Oxford High School senior Gregory Rosenhauer got the opportunity of a lifetime to spend two weeks studying medicine in Boston, MA earlier this summer.
Rosenhauer attended the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine from June 26 to July 5.
The National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine introduces high school students to the world of medicine. According to their website, www.nylf.org, students had the opportunity work in close cooperation with many prestigious and technologically-advanced hospitals, research facilities and medical schools.
The Forum challenges students to learn about a broad array of topics, including educational requirements, career options, clinical practice and complex and ethical issues facing today’s medical field.
Rosenhauer said the forum placed a heavy emphasis on team building.
‘We got divided into groups of 24 and we did a lot of team building activities to give us an inside look at medicine,? Rosenhauer said.
‘Teams are really big in medicine,? he added. ‘It’s not really anything by yourself; you have to work with people a lot.?
According to Rosenhauer, the biggest test of teamwork came through problem based learning activities. He said he was put into a team with seven other people with the goal of figuring out problems and cases relating to the medical field.
‘None of us really have that much experience in the medical field, so they were easy cases,? he added. ‘But we had to work together and do a little bit of research to figure out what was wrong.?
In addition to listening to speakers and figuring out medical cases, Rosenhauer was able to do clinical site visits at Harvard Medical School and Boston University.
Rosenhauer was nominated for the conference by one of his teachers at OHS. ‘They sent me some information in the mail and I thought it was a cool thing, so I did it,? he said.
‘I can’t even begin to express how excited I am for the opportunity he was given,? his mother Susan said. ‘I’m very excited about all the doors that are opening for him and it seems he is jumping at every opportunity that he has.?
The biggest thing Rosenhauer took away from the forum was what it took to become a doctor.
‘I learned what it really takes to go forward and get that education and what it takes to be a doctor and help people ,? he said.
When the forum wasn’t in session, Rosenhauer was able to get in some sight-seeing and shopping. He said he went on a historical tour of Boston and shopped in Harvard Square.
Rosenhauer said his career goal was to get into the research side of the medical field.
‘I am really into research because I am into the academic part and I like finding out new things,? he noted. He added he has begun to look at colleges and is hoping to get into the University of Michigan.
‘They are a good research school and have a good reputation for being a good science school,? he said.