The 15th annual Future Docs program drew 500 children to the Wayne State University School of Medicine to explore the world of medicine and science and contemplate careers in both.
The event, sponsored by the Medical Alumni Association and held throughout Scott Hall and the Mazurek Medical Education Commons on March 24, attracted its largest attendance ever. In fact, registration had to be halted because of the overwhelming interest.
In addition to providing children opportunities to explore careers in medicine and medical research, Future Docs also gives WSU medical students and physicians yet another chance to volunteer to assist the community.
Preeya Prakash of the Class of 2018 and co-president of the Aesculapians honor society, was busy casting the finger of Amir Green, 13, of Detroit.
"I volunteer because it has been great to be part of an institution that is so committed to helping the community," said Prakash, originally from Salt Lake City, who on Match Day March 16 found out she will begin a residency in Internal Medicine at the Detroit Medical Center.
Green is a member of The Lawn Academy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching young men ages 11 to 19 how to serve their community while providing them a platform for leadership and success. This year the Aesculapians selected The Lawn Academy as its community organization to assist. The medical students invited Lawn Academy members to attend Future Docs.
Manal Abulebdeh, 25, is a WSU pre-medicine graduate from Dearborn. The youngest of three children and the first in her family to attend and graduate from college plans to attend the WSU School of Medicine, and is interested in becoming a pediatrician or emergency medicine physician.
"I love working with children and I'm interested in pediatrics, so it makes sense to volunteer for Future Docs," said Abulebdeh, whose mother and father are from Egypt and Palestine, respectively. "I didn't have anyone to show me the way since I'm the first to go to college. Future Docs is great because it gives young children insight into possible careers and some guidance about what it takes to become a physician."
Future Docs has been running so long now that some current WSU medical students remember it as their first taste of medicine.
"I have fond memories of the Future Docs program," said Eric Balle, a first-year medical student. "I believe I was 6 or 7 years old when I attended the program. I profoundly remember the brain exhibit and the ultrasound demonstration! I've been hooked on the medical field ever since then."
Kathryn Forbes, a second-year medical student and president of the Surgery Interest Group, was 8 when she attended Future Docs. "My favorite memory was getting my arm practice casted while also getting a baby white coat that said "Future Docs" on it."
Judging by one parent's reaction, that trend is continuing.
Liam Omara, 10, the son and youngest child of Leslie Lundahl, Ph.D., L.P., assistant professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, was busy drilling holes in bones at the station on orthopaedic surgery. His two older sisters, 13 and 16, both attended previous Future Doc events.
"It must work, because they are both interested in medical careers now," Dr. Lundahl said.
Perhaps his experience with this year's Future Docs will make Liam the trifecta.