HERSHEY, Pa. — Lawmakers, legislative staffers and others experienced what it takes to train the nation’s future doctors and learn about the challenges facing medical schools and teaching hospitals when they became medical students for a day at Penn State College of Medicine.
More than 20 people took part in Project Medical Education, including state lawmakers and staff representing Gov. Tom Wolf, U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and Pat Toomey, U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, and other dignitaries.
State legislators, legislative staffers and others got a glimpse of what it takes to train the nation’s future doctors and learn about the challenges facing medical schools and teaching hospitals in Pennsylvania when they became medical students for a day at Penn State College of Medicine on October 27 through the Project Medical Education Program (PME). PME was designed by the American Association of Medical Colleges to give federal and state policymakers and their staff a first-hand look at medical education as the foundation of the U.S. health care system.
The day began with a White Coat ceremony at which participants were "admitted" to medical school and received white coats that they wore for the day. They also participated in a Match Day ceremony at which they learned of the hospitals to which they had been "assigned" to complete their residencies. Participants also got hands-on experience with technology at the Penn State Clinical Simulation Center and the Harrell Health Sciences Library.
Throughout the day, policymakers spoke with faculty, medical students, residents and others. The day ended with a brief graduation ceremony.
Project Medical Education was designed by the Association of American Medical Colleges to give federal and state policymakers and their staff a first-hand look at medical education as the foundation of the U.S. health care system.
Scott Gilbert