Aha, but which fork to take? In middle school and high school, that fork usually is the one labeled PREPARATION.
Tina Garza, principal of Harlingen School of Health Professions, knows a lot about preparing for a career – especially a career in medicine and science fields.
“All grades leading up to graduating from high school are the essential foundation for when a young person enters that ‘13th year’ and begins to really dig into the area they want to pursue,” Garza said.
A strong BACKGROUND in science and math is critical to many careers, especially medicine, and Garza points out the other indispensable building blocks of learning: READING and WRITING.
“Reading and writing are the basis for academic rigor and relevance. Lessons are more meaningful when literacy and science are woven together,” she said.
LIFELONG LEARNING is another skill to embrace when you’re young. “Students must become aware that they can never stop learning,” Garza said.
Dr. James Ponce, superintendent of the McAllen Independent School District, said students should take as many rigorous math and science courses as possible.
“They should also involve themselves in clubs or extracurricular activities that allow for LEADERSHIP and COMMUNITY SERVICE. Students should be well-rounded. By challenging themselves early, they will be better prepared for the demands of higher education.”
Dr. Marla Guerra, superintendent of South Texas ISD, agrees with Dr. Ponce on the importance of a WELL-ROUNDED background and on a commitment to community service.
“Now medical education includes the humanities, and looks for students committed to community service,” she said.
What's after med school?
The next step is getting matched to a residency program where medical graduates apply the skills they learned under the guidance of trained health professionals. At UTRGV School of Medicine, the Department of Graduate Medical Education provides residency programs with several local hospitals including:
- DOCTORS HOSPITAL AT RENAISSANCE IN EDINBURG
- Internal Medicine
- Family Medicine
- General Surgery
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Preventive Medicine (In development)
- VALLEY BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER-HARLINGEN
- Internal Medicine
- Psychiatry (In development)
- MCALLEN MEDICAL CENTER
- Family Medicine
What should you expect?
Year One
In June 2016, the UTRGV School of Medicine welcomes its first students.Fall semester modules: Molecules to Medicine; Attack and Defense.
Spring semester modules: Circulation; Respiratory; Renal and Male Reproductive.
First of two years: Modules in Language of Medicine; Clinical Skills; and Medicine, Behavior and Society. All four years: Ambulatory Interprofessional Medical Experience (AIME).
Year Two
Fall semester modules: Mind, Brain and Behavior; Endocrine and Female Reproductive; Digestive Health and Nutrition.Spring Semester modules: Musculoskeletal and Dermatology.
Second of two years: Modules in Language of Medicine; Clinical Skills; and Medicine, Behavior and Society.
All four years: Ambulatory Interprofessional Medical Experience (AIME).
Year Three
Students will also do clerkships in:Internal medicine
OB/GYN
Psychiatry
Pediatrics
Family medicine
Surgery
Emergency medicine
Neurology
All four years: Ambulatory Interprofessional Medical Experience (AIME).
Year Four
Students then proceed to:4 weeks of outpatient selectives.
4 weeks of inpatient selectives.
18 weeks of electives.
5 weeks of didactics.
10 weeks of arranged vacation time, in which residency interviews will be arranged.
All four years: Ambulatory Interprofessional Medical Experience (AIME).
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