The International American University College of Medicine (IAU) and its Student Government Association (SGA) together successfully conducted its second ‘Student Mentor Day’. A group of students and teacher from the Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School (Campus B) were invited to IAU to experience a day in the life of a medical student. The event is organized with the aim of inspiring and encouraging young students towards a career in medicine.

The visiting students attended live lectures on all the different subjects in medicine along with their assigned mentor. They even had the opportunity to visit the anatomy lab where they were presented with a general overview of different regions of the human body, including a discussion of organs such as the brain and heart.

It was the success of first ‘Student Mentor Day’ conducted last year that inspired IAU and SGA to repeat the event. “They are still talking about their experience at IAU”, said Ms. Josephine Henry, the accompanying teacher when asked about the last batch of students who visited IAU. She added that the success of the last event had led to the teachers and students having very high expectations for any such future events.

The event was an enriching experience not just for the visiting students but also for the medical students and faculty alike. “The IAU and the SGA hope that events like Student Mentor Day will help instill a love of medicine in participating students and that this experience that will be a source of motivation for students to do their best to achieve their goals,” said David Dragas, one of the event organizers. Dr. James Villanueva, Dean of Student Affairs, echoed the students’ sentiments and extended complete support to the visiting students. “We have very nice students here (at IAU) who are willing to support and help you”, he said whilst talking to the young students.

The International American University College of Medicine has always worked closely with the local community and has been instrumental in organizing several camps for the public. However, this event is unlike all the previous initiative as it involves working with and inspiring the youth to take to the path of medicine.