Medical students look to helping future doctors
Apr. 8—Four medical students affirmed on Monday the regional growth of programs that prepare the next generation of physicians, and offered advice to Missouri Western State University students about their options.
Abby Yoss, Abbey Jin, Hailee Warren and Jacob Lewis joined Taylor Danbury of Mosaic Life Care at Agenstein Hall on campus for an hourlong telling of what they have been through as they aim to complete different programs, which confer the coveted titles of medical doctor and doctor of osteopathy. Both degrees are equally regarded in the field of health care, and the differences between them are today insignificant, compared to the past. However, osteopaths receive extra training in musculoskeletal medicine, whereas medical doctors tend to focus more on the academic science of disease.
In her role for Mosaic, Danbury works as coordinator of the Northwest Missouri Area Health Education Center, which promotes the study of medicine.
"To be a good medical school applicant, you must prove that you can be an academic leader, and a leader in your community," said Warren, a Savannah native and Western alumna, who studies osteopathy at Kansas City University in Kansas City, Missouri. "It's also about being a genuine good person. So, those are the kind of qualifications that they're looking for."
The four represent the three geographically closest to St. Joseph institutions of doctorate-level medicine, those being A.T. Still University of Kirksville, Missouri, the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, and the Kansas City University Osteopathic Medical School. They also discussed UMKC's ongoing development of a satellite campus, in partnership with Mosaic. The 22,000 square foot project is scheduled for a 2025 opening.
"I think that'll be really great for our community," said Callie Punzo of St. Joseph, a Missouri Western senior who served as emcee for the panel discussion. "It'll definitely increase, I feel like, the awareness of Mosaic and what they're offering. And, also, since it serves so many smaller communities, it will be kind of be useful for everyone to bring more health care professionals into our area, even if they're still in their studies."
Punzo, who is president of Pre-Professional Club, a group of students interested in post-graduate training in medicine, veterinary science and dentistry, said she hopes events like the panel discussion help people understand that Missouri Western can be a gateway to advanced fields of study. Punzo graduated from St. Joseph Christian School, and said she has heard a few misleading stereotypes.
"When I was in high school, everyone was like 'Ew, Missouri Western. Why couldn't you go somewhere better?' But really, like we have a really great biology program, great research opportunities," Punzo said. "Lots of community service involvement, and a great nursing program. And it's very affordable. You get all of that, and low cost. It's just like the best of both worlds."
Warren said the addition of the UMKC medical campus to St. Joseph in 2025 will confer significant benefits to rural Northwest Missouri.
"I'm from a rural area, I love the rural community," she said. "I just love the community atmosphere and the community pride, and maybe bringing a medical school and students here to St. Joe and to Savannah and the surrounding areas will kind of portray that community atmosphere and pride."
Info about medical school partnerships is filed on the Missouri Western Department of Biology website, https://www.missouriwestern.edu/biology/.
Marcus Clem can be reached at marcus.clem@newspressnow.com. Follow him on Twitter: @NPNowClem
