The School of Medicine recently partnered with Wake Forest University for the annual College LAUNCH - MEDucation Day. This program is a free nine-month college prep, social justice and leadership development program for high school juniors in the Winston-Salem, Charlotte and surrounding areas. This year, 72 high school scholars participated in the hands-on event.
This event is produced by the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion partners with the pre-college programs at Wake Forest University and is a pathway program that focuses on exposing underserved high school juniors to careers in medicine. The purpose of this event is to provide an educational experience with hands-on activities for College LAUNCH Scholars. Through this program scholars focus on the vigorous health professions within the field of medicine through presentations and various simulations throughout the day. Participants are exposed to all School of Medicine education programs (Medical Doctor, Physician Assistant, CRNA/Academic Nursing and the Graduate School Biomedical Sciences PhD/Masters programs).
During the event, students participated in four different breakout sessions, including a lunch panel session with our current School of Medicine students.
Breakout Sessions
- Academic Nursing: Anesthesia Airway Simulation Session – led by Thomas Winn, CRNA, DNP
- Graduate School: Biomedical Sciences and Brain Awareness presentation – led by Bernard Roper, PhD
- Doctor of Medicine: MD Trauma Scenario and Ultrasound Simulation Session – led by Emily MacNeill, MD
- Physician Assistant: Physician Assistant Case Scenario and Hands-on Suturing Session – led by Robert Wooten, PA-C
Thank You to the Student Volunteers
- Megan M. Mukenge, Class of 2026 (MD)
- Chioma N. Ngene, Class of 2026 (MD)
- Javier A. Velez Toro, Class of 2027 (MD)
- Samantha A. Bonge, Class of 2027 (MD)
- Arsha Sharma, Class of 2027 (MD)
- Melissa G. Salvatin, Class of 2025 (CRNA)
- Amanda L. Salazar, Graduate Student, PhD candidate in neuroscience
- Arianna Nassar, Class of 2024 (PA)
- Katrina A. McTigue, Class of 2024 (PA)