VA College of Osteopathic Medicine Spring Open House - 4/7

Saturday, April 7th, 2018

Registration: 12 PM

Program: 1:00 - 5:00 PM

Learn about: 

• The difference between DO's and MD's
• VCOM Curriculum
• Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
• VCOM's International Missions Program
• Simulation Center

More information and registration

Support Maternal Health in the Lake Traverse Reservation in South Dakota

Project Ina is seeking students interested in maternal health and tribal relations to join their team. They are building a mobile application that provides information on pregnancy at the Lake Traverse Reservation in South Dakota.

Through this app, they aim to decrease barriers to accessing pregnancy resources and foster community discussion about pregnancy in the reservation. In order to maximize the impact and usability of this application, they are co-designing it with members of the Lake Traverse community.

With funding from the Jefferson Public Citizens (JPC) Grant and the Community Based Undergraduate Research Grant (CBURG), they have visited South Dakota and co-designed a preliminary version of the app. In the next year, they will be conducting several focus-group workshops in order to finalize a beta-version of the app. Eventually, the goal is to completely hand over the final product to the tribe, as the project is linked to an effort to build the tribe's own capacity to manage mobile apps.

Project Ina is seeking 3 - 4 underclassmen students with experience in programming, research, education, or medicine to join the team for at least 1 to 2 years, as long-term commitment is integral to maintaining tribal relations. 

Contact Aditi Takle at aht6fb@virginia.edu by March 5th for more information!

Osteopathic Medicine Arnstein Minority Student Scholarship - 3/31 deadline

The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine invites applications for the 2018 Sherry R. Arnstein Minority Student Scholarship Program.

Eligible applicants must be:

• African American; Native American (American Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian); mainland Puerto Rican; or Hispanic American
• Currently enrolled or accepted to matriculate to an AACOM osteopathic medical college
• In good academic standing
• Not a previous Arnstein Minority Scholarship awardee

Deadline to apply: March 31, 2018
Awardees will be notified in August 2018

More information and application

National Hispanic Medical Association Recruitment Fair - 3/24

National Hispanic Medical Association 

Free Recruitment Fair

Saturday, March 24th 

12:30 - 4: 30 PM

Gaylord National Resort Exhibit Hall D
Oxon Hill, MD

Meet medical, dental, nursing, public health, and graduate science schools. 

Connect to valuable resources including academic support, skill building and coaching, mentorship, and financial advice.

More information: bit.ly/NHMA-CHSP

Register: bit.ly/CHSP-Reg-Ntl

Questions? Ben Melano at conference@nhmamd.org or 202-628-5895

VA Tech Carilion School of Medicine Open House - 4/11

Take a closer look! 

You are invited to the VT Carilion School of Medicine Spring Open House.

Wednesday, April 11th, 2018

6:00 - 7:30 PM

2 Riverside Circle

Roanoke, VA 24016

Learn about the VTC program from the Dean of Admissions.
See what it takes to become a competitive applicant and find out what makes VTC unique.

Optional tours of the medical school will be available at 4:45 and 5:15 PM. 

Free parking available in the parking garage adjacent to the medical school. 

Questions?
Contact VTC Office of Admissions
540-526-2560

Register Here

Creating a Great Personal Statement Webinar - 3/7

Did you miss the Pre-Health Advising personal statement workshop last week?

Not to worry! 
The American Dental Education Association (ADEA), American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) are pleased to offer a webinar tailored to individuals interested in applying to any health professions education program!

Creating a Great Personal Statement
Wednesday, 3/7, 2:30 - 3:30 PM (Eastern Time)

Register

The personal statement is a vital part of the application process. It helps admissions representatives understand who you are, your unique experiences, and why you chose to pursue a specific health profession.

Presenters include:

Rosa Chaviano-Moran, DMD
Associate Dean for Admissions
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, School of Dental Medicine

Steven Lesh, PhD, PT, SCS, ATC
Board Certified Specailist in Sports Physical Therapy
Chair and Professor of Physical Therapy
Southwest Baptist University

Jeffrey Bates, PharmD, BCGP, FMPA
Associate Dean and Associate Professor
School of Pharmacy
Cedarville University

Meghan Farrier-Nolan
Academic & Pre-Health Advisory
Cal Poly College of Science and Mathematics

Pre-Med Lawn Chats

Pre-Med Lawn Chats 
Friday, March 30th 
3:30 - 5:00 PM 
Lawn - Rooms 5, 16, 21, 30, 43, 49

Interested in learning about the medical school application process from your peers? Come chat with pre-med students who have been through the process! 

Chat Topics: 
-Letters of Recommendation 
-Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) 
-School Selection 
-Personal Statement & Essays 
-Conveying Clinical, Research, and Extracurricular Experiences on Your App 
-Admissions Interviewing 

Chats will begin every 15 mins. All years are welcome! No pre-registration! Casual dress. 

Innovator of the Year Award: Dr. W. Jeffrey Elias - 2/27 Ceremony

Innovator of the Year Award Ceremony

Tuesday, February 27th 

3:30 - 5:00 PM

Dome Room, UVA Rotunda

The University of Virginia Licensing and Ventures Group (LVG) has named W. Jeffrey Elias, MD, the 2018 Edlich-Henderson Innovator of the Year, and award given to University faculty members whose research is making a major impact on society. Dr. Elias is recognized for pioneering the use of focused ultrasound to treat essential tremor, and for leading the clinical trial that resulted in Food and Drug Administration approval of the approach to treat the condition.

For more information: https://lvg.virginia.edu/events/innovator-of-the-year-award-ceremony

Hands on Peru

Hands on Peru offers a unique volunteer experience to students who are passionate about global public health. In December 2016, Hands on Peru built Centro de Salu Publica (CESAPI, Center for Public Health) in order to deepen their impact and offer volunteers a more unique experience. CESAPU serves as a community center in the peri-urban community of Villa Los Angeles in Huanchaco, Peru and focuses on human development with a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to good health and wellbeing.

Volunteers experience:

• Participation in CESAPU health campaigns (assisting with triage)
• Full Spanish and cultural immersion
• Rotate in Peruvian hospitals 2x per week
• Attend 3 medical classes per week taught by bi-lingual staff of nurses and doctors to prepare them for what they will see and do in clinics and hospitals
• Attend and assist in vaccination campaigns
• Volunteers with certifications (first aid, phlebotomy, etc.) will have the opportunity to practice under their specific certifications

Upcoming volunteer sessions:

• March 3 - 9
• May 18 - June 22
• June 29 - August 3

Volunteers can apply online at handsonperu.org 

For more information, contact Hannah Maclellan, UVA '18 and Volunteer Coordinator for Hands on Peru at jhm6kk@virginia.edu. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UVA Pre-Health Advising does not endorse specific organizations that sponsor clinical service trips abroad. We recommend all students carefully review organizations prior to enrolling in an international service trip to fully understand the legal, ethical, and safety concerns participants may face when engaging in health-related activities. See the University of Minnesota GAPS Workshop  for more information on how to assess clinical service trips abroad.

UVA Internship Program - Dublin, Ireland - Apply by March 1st!

Gain global healthcare experience and academic credit in Dublin, Ireland this summer!
Applications due March 1st! 

Pre-Health Internship Organizations include:  

Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Cardiac Catheterization Lab
"I was allowed to attend a cardiac catheterization in the cardiac cath lab and stand in the OR with the doctors. I will be attending the early morning weekly surgeons meeting to listen to surgeons discuss upcoming and recently completed procedures."
-- Jack Capra, UVA '18, Chemistry & Religious Studies

Cluain Mchuire Community Mental Health Services, Acute Treatment / Rehabilitation / In-Patient Treatment
"The patients haven't had much luck with medications in helping them recover, so the facility provides services that are geared toward assisting in long-term recovery and skill-building. Patients learn how to interact socially, and basic life skills such as buying food, cooking, and personal hygiene. I got to assist in the cooking class one day! The patients loved it, as did I."
--Kerry Fico, UVA '19, Psychology

Connolly Hospital, Clinical Research
"As an intern, I am able to see the holistic and efficient approach to medicine by working in each compartment of the lab. This allowed me to delve deeper into different career options while simultaneously expanding my knowledge on the particular area of research the lab focuses on."
--Laura Findley, UVA '19, Biology

Spectrum Health, Wellness Programming
"I loved my internship before I even completed my first project. In my role as Content Developer, most of my projects involved writing detailed fitness plans for the new wellness program Spectrum Health is piloting in the fall."
--Ashley Bycowski, UVA '18, Kinesiology 

and more! 


Learn more here.
Questions? Contact Kimberly Link, UVA Career Center, khl3r@virginia.edu

Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine Open House - 4/28

Saturday, April 28th, 2018
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Lynchburg, VA

Prospective students like you will have the opportunity to:

• Meet the deans of LUCOM

• Learn and hear about admissions criteria & class of 2018 demographics residency matches

• Tour state of the art simulation classrooms and facilities

• Learn about their Anatomy Labs and library resources

• Listen to a student panel who will be discussing many things including: highlights of classes, lecture and lab formats, forming study habits and support groups, and the importance of self-care

• Learn about international rotations and service to under served areas.

Register here

AmeriKids Camp Staff Needed

Camp AmeriKids provides a traditional summer camp experience to children living with the challenges of HIV/AIDS and sickle cell disease. They are seeking caring, responsible, energetic, and fun volunteers to serve as counselors.

Camp Session: Saturday, August 4th - Saturday, August 11th

Camp is located in Warwick, NY
Room and board provided

elm-project.org
For further information, please contact Erica at 203-658-9671.

Academic Support & Wellness Resources

The Georges Student Center, 2nd Floor of Clemons Library, is now offering the following Academic Support and Wellness resources!

Support for Calculus I and Chemistry 1410-20 
Sunday - Wednesday, Weekly
3:00 - 7:00 PM
Group Problem Solving Initiative. You can find trained student facilitators in Clemons 203. Offered in partnership with the College of Arts and Sciences.
*The Math Department also continues to offer tutoring in the Academic Commons at Gilmer Hall.

Professional & Study Skills Training Modules
Online learning modules are available to students at studentlingo.com/virginia. These modules cover a variety of topics, including:

• time management
• reading skills
• paper-writing strategies
• goal-setting
• budgeting
• note-taking strategies
• procrastination
• and more...

Create a free account today!

Contemplative Sciences Center Walk-In Sessions
The Georges Center is home to a Mindfulness Room (Rm 220, behind the front desk). The Contemplative Sciences Center is offering a full slate of walk-in sessions 6 days per week, featuring sessions such as

• Mindfulness Monday
• Stress Relief Study Break
• Candlelight Restorative Yoga
• Self-Care Essentials
• Cultivating Resilience
• and much more! 

Check out the Spring 2018 schedule.

2018 AAMC Virtual Medical School Fair

Thursday, 2/15
11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Join the AAMC for the 3rd annual Virtual Medical School Fair! More than 60 schools from the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico are attending.

You'll be able to sign in from your computer or mobile device and chat with representatives from schools, listen to live presentations, and gather resources in a virtual "backpack."

More details, registration, & check out schools attending >>

Did you know? 

• Close to 10,000 students attended last year's event
• In 2017, interview offers were extended based on interactions admissions officers had with applicants at the fair 
• You can chat with reps from schools between 11 AM - 8 PM EST. The virtual booth will be open all day.

Apply to become a UVA Peer Health Educator

PHEs educate on a variety of wellness topics affecting college students including alcohol, sexuality, nutrition, mental wellness, and more. Join the team to present outreach presentations, conduct one-on-one wellness consultations, and be part of larger campaigns like 4th Year 5K and Mental Wellness Screening Day to promote wellbeing on Grounds.

If selected, students are required to successfully complete a 3-credit academic course during Fall 2018 and attend weekly meetings.

Application Deadline: March 2nd, 5:00 PM
Requirements: 1st or 2nd year student

Learn more!
Information Sessions
Monday, 2/19, 6:00 PM, Clark 101
Tuesday, 2/20, 6:30 PM, New Cabell 323
Thursday, 2/22, 6:00 PM, New Cabell 323

Questions? pherecruitment.uva@gmail.com

Apply

Apply to be a member of UVA ADAPT - Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team

ADAPT is recruiting for the next class of dedicated, responsible students who are passionate about the concern of alcohol and other drug abuse at UVA, and also demonstrate a strong commitment to bettering the health of the UVA community!

ADAPT is a group of trained peer educators who aim to prevent substance misuse and abuse on Grounds through interactive outreach programming, education events, and serving as accessible resources for other students. If you're interested in advocating for these topics, presenting outreach presentations on alcohol and other drugs, and becoming part of signature programs like Halloween Safety and the Savvy Foxfield campaign, this is the group for you!

The recruitment process consists of a brief application and an interview. If selected, members must complete a 3-credit hour training course in the fall and attend Monday meetings, 6:30 - 7:30 PM.

Application Deadline: Friday, March 2nd, 5pm
Requirements: 1st or 2nd year student


Learn more!
Information Session
Tuesday, 2/13 or Wednesday, 2/14
7 PM
Clark 102

Questions? Adapt-recruitment@virginia.edu

Apply

Adaptive Recreation Summer Camp Staff Needed

Parks and Recreation of Charlottesville is seeking summer camp staff!

Camp Crow // June 15 - 20
For campers who can safely function in a recreation setting with one staff to five children, can handle their own toileting, dressing, and eating and have a desire to participate. Participants needing more assistance must come with an aide. Camp activities include swimming, arts and crafts, field trips, clubs, talent show, kayaking, and fun, friends, and adventure!

Camp Henry // June 15 - 20
For campers who can safely function in a recreation setting with one staff to five children, can handle their own toileting, dressing, and eating and have a desire to participate. Participants needing more assistance must come with an aide. This camp incorporates leisure activities and pre-vocational opportunities through community volunteer service and recreation. Campers will be given the opportunity to develop lifetime leisure skills, plan community outings, and learn job skills by volunteering with community organizations.

Nature Arts Camp // July 23 - August 3
2 week camp that will contain elements of nature and arts based activities. For young adults / adults who can safely function in a recreation setting with one staff to five children, can handle their own toileting, dressing, and eating and have a desire to participate. Participants needing more assistance must come with an aide. The theme of this camp is Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and the majority of the activities focus on this theme.

APPLY TODAY! 
charlottesville.org/jobs

Eyes on Health, Medicine, & Biases - 2/15

Thursday, February 15th, 2018

1:30 - 3:30 PM

Harrison Institute / Small Collections Library Auditorium

February is Black History Month and the Library is using this year's celebration to
connect the past with the present! 

An investigation into how medical biases against African-Americans hurt all people with panelists:

Dayna Bowen Matthew, UVA School of Law

Dr. Cameron Webb, MD, JD

Michael Williams, MD

Preston Reynolds, MD, PhD

Moderated by Dr. Greg Townsend, MD

Lunch will be served at 1:30pm.
RSVP Required Here

Learn more about the Black (Contemporary) History Month Series

Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) Deadline Approaching!

Overview

The Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) is a FREE, 6-week career enrichment program for pre-health students. The SHPEP summer program is offered at 13 colleges and institutions across the country. The SHPEP application deadline is February 15th. Submit your SHPEP applications here. You will also find all important information concerning the application by following the link.

Additional Information

If you have any last minute questions or concerns you are encouraged to take part in a free live chat with SHPEP representatives from 11 am-8 pm on February 15th. Register here!

Student Leadership Advisory Board Spotlight: Zara Siddiqui, UVA '18

Zara Siddiqui is a 4th year majoring in Psychology and pursuing a career in medicine. She is the President of Women in Medicine Initiatives (WIMI) and has special interest in women's health issues, mental health, and health disparities around the world. 
Her advice for pre-health students:
Remember there are many different paths to get to where you want to be! Not everyone takes the same route and it's okay if your journey is different from someone else's. 
====================================
What is MEDLIFE? 
MEDLIFE is an organization with a mission to provide healthcare and health education to people in areas with low access to resources. MEDLIFE goes beyond physical health care to also provide age and gender specific health education, which is crucial for sustaining positive change in any community. They recruit undergraduate and graduate university student volunteers to staff mobile clinics in Tanzania, Peru, Nicaragua, and Ecuador. According to the MEDLIFE website and World Health Organization, there are less than two doctors for 1,000 people in Latin America because about a quarter of the population live in rural areas that are isolated and don't have the transportation to seek medical care.

How did you learn about MEDLIFE? 
My cousin went on a trip to Lima, Peru and told me about her experience there, and how much it taught her about global health and health disparities. She also had a fantastic time exploring Lima's sand dunes and making new friends. As she was trying to get into dental school, she volunteered in the dental clinic, which helped her learn about dentistry and get hands-on clinical experience. Since I want to go to medical school, I decided it would be a great opportunity to get exposure to healthcare outside the U.S., so I checked out the trips on the MEDLIFE website and signed up for one in Cusco, Peru. I originally didn't know UVA has a MEDLIFE chapter until I actually got there and met one other UVA student! If you ever decide to go on a MEDLIFE trip, check to see if UVA is going as a group so you don't have to travel alone.

What did your experience in this position consist of? Can you describe a typical day?
Day 1: Travel
Day 2: Arrive in Cusco and travel to our hostel, Inka Sol, which is full of gorgeous greenery, cacti, flowers, beautiful tile flooring, and a parrot! Cusco is at a much higher elevation than VA, so it was easy to get out of breath climbing up the stairs. Most of us were taking altitude sickness medication because our bodies weren't used to the change. I met my roommates and we went out to explore and eat at the Plaza de Armas, a bustling square full of shops, restaurants, and a massive cathedral. I had to exchange my American dollars for Peruvian Sols. Everywhere you look there are massive green mountains!
Day 3: Walking Tour all around the city - our guide taught us all about the history of the city and its culture. Turns out, Cusco is the most beautiful city I've ever seen. We then had some free time to explore, so we got some lunch (guinea pig is a Peruvian staple!), ate ice cream, listened to a street band, and explored the cathedral all while taking in the gorgeous sights.
Day 4: Our first excursion was the "reality tour." We all got on a bus to explore the whole city led by MC, who gave us plenty of history lessons. One of our stops was a hospital in Pisac. It wasn't as staffed and as big of a hospital you would see in America, and all the one ambulance had was a stretcher -- no oxygen or medical supplies. If a woman wanted to come to the hospital to give birth, she would have to travel several weeks before her due date and stay in a special living area (made by MEDLIFE) with the family.
Day 5: Clinic Day 1. On our first clinic day, I was on the dental shift and medical shirt where I got to shadow, learn from, and help the physicians. We saw hundreds of patients and the police would bring kids by the truckload to the clinic from school to get checked up. They even put on a show for the kids and made the whole day like a fun festival to encourage families to come.
Day 6: Clinic Day 2. My favorite part of this hot day was working with an OBGYN. It was hard not knowing Spanish, but one of my friends was able to translate everything the doctor said. She had us help her make pap smears and showed us how to do breast exams. The resources were pretty scarce - there was only one sheet covering the examining table that each patient had to use and the only source of light was from the window, but the doctor did her best to provide the best care possible.
Day 7: Community Project. We traveled about an hour to a small rural village called Yuncaypata. The homes didn't have proper floors, ventilation, or electricity. We had the opportunity to help the inhabitants build fireplaces but bricks that we made using naturally found materials like mud, manure, hair, and straw. We learned that the improper ventilation in the houses caused problems like asthma.
Day 8: Clinic Day 3. This was the most crowded and hectic day! There was an enormous amount of people but we managed to implement a system to keep everyone organized. For the more urgent patients, like one man who stumbled over with a huge bleeding gash on his head, they would go straight to the doctor without waiting. Sometimes patients had to wait a while, but we got to see hundreds of patients, which was amazing.
Day 9: Full day excursion at Machu Picchu - a truly unforgettable and breathtaking experience.
Day 10: Travel

Why do you recommend this opportunity for other UVA grads? 
This is a wonderful experience for anyone seeking clinical / patient contact experience or who wants to shadow physicians abroad. It increased my passion for women's health and gave me a greater perspective on the diversity of healthcare systems. You get to experience a new culture, explore a new country, and meet amazing people. Although not necessary for applying to medical school, I would encourage applicants to participate in a program like MEDLIFE or another activity to get exposure to healthcare that's different from what we're accustomed to in America.

Is there anything else you would like to share? 
MEDLIFE has trips during breaks during the semester as well as internships -- check out the website for more information at medlifemovement.org. If you have any questions or want to know more, contact me at zhs5de@virginia.edu.

=======================================================
Pre-Health Advising supports students sharing their clinical experiences; but does not endorse specific organizations that sponsor clinical service trips abroad. We recommend all students carefully review organizations prior to enrolling in an international service trip to fully understand the legal, ethical, and safety concerns participants may face when engaging in health-related activities.

New Online DAT practice tests available from American Dental Association

New online DAT practice tests are now available

The questions were developed by volunteer test constructors who write questions for the actual DAT. There are 8 individual modules available for $20 each and one full practice test for $100. The full test is timed pro-rata with the actual test. The individual modules are not time limited, other than completing within 24 hours. 

Visit this link for more information.

Clinica de Migrantes film screening - 2/6

 

Tuesday, February 6th

6:00 PM

Newcomb Theater

 Film Trailer

Join the Center for Global Health for this important film screening and a panel discussion to follow. Panelists include: 

Sebastian Tello-Trillo is an Assistant Professor of Public Policy and Economics at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy  at the University of Virginia.  His fields of specialization are Health Economics, Applied Microeconomics, and Econometrics. He has an interest in the areas of health policy in the U.S and Latin America.

Harriet Kuhr is Director of the International Rescue Committee's (IRC) Charlottesville office. The IRC responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, and helps people survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Since 1998, Charlottesville has welcomed over 3000 refugees from 32 countries as new members of the community.

Fern R. Hauck is currently Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. She is also the Director of the International Family Medicine Clinic at UVA.  Dr. Hauck's primary research focuses on sudden unexpected infant death, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Tim Cunningham is an Assistant Professor of Nursing, Assistant Professor in the Drama Department, and Director of the Compassionate Care Initiative. He was a professional actor and teacher prior to joining the CNL program at UVA. He has served as a pediatric and adult trauma/emergency nurse while also serving as executive director of Clowns Without Borders, USA.