Pre-Health Students Make Summer Count

As the fall semester kicks off, many pre-health students return to campus with a renewed passion and invaluable experiences from their summer break. Seton Hall's pre-health students used their summer to enhance their resumes, gain hands-on clinical experience, and deepen their understanding of the healthcare field. Many students participated in passion projects, internships, research, clinical work, summer enrichment programs and volunteer work - all experiences that strategically and organically develop them as future healthcare leaders and strong candidates for their chosen health professional schools. Here's a glimpse into how a few of our Seton Hall pre-health students spent their summer.

Enrichment Program

Mohamad Hamoudeh, a sophomore biology major, spent his summer at the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. This 6-week enrichment program, designed for students exploring various health professions, helped Mohamad confirm his passion for medicine.

He appreciated SHPEP's broad exposure to healthcare fields through guest speakers and clinical experiences. "This program exposed me to facets of medicine I would have otherwise not encountered until medical school," Mohamad explains. His hands-on experiences included assisting in trauma bays, working in pediatrics and emergency departments, and participating in simulation centers. One of the most impactful moments was in the anatomy lab, where working with body donors brought his studies to life.

Alongside clinical exposure, SHPEP's courses in Organic Chemistry and Anatomy gave him a valuable head start for the fall semester. Mohamad also enjoyed networking with peers from across the country, forming lasting friendships. "It was undoubtedly the highlight of my summer," he says, encouraging others to apply.

The Pre-Professional Advising Center (P-PAC) played a key role in supporting Mohamad's application, providing a recommendation letter and organizing an informational session with Aladeen Eewshah, a SHPEP Ambassador. The P-PAC encourages students to explore their passions over the summer and offers guidance for applying to enrichment programs early in the year.

Clinical Experience

Amanda Tennaro, a junior biology major, gained hands-on patient care experience this summer as a Physical Therapy Aide at The Spine + Sports Health Center in Hoboken, NJ. Working closely with physical therapists, she accumulated crucial patient care hours essential for pre-Physician Assistant (PA) students, which provide practical exposure to real patient interactions-an invaluable step toward preparing for PA school.

"It was an amazing opportunity to be in this environment and interact with different providers and patients," Tennaro shared. "I feel even more confident on my career path after gaining hands-on experience." In her role, she collected medical histories, documented patient injuries and built relationships with patients by offering reassurance and support during their recovery process. Initially, she found interacting with patients challenging but quickly adapted, learning to connect with and comfort patients.

Her experience was highly rewarding, as she continuously learned from the physical therapists, improving her skills and deepening her understanding of physical therapy. Tennaro looks forward to continuing her journey toward becoming a Physician Assistant, confident in the foundation she's built.

International Externship Experience

Aneesa Brelvi, a junior biology major, completed a dental externship in India then also completed an internship at a local dentist's office in the United States. These experiences provided her with valuable insights into dental practices both abroad and at home, allowing her to observe key differences in patient care and healthcare access.

In Dr. Samreen Sood's office in India, Brelvi noticed that most patients only visited the dentist when experiencing pain, in contrast to the U.S., where routine checkups every six months are common. She learned that this difference stemmed from a lack of education on proper dental hygiene in India, with patients only beginning to schedule regular visits after a warning from the dentist.

Another difference Brelvi observed was the frequency of tooth extractions in India, compared to more conservative treatments like root canals in the U.S. Due to the absence of dental insurance in India, patients often opt for extractions because they cannot afford the multiple appointments required for root canals.

Her time abroad deepened Brelvi's understanding of global health disparities and patient education, giving her a broader perspective on dental care across different cultures. She described the experience as an enriching learning opportunity, offering her both technical knowledge and a greater appreciation for the challenges faced in global healthcare.

Global Volunteering

Seton Hall's Global Medical Brigades chapter provided essential healthcare treatments to families in Panama this June. Volunteers collaborated with doctors, dentists and pharmacists to deliver healthcare while promoting sustainable practices through educational workshops.

Global Medical Brigades is a nonprofit, student-led organization focused on providing comprehensive health services to rural communities with limited healthcare access. Founded in 2013, Seton Hall's chapter has led over a dozen brigades to countries like Guatemala, Greece, Honduras and Ghana. Alongside their international work, the club hosts local community service initiatives.
During the Panama trip, volunteers took on various roles, working closely with healthcare professionals. Lily Daitch, the chapter's co-president, shared, "Volunteers from Seton Hall and Mizzou worked together to assist and learn from local pharmacists, dentists and physicians." They triaged patients, took vital signs and led educational sessions on critical issues like water sanitation and hydration.

The need for healthcare was evident, with patients arriving as early as 5 a.m. to receive care. The gratitude of the local community left a lasting impact on the volunteers. Daitch reflected, "These trips remind you why you went into healthcare. Seeing patients receive basic care inspires the desire to improve global systems."

Seton Hall's Global Medical Brigades not only provided immediate care but also inspired the volunteers, reinforcing their commitment to addressing global health disparities. These experiences equipped the students with invaluable insights as they continue their journey toward becoming compassionate healthcare providers.

These are just a few examples of the many students who were actively engaged in diverse and impactful experiences this summer that advanced their academic pursuits while making a meaningful impact on countless lives. From gaining hands-on clinical experience to addressing global health disparities and providing care in underserved communities, these students have shown remarkable dedication, compassion and a commitment to positive change.

These experiences continue to shape their path toward becoming skilled and compassionate healthcare providers. The Pre-Professional Advising Center celebrates their achievements and remains dedicated to supporting pre-health students as they continue to develop into the healthcare leaders of tomorrow.

Categories: Health and Medicine

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