Pre-Med and Patient Care
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A Stethoscope inside a teal circle, representing healthcare and medical studies.

 

Healing bodies and minds is an art, a skill and a science. Students who are interested in a hands-on career offering quality care to patients, families and the community will find University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR)'s innovative curriculum provides ample preparation for entry into the workforce or for advanced study.

Career Options

Serving the needs of patients in a variety of urban and rural contexts, students who follow these areas of focus may pursue the following careers:

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Health Professions

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Health Sciences & Medicine

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Featured Students of Pre-Med and Patient Care Pathway

Hawa Ali smiles in a professional headshot with a neutral background.

Hawa Ali, '16

"My Capstone experience was focused on understanding and addressing disparate outcomes in health and education. With the help of my research mentor at Mayo Clinic, I created and conducted a research project that aimed to understand the disease burden of liver cancer in the Somali community."

Mckenzie Bangasser smiles in a headshot outside with a blurred background

McKenzie Bangasser, ‘16

"My Capstone experience was focused on understanding and addressing disparate outcomes in health and education. With the help of my research mentor at Mayo Clinic, I created and conducted a research project that aimed to understand the disease burden of liver cancer in the Somali community."

Kyle Cochran smiles in a professional headshot with a gray background.

Kyle Cochran, ‘13

"I knew immediately during my tour that UMR was where I needed to be. The small class sizes, integrated curriculum with a focus on health sciences, JustASK center and having Mayo Clinic next door were just a few selling points for me. Knowing that the instructors knew me by name and we could sit down at any time to have a conversation about school or life made me realize that they are here for us and want to see us succeed."

Zach Domeier wearing scrubs and a stethoscope, smiles in a headshot with a white background

Zach Domeier, ‘13

"My Capstone experience truly shaped the way I practice medicine today by allowing me to work directly with a variety of practitioners and mold my current practice from the strengths I witnessed in each of them. It also allowed me to work alongside various allied health staff to better appreciate how their work affects overall patient outcomes."

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Mmanuel Afi Dumenya

“My Capstone experience pushed me to articulate why I wanted to pursue the physician role over others. It helped me tremendously during the medical school application and interview process.”

Bryar Hansen wearing a white coat, smiles in a headshot with a white background

Bryar Hansen, ‘16

"I chose UMR because of the location. Being somewhat close to my hometown made it easy to have a good family balance while I navigated the excitement and rigors of UMR’s coursework. I also chose UMR because I knew I’d be pursuing medicine, and what better place to start that journey than right next door to one of the top hospitals in the country? Being so close to Mayo Clinic helped me find research opportunities and physician mentors who helped guide me to where I am today."

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Students pursuing Pre-Med & Patient Care have engaged in meaningful experiences such as these listed below.

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Internships and volunteer opportunities

Internships and volunteer opportunities allow you to gain valuable experience in a professional field. These opportunities help students develop marketable skills and competencies through hands-on experience, build a network of contacts and gain insight into a professional field.

***Consider reaching out to these organizations for shadowing. 

NOTE: Mayo Clinic has a process for shadowing, contact your coach for more information

Employment During Undergraduate

The organizations listed below are good places to explore potential employment opportunities.

  • PCA at Mayo Clinic
  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at Samaritan Bethany, Charter House, Madonna Towers, The Waters
  • Urology Technician at Mayo
  • Polysomnography Technician at Mayo
  • Direct Support Personnel/Personal Care Giver at Hiawatha Homes, Southeastern Minnesota Center for Independent Living, Cardinal of Minnesota, Visiting Angels, REM River Bluffs,
  • Scribing at Mayo, ScribeAmerica
  • Phlebotomy at Mayo
  • Pharmacy Tech at Walgreens, CVS, Mayo Clinic, Costco
  • Health Unit Coordinator at Mayo Clinic
  • Standardized Patient (medical actor) at Mayo Clinic Simulation Center

Research

As a student in health sciences, you will have many opportunities to participate in research. Below is a list of previous research experiences students in Pre-Med & Patient Care have participated in.

  • Ophthalmology Research at Mayo Clinic
  • Sleep Neurology and Medicine at Mayo Clinic
  • Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCATS) - InSciEdOut, Lab Opportunities at Mayo Clinic
  • Kern Center at Mayo Clinic

Other experiences

There are other avenues you can take to pursue your future career. Check out the options listed below.

  • IHI: Institute for Healthcare Improvement Student Club: Aims to improvement practices in healthcare which often involve patient interaction
  • Pre-Health Careers Club
  • Health Professions Connection
  • Rehabilitation Therapy Club (OT and PT)
  • HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America)
  • Study Away/Global Travel Experiences
  • MSID Programs