19
July
2021
|
17:00 PM
America/Chicago
Northwestern Medicine Glenview Outpatient Center Medical Director Leads Northwestern Medicine Pre-Med Summer Internship Program
When Micah J. Eimer, MD, cardiologist and medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Glenview Outpatient Center was approached to oversee the pre-med summer internship program in 2019, he didn’t think twice, and was looking forward to introducing the world of medicine to undergraduate, pre-medical students from across the country.
Since then, 143 pre-med students have completed the program, with many now in medical school. The current class has 43 students, who have the opportunity to shadow and learn from more than 45 leading physicians at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, in the northern suburbs at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital and the Northwestern Medicine Outpatient Centers in Glenview and Gurnee; and for the first time, at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital in Palos Heights.
Each student received their assigned clinical department, where they work with and report to both a physician lead as well as a program administrator. Then, once a week, they rotate to observe a different specialty.
“We provide a blend of both academic work and observation,” said Dr. Eimer. “We are proud to offer these dedicated students who have already shown a passion for medicine an 8-week, paid opportunity to work with some of the leading experts in medicine.”
Student academics and a commitment to community service were considerations during the acceptance process, as well as ensuring the class would include a mix of students from different backgrounds, locations and life experiences. Due to the strong surge in applicants in 2021, only 3% of students were accepted to the program, welcoming students from 21 schools, including Northwestern University, Lake Forest College, Vanderbilt University, Howard University, Western Kentucky University, University of Notre Dame and Miami University.
In addition to the direct work experience the students receive, the program also provides a weekly lecture series, with topics including:
• Choosing a specialty
• Current medical student experiences
• Women in medicine
• The importance of community service
• Technology in medicine
• Staying healthy while taking care of others
• Teamwork in healthcare
• Life as a physician
• Paths to medicine
• Call center shadowing
• Navigating medical school admissions
The students also have an opportunity to meet and have lunch with Northwestern Medicine health system leaders, including Eric G. Neilson, MD, dean of Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and Howard B. Chrisman, MD, president of the Northwestern Medical Group.
Cameron Cozzi of Chicago, a junior at Northwestern University, has spent her time focusing on cardiology in the Glenview Outpatient Center, working closely with Dr. Eimer, her physician lead. “The summer before my senior year of high school, my mom was diagnosed with glioblastoma (brain cancer). Within the final months of 2018, my mom underwent multiple surgeries at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. During this time, I observed how many groups of medical professionals—including the attending and resident physicians—were required to innovate and work collaboratively in order to help solve the puzzle that was my mom's treatment and rehabilitation plan. This experience made it clear to me that a career in medicine would allow me to continue pursuing my passion for science and provide me with the ability to conduct research in a constantly evolving field while also connecting with a diverse group of patients. I am so grateful for this opportunity.”
For more information, please go to https://www.nm.org/for-medical-professionals/i-am-a-student/northwestern-medicine-pre-med-internship-program.
Since then, 143 pre-med students have completed the program, with many now in medical school. The current class has 43 students, who have the opportunity to shadow and learn from more than 45 leading physicians at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, in the northern suburbs at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital and the Northwestern Medicine Outpatient Centers in Glenview and Gurnee; and for the first time, at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital in Palos Heights.
Each student received their assigned clinical department, where they work with and report to both a physician lead as well as a program administrator. Then, once a week, they rotate to observe a different specialty.
“We provide a blend of both academic work and observation,” said Dr. Eimer. “We are proud to offer these dedicated students who have already shown a passion for medicine an 8-week, paid opportunity to work with some of the leading experts in medicine.”
Student academics and a commitment to community service were considerations during the acceptance process, as well as ensuring the class would include a mix of students from different backgrounds, locations and life experiences. Due to the strong surge in applicants in 2021, only 3% of students were accepted to the program, welcoming students from 21 schools, including Northwestern University, Lake Forest College, Vanderbilt University, Howard University, Western Kentucky University, University of Notre Dame and Miami University.
In addition to the direct work experience the students receive, the program also provides a weekly lecture series, with topics including:
• Choosing a specialty
• Current medical student experiences
• Women in medicine
• The importance of community service
• Technology in medicine
• Staying healthy while taking care of others
• Teamwork in healthcare
• Life as a physician
• Paths to medicine
• Call center shadowing
• Navigating medical school admissions
The students also have an opportunity to meet and have lunch with Northwestern Medicine health system leaders, including Eric G. Neilson, MD, dean of Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and Howard B. Chrisman, MD, president of the Northwestern Medical Group.
Cameron Cozzi of Chicago, a junior at Northwestern University, has spent her time focusing on cardiology in the Glenview Outpatient Center, working closely with Dr. Eimer, her physician lead. “The summer before my senior year of high school, my mom was diagnosed with glioblastoma (brain cancer). Within the final months of 2018, my mom underwent multiple surgeries at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. During this time, I observed how many groups of medical professionals—including the attending and resident physicians—were required to innovate and work collaboratively in order to help solve the puzzle that was my mom's treatment and rehabilitation plan. This experience made it clear to me that a career in medicine would allow me to continue pursuing my passion for science and provide me with the ability to conduct research in a constantly evolving field while also connecting with a diverse group of patients. I am so grateful for this opportunity.”
For more information, please go to https://www.nm.org/for-medical-professionals/i-am-a-student/northwestern-medicine-pre-med-internship-program.