Student Profiles
Kate A. Damm
Age: 25
Hometown: Pigeon, Michigan
Highlights of Pre-Med Career:
- Bachelors in physiology with a specialization in health and humanities, Michigan State University.
- Volunteers at Saginaw County Department of Public Health.
- Serves as a student representative to Synergy Medical Education Alliance's Graduate Medical Education Council.
- Worked as a medical assistant for Planned Parenthood of Mid-Michigan.
- Volunteered for Michigan State University 's Counseling Center Crisis Line.
- Served as secretary for CHM's Student Council.
- Served as teaching assistant for anatomy lab courses.
- Serves as a student representative to Synergy Medical Education Alliance's Graduate Medical Education Council.
Why Medicine?
I chose to pursue a career in medicine after I took part in the Exploring Medicine program at CHM's Saginaw campus as a high school student. I observed physicians and medical students in several departments there during the summer months, and it was after that experience that I decided to pursue medicine in college. Seeing twin boys delivered by cesarean section had a huge impact on me as a sixteen year old girl! I was further motivated in college by my experiences working as a medical assistant in family planning. I continue to be motivated by the need for physicians who are dedicated to providing women with comprehensive reproductive health care.
Why CHM?
Being exposed to CHM through the Saginaw campus so early played a big part in my becoming a medical student here. It led me to really look into the school while I was an undergraduate student at MSU, at which time I was also able to meet CHM faculty and students who epitomized the values of the school. Ultimately, I chose CHM because I knew it would be the best place for me to receive training to be a practicing physician in Michigan.
About Year III
Third year is hard work, but very rewarding. At this point, I have completed internal medicine, family medicine and pediatric clerkships at the Saginaw campus. As part of the Leadership in Medicine for the Underserved program, I spent part of my family medicine clerkship in my hometown of Pigeon, Mich. , and part of my time in pediatrics at the Janes Street Clinic in Saginaw . Seeing health care in the rural setting of Pigeon and also in Saginaw has been fascinating. The Block III experience in Saginaw is truly unique. Clinically, we get a lot of hands-on experience, and professionally, we are learning the skills necessary to be leaders in medicine and other arenas. I am looking forward to our trip to Belize in April, another component of the Leadership in Medicine for the Underserved program. It's neat to be back here as a medical student, after observing while as a high school student.
On Making Career Decisions at CHM
At this point in medical school, the most valuable assistance CHM has given me in making career decisions has been allowing me to interact with such great faculty both in East Lansing and in Saginaw. I've met so many great physicians who love what they do and who encourage you to consider your interests and goals when choosing a medical field.
About CHM's Community Campus-Based Structure
I think CHM's community-based structure is imperative in training physicians who will end up practicing in Michigan. You would probably not be exposed to health care in places like Pigeon or downtown Saginaw if you received your Block III training in a university hospital. Furthermore, moving to a community campus allows you to really get to know the classmates that go there with you.
