To help students achieve their academic and career goals, Chaminade University’s Office of Health Professions Advising and Undergraduate Research coordinated professional development workshops conducted by officials from A.T. Still University (ATSU).
Under formal articulation agreements, Chaminade students gain early admission to health profession programs at ATSU campuses in Arizona and Missouri with degrees in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, audiology, physical therapy and occupational therapy.
The Jan. 31 workshops focused on what the ATSU admissions committee looks for in applicants and how to communicate effectively during the interview process. ATSU administrators also led an informational session on Feb. 1 to give students an overview of educational opportunities.
For Adam Perez, a Biochemistry major graduating in Spring 2019, the biggest takeaway from the admissions workshop was that ATSU looks at all aspects of applicants. This means it’s important “to truly understand who you are” when applying for medical school.
Melissa Ponce, a Biochemistry major graduating in Spring 2018, credits the interviewing skills workshop with helping her “see my unconscious quirks.”
“I realized through this workshop that all the questions the interviewer asked were all questions that I had the answers to,” Ponce says. “It’s all a matter of being genuine and honest with not just the interviewer but myself as well.”
Before departing Oahu, ATSU Vice President for Admissions Dr. Dave Koenecke toured the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, which partners with Chaminade to provide affordable medical care to underprivileged residents, including many Native Hawaiians.
Through an articulation agreement, 2012 Chaminade graduate Ashley Baldauf enrolled in the osteopathic medicine program at ATSU’s Arizona campus in 2013 and is spending three years studying and working at the Waianae center.
Office of Health Associate Provost Patricia M. Lee-Robinson reports that eight Chaminade graduates are currently enrolled in ATSU programs.
Chaminade also has articulation agreements with Boston University School of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Pacific University, Samuel Merritt University, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, University of Dayton and Western University School of Health Sciences.
Tanna and various other accounting faculty have been offering this service-learning project since the 1980s. This is one of Chaminade’s longest running service-learning projects, started before the university referred to it as service-learning.
McCausland with Alaka’ina Foundation vice president of Pacific Operations, Roy J. Panzarella, Ph.D. spearheaded the opportunity for the 12 students. Thanks to sponsor, Alaka’ina Foundation, and Chaminade University, the Chaminade students participated for free. The Foundation also provided a dinner for the group on one of the evenings. For the Foundation, supporting the Pearl Harbor Leadership Seminar matched its goal of developing a new generation of leaders.
The group hiked up to Diamond Head observation point and to Opana Point at Turtle Bay. They visited the Tropic Lightening Museum, Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Airfield, and Hickam Harbor. They solemnly toured Pearl Harbor WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument, its museum, and the Arizona Memorial. They took in the USS Bowfin Museum and then a nuclear submarine at the U.S. Submarine Command Pacific – a juxtaposition of past and present technology. They also made it to Punchbowl National Cemetery, the Pacific Aviation Museum, Ford Island, and the USS Missouri. In addition, the group spent an evening at Polynesian Cultural Center, as a valuable opportunity to understand diversity and culture. Learning to appreciate cultural diversities and geographic differences (Atlantic Coast meets Pacific Islands), the students strengthened their team’s capacities to work together on various exercises.
Gabriel Torno, a graduate student with Chaminade’s Hogan Entrepreneurs program, found the week to be of exceptional value. He wrote that the experience gave him unique insight of leadership concepts as he took in the historic events of Pearl Harbor. “The attack on Pearl Harbor is an excellent case study for the program. I learned more about the concepts of challenging assumptions and organizational culture,” Torno reflected. “Some high points for me was the overall visitation of Opana Point at Turtle Bay as a vehicle that ignited World War II and our last visit to the USS Missouri that concluded the war.” Torno also found the group’s visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center to be meaningful in exploring the concept of diversity.
“The portfolio exhibit is a recognition and celebration of students achieving their BFA in Environmental + Interior Design. It is a milestone event in our curriculum, ” wrote Joan Riggs, E+ID program director. “It is a thank you to the design community for their support and collaboration, and it is a networking social event for the Chaminade ohana, friends, and family, the design community and the general public.”
