Comments on: Becoming Doctors, But First Studying the Liberal Arts

By: Megan Waterman, '08

Megan Waterman, '08 — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 02:57:48 +0000

I am so happy to see this article. I entered Bowdoin ready to be “pre-med,” but my first-year seminar expanded my horizons quickly. I went on to explore the social determinants of health and illness as a Bowdoin student in wonderful sociology and history classes with Professors Bell, Riley, and Hecht. Though I completed the med school prerequisites during my time at Bowdoin (with fellow commenter Dr. Desiree Jones-Rubin as my biochem lab partner!), I feel grateful to have been a sociology major, which enriched my experience on my later path of getting a dual MD/MPH at Boston University.
Fortunately, 2017 has finally brought me back to Maine, where I am now working as a family medicine physician at a Portland community health center!
Bowdoin’s focus on the common good and its offer of a strong liberal arts education is truly one of a kind! Thanks again!

By: Roxanna Cornelius

Roxanna Cornelius — Sat, 04 Nov 2017 06:30:39 +0000

I appreciate Bowdoin embracing students progressing into medical fields from a liberal arts background, but I wish they would give more attention/recognition to those pursuing veterinary medicine. Having graduated Bowdoin in 2010 and gone on to become a veterinarian, it definitely didn’t and still doesn’t feel like Bowdoin takes note of those in other medical fields, despite the huge contribution to human health made by vets.

By: M. Calanthe Wilson-Pant, M.D.

M. Calanthe Wilson-Pant, M.D. — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 17:38:46 +0000

At my medical school interview, I was asked, “Why did you take so much English?” My response was, “Can you take too much English?” Shrugs around the room. With the emphasis on “evidenced based medicine” we forget that half the healing is in the doctor-patient relationship. Good doctors are being sidelined for “recipe providers” who follow set protocols. This is not good for American medicine. Yes, we must teach all medical providers, but especially doctors, to think first.

By: Desiree Jones-Rubin

Desiree Jones-Rubin — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 16:55:17 +0000

This is such an amazing and encouraging piece! As a graduate from Bowdoin who is now a pediatric resident at the University of Texas, I believe it holds true that it’s critical to engage in passionate learning before beginning medical school.

By: Robert Q. Terrill '79

Robert Q. Terrill '79 — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 16:14:09 +0000

Being out of Bowdoin now 38 years and in clinical practice for 27+ years I think that Bowdoin was critical to teaching me to think and question. Bravo to Seth Ramus for pushing these students to broaden their horizons. It makes you a better citizen of the world and better communicator with your patients.

By: Charmaine Babineau

Charmaine Babineau — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 14:57:29 +0000

Very impressive. We Seth Ramos mst write beautifully.

Full disclosure: our granddaughter is applying this year after two years at The Dana Farber Institute.

By: Eric Luft, '74

Eric Luft, '74 — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 13:16:48 +0000

This is excellent advice. I taught in a medical school for 15 years. My best students were those who had majored in something other than the sciences.

By: Charles Muiruri

Charles Muiruri — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 10:35:33 +0000

Powerful!

By: Dave Dayanan

Dave Dayanan — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 16:26:27 +0000

Future Docs. Great Post. Hope it brings in Opearation.