A cappella singing group keeps KU medical students on key

For a certain group of University of Kansas School of Medicine students, healing and harmonizing go hand in hand.

Meet Doctors’ Notes, an a cappella singing club for KU medical students. The group keeps spirits bright by performing at KU Medical Center events, while providing camaraderie and a creative outlet for its members as they navigate the intense academic load of medical school.

“Doctors’ Notes has been a really special and meaningful conduit for sharing what I love to do with others,” said the group’s co-president Arnav Rashid, a second-year medical student.

“You cannot become a doctor without a network of peers that lifts you up, and who you lift up. Doctors’ Notes is a great way to build that community.”

A musical resume is not required to join, but many members have been singing since childhood and developed a passion for performing. Instead of giving up that passion to attend medical school, they found a place for it to shine.

“That’s a very unique experience that I thought was going to end after my undergraduate years,” said president-elect Celine Khalife, who sings and plays guitar.

One of many student life clubs at KU School of Medicine, Doctors’ Notes has been around more than 20 years.

The group persisted through the pandemic, though singers at the time had to find creative ways to harmonize, like joining voices over Zoom. There are currently nine members, primarily first- and second-year medical students.

Doctors’ Notes’ faculty advisor is Pam Shaw, M.D., associate dean for medical education and professor of pediatrics at KU Medical Center.

“Using the creative side of your brain helps you be a well-rounded and smart student,” Shaw said. “Many of our students have creative backgrounds as well as being invested in science.”

Doctors’ Notes’ co-president Johnny Dinh Phan is a second-year medical student who hopes to go into emergency medicine. Dinh Phan earned bachelor’s degrees at KU in both biochemistry and dance. He’s been singing since elementary school and performs in Kansas City area professional dance and musical theatre productions, in addition to leading Doctors’ Notes.

“I always want to make space for that in my life,” Dinh Phan said of his participation in the arts.

Doctors’ Notes added to the merry mood at a recent holiday party for employees at The University of Kansas Health System. Attendees snapped reels and sang along as the group performed a set of festive songs.

Soprano and first-year medical student Rosie Spratt hit Mariah Carey’s famous high notes in the group’s rendition of “All I Want for Christmas is You.” Spratt said she was glad for the chance to share her love of singing.

“Music is a gift that can always be shared, and always received,” she said.