Earlier this month, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) welcomed Michigan HOSA students to their campus for the fifth time in order to provide a unique university experience to high school students interested in pursuing a health profession. Throughout the day, the future health professionals learned more about osteopathic medicine and the MSUCOM program through medical exploration rotations.
Students and teachers look forward to the day every year, with some schools traveling from more than 100 miles away. “HOSA is grateful for the MSUCOM partnership and the unique opportunities their students and staff provide our members,” said Mark Burley, Michigan HOSA Director.
The day started with a welcome from Burley and Anne Snyder, MSUCOM Admissions Counselor. Second year MSUCOM students Matt Epelman and Sara Papple then led the room through a presentation on the history of osteopathic medicine.
Michigan HOSA members split up into four groups in order to experience each of the stations set up by the College of Osteopathic Medicine in manageable sizes. The first rotation was a medical student panel, where high schoolers were able to ask a group of current MSUCOM 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year students anything. The MSUCOM students were kind enough to share helpful tips on studying for the MCAT, when and how to choose a specialty, and how your first two years in medical school differ from your third and fourth. They also answered questions about their workload, their undergraduate majors, their opinion on and experiences with the MSUCOM program, and more.
The second rotation seemed to be a favorite among the students, including an Anatomy
Presentation by Dr. Rebecca Pratt. The third rotation included a suturing workshop, where residents taught HOSA students proper suture technique. Because of the large number of resident volunteers, each student was able to receive personal instruction and ask more questions about the College. Clinical skills were taught in small groups during the next rotation, which featured tools they may use as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. During this rotation, students learned how to take blood pressure, a skill they can all use regardless of what health profession they ultimately choose. The fifth and final rotation included Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) demonstrations, where students were able to practice on each other.
“The HOSA-MSU/COM Day is an invaluable experience for HOSA members interested in medicine. It broadens their awareness of osteopathic medicine and impresses upon them the effort it takes to achieve their medical ambitions,” said Burley. “On several accounts I’ve heard members say that they hadn’t considered MSU as a university option because of its size. After a few hours on campus they’re soon convinced MSU is the only option. They love it!”
HOSA is a student organization on a mission to enhance the delivery of compassionate, quality health care by providing opportunities for knowledge, skill and leadership development of all health science education students, therefore, helping the student meet the needs of the health care community.
Michigan HOSA is a program of the Michigan Health Council, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a culture of health with health professionals at the heart of the delivery system.
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