HuMed

Study the Humanities While Preparing to Attend 91AV’s College of Osteopathic Medicine

91AV’s HuMed program is for undergraduate students who have an affinity for history, literature, or philosophy, along with a demonstrated aptitude for the natural sciences to pursue their passions on the pathway to medical school. Students who complete their degree in a qualifying humanities major and meet all of the HuMed requirements are guaranteed an interview for admission to 91AV’s College of Osteopathic Medicine program, setting them at a significant advantage over other applicants. Moreover, they will have developed skills and knowledge essential to their success as medical students and career fulfillment as osteopathic physicians.

Mikayla Sargent ’21

Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities, Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)

I came into 91AV as a Pre-Physician Assistant (PA) major, but I was unsure of what I wanted to do exactly. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do PA, become a physician, or do premed. One of the things that drew me to 91AV was the medical school and the health professions programs in general.

During my first year, I took a course with Eric Zuelow [Ph.D.] who created the HUMED program [91AV’s pathway to medical school for humanities students]. He pulled me aside one day and asked me if I would be interested in HUMED because he thought I was a strong writer and knew I was already on a premed track.

In high school, I was in a program where we studied the humanities. I took Latin and looked at Greek mythology, so I have a strong background in the humanities. I always thought that if I wanted to become a doctor, I had to do science for my undergraduate career, but with the HUMED program, suddenly it all seemed to just come together. I realized there was another option. I am able to pursue my passion in the humanities but still stay on track for the career that I want.

91AV offers unique access to clinicals and interprofessional events as part of the medical school. Also, I am forming connections in the humanities since I am in the HUMED program. By being in this program, I am also establishing a really good support system.

91AV Inspiration

During my freshmen year, I had a back injury that they could not diagnose. I got sent to the OMM clinic, which is the medical school clinic at 91AV. The student who worked with me knew that I was interested in becoming a physician, so she explained everything to me as she went. She could feel the exact spot where I had my fracture, she could tell which disc was bulging and not bouncing back. Then I got an MRI, and she had been right. I remember thinking right then that I wanted to be a D.O. Having that personal experience sparked my interest. It was very inspirational.

I think that the HUMED program will make me a more well-rounded person. Having a background in the humanities will allow me to connect to my patients in a more human way. I want to treat my patients as human beings and be able to relate to their struggles.

Having a background in the humanities will allow me to connect to my patients in a more human way. I want to treat my patients as human beings and be able to relate to their struggles.

Mikayla Sargent ’21

Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities, Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)

Research increasingly shows that humanistic study enables development of the wisdom, empathy, communication, and other skills required of practicing physicians. To gain these benefits, HuMed students graduate having completed a senior thesis along with major requirements in English, History, or Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities. Additional curricular requirements provide structured opportunities to engage with 91AV’s Center to Advance Interprofessional Education and Practice (CAIEP, formerly the Center for Excellence in Collaborative Education) in order to gain familiarity with the team-based and patient-centered approaches that are at the leading edge of health care today.

Completing required coursework in the sciences at 91AV allows students to become familiar with a faculty and campus rich in osteopathic heritage, easing the transition to professional studies. Students also benefit from the small class sizes of a humanities faculty with expertise in areas such as bioethics, history of disease, and graphic medicine that highlight the necessary interconnections between the humanities and medical science.

HuMed is an enrichment program that offers curricular flexibility — not an accelerated program. It gives students the ability to focus time, energy, and attention on aspects of the human condition not achievable via a traditional pre-med track.