The University of Virginia’s Chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) hosted the 2024 UVA SNMA Mini-Medical School Day Program, in collaboration with the Inova Health System’s Dream BIG Foundation, on Saturday, January 13. They welcomed 94 students from high schools across the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Northern Virginia areas to the Inova Fairfax Medical Campus for an immersive day of exploration of the medical field. Through a dynamic blend of interactive simulations, workshops, and activities, the event aimed to spark curiosity and ignite passion among students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, with the ultimate goal of fostering diversity in the future medical workforce.
High school students actively participated in six, medical student-led simulation-based workshops where they learned skills such as laparoscopy, suturing and knot tying, incision and drainage, intubation, vaginal delivery, and point-of-care ultrasound. The day also included a hospital campus tour, stimulating lunchtime discussions with attending physicians, medical students, residents, and other health care professionals as well as a captivating medical student panel. As a parting gift, the high school students received certificates of completion, t-shirts, stethoscopes, and Dream B!G totes filled with Inova Dream B!G and UVA School of Medicine gear, and information about navigating the pathway to medical school.
The UVA SNMA Mini-Medical School Leadership Committee, Aaliyah Meade (SMD ‘24), Misky Sharif (SMD ‘24), Jasmina Abdalla (SMD ‘25), and Amber Bowman (SMD’25), extends heartfelt appreciation to Dean Chefietz, Dean Trimble, the UME faculty at the Inova Fairfax Medical Campus, the Inova Dream B!G team, the Inova Foundation, the 50 Pinn College medical student volunteers, and the 15 Inova attending physician and resident volunteers for their invaluable contributions and generous support of the program. Their collective efforts were pivotal in ensuring the success of the event.
Photos were contributed by event organizers.
Filed Under: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Education, Featured