Marc is a Third-year Podiatric Medicine student and is taking full advantage of the area. Hiking, volleyball, nightlife, and hanging out in the coffee lounge are just some of the extracurricular things he loves about campus in Arizona. Tell us what you’ve been up to, Marc.
– Awesome. Thanks, Alex. Never in a million years did I imagine leaving small town Wisconsin for podiatry school in the middle of the desert, but something about Midwestern surroundings of desert, cacti and roadrunners was calling to me and little did I know how much more Arizona had to offer. A huge part of my decision to travel across the country for grad school was in the adventure I knew I’d be taking in Glendale. From the moment I arrived, I found people with that same shared desire to explore. Orientation week with my classmates was filled with pool time hikes to red rocks and sand volleyball, and I knew I had found a second home here. Thunderbird Mountain is right in our backyard. I get a great view of the sunset when I’m studying in the library with my classmates, so of course I love to come out here every chance I get. It’s been so nice traveling with friends throughout Arizona from skiing at the Snowball in Flagstaff to hiking up Mount Humphreys and down the Grand Canyon to floating the Salt River to dancing at Buffalo Chip. There’s been no shortage of recreation and exploration for anyone who looks for it. A major reason I’ve been able to take advantage of Arizona is because of the home that Midwestern has become. Without the community I’ve been able to form with my classmates and peers, these adventures and experiences would meet so much less. I really can’t imagine this time in my life without the memories that I’ve made at Midwestern. Plus, my family and friends from back home love to come visit whenever they need a little dose of Arizona sunshine. I’ll keep exploring here, but in the meantime, let’s send it back to you, Alex.
– Marc, you’re doing a great job balancing your academic pursuits with awesome activities around campus. The Glendale campus in Arizona offers so many opportunities for adventure, enriching students’ educational journey. Thanks for telling us about your experiences, Marc, that was great.
As a Third-year Veterinary Medicine student, Olivia is all about the research. At Midwestern University, research is a vital ingredient in creating new knowledge and fostering a passion for lifelong learning. Olivia has attended many conferences and thrives in the research aspect of her education as a future veterinarian. Olivia, it is all you. Take it away.
– Thanks for that introduction, Alex. My childhood dream was clear, become a veterinarian. It all began with Jazzy B, my chubby beagle companion since the first grade, who ignited my passion, which led me to Midwestern University for its focus on graduate healthcare degrees. Despite our very disciplines, I’ve connected with students who share a commitment to One Health. Through collaboration efforts, we practice medicine that acknowledges the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health. Midwestern’s dedication to fostering a community united and advancing one health principles offers not only a premier education, but also a network of like-minded individuals. Midwestern provides extensive hands-on clinical experience preparing us for our future professions, while also fostering a healthy work-life balance. Additionally, the university offers abundant opportunities for students to engage in research initiatives. Under the mentorship of experience in esteemed faculty members, students receive guidance and support throughout their research journey. I conducted research on chlamydia pathogenesis facilitated by the summer research program within the College of Veterinary Medicine. Midwestern sponsors students, including myself, to present our findings at the National Veterinary Scholar Symposium in San Juan Puerto Rico. Attending the research conference was an enriching experience where I gained valuable insights on upcoming veterinary research and forged connections with students across the country. It also reinforced the importance of collaboration in interdisciplinary approaches in addressing medical issues. Midwestern’s, investment in research and its commitment to holistic education have been invaluable. I’m grateful for all the experiences and knowledge I’ve gained while at MWU. To me, a college education transcends job skills. It’s about embracing curiosity, making discoveries, and driving innovation in medicine. This philosophy guides me as I aim to contribute meaningfully to the healthcare field. Back to you, Alex.
– Such a great story, Olivia, way to go by making the most out of your educational opportunities. MWU takes their social responsibility as an institution of higher education seriously and supports students’ research and innovative discoveries. Thanks again for sharing, Olivia, that was awesome.
Megan, a First-year Podiatry student, embodies the spirit of seizing opportunities. As Class President for Student Government, she is making the most of her time here. Midwestern University is never short on opportunities for their students. Megan, please tell us what you’ve been up to. Take it away.
– Thanks, Alex, for the introduction. My journey has been far from the straightforward path. I’m a non-traditional student, and I was the first in my family to attend college. After college, I decided to pursue a master’s in biomedical science here at Midwestern, and now I attend podiatry school here to become a foot and ankle surgeon. I met amazing people who have become lifelong friends, including my future husband. What’s neat about Midwestern is the open door policy, faculty take the time to meet with students, help us understand course material, and prepare us for tests. Midwestern even provides free tutoring. The master’s program taught me how to balance my coursework while working on a research project in a physiology lab studying pregnancy, I had to write a thesis which involved running experiments by collecting data, performing data analysis, and giving quarterly presentations. I had the opportunity to travel across the United States to present my research at a conference. Now in the podiatry program, the small class size allows for more one-on-one mentoring and learning skills like how to do new sutures and how to improve surgical techniques. Many of the podiatry faculty still work in the field, which is helpful with providing patient care when we’re in the school clinic. We also get helpful advice from doctors with what works best for them in the operating room. Midwestern University truly feels like home and I learned to never give up on my dreams. As I dive into medical school, challenges are everywhere, but now I’m doing it with the incredible support from faculty and moving closer to my dream of becoming a pediatric surgeon. It feels like I’ve joined the Olympic team being trained by the best to prepare me for the pediatric profession. Back to you, Alex.
– Wow, Megan, medical school can be challenging, but with Midwestern’s support and the access you have to such amazing opportunities, there’s no doubt you’ll be a great podiatrist. Thanks for sharing and continued success, Megan. Take care.
When family is what means the most to you, like First-year Dental Medicine student, Kevin, it’s important to pick a school that makes you feel like you’re right at home. Midwestern University fosters a sense of community and belonging that allows these future healthcare professionals to thrive. Kevin, tell us more.
– Thanks, Alex. What’s up, guys? My dad was a dentist and I never thought that I would follow in his footsteps. In college, I was having a hard time finding a career that I was passionate about, but then I thought about my ultimate goals in life. I wanted to have a family. I wanted to be able to provide for that family, and I wanted to have the flexibility to spend time with them. I also wanted to interact with people and have variety in my work. Dentistry seemed to check all those boxes, so I changed my mind and decided to go for it. I chose Midwestern, Arizona because it’s close to home. My family’s only 45 minutes away, which has been super helpful for both me and my wife. We’ve also been able to build strong friendships with other students at Midwestern. The thing that makes Midwestern unique is, well, everyone feels like family. We’ve had several activities to help bring us together outside of school. My favorite one so far was a dodgeball tournament that we had between the first year and second year dental students. As medical practitioners, we’re taught to treat people not symptoms. That ideology is incorporated from the very beginning in our own classroom. Students and faculty promote collaboration and support over competition and negativity. While I didn’t really think that I’d be a dentist like my dad, I did always admire the relationships that he had with his patients. Being a student in Midwestern has helped me develop similar interpersonal skills, and I found that the more time I spend here, the more I do enjoy being a dentist, and even though it’s really busy, the best part is I still get time to spend with the people that matter most. That’s my story. Take it away, Alex.
– Family, community and Midwestern. Kevin, it sounds like these are one and the same for you. The caring environment foster within the student community extends into their daily patient care. Thanks for your story, Kevin and for being part of the Midwestern University family.
When it comes to using technology to address a variety of patient issues, the C.A.R.E.N., or Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment at the Therapy Institute, right here on the Arizona campus, is that technology. Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of meeting up with a Physical Therapy instructor and Clinical Coordinator, Dr. Celeste Delap, and got first-hand experience with some of this very unique technology. Take a look.
This campus is incredible. I’m curious, Dr. Delap, like, what drew you here?
– Actually, I get to do all the things I love. I get to treat patients, I get to teach students and I get to do research.
– Yeah, how cool is that? The other thing that I’ve noticed is the technology is insane.
– It’s true. And where I work at the Therapy Institute, we actually have the coolest stuff. Do you wanna come see it?
– I would love to. This room is awesome. Lots going on here. What’s happening?
– This is our vision therapy room. We help people from all areas, so all the way from kids to professional athletes. So sometimes we have people that come in that have brain injuries and they have to work on hand eye coordination all the way up to people that actually are trying to do it for a living. So trying to catch a ball and read at the same time.
– That’s interesting.
– The thing on the wall is actually having them use a peripheral vision.
– So cool.
– Yep. And then all the way up to people having to use mechanics to help them walk.
– Wow, that’s amazing. All this just to help people get better, it’s a… You’ve like the best job in the world.
– I do, I do, It’s awesome. I gotta show you on C.A.R.E.N, you wanna see it? Yeah, let’s see it.
– All right, let’s go.
– All right.
– Alex, this is the C.A.R.E.N. room. This is where I spend a lot of time and there’s only a handful of them in the US and not even that many in the world.
– Ah, that’s amazing.
– It really is. So it’s a virtual reality environment and we use it for lots of different reasons. I use it like a bridge for the real life from the clinic, so we are able to come in here and do a lot of real life things, but we’re also able to have students in here from all different disciplines.
– All of that on this machine?
– Yes.
– How does it work?
– It’s built on like a motion sensor platform, and so we can actually move the whole platform and have people walking on it. So I had a patient that’s a flight attendant and we couldn’t actually get her up in the air to figure out if she could do her work.
– Oh.
– So we actually made it so that she could be walking in the environment in a safe way.
– [Alex] That’s so cool.
– It really is. Do you wanna get on it?
– I would love to go.
– Oh, we’re going, let’s go.
– Okay.
Those were some incredible technologies and what amazing pieces of equipment these students have at their disposal for learning. That was a lot of fun. Thank you so much for sharing that with us, Dr. Delap. That was great.
It’s time to meet Miriam, a First-year Dental Medicine student with one incredible non-traditional story. Coming out on top, after facing adversity in life, is something everyone aspires to do. With perseverance and help from Midwestern University, she has done just that. Take it away, Miriam.
– Thanks, Alex. Hello everyone. I went from being pregnant and homeless to becoming a dentist through the help of Midwestern University. Seven years ago, I moved across the globe and assimilated to a new culture. That’s when my son got diagnosed with autism, which has ultimately opened doors for treatment. This has sparked my desire to bridge access to care barriers and serve the underserved within our community. Midwestern is more than just an institution, it is a home where everyone belongs. As a non-traditional student when researching different dental schools, I aim to find a place that embraces diversity, fosters a culture of growth and belonging, and focuses on providing holistic and competent care to the community. I desired a place that genuinely cared about training the next healthcare professionals and I found that here. As dentists, we’re not just treating a tooth, we’re treating a tooth that is attached to a person. That philosophy of One Health is what Midwestern was founded on. Midwestern has opened up opportunities that I couldn’t have imagined of. As a first year dental student, I was able to join and lead organizations such as the American Student Dental Association. I serve our marginalized community ranging from participating at our annual Give Kids A Smile event to traveling to Rainbow Acres, an assisted living community for individuals with developmental disabilities. Being at Midwestern has opened doors for me to amplify my voice for advocacy of the underserved. The adversity I overcame has shaped me into a resilient woman ready to embrace the role of a dentist and create smiles through my experiences and to training at Midwestern, I won’t just be competent to treat patients, but I’ll be able to provide holistic and empathetic care to all people with all abilities. That’s my story. Back to you, Alex.
– Miriam, your story is so uplifting. Overcoming the challenges in your life and to achieve a Doctorate of Dental Medicine is absolutely amazing. The future of healthcare is in great hands with compassionate healthcare professionals at Midwestern University. Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Miriam. Take care.
Sometimes experiencing your own ailments can lead you to making a career choice. Speech-Language Pathology student Alex was firmly established as a Dental Medicine student until he discovered he had a communication disorder. This led him down a new path at Midwestern University. Alex, tell us all about it.
– Thank you for the introduction, Alex. Ever since I was in middle school, I knew I wanted to work in healthcare and help other people. My healthcare career began when I volunteered at a hospital and worked as an EMT. Then I decided I wanted to become a dentist, but it wasn’t until later, I discovered speech language pathology and found my path. This discovery began my third year of dental school. Even though I passed my classes in the first two years, I began the struggle. I had a very difficult time following instructions and I could not remember what was said or make out words very well. I was about to be forced to withdraw until I went to see an audiologist where I was diagnosed with Central Auditory Processing Disorder. That’s when I decided I wanted to work with people with communication disorders. I looked up speech language pathology programs in Arizona, found Midwestern and the rest was history. Midwestern has the most well-rounded support for students I have ever seen. There truly is an experience for everyone on campus. I even get to practice teletherapy with my clients, which ironically is the same audiology treatment I did as a patient. Midwestern offers multiple resources to help students with their mental health, nutrition and exercise. If you cannot meet with a therapist or nutritionist, they will schedule a teletherapy appointment with you. Here at Midwestern, they help you succeed more than just the educational aspect. Being a student for as long as I’ve been, I know it’s not just about the knowledge you gain, it’s also about the support that you receive. Midwestern’s SLP program has truly emphasized how to treat my future patients with respect, dignity, and patience. That’s my story. Back to you, Alex.
– So inspiring and an incredible journey of resilience and perseverance, Alex. The Speech-Language Pathology Program at Midwestern offers an integrated educational pathway that combines academic research and clinical experiences, creating the next generation of well-prepared speech-language pathologists like Alex. Thanks for sharing your story.
Second-year Veterinary Medicine student Kiarra fell in love with animals when traveling to Bosnia as a young child. She has taken that love and turned it into a career path at Midwestern University. Kiarra, we can’t wait to hear your story. Take it away.
– Thanks, Alex, and (speaking German). As a First-generation student with much of my family in Germany and Bosnia, finding the right university meant more than just academics. It was about discovering a supportive community where I could truly thrive. Midwestern University proved to be the perfect fit. With club involvement central to the student experience, I fostered a deep sense of belonging. Serving as president of the Shelter club and the veterinary team of health outreach through Medicine and education or home, along with being a member of Black Student Alliance have deeply connected me with both my studies and peers. Home also fosters One Health interdisciplinary connections between human medicine and vet students through collaboration at monthly wellness clinics at a local homeless shelter. Through the collaboration between Shelter Club and MWU’s Mobile Clinic, I’ve gained real world experience performing neuter on stray cats within my first year of vet school. With over a hundred specialized clubs, students have opportunities to translate classroom learning into practical experiences fostering both personal and academic growth. Midwestern’s commitment to academic excellence is evident in its cutting edge facilities like the Animal Health Institute offering immersive learning experiences through live animal and simulation labs. My favorite has been our large animal labs where I get experience with both horses and cows. These labs mimic real world settings and have helped sharpen my clinical skills, engaging with diverse communities, participating in practical labs and tackling real world healthcare challenges have equipped me to navigate the complexities of the field, ensuring that I’m well prepared to make a meaningful impact as a veterinarian. So there you have it. A glimpse into my journey at MWU where passion, purpose, and community come together to shape the veterinarians of tomorrow. Back to you, Alex. Goodbye.
– That is such a great story, Kiarra. Midwestern University, home to Arizona’s first veterinary college, is helping students like Kiarra turn their passion for animals into a career that provides animals with care. Thanks again for sharing.
Let’s meet Josh, a Third-year Optometry student. At Midwestern, the One Health Initiative and the interdisciplinary courses and environment set them apart. Future doctors from all different fields work together to ensure patients of all species receive the highest care. Josh knows all about this kind of collaborative care. Tell us more.
– That’s what I’m talking about, Alex. What’s up, everyone? When it came to choosing the perfect Optometry school for me, I not only wanted the faculty and student support, but also the technology to enhance my education and the Arizona College of Optometry at Midwestern University did not disappoint. Being from wet Washington state, it took a lot to get my wife and I to move down to the desert, but the on-campus housing has been great for us and my pet Corgi named Kiwi. At Midwestern, I’m actively involved in helping optometry students and pre-optometry students navigate their way through this career. Whether that’s in person or on social media. My dream is to become a neuro optometrist and here I have found faculty mentors who are distinguished doctors in that field. Midwestern incorporates Optometry’s vision therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech language pathology, and clinical psychology together at the New Therapy Institute where they utilize multidisciplinary care to take care of brain injury patients and other people with specialized needs. The technology at the Therapy Institute is truly one of a kind. The state-of-the-art equipment across campus allows students like me to participate in patient care and research at the level. Midwestern connects their students of all their healthcare programs through their One Health Initiative where they incorporate interdisciplinary care into our curriculum. I’m currently the president of the Collaborative Care Club where each therapy discipline meets together to better help our patients. We recently hosted the Adaptive Olympics where each profession taught about their strengths and we participated in fun therapy activities including yolked prism glasses, balance boards and other specialty specific tools. MWU has given me the new perspectives and unique experiences to help me become a leader and innovator in optometry. That’s all for me. Back to you, Alex.
– Wow, Josh. It sounds like working with students from other programs side by side is a big part of the Midwestern University student experience. The One Health Initiative principles and practices strengthen the bonds of healthcare professionals through education and research to benefit the health quality of life and wellbeing of all species. Take care.
Let’s meet Ashley, a First-year Osteopathic Medicine student who’s a big believer in the hands-on, ‘day one ready’ approach. Clinical experiences are an essential part of education here at Midwestern. Graduate level students and expert clinical faculty work side by side to provide exceptional care. Ashley, tell us more.
– Thanks, Alex. Hey, everyone. Applying to medical school can be stressful. I knew I wanted somewhere with not only an exceptional curriculum in faculty, but somewhere where I could be hands-on in my learning. Midwestern university checks all those boxes and then some. The commitment to providing early clinical exposure give students an immersive experience at our state-of-the-art Simulation Center. Here you’ll find lookalike hospital surgical, as well as outpatient clinic rooms for standardized patient exams and treatments. That’s right, I’ve already had experience examining patients as well as the chance to place a chest tube. Alright, that one was on our interactive simulation mannequin of course. Clear. Being able to practice medicine hands-on doesn’t stop there. Our curriculum is integrated with ultrasound training where students participate in hands-on workshops led by our faculty. Being a member of the clinical skills club here on campus has enhanced my practical knowledge through extracurricular activities such as suturing and laparoscopic workshops, learning how to scrub and gown in an OR setting, as well as working with simulated clinical scenarios. These immersive experiences have bridged the gap for me between my classroom study and patient care. Midwestern truly values your learning and career readiness while providing opportunities that bring your education to life. You are ensured to be well prepared to face the challenges of practicing medicine while being instilled with a sense of confidence and professionalism along the way. Using what I learned in the classroom and being able to apply it through a clinical setting. Starting year one has provided me with a solid foundation in my medical training. I’m excited to continue this journey knowing I’m well equipped to be the best physician I can be. Thanks to the day one ready preparation I’m receiving here at Midwestern University. Back to you, Alex.
– Thank you, Ashley. It is so cool that students are practicing clinical skills that will help prepare them for real-world encounters and the clinics offer patient services with convenient, centralized scheduling, easy inter specialty referrals and several specialty areas all in one central location. Amazing. Thanks again, Ashley.