WVSOM is offering community members and high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to gain insight into the medical field by providing a “Mini-Medical School” led by first- and second-year students. The seventh annual Mini-Med School takes place on four consecutive Monday nights, beginning Feb. 1.
Each evening, WVSOM students educate attendees about topics that include chest pain, abdominal pain, neuro injuries and fatigue/healthy living. Participants will listen to a mock patient presenting pain and symptoms, as well as visit three medical stations to learn health problems that may be contributing factors. At the end of the evening, participants will diagnose their patient.
Based on participant feedback from previous years, WVSOM faculty and students strive to improve the learning experience each year. Second-year student, Renee Marchegiani, hopes this year’s Mini-Med School will be even more beneficial than last year.
“I enjoy watching the participants learn and work with the medical students to solve their patient’s illness. Something as simple as watching a participant smile when they listen to a heartbeat through a stethoscope for the first time is worth all the work that is put into this program,” Marchegiani said. “Mini-Med School allows community members to put on their ‘doctor hat.’”
Andrea Nazar, D.O., the faculty advisor since the program’s inception, encourages community members and high school students to participate in this unique opportunity to enhance knowledge of the medical field. Additionally, this experience offers high school students an understanding about the path to medical school.
The fee is $25 and includes course material and dinner each evening. The registration deadline is Jan. 21. Limited spots are available. High school students must have parental consent. Mini-Med School will take place at the Clinical Evaluation Center on the WVSOM campus.
Register online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WVSOMminimed2016 or call 304-647-6401 for more information.