The Rustorian

Issue date: 2/28/09 Section: News

Rust premed students participated in organ recital with Natalie Jacoboswki, a fourth year medical student.

Participants at the medical workshops from Belmont University, Austin Peay, Cumberland College, Vanderbilt University, and Rust College.

Rust College pre-med students participated in the First Annual Levi Watkins, Jr. Premedical Conference at Vanderbilt School of Medicine in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Feb. 21.

Over 40 undergraduates from Middle Tennessee schools were in attendance, including undergraduates from Belmont University, Austin Peay, Cumberland College, Vanderbilt University, and Rust College.

The idea was born out of group discussions between schoolmates who have served in various capacities at Vanderbilt as a way to help recruit students of color as well as a way to reach out to students from undergraduate institutions in the Middle Tennessee area.

The program was named for Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr, the first African American graduate of Vanderbilt School of Medicine and a graduate of Tennessee State University.

The event began with a welcome by Dr. Bonnie Miller, dean of Medical Education and Dr. John Zic, dean of Admissions. It was followed by a program overview by Jason Castellanos and Vernon Rayford, two fourth-year Vanderbilt medical students who planned the program and event.

Zic followed with a presentation entitled, "Interview Powerplays and Pitfalls" after which the participants were broken up into small groups for mock interviews conducted by medical student volunteers. Additional workshops included a session on the AMCAS and MCAT, and also a student led session titled, "How to sell yourself in 5300 characters or less."

This session on personal statements was conducted by Elyne Kahn and Danielle Wright, a VMS 2 and VMS 1, respectively. The participants were then given a tour of the medical center and participated in an organ recital with Natalie Jacoboswki, a fourth year medical student currently enrolled in the medical scholars program.

The event concluded with a panel discussion with faculty and student admission committee members consisting of Zic, Tera Howard, VMS 3, and Saira Khan, VMS 2. Two free MCAT courses were raffled to the participants.
Jason and Vernon hope to transition planning for future premedical conferences to rising VMS first, second and third year students.

Note: Vernon is a native of Holly Springs, Miss., and is the son of Van and Sherry Rayford, a 1995 Rust alumna.

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