Pre-health club offers opportunities for science majors and serves the Springfield

Dr. Alper Sarihan ’91 always knew he wanted to be a physician, and he knew what he had to do to make it happen. He transferred to Wittenberg.

“Witt gave me the chance to get into medical school,” he said, and now, nine years later, Sarihan continues to give back to his alma mater by offering student internships in his Springfield practice, co-teaching a class when asked and conducting workshops for the university’s pre-health club.

“Dr. Sarihan has been wonderful,” said Cathy Pederson, assistant professor of biology and pre-health club adviser.

Just this past February, Sarihan held a suturing clinic in the biology department, which attracted 25 students, including one non-biology major.

Formerly the pre-med club at Wittenberg, the pre-health club has tried to increase its presence on campus by bringing in such guests as Sarihan and by broadening its scope to include all allied professions.

“I would say that at the beginning of last year, there were 10 students at our meetings; now there are about 30 members who regularly attend meetings and 150 students on the new pre-health club list-serv,” Pederson explained.

Used primarily to announce upcoming events and activities, the list-serv also provides a venue for students to discuss ethics, medical philosophies, patient rights, health care management issues and the importance of teamwork.

“There is more to being a doctor than curing people,” explained pre-vet biology major Erin Shockey ’01.

In addition to such hands-on workshops as Sarihan conducted, the club also invites alumni who are currently in medical school to speak to the students each year.

“We usually bring about five alumni back in a variety of fields, including veterinary, medical, dental and optometry,” Pederson said. The club also has been actively involved with community service.

“I want them to be exposed to all kinds of people,” Pederson said.

This last semester, the club sponsored a swim for diabetes, offered CPR and First Aid Certification courses, hosted a Vet Day at Wittenberg where students and community members could bring their pets to a vet at a reduced charge, and participated in dances at both St. John’s Center for the Elderly and Springview Developmental Center.

As adviser, Pederson has also taken club members on field trips, including trips to OSU’s Pre-Med Day and a local sheep farm.

Club members on their own have also visited the Animal Welfare League and attended a chiropractic informational session in Columbus.

Furthermore, Pederson has continued the tradition of administering practice MCAT, DAT and OAT tests free of charge to students. “It helps to build their mental stamina,” Pederson said.

Such breadth pleases the club’s members. “There are so many options because of the size of the group,” said biology major Wendy Stiver ’02. “There is something every week. It’s been really exciting.”