“This was an amazing orientation with lots of smiles and conversation,” said Dr. Susan LeDoux, associate dean of medical education and student affairs at USA. “This year we introduced our wellness initiative, which provided additional opportunities for peer-to-peer mentoring with first- and second-year students. It appeared to be well-received by the incoming students.”
During orientation, the first-year medical students’ schedules were packed with information sessions, policy briefings and campus tours. The Freshman Orientation Committee – made of second-year medical students at the USA College of Medicine —plays a major role in the planning and implementation of the activities for the week, which includes both social events and small-group question and answer sessions.
For the first time, the freshman medical students were assigned to five different wellness “houses.” The houses – named after the five rivers that feed into Mobile Bay – are comprised of first-, second-, third- and fourth-year medical students.
On the first day of orientation, the students opened their wellness house assignment letter. The process mimicked Match Day, as students opened their letters with excitement to find out their placement. The students will remain in their wellness house group for the remainder of medical school.
Freshman students also were provided with an overview of what they should expect during the upcoming years as they study medicine. On Tuesday, Dr. Marjorie Scaffa, health and wellness counselor at the USA College of Medicine, discussed stress and adaptive behaviors in medical school. The students were also given valuable insight on effective study strategies.
Click here to view more photos from orientation week.
