Williamson County Cities and Health District (WCCHD) is seeking volunteers to serve with the Medical Reserve Corps during the CoVID-19 pandemic.  Medical and non-medical backgrounds are welcome.  Applicants need to be 18 years old or older and be willing to work long shifts.  Volunteers will work with individuals with no to low risk of illness and must be willing and able to sit, stand and/or walk for long periods of time.  Applicants should have an interest in promoting the wellness of Williamson County residents.  WCCHD will provide HIPPA training for all volunteers.

Please see the Medical Reserve Corps page on the WCCHD website for additional information:
http://www.wcchd.org/about_us/volunteer/index.php

Shadowing Experience

Relevant shadowing experience is a vital component of your exploration of a future career in any of the allied-health fields. In addition, it is essential for a successful application. Southwestern’s Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD) is a valuable resource. 

 

 St.David’s Hospital Shadowing Opportunities

Learn about two great opportunities to shadow at our local hospital during a 10-week rotational shadowing program and at a local private practice, as well as local hospital volunteer opportunities. Applicants who attend this panel historically have done better in the application process. Past and present shadowing participants will share their stories and answer questions.

Southwestern University established a partnership with St. David’s Hospital in Georgetown in 2014 to provide unpaid, 1-credit shadowing opportunities for up to four (4) current students for a total of 10 weeks each fall and spring semester.  Students will be selected through a competitive application process. 

At the hospital, selected students spend half a day (4 hours) for each of the weeks shadowing physicians, nurses and technicians from areas of the hospital that would normally be difficult to gain access to on your own. Rotations include

Surgery (Note: Surgery is always a very early am shift)
Radiology
Endoscopy
Women’s Services
Laboratory
Outpatient Surgery
Rehabilitation
Emergency (2 consecutive weeks)
Student’s choice option for one week

At the clinic, each of four selected students will shadow for four hours a week on different days throughout throughout the course of the semester.

For more details, check out the CCPD website or contact Alexandra Anderson.

INFORMATION SESSION: Friday Sept 29, 2023 12:30-1:30

Application for Spring 2024 via email immediately afterwards

SUMMER PROGRAMS

HEALTH PROFESSION EDUCATION PROGRAM (SHPEP)

SHPEP is a free 6 week summer enrichment program focused on improving access to information and resources for college students interested in the health professions. SHPEP’s goal is to strengthen the academic proficiency and career development of students underrepresented in the health professions and prepare them for a successful application and matriculation to health professions schools.

SHPEP is implemented at 12 program sites across the nation. Each site provides scholars with academic enrichment in the basic sciences and math, shadowing experiences, career development activities, learning and study skills seminars, and financial planning. SHPEP at the University of Washington is a collaboration of the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry and Public Health. For more information visit their website http://www.shpep.org/

APPLY TO SHPEP!

 

SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PROGRAMS

 Summer Undergraduate Research Programs  NAAHP page if you are interested in careers in medical research.

The UMass Chan Medical School Summer Undergraduate Research Program

The UMass Chan Medical School Summer Undergraduate Research Program is a non-credit, ten-week, structured research experience sponsored by UMass Chan Office of Outreach Programs. The program consists of “hands-on” laboratory research with an investigator serving as a mentor, role model and advisor. 

The Summer Undergraduate Research Program is funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and UMass Chan Provost’s Office Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE).

Applications available: November 15th

Southwestern Internship Application deadline: February 1st

UMass application deadline: March 1st

Highlights:

• 10-week program (In 2022 it was May 29-Aug 5)
• Around 40 students total in the program
• $4,000 stipend that are paid to participants in three payments over the ten week program
• Travel and housing paid for and arranged by the program
• Students stay at Worcester State University housing and Transportation is provided week days to and from the campus
• Each student has their own lab and mentor
• Poster presentation at the end of the summer

To learn more about their program visit their website https://www.umassmed.edu/gsbs/outreach-programs/summer-undergraduate-research-program/

 

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences/Center for Diversity Affairs

UAMS has several summer programs that range from 2-6 weeks, for Pre-Health undergraduate and graduate students. The different programs include

• Medical School PreMatriculation Program (MedEd Ready)
• PreMedical Summer Scholars (PMSS)
• Final MCAT preparation
• Summer Research Internship

For more information please click on the link below

https://cda.uams.edu/prgm/

Looking for a great post-grad position (or part-time position during school) in the healthcare industry? Consider working as a medical scribe. 

For more information please contact Kelyna Gannaway at kelyna.gannaway@scribeamerica.com;  858-248-6809

Williamson County Medical Reserve Corps Volunteer Opportunity

• Promote and educate our community on safety, preparedness, and healthy lifestyles.
• Receive hands-on training and volunteer with local partners
• Obtain priority care in the event of a disaster

Post-baccalaureate Programs

There is an increase trend for students to take one or two ‘gap’ “bridge’ years.  Click this link to read the article: http://loyolaphoenix.com/2020/01/pre-med-students-across-the-u-s-increasingly-take-gap-years-before-medical-school/

Post-baccalaureate programs give you the opportunity to improve your academic record and/or strengthen your knowledge by taking advanced coursework. Most programs offer the opportunity to earn a master’s degree.

How can these programs help strengthen your application? These programs may be beneficial if you are a recent graduate whose goal is to enter medical, dental, or veterinary schools but whose credentials may hinder your application. Participation in a postbaccalaureate could possibly help you become a more competitive candidate.

Post baccalaureate-Master’s programs in Texas: For more information about any of these programs please visit their website.

• UNT Health Science Center Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences offers master of science degrees in the following areas: forensic genetics, biomedical sciences, biotechnology, clinical research management, and medical sciences.
• Texas Tech University Health Science Center offers a master of science in biomedical sciences.
• University of Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine offers a master of biomedical science.
• The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) offers a master of science in biomedical science.
• UTHSCSA offers master programs in the following areas: biomedical engineering, cell systems and anatomy, dental hygiene, dental science, immunology and infection, medical health physics, personalized molecular medicine
• University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston: UTMB is a leading academic health science center offering a wide array of biomedical science training programs – from studying infectious diseases, such as Ebola, to bioethics, our graduate training programs address the full spectrum of basic, social, translational, computational and clinical research.

  Post baccalaureate programs in the U.S.

• The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)’s list
• The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)’s list (many of these are special master’s programs)
• https://www.naahp.org/student-resources/postbac-information