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 "PATHWAY TO MEDICAL SCHOOL" PRESENTED AT MGC (Cochran, GA) – Jan Shiver recently visited Middle Georgia College to talk to students about Pathway to Medical School, a shadowing program designed to help students who are interested in medical school gain experience and learn more about being a primary care physician. The presentation was sponsored by the MGC Science Club. The Pathway to Medical School program is a structured residential experience featuring 60% clinical shadowing and 40% research, said Shiver, the Preceptor Coordinator of the Southwest Georgia Area Health Education Center. Held in a four-week summer block, the program also includes seminars and round-table discussions, as well as primary care physician mentors. The program’s goals include increasing participant’s chances of being accepted into medical school, and reinforcing interest in primary care specialties, such as family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, and general surgery. “The program works to connect students to careers, professionals to communities, and communities to better help,” said Shiver. The program also wants to encourage students to return to practice in southwest Georgia upon completion of medical education and training. “Georgia has a misdistribution of physicians,” said Shiver. “50% of doctors practice in metro Atlanta. We want to recruit individuals to work in rural, underserved communities.” In addition to shadowing physicians, students will also get a chance to participate in a community research project, which they will then have the opportunity to present at the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians Scientific Assembly and Exhibition. “This is community based research,” said Shiver. “It is a practical application of what you have learned, and the research looks good on medical school applications.” The program also offers an opportunity to participate in seminars to improve the competitiveness of students’ applications to medical school and their interview skills through mock interviews. Students will also take part in roundtable discussions with admissions deans from schools such as Mercer University School of Medicine and Emory University School of Medicine. To be considered for the program, students must be at least 18 years old, a rising college sophomore working on a pre-med curriculum, have a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall as well as in Math and Science courses, and be a legal resident of GA enrolled in a college or university in the state. “We are looking for students who have room to grow,” said Shiver. “Each student brings something different.” Dr. Deepa Arora, the Chair of the Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Division, said, “Pathway to Medical School is an excellent opportunity for students who are pursuing a pre-med curriculum and wish to explore a career in medicine. Students who participate in this summer program significantly enhance their chances of securing admission into a medical school.” For application procedures contact Dr. Arora at 478-934-3055. |