The OSA Insider

On the podcast, we are highlighting some exciting new initiatives that the UMSOM has been launching. In this episode, we are shining a light on the First Generation Task Force, a group of students creating a support structure and social and educational events to help all first-gen medical students feel empowered and well informed about the medical school journey. We'll hear from three medical student leaders of the First Gen Task Force: Wasilat Dosunmo, Annice Ufoh, and Akshaya Balaji. We cover the First Gen Task Force's origin story, mission, and how to get involved, as well as a few personal stories about imposter syndrome and asking for help. 

Second-year med student Jules Einhorn approached The OSA Insider's team to propose a mini-series called "Five Questions," in which he interviews different faculty members and asks five questions to get to know them better. We were all for it. In this episode, we get to know Jules a little bit and then segue right into his first "Five Questions" conversation with Dr. Devang Patel, Infectious Diseases specialist and Assistant Dean for the Pre-Clerkship Curriculum at UMSOM. 

In our last episode, we introduced you to the new BS-MD program at the University of Maryland, in which a cohort of premed students at UMCP can continue to medical school at UMB as part of an integrated program with dedicated leadership and mentorship. In this episode, we're introducing you to one of the students in the very first cohort of this combined program: Nane Manukyan, a rising junior at UMCP. We learn about her journey, what drew her to this program, what she's most excited about in the future, and words of wisdom for any students considering this pathway.    

A truly exciting new program at the University of Maryland is a combined BS-MD program, in which undergraduate students at the University of Maryland, College Park can embark on a path that leads to the University of Maryland School of Medicine, accompanied by dedicated mentorship from faculty on both campuses. It's an integrated program with lots of support structures built in. In this episode, we'll get to know the two directors of the BS-MD program: Dr. Ian White at UMCP and Dr. Nitin Seam at UMB. Together, they'll share the origin story, goals, logistics, and what excites them the most about this connection between the two UM campuses and the students they're recruiting.   

Dr. Tonya Webb is a Professor of Microbiology and Immunology whose scientific work focuses on cancer immunotherapy. She is also the Assistant Dean for Student Engagement and Student Life in our Office of Student Affairs. What does this particular role mean? How does her office engage medical students, and how does she know when an initiative or project is working when it comes to enhancing student life? In this episode, we'll get to know Dr. Webb, all the hats she wears, and how she approaches meeting, engaging with, and helping our students.