Growing up with juvenile diabetes, Keta Patel of West New York is familiar with regular hospital visits and treatments, but most of all, she knows the calming influence of the physicians who took the time to help her through them.
“I was [diagnosed] with Type 1 diabetes when I was 12 years old, and my doctors helped me to understand what was happening to me,” said Patel, 17, last week. “Since then, I wanted to be a doctor to help children and give them the same thing.”
Patel, a senior at Memorial High School, added, “The first thing is that kids really don’t understand what [diabetes] is, and even though it can be life-threatening, you have to give them hope.”
Juvenile diabetes affects over 13,000 children every year. It usually requires them to maintain a specialized eating plan, exercise regimen, and a daily intake of insulin.
“I want to have my own clinic one day to help children with diabetes, where they can have daily check-ups and [learn] how to take their medications,” said Patel.
Paging Dr. Patel
Last February, Patel took the first steps into her promising medical career, as one of 175 high school students selected statewide to participate in the Mini-Medical School for High School Students Achieving Excellence in the Sciences for the winter/fall of 2006 at the prestigious Robert Wood Johnson Medical School of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ).
“I found out about it through my [guidance] counselor, and since I had an interest in medicine I thought I would apply and see what happens,” said Patel.
The high school program aimed at sophomore, junior and senior year students offers them the opportunity to sample a medical school curriculum over a six-week period, as well as to interact with current medical students, and even get the chance to participate in hands-on lab activities.
This year’s curriculum includes lectures in pediatric surgery, stem cell research, and the art of physical diagnosis and patient centered care.
Throughout the academic year, many local colleges offer high school students the chance to participate in higher-learning programs in a variety of different fields.
“This was the first [medical program] I heard about, and Robert Wood Johnson is a very prestigious medical school that I hope to attend,” said Patel.
In order to qualify, students must first be recommended by their faculty, and then fill out an admissions essay with their application and academic transcript, which must be submitted by a January deadline.
“Keta’s our pride and joy, and we feel very lucky here at Memorial to have helped Keta realize this opportunity,” said Teresa Zurullo, guidance counselor.
A few weeks later, Patel received a second packet in the mail.
“Since the school only notifies students [selected] for the program, I [immediately] knew I was accepted,” Patel said. “It’s a great career experience to have and something I can say I did during my high school years.”
‘Mini-Medical School’
The Piscataway based UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School offers a variety of introductory level community programs, such as the Mini-Medical School, to high school and college level students interested in medical careers, as well as educates the public in laymen’s terms about diagnostic, therapeutic and preventative issues in clinical medicine and scientific research.
“We are hoping to foster a lasting interest in the health sciences and to pique interest in volunteering in our clinical and research arenas in the future,” said Carol Terregino, M.D., associate dean for admissions.
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School offers two Mini-Medical School programs: one tailored for high school students and one to community members from throughout New Jersey.
Each course offers a series of evening lectures held once a week for two to three hours, and are led by nationally recognized, award-winning school faculty covering topics from basic science to broad biomedical subjects.
“Medical students also talk to us about their experiences and difficulties of medical school,” said Patel.
The lecture series will end on May 10, and students are expected to deliver a presentation to their high school classmates about their experience at the Mini-Medical School.
Certificates are awarded to all the participants upon completion of the course.
Of course, before Patel begins medical school full-time, she is will be attending Penn State University come the fall semester of 2006. She might major in psychology as background for her patient care. However, there are do definite decisions as of yet.
“It’s always good to have an insight into other professions and the different fields of science,” said Patel.
A stellar student at Memorial High School, Patel already has a varied background from taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses in literature and biology and being involved in extracurricular activities in Student Council and the community service-oriented Key Club.
“She’s exceptionally bright, self-motivated, and it’s been fun to watch her mature,” said Zurullo.
“Education is very important; without it you can never reach your dreams, and there is so much the world has to offer,” said Patel. “My junior and senior years have been the most vital in my education.”
For more information on the Mini Medical School and related programs at Robert Wood Johnson, call (732) 235-4558.