FAU Launches Nation鈥檚 First M.D. Pipeline Program
The first-of-its-kind pipeline program to be launched in the United States, M.D. Direct places high school students from FAU High School directly in-line for medical school at FAU, jumpstarting their careers as young, aspiring physicians-to-be.
鈥淪igning Day鈥 brought new meaning for four of the nation鈥檚 brightest teens as they were officially accepted into an innovative medical school pipeline program today through 鈥檚 鈥淔AU High School M.D. Direct鈥 program. The first-of-its-kind pipeline program to be launched in the United States, M.D. Direct places high school students from FAU High School directly in-line for medical school at FAU, jumpstarting their careers as young, aspiring physicians-to-be.聽
The inaugural group of students were celebrated during a special ceremony at FAU鈥檚 on Friday.
The M.D. Direct 鈥淪igning Day,鈥 complete with FAU mascot 鈥淥wlsley鈥 who wore scrubs and a physician鈥檚 white coat, mimicked one of the most exciting times in collegiate 华人第一情色社区 and provided a platform for parents, as well as University and community leaders to cheer on these stellar students who were garbed in FAU medical school T-shirts and baseball caps.
Among the distinguished guests in attendance were FAU President , FAU First Lady , , M.D., dean of FAU鈥檚 Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, and , M.D., senior associate dean of student affairs and admissions in FAU鈥檚 College of Medicine, who emceed the special ceremony.
To be accepted into the medical school pipeline program was no easy feat for these four national merit scholars who were identified in their junior year at . The program requires them to complete their B.S. degree within one year and complete a graduate program at FAU or approved research program prior to entering medical school. To qualify for this program they have to participate in pre-medical course advising, mentoring, clinical experiences, medical-related service learning, and research. They also must successfully meet certain requirements for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), a grueling endeavor for most college students who are typically in their early 20s when they complete this test, and participate in MCAT test preparation.
Among the four students is aspiring neurosurgeon Maximilian Rabil, 18, who recently received his college degree six days prior to receiving his high school diploma, and will conduct neuroscience research before he is eligible to start medical school in fall 2018. Sarah Palumbo, 18, Nadia Sial, 17, and Cara Busheme, 18, will join Rabil to be among the nation鈥檚 youngest medical students.
鈥淲e have an incredible group of gifted and talented students at FAU High School with an interest in medicine. Impressively, these students have achieved stellar accomplishments during their high school years, including a research publication in the 鈥楴ew England Journal of Medicine鈥 and earning a college degree during high school, among others,鈥 said Boiselle. 鈥淲e are delighted for these exceptional students to continue their educational journeys at FAU. On behalf of the entire community of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, I am delighted to welcome Max, Sarah, Nadia and Cara as our inaugural pipeline students from the FAU High School.鈥 聽
Boiselle together with Markowitz, , M.D., associate professor of surgery in FAU鈥檚 College of Medicine, and , Ed.D., assistant dean for PK-12 schools and educational programs in FAU鈥檚 College of Education, see this pipeline program as an opportunity to work with middle and high school students while they are still forming impressions of what they hope to accomplish after they graduate and to help them understand what a career as a physician entails.聽
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