Optometry is a health care profession dedicated to examining the eyes and applicable vision systems for abnormalities or defects, as well as prescribing glasses and contacts. Modern day optometry involves the diagnosis and management of ocular diseases.

Jordyn Robarge ’19

• Bachelor of Science in Biology, Augsburg University
• Current student at the New England College of Optometry in Boston, MA, studying to become a Doctor of Optometry ’23
• Tri-Beta, URGO research, Interfaith Scholars

Why did you choose optometry as your field of study?

“I choose optometry as a career because of my passion for vision! Preserving and protecting the sight of patients is an honor and a privilege. Additionally, I really enjoy working with people and using evidence based medicine to help improve the lives of patients in any way I can.”

What experiences at Augsburg helped you make that decision?

“My URGO research experience really helped me develop an understanding and appreciation for the research process, while indicating to me that my skill set was more applicable to a career that involved more personal interaction. If you have a passion for science, but a need for more personal interaction than a lab might provide, consider a field of medicine!”

How did you choose the optometry programs you applied to? What were you looking for?

“When choosing an optometry school, I think there are three important factors to consider: location, clinical experience, and cost. I believe location is important because it will be your home for four years! After living in Minneapolis while attending Augsburg, I had become accustomed to city living, so moving to Boston felt like a natural step for me. Clinical experience and education is important because that’s what differs most between schools. I chose NECO because they have great diversity in patient populations and a wide clinical network for external rotations. Optometry school is a very large investment, and minimizing debt is a goal. Consider the cost of living in the area of the school and the cost of tuition.”

What did you appreciate most about your academic experiences?

“The most valuable and applicable skill I developed at Augsburg that I’ve carried into my graduate studies is the ability to evaluate the quality of research. While developing my knowledge base as a clinician, I always consider the quality and quantity of the evidence that supports the medical application. Additionally, I find that a liberal arts education has provided me with a greater appreciation for all areas of study (especially ethics and sociology) that I believe makes for a more well-rounded health care provider.”

What Advice would you give to prospective optometry students?

“I would recommend that prospective optometry students gain a solid understanding of how to evaluate the quality of research as well as develop a base knowledge of optics and neurobiology while in undergrad. Additionally, start early with applying for school and taking the OAT (entrance exam required for optometry school admission). Gaining some direct patient care experience is very helpful as well, especially at an optometric practice if at all possible! My experience as an optician prior to optometry school has proved very valuable.”

The post Advice From Alumni: Careers in Optometry appeared first on Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity.

Dentistry, or dental medicine and oral medicine, is a healthcare profession that consists of the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the dental cavity. Dental treatments are carried out by a dental team, which often consists of a dentist and dental auxiliaries, such as dental hygienists, dental assistants, dental technicians, and dental therapists.

Abigale “Abby” Enrici ’18

• Bachelor of Science in Biology, Augsburg University
• Currently a student at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, studying to be a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) ’23.
• Women’s Soccer Team, honors program, helped start the pre dental club and also ran as an officer multiple years, summer and semester research opportunities, TA/tutor and AugSem leader.

“I took a gap year and started dental school in August of 2019.  Not many people know this, but dental school is one of the more expensive professional schools to attend. Most students graduate with quite a bit of loans. I am lucky to have the Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP) Scholarship. I have this scholarship through the US Navy and they pay for my school for all 4 years of dental school, they pay me a monthly stipend of about $2000, and they also reimburse materials such as books and loupes. To pay the Navy back, I will go to Officer Development School (ODS) for 6 weeks either during school or after graduation and then I will be a dentist in the Navy for a minimum of 4 years. I am so excited for this adventure when it comes.”

Why did you choose dentistry as your field of study?

“At a pretty young age I knew I wanted to go into the medical field. I was one of the lucky few that knew what they wanted to do “when they grew up”. Going to get physicals as a child or visiting the ER occasionally either for my sisters or myself, I didn’t think that was something I wanted to do. When I was in 7th grade I got braces put on and didn’t get them taken off until my sophomore year of high school. Going to the orthodontist office was an amazing experience and it truly made me happy (sounds so cheesy). Even going to the dentist as a child I really enjoyed going because they would take polaroid pictures of my sisters and I after our cleaning and hang it on the wall and we could pick something from the treasure box. Given I have never had a cavity, I did not need much dental work as a child, so that probably played into why I could have had a good experience. Anyways, I will stop ranting, basically I was very interested in dentistry after braces and the more I started to look into and shadow doctors, the more interested and fascinated I became. It’s a profession where it has the flexibility of owning your own practice or going to work for someone else. It has nice hours where I can have a family in the future and enjoy time with them, I get to work with my hands, it’s very detail oriented and it’s an art form. There is also a huge creative aspect of dentistry and that is something I have really come to love as well”

What experiences at Augsburg helped you make that decision?

“Catherina Kipper! But in all seriousness, I knew I wanted to go to dental school before I met Catherina, however she really helped point me in the right direction of different opportunities that really solidified that I wanted to go into dentistry. I also had some experiences that helped me know what I didn’t want to do. For example I was a personal care assistant for a summer, and this may be one of the most emotional and physical tolling jobs I have done and I will forever praise the people that do this work because it is NOT easy, but I knew it was not for me. I also had many research experiences, which with research you really need to celebrate the small victories, because you don’t always get big victories. This has also taught me to do this in dental school because like everything else we have good days and bad days, but dental school is not easy and celebrating those small victories really help prevent burnout in my opinion. However, I know now that research is also not really my forte.”

How did you choose the dental programs you applied to? What were you looking for?

“I chose the dental programs I applied to mostly based on location. I applied to places that I wanted to live or could see myself living. The school’s prerequisites were also a factor of where I applied. For example, I did not take gross anatomy, so I did not apply to the dental schools that required gross anatomy as a pre-req. I applied to 7 schools and interviewed at 3 and was accepted to 2. Minnesota and Chicago. At the time I had applied as an Illinois resident so if I did not have the Navy scholarship I would have maybe gone to Chicago to get in-state tuition, but since I did not have to really worry about tuition I picked MN because I like the state of MN better. I also then applied for residency in MN and am receiving in-state tuition here now too.”

What did you appreciate most about your academic experiences?

“SMALL CLASS SIZES! I really missed this part once I started dental school. Our dental school class size is now about 120 people. When we first started out, one of the most frustrating experiences was when the professor would come into the lecture hall ready to lecture and would begin to speak and other students would continue to talk to the point you could not hear the professor. I had never experienced this before at Augsburg because with maybe 30 people in a class it was never this loud or overwhelming. At Augsburg, it was also very nice to have professors know you by name and to have things be a little more personable. Even though we do not have lectures with 600 people in dental school, 120 people is still a lot so most professors did not learn our names. Now this is becoming a little different as I start in the clinic, our color groups (smaller groups of about 20-30 students) and the faculty members in our color groups are beginning to learn our names.”

What advice would you give to prospective dental students?

“Oh boy, I know this is easy to say now because I am here, but enjoy your time in undergrad. And if you take any gap year(s), enjoy your time then as well! I know things seem busy now and stressful, but honestly things only get busier. So try to enjoy the free time you have now and try not to stress too much. Also, not trying to scare anyone away from dentistry/dental school, but burnout is real! Before going to dental school make sure it is something you really want to do and remember why, because there will be days that you second guess yourself and bring yourself down, but just remember that reason of why you are doing it to reground and motivate yourself to keep moving! Becoming a dentist in the end is so worth it and you can do it if you really want to, I believe in you!”

The post Advice from Alumni: Careers in Dentistry appeared first on Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity.

Dr. Meghan Soler ’17

• Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Augsburg University
• Softball, AugSem Leader, URGO Research
• Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of Minnesota
• “I am now currently enrolled in the University of Minnesota Geriatric Residency for one year of more specialized training.”

Zach Juaire ’19

• Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, Augsburg University
• Exercise Science Club, URGO Research, Florence Scholar
• Pursuing Doctor of Physical Therapy, Des Moines University

Why did you choose physical therapy as your field of study?

• “My best work environment is one where I am physically active, working with people, and problem-solving constantly. After shadowing a physical therapist before my first year at Augsburg, it helped me realize that physical therapy was a perfect fit for these qualities.” – Meghan
• “People measure the quality of their life by being able to engage in meaningful pursuits. As a physical therapist, I have the opportunity to help individuals regain or re-imagine how they achieve this goal.” – Zach

What experiences at Augsburg helped you make that decision?

• “I had already decided that I wanted to be a physical therapist before coming to Augsburg. However, Augsburg Biology’s emphasis on understanding research, my discussions with Augsburg’s health professions counselor, and further shadowing during my undergraduate career solidified this decision.” – Meghan
• “Being in the Exercise Science major gave me valuable insights to knowledge and skills that are highly correlated with the core components of physical therapy. Participating in URGO summer research gave me an opportunity to gather, analyze, and interpret current evidence in my area of interest. As well as, get to know new colleagues in my field.” – Zach

How did you choose the PT programs you applied to? What were you looking for?

• “I was not interested in moving out of the Twin Cities at the time of applying, and I therefore applied to the University of Minnesota and St. Catherine’s, which are both excellent programs nearby Augsburg’s campus. I would suggest requesting a campus tour from programs that you are interested in- this will give you a good feel for whether the program is a good fit for you or not.” – Meghan
• “I wanted to apply to as many schools as I could, so that I could give myself the best opportunity to get into the field that I love. After getting the opportunity to interview with several fantastic schools, I took some time to reflect on the campuses I visited, the opportunities each curriculum had, and most importantly, the dedication that the faculty members outlined for student success.” – Zach

What did you most appreciate about your academic experiences?

• “I did and still do appreciate that I had excellent mentors, professors, health profession counselors, and advisors throughout my time at Augsburg. Neither of my parents graduated college, so the quality advice that I received from those people throughout my academic career gave me the knowledge and resources I needed to succeed in my undergraduate and doctoral studies.” – Meghan
• “The faculty at Augsburg, across the board, is fantastic! Augsburg provides a network of peers and faculty members that will rally behind you when you need them and they’re there to praise you in all your successes. Even after you’ve graduated and moved on from Augsburg, you can still feel the support that they have for their students and alumni.” – Zach

What advice would you give to prospective PT students?

• “First, shadow as many different kinds of PTs as possible if you are interested in the field: orthopedics, hospitals, nursing homes, everything! It really can help you find a type of PT that you are passionate about. Second, work out what the financial aspect of PT school will look like for you. It is a big financial investment, but one that I found very worth it. Finally and most importantly, learn how best to take care of yourself and your mental health. Find things that decrease your stress level and prioritize them, and you and your career will benefit long-term.” – Meghan
• “Getting into PT school is a process! Start early, research the requirements that schools are asking for and set yourself up for success. A phrase I recall from a professor at Augsburg was, “Plan your work and work your plan.” These words have never been more true. Getting into PT school can seem like a menacing feat, but if you utilize your Augsburg community, put in the time and effort things will start to fall in place!” – Zach

The post Advice from Alumni: Careers in Physical Therapy appeared first on Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity.

What is JSI by PPIA?

• An intensive seven-week graduate-level preparation program for undergraduate juniors committed to public service careers.
• JSI was made to address the lack of diversity in professional public service.
• Its purpose is to prepare its fellows to obtain a master’s degree in public policy, public administration, international affairs, or a related field.

This program is an incredible opportunity for all majors as many disciplines relate to public policy. To illustrate PPIA’s remarkable impact, we asked two students to share their experiences in the program.

Augsburg Experience

Zakariya Abdullahi ’21 and Natalya Arevalo ’20 both majored in political science with a second major on the side (international affairs and philosophy, respectively). While balancing major coursework, these two students also became deeply involved in campus life. Abdullahi served as the president of the Pan-Afrikan Student Union (PASU), a head justice for Day Student Government, and an editor for The Echo (Augsburg’s student newspaper). Arevalo served on the board for Augsburg Latin American Students (ALAS) and founded the student group Women for Political Change. Their interest in social change and public policy made them perfect candidates for PPIA.

“I had very close friends at Augsburg and Hamline who did it. They told me I had to apply,” recalled Abdullahi about his initial exposure to PPIA. He did his own online research and, based on the graduate school skills the program promised, decided to apply. Arevalo, on the other hand, received an email from URGO with general information about PPIA. She had a general meeting with Dixie Shafer, the director of URGO, to learn more and was drawn to the research opportunity embedded in the program. “I knew I’d be doing my senior thesis the year after, and that [PPIA] would be give good skills to complete it,” Arevalo said.

Why UMN’s program?

An important part of the PPIA application process is choosing where to complete the program. JSI is hosted at five participating universities: Carnegie Mellon University, Princeton University, University of California Berkeley, University of Michigan, and University of Minnesota. Both Arevalo and Abdullahi chose the University of Minnesota, which hosts the program in the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, for its focus on community. “I wanted to be directly tied to my community and to be able to make an impact at home. Community is important – if you don’t have that connection, you can’t build it,” Abdullahi said about his choice. Arevalo’s sentiment was similar; UMN was the only PPIA partner school that mentioned social justice and community work which made her choice clear.

A Typical Day

Arevalo attended JSI in 2019 while Abdullahi completed the program virtually in 2020. Although their programs happened at two very different times, they completed the same amount of hard work and learning. Our two Auggie alums describe it as “grad school bootcamp.” The seven-week intensive begins with a weeklong orientation before coursework commences. JSI fellows are busy from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with 2-3 classes during the day and cohort study sessions in the evening. Additionally, various workshops and speakers break up courses during the day, targeted at building career skills and strengthening relationships between students. A few of Abdullahi’s favorites from last summer were a speaker session about education in Africa and a House of Representatives simulation conducted by the students. The biggest piece of advice Abdullahi and Arevalo offer about attending JSI? Do not have a job.

Why PPIA?

What makes JSI worth all that hard work? Arevalo and Abdullahi say the skills, opportunities, and networking PPIA provides are invaluable. “I took classes I never would’ve taken in undergrad. [They] made grad school feel doable,” said Abdullahi. He also says that he honed his writing and research skills. Networking is another important part of PPIA; fellows build deep relationships with their peers and are connected to an expansive network of alumni. “I’m still in contact with some of my classmates,” said Arevalo. “Having conversations about careers with people of a similar mindset makes my network huge and inspiring.” The largest advantage of PPIA, however, is the significant financial advantage it gives its students to enter graduate school.  PPIA offers fee waivers for schools in their consortium, as well as substantial scholarships that can reach upwards of 50% to full rides. Abdullahi is extremely grateful for this assistance. “Without PPIA, I wouldn’t be going to grad school,” he said.

Advice for Current Auggies

Arevalo and Abdullahi offer advice to future applicants:

• Apply! “Just apply even if you think you can’t. I didn’t think I would get it and here I am,” says Abdullahi. “I would encourage especially Black kids to apply. I know when I went last year I was the only Black man and that needs to change.”
• Use it as an opportunity to shape your future. “[Your future plans] do not have to be set in stone. PPIA is about identifying strengths and how to best use them. It doesn’t pigeonhole you,” advises Arevalo.
• Lastly, take advantage of PPIA’s resources. “Don’t take it for granted. There’s more to it than a good resume item. Learn about other people, connect with professors, and learn the content,” implores Abdullahi.

Interested in applying? Find application information on and contact the URGO office (urgo@augsburg.edu) for help with your application!

The post The Advantages of PPIA: Advice from Natalya Arevalo ’20 and Zakariya Abdullahi ’21 appeared first on Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity.

“I came into Augsburg knowing I was going to major in international affairs and political science, but the study abroad opportunity in Tanzania, being in rural Tanzania learning a language and being with a cohort of other students who were just as passionate about the language and about international affairs, was what really propelled me to take up other opportunities when I returned,” said Abdul.

Through URGO, Abdul was awarded a David L. Boren Scholarship to study in Swahili in Tanzania in 2018. He also received the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study in South Africa and Namibia in 2019. While in Namibia, he interned with the Namibia Institute for Democracy as a research assistant focusing on civic engagement and anti-corruption mechanisms in the country.

“They took us to South Africa, which has a lot of south Asian – especially Malaysian and Indonesian – influence, especially in Cape Town,” said Abdul. “In both programs, I also met a Fulbright scholar, so that’s how I learned the on-the-ground real realities of what you need to be a Fulbright student.”

Abdul used URGO resources to apply for the Fulbright award.

“There’s a way to articulate yourself and show experiences necessary to be a Fulbright student. Instead of you being alone and just applying and submitting something, URGO took the time – almost five months – of working on this application. We also had campus interviews with Augsburg faculty and staff to see ‘why are you doing this, why are you passionate about this.’ That was all really helpful with the process.”

Abdul will go to rural Malaysia as an English teaching assistant to teach secondary school students through the Fulbright program. As a refugee from Kenya who speaks multiple languages, Abdul understands the challenges and rewards of learning a second language and is excited to provide his Malaysian students with skills to be change agents in their communities.

Abdul hopes to one day pursue a career in international development, focusing on economic advancement.

The post URGO Student Spotlight | Abdulkadir Sharif ’20 appeared first on Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity.

“My mom believed URGO was a helpful program,” said Kelly.

Kelly enrolled at Augsburg and initially planned to follow a medical track. She didn’t have a clear direction in high school about what she wanted to major in, but her mom thought the medical field would hold promising work.

While in a class with professor Dr. Vivian Feng, Kelly learned about biochemistry. And she found her calling.

“Biology tells you facts. Chemistry tells you how that happens. I was more interested in why things happen, so I changed my major from biology to biochemistry.”

Currently, Kelly is on a research project with Dr. Feng on identifying common DNA modifications on gill cells of trout fish upon exposure to nanoparticles from lithium-ion batteries.

“I have been working with Vivian since the summer of my freshman year. Our lab is part of the Center for Sustainable Technology funded by the NSF, where I get to study nanomaterials and living organisms like animals and plants.”

Because of this project, Kelly is able to collaborate with the graduate laboratory at the University of Minnesota. She says the most valuable part of working with that lab is she gets a chance to experience graduate-level lab work while still at Augsburg. And with her plans to go on to graduate school after earning her bachelor’s degree at Augsburg, this is a major benefit to Kelly.

“This project has dragged my interest to public health. What we’re doing at Augsburg is more related to what they’re doing at the U of M graduate labs, we’re using their methods.”

COVID-19 disrupted Kelly’s work initially, but the quick pivot from Augsburg’s Chemistry and Biology departments to remote teaching kept her work on track.

“Last summer, we didn’t get anything done in the lab, it was all virtual. At the end of July, we started on this project. It’s a little discontinuous because of limited access to the lab. But I’m now able to work in both labs, Augsburg and the U of M.”

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Gregg pinpoints her time on the soccer team and her research experiences to be the most significant parts of her time at Augsburg. She took part in four different research projects through URGO, study abroad, and the University of Minnesota. The most instrumental was a month and a half spent in Uganda with then biology faculty member Dr. Kevin Potts researching chimpanzee habitats as a Sundquist Scholar. The relationship she formed with Dr. Potts became core support in her pursuit of veterinary medicine; while Gregg had always wanted to go to vet school, her time with Potts sparked a passion for field work and research.

Because her interests became both academic and practical in nature, Gregg applied for multiple DVM/PhD programs as these combine Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and PhD degrees. She did not get accepted into those programs, but her nontraditional approach to veterinary medicine made her stand out in her DVM applications and she received multiple acceptances. Her diverse research experience and wildlife interest made her unique in comparison to other applicants. Gregg also believes that her focus on public health and belief that all health is connected gave her an edge.

Regarding applying for veterinary schools, Gregg has specific advice for undergraduates.

• Students should log as many shadowing hours as they can with many types of veterinarians.
• Programs want to see diversity in your experiences and interests. Pursue passions outside of being a vet so that you can continue to connect with other people throughout school and your career! Students who emphasize their authenticity in essays show a well-rounded applicant who has the capability to be a personable professional.
• Students should highlight their flexibility in learning and ideas. The field of veterinary medicine is going through a transition period, and schools will be looking for innovation and want to change and shape the field.

She also has crucial guidance for students who are accepted and about to begin at vet school.

• Every year students are expected to learn a larger amount of knowledge in smaller amounts of time; know that the learning gets easier.
• In Gregg’s own words, “C’s get degrees. Focus on enjoying the experience and diving in.”
• While many medical students tend to be high achievers, Gregg believes that high standards are the enemy and encourages students to not aim for perfection. They should aim on making a difference in whatever way works for them.
• Finally, Gregg emphasizes being a caring doctor. “Be the best doctor you can be, unaffected by the grades you received,” she says. “Personal skills are more important than anything else.”

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Advice from Andrea Dvorak, Assistant Director of Augsburg’s Center for Global Education

What are the benefits of applying for a Boren scholarship?

There are a number of great benefits! First of course is the opportunity to build some serious 2nd language skills – these can really be critical in many fields in your future. Second is the money! Winning a Boren Scholarship means potentially removing any worries about the cost of a study abroad experience. Third is the “plus sign” you get in Federal government work – these jobs have great pay and benefits, and can mean a world of professional opportunities, even after your service period is over, either inside or outside the government. Finally, just putting in the time and effort to writing a Boren application, refining and clarifying your thoughts in a succinct and persuasive way, is great practice for grad school and fellowship applications, even jobs! 

Want to know how to get started with Boren? 

There are lots of great resources at Augsburg for students interested in Boren! For example, check out the we hosted in Fall 2020 with a Boren representative. Another place to start is the Boren awards homepage, where you can learn more about which languages are approved, essay questions and tips on applying, and the kinds of federal jobs you can apply for afterward. Another great resource is the Study Abroad/Away office staff – they can help you identify programs abroad that meet the Boren requirements. You can make an or just send your question to abroad@augsburg.edu. Finally, staff in URGO can assist with your essays to make your application as strong as possible by contacting them at urgo@augsburg.edu. Remember that Augsburg has an internal deadline for undergraduate applications of  January 20th, 2021. Submitting by this date ensures that staff from Study Abroad/Away and URGO will have time to review your essays for feedback. The national deadline is February 3rd, 2021. For more information, visit .

An Auggie’s Boren Experience

Every Boren experience looks incredibly different depending on the language and program a student applies for. One program we can offer a closer look at comes from Shamsa Ahmed, a senior at Augsburg who completed her Boren experience in the fall of 2019. In an interview with our office, Shamsa offers a look into her application process and advice for those thinking of applying.

What Boren scholarship did you receive?

I got the Boren Scholarship for the African Languages Flagship Initiative (AFLI) which is a language study program. The language I chose was Kiswahili and we had a 4-month intensive language training in Arusha, Tanzania, with 2 months prior at the University of Florida. I applied my sophomore year with the help of URGO and ended up getting it!

Why did you choose to apply for Boren?

I chose to apply for Boren because I wanted to reconnect with Swahili, which I had forgotten since I came to America. I also want to work in East Africa in the future and knew this was a great place to start.

What are your future goals and how does your experience with Boren play a role in those plans?

I want to pursue a career in peace building and conflict resolution in East Africa. One of the languages of the African Union is Swahili, which my Boren was necessary for. I would also like to work with USAID for my year of service.

What was your favorite part of your Boren experience in Tanzania?

My ultimate highlight was definitely living with my host family. I was blessed with an amazing host mother and siblings; I truly felt so welcomed in the country and at home. My host siblings became my first friends, and they helped me get over a lot of bumps in the first few weeks!

Was the language training effective? How fluent did you become and is that fluency still intact?

I think the training was really effective. Starting 2 months in Florida prior to going to Tanzania was really helpful. This helped us be familiar with the language and learn the basics. When we arrived in Tanzania, there was really no way of escaping the language because it is everywhere. We had a language pledge which meant we couldn’t speak English at all whether we were at school or home. None of the staff of the school we allowed to speak to us in English. I placed one step under fluency which is really amazing considering only learning the language for 6 months.

What did you study beyond Swahili while in Tanzania?

Beyond Swahili, I was really immersed in the community. I tried to really seek out my own cultural excursions outside of the program. I helped at a cafe which served students with disabilities. I also went to the villages of friends and other host families.

Why should students apply for Boren? What pieces of advice would you give an applicant and a recipient of the award?

I believe students should apply for Boren because it is a wonderful opportunity to learn a language and immerse yourself in cultures unknown to you. I want to urge more students of color to apply for programs like these because they severely lack people like us. If we don’t go after programs like these, we will never be able to have the same opportunities.

The post Boren Language Awards: Why you should consider applying appeared first on Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity.

Gherau grew up in Eden Prairie and graduated from Augsburg with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. While he enjoyed his time as an Auggie, specifically doing URGO research with Dr. Bankers-Fulbright and seeing Bill Nye “The Science Guy” on campus, Gherau moved on after graduating to Des Moines, Iowa. He attended medical school at Des Moines University before returning to Minnesota where he is a first-year family medicine resident at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park.

Gherau chose to attend an osteopathic medical school because of his interests in preventative health and the musculoskeletal system. He shadowed an osteopathic family medicine physician before starting medical school, and that experience piqued his interest in the field. Gherau saw the doctor performing osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT) on several patients with chronic low back and neck pain. “I was in awe with how well the patients responded to these treatments without the risks commonly attributed to the use of medications or surgeries,” reflects Gherau. While he chose to pursue an osteopathic degree, his experience was very similar to his allopathic colleagues. They all learned the basic sciences, system-based pathology, and pharmacology. However, the key difference was that he took a course called Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM). In that course, Gherau learned the history, concepts, and clinical application of OMM along with a lab portion that allowed students to practice and perfect their OMT skills on peers.

Some medical students fear that DOs are perceived differently than MDs or put at a disadvantage in the residency matching process, but this has not been Gherau’s experience. He has not noticed any difference in the perception of DOs and MDs. The key difference between MDs and DOs is the fact the DOs are taught OMM during medical school. Not all DOs continue to use OMT when they finish medical school. Also, there are many MDs who pursue additional training in OMM after medical school. This really varies by each individual physician and their interests. And while Gherau cannot speak to the experience of DOs in more competitive specialties, his preparation for residency was not affected by his degree.

Gherau’s future plans are ambitious and shaped by his osteopathic approach. He hopes to establish a community-based practice in an urban or suburban setting, working with patients of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses. He has special interests in community health, immigrant health, and adolescent health and plans to use his OMT skills on patients with musculoskeletal and lymphatic concerns.

The post An Allopathic vs Osteopathic Degree: An Augsburg Alum’s Opinion appeared first on Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity.

Interested in pre-health or pursuing a doctorate degree in medical sciences? Come to this virtual group session to learn about what Mayo College of Medicine and Science has to offer!

Contact urgo@augsburg.edu with questions or to RSVP and receive Zoom meeting info.

The post Mayo College of Medicine and Science Virtual Info Session 12/3/20 appeared first on Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity.