Ten high school juniors received an in-depth look at the world of medical school and practicing medicine thanks to the Wayne State University School of Medicine chapter of the Black Medical Association/Student National Medical Association.
Chapter members partnered with Total Health Care to bring the high school students to the campus Feb. 26-27 for the 2009 High School Medical Honors Program. The students shadowed Wayne State University physicians, ate lunch with School of Medicine students and spoke with them about their experience as doctors in training, attended a class with second-year medical students, took part in a campus tour and mini-diagnostic examinations, and capped their experience with a banquet sponsored by Total Health Care, at which they received personalized white coats.
"Any time the Black Medical Association/Student National Medical Association has an opportunity to work with the community, do outreach programs and encourage minorities toward medicine we welcome the opportunity," said second-year medical student Ceirra Colbert, vice president of External Affairs for BMA/SNMA. "That's part of our mission."
The 10 high school students spent Thursday morning job shadowing physicians working in fields in which they expressed an interest.
Jasmine Walton, 16, and Justin Pride, 16, both of Mumford High School, spent the morning in the clinic of Eric Ayres, M.D., assistant professor of internal medicine/pediatrics and associate program director of internal medicine/pediatrics with the Wayne State University School of Medicine.
"It was a great experience," said Walton, who expressed an interest in becoming a veterinarian.
Pride, who wants to study to become a pediatrician or go into obstetrics and gynecology, said, "It's obvious Dr. Ayres has a great relationship with his patients. It was excellent."
The high school students, all from Detroit Public Schools, qualified for the program by maintaining a minimum 3.5 grade-point average and writing essays about why they wanted to participate. The 10 winning essays were selected by Total Health Care, Colbert said.