Pat Levitt, Ph.D., discusses brain organization and development with journalists at the recent media fellowship on autism.
photo by Daniel Dubois
Event showcases VUSM as medical school destination
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine played co-host to the Southeastern Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (SAAHP) annual meeting April 14-17. The event brought together professionals who prepare students for further study in a variety of health-related professions, including medicine and dentistry.
The meeting allowed the school to showcase itself to those advisors who are instrumental in helping students choose a medical school.
“We're honored to have the opportunity to host this meeting,” said Steven G. Gabbe, M.D., Dean of VUSM. “I recall the advice I received as a pre-medical student and how important it was in my career decisions. These counselors play a very significant role in not only helping students decide where to go to school, but helping them understand the rewards and demands of a career in the medical professions.”
The event included a keynote presentation by Gabbe about the current challenges in medical education, as well as an afternoon of events held at the Medical School campus. Meeting attendees listened to a series of talks by School of Medicine leadership, tours of the Vanderbilt Imaging Institute, Life Flight and the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, as well as a question and answer session with current VUSM students.
“This afternoon of events was important, because it gave advisors a chance to see what Vanderbilt is all about,” said Tom Oeltmann, Ph.D., Health Professions Advisor and associate professor of Medicine, Biochemistry and Biological Sciences, who also serves as president-elect and program chair of the SAAHP. “Now that they are more informed and have met the faculty and admissions staff, they are more likely to encourage their best students to come here.”
This year's SAAHP meeting also covered application services, standardized tests, orientation of new advisors, dual degree programs, submitting letters of recommendation electronically, and advising non-traditional students.