“I did a lot of research,” said Dent, who graduated from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, in 2020. “I knew I wanted to go to a school with a small class size. South exceeded my expectations.”
After taking a gap year, during which she worked as a medical scribe, Dent said she looks forward to the activities planned for House Mobile, the wellness house to which she was assigned by Zoom on Monday. “It sounds really fun,” she said.
“USA has done a good job helping us get to know each other,” said Caroline Massey of Scottsboro, Ala. She said she connected with her fellow students through GroupMe texts and a Facebook group.
Like Dent, Massey took a gap year last year. “I shadowed, volunteered and, most importantly, I rested,” she said.
On Wednesday, the students attended a Club Fair to learn more about interest groups and other organizations they can join. Danner Butler of Mobile visited the surgery interest group table, where he practiced tying knots using rubber bands and a thin rope. “It’s a little intimidating,” said Butler, who has an interest in neurosurgery.
Butler left Mobile to attend Washington and Lee University but chose to come back home for medical school. “I look forward to learning and creating a new community of friends and classmates who can support each other through this,” he said.
Orientation draws to a close Thursday, July 29, with sessions on employee health and grading, followed by basic life support training.
