University of Massachusetts Medical School going above and beyond the call of duty

WITH MEDICINE. HE DREAMS AND PLANS ARE EVEN BIGGER TODAY. PEOPLE OF ASPIRING DOCTORS INCLUDES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN WOOSTERS PIPELINE PROGRAM. IT WAS IN 2015 WE MET LISA WHO SHARED HER PERSONAL STORY. I HAD SURGERY ON MY HEART SIX MONTHS AGO. UAB DOCTORS AND NURSES TOOK CARE OF ME ON SURGERY DAY IS WHAT MADE ME CHOOSE THE PATH TO MEDICAL SCHOOL. IT OPENED MY EYES A LOT. >> TODAY LISA IS ON TRACK TO RETURN DREAM. THAT CAN HELP ME GAIN — THEY HAVE HELPED ME GAIN EXPERIENCE. >> MED SCHOOL IS ONLY THE BEGINNING. SHE HAS GRANDER GOALS. I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERNSHIP IN AFRICA, SO MY GOAL IS TO GO BACK HOME AND OPEN THE CLINIC TO HELP THE LESS – THE LESS FORTUNATE — HELP THE LESS FORTUNATE. THE SCHOOL HAS A HISTORY WITH HEALTH CRISES. ON THE GROUND, IN LIBERIA, WITH EBOLA. >> VERY MUCH A CULTURE HERE OF WHERE WE CAN HELP, WHEN CAN WE HELP, AND HOW. OUR STUDENTS ARE ON THE FRONT LINES PROVIDING VACCINATIONS EVERY DAY, AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU IT I — IT IS A FILLING EXPERIENCE — A FULFILLING EXPERIENCE. >> STUDENTS HAVE TAKEN CHARGE COMMANDING A STUDENT VACCINE CORE. WE HAVE A LOT TO OFFER, WE HAVE A LOT OF EDUCATION UNDER OUR BELT ALREADY. >> HE SAW A NEED AND FILLED IT. WHEN I AM HERE IN THE CLINIC AND TAKING A SEAT WI SOMEBODY WHO IS ABOUT TO GET VACCINATED AND HAVING THAT STATION WITH THEM, THIS HAS OPENED MY EYES TO HOW IMPORTANT THIS FIELD IS. >> WE HAD THE MEDICAL SCHOOL GET THE FLU VACCINE, SO WE ELSE ON THAT. AT THE MOMENT WE HAVE 471 MEDICAL STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN TRAINED. >> TRAINED AND AVOID STATEWIDE — TRAINED AND DEPLOYED STATEWIDE. >> PAGE THE PEAR EXPLAINS — LOOK PEA — PAIGEAPEARL EXPLAINS. >> IS GOING TO MAKE THEM MORE WELL-ROUNDED TO GO INTO THEIR RESIDENCY TO HAVE THAT BACKGROUND. IT’S NICE TO TEACH THEM BECAUS THEY ARE ENTHUSIASTIC WITH LEARNING. THE DOCTOR IS GRATEFUL FOR THE STUDENT INVOLVEMENT. HAVING MEDICAL STUDENTS, I DON’T THINK THIS IS HAPPENING EVERYWHERE ELSE. IT IS AN INCREDIBLE PIECE FOR THE MOBILE CLINICS. WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO IT WITHOUT THEM. WITH MY TIME HIV, WITH HEIRS COVID. — WITH THEIRS, COVID. IT HAS BEEN A JOY. I AM GRATEFUL. >> PANDEMICS ARE PART OF THE CURRICULUM AT UMASS, BUT EXPERIENCING ONE IN THE LAB WORK THAT WILL SETTING IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR A MEDICAL STUDENT. PREVIOUS GENERATIONS DEALT WITH POLIO, SMALLPOX, HIV, BUT FOR THIS GENERATION,

University of Massachusetts Medical School going above and beyond the call of duty

In 2015, Chronicle met a young student in Worcester with dreams of a career in medicine. Turns out, her plans are even bigger today. We also meet UMass medical students who are on the front line of COVID-19 vaccinations

Updated: 8:35 PM EDT Apr 22, 2021

In 2015 we met Louisa Addo, a student in Worcester’s Pipeline Program. Today, she is a case manager at UMASS Memorial Health’s Community Healthlink and on track to realize her dream of attending medical school. We find today’s medical students serving the community volunteering their time and expertise at vaccination clinics. Dr. Mattie Castiel, the Commissioner of Health and Human Services for the City of Worcester, is grateful for the student involvement.

NEEDHAM, Mass. —

In 2015 we met Louisa Addo, a student in Worcester’s Pipeline Program. Today, she is a case manager at UMASS Memorial Health’s Community Healthlink and on track to realize her dream of attending medical school.

We find today’s medical students serving the community volunteering their time and expertise at vaccination clinics. Dr. Mattie Castiel, the Commissioner of Health and Human Services for the City of Worcester, is grateful for the student involvement.