Building the Future of Medicine: AHEC Future Docs Year Two!

Erie Niagara AHEC is excited to welcome the second cohort of AHEC Future Docs students! This initiative is designed to support undergraduate pre-medical students as they prepare to apply to medical school. With funding from the Boston Scientific Foundation, AHEC Future Docs provides students with academic preparation, professional development, mentorship, and opportunities to explore the field of medicine.

This year, we welcomed twelve students to the second cohort. The program officially kicked off with an orientation on August 28, bringing students together to meet one another, connect with program staff, and learn more about their year ahead! Over the coming months, students will participate in a variety of activities designed to strengthen the academic and professional skills needed to successfully navigate the medical school application process. All students will have access to an MCAT test preparation course, through The Princeton Review, which provides weekly preparation and instruction from content experts. Mentorship continues to be an important part of the program. Each student is paired one-on-one with a near-peer mentor, who is currently attending medical school. Students will also participate in monthly enrichment sessions covering topics to strengthen their medical school applications and professional skills. Topics include:

·       Professional development with Catholic Health

·       Panel discussion with current medical students

·       Interview prep

·       Personal statement review

·       Resume building

·       Asking for strong letters of recommendation

Finally, students will have opportunities to gain firsthand experience in healthcare settings through our partnership with Catholic Health. Shadowing opportunities will begin soon, giving students the chance to observe physicians in clinical settings and learn more about the daily responsibilities and experiences of working in medicine.

We are excited to welcome our second cohort and look forward to supporting them throughout their journey toward medical school and their future careers in healthcare!