Media Advisory: Talk about hands-on — suturing is on the agenda Saturday for students who want to be doctors

BUFFALO, N.Y. — About 200 college and 50 high school students from underrepresented groups throughout New York State will attend Rx for Success: Preparing for Medical School, an annual University at Buffalo program that helps college students prepare for careers in medicine, this Saturday, Oct. 19.

The program is co-sponsored by UB’s Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) and the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at UB chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), which supports current and future underrepresented medical students.

According to data from the SUNY Albany Center for Health Workforce Studies, even in a diverse state like New York, where African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos comprise more than 30% of the population, underrepresented groups make up only 12% of the physician workforce.

“Rx for Success is a pipeline workshop designed to assist talented underrepresented students by providing them with essential firsthand information from medical students, faculty and physicians who share strategies on becoming competitive applicants to medical school,” said CSTEP Director Shanna Crump-Owens.

The free program includes breakfast, lunch, hands-on workshops and tours.

Speakers range from Jacobs School students who will discuss their experiences applying to and attending medical school, to faculty and admissions administrators who will explain the application process and the MCAT, the medical school entrance exam.

Who:  200 college and 50 high school students from across New York State.

What: Students will learn about the medical school admissions process, and participate in hands-on workshops where they will learn how to suture, observe a sports medicine lab, pick up interview tips, and tour the Jacobs School and its Behling Simulation Center.

When: 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19.

Where: Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at UB, 955 Main St. Buffalo (map).

Schedule:

8:45 a.m. – breakfast and welcome remarks from Shawn Gibson, a second-year medical student in the Jacobs School and president of SNMA.

9:30 a.m. – welcome from David Milling, MD, senior associate dean for student and academic affairs.

9:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. – Jonathan Daniels, MD, associate dean for admissions, explains the application process.

10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Adam Aponte, MD, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, gives the keynote speech.

12:30 to 1:30 – lunch and panel with UB medical students and post-baccalaureate students.

Press arrangements: Shanna Crump-Owens, 645-2234.