dentist, a nurse, an occupational therapist, and an administrator, just to name a few. Students rotated between different stations and had a set amount of time to ask questions.”
“is that 25 percent of kids attending aren’t necessarily interested in becoming a doctor. We have kids who want to be teachers, lawyers, and marketing specialists. Whether they end up in healthcare or not, the experiences they have in pre-med will give them life skills. The students run the club–they ask the doctors and other professionals to help. They learn responsibility.” When asked why he was willing to sacrifice his time to help students at NPHS, Wray said, “I like to mentor young people. Personally, it took me a while to
One physician who shared her expertise during the speed dating activity was Dr. Wendy Gosnell, at Gosnell Family Medicine. “I have known Elleigh [Fisher] since she was born,” said Gosnell. “I have not only seen her as a patient; she has also shadowed me at the
Dr.Wendy Gosnell
office. When she asked me
decide what I wanted to do with my career. Originally, I wanted to work with large animals as a veterinarian. I think if I would have been given opportunities to try other things, I might have been able to avoid wasted time, classes, and student loans.” Fisher, who graduates this spring from NPHS, was accepted into the Rural Health Opportunities (RHOP) Program. “I have learned a lot from shadowing Dr. Wray and Dr. Gosnell,” said Fisher, “and serving as the founder and president of the pre-med club has really solidified my desire to become a physician.”
to participate, I was happy to do so.” During the activity, Gosnell shared with students what being a family practice doctor is all about. “Family practice is care for all family members, no matter their age,’’ said Gosnell. “Other specialties focus on a specific group. Often when young people say they want to be a doctor, they haven’t considered that there are many different types of physicians. I think it was valuable to students to have conversations about these different specialties. Hopefully it helped them narrow down their choices and find what felt like a good fit.”
“It’s very rewarding to help out. Investing into the next generation of healthcare providers is one of the best things we can do. The more exposure students have to medicine, the better,” said Jacobson. –Dr. Nathan Jacobson
When asked what advice she has for young people looking for a career in
Jacobson, who was also a panelist at the speed dating activity, said, “People see nurses and doctors and see those as very divergent pathways–and in some ways they are; but they have the same concept: medicine. If you look at healthcare, there is going to be an area you will find you like and fit in. It has a place for just about anyone. You don’t have to be a physician with long years of schooling. Scrub techs, OR techs, nurses–they get to be in the operating room every day. Committing to medical school isn’t the only way to work in medicine.”
medicine, Gosnell said, “Explore all options. Try to get out there and see as many physicians in their job and specialty as possible, and ask a lot of questions.” “Shadow someone–find a program at a hospital, nurses, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, and physicians,” added Jacobson. “Don’t limit yourself to one field–you might find out there is a better fit somewhere else. And when you find what clicks, take it with both hands and run.”
“One of the coolest things about the pre-med club,” said Wray,
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