We are an independent student-run publication at the University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix. Medical students, faculty, and community physicians contribute essays, commentary, research summaries, and creative writing. We work with the COM-P community to share engaging, uncensored voices while keeping a professional and respectful tone. Haig Aintablian, Yael Kusne, and Kate Townley founded The Differential in 2015, and a student editorial board continues to publish new work each academic year.
MISSION
The Differential is a platform for UA COM-P medical students that aims to educate, inform, and enlighten our community through collaborative dialogue and clear communication.
WHAT WE PUBLISH
Our archives include long-running series on medical ethics, clinical reflections in Op-Ed, original Science writing, and coverage of campus events such as Match Day and Solidarity Week. Faculty members sometimes respond directly to student essays, creating thoughtful back-and-forth on topics that matter to trainees and clinicians.
Writers draw on rotations at Phoenix-area hospitals, scholarly projects, policy debates, and personal experiences in medicine. Pieces may be narrative, analytical, or opinion-driven. All work is reviewed by student editors before publication.
EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE
The Differential is not a University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix authorized publication. Editorial decisions rest with the student board. That independence allows honest discussion of ethics cases, health policy, and the day-to-day realities of medical training. We welcome respectful disagreement and aim to represent a range of perspectives within the COM-P community.
To submit an article or essay, visit our Submissions page or email thedifferentialdx[at]gmail.com. Meet the current editorial team on our Editors page.