From going on study abroad trips to engaging with guest speakers, Allie Douglas, a student in the Immunology and Medical Microbiology program at the West Virginia University School of Medicine, is making the most of opportunities outside the classroom.
Douglas recently attended a presentation by Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, director of the National Institutes of Health at the Health Sciences Campus in Morgantown, where she was able to ask questions and learn about ways to enhance health care.
“Networking events and industry connections play a large role in preparing students because they allow students a glimpse into what their future careers and life could look like,” Douglas explained. “These opportunities also allow students to connect with future employers and create professional contacts in the field.”
Douglas, from Elkview, West Virginia, hopes to go onto medical school and pursue a career in orthopedics/sports medicine.
What were your major takeaways from the NIH presentation you attended? Some takeaways I had from the NIH visit are how the underrepresentation of minority communities in rural areas in research is directly affecting their treatment. The medications and treatments that are meant to benefit these communities the most are being developed with research that wasn't using clinical data regarding them. Dr. Bertagnolli discussed the ways they are trying to ensure these groups are sufficiently represented in research settings, which was very interesting and also made me think about how representation affects medicine.
Can you describe an opportunity that has left the greatest impact on you during your time in the School of Medicine? A student opportunity that has left the most impact on me while at the School of Medicine would probably have to be the recent spring break study abroad trip I took to Florence, Italy as part of the School of Medicine’s Immunology and Medical Microbiology Class: Origins of Western Medicine. I loved seeing the original anatomical theatre in Padua, along with just the gorgeous architecture and sites in the other locations throughout the trip. It was truly such a neat experience!
How does inviting speakers from various backgrounds and specialized areas contribute to your understanding of the health care field? The School of Medicine’s emphasis on inviting these speakers allows me to gain multiple perspectives from all walks of life. This has helped my education to be well-rounded and granted me opportunities to learn about fields that I might have previously never thought about.
What opportunities have you had to collaborate with faculty members and your peers? The School of Medicine is always offering opportunities to students for internships, research positions, etc. It helps to bridge the gap between students and professionals allowing for these connections to form. While at WVU, I have had the opportunity to work with Dr. Aaron Monseau, the head team physician for WVU Athletics, which allowed me to work with athletes in various research projects. While I have always wanted to go to medical school, this has also made me consider being involved in research projects as a physician.
How do you think extracurricular activities and student organizations at WVU contribute to creating a well-rounded educational experience for students? I think extracurriculars are important to any student in any major because it causes them to interact with all kinds of people. They allow students to become more well-rounded and give them skills to be able to thrive in all kinds of environments in the future. I would tell incoming students to make the most of the opportunities presented to them. Join clubs, organizations, Greek life, etc. While they might seem silly, some of my best college memories have come from activities in these events. It lets you make connections and friendships with diverse groups of people.
