Patrick Ondoa-FoudaJournal #1
I am a Social Enterprise Summer Fellow with the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME). The OCME in Manhattan is part of a medical complex which includes institutions like Bellevue Hospital, or the NYU medical center.
The DNA building of OCME stands out by its modern design. Indeed the building was commissioned as recently as 2007. Inside, with the open spaces and glass walls, it may remind you of your favorite episode of CSI-Miami. But make no mistake; what is happening on OCME premises is for real—and trust me you would not want to live the experience of an autopsy.
The Medical Examiners working for the Agency are responsible for determining the cause of more than 5,000 sudden or violent deaths every year. The Forensic Biology department supports this mission in criminal cases, with its state-of-the-art DNA laboratories. The DNA labs played a significant role identifying victims after the tragic events of 9/11.
I will be working with the Assistant Commissioner of Finance Jennifer Page and the Director of Budget Deidre Snyder, on the cost analysis of a new DNA testing procedure for very low amounts of DNA, such as what can be recovered from a fingerprint. I cannot wait to gain exposure to the field of genetics, while contributing business skills to a dynamic NYC Government Agency.
Journal #2
Molecular genetics is a field that studies the structure and function of genes at the molecular level. The Molecular Genetics (MG) lab has a distinctive function within the Forensic Biology department. The lab receives sudden death cases for which no cause of death has been determined by other means by the Medical Examiners. The group’s mission is to assist in determining possible genetic cause for those deaths.
Two of the many types of conditions that the lab tests for are Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Unexplained Death Syndrome (SUDS). The SIDS is when a child before the age of one dies for no apparent reason. The SUDS involves people after the age of one. SIDS is particularly painful to parents, who have to live with the possibility of being the cause for the sudden death of their child. Some gene mutations have been shown to create conditions that lead to SIDS. The MG lab is able to test for those mutations in the children’s DNA. Determining a genetic cause for the death of their child helps parents come to closure.
Dr. Tang who heads the laboratory is very passionate about her work. Indeed the analysis performed at the MG laboratory and collaboration with research institutions helps medicine make progress on explaining, preventing or curing conditions that are still obscure.
Journal #3
The Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) is the smallest agency in the City of New York government. It is part of the department of health (DOH) but enjoys a significant autonomy due to the particular nature of their role within the DOH.
During my stay with the Administration and Finance, I have seen a team with very much concern for accountability and control, prospective and frugality. Change initiatives addressing those concerns include administrative processes reengineering and streamlining to increase efficiency and introduce more checks and balances.
No doubt there are inherent issues with the role and the work of any governmental institution anywhere and anytime. And the growing role of the federal government in the economic life is witnessed with much angst.
But there is little doubt the OCME is fulfilling a common interest role that fits government best. I have met a lot of dedicated professionals, on the scientific as well as the administrative and financial side. As professionals, they use their skills in their best possible way to fulfill the agency’s mission with efficiency… and fun. This is good news for the people of New York.
