DR. MICHAEL Schmidt has been named CMU’s Regional Assistant Clerkship Director. (Courtesy Photo)
Memorial Healthcare recently announced the formal affiliation of Memorial Healthcare’s hospital and clinics with the Central Michigan University (CMU) College of Medicine.
The educational affiliation is a landmark development in the growth of both Central Michigan University’s College of Medicine and the Memorial Healthcare network of hospital and clinics providing quality medical services and care.
The first class of students at the CMU College of Medicine began their studies in 2013. The college actively seeks out well-qualified students who are committed to practicing in Michigan, especially those committed to pursuing careers in the primary care specialties, Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and Women’s Health. More than 80 percent of the students enrolled at the CMU College of Medicine are Michigan residents.
“Starting in July, several of CMU’s third-year medical students will begin to utilize the Memorial staff and facilities, as well as those of several physicians in private practice, in fulfilling their Comprehensive Community Clerkship,” said Dr. Michael Schmidt, CMU’s Regional Assistant Clerkship Director. “This phase of the student physician’s clinical education comes after completing two years of rigorous classroom work in which all aspects of human medicine are taught along with learning the basic clinical skills needed to accurately obtain a patient’s medical history, perform a physical examination and undertake diagnostic decision-making.”
The third and fourth years of medical school involve the further development of patient care skills. These are taught to the student physician by other doctors and providers under direct supervision. The Comprehensive Community Clerkship requires the student to move into the host community and begin the process of becoming a physician by immersing themselves in the community and the physician’s practice for six months. In this manner, the student physician begins to expand on the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and gains an understanding of the complex relationship between the health of an individual and where and how that person lives, works and plays.
At Memorial, students will be exposed to primary care practices, as well as some specialty care. “The process is not mandatory for either medical staff members of patients,” says Dr. Schmidt. “Patients can become teachers and assume the most valuable role in educating the next generation of doctors. Nevertheless, the decision to allow a medical student to take part in one’s care will always be left to the patient to decide. If a patient says, ‘no,’ then the student will not be taking part in their care. Obviously, we hope patients will enthusiastically say ‘yes!’”
Memorial welcomes this development and recognizes this as a win-win for the medical school, the community, and the hospital. According to Brian Long, FACHE, president and CEO of Memorial Healthcare, “Having these medical students in the community is great for our clinical staff, reinforcing the need to stay up-to-date and progressive as these students begin to find their way in the world of modern health care. Teaching is a great way to learn. In addition, having the students here at Memorial, a top-notch facility, is a great way to show these young doctors just what this fine community, this great hospital, and this outstanding medical staff has to offer as a potential future home.”
“The staff and administration hope the community will embrace this tremendous opportunity for growth and service to the education of future physicians. Please join us in welcoming these fine students to our community,” adds Long.
