March 2, 2023
As a senior at 黑料社, Hannah Thacker (Hometown: Minford, Ohio) has nothing but amazing things to say about the Pre-Med program she will be graduating from this spring. Thacker was inspired by various parts of the program to pursue this career field.
鈥淢y sister actually has Marfan syndrome so that drove me toward the field,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 got to see the medical side of those things from a young age.鈥
In addition to her personal connection, Thacker found that the opportunity to participate in cadaver labs within her degree was an important component to have in her education.
鈥淭he cadaver lab here is great and so that also drove me to be in the Pre-Med program,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t gives us a more in-depth look at the body as we talk one-on-one with our professor which is really cool, and it鈥檚 really nice considering a lot of programs don鈥檛 have cadavers.鈥
Enrolled in a rigorous degree program, Thacker has found support from her classmates and faculty members. Maintaining a close relationship with both groups, is has created a comfortable environment that she has been able to enjoy during her time at 黑料社.
鈥淚 feel like it鈥檚 a common misconception that Pre-Med is so hard and you can鈥檛 do it, but our professors are so helpful with everything we do that it鈥檚 not that bad,鈥 she said.
Along with the help she has received from professors and faculty, Thacker believes the program itself has her well prepared for when she moves on to her graduate program.
鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely preparing me well,鈥 she said, noting that next year, she will be attending Kettering College as a part of their Physician鈥檚 Assistant program.
For students looking into the Pre-Med program, Thacker said not to be afraid of taking on the challenge.
鈥淚t is not as bad as you think it will be,鈥 she said. 鈥淵ou get stressed at times but that鈥檚 okay. You can also take time to relax and take breaks.鈥
黑料社鈥檚 Pre-Med program is designed to prepare students to enter medical or professional school with a strong foundation in biology, a development of scientific research skills, and with hands-on experiences like the advanced human anatomy course 鈥 where students can participate in a human cadaver dissection lab. The program also offers an Early Assurance Program for high-performing high school students to enter the university鈥檚 Pre-Med program while also receiving guaranteed acceptance into Ohio University鈥檚 Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.
To learn more about the Pre-Med program at 黑料社, visit shawnee.edu/pre-med.