I graduated in May 2017. I majored in Global Public Health and took all the necessary pre-medical classes.
What made you decide to engage in a bridge year and how are you spending your time?
I knew I did not want to go straight into medical school after finishing undergrad. After 4 very busy years at UVA, I knew I needed a break from academics, and I also wanted to get more "real world" experience. I did not have any real clinical experience during undergrad and I wanted to make sure medicine is really what I want to commit to. MedServe is actually a 2-year program, which will allow me time to really become part of a community and develop my role. This also gives me a bit of a break between graduating and starting my applications. Right now, I'm starting to research where I might apply, but I'm mostly working and enjoying some free time.
How did you learn about this opportunity?
I first heard about MedServe through an email from the UVA Career Center. As I read more about the program, I realized it sounded like a perfect fit for me so I applied.
What does your experience consist of? Can you describe a typical day?
I work at Harvest Family Health Center, which is in a rural area in eastern North Carolina, just outside of Rocky Mount. At the clinic I mainly work as a medical assistant. I bring patients back and take vitals and history. The patient population at Harvest is very diverse and I end up using Spanish pretty frequently. One great thing about MedServe is that our roles are somewhat flexible -- we can do whatever the clinic needs. I've only been at Harvest a few months now, and I am currently getting more involved with the existing outreach program for migrant farmworkers.
What distinguished this opportunity from other options you might have pursued?
Honestly, everything. While there were other options that interested me, they didn't line up with my career goals in the same way. What first caught my attention was MedServe's focus on primary care and community health. I am very interested in this aspect of healthcare, but I didn't find other opportunities with that as the focus or that contained both clinical and community roles. MedServe also has a great support structure. There are other Fellows, and even though we are all across the state, it's great to have a people going through a similar experience, especially if you are new to the area. The program also includes check-in's, reflective assignments, and group summits, which are all to help us learn from and make the most of our experiences.
What was involved in the application process?
The application process took place during the spring semester of fourth year. First, I completed an application that included several essays and submitted letters of recommendation. I was invited to interview, via Skype, with the program staff in early March. During the initial interview, we were asked about which sites were most interested in. The sites then interviewed their top candidates. I was originally wait-listed after the initial interview, but was called for another Skype interview, this time with the clinic manager and doctor at my site.
In what ways is this experience preparing you for your next step?
This experience has given me exposure to primary care in a rural setting that I wouldn't have gotten otherwise. The clinic where I work also serves a large Spanish-speaking population; my Spanish skills and fluency have improved, which will definitely be useful in the future. I think having this experience will allow me to apply to medical school with a clearer idea of what areas I might want to go into, and also understanding the reality of healthcare. It's one thing to learn about an issue in class or hear it in the news; it's another to actually see it at work.
Would you recommend this opportunity to other UVA students?
Definitely! Although I've only been part of MedServe for a few months, I"m so glad I am part of it. The MedServe sites are all extremely different, which provides opportunities in primary healthcare that can align with your specific interests, whatever they are.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Don't panic if you haven't found what seems like the perfect opportunity yet. I was definitely stressed about what I was doing after graduation during the spring of fourth year, but I just kept looking and eventually everything came together. This is also no one "right" path to get where you want to be.
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Interested in learning more about the MedServe program or applying for your bridge year experience? Applications are due this year by October 28th!
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