Five Students Gear Up for a Summer Experience at MD Anderson

BATON ROUGE- The LSU College of Science congratulates Christine Beaullieu, Nicolas Chanes, Lauren Jackson, Corey St. Romain and Sadie Thompson on being accepted into The MD Anderson Summer Experience Program. This competitive summer program allows undergraduates interested in pursuing a medical career to gain insights into medical training, care delivery, and most importantly, the opportunity to experience oncology as a potential area of specialization. All five biological sciences majors are looking forward to their summer ahead.

“I know MD Anderson is an amazing hospital, and the opportunity to observe surgeries in the operating room there for a month was one I couldn’t pass up,” said St. Romain.

 The one-month program is for first or second year students pursuing a premedical education, but do not have any real experience or insight into care delivery, medical training or patient care. Students will have the opportunity to participate as externs on a medical house staff team in their expressed area of interest. Their experience may include outpatient clinics, inpatient care, and technology delivery of care (intervention, surgery, diagnostic procedure, etc.).

 “I am most excited about being able to observe a variety of different surgeries,” said Chanes. “Ever since I first stepped into an operating room, I have had a tremendous appreciation for the art of surgery.”

 For two students, this experience hits home. Thompson and Beaullieu both had family members who were treated at MD Anderson and are eager to be surrounded by the people who provided their loved ones with innovative treatments and kindness during their time at the facility.

 “The staff at MD Anderson was there to support my grandparents through every tough decision, to hug them during difficult times, and even pray for them,” Beaullieu recalled. “My hope is that this program will help me to become better suited to providing patients with the utmost care and support through their treatment processes.”

 Lauren’s inspiration for wanting to become a medical professional comes from seeing her brother suffer with Sickle Cell disease. “Through witnessing this, I realized that alleviating the suffering of people who are sick is my passion,” explained Jackson.

 At the end of their experience, students will know what it means to actually deliver care, including the medical challenges of diagnosis and the delivery of difficult treatment regimens. Most importantly, students will develop an appreciation for the patient-physician relationship. The program also aims at helping participants develop relationships that they might nurture for mentoring or lab experience.

 “Even though I will just be a part of the externship program, I am beyond grateful to have a chance to briefly be a part of this organization,” said Thompson.

 The mission of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention, and through education of undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees and the public. For more information on MD Anderson, visit their website at www.mdanderson.org.