Jacobs School to show off its talents

The Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences will host its second annual talent show for medical students, residents, alumni and faculty at 5 p.m. April 22 on Zoom.

Anyone can attend, free of charge, by visiting the event’s registration page.

Archana Mishra, clinical associate professor of medicine in the Jacobs School, and Kelsey LaPiano, a graduating medical student, organized this year’s show. Alan Lesse, senior associate dean for medical curriculum, will serve as the master of ceremonies.

The performances from participants will be recorded beforehand and shown on Zoom. To further engage the audience, organizers will ask trivia questions and host a “Talent Treasure Hunt” between acts.

The event will consist of four series of acts, each section around 10 minutes in length, showcasing numerous performers singing, playing instruments, presenting artwork and dancing. Some participants will integrate their pets, while others will display their unique hobbies. One medical student will be demonstrating the process of creating a leather wallet.

A short video promotion previewing some of the acts is available online.

The talent show aims to highlight and celebrate people affiliated with the medical school while showcasing what they like to do in their free time.

Anjuli Shah is a fourth-year medical student who will be competing for the second time. Last year, she drew an anatomical heart. This year, she is doing a backward and forward piano performance.

“I’m participating because it’s fun to see my colleagues and peers showcase their non-medical talents,” Shah says. “It establishes a feeling of humanity in an otherwise highly academic setting.

“Also, I love the trivia questions. I hope it continues every year, with people getting more and more creative with their acts.”

Shah, along with Bradley Jensen, a second-year medical student, are in charge of the trivia and treasure hunt; Jacquelyn Jordan, an internal medicine resident, will help coordinate the treasure hunt. Humorist Jane Fischer will be back as the game master. Raj Thapar, an internal medicine resident who has been an integral part of the talent show since its inception, will provide technical assistance.

Mishra organized the talent show in 2021 after taking part in a virtual performance with her family for her niece’s wedding during the pandemic.

The celebration was such a fun experience that Mishra extended the concept to her UB family. And the first iteration of the talent show was such a success that she decided to bring it back this year.

“We had 245 registrants and the feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive,” Mishra says. “They felt it was just what they needed during these difficult times.”