Students enjoy opening of COM Medical Student Center

Andy Hu, a second-year medical student, works on his laptop in the COM Medical Student Center. 

A new 5,000-square foot space opened last week for students at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine to study, collaborate, exercise or simply take a break from the pressures of medical school. 

Located on the first floor of the Medical Sciences Building, in suite 1200, the COM Medical Student Center features an open lounge area, small study rooms with floor-to-ceiling glass fronts, a room with exercise bikes, and a kitchenette break area. Medical students have 24-hour access to the center, and entry is controlled by an electronic fob system for security.

First-year medical student Carey Johnson studies in one
of the rooms.

First-year medical student Carey Johnson, who serves as president of his class, eagerly anticipated the opening of the new space. “We’re all really excited,” he said. “We watched the construction progress, and now we’re finally able to get into the space.” 

The Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the USA College of Medicine’s accreditation body, has a standard that medical schools must provide sufficient space for study and relaxation. The previous space set aside for this purpose was about 800 square feet. 

“This is a much larger space than we had upstairs,” Johnson said. “It’s definitely an upgrade.”

John Marymont, M.D., MBA, vice president for medical affairs and dean of the USA College of Medicine, said the medical students now have a multipurpose space to call their own. “A lot of work has gone into the planning, construction and opening of the Medical Student Center, so we are pleased that the students are enjoying all the different aspects of the new space,” he said.

Mary Townsley, Ph.D., senior associate dean at the USA College of Medicine, said the plan for opening the center for students had to be approved by the university’s reopening committee to meet COVID-19 restrictions. Occupancy for each space was set to allow for social distancing, and the number of chairs in each space is limited to those occupancy numbers, she said. Masks are required, and plexiglass shields on the tables further enhance student safety.

Certain features of the center have not been implemented yet because of COVID safety precautions. For now, eating and drinking are prohibited in the center; so the coffee makers and microwaves are not in place, and the refrigerator is not in use. 

“With everything going on, it just shows how much effort and thought went into making sure the students feel comfortable studying here,” said Jordan Ingram, a first-year medical student, noting the safety measures.

Ingram said the pandemic has made her particularly appreciative of being able to come together with her peers. “Sometimes it can feel isolating, so being able to come in here and see people and study together is really nice,” she said.

Second-year medical student Natalie Kidd tests
out one of the exercise bikes with her classmate
Baylee Edwards.

Sitting at one of the tables with Ingram, second-year medical student Andy Hu agreed: “It really shows that the school cares about us and our well-being.” 

Hu, who serves as class treasurer, said it’s important that medical students have their own space. When he studies at Marx Library or even the biomedical sciences library, he rarely sees anyone he knows. “But, when we come in here now, we can see some of our classmates,” he said. “If you get lost on a concept or want to ask them something, it’s so much easier here, versus being by yourself.” 

Second-year medical students Natalie Kidd and Baylee Edwards occupied one of the study rooms. 

Edwards looks forward to the collaboration that can now take place among first- and second-year medical students in the new center. “It will be a great opportunity for M1s to interact with M2s, because we have separate lecture halls, and we don’t have a lot of time together otherwise,” she said.

Kidd, who serves as her class president, took in the atmosphere of the center. “It’s really calming, which is great because our lives are high-key,” she said. “We have a lot on our plates, so it’s nice to have one space where we can do everything.”