Summer Scholars Testimonials

Jeremiah R. Dallmer  (Loyola Marymount University, Class of 2016)

 Spending the summer at Ventura County Medical Center as a Summer Scholar has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I have always wanted to be a doctor, but I never knew just how much until this summer. Through the program, I have had the opportunity to shadow many types of physicians and see all sorts of clinics, from Cardiology and Nephrology to Diabetes and HIV clinics. I had the chance to see dozens of different types of surgeries, from bariatric and OB procedures to trauma and oncology cases. Having the opportunity to do a clinical research project is also a tremendous learning experience. The thing that I am most thankful for, however, is without a doubt the incredible group of people at VCMC. The attendings are so welcoming and are amazing teachers. The residents are some of the nicest people I have ever met, and are so excited and enthusiastic to show us what medicine is like. I could not be more thankful for all the experiences and opportunities I was given through the Summer Scholars program. I also now am absolutely certain about the path that I have chosen to pursue, and that is a huge gift.

 

So Youn ‘Michelle’ Lee (UC Berkeley, Class of 2015)

The Summer Scholars Program has been one of the most incredible experiences I've had thus far. Although I have had clinical exposure in the past, what VCMC offered was completely unlike any other opportunity. Shadowing different doctors in different specialties every day, I got to see a comprehensive picture of medicine. Every doctor I have encountered here has been passionate about teaching and truly motivating. I could really see why so many doctors come back to VCMC after many years. I have never been surrounded by so many kind and inspiring people before. After spending eight weeks in the VCMC Summer Scholars program, I am now more excited than ever to start my next step to become a physician. 

 

Mitchell Braun  (Loyola Marymount University, Class of 2017)

Words cannot express how grateful I am to have been a Summer Scholar over the past 8 weeks.  This program has solidified my desire to become a physician and has given me invaluable experience and knowledge into the healthcare field.  The doctors that I shadowed, the research that I participated in, and the relationships that I formed with the medical professionals that surrounded me clarified the healthcare field and showed me what being a doctor truly is.  The experience at VCMC was humbling and tied me to my home county in a unique way.  Ultimately, the associated stipend allowed me to focus solely on the program and take advantage of everything that the experience had to offer. 

 

Kaitlyn Wallace  (University of Colorado, Class of 2018)

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for this Summer Scholar program.  This experience was more than I could have expected. It allowed me to shadow doctors in all departments and get a true understanding of medicine and human anatomy.   This was hands-down my most extensive and educational pre-medicine experience yet. Being able to shadow doctors and interact with their daily routines gave me an understanding of what life was like being involved in health care. I was able to observe surgeries that I had never heard of before, see patients of all sorts, and learn from some of the most genuine doctors that have a true passion for what they do. This program only confirmed my lifelong dream to go into medicine and become a doctor. 

 

Grace Miller (UCLA, Class of 2016)

 Thank you for the stipend you have provided for the Summer Scholars program at Ventura County Medical Center. Without this, I would have had to make the difficult decision between earning money to support myself next year and having this amazing experience. I am truly grateful that I was able to participate in this program. It has provided me with the opportunity to meet many wonderful people and have incredible experiences that have inspired and motivated me. After this program I am confident that I want to be a physician and that I belong in the healthcare field. My experiences at the hospital have also inspired me to want to work at a county hospital, where I can help the underserved. This program has allowed me to learn so much about myself, the healthcare field, and medicine in general. The things I have learned and experienced are invaluable to me and will help me immensely as I go forward on my path to becoming a physician.

 

Oliver Gantz 

The Summer Scholars Program was without a doubt the most comprehensive and educational pre-medical experience I've had. Being able to shadow and interact with doctors daily in the hospital and satellite clinics provided me insight into what daily life in health care is really like. And spending so much time with the residents through shadowing and attending conferences and rounds allowed me to better understand what I myself will be doing in a few years after medical school. Going through the program confirmed that medicine is the career for me and opened my eyes to family medicine, a career path I am now seriously considering. Being a summer scholar provided me with the opportunity to see, experience, and learn things that I would not have been able to otherwise. There are no other program that allow you to rotate through a major hospital's departments each week all while also doing interesting research with one of VCMC's outstanding physicians. It was a truly valuable experience and I encourage anyone considering pursuing a career in health care to participate in the program. 
 

Lea Heller (UCLA)

My experience as a Summer Scholar truly affirmed my interest in the health field and pursuing a career in medicine. When I began the summer I was seriously considering a career in healthcare, but didn't know where I would fit best. However, after spending my summer shadowing and interacting with the residents and attending doctors at VCMC I was truly inspired and feel that medical school and a career in family medicine is right for me. The summer scholar program is a truly unique internship that gave me a great perspective on so many different aspects of medicine. 
 

Sarah Yim 

The Summer Scholars Program was one of the best opportunities I have had the privilege of experiencing. This unique program gave me an overall comprehensive picture of a healthcare system in action and a glimpse of the potential impact that physicians have on their patients. From observing autopsies and surgeries to shadowing physicians and attending rounds, I was surrounded by VCMC physicians and staff in each rotation who created a positive environment conducive to learning. At the same time, I also had the opportunity to complete a research project under the mentorship of a faculty preceptor. It was extremely gratifying to see how the research could positively impact future patients in the healthcare system. This exceptional program not only gave me the opportunity to observe many different specialties in medicine, but also helped to reinforce my passion for medicine and my determination to become a physician. 
 

Mary Canders (UC Santa Barbara)

I feel so privileged to have taken part in the Summer Scholars Program at VCMC during the summer of 2010. As an undergraduate, being able to shadow physicians in all of the different inpatient and outpatient settings allowed me to gain experience that is hard to find. The organization of the Summer Scholars Program and the assortment of different departments that I got to spend time in were amazing. I was able to observe in departments ranging from labor and delivery to the medical examiner, which helped me get a better idea of what parts of the medical field interest me most. I was also able to complete a research project which allowed me to learn more about what was currently going on in the medical field. Going into the Summer Scholars Program I knew I wanted to pursue a career in medicine, and completing the program only reinforced that. I really gained a valuable understanding of what it will take to one day become a medical doctor as well as the rewards that come with being one. 
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