Academics
Research and Advocacy
Before even graduating high school, Quincy H. already has a head start on her dream of becoming a surgeon, and is shedding light on a common but underrecognized medical condition.
In October, Quincy was listed as a co-author of an article published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine that studied the link between appendicitis and endometriosis. Quincy has been working with California laparoscopic surgeon Dr. Camran Nezhat for several years, spending countless hours assisting in his clinic and with his research. This is the first published study Quincy has been part of, but a second has already been submitted to the JCM, and she is working on data extraction for a third.
Quincy met Dr. Nezhat just over two years ago when he was her surgeon for endometriosis, using a procedure that he developed. She says she was “immediately captivated” by the doctor and his work, and asked for an internship. She has been helping at the clinic in a variety of capacities ever since, including in Dr. Nezhat’s extensive research into endometriosis, a condition that can cause extreme pelvic pain and impact fertility, and which the World Health Organization estimates affects 10 percent of women around the world. Common symptoms of endometriosis besides menstrual pain include nausea, back and leg pain, fatigue, gastrointestinal issues, and bloating.
The study that was published in October – “Selective Appendectomy in Patients Undergoing Minimally Invasive Surgery for Endometriosis: A Retrospective Cohort Study” – looked at women having minimally invasive surgery for endometriosis to see how often their appendix also had problems. Even when the appendix looked normal, doctors often found issues after removing it. Out of 236 patients, more than nine out of 10 had something abnormal in their appendix, including endometriosis, scar tissue, or inflammation. Taking out the appendix during surgery was safe, and almost no one had problems afterward.
“Most people don't understand how debilitating the condition is, not only physically but mentally as well. It’s nice to be part of a team helping other women feel the relief that I did post-diagnosis,” Quincy shares. “Hopefully the discovery we made will have an impact on many women who are struggling with pain.”
Quincy estimates that she spent three or four hours a day on data extraction last summer, on top of her other duties at the clinic. Even back at Shawnigan, she dedicates at least half an hour a day during the school year to working with Dr. Nezhat, on top of her regular responsibilities. She also advocates for endometriosis awareness on social media.
“I focus on educating teens and young adults about endometriosis and menstrual health through accessible, evidence-based content,” she explains. “I translate complex medical information into practical guidance. I also share patient-centered strategies for communicating with doctors, tracking symptoms, and advocating for earlier diagnosis. My goal is to make young people feel seen, validated, and informed, especially those experiencing pain that has been overlooked or dismissed, just like mine was.”
Quincy’s AP Biology and AP Chemistry teacher, Mr. Justin Wilke, acknowledges what a massive accomplishment it is for her to have already be published in the JCM.
“It is a remarkable achievement for a high school student to be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal,” he says. “Over my many years of teaching, I have only had a handful of students achieve this feat and Quincy deserves recognition for this scholarly endeavour. It is an excellent example of using personal experiences to shape and guide someone to pursue solutions to everyday problems. The time and effort required to contribute to a scientific paper is significant and it demonstrates Quincy's commitment to her goals.”
For her part, Quincy will be using this experience as a springboard to university and beyond.
“I always knew I wanted to do something in the medical field,” she says, “and I’ve found my calling.”
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Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful Pacific Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
