Six local undergrads selected for Northwestern Medicine Summer Pre-Med Internships

Six students from Chicago's western suburbs were selected to serve in the prestigious Northwestern Medicine Summer Pre-Med Internship:

• Mrunali Damuluri of Aurora, Centre College;

• Ruju Talati of Aurora, University of Illinois;

• Lauren Berry of Geneva, University of Iowa;

• Rohan Jaiswal of Naperville, Loyola University Chicago;

• Darshan Gundala of South Elgin, Nova Southeastern University;

• Asha Wiggs of South Elgin, Washington University in St. Louis.

Since 2019, Micah J. Eimer, MD, cardiologist and medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Glenview, Evanston and Deerfield Outpatient Centers, has turned a local summer internship program into an international destination for college students interested in pursuing a career in health care.

While the program has grown threefold since its inception, now attracting students from across the country as well as in Puerto Rico and Canada, he is proud of what the program offers students - but what he didn't anticipate was how much of a difference it would make to the physician mentors as well.

"We strive to provide a blend of both academic work and observation, and we are pleased to offer these dedicated students who have already shown a passion for medicine an 8-week, paid opportunity to work with some of the leading experts in medicine," Dr. Eimer said. "What I'm realizing now is how impactful it also is for the physicians, who are provided a moment to 'step back' from their packed schedules and work demands, and take some time to provide individual guidance and inspiration to a younger adult who has shown a passion for the study of medicine."

Each student receives their assigned clinical department where they work with and report to both a physician lead as well as a program administrator. Then, once a week, they rotate to observe a different specialty.

Student academics and a commitment to community service were considerations during the acceptance process, as well as ensuring the class would include a mix of students from different backgrounds, locations and life experiences.

Just 3% of students were accepted to the program, welcoming students from 31 schools.

In addition to the direct work experience the students receive, the program also provides a weekly lecture series. Topics include:

• Navigating Medical School Admissions

• Diversity in Healthcare

• Physician Wellness

• Women in Medicine

• Journey in Medicine

• Clinic of the Future

To date, 196 pre-med students have completed the program, with many now in medical school. The current class has 51 students, who have the opportunity to shadow and learn from more than 45 leading physicians at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, in the northern suburbs at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital and the Northwestern Medicine Outpatient Centers in Glenview and Gurnee, Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital in Palos Heights and Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield.

For more information, go to www.nm.org/for-medical-professionals/i-am-a-student/northwestern-medicine-pre-med-internship-program.