The three-time Drew alum shares her journey through Drew and beyond
November 2024 – A love of neuroscience and athletics brought Cailyn Breski C’17, G’19,’24 to Drew University as an undergraduate.
“Drew was one of the few schools that offered a neuroscience program, which I knew was the field I wanted to pursue,” said Breski. “I also wanted to continue playing sports, and at Drew, I had the opportunity to play both lacrosse and field hockey.”
Upon graduation, Breski knew she wanted a career rooted in the field of medicine, but was unsure of her next steps. She decided to enroll in Drew’s Caspersen School of Graduate Studies to pursue a Master of Arts in Medical & Health Humanities.
“Drew’s Master of Arts in Medical & Health Humanities program provided the perfect bridge, offering a humanistic perspective that complimented my neuroscience background,” she said. “This approach gave me a balanced foundation for any path in medicine I might choose.”
Read on to learn more about Breski’s journey through Drew, which led her to also earn a Doctorate in Medical Humanities (DMH), her research, and future plans to dive deeper into the world of bioethics and medical and health humanities.
What prompted you to continue your education at Drew’s Medical & Health Humanities program to earn your DMH?
After completing my master’s, I took on a full-time role at a medical device company, where I worked directly in the operating room, supporting technology used in neurosurgery and orthopedic spine surgeries. Over time, witnessing patient experiences in this setting deepened my desire to pursue a doctorate, so I could leverage these insights to improve patient outcomes. A conversation with my long-time professor and mentor, Dr. Gaetana Kopchinsky [Affiliate Professor], helped me realize that Drew’s DMH program was the ideal next step. These experiences highlighted the need for advancements in bioethics and a greater emphasis on patient care standards, solidifying my commitment to making meaningful contributions in these areas.
Can you tell us a bit about your research?
My graduate research, rooted in neuroscience, aimed to make a meaningful impact on both science and patient outcomes. My master’s thesis focused on concussions and quality of life, while my dissertation explored the emotional toll of late-stage neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS. I addressed the loss of independence and autonomy in these patients and advocated for ultrasound as a proactive tool in diagnosing and treating these conditions before irreversible damage occurs. Through the potential integration of ultrasound into both diagnosis and treatment, my research aims to highlight how these methods can improve the quality of life for individuals with neurodegenerative diseases and possibly prevent further decline with earlier and more effective interventions.
What are your future plans or goals?
I will be attending the Harvard Medical School Center for Bioethics Fellowship Certificate Program this spring to further advance my education in bioethics and medical and health humanities. My goal is to bring this knowledge into the medical device field, where I can continue to drive technological advancements with a patient-centric focus, improving patient care and standards. I am committed to contributing to science and technology that can positively impact patient lives and create lasting change.
How will your Drew degrees help you achieve these goals?
My education in neuroscience and medical humanities has equipped me with both the scientific and ethical foundations necessary to advance patient care. Through my research, including work on ultrasound in neurodegenerative diseases, and hands-on experience in the medical device industry, I’ve developed a strong commitment to advance patient-centered technologies. The combination of these experiences, along with the upcoming fellowship, will enable me to advocate for ethical, innovative solutions that improve patient outcomes and care standards.
