Talking Admissions And Med Student Life

What is WWAMI? What are the similarities between the University of Utah School of Medicine and the WWAMI program? What is the TRUST program? I interviewed Dr. Mary Barinaga, Assistant Dean for Regional Affairs, Idaho WWAMI Medical Education Program at the University of Washington School of Medicine. We discuss the benefits of attending a program with a five state partnership, why there is “no perfect recipe” for those applying to the program, and what changes are on the horizon within the WWAMI curriculum.

What does it feel like to move to Utah after spending your entire life in Florida? What is life like for a first year med student here at the University of Utah School of Medicine? How does a pizza become the “ultimate currency”? I interviewed Brian, a rising second year med student here at the UUSOM. We discuss his “life changing experience of coming to Utah,” how he chose to share his med school passion with his classmates, and what it’s like to grow up working in the pizza industry.

Known as the “Concierge” of the Dean’s Office here at the University of Utah School of Medicine, Student Affairs has one simple focus: “To shepherd medical students from the beginning of school through and after graduation.” I interviewed Dr. Adam Stevenson, Dean of Student Affairs here at the UUSOM, to find out not only what is Student Affairs, but how they lead students to meet and exceed their goals on the path to the Match and beyond.

Why should you consider Emergency Medicine? What is the biggest misconception about being an ER doctor? What can one expect when entering the Emergency Medicine Residency Program, here at the University of Utah School of Medicine? I interviewed Dr. Megan Fix, the Associate Residency Program Director of Emergency Medicine here at the UUSOM. We discuss her path to becoming an ER doctor, the ins and outs of the residency program, and why “you’ve got to make learning sticky.”

What makes Brigham Young University or BYU, different or unique as an institution? How does BYU help students “make an educated and informed decision” when choosing a health professions path? I interviewed Dr. David Keiser, pre-med advisor at BYU, to discuss what services are provided to students, how preview courses aid in making informed decisions, and what “shadowing on steroids” means in a health professions internship.

As accepted students prepare to enter medical school, there are undoubtedly many questions, fears, and anticipation of what lies ahead. I interviewed Missy, who has now graduated into her second year of medical school, to find out what her first year was like. What was her greatest surprise during her first year? What were the greatest and worst moments? Why is it important to “know yourself well and know that you can do it?” How does a former BMX (Bicycle Motocross) professional choose to go to medical school?

With a work-life balance that leads to the lowest career burnout, and the highest in overall life satisfaction, Occupational Medicine offers a lifestyle that contributes to a healthy & happy career. I interviewed Dr. Eric Wood, Residency Director of Occupational Medicine here at the UUSOM. We discuss what Occupational Medicine is, how the field is experiencing substantial growth, and “the breadth of opportunity you have for influencing people’s lives” in a diverse career path.

“The path to success depends on your performance and the attitude you bring with you.” Here at the UUSOM, professionalism is promoted throughout the curriculum to provide a community of learners the tools to become the “best residency physician out there.” Providing academic resources to ensure success, active attention to students and where they’re at, and looking at people doing well and figuring out how to make them better, is the goal of the Office of Professionalism, Evaluation and Learning (OPEL). I interviewed Dr. Barbara Cahill, Dean of OPEL to discuss what professionalism is, the best ways medical students learn and how OPEL plays an integral part of a medical students journey here at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

What is the largest and only population guaranteed the right to healthcare in the United States? What environment is the safest for a healthcare provider? How does a physician start on one path, but end up entirely on another? I interviewed Dr. Todd Wilcox, Director of the Utah Correctional Healthcare System. We discuss his path to correctional healthcare, what the system looks like and how “intellectually, it is a fascinating field for a physician.”

Do you have a passion for Global Health and want to become involved? What was the philosophical change in Global Health during the past few years? How do you make a difference in the world of International Medicine? DeVon Hale, MD, sits down with me to discuss these topics and more. Discover what opportunities are available to students who want to get involved and how the goal of Global Health is “not to set up a clinic and take care of patients, our goal is to learn from them and teach them”. Finally, we discuss the best ways to prepare yourself to stay as healthy as possible when traveling abroad.

What is life like for a second year med student preparing to take the boards? How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance here at the University of Utah School of Medicine? I interviewed Liz, a second year medical student here at UUSOM, to find out what preparation goes into studying for the boards in 2014. We also discuss how the second year of med school compares to the first, and why it’s important to “make good habits early.”

What is Radiation Oncology? How is it different from Diagnostic Radiology? How does a physician face cancer everyday? I interviewed Dr. Matthew Poppe, Residency Director for Radiation Oncology at UUSOM (Huntsman Cancer Hospital). We discuss the rapidly growing field of Radiation Oncology, what a day in the life of a Radiation Oncologist looks like and, when treating patients with cancer on a daily basis, how to “see it as a privilege rather than a burden.”

Nestled just 41 miles south of Salt Lake City Utah, UVU is host to the state’s largest student population. With a diverse student body, expanding campus, large premed club and state of the art science building, Utah Valley University has much to offer students interested in pursuing a path to medical school. I interviewed UVU’s premed advisor, Kristen Anderson, to discuss what services her office offers, the importance of getting involved early on in the educational process and how “those that are really serious and get engaged” seem to flourish in their goal of pursuing medicine. Additionally, we talk about her love of the band Metallica, and why she is known as a “Metal Head.”

What is the relationship between Idaho and the University of Utah School of Medicine? Why did one of our graduates choose family medicine? What is the IMA? I interviewed Dr. Bridgette Baker to discuss what attracted her to the UUSOM, how the path to family medicine was based on “wanting more long term relationship based care”, and finally, how her involvement in the Idaho Medical Association (IMA) is putting her on the leading edge of Medicaid redesign, legislature hearings and future policies for Idaho physicians and patients alike.

What do fly fishing, biochem and research all have in common? Here at the UUSOM, a current MD/PHD student named Kris has a passion for each of these. I sat down with him to talk about how his interest in research began, what led him to the path of becoming an MD/PHD, and why it is important find a balance between the rigorous demands of the program and personal interests.

What are the common questions you’ve always wanted ask a dermatologist? What is Mohs surgery? I sat down with former classmate and dermatologist, Dr. Jason Hansen to ask him what everyone wants to know when it comes to ear piercing, gauges, tanning salons and more. Learn how his “love of surgery with the love of skin” led him to his specialty choice here at the University of Utah School of Medicine and what makes Mohs surgery unique.

Do you have a passion for pediatrics? What is EPAC ? What is the Glasgow Team and how does it set University of Utah School of Medicine students apart from other medical schools? I interviewed Dr. James Bale, residency program director for Pediatrics at UUSOM (at Primary Children’s Hospital) to discuss the impact that EPAC has on the students in “exploring the elements of what it is to be a pediatrician”, how the Glasgow team teaches students to be pediatric interns, and what qualities are looked for in up-and-coming residents.

Just 82 miles north of Salt Lake City near the eastern edge of scenic Cache Valley lies Logan Utah, home to Utah’s largest public residential campus, Utah State University. I interviewed Yvonne Kobe and Andy Anderson, PhD, Premedical Advisors at USU to talk about what it’s like to be a premed student at Utah State, what services are offered to students applying to med school and how important it is to “get connected quickly in your freshman year.”

What do volunteering, molecules cells & cancer (MCC), cardiothoracic surgery and Dansko clogs all have in common? A third year med student here at the University of Utah School of Medicine explains how. I interviewed Amalia, AKA the “budding surgeon”, to discuss how she prepared for med school, what she experienced in her first two years as a med student and how her passion for cardiothoracic surgery came about. Discover the vast array of opportunities that the UUSOM offers students and why the type of footwear a med student wears is important.

How is biochemistry taught here at the University of Utah School of Medicine? What is "Breaking Bread"? What is it that excites students about getting a free McDonald’s breakfast on a certain Fall morning? I interviewed Janet Lindsley, Ph.D and Associate Professor of Biochemistry at the UUSOM to discuss the importance of teaching from a physiological perspective and “getting students to visualize what’s happening in the body and at what times.” Woven throughout the curriculum, students experience a wide variety of hands on lessons including a blood glucose lab morning that entices the hungry with a free McDonald’s breakfast, to a more formal tradition of Breaking Bread in Phase I with faculty leaders to share food and healing traditions.