Erlene Seymour, M.D., graduated from the Wayne State University School of Medicine with her medical degree in 2008. She is a member of the Malignant Hematology Multidisciplinary Team at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and assistant professor of Oncology at the Wayne State University School of Medicine.

Dr. Seymour, who was selected as the winner of the 2018 Recent Alumni Award from the Medical Alumni Association, has been interviewing potential Wayne State University medical students for two years and thoroughly enjoys being a part of that process.

"It is so impressive to see the kind of talented students who apply to our school! I think fondly of my time at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, and I know that recruiting great medical students was essential to developing a group of compassionate, collegial and intelligent physicians."

Applicants selected for an interview are required to attend an Interview Day. Each interview takes place during a half day. Interviewers evaluate applicants' answers and share that assessment with the Admission Committee as a part of the final decision process.

"The interview is the only way to figure out how an applicant interacts person to person, which is vital to our field. On paper applications, everyone can look great," Dr. Seymour explained. "The interview gives an applicant a chance to reveal their personal side and natural rapport with people, which ends up being the most important aspect in physician and patient communication."

Dr. Seymour recommends that more alumni consider joining the interview process.

"It is a great service to the school and it is exciting! It does come with a lot of responsibility," she said. "I was an applicant at one point in my life, so I know how high the stakes are in the process."

If you are interested in helping shape the future of the School of Medicine, consider joining the Admissions Committee. As a member, you will help select qualified medical school applicants who can excel in an environment focused on urban clinical excellence by conducting one-on-one interviews and evaluating applicant performance during Interview Days.

Fill out our Alumni Engagement and Support form and check the "sign me up!" box at the bottom of the page to help identify our future physicians-in-training.

If you have questions or need more information, please contact alumni@med.wayne.edu.