One of the greatest aspects of being a college student is the abundance and variety of extracurricular activities to get involved in. Like the cliché says, there is always something for everyone. One on-campus society that offers unique opportunities and valuable connections is SCRUBS.
SCRUBS: Pre-Health Society is a local campus organization that is a must-join for anyone who has any interest or is looking for a career in the pre-health field. While there may be other pre-health societies nationwide, SCRUBS is unique to the Missouri S&T campus. Most members are pre-health students looking into going to any type of medical, dental, veterinary, or PA schools; however, the organization is still open for anyone to join.
One particular thing that makes SCRUBS unique is that it offers experiences to its members that are difficult to find anywhere else. One SCRUBS event that best represents the organization and what it embodies is the trip in which selected students travel to Washington D.C. in March for the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) conference. At this conference, medical schools nationwide assemble in a way that is similar to a career fair which allows interested students to network with these universities. Students are also able to learn unique clinical skills such as suture, tourniquet, and intubation. When asked what the most valuable aspect of the trip conference is, SCRUBS president Michala Clark stated, “It is neat to find an experience to practice talking to admissions offices and learning what you need to complete to be more successful in the medical school application process.”
Another interesting aspect of SCRUBS is the meetings they hold. During each meeting, there a speaker comes in and talks to the organization about their field or profession to help give insight to students. These speakers can range from physicians and PA students to medical school admissions representatives. These special speakers are not only informative, but they also present the opportunity for students to network. SCRUBS hosts meetings on Wednesdays at 6p.m. throughout the semester depending on speaker availability.
Some upcoming SCRUBS events include a meeting on the evening of October 9th where the guest speaker will be from Mid-MO American Health Education Centers (AHEC). The speaker will discuss different career opportunities for students wanting a career in the medical field. This is beneficial to students who know they want to be involved in the health field but may not know what specific career they want. Additionally, on October 27th, SCRUBS will be partnering with the biological sciences honor society Phi Sigma to volunteer for a highway trash cleanup. Finally, on October 30th, the organization will host students from St. Louis University’s PA program to come give insight to their experiences and what it takes to be a Physician’s Assistant. Anyone looking to get involved in SCRUBS is encouraged to join their OrgSync page, be on the lookout for flyers around campus with their contact information, or reach out and email Michala Clark at mecp55@mst.edu.
