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Calvin D. Sun, MD posted thisLet’s Invest In Our Next Generation of Leaders: Today, we’re officially on the ballot for Manhattan Borough President — @sunfornyc is backed by over 10,000 petition signatures (we only needed 2,000 to make the ballot!) and nearly $400,000 in public matching funds. I never thought having recently survived cancer, working more than half a dozen of the city’s ERs during COVID, or losing my father in an overwhelmed NYC hospital that would close a year after would lead me here. But everything I’ve lived through has prepared me for this. This fight is personal. This city is personal. And now we fight for it together. 💸 8-to-1 matching funds now active ($10 becomes $90!) — link in bio 🗳 Vote June 24, 2025 #SunForNYC #BoroughPresident #ManhattanStrong #HealthcareIsPolitical
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Calvin D. Sun, MD shared thisOfficially on the NYC Primaries ballot this June 24! And this journey has been anything but ordinary. Our grassroots campaign raised $126,264 from 1,067 individual donors where within 5 weeks we: — Unlocked $394,184 in public matching funds — Collected over 10,000 petition signatures (we only needed 2,000!) — Secured a place on the June 24 Democratic Primary ballot for Manhattan Borough President As an ER doctor during COVID, I witnessed firsthand how government failure shows up in our hospitals — and how it continues to fail our neighborhoods, small businesses, and housing. Surviving cancer last year only sharpened my perspective: this isn’t about titles. It’s about stepping up when systems fail. And we are. 📍 If you believe in rebuilding government from the ground up, keep our momentum going by supporting us: 👉 https://lnkd.in/eaUpS-Fs 📆 June 24 is Primary Day (register to vote: https://lnkd.in/eY-JTvrB) — let’s show what grassroots leadership can do. 🌆 Learn more about our movement: 👉 https://sun4nyc.com #Leadership #PublicHealth #Manhattan #BoroughPresident #GrassrootsLeadership #HealthcareIsPolitical #SunForNYC
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Calvin D. Sun, MD shared thisGlad to have been interviewed for this series a handful of times!Calvin D. Sun, MD shared thisI have learned so much working on this Labor of Love with my dear friend, partner and renowned Neurosurgeon, Dr Peter Zahos... We launched Dr. Zahos' podcast The Life Medical Podcast during the pandemic, based on the notion that the general public was NOT getting the REAL story behind the scenes from the front lines via various media outlets from those unsung heroes that did not have a voice...from the nursing staffs, doctors and medical experts - who had to be tight lipped under the guise of institutional policies... The Life Medical Podcast gives listeners unparalleled access into the lives of doctors and nurses around the country. Hosted by Dr. Zahos, the podcast has expanded into explorations of topics as diverse as the Dr. Death case and the frontiers of neuroscience. Please check out the pilot episode where we learn of the damage COVID inflicted on doctors and nurses, as well as patients. One of the take-homes from this episode is that nurses were brought in from across the country into New York without ICU training... https://lnkd.in/gD3JP37i https://lnkd.in/g7D9kaZM A special thanks to those respected contributors, who provide a glimpse into their worlds: Dr. Adam Gazzaley Dr. Calvin D. Sun, MD. Dr. Nicholas Theodore, MD, FACS, FAANS. Amy Pacholk. Dr. Martin Lazar Kay Van Wey Anne Roberts Dr. Yasmin Meah Dr. Paul Lynch Children's National Hospital Dr. Bob Keating Jack Hobbs #spotify #applepodcasts #pandora #amazonmusic #healthcare #neurosurgery #neuroscience #podcast #nurses #doctors #covid #hospital #medical #nursing American Medical Association Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Rovner Media Partners
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Calvin D. Sun, MD shared thisMany of you started following me during the pandemic (& having stayed with me since, I am so thankful to all of you 💚), but may not fully know the back story of how I learned to communicate what was happening or where a sense of composure came from. My father died 17 years ago and ever since it has remained an inflection point of a "before and after" when I look back on my life. From abandonment to resilience, I processed by “faking it 'til you make it" and immersed myself in an unfocused spread of creative work to make up for a sudden loss (and the rest of a unreconciled childhood with him) that included music, activism, film, dance, travel, and more recently, real-time reporting about a pandemic. And yet regardless of the origin story of these pursuits, writing has helped me see that my existence can now count on other chapter-ends and -beginnings; other milestones to also acknowledge and be thankful for rather than a single life event. Writing has also helped me appreciate what my father still gave me in spite of all that he could have given. As I wrote I began to understand that we all have our own personal tragedies, not the least of which was how a life during COVID happened to *all* of us. Therefore, regardless of who and wherever you are, I hope that reading my story will help you reframe how difficult times — whether a pandemic or personal tragedy — may be less so much an "obstacle to overcome," but actually another opportunity to re-examine the rest of your life with renewed purpose and clarity. That composure and resilience would emerge from past experience and what you *already* have within, rather than a “new” skill to acquire from a sense of without. I'm therefore over the moon (+ little anxious!) to formally announce that I will share my story as a published author in 2 weeks. THE MONSOON DIARIES: A DOCTOR'S JOURNEY will be released Sept 27th, 2022 and is now available for pre orders here: bit.ly/TMDHarper or bit.ly/TheMonsoonDiaries. #book #author #published #publishing #authorsoflinkedin #authorssupportingauthors #bookcommunity
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Calvin D. Sun, MD shared thisOur aftermovie of our epic August 2020 roadtrip, directed and edited by Raubern Totanes, is premiering this SUNDAY June 6th, 6pm EST with a live viewing party on IGTV (https://lnkd.in/daC6bDS) while the next monsoon gang convene in Cyprus -- Join us virtually as we venture out to travel once again for the first time since Feb 2020!
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Calvin D. Sun, MD shared thisI'm speaking January 24th 5:30pm-8:30pm in downtown Manhattan on a panel discussing travel for the New York Times Travel Show!
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Calvin D. Sun, MD shared this2 weeks ago while I was volunteering for one of NYC's half marathons, a 20-something year old runner collapsed at the finish line in cardiac arrest. He was brought to me and we immediately started CPR. I then remember the medical director running out of the command center pointing at me and yelling, "Calvin's in charge! he's in charge!" I'm 3 months out of residency and just started working last month, so I'm scared shitless. But long story short, we shocked him with electricity and transported him to a nearby hospital just as he begun waking up. I left the race a few hours later not knowing if he would turn out okay, and filled with doubt if I may have done anything wrong or if I had been plain lucky. About 2 hours later after the race ended, I went to work out at my neighborhood gym when a man next to me on a treadmill also suddenly collapsed into cardiac arrest. With the help of 2 other gym members and staff, we immediately got him on his back, performed CPR and I defibrillated him 5 times with the AED before EMS arrived and transported to a nearby hospital. In the midst of all this déjà vu, I thought of my father... (Part 1 of 3...story continues in the comments section) #volunteer #emergencymedicine #synchronicity
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Calvin D. Sun, MD shared thisAlthough tomorrow is *technically the last day* to put in a down payment for our Japan trip this September before prices go up, we are offering a *5 day extension* for people who sign up via following our page The Monsoon Diaries on LinkedIn! Trip details: $1450-$1750 for an all inclusive itinerary from 9/1-9/18 that includes Okinawa, Nagasaki, Hiroshima, Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo, and Sapporo! Even if you can only come for apart of it we can pro-rate the cost - monsoondiaries.com/headliner-trips/#japan Follow us here for the exclusive 5 day extension for our LinkedIn followers: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-monsoon-diaries
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Calvin D. Sun, MD shared thisLaunching our Linkedin company page for The Monsoon Diaries! Please FOLLOW us/our page for opportunities such as how to lead our trips for FREE or PAID travel, internships, low-cost itineraries, airfare hacks, and other ways you can save on your next vacation!
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Calvin D. Sun, MD reacted on thisCalvin D. Sun, MD reacted on thisAs Director of Emergency Healthcare Simulation @JacobiHosp in the Bronx, Dr. Maninder Singh is so dedicated that he sometimes acted as the patient to simulate neurological deficits for #strokecare. https://bit.ly/3GQtWNg
Experience & Education
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The Monsoon Diaries
View Calvin D.’s full experience
See their title, tenure and more.
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Licenses & Certifications
Volunteer Experience
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Lead Physician, Finish Line Medical Operations
New York Road Runners
- 10 years 8 months
Health
• Served in senior physician leadership roles at the NYC Marathon Finish Line in 2023 and 2024, overseeing clinical operations and medical logistics for one of the largest planned mass-casualty events in the world.
• Led medical teams for large-scale races across the NYC Metro area, including the Queens 10K, Bronx 10 Mile, the RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon, the NYC United Half Marathon, and the Staten Island Half Marathon.
• Directed mass-casualty logistics and critical care operations for…• Served in senior physician leadership roles at the NYC Marathon Finish Line in 2023 and 2024, overseeing clinical operations and medical logistics for one of the largest planned mass-casualty events in the world.
• Led medical teams for large-scale races across the NYC Metro area, including the Queens 10K, Bronx 10 Mile, the RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon, the NYC United Half Marathon, and the Staten Island Half Marathon.
• Directed mass-casualty logistics and critical care operations for the Finish Line medical tent, treating up to 6,000 patients in a few hours. -
Board of Directors
East Coast Asian American Student Union (ECAASU)
- 10 years 9 months
Civil Rights and Social Action
• Longest serving member for the oldest Asian American organization in the country, having been affiliated for nearly 1/3 of the organization's lifetime.
• Recalibrated the structure, mission and branding for a 30 year old organization from an annual student conference into becoming the premier and largest Asian American organization in the country for students and young alumni
• Oversee the administration of ECAASU National’s objectives throughout the year
• Determine long-term goals…• Longest serving member for the oldest Asian American organization in the country, having been affiliated for nearly 1/3 of the organization's lifetime.
• Recalibrated the structure, mission and branding for a 30 year old organization from an annual student conference into becoming the premier and largest Asian American organization in the country for students and young alumni
• Oversee the administration of ECAASU National’s objectives throughout the year
• Determine long-term goals for ECAASU as an organization that represents the interests of collegiate and young Asian American alumni across the country
• Select new members for the National Board -
Patient Advocacy Volunteer in Emergency Research Services, Bellevue Hospital
Bellevue Hospital
- 1 year 6 months
Health
• Volunteer and undertake research projects for highly selective clinical program at the oldest public hospital in the United States
• Closely assisted residents, nurses, and attending physicians in the emergency department where 80% of patients are understaffed, and many of whom are prisoners or homeless -
Fundraiser, Builder
One Small House
- 5 months
Disaster and Humanitarian Relief
• Fundraised over $5000 to help build a community clinic for an underserved population of 50,000 in the outskirts of Tijuana, Mexico
• Traveled to Tijuana, Mexico in December 2010 to help construct the clinic and 5 houses with the guidance of the local populace -
Guest Bartender
Project by Project
- 1 month
Civil Rights and Social Action
• Bartended for Happy Hour event raising money for national organization of social entrepreneurs that serve Asian American non-profits in need by raising public awareness and volunteerism
Publications
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The Monsoon Diaries: A Doctor’s Journey of Hope and Healing from the ER Frontlines to the Far Reaches of the World
HarperCollins
See publication"There are heroes among us, and Dr. Calvin Sun is one of them. Read this book." -Lisa Ling, journalist
The Monsoon Diaries is the firsthand account of Dr. Calvin Sun, an emergency room doctor who worked tirelessly on the front lines in multiple hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Drawing upon the lessons he learned from his adventures traveling to more than 190 countries in ten years, as well as from the grief he experienced as a teen when his father died, Dr. Sun shares his…"There are heroes among us, and Dr. Calvin Sun is one of them. Read this book." -Lisa Ling, journalist
The Monsoon Diaries is the firsthand account of Dr. Calvin Sun, an emergency room doctor who worked tirelessly on the front lines in multiple hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Drawing upon the lessons he learned from his adventures traveling to more than 190 countries in ten years, as well as from the grief he experienced as a teen when his father died, Dr. Sun shares his journey, from growing up as a young Asian American in New York to his calling first to medical school and then to the open road.
He believes that the fight for a better world creates meaning when all feels meaningless, and he hopes that telling his story will help readers reframe this tragic moment in our lifetimes into possibility, with the goal of building a more empathetic society. -
Auschwitz Death Camp
The Young Pioneer
See publicationIt’s the bleakness of the place that startles you first.
There’s nothing more I can write about Auschwitz that hasn’t already been written: It really is devastating. Like the Killing Fields and Tuong Sleng Prison of the Khmer Rouge, Auschwitz is a depiction of humanity’s potential for pure evil. You can prepare yourself for the worst, and it still might not be enough to comprehend. You might have heard of the exhibit “with all the human hair,” stretching the distance of an entire room…It’s the bleakness of the place that startles you first.
There’s nothing more I can write about Auschwitz that hasn’t already been written: It really is devastating. Like the Killing Fields and Tuong Sleng Prison of the Khmer Rouge, Auschwitz is a depiction of humanity’s potential for pure evil. You can prepare yourself for the worst, and it still might not be enough to comprehend. You might have heard of the exhibit “with all the human hair,” stretching the distance of an entire room, or being in cramped quarters of oblivion within the gas chambers, your imagination cannot compare to the sight and smell of actually being there. -
Ar-go coalition building!
ALIST Magazine
See publicationThose of you familiar with the film Argo may have already heard of the backstory: A CIA operative named Tony Mendez led the rescue of 6 American hostages from Iran during the 1979 hostage crisis. This amazing story was known as “The Canadian Caper,” which was profiled prominently in one of this year’s best reviewed films. However, I have overheard a little buzz and controversy (what’s a great hit without some controversy, right?) regarding the casting choices of the film.
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A Teddy Bear That Doesn’t Get It
ALIST Magazine
See publicationI’m not criticizing the actual film; I can’t judge anything until I see it for myself. I’m instead criticizing how this film is being marketed, which reaches out to millions of Americans like myself who regularly surf the trailers posted on Apple.com (and among many other sites). So let me point out the ignorance of the American advertising agency responsible for promoting this film; you could’ve done a better job.
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Twist transcriptionally up-regulates AKT2 in breast cancer cells leading to increased migration, invasion, and resistance to paclitaxel.
Cancer Research
Metastasis, the cardinal feature of malignant tumors, is an important clinical variable in patient prognosis. To understand the basis for metastasis, we systematically selected for highly invasive cells from breast cancer cell lines, MCF7 and MDA-MB-453, with moderate to low invasive ability using Boyden chamber invasion assay. The four-cycle selected invasive lines, named MCF7-I4 and MDA-MB-453-I4, respectively, displayed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and dramatically enhanced…
Metastasis, the cardinal feature of malignant tumors, is an important clinical variable in patient prognosis. To understand the basis for metastasis, we systematically selected for highly invasive cells from breast cancer cell lines, MCF7 and MDA-MB-453, with moderate to low invasive ability using Boyden chamber invasion assay. The four-cycle selected invasive lines, named MCF7-I4 and MDA-MB-453-I4, respectively, displayed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and dramatically enhanced invasive ability. EMT changes were corroborated with decreased level of E-cadherin and increased vimentin, fibronectin, and beta(1) integrin. Twist, a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, and AKT2, a known proto-oncogene, were found to be elevated in the invasive cells compared with the parental. Ectopic expression and knockdown of Twist by short interference RNA resulted in significant increase and reduction, respectively, of AKT2 protein and mRNA expression. Twist bound to E-box elements on AKT2 promoter and enhanced its transcriptional activity. Moreover, silencing AKT2 decreased Twist-promoted migration, invasion, and paclitaxel resistance. Reintroducing AKT2 largely rescued the phenotype resulted from knockdown of Twist in I4 cells, suggesting that AKT2 is a downstream target and functional mediator of Twist. Finally, we observed a 68.8% correlation of elevated Twist and AKT2 expression in late-stage breast cancers as oppose to 13% in early-stage breast cancers. Our study identifies Twist as a positive transcriptional regulator of AKT2 expression, and Twist-AKT2 signaling is involved in promoting invasive ability and survival of breast cancer cells.
Other authors -
Courses
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Molecular & Cell Biology I
C2005
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Molecular & Cell Biology II
C2006
Projects
Honors & Awards
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NBC’s AAPI Frontline Honoree
NBC Asian America
• Chosen as one of 12 Asian Americans to be recognized for their service during the COVID-19 Pandemic
• https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/aapi-frontline -
Faces of the Cure Honoree
Faces of the Cure Honoree
Chosen for recognition during the COVID-19 Pandemic
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Faces of the Frontline Honoree
Faces Of The Frontline
Chosen for recognition during the COVID-19 Pandemic
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harlem is . . . HEALING: Heroes of the Pandemic
Community Works & New Heritage Theatre Group
Chosen for recognition during the COVID-19 Pandemic
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Jacobi + Montefiore PGY-3 EM Ramsey Rod Award
Jacobi/Montefiore Emergency Medicine Residency Program
Recipient of the residency program's only award for 3rd year resident physicians, bestowed upon by the Jacobi/Montefiore Chief Residents at annual graduation exercises.
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Jacobi + Montefiore Resident Of The Block
Jacobi/Montefiore Emergency Medicine Residency Program
• Recognized as one of the handful of residents to be highlighted for distinction by the Jacobi/Montefiore Chief Residents in the 2015-2016 academic year.
• http://jacobiem.org/jacobimontefiore-ed-resident-of-the-block-calvin-sun/ -
TED Speaker
TED Talks
• TEDx Keynote Speaker on the theme “Building Bridges”
• Discussing intersectionality of how to use one’s personal experiences to better understand various forms of oppression
• Only speaker outside of Lehigh Valley community to have been considered and selected as a TED Speaker in conference's 5 year history -
Dean's Pin
Columbia University
Awarded to any alumnus/a demonstrating exceptional service to the alumni community at Columbia
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Official Selection
Bite Me! Toronto International Body Image Film & Arts Festival
For film, "Asian American Beauty: A Discourse on Female Body Image."
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King’s Gold Crown
Columbia University
For 3+ years of leadership on a student organization
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Leadership Legend/Dean's Award for Leadership Excellence
Columbia University
The university's highest honor for student leadership, "for individual graduating seniors who were exceptionally involved on campus...as a student leader, the awardee has been pivotal in establishing or supporting connections between student groups and/or between student groups and the Administration."
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Senior Marshal
Columbia University - Columbia College
"Senior Marshal is an honor bestowed upon members of the graduating class who have demonstrated achievement in their academics and extracurricular activities as a student at Columbia University. Senior Marshals are worthy of recognition for their personal achievements and for demonstrating what it means to 'be a Columbian.'
Senior Marshals are distinguished at Columbia College and School of Engineering and Applied Science Class Days and University Commencement by the gold aiguillettes…"Senior Marshal is an honor bestowed upon members of the graduating class who have demonstrated achievement in their academics and extracurricular activities as a student at Columbia University. Senior Marshals are worthy of recognition for their personal achievements and for demonstrating what it means to 'be a Columbian.'
Senior Marshals are distinguished at Columbia College and School of Engineering and Applied Science Class Days and University Commencement by the gold aiguillettes that adorn their graduation gowns . . . Senior Marshals are nominated by fellow graduating students within the nominee's school, faculty, staff, and administrators." -
One to Watch Award
30th Asian American International Film Festival
For film, "Asian American Beauty: A Discourse on Female Body Image."
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King’s Copper Crown Award
Columbia University
For student leadership on a student organization as a first-year/freshman
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AP Scholar with Honors
The College Board
Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams
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All-American Swimmer
NISCA: National Interscholastic Swim Coaches of America
"In order for a swimmer to be considered as a NISCA High School All-American he/she must compete for an interscholastic team and be scholastically eligible as determined by his/her state athletic association or school authority. . . . The fastest one hundred (100) athletes as determined by time in each [swim] event will be named All-America."
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LeMaire Prize for Citizenship
Trinity School
Awarded to the graduating senior that demonstrated distinction in leadership and extracurricular activities on campus
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National Merit Semifinalist
National Merit Scholarship Corporation
"The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®)—a test which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.5 million entrants each year—and by meeting published program entry and participation requirements."
"...About 16,000 students, or approximately one-third of the 50,000…"The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®)—a test which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.5 million entrants each year—and by meeting published program entry and participation requirements."
"...About 16,000 students, or approximately one-third of the 50,000 high scorers,are notified that they have qualified as Semifinalists. To ensure that academically talented young people from all parts of the United States are included in this talent pool, Semifinalists are designated on a state-representational basis. They are the highest scoring entrants in each state. NMSC provides scholarship application materials to Semifinalists through their high schools..." -
Alumni Award - Trinity Varsity Swimming
Trinity School
"Most Valuable Player/MVP" honor, voted by the Trinity Varsity Swim Team
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Bronx Opera Performing Arts Award
Trinity School
Award to the graduating senior for exceptional service to the music and performing arts department at Trinity School
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Cum Laude Society
Trinity School
Top 10% of the graduating senior class
Languages
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English
Native or bilingual proficiency
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Mandarin Chinese
Native or bilingual proficiency
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Spanish
Full professional proficiency
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Latin
Limited working proficiency
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Hindi
Limited working proficiency
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Urdu
Limited working proficiency
Organizations
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Jacobi Medical Center
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