Nichole Joos, Manager of Volunteer Services at Henry Ford Cancer Institute 3 Question Interview

Posted on November 10, 2021 by Lalisha Griffin

Pre-Health Advisor Carmen Gamlin interviewed Nichole Joos, Manager of Volunteer Services at Henry Ford Cancer Institute about patient-facing volunteer opportunities for pre-health Titans. The interview covered services provided by the Henry Ford Cancer Institute, specific positions in which they are recruiting volunteers for and how those who are interested could sign up.

1. Would you please share what Henry Ford Cancer Institute is and what services are performed for community members?

Henry Ford Cancer Institute is one of the largest cancer institutions in Michigan.We treat nearly 10,000 new cancer patients each year.

We offer a variety of services. From diagnosis through survivorship including medical oncology, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, cancer surgery, and then also some oncology services, such as financial counseling, social work, etc.

2. What services would an undergraduate student volunteer provide at the Henry Ford Cancer Institute?

Nichole provided brief descriptions of the volunteer opportunities available at the Henry Ford Cancer Institute.

  • Patient Experience Volunteer-Attends the Lobby and escort patients to appointment locations
  • Patient Resource Volunteer-Attends the Resource Center and inform patients about oncology services that are offered
  • Chemotherapy and Infusion Center Volunteer-Complete rounds on patients who are receiving treatment.
  • Inpatient Oncology Unit Volunteer-Complete rounds on patients rooms who have been admitted into Henry Ford Hospital

We have a lot of different volunteer roles and each of them are very patient facing. So they offer a lot of opportunity for volunteers to interact with patients and get that experience talking one on one with a patient but also working directly with clinic staff, hospital staff as well.

3. So how would someone sign up to be a volunteer?

The easiest way to sign up is to visit henryford.com/hfcivolunteer and complete a volunteer interest form. You can also contact us at HFCI volunteer at hfhs.org or (313) 556-8738 and then once you’ve contacted us, we will walk you through the enrollment process…

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Dr. Jacob Kagey Discusses PI Conference Travel and Research for Ph.D vs. MD or DO

Posted on October 25, 2021 by Lalisha Griffin

Dr. Jacob Kagey sat down with Pre-Health Advisor, Carmen Gamlin to outline the importance of undergraduate research and the role of a Principal Investigator. In the interview, Dr. Kagey also discusses different Research Conferences,  the research he conducts in his lab with his students and even provide tips to get rid of fruit flies! View the full interview below.

 

Dr. Kagey’s 3-Question Interview
1. We have numerous students who are pre-health and pre-graduate school in the Science disciplines. Please share how conference travel works for undergraduates.
2. As a PI, you work with numerous undergraduate students in your lab. What do you do there?
3. Please contrast your view of graduate school expectations of research for a pre-PHD versus pre-med school? I guess the career goal of a PhD Researcher in Cancer Biology versus career as an Oncologist with an MD or DO degree.

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MSU College of Human Medicine Information Session with the Early Assurance Program, Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 1:00pm

Posted on October 22, 2021 by Carmen Gamlin

Spartan MD

It is a great time to be a pre-med Titan!

Professional Schools share amazing opportunities to University of Detroit Mercy students and alumni. Titans with strong academic preparation and commitment to community service can launch exciting medical careers.

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Information Session for Pre-med students

Thursday, November 18, 2021. 1:00pm

Jessica Davison, Admissions Counselor

will present on

How to Become a Spartan MD.

All Titans and prospective Titans are welcome to learn about selection criteria and admission process including the

Early Assurance Program.

Join Information Session Here

Any Pre-med Titan considering the MSUCHM Early Assurance Program 2022 should schedule an advising session with Carmen Gamlin before the end of Fall semester as the deadlines are all during winter for the application process.   

If you are in need of pre-health advising and plan to be a University of Detroit Mercy student then schedule an appointment with Carmen Gamlin via https://calendly.com/prehealthadvisor

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Melissa Zuteck, Detroit Mercy Alum and Genetic Counselor

Posted on October 21, 2021 by Lalisha Griffin

Pre-Health Advisor Carmen Gamlin interviewed Alumni and now Genetic Counselor Melissa Zuteck. During the interview, Melissa reflects on her time as a Biology Major and what led her to pursue Genetic Counseling. Here are some highlights from the interview.

It’s just a very exciting time to be in the field of Genetics, and I think the field is really exploding!

-Melissa Zuteck

1. You are an alum of the University of Detroit Mercy. Please share a fond memory of your time as an undergraduate Science major.

The sense of community… I would say the professors, the staff there, even the students there were all just very supportive and were always there to help you along.

2. The field of Genetics is exploding, but how did you get interested in Genetic Counseling and what keeps you interested?

Melissa knew she wanted to be apart of healthcare but was unsure of the specific area and path she wanted to take. She heard about Genetic Counseling and became interested in the roles of Genetic Counselors and how they are often in place to help families understand and process medical information from a recent diagnosis or health concern.

I really enjoyed the idea that genetic counselors are healthcare providers that have a very strong focus on sort of the psychosocial aspect of health care.

Often times genetic counselors are helping families during very difficult times, scary times, uncertain times…

During a patient’s diagnostic journey, patients are being presented with a lot of medical information that can be intimidating…So I really like the idea of the Genetic Counselor really helping families navigate through all of that medical information in a way they can understand.

As far as what keeps Melissa interested in Genetic Counseling, she credits the advancement of technology that assists with diagnosis as well as the growth of the field of genetics in general.

More and more technology is advancing and becoming available and so we are able to make diagnosis for patients that wouldn’t have been available five, ten years ago. We’re able to do testing on patients that was available but not necessarily accessible five or ten years ago.

So it’s just a very exciting time to be a part of the field and it’s going to continue to grow.

3. Do you have any advice for a student considering the Masters Program in Genetic Counseling?

Melissa encourages students who are considering pursuing Genetic Counseling to become familiar with the field by speaking to genetic counselors and exploring the day to day roles of a genetic counselor.

I do, the best advice I have is to talk to a local genetic counselor. Reach out to the different genetic counseling programs and see if you can talk to their program directors.

 

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Dr. Elizabeth Roberts-Kirchhoff discusses University Organization for Pre-Health Students

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Lalisha Griffin

Dr. Elizabeth Roberts-Kirchhoff holds a few different positions at Detroit Mercy College of Engineering and Science. She is an Assistant, Academic Dean for Engineering and Science students. She is also a Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry as well as an Advisor for Detroit Mercy 7-year Dental Students. Dr. Kirchhoff interviewed with Pre-Health Advisor Carmen Gamlin to discuss University structures, contrast between College and a University and the ways she engage with students.

 

  1. I believe that we only know what we have been exposed to. Many new students would benefit from knowing how the university is organized. What are: faculty, instructors, professors… Deans, Chairs? What is the difference between a School and a College at a University?
  2. What is your academic area of training and what courses do you instruct?
  3. You wear different hats for the College of Engineering and Science as an Assistant Dean, 7-Year Dent Advisor and Faculty member to name a few. How might a pre-health student engage you here in the College of Engineering and Science?
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Dr. Nicole Najor discusses Undergraduate Research

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Lalisha Griffin

As a part of Faculty Facts, Pre-Health Advisor, Carmen Gamlin had the opportunity to engage in an interview with Dr. Nicole Najor. During her interview she discussed undergraduate research and specifically the research she conducts in her lab. In addition to being a Faculty at Detroit Mercy, she is also a Counselor for a Professional Organization, Council of Undergraduate Research (CUR).

1. Many of our undergraduate science students participate in research. Please share the research that is being done in your lab.
2. I understand that there is limited space in research labs. Would you please share what is a Teaching lab that is research based?
3. You have been so generous as to share an issue of the SPUR Journal, Scholarship and Practice of Undergraduate Research. The professional organization is CUR. Would you please share with Titans what Council on Undergraduate Research is and how a student can get involved?

Learn more about Dr. Najor’s Research here!

 

Council on Undergraduate Research - Learning Through Research

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Carle Illinois College of Medicine – First Engineering Medical College

Posted on October 12, 2021 by Carmen Gamlin

The University of Detroit Mercy Pre-Med Titans and the Wayne State University Pre-med Warriors co-host Carle Illinois College of Medicine October 12th at 12:30 Eastern for a Zoom Information Session. Jessica Williams, Associate Director of Admissions will share how pre-med students can engage the world’s first college of medicine at UIUC specifically designed at the intersection of medicine and engineering.

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Dr. Mary Lou Caspers, PhD – Faculty in Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Discusses Courses, Student Organizations and More!

Posted on September 23, 2021 by Lalisha Griffin

Pre-Health Advisor Carmen Gamlin had the opportunity to speak with Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty, Mary Lou Caspers, Ph.D. Dr. Caspers discusses the courses she teach at Detroit Mercy and key characteristics of a Pre-Health student. Interesting to note, Dr. Mary Lou Caspers is an alum of the University. She received a B.S. in Chemistry from Detroit Mercy (formerly known as University of Detroit). Not only does Dr. Caspers serve as a faculty at Detroit Mercy she also serves as an advisor for The Pre-Med Club!

 

 

  1. Dr. Caspers, you have been providing scientific instruction and mentorship for the College of Engineering and Science for some time. Please share what courses you instruct this academic year.
  2. There may be many ways that you engage pre-health students while they study here at the University. I hear alumni fondly share how you have inspired them. Would you contrast your relationship with a student in your class versus one in a student organization that you advise?
  3. I think the vantage point of science faculty is quite valuable. Please share what you have seen as attributes of a successful pre-graduate school/ pre-health student.

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Dr. Amy Bauer, DVM Discusses New Role at Detroit Mercy in Relation to Pre-Health

Posted on September 22, 2021 by Lalisha Griffin

Dr. Amy Bauer, DVM Ph.D. is a new faculty here at Detroit Mercy working in the Biology Department. She is also a practicing veterinarian and researcher. Dr. Bauer teaches Comparative Anatomy at Detroit Mercy to many of our Pre-Health students. She sat down with Pre-Health Advisor Carmen Gamlin to discuss skills pre-health Titans will gain from her class!

 

  1. You are new faculty person here at the University of Detroit Mercy. What are you teaching?
  2. Many of our science majors are pre-health students. What are some skills that students develop in your course(s) that will help them in graduate school?
  3. In addition to instructing courses, what else do you do in the community that you can share with the pre-health students?
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Dr. Victor Carmona Chats about Sabbaticals and Research

Posted on September 21, 2021 by Lalisha Griffin

Pre-Health Advisor Carmen Gamlin had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Victor Carmona, Professor of Biology & Director of Sustainability at the University of Detroit Mercy about his time on Sabbatical and about his research endeavors.

 

  1. I always say that we only know what we have been exposed to . So I think that students would like to know about what a sabbatical is.
  2. So you went on a sabbatical that is research based. What can you share?
  3. What are some of the research activities that you do with undergraduates here at the University of Detroit Mercy?

 

Learn more about Dr. Carmona’s Research here!

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