VCU news

By Erin Lucero
Office of Development, School of Medicine

RICHMOND, Va. – For some Virginia high school students, summer vacation will mean an opportunity to learn at one of the country’s largest medical centers. Partnered with physicians and researchers, they’ll be introduced to the realities of a career in medicine.

The 30 students chosen to participate in the 12th annual Virginia Governor's School for Medicine were selected from among nearly 150 applicants (see attached for participating students). For six weeks, they will live on Virginia Commonwealth University's Medical College of Virginia Campus and spend their days with mentors — practicing physicians or medical researchers — in fields of their choice.

Students paired with physicians will be based in VCU’s MCV Hospitals, learning about patient care and discussing treatment plans with health-care providers. Those studying a research specialty will actively participate in laboratory research and work with investigators to analyze findings.

In addition to conducting research projects, all students will rotate through other specialties that interest them and volunteer in the hospital. They also will get a taste of college and city living.

"This is an extraordinary opportunity for these students," said Kirk Blackard, director of the Virginia Governor's School for Medicine. "During the summer, they have the chance to observe surgery, childbirth and emergency medicine — experiences that many medical school students don't have until their third year. We’ll see students assess for themselves what a career in medicine looks like on a day-to-day basis and decide if this is a course they wish to pursue."

Dozens of past participants have gone on to pre-med programs and medical schools at a number of universities including VCU. Of the past participants who applied since the program’s inception in 1996, about 70 percent were accepted. More than 50 percent matriculated at VCU’s School of Medicine.

The Governor's School for Medicine is a cooperative project of the Virginia Department of Education's Office of Programs for the Gifted and VCU's School of Medicine. The program was the first of its kind in the country.