Hundreds of high school and college students, accompanied by parents and family members, learned details about the recommended path to a medical education at the Wayne State University School of Medicine during Med Ed Prep 2011.

For many of the attendees of the Aug. 18 event in Scott Hall, the evening will prove to be the first step on the journey to a medical career.

Silas Norman Jr., M.D., associate dean for Admissions, Diversity and Inclusion, welcomed the students and told them why they should earn their medical degrees at the WSU School of Medicine.

"We can teach you to become a compassionate clinician," Dr. Norman said. "You will be well trained. We give you an opportunity to make a difference. Let us prepare you to join the over 10,000 alumni in Michigan and around the country."

Sponsored by Wayne State University School of Medicine Alumni Affairs, Med Ed Prep is designed to give high school and college students a first-hand look at the requirements for admission to medical school and, ultimately, for a medical career. Admissions members and WSU medical students provided details regarding medical school admission requirements, life as a medical student and the many career opportunities that a medical education allows.

Norman Komar, M.D., of the Class of 1961, traveled from Tucson, Ariz., to bring his granddaughter, Courtney Komar, 16, of Monterey, Calif., to Med Ed Prep. Both spent the day at the medical school and toured the Richard J. Mazurek, M.D., Medical Education Commons. Courtney also was able to shadow second-year medical student Kristin Lieb

"I like the idea of medicine because I like helping others and many of my family members are doctors," she said. "I'm geared in that direction."

Adrienne Keith of Traverse City, an undergraduate student at Carleton College in Minnesota, attended with her parents, Carolyn Keith, M.D., of the Class of 1984, an anesthesiologist, and John Bruder, M.D., of the Class of 1973, an orthopedic surgeon.

While she wants to attend medical school, Adrienne was diplomatic about keeping peace in her household, saying she hasn't yet settled on a specialty. "As of today, I'm not siding with either one of them," she laughed.

Kevin Kampfschulte, 29, of Grand Rapids, attended with his orthopedic surgeon mother, Dayle Maples, M.D., of the Class of 1979. "I've worked in the real world for the last five years. Now, I'm ready for a career that focuses on helping others," he said