Read the whole Alumni Spotlight article on Caryn Quist here.

The post URGO Student Spotlight | Caryn Quist ’09 appeared first on Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity.

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.

Program Application

The Pre-Matriculation Program (PMP) at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science is a no-cost, non-degree curriculum track that provides academic enrichment for post-baccalaureate students from disadvantaged backgrounds seeking careers in health care. PMP students receive academic development and experience designed to improve competitiveness as a medical or health professions degree applicant.

• Zero tuition costs for this nine-month, non-degree program.
• PMP students participate in medical school-level coursework while preparing to take or retake the MCAT. PMP students are graded in the same way as other RFU students. A transcript is available after completion of coursework.
• Students who do well academically in PMP will be granted an interview with the Chicago Medical School or other RFU clinical program of their choice, providing all application requirements are met.
• PMP students benefit from focused faculty, staff and alumni mentors who provide academic support, skills development and a small cohort with whom they can experience professional school life and other enrichment experiences to which they might not otherwise have access.

Application deadline is 7/1/21.

Eligibility and Application

Preparing for the Optometry Admission Test

SHPEP Virtual Webinar

June 28 – 5:00 p.m. EST

The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is designed to provide optometry education programs with a means to assess program applicants’ potential for success. The OAT consists of a battery of four tests on the following: Survey of the Natural Sciences, Physics, Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Reasoning. This presentation will cover the information that all test-takers must know, including tips on preparation

Advocating for Equitable Patient Care & Access After the COVID Emergency

Online Webinar

Jun 29, 2021 | 12:00 PM ET

As the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency in Massachusetts comes to an end, healthcare delivery will forever be changed. Join your colleagues as legislative experts from the professions of physician assistant, nursing, occupational and physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and medicine discuss the future of healthcare and advocacy as it relates to equitable patient care and access in the Commonwealth. The interprofessional panel will discuss common legislative goals and areas of advocacy to promote quality patient care. Topics to be discussed will include:

• Common lobbying and advocacy efforts to improve and promote equitable patient access to care.
• Legislative priorities to improve patient quality of care.
• The post-COVID use of telehealth as the PHE comes to a close.

Journey to the Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant Profession (CAA)

Virtual Info Session

Tuesday, June 29, 2021 | 5:00-6:00 PM EST

The Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Master of Science in Anesthesia Program invites you to our online information session hosted by key leaders of the program. You will have the opportunity to learn about life as a student and practicing CAA,��clinical rotation opportunities,��and the admissions process. There is still time to meet our application deadlines for the 2022 cycle. Our Early Decision Deadline is October 1 and Regular Decision is February 1. Come prepared with all of your questions and register to learn more. We will “see” you virtually on Tuesday, June 29.

Health Inequities Exposed & Exacerbated by the COVID-19 Pandemic

Virtual Symposium

June 30, 2021 | 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST | FREE

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted historically disadvantaged communities due to pre-existing inequities in the healthcare system and disparities in access to technology, healthcare, and social services. This symposium will showcase diverse perspectives to provide a holistic view of the pandemic’s impact on health and the consequences of inequity that we will all be working to address well into the future.

This event is organized by three affinity groups of the American Association for the Advancement of Science & Technology Policy Fellowships (AAAS STPF). For more details about this symposium and its organizers, please visit our website by clicking here.

School of Osteopathic Medicine Admissions Summer Series

July 13, 2021, 2pm-4pm (CST) | Applicant Workshop

Join the Admissions team as they review and share tips about each section of the application. Topics will include experiences, awards/honors, personal statement, letters of recommendation, the secondary application, as well as Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs).

PA Program Virtual Fair

The Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) invites you to register for the PA Program Virtual Fair on Tuesday, July 20 from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. ET. This is a FREE event for all students who are interested in exploring a career as a PA or are preparing to apply in CASPA. Students will be able to:

• Chat with representatives from over 80 schools, PAEA, and CASPA
• Learn insider tips on how to prepare for PA program virtual interviews
• Attend live presentations and Q&As from current students and practicing PAs
• Ask any CASPA application questions prior to the August 1 deadline
• And more!

Public Health Pathways

Want to find more Public Health training opportunities across the country?

Public Health Pathways is a database of domestic and international public health training opportunities in academic, government, and community settings for every level in the education continuum – including premed and pre-health students, medical and grad students, residents, postdocs, and beyond. Visit aamc.org/phpathways for more information.

Altius MCAT Prep and Practice Tests

In 2020 our MCAT Team offered specially priced services to help pre-meds survive the impacts of the pandemic on their medical education. This spring, we feel more is still needed, so we’ve committed to provide thousands of additional pre-meds free and low-cost MCAT prep solutions.

Links:

Free MCAT Tutoring
Free Full Length MCAT Practice Exam
Free Live MCAT Seminars
$10 Practice Exam + Private Mentoring Session
1-on-1 Mentoring Programs
10 Full-Length MCAT Practice Exams
Elite MCAT Classroom Course
Premier Self-Paced MCAT Course

The post Pre-Health Newsletter: June 24, 2021 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.

Altius MCAT Prep and Practice Tests

In 2020 our MCAT Team offered specially priced services to help pre-meds survive the impacts of the pandemic on their medical education. This spring, we feel more is still needed, so we’ve committed to provide thousands of additional pre-meds free and low-cost MCAT prep solutions.

Links:

Free MCAT Tutoring
Free Full Length MCAT Practice Exam
Free Live MCAT Seminars
$10 Practice Exam + Private Mentoring Session
1-on-1 Mentoring Programs
10 Full-Length MCAT Practice Exams
Elite MCAT Classroom Course
Premier Self-Paced MCAT Course

Public Health Pathways

Want to find more Public Health training opportunities across the country?

Public Health Pathways is a database of domestic and international public health training opportunities in academic, government, and community settings for every level in the education continuum – including premed and pre-health students, medical and grad students, residents, postdocs, and beyond. Visit aamc.org/phpathways for more information.

FREE Webinar: PA School Interviews

������June 15th at 8:00 p.m. EST, the PA Platform is hosting a free webinar to teach you everything you need to know about PA school interviews.

First Generation College Student Scholarship

The Kryder Law Group, LLC is offering a $1,000 scholarship to graduating high school seniors and current college students who are first generation college students. Applicants must submit an essay on a specific topic related to being a first generation college student. Must have a 3.0 GPA and write an essay. Deadline: June 15, 2022.

Read More and Apply Here

WesternU COMP-Northwest: “Is Primary Care Right For You?”

Tuesday, June 15, 2021 | 6:00pm-8:00pm | PST

A panel of primary care physicians will discuss why primary care was the right choice for them. They will share stories about their journeys through medical school, residency and into practice. Why and when did they know that primary care was the right choice for them? We’ll move into a Q&A format during the second half and address questions pre-med students have on primary care today.

You may learn about and register for additional upcoming events by visiting COMP-Northwest’s Event Page.

Understanding and Preventing the Adverse Health Impacts of Extreme Heat and Weather

FREE Webinar

Wednesday, June 16, 2021 | 12:00 pm EST | FREE

Co-hosted by MGH Institute of Health Professions Center for Climate Change, Climate Justice, and Health and the MGH Center for the Environment and Health.

Featured Speakers: Greg Wellenius, ScD, Professor, Department of Environmental Health, Boston University and Director of BU Program on Climate and Health
Reverend Vernon K. Walker, MTS, Program Manager, Communities Responding to Extreme Weather (CREW); Senior Fellow at the Environmental Leadership Program and Senior Fellow, Tufts University Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life

Exploring Individual and Team Resilience in Healthcare

FREE Webinar

Friday, June 18, 2021 | 12:00 – 12:30 pm EST | FREE

Co-hosted by MGH Institute of Health Professions Center for Climate Change, Climate Justice, and Health and the MGH Center for the Environment and Health.

During this free 30-minute webinar we will:

• Explore what team resilience looks like in healthcare.
• Discuss the relationship between individual resilience and team resilience.

Featured Speakers:Joanna A. Christodoulou, EdD, Associate Professor, Director of the BEAM LabCommunication Sciences and Disorders Department, MGH Institute of Health ProfessionsIndigo Young, MS, CCC-SLP, Instructor
Communication Sciences and Disorders Department, MGH Institute of Health Professions

Free Webinar on Exploring Individual and Team Resilience in Healthcare

This special webinar for healthcare professionals about individual and team resilience will take place on Friday, June 18, 2021 from 12 – 12:30 pm ET. It is free and all are welcome. We’ll explore and discuss the relationship between individual and team resilience in health care. If you can’t make it, register anyway and we’ll send you the recording!

AAMC 2021 Virtual Medical School Fair

Connect with 85+ Medical Schools!

Thursday, June 24th, 2021 | 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Join AAMC for their Virtual Fair,��The Road Less Traveled: Nontraditional Pathways to Medical School. This event is open to all medical school aspirants.

• • Receive 15% off of a subscription to the Medical School Admission Requirements��(�ѳ�����^®)���ɱ�������ٱ�.
  • Attend three information and Q&A sessions with medical school staff, advisors and current students and residents.
  • Chat with current medical students about their experiences in our Medical Student Lounge.
  • Speak to AAMC experts about the Medical College Admission Test^®��(�Ѱ䴡��^®), the AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP), and financing medical school.
  • Connect with pre-health advisors from the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP) about your application questions.

Bethel University Physician Assistant Program

Online Info Session

June 24, 2021 | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. CST | FREE

Interested in the Physician Assistant M.S. program at Bethel? They are hosting an online info session with student panel. At this info session, you’ll hear from a faculty director, meet your enrollment counselor, and have a chance to ask questions to a panel of current PA students.

Health Inequities Exposed & Exacerbated by the COVID-19 Pandemic

Virtual Symposium

June 30, 2021 | 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST | FREE

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted historically disadvantaged communities due to pre-existing inequities in the healthcare system and disparities in access to technology, healthcare, and social services. This symposium will showcase diverse perspectives to provide a holistic view of the pandemic’s impact on health and the consequences of inequity that we will all be working to address well into the future.

This event is organized by three affinity groups of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Science & Technology Policy Fellowships (AAAS STPF). For more details about this symposium and its organizers, please visit our website by clicking here.

School of Osteopathic Medicine Admissions Summer Series

July 13, 2021, 2pm-4pm (CST) | Applicant Workshop

Join the Admissions team as they review and share tips about each section of the application. Topics will include experiences, awards/honors, personal statement, letters of recommendation, the secondary application, as well as Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs).

PCA Job Opportunity

Message from Alma Silver:

I am a recent graduate of St. Catherine University, and I live independently with a rotation of personal care attendants. I am currently seeking people to join my team of PCAs this coming summer, and I have previously had a lot of luck recruiting applicants through health-related degree programs in the Twin Cities area.

Below is a Job Description and contact information if you are interested.

Job Description

The post Pre-Health Newsletter: June 15, 2021 appeared first on Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity.

Altius MCAT Prep and Practice Tests

In 2020 our MCAT Team offered specially priced services to help pre-meds survive the impacts of the pandemic on their medical education. This spring, we feel more is still needed, so we’ve committed to provide thousands of additional pre-meds free and low-cost MCAT prep solutions.

Links:

Free MCAT Tutoring
Free Full Length MCAT Practice Exam
Free Live MCAT Seminars
$10 Practice Exam + Private Mentoring Session
1-on-1 Mentoring Programs
10 Full-Length MCAT Practice Exams
Elite MCAT Classroom Course
Premier Self-Paced MCAT Course

FREE Webinar : PA School Interviews

������June 15th at 8:00 p.m. EST, the PA Platform is hosting a free webinar to teach you everything you need to know about PA school interviews.

AAMC 2021 Virtual Medical School Fair

Connect with 85+ Medical Schools!

Thursday, June 24th, 2021 | 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Join AAMC for their Virtual Fair,��The Road Less Traveled: Nontraditional Pathways to Medical School. This event is open to all medical school aspirants.

• Receive 15% off of a subscription to the Medical School Admission Requirements��(�ѳ�����^®)���ɱ�������ٱ�.
• Attend three information and Q&A sessions with medical school staff, advisors and current students and residents.
• Chat with current medical students about their experiences in our Medical Student Lounge.
• Speak to AAMC experts about the Medical College Admission Test^®��(�Ѱ䴡��^®), the AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP), and financing medical school.
• Connect with pre-health advisors from the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP) about your application questions.

First Generation College Student Scholarship

The Kryder Law Group, LLC is offering a $1,000 scholarship to graduating high school seniors and current college students who are first generation college students. Applicants must submit an essay on a specific topic related to being a first generation college student. Must have a 3.0 GPA and write an essay. Deadline: June 15, 2022

Follow the link to read more and apply!

Free Webinar on Exploring Individual and Team Resilience in Healthcare

This special webinar for healthcare professionals about individual and team resilience will take place on Friday, June 18, 2021 from 12 – 12:30 pm ET. It is free and all are welcome. We’ll explore and discuss the relationship between individual and team resilience in health care. If you can’t make it, register anyway and we’ll send you the recording!

PCA Job Opportunity

Message from Alma Silver:

I am a recent graduate of St. Catherine University, and I live independently with a rotation of personal care attendants. I am currently seeking people to join my team of PCAs this coming summer, and I have previously had a lot of luck recruiting applicants through health-related degree programs in the Twin Cities area.

Below is a Job Description and contact information if you are interested.

Read the job description here.

The post Pre-Health Newsletter: June 8, 2021 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.”

The post URGO Student Spotlight | Kelly Lu ’22 appeared first on Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity.