Mu Delta Pre-Health Organization and the American Medical Student Association Premedical Chapter are offering pre-health-profession students the chance to dine with the deans of pharmacy, medical, dental, nursing and other health programs at a banquet held as part of a pre-health fair held today and Tuesday.
Today’s health fair will take place from 2-6 p.m. in the rotunda of the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center and is open to all UH students.
Biology senior Ejiro Umaka, president of Mu Delta Pre-Health Organization, said the fair is aimed at raising awareness about various health conditions and the latest developments of treatments.
‘Everyone is affected by diseases or has a relative who is affected,’ Umaka said.
Attendees of the health fair will also be able to take advantage of health screenings, including a free blood pressure screening. Students at the fair will also be eligible to win a free online Kaplan course in disciplines from medicine and pharmacy to law.
Health groups such as the Houston Red Cross and the Cougar Cancer Council will have representatives on campus to answer questions students might have.
Mu Delta will host the health professionals banquet from 6-10 p.m. Tuesday in the Waldorf Astoria Room at the University Hilton.
‘The actual service for the pre-health students is the banquet,’ Umaka said. ‘(Students) will have the opportunity to ask questions directly to the deans and worry about potential admissions processes.’
The banquet is for pre-health students, including pre-pharmacy, pre-dental, pre-med and pre-nursing.’ A four-course meal is provided for those who attend the banquet.
Deans from state health-professional schools, including the University of Texas Health and Science Center at Houston and San Antonio and the University of Texas Medical Branch, will be in attendance.
Biology sophomore Courtney O’Connor said she is excited about the opportunity to be face to face with the deans.
‘I expect my passion for medically wanting to treat people to further ignite,’ O’Connor said.’ ‘I realized some years back that I can’t be truly happy unless I help others, and I feel that any information I can acquire about how I may reach that goal will be completely useful.’
Chemistry senior and Mu Delta Vice President Emmanuel Kuyinu urges students attending the banquet to be as professional as possible.
‘Come formally dressed,’ Kuyinu said.’ ‘This is like a mock interview where you try to make a good impression with this deans and get your name out there.’
Umaka seconds Kuyinu’s advice and said the banquet will be a chance for students to make a good impression on the important attendees.
‘People are expected to be professional,’ she said.’ ‘You’re trying to impress the deans, so the next time you go in for an interview, they already know who you are.’
Today’s health fair is free to all students. Tickets for the banquet are $10 and can be reserved at the health fair on Monday or by contacting the Mu Delta office in room 103 of the Engineering Education Resource Center or by emailing the Mu Delta Organization at [email protected].
Tickets will be available until the banquet on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Dr. Lauree Thomas, the associate dean of Student Affairs and Admissions at UTMB, will deliver the keynote speech at the banquet.’
Kuyinu said students attending the banquet should take the opportunity to make a positive impression on the professionals .
‘Come with a lot of questions,’ Umaka said. ‘(The banquet) is very beneficial for the students.’
