Session 13

Today, I talk with Dr. Deborah German, the Dean of the University of Central Florida College of Medicine (UCF COM). UCF COM was the first allopathic medical school to be built from the ground up in the U.S. in almost 30 years.

In this episode, Dr. Deborah German and I discuss Lake Nona Medical City, the types of students UCF is looking for, and having the passion to really do what you love.

Listen to this podcast episode with the player above, or keep reading for the highlights and takeaway points.

What is the UCF College of Medicine Looking for in Students?

• Striving for excellence
• A heart for medicine
• Pioneering, entrepreneurial spirit
• Spirit of inquiry and curiosity about medicine
• Leadership
• Professionalism
• Willingness to put themselves aside for the needs of another

All About Lake Nona Medical City

• 7,000 acres of land (700 of which becomes the new medical city)
• Adjacent to the Orlando International Airport
• Approved in 2006, the medical school serves as an anchor along with other partners:
  • Nemours Children’s Hospital
  • Veterans Affairs Medical Center (second largest VA hospital)
  • Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute
  • University of Florida Academic and Research Center
  • University of Central Florida Health Sciences Campus

UCF College of Medicine Current Progress

• UCF doing better than half of the medical schools across the country on USMLE
• Students doing international trips
• New online medical journal Cureus
• UCF winning global competition for student research for medical students, residents, and graduate students
• Full accreditation

Curriculum at UCF College of Medicine

• Integrated curriculum
• Clinical work starting in the first year
• Basic and clinical science throughout all 4 years
• Research required of every student (in the first two years)
• Use of technology to assist education for students
  • simulation, virtual patients, standardized patients, live patient interaction, assessment system

UCF College of Medicine Admissions

• Admitting 120 medical students in the fall

Reasons for the Rise of New Medical Schools

• To address health care needs nationally
  • Scarcity of physicians
• Economic driver for communities

[Related episode: Is There Risk in Applying to New Medical Schools?]

3 Categories of Dreamers that Lay the Foundation of UCF College of Medicine

1. Mother Teresa: Taking care of people
2. Nobel Prize Winners: Curing cancer, eliminating obesity, or eradicating infectious diseases
3. Surgeon General: Global health, healthcare reform, and health disparities

Dr. Deborah German’s Advice to Premeds Struggling with Poor Grades

You have to show that you’re committed to medical school and the rigorous academic load that comes with it. And that commitment has to come across in your grades from the last couple of years.

If you need to, consider taking a Master’s degree in the hard sciences (like an SMP) to further demonstrate that you’re prepared for and capable of handling a rigorous course load.

Advice for High School Seniors and Premed Students

If you love medicine, give it everything you have. If you don’t feel like you can, then think about that.

Links and Other Resources

• Check out my Premed Playbook series of books (available on Amazon), with installments on the personal statement, the medical school interview, and the MCAT.
• Related episode: Dean of MSUCOM Talks About Mission to Increase Canadian DOs.
• Related episode: A Look at Carle Illinois College of Medicine with Dean Li.
• Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” at Blueprint MCAT (formerly Next Step Test Prep)!