New York University School of Medicine Student Wins Top Honors

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. — November 3, 2016 — Global Genes® is proud to partner with Students Advocates for Neglected Diseases (STAND) to present the third David R. Cox Prize for Rare Compassion, an essay program that connects medical students with the rare patient community. This year’s program and essay submissions spotlighted 33 different diseases from 129 medical students who requested to be matched with a family, representing 54 medical schools. GlobalGenes would like to congratulate the three prizewinners Brit Trogen, Nancy Shenoi, and Brielle Gerry for their participation and amazing work.

Brit Trogen is in her second year at New York University School of Medicine and earned the grand prize with her essay The Strength in Small exploring Nermaline Myopathy disease. “I certainly had never heard of Nemaline Myopathy (NM) before meeting my family. I think extra-curricular programs like this one are fantastic. They fill a very important gap,” commented Trogen. Her medical interest lies in pediatrics and she plans to stay in touch with her matched family.

A panel comprised of Global Genes Medical and Scientific Advisory Boardmembers and patient advocacy leaders evaluated the submissions on extent of the content, compassion, novelty, and insight to determine the winners. The three winning submissions received cash prizes of $1,500 for first place, $1,000 for second place and $500 for third place.

Global Genes would like to congratulate the following 2016 David R. Cox Prize honorees:

1st Place 
Brit Trogen
New York University School of Medicine
“The Strength in Small Numbers”
Nemaline myopathy

2nd Place
Nancy Shenoi
Baylor College of Medicine
“Finding Meaning in Medicine: The Power of Hope and Resilience”
Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 15/29

3rd Place
Brielle Gerry
University of Virginia School of Medicine
“Taking It Day by Day: Melissa’s Story”
Trisomy 18