When asked what brought him back to campus for the Michael J. Wolk ’60 Conference on Medical Education, Ryan McDermott ’07 replied, “It’s the Colgate connection.”
“There is something special about being a Colgate student. You connect with people ten, twenty years away from you. I’m happy to contribute to that.”
McDermott, who received his masters in public health from Dartmouth and is in his second year at University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, was one of nearly 20 alumni and parents in the health-care industry who returned to campus earlier this month.
Students from both Colgate University and Hamilton College benefited from the experience and knowledge shared at the bi-annual conference.
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| Alumni who spoke at the A Day In The Life: Medical Students & Residents panel were (from left) Michael Nitzberg ’08, Ryan McDermott ’07, Sarah Dotson ’05, and Tracey Henderson ’04. (Photo by Janna Minehart ’13) |
Panel discussions, in which participants discussed medical school admissions processes, choosing specialties, and alternatives within the health-care industry, allowed students to understand their many opportunities after Colgate.
“I like to think that students got a glimpse into what their next steps are and how what they do here –that may not necessarily be academic — will help them in their future career,” said Julie Chanatry, chair of the Health Sciences Advising Committee.
“Often, students are so focused on their courses and doing what they believe medical school admissions people want them to do,” continued Chanatry. “It is important that they learn to find their passion and follow it. Their careers will take off from there.”
The Day in the Life panel provided recent alums the opportunity to recount their post-graduate tales. Tracey Henderson ’04, Sarah Dotson ’05, Michael Nitzberg ’08, and McDermott all spoke about their struggles and successes.
“It was helpful to see that people from diverse academic backgrounds were enjoying medical school and residency,” said Jordan Eipper ’10, a peace and conflict studies major. “It was also reassuring to hear they still had some semblance of a real life.”
“[After this weekend,] I am still set on the pre-med track,” said Eric Katz ’10. “I’m more comfortable now in knowing that medicine is a very good career. It’s tough with the health-care reform, but hearing how much the physicians enjoy their jobs and how rewarding they find it — it’s really comforting.”