UCHICAgoOPPORTUNITIES

ProfessIonsHealtH

Medicine and health can be exciting and rewarding fields of study—and they make great careers. At the University of Chicago, our undergraduate liberal arts education is bolstered by comprehensive advising services and the resources of an elite research university. We prepare students for admission to the nation’s top medical schools and health professions programs. With one of the nation’s preeminent academic medical centers on campus, University of Chicago students enjoy unrivaled access to world-class clinicians, researchers, and facilities.

Chicago Careers in Health Professions ccihp.uchicago.edu

Office of College Admissions Rosenwald Hall1101 East 58th StreetChicago, Illinois 60637

T 773.702.8650F 773.702.4199collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu

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The University of Chicago fully incorporates its

medical school, the Pritzker School of Medicine,

into the broader biological sciences enterprise.

Among more than 140 undergraduate classes in the

Biological Sciences Collegiate Division, many are

tailored specifically to the interests of pre-health

students, including Basic Science for Medicine,

Pharmacological Perspectives, and the Origins of

Cancer. About half of our pre-health students major

in the biological sciences. Others pursue programs

of study in fields as diverse as history, philosophy,

and social studies of science and medicine (HIPS);

anthropology; political science; and English

language and literature.

UChicago’s student-to-faculty ratio of seven

to one allows undergraduates a level of faculty

interaction rarely experienced at other large research

institutions. As a result, faculty members are able

to tailor letters of recommendation that speak to

students’ individual strengths.

Beyond academics, UChicago is committed to

helping students develop the skills and qualities

essential for success in health and medicine.

Schools of the health professions are looking for

more than high GPAs and MCAT scores. They

value well-rounded adults who have cultivated the

competencies required of successful professionals,

are committed to serving others and working

collaboratively, and have engaged with their

communities. Opportunities to participate in service

abound both within and outside the University.

The University of Chicago Medical Center, located

on our Hyde Park campus, offers outstanding

resources for undergraduates interested in medicine.

It incorporates several hospitals and the Duchossois

Center for Advanced Medicine (DCAM) outpatient

facility, where students can shadow health

professionals and conduct research alongside top

physicians in their fields.

ARSHIyA FAzALUChicago degree College Class of 2012, biological sciencesHome New Providence, NJ; Kolkata, IndiaOccupation Research assistant

Fazal is a pre-medicine and pre-business student. After graduating, she plans to pursue an MD/MBA and eventually become a medical administrator. Last summer, she researched sleep disturbance in hospitalized patients with funding from the CCIHP Karen Katen Scholarship Program.

“My lab colleagues and I attended sleep lectures to get a sense of what it’s like for medical fellows in a university setting and to learn from their mentors and doctors. The Katen Program helped me figure out what I want to do with my life: practice medicine and approach health care from a social and administrative standpoint.”

KATE MANUELLIUChicago degree AB’11, art historyHome Highstown, NJOccupation CCIHP Fellow and clinical research assistant at the Medical Center

Manuelli surveys patients to improve patient care at the University of Chicago Medical Center through its Hospitalist Project. As a CCIHP Fellow, she mentors underclassmen as they explore careers in the health professions.

“Having the University of Chicago Medical Center right on campus was amazing. I was able to volunteer at the Comer Children’s Hospital and shadow doctors. It was really easy to get my feet wet in all different kinds of medicine.”

EMMANUEL ARyEEUChicago degree AB’11, biological sciencesHome Chicago, IL; Accra, GhanaOccupation Research assistant

Aryee has wanted to be a physician and scientist his entire life. As a Katen Scholar, he looked for laboratory work that would translate into clinical settings and patient care. His research in a developmental neurobiology lab was recently published in the journal Development.

“In the Katen Program, I was able to discuss many of the current topics in medicine, such as issues of professionalism in the workplace and problems in scientific research. Our public policy seminar taught us about the food desert on Chicago’s South Side. We learned about systematic ways of looking at our work and gained problem-solving tools.”

PRogRAMPROFILES

Chicago Careers in Health ProfessionsChicago Careers in Health Professions (CCIHP) is a comprehensive, four-year, pre-professional program that provides College students with the resources and support to develop a customized portfolio of knowledge, skill sets, and experiences required for advanced study in health and medicine. As early as their first year, pre-health students are advised on how to assess their strengths, hone their interests, and identify appropriate course work, research, and clini-cal opportunities. UChicago students prepare highly competitive applications for advanced study in a variety of fields, including medicine, dentistry, health services research, veterinary medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and public health.

Individualized AdvisingThe CCIHP team works closely with pre-health students to ensure they are prepared for both the application and job search processes. CCIHP frequently partners with other campus offices, including the University Community Service Center, Study Abroad, Career Advising and Planning Services (CAPS), and the office of the Dean of Students in the College to provide advising tailored to each student’s interests and strengths.

Academic PreparationSchools of the health professions expect students to acquire a broad range of scientific competencies while developing problem-solving and critical thinking skills that sustain lifelong learning. CCIHP’s collaborative learning groups in the basic sciences, including general and organic chemistry, help students achieve academic excellence while cultivating the teamwork and leadership skills required for professional success. In addition, CCIHP sponsors workshops on test-taking strategies, time management skills, and self-assessment techniques, and offers an intensive 10-week MCAT preparatory course during the winter and spring quarters.

Career ExplorationCCIHP supports students and alumni as they explore the many health professions. The program offers panels and workshops featuring health professionals, many of whom are alumni, throughout the academic year. Students have access to an onsite library with internship, career, and volunteer information. In addition, CCIHP invites admissions representatives from top schools to meet with pre-health students. CCIHP also helps stu-dents identify and apply for research, clinical, and policy intern-ships and externships, both on and off campus.

Katen ScholarsThe CCIHP Karen Katen Scholarship Program offers summer fel-lowships that pair student researchers with faculty mentors and features an intensive 10-week seminar on current issues in health and medicine. In the seminar, fellows debate topics in health policy, medical ethics, and health disparities while honing their presentation, analytical, and professional skills. The program cul-minates in a student-led research symposium attended by faculty, administrators, and research colleagues.

RONA HSUUChicago degree AB’10, biological sciencesHome Wheaton, ILOccupation First-year student at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine

As a first-year dental student, Hsu is learning dentistry fundamentals. In the College, she worked as a research assistant at the University’s Asthma and CoPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) Center, where Hsu explored the effects of drugs on the respiratory pathway.

“Without a doubt, the best part of UChicago is the people you meet. There are not many other places where you can find students who are so academically motivated and intellectually curious. Because of UChicago, I’m a lifelong learner.”

ALEx LICKERMANUChicago degrees AB’88, English language and literature; MD’92Home Chicago, ILOccupation Assistant vice president for student health and counseling services at the University

Lickerman runs the Student Care Center (SCC) and Student Counseling and Resource Service on campus, and he’s working to develop a new health and wellness initiative at UChicago. In addition to managing operations for the student health facilities, Lickerman sees patients at the SCC and in his own practice at DCAM.

“Learning how to think critically was the single greatest benefit of my education here. I apply it to every single decision I make, whether it’s to figure out what’s wrong with a patient and design a treatment plan or to make a management decision.”

EzE OKEAGUUChicago degree AB’10, biological sciencesHome Fayetteville, NCOccupation First-year student at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine

As a third-year in the College, okeagu participated in the Pritzker School of Medicine Experience in Research program, where he worked in a neurobiology lab on campus for eight weeks. Because of CCIHP, he and many of his classmates had completed their applications before medical schools began accepting them.

“My work ethic was really defined at UChicago. I had some bumpy roads—especially organic chemistry—but I always ended strongly. UChicago provided a challenge as well as the motivation to keep trying if you don’t get it the first time. I think medical school would be a lot more challenging had I not been prepared by going to UChicago.”

PRogRAMPROFILES

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CCIHP FellowsAs pre-health student ambassadors, CCIHP Fellows serve as peer mentors and assist in providing a range of stu-dent services, from career exploration to the development of professional and leadership skills. In tandem with the pro-fessional CCIHP staff, the Fellows bring firsthand experience and guidance to pre-health students as they navigate the process of building a portfolio of aca-demic and civic experiences.

Application SupportCCIHP provides comprehensive support to College students and recent alumni throughout the 18-month process of applying to health professions schools. Through a series of interactive seminars, personal essay consultations, practice interviews, and opportunities for reflection and feedback, students are equipped to produce highly competitive applications to schools that best match their interests.

Health and Medicine at UChicagoResearch and Clinical Training As undergraduates at a top research univer-sity, College students have opportunities to take part in independent or team research projects alongside graduate students, medical students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty members. Each year, UChicago undergraduates coauthor papers published in scientific and medical journals, includ-ing Endocrinology, American Journal of

Physiology, Journal of Evolutionary Biology, Genetics, Immunity, Journal of Biological Chemistry, and Journal of Neuroscience.

The Pritzker School of MedicineThe Pritzker School of Medicine Accelerated Medical Scholars Program permits excep-tional undergraduate students who have demonstrated outstanding potential to begin medical school during their fourth year in the College. Upon the success-ful conclusion of the first year of medical school, scholars receive the bachelor of arts in professional option: medicine.

Student OrganizationsStudent groups sponsor a variety of pro-grams and events to support pre-medical students. These include the Pre-Medical Students Association and the Student National Medical Association –Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students. Mentoring, peer advising, and alumni panel programs bring students who are begin-ning the pre-health process into contact with experienced individuals who can offer insight into the challenges and rewards of pursuing advanced studies in medicine.

Recent InitiativesInstitute for Molecular Engineering In partnership with Argonne National Laboratory, UChicago’s new Institute for Molecular Engineering will explore innovative technologies that address fundamental societal problems through modern advances in nanoscale

manipulation, in areas including health and medicine. Students in the College can look forward to an array of courses and research opportunities in this exciting, growing field.

New Hospital PavilionThe University of Chicago Medical Center will open its New Hospital Pavilion in 2012. The 1.2-million-square-foot facility will pro-vide the optimal setting for patient care and collaborative clinical research. At the New Hospital Pavilion, College students will con-tinue to have unparalleled access to clinical, volunteer, and research opportunities.

Career Exploration OpportunitiesTaking the Next Step Each January, the College holds a daylong career planning event for all second- and third-year students. Students attend presentations by prominent alumni from around the world. Hundreds of alumni attend this event to discuss the ways in which they have put their UChicago educations to use.

Jeff Metcalf Fellows Program Each year, the Jeff Metcalf Fellows Program provides over 400 UChicago undergraduates with paid, substantive internship opportunities in a wide range of fields, across the country and around the world.

CHRIS STRAUSUChicago degrees LAB’84; AB’88, biological sciences; MD’92Home Chicago, ILOccupation Associate professor in radiology and director of medical student education programming at the University

Straus has worked at the Medical Center since graduating from the Pritzker School of Medicine in 1992. As the head of medical student education, he has spearheaded an initiative that integrates radiology and patient care over students’ four years. Prior to this role, he was the Department of Radiology’s director of operations. His specialty is in interventional radiology, but he practices multiple areas of radiology to help treat patients throughout the Medical Center’s many divisions.

JESSICA LOvSTADUChicago degree AB’09, biological sciencesHome Oregon, ILOccupation First-year student at University of Wisconsin–Madison School of veterinary Medicine

Last year, Lovstad worked at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago as a zoological medicine support intern. She completed research on blood groups in great apes, which she had started while in the College as a Jeff Metcalf Fellow. She published her findings in the journal Zoo Biology, and she will work as a research assistant this summer using ultrasound to study glaucoma in cats.

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