Cleveland Aspiring D.O.ctors Precollege Program - Curriculum
The STEM-based year-round medical and health exploration program will allow the students to be immersed in the sciences and to experience firsthand the connection between science and the range of health care career options. Throughout the program, students will be exposed to a wide range of professional career options: physicians, nurses, physician assistants, physical therapists, etc. Lessons and activities will emphasize critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity and other 21st century skills. Students will also receive extra mentoring and support with the college application and admissions processes.
The project will operate during the academic year and will be longitudinal allowing students the opportunity to participate continuously as a junior and senior.
The program's curriculum will include the following components:
Classroom Lectures
Participants will have the opportunity to attend medical school lectures delivered by the Heritage College faculty in our state-of-the-art learning labs that are equipped with the latest technology.
Case-based Learning
The Heritage College faculty and students will guide high school students through a clinical case to which students can apply their newly acquired medical knowledge in small-group settings.
Clinical Skills
Each year, students will engage in hands-on clinical activities with the Heritage College staff and faculty to gain a firsthand look into the daily tasks of health care providers. These activities can include, but are not limited to, taking patient vitals, following proper gloving technique, interpreting EKG results and drawing blood.
Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
Students will be introduced to the practice of osteopathic manipulative medicine through presentations and demonstrations by OMM faculty and student associates.
Anatomy
Throughout the program, students will learn more about human anatomy by touring the Heritage College's anatomy lab, looking at models of different body parts and organs and being guided through dissection experiences with the Heritage College anatomy faculty .
Diversity & Inclusion
Each year, students will participate in interactive workshops facilitated by the Heritage College’s Office of Inclusion to explore topics such as identity, diversifying the physician workforce, goal-setting, microaggressions in the workplace, self-care and more.
College/Career Readiness
The curriculum will also provide students with workshops on college and career readiness skills. The Heritage College staff will present on college admissions and scholarship opportunities, academic skills critical to success in college, resume writing and interviewing and leadership skills.
Guest Speakers
Throughout the program, professionals from a wide range of health care professions will be invited to speak to the high school students about their educational and career paths and the types of activities they engage in on a daily basis. Physicians, nurses, occupational and physical therapists and others will present to students to give them a greater understanding on what it takes to pursue these types of careers.
Learn More About the Junior Year Learn More About the Senior Year