Four regional AHEC representatives placed forty-six students from the Class of 2020 in the summer 2017 AHEC Primary Care Preceptorship program. The students served with primary care physicians in rural and underserved communities in four-week rotations. Placement totals in the four AHEC regions were: North – 2; Southwest – 6; Central – 10; and Southeast – 28.
On August 14, UME hosted the annual AHEC Feedback Luncheon where students, AHEC representatives, and OME administrators came together to celebrate a successful summer, view photos and written feedback from the students and physicians, and listen to testimonials about each student’s experience. Students also received their final stipend checks at the luncheon.
UME is grateful to the physicians and their staff who generously gave their time and expertise to the class of 2020 this summer. Each student and physician were required to complete a written evaluation. Following are samples of the written feedback:
“This course was extremely valuable to me. I learned much about primary care & became much more comfortable interacting with patients. I also gained a greater understanding of the doctor-patient relationship.”
~Savannah Truehart, served with Dr. J. Ralph Millet, Jr., St. Tammany Physicians Network in Covington, LA
“This course was extremely valuable, as it allowed me the opportunity to put into practice many of the skills I had learned this past year, including gathering histories, doing physical exams, and interacting with real patients.“
~Andrew Mullet, served with Dr. Ed Wood, Independence Medical Clinic, in Independence, LA
“Excellent knowledge base (impressive) and eager to learn. Able to learn new skills and apply them quickly.”
~Comments about Andrew Mullet provided by Dr. Ed Wood, Independence Medical Clinic, in Independence, LA
“It gave me a thorough understanding of the importance of primary care in rural Louisiana. “
~Joel Byrne, served with Dr. Michael Benoit, Jeff Davis Family Medicine in Jennings, LA
“Joel has the tools to be an outstanding physician. He possesses a natural professionalism that will serve him well in his upcoming career.“
~Comments about Joel Byrne from Dr. Michael Benoit, Jeff Davis Family Medicine in Jennings, LA
“Lauren is bright, well-rounded, compassionate, and fun! We all thoroughly enjoyed having Lauren join our team this summer. She will do very well in the future. My staff and I love this program and enjoy having the students. We also enjoy keeping up with them and their progress!”
~Comments about Lauren Lougee, provided by Dr. Tania Levi, Northlake Medicine-Wellness Center in Covington, LA
The summer 2018 AHEC Primary Care Preceptorship program kicks off in December 2017 with an interest lunch to educate the class of 2021 about the program. Applications for the summer 2018 program will be due in late January 2018.