Conference Encourages College Students to Consider UAMS’ Academic Programs
| Fifty-five college students from institutions across the state convened at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) for a March 8 conference that highlighted several of the academic programs offered at UAMS.
The Medical Association for Pre-Medical 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. The annual conference serves as an informational session and recruitment event for students who are interested in applying to UAMS.
This year’s conference featured a series of forums involving representatives from several health care disciplines. Brian Gittens, Ed.D., MPA, vice chancellor for Academic Pathways and Workforce Partnerships, led the opening ceremony, welcoming attendees and offering encouragement as they consider the next steps in their academic journey.
Richard Robinson, RDH, a UAMS alumnus and dental hygienist at Arkansas Family Dental, shared details about his career field and his education in the UAMS Dental Hygiene Program, which is part of the College of Health Professions. Sharanda Williams, assistant dean for student affairs in the UAMS College of Medicine, explained the admissions process for prospective medical students. Edward Williams, DMSc, M.Ed., chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies in the College of Health Professions, also gave a presentation on the physician assistant program.
Niroshi Wijewardane, a third-year medical student and co-chair of the conference, said the event builds important connections between attendees and the professionals who might one day serve as mentors or colleagues.
“I think it’s valuable for college students in this state to know that people at UAMS care about them and are invested in trying to help them reach their postgraduate goals in health care,” she said. “We want to instill in them that they belong here.”
A team from UAMS answers questions about the role of nurse anesthetists. Attendees later conducted intubations on training manikins and learned how nurse anesthetists advocate for the safety of patients.
To give attendees a better understanding of life at UAMS, the conference held a lunchtime question-and-answer session featuring a panel of students from the College of Medicine. Questions from the audience covered topics such as admissions, personal finances and how to manage stress and relationships while in medical school.
In the afternoon, the attendees broke into two groups to take a closer look at a couple of health care specialties. Erica Malone, Ph.D., assistant professor in the College of Medicine’s Department of Neuroscience, guided the students through a demonstration of ultrasound technology. They examined vital organs such as the liver, kidneys and heart, and they discussed how the scans could be used to diagnose a patient during a trauma situation.
The students then had an opportunity to test the technology for themselves. Using small, portable ultrasound scanners, they examined their pulse through the wrists and neck.
The other session offered insight into the role of nurse anesthetists. A team from UAMS helped the students conduct intubations on training manikins and described how nurse anesthetists advocate for the safety of patients who are under anesthesia and can’t breathe on their own.
Natasha Wilbon, a postbaccalaureate student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, plans to pursue a career in nurse anesthesia. During the session, she asked several questions about the academic and professional experiences of those who have been there before.
“I’ve really enjoyed having a chance to network with everyone and pick their brains about my career options,” she said.
Wilbon said UAMS will be her first choice when it’s time to apply for nurse anesthesia programs, adding that the UAMS students offered to connect her with job-shadowing opportunities in the meantime.
Sean Bryson, a second-year medical student and conference co-chair, said he hoped the MAPS Conference helped students see the wide variety of career paths available for those who are interested in health care.
“We don’t want to place emphasis only on the ‘M.D.’ portion of health care,” he said. “While I’m pursuing that track for my career, I see and appreciate the importance of all fields across medicine. There’s so much opportunity out there for others to grasp.”
Bryson and the other UAMS student organizers emphasized that their assistance extends beyond the conference. During the closing ceremony, they raffled off several sets of Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) preparation books, and they encouraged attendees to reach out to them with any questions they have in the future.