UConn Health has graduated 66 Connecticut high school students from its 2016 Mini Medical/Dental Program of the Department of Health Career Opportunity Programs.
The program, with 22 high schools participating this year from across the state, was created more than 15 years ago and is sponsored by the Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative.
“This eight-week program provides an opportunity for high school students to learn through expert lectures and demonstrations more about careers in medicine, dental medicine, biological sciences and various allied health careers,” said Dr. Marja Hurley, founding director of the Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative and associate dean of the Department of Health Career Opportunity Programs at UConn Health. “Students are hand-picked for the program by their guidance counselors or science teachers.”
On March 31 at the program’s closing ceremony Dr. Monty MacNeil, dean of UConn School of Dental Medicine, spoke to the students about the importance of careers in health care. “Health care represents the fastest growing industry in the United States. We need you in the health professions, whether that be in medical, dentistry, nursing or any of the many other fields of patient care,” said MacNeil. “UConn Health is a great place to get a better sense for these professions and how they interact and work together.”
The keynote speaker of the closing ceremony was Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, CEO & executive vice president for health affairs at UConn Health. “There is a great deal of exciting growth happening here on UConn Health’ campus with our new Outpatient Pavilion, the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, and our new hospital tower set to open at UConn John Dempsey Hospital on May 1. Also, for those of you who like research, we have newly renovated laboratories for you.”
Agwunobi stressed: “But remember, while buildings are important, what is most critical is you – the next generation of physicians and scientists. I am most excited about you.”
“This program offers opportunities for some of our brightest students to learn about the incredible opportunities available in the health professions as physicians, dentists or biomedical researchers,” said Hurley, “I feel very proud of this year’s Mini Medical/Dental Program students and those that have come before them. The program has helped quite a lot of students proactively pursue medical and dental school education and also practice as successful doctors in these fields.”
Giovanni Jones, 17, of Hartford attends Global Communication Academy. “The program was very informative. It opened my mind to more choices in the medical field and the program was very hands on. I now want to be a dentist.”
Wesia Malik, 16, of Newington, attends CREC-Medical Professions & Teacher Preparation Academy in Hartford. “The program was really interesting and beneficial. Since taking AP Biology, the program helped to further reiterate what I have learned. It also was cool to learn from professors what you would be learning about in medical school. After the program I realized I want to pursue a career in OB/GYN because it’s one of the most rewarding careers. I feel I could get the most out of it and doing something that helps the most people.”
Kiera Flynn, 16, of East Hartford attends Global Communication Academy. “I want to go to medical school to be either an anesthesiologist or an OB/GYN, or even study oncology to find a cure for cancer.”
Flynn’s mother Keron couldn’t be prouder of her daughter and her career goals. “She has always wanted to be a doctor, especially ever since her grandfather died of cancer. She wants to find a cure for cancer.”
She added: “I love this program.”
The 22 participating high schools in the 2016 Mini Medical/Dental Program included:
- Chase Collegiate School – Waterbury (1)
- Conard High School – West Hartford (2)
- CREC-Medical Professions & Teacher Preparation Academy – Hartford (4)
- Crosby High School – Waterbury (3)
- East Hartford High School – East Hartford (2)
- Ellington High School – Ellington (2)
- Farmington High School – Farmington (6)
- Glastonbury High School – Glastonbury (1)
- Global Communications Academy – Hartford (2)
- Granby Memorial High School – Granby (3)
- Hall High School – West Hartford (7)
- Kingswood Oxford – West Hartford (1)
- Metropolitan Learning Center – Bloomfield (1)
- Newington High School – Newington (5)
- Rocky Hill High School – Rocky Hill (2)
- Southington High School – Southington (5)
- Sports & Medical Sciences Academy – Hartford (5)
- University High School of Science & Engineering – Hartford (5)
- Waterbury Arts Magnet School – Waterbury (2)
- Windsor High School – Windsor (2)
- Windsor Locks High School – Windsor Locks (1)
- Xavier High School – Middletown (4)
For more information on the Mini Medical/Dental Program and other Health Career Opportunity Programs visit: here.
