PPAC: Medical and Dental Winter Enrichment Opportunities
Friday, February 23, 2024
The Pre-Professional Advising Center (P-PAC) encourages students to take advantage of winter and summer breaks to continue
building clinical experiences and expanding their knowledge in the medical and dental
fields throughout the pre-health journey. The P-PAC shares a list of winter and summer
opportunities with the pre-health community and provides students with letters of
recommendation and application support.
The P-PAC selected a group of students from Seton Hall University who had the remarkable opportunity to participate in the Winter M.I.N.D.S (Medical Internship Navigating Diversity and Science) program at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, HMH Center for Discovery and Innovation, and the Gateway to Dentistry Program at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. These programs offered scholars a deep dive into the world of healthcare education, allowing them to tour the medical and dental schools, network with medical students, staff, deans of admissions, and medical doctors within the Hackensack Health Network and gain hands-on experience. Participants were able to get a glimpse of the realities of medical and dental school life, enhancing their aspirations and readiness for their respective journeys.
Lauren Cinquino, Seton Hall University pre-med student, shared her enthusiasm, "I absolutely loved the M.I.N.D.S. program. My favorite part was the anatomy lab, where I got to hold a human heart and lungs in my hands for the first time. Talking to Dean Williams about admissions and what being in the 3-year program entails was also enlightening."
The program's hands-on approach allowed students like Mahika Ganguly, Seton Hall University pre-med student, to immerse themselves in a medical student's environment. "I am really grateful to the P-PAC for informing me of this wonderful program. Participating in my first anatomy lab and seeing a real cadaver was a surreal experience," Mahika reflected.
Prendha Mendez, another Seton Hall University selected pre-med student, highlights
the program's impact on her aspirations, "Being a part of the Winter M.I.N.D.S program
solidified my desire to be a Physician. It was amazing to hear from doctors and staff
of the school, and meeting with the deans of admissions gave us valuable tips for
crafting the best medical school application." While the M.I.N.D.S. program was an
enlightening experience for pre-med students, the P-PAC also encouraged winter experiences
for other pre-health pathways, including dentistry.
Gateway to Dentistry, a distinctive program at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, offers accepted scholars an opportunity to better understand the life of a dental student and explore a wide array of career paths within the dental field. This immersive experience is unique, allowing students to engage in hands-on dental practices usually reserved for those already in dental school, providing a comprehensive introduction to the profession.
Pre-Dental students, including those from Seton Hall, were offered an in-depth look at the dental school's offerings. They engaged with faculty members, explored various dental specialties, understood financial aid options, and received admissions counseling. This created an unparalleled platform for learning and networking, connecting students with key members of the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine community and offering a behind-the-scenes look at the preparation for a successful career in dentistry.
Tanvi Patel, a Seton Hall University pre-dental student, vividly shares her experience, emphasizing the hands-on learning that took place, "This winter, I attended the Gateway to Dentistry Program where we had the opportunity to practice drilling, waxing and making impressions in the preclinical lab." She highlights the practical skills taught, such as placing a rubber dam and performing a root canal on a tooth model, which enriched participants' understanding of dentistry and ignited their passion for the field. Tanvi's journey underscores the value of mentorship and guidance, noting interactions with D4 students that offered a realistic glimpse into dental school life.
The program, as Tanvi's reflections suggest, serves as a pivotal experience for aspiring dentists, providing invaluable insights and encouragement on their path to becoming professionals. By offering direct engagement with dental practices and the broader community at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, the initiative highlights the critical role of experiential learning in shaping the future of dentistry. This highlights the transformative power of immersive educational experiences in guiding and inspiring the next generation of dentists.
The P-PAC's initiative of engaging Seton Hall University students in the M.I.N.D.S program at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine and the Gateway to Dentistry Program at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine underscores a strategic effort to utilize academic breaks for enhancing students' knowledge and skills in the medical and dental fields. These programs offer invaluable hands-on experiences and networking opportunities that deepen participants' understanding of their future professions. By providing a realistic glimpse into the day-to-day life of medical and dental students, as well as engagement with professionals in these fields, these initiatives significantly contribute to preparing aspiring healthcare professionals for the challenges and rigors of medical and dental school, ultimately enhancing their readiness and aspirations for their respective careers.
These programs provide our students with an opportunity to better prepare themselves for their future in healthcare and learn the dynamics of various fields of medicine. The P-PAC meets with students to ensure they are gathering meaningful experiences as they prepare for medical and dental school. We encourage you to stay involved with the P-PAC to explore additional experiences and summer opportunities.
Categories: Health and Medicine
