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.