- College of Medicine Communique Students UCF
Accepted medical students from across the globe came to UCFs College of Medicine campus this week to take a “second look” at the medical school as they prepare to commit to an option for their medical education.
While this day represents a chance for accepted students to see if UCF is the right fit, the event is also an opportunity for UCF to show its innovative approach to education.
“Second look is an opportunity for accepted students and students high on the wait list to come to our school and get a second look of what our program is like,” explained UCF Graduate Admissions Coordinator Annette Ortiz-Rivera. “They hear from many different departments, have lunch and partake in clinical activities, so it is a great opportunity.”
More than 90 students participated in this year’s Second Look. They met with faculty, students and school leaders, conducted ultrasound images on the hearts of standardized patients, and conducted CPR on medical mannikins. Much of the hands-on training was done by fourth-year med students who have matched into their residencies and are preparing to graduate in May.
The innovative learning tools in the Clinical Skills and Simulation Center and the medical school’s culture were a big hit.
“I was drawn to UCF for their innovative approach to education and their openness to feedback from students, and the technology and experiences I had today let me see that firsthand,” said Florida Atlantic University graduate Yohanan Bernard who attended Second Look.
During lunch outside on the medical school’s Tavistock Green, prospects had a Q and A with Dr. Deborah German, vice president for health affairs and founding dean. Her message: UCF is here to help you fulfill your dreams – if a young medical school with a pioneering spirit is right for you.
“I am looking at the future and it is very exciting,” Dr. German told them. “I am very interested in hearing your expectations, your concerns and the questions you need answered to decide whether UCF is a good fit for you.”
Throughout the session, students stepped up to the microphone to ask for advice, about UCF’s approach to emerging technologies like AI and how UCF is preparing doctors to meet today’s healthcare challenges.
“UCF seems to really try to cater to their students to prepare them for their classes and future careers,” said Carina McClean, a UCF undergrad.
Dr. German explained that even the process of selecting chairs for the new Medical Education Building in 2009 was done with feedback from students, faculty and staff.
“I said to the architect, ‘I want you to bring me 20 chairs in every category,” she recalled. “Then, the faculty, staff and the charter class went up and rated each of the chairs and narrowed the chairs down to the best ones. That goes back to something I said earlier. If you use the talents of everybody, you are going to get a much better outcome than if you just do it yourself.”
Prospective students said they were interested in UCF because of its location – in Orlando’s emerging Medical City at Lake Nona — and also its people.
“The hands-on experience has been great, but what really draws me to UCF is the diversity in the Orlando area,” said Woody Laxana, a Haitian student inspired to become a doctor after witnessing catastrophic earthquakes in his home country. “I feel it can help me become a more culturally competent doctor.”
At day’s end, students left with this message from Dr. Jonathan Kibble, assistant dean for students: “We hope to bring together strong teachers with great students wrapped up in a strong, engaging, demonstrably helpful learning environment.”
Following Second Look, students will need to commit to a medical school by April 30. Between then and the first day of class, waitlisted students will learn whether they have been accepted in and will begin their journey to becoming a doctor.
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