Health Science Club Est. 1924: Row 1: K. Moll, M. McNabb, K. Sullivan, A. Kuhn. Row 2: H. Schliffka, J. Goellner, R. Teague (sponsor), S. Miller, T. Vanscoy, R. Collinge, H. Terhune, M. Love, M. Hoyle. Est. 1976: Row 1: M. Evans, K. Morkassel, W. Gentry, K. Blickenstaff, C. Huey, D. Hudson, E. Valerie, M. Whitman, J. Pratt. Row 2: R. Yoon, J. Qu, P. Pham, A. Plaskocinski, C. Lents, J. Fisher, C. Rogers, D. Schuler, J. Hall (sponsor). Row 3: R. Brown, S. Kennedy, P. Parsons, L. Hawes, P. Pugh, K. Barnett, T. Overman , D. Duke (sponsor). Row 4: C. Eze, M. Albright, C. Hall, S. Weare, H. Weare, T. Jones, M. Sexson, S. Stringfellow, L. Webber, N. Eze. GAlNING PERSP'ECTIVE FROM THE PROFESSIONALS Health Science Club receives advice for the medical field from alumni panel The Health Science Club was an organization that benefited students preparing for careers in the health sciences. Through the Health Science Club, students prepared for the medical world by practicing interviews, listening to guest speakers and participating in service projects. One of the largest events the Health Science Club sponsored was an alumni panel Oct. 22 during Homecoming weekend. This year, the Health Science Club presented the eighth annual alumni panel, which gave medical professionals who graduated from Harding University an opportunity to give advice to students interested in similar careers. The majority of the time was designated for students to ask specific questions to the panelists. The panel included Dr. Richard Duke, a phsyician; Ashley Ganus, a student in occupational therapy school; Dr. Melissa Shipp, a pharmacist; Mary Maddill and Nicole Mount, both physician assistants; and Dr. Anita Killins, a physical therapist. The panelists talked about medical missions, job shadowing, applying for schools, experience in the workplace, maintaining a spiritual life outside of Harding, and Harding's specific health science graduate programs. They reassured the students of the importance of the careers they were pursuing and encouraged them. Madill, a physician assistant and assistant professor in Harding's PA school, graduated in 1999 as a part of the first physician assistant class to graduate from Harding. Madill spoke highly of the program, saying that professors taught students to care for their patients as a whole person. "Harding's program prepares students to see patients holistically," Madill said. "You're not just treating an illness. You're treating an actual person who happens to have an illness. I think that's one of the strengths of our program." Killins, also a 1999 alumna, graduated with a biology degree and returned to Harding as an associate professor of physical therapy after completing physical therapy school at Creighton University. She advised students to appreciate their time at Harding. According to Killins, the real world did not embrace Christianity, so students ought to make the most of their time immersed in a spiritual environment. Junior Nnaemeka Eze, a pre-med biochemistry major from Nigeria, learned of his passion for medicine at a young age. He grew up shadowing at a hospital in Nigeria and assisted in surgeries at age 13 before he dreamed of coming to Harding. He thought it was encouraging and motivating to see Harding alumni succeeding in the medical field. The best advice Eze took from the panel was that, in the medical profession, it's not always a direct path, and it's never easy. If you want to be in the medical field you have to be committed and passionate. The eighth annual alumni panel of the Health Science Club benefited both the alumni and the students who attended. The alumni were able to share wisdom pertaining to college preparation as well as their experiences in various medical fields. The students received their advice willingly, excited to apply it to the rest of their college careers. They gained a new appreciation for the importance of their work in the medical field. Abby Lloyd Health Science I 257
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