Columbus Alumni Learning Community

The Columbus Alumni Learning Community (ALC) was the first ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ ALC to become active in early 2014. Since launching in 2014, the Columbus ALC has established relationships with local high schools and colleges. To date Columbus ALC alumni have reached nearly 200 high school college students through events and social media. In December 2014, their first clinical experience orientation and shadowing experience was hosted and since help provide a hands on experience students in the Columbus area.

Currently, there are 42 college and high school students actively enrolled on the 2014-2015 rosters while advisement sessions and general events (i.e., "Understanding the Changes in the MCAT," or "Health Professional's Panel") are open to all students.  Columbus ALC alumni have formed strong relationships with Columbus State University, Three Rivers Area Health Education Center, Columbus/Ft. Benning Medical Society and Midtown Medical Center.

During the first December 2014, student shadowing opportunity, a diverse group of physicians and other providers from all over Columbus volunteered to host 20 students in their private offices, at Midtown Medical Center and St. Francis Hospital, where students received an inside look at an area of medicine in which they had an interest. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive from students and preceptors, and though providers were only asked to commit to one-half day sessions twice yearly, many have set times outside of the program to spend mentoring their student, like Dr. Nicole Cole, Medical Director of the Columbus Regional Health Center, who is planning a year-long research project with her student shadow. 

As you can see, MSM Columbus alumni are accepting the charge of President and Dean, Valerie Montgomery Rice to extend the institution’s educational outreach. By engaging colleagues in healthcare, hospitals, schools, and community organizations, MSM alumni are building networks of support for local students who have an interest in pursuing health careers.

The goal of the ALC is to engage MSM alumni, who will then engage their colleagues in medicine, other community leaders and organizations, as well as educators to form partnerships and sponsor health career awareness activities in their respective communities. The four pilot cities are Albany, Atlanta, Columbus, and Macon. The learning community model is one that has been successful at ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ for a number of years, and is one of the reasons why the school is nationally recognized for its excellence in social mission.

Join Us

We invite ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ alumni to contribute further service to their communities through their Alma mater.  We also welcome schools and students that would like to participate to do so.  

Click below to join or to inquire about Alumni Learning Community

 

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Resources

  

ALC Cities

Contact Us

Jacqueline Thrash
Program Coordinator
(404) 752-1847
jthrash@msm.edu


Dr. Rita Finley
Assistant Dean
Office for Educational Outreach and Heath Careers
(404) 752-1614
rfinley@msm.edu


Dr. Meryl McNeal
Director
Quality Enhancement Plan
(404) 752-1638
mmcneal@msm.edu