Wartburg Partners with Waverly Health Center - Summer 2007 Wartburg Magazine - Wartburg College

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Becky LeVan ’08, a pre-medical biochemistry major from Elgin, Minn., shadowed two doctors who specialize in obstetrics and gynecology at Waverly Health Center during Fall Term 2006. The experience resulted in her decision to focus on OB/GYN when she goes to medical school.

Wartburg partners with Waverly Health Center

by Michelle Caldwell '08

Wartburg premedical students go above and beyond college requirements; they get an in-depth look at life inside a hospital before entering postgraduate education.

The Waverly Health Center has partnered with Wartburg to give premed majors a chance to volunteer at the hospital, better understand the culture and get an inside perspective working with doctors, nurses and specialty clinics. Now in its second year, the program allows sophomores to donate 30 or more hours volunteering in departments throughout the health center. Juniors get more involved by actually going into the operating rooms with obstetricians and gynecologists, general surgery, emergency room, ambulance and the specialty ear, nose and throat clinic.

Since the premedical program at Wartburg has been on the rise, faculty saw a need for an organized partnership with the local hospital to give students more exposure, explains Jo Lynn Dorrance, internship coordinator.

The scheduling this year has been challenging for Dorrance, with 19 students shadowing doctors and 30 students volunteering in different departments. The new partnership should help attract strong students to Wartburg, added Dorrance.

“Well-rounded students can show this on their medical school application. It shows students committed to volunteering, (and offers) exposure in an operating room and shadowing medical professionals for a few years,” said Dorrance. “In addition to the premedical majors, the college intends to involve the music, art and theatre departments at the hospital to provide entertainment for patients, their families and staff.”