Three BHSU Students Participate in Summer Scholars Program at Baptist

Since Friday, May 30, rising college juniors and seniors interested in attending medical school have been taking part in the Summer Scholars Premedical Internship Program at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville, Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women and the Spence and Becky Wilson Baptist Children’s Hospital. The program is funded by Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation and each participating student receives a stipend.

Baptist Memphis Manager of Physician Services/Communications Christie Russom-Woolrich created schedules for the interns, allowing them to experience clinical shadowing within multiple hospital departments and Baptist Medical Group clinics.

“This unique program is an opportunity most premed students only hope to receive. Its success is directly attributable to scores of dedicated Baptist staff members and physicians who support and are willing to host shadowing experiences for these future providers,” said Russom-Woolrich, who believes the program is “legacy work” that will pay “forever dividends.”

Each cohort of interns shadows and observes health care providers for about four weeks. The program runs through Thursday, Aug. 14, accommodating a total of 16 students in three cohorts composed of students from Baptist Health Sciences University, Christian Brothers University, the University of Memphis, LeMoyne-Owen College and Rhodes College.

“No matter what educational and professional paths our Summer Scholars pursue, this Baptist adventure — where most students experience their very first exposures to everything from birth, the pursuit of wellness, healing and even end of life care — will never be forgotten. This special time will be carried with them wherever they go, and the impact of this Baptist experience will affect every patient they touch,” said Russom-Woolrich.

The Summer Scholars Premedical Internship Program has been in place for several years and was previously called Rhodes Scholars. This is the first year that Baptist Center for Career Development has had a role in planning, promoting and expanding the program to other institutions of learning.

“With Summer Scholars, we aspire to have a great program that serves students from colleges and universities across the Memphis metro area,” said Manager of Career Development Michele Schlinsog. “We also have the opportunity to promote Baptist as a potential employer to students interested in medical or professional school — and to promote Baptist Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine to potential medical students.”

______________________________________________________________________

This article was originally published on Baptist Leader.