By Cameron Reichenbach / The Jambar
Youngstown State University showcased to students what being a medical student was like during the Ohio Medical Education Day on Oct. 6 at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
The conference allowed undergraduate students from across Ohio to learn how to prepare for and engage with representatives from medical schools throughout the state.
Six students from YSU attended the event, including Nidi Karnati, Grace Burchfield, Gabriella Gaisor, Chairthra Bikki, Kate Vail and Prahabs Kolluri.
During the event, students participated in sessions that taught strategies and skills for medical school. Breakout sessions offered insight into financing medical school, medical school expectations and years of growth considerations.
Kolluri, sophomore biology major, said that the program helped her gain perspectives on medical school.
“Attending OMED made me a better-informed student and pre-med major. I was able to gain insight into the pros and cons of medical school and get first-hand perspectives on becoming a competitive applicant,” Kolluri stated.
YSU students also played a role in planning the event. Vail, junior biology major, designed the event logo, which will be used annually at OMED.
“This experience was meaningful to me, considering that the last time I’d been there was during my first year of [the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry program] at YSU. This year I’m in my final year and going into medical school next summer, so it was wonderful to put the experience to use representing my work in the last two years,” Vail stated.
Mollie Hartup, Sokolov Honors College director and President of the Ohio Health Professions Advisors, collaborated with medical schools in Ohio to bring OMED to the area. She also discussed the Association of American Medical Colleges’ core competencies for medical applications.
“It was wonderful collaborating with amazing colleagues to plan this experiential learning opportunity for students. I love talking about the core competencies and helping students reflect on the ways they are already developing essential skills like empathy and compassion, while encouraging them to find ways to develop new competencies,” Hartup stated.