Message from PFA Co-Presidents, Pat & Cindy Regan |
|
|
|
Welcome Class of 2027 and congratulations on the completion of your first semester. This first semester can be especially challenging as you settle into life as a medical student. It has been hard work but you are now one semester closer to becoming a doctor. We hope the holidays are filled with rest, rejuvenation and time with your family and friends.
The Parents and Family Association (PFA) Advisory Council supports several events throughout the year. This past semester, we sponsored two events during orientation week. The first event was the Significant Other’s Reception, which is held for medical students and their significant others to connect.
|
|
|
The PFA Advisory Council also sponsored Family Day for the Class of 2027. Family Day is held to welcome the first-year medical school student’s families and to provide an overview as to what the new students will be experiencing in medical school. There were several informative speakers and panels and, overall, the student’s families enjoyed the day.
These are just two of the events that the PFA is able to support throughout the year through generous contributions made by medical school families. If you have contributed, we would like to extend our gratitude. If you have not contributed and would like to, you may do so here.
Happy Holidays from the PFA Advisory Council. May everyone have a wonderful and safe holiday season!
|
|
|
|
On Friday, Aug. 18, the UNMC College of Medicine welcomed 136 students into the Class of 2027 during a special white coat ceremony, which marked their transition into the medical profession. This class had an average MCAT score of 513 and GPA of 3.88. Eight percent are first-generation students, 8% are underrepresented in medicine by race/ethnicity and 77% are Nebraska residents.
|
|
|
Class of 2027 Officer List |
President: Tristan Caffrey
Vice President: Megan Doehner
Treasurer: Andrea Cadlo
Alumni Relations Chair: Ryan Chapman
Social Chairs: Makayla Champoux, Will Srinivasan, & Thomas Hugo
Curriculum Chairs: Kiersten Preuss & Amber Gowen
Philanthropy Chairs: Gunther Grinde, Matt Muellner, & Noha Algahim
Wellness Chair: Abby Sharp & Holland Stevenson
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Chair: Nour Elrokhsi
|
|
|
Join the PFA Facebook Group to Stay in the Know
|
|
|
|
In order to keep you better informed on UNMC and College of Medicine updates, the PFA Advisory Council has created a Facebook group for parents and spouses of medical students at UNMC. It will also serve as a forum for group members to connect with one another and ask questions.
Join here.
|
|
|
Event Recap | Significant Other's Reception |
|
|
The annual Significant Other's Reception sponsored by the PFA was held on Tuesday, Aug. 15. For the second year in a row, the event was hosted at Rathskeller Bier Haus near UNMC's campus. This year, we had fantastic weather and were able to utilize the outdoor patio for yard games, activities and conversations. More than 50 medical students and their significant others were able to connect and get to know each other at the event.
|
|
|
|
On Friday, Aug. 18, the PFA hosted its annual Family Day orientation event for the families of M1 students. More than 150 attendees came to the Sorrell Center to listen to presentations covering a variety of relevant topics. The program concluded with a student/family member panel (pictured). The panelists spoke on their experiences as medical students and parents, as well how to best support students during their time at UNMC. Optional campus tours were also offered.
|
|
|
The PFA Advisory Council is grateful for the wonderful presenters, panelists and volunteers that made this day a success. Many attendees said that they felt much more at ease after hearing about the resources available to M1 students.
|
|
|
UNMC Med Students Shine at National Competition |
|
|
Four second-year med students and one M4 recently earned finalist honors in the Midwest Healthcare Case Competition 2023. The team, collectively calling themselves The Leavenworth Consulting Group, placed fourth out of 51 competing teams and 229 total applicants. The “Shark Tank”-type competition is organized by a trio of health care consulting firms and judged by upper management at biotechnology companies.
Read more.
|
|
|
Class of 2027 Clean up in Hanscom Park
|
|
|
|
In November, the philanthropy chairs of the Class of 2027 organized a clean-up at Hanscom Park. One of the philanthropic goals of the class is to find ways to give back to the community during the limited free time they have. Students brought trash bags and gloves and spent an hour going through the park to pick up garbage. Thirteen students attended the clean-up.
|
|
|
MD-PhD Students Begin their UNMC Journey |
|
|
|
Five MD-PhD students began their program at UNMC this fall. They will take classes with the M1 class for two years before spending four years earning their PhD. They will then finish their final two years in the College of Medicine to earn their MD. Learn more about the students and the MD-PhD program in this profile.
|
|
|
Data Shows UNMC Addresses Nebraska's Physician Needs |
|
|
|
A recent report by the Association of American Medical Colleges ranks UNMC high in the number of college of medicine graduates who practice in primary care, as well as the number of graduates practicing in rural areas and graduates who remained in the state of Nebraska to practice.
Read more.
|
|
|
Student Spotlight | Nam Nguyen |
|
|
| Hometown: Hue, Vietnam
Program/Year: Third-year medical student
Education: BS, biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Hobbies: Traveling, outdoor activities, and trying out different cuisines
|
|
|
What do you do to stay balanced?
I always take Friday night off to do something that I enjoy such as watching a movie, playing some board games, or trying out a new restaurant in town. Although things can get really busy in medical school, I try to visit my parents in Grand Island every couple of weeks or after an exam.
Three things people may not know about me:
I like re-watching Korean dramas (I have watched “The Glory” on Netflix three times).
In fifth grade, I spent an entire summer reading Dragon Ball comics.
I used to like eating fish eyes.
|
|
|
Support Medical Students with a Gift to Our Innovation Fund | |
|
|
The College of Medicine Parents & Family Association operates solely on donations to provide activities for our students and those who support them. This includes the significant others’ reception, the M1 picnic, Match Day, and well-being support through the Wellness Advocate. We couldn’t provide this extra support to students without help from generous family members.
|
|
|
Just like all non-profit organizations that work from donor support, we know that you have many competing priorities for your philanthropy. Please know that we are resourceful stewards of funds donated to our organization, and our partnership with the UNMC Alumni Association makes it possible to stretch your dollars even further to help students.
Our fund is held at the University of Nebraska Foundation. To make a donation now or at any point, click here. Thank you for your generous support!
|
|
|
Resources for College of Medicine Families |
|
|
|
Visit the PFA website to access resources for family members of medical students at UNMC, including FAQs, videos from campus partners, information about PFA-sponsored events and a list of PFA Advisory Council members.
Visit the website.
|
|
|
2023 – 2024 College of Medicine Student Calendar |
|
|
Second Semester
Class of 2027: January 2 – May 24, 2024
Class of 2026: January 8 – June 30, 2024
Class of 2025: January 2 – June 23, 2024
Class of 2024: January 2 – April 28, 2024
Spring Break
Class of 2027: March 4 - 10
Class of 2026: March 9 - 17
Class of 2024 & 2025: March 25 - 31
Full Academic Calendar can be found here
|
| PFA-Sponsored Events
Match Day: March 15
Graduation: May 4
M1 Picnic: May (date TBD)
|
|
|
|