Conference Helps Undergraduate Students Prepare for UAMS’ Academic Programs
| The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) hosted 66 undergraduate college students from across the state at a March 9 conference that served as an informational session and recruitment event for those who are interested in UAMS’ academic programs.
The annual Minority Association of Premedical Students (MAPS) Conference is organized by the Edith Irby Jones Chapter of the Student National Medical Association, with support from the UAMS Division for Academic Pathways and Workforce Partnerships.
Niroshi Wijewardane, a second-year medical student and co-chair of the conference, said the event provides students an opportunity to meet with faculty members and build relationships. It also gives participants a better understanding of the many health professional programs offered at UAMS.
“A lot of students are interested in the health care field, but some of them don’t know what specific career they’d like to go into,” Wijewardane said. “The MAPS Conference gives them some hands-on experience and encourages them to start thinking about their next steps.”
Antiño Allen, Ph.D., associate dean of pipeline and career development in the UAMS Graduate School, spoke to the students about opportunities in research and biomedical sciences. Edward Williams, DMSc, M.Ed., chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies in the UAMS College of Health Professions, gave a presentation on the physician assistant program.
In another session, students from the UAMS College of Nursing demonstrated how to intubate patients. The students, members of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthesia program, explained their role in managing the airways of patients who are under anesthesia and can’t breathe on their own.
UAMS Regional Campuses education coordinators Danielle Harris (from left), Jesse Cargill and Ursula Redmond talk to attendees about how to make a strong first impression in academic and professional interviews.
Some of the speakers offered advice to help aspiring medical students achieve their goals. Education coordinators from UAMS Regional Campuses outlined a list of practices for making a strong first impression during academic or professional interviews.
Jose Garza, a sophomore at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, said he was particularly interested in a session led by Sharanda Williams, assistant dean for student affairs in the College of Medicine. Williams’ presentation focused on the college’s application and interview processes, encouraging students to ask themselves the question, “What’s your story?”
“I reflected on that question, and I think I now have a better understanding of my story,” said Garza, who’s interested in a career as a primary care physician. “This has been an enriching experience, and I feel like I’ll be better prepared when I apply for medical school next year.”
Renisha Ward, director of student engagement in the Division for Academic Pathways and Workforce Partnerships, said events like the MAPS Conference can make the application process less intimidating by showing students their pathway to UAMS.
“These are important opportunities to peek inside the walls of this university and see the education they can receive here,” she said.
Amie Brint (from left), Raven Hinton, Clai Morehead, Brittany Montgomery and Quincy Gragg hold a panel discussion about their experiences in medical school.
The conference also held a panel discussion featuring Raven Hinton, a first-year medical student; Quincy Gragg, a third-year medical student; Brittany Montgomery, a second-year medical student; and Clai Morehead, a third-year M.D./Ph.D. student. Moderator Amie Brint, a second-year M.D./Ph.D. student and MAPS Conference co-chair, led the panel through a series of questions from attendees, covering topics such as how to prepare for the Medical College Admission Test and how to achieve a balance between school and personal life.
Brint first attended the MAPS Conference as a college freshman in 2019, and she said it was especially meaningful to lead the student panel this year.
“It really was a full-circle moment to go from listening eagerly to students so far ahead of me on their medical school journey to now being the one sharing advice to help others reach their dreams,” she said.
Wijewardane noted that students benefit from hearing about the experiences of those who have come before them.
“We’re trying to highlight that everyone’s journey into health care is unique,” she said.
Simone Smith, a sophomore at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, said her history as a cancer survivor has fueled her interest in health careers. She credited the MAPS Conference for giving her a chance to meet with others who share her passion for medical care.
“UAMS is very family-oriented, in a sense,” she said. “Everyone is supportive of you, and there are a lot of great mentors here.”