Naugatuck Valley Community College student Kiana MacBurney is returning to NVCC this fall after spending six weeks at Yale School of Medicine’s Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP). Each year, approximately 80 students participate in the program, which is a national initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.  It includes classes in science, communication/writing, career development and public health. Students also shadow a senior resident at Yale-New Haven Hospital and meet with leaders of the hospital and medical school.

“I would definitely recommend the program to students who are looking to the field of medicine,” said MacBurney. For her, SMDEP provided a real-life taste of the academic rigors of medical school—not to mention lessons in time management and how to succeed in a demanding and high-stress environment. Students must be willing to fully commit for the entire six weeks, because it requires an extreme amount of focus and dedication, she said.

MacBurney says another valuable lesson from the SMDEP experience is that administrators and fellow students can be valuable resources.  “It’s all about helping one another get through it. You should definitely go in there with an open mind and be ready to put yourself past your limit.”

SMDEP students also participate in special programming ranging from a “Women in Medicine” night to sessions on financial planning and how to apply to medical school. The program may leave some wondering whether medical school is the right path. For MacBurney, there is no doubt. She wants to study cardiology.

MacBurney’s father developed heart problems when she was nine years old. She recalls constantly accompanying him to the doctor’s office. They helped him with his heart. They monitored it and balanced out his blood sugars. They said that he could only have months and they added years to his life.

“Being in that atmosphere and seeing what they do for [patients]… I definitely want to be able to do that for someone’s family… to be able to help them and prolong their life,” she said.

MacBurney credits her advisor at NVCC with connecting her with SMDEP. “The teachers and administration are very helpful in trying to figure out what you want to do and then helping you accomplish that or helping put you on the path to accomplish that,” she said.

The Watertown High School graduate arrived at NVCC last fall. While she began as a General Studies major, she now plans to focus on psychology. She figures it will help with her bedside manner.

“It really does help with being a doctor… It helps you empathize with your patients more and understand what they’re going through,” said MacBurney.

As for her time at NVCC, MacBurney says it has been great. “It’s definitely helped in transitioning from high school.” She said the flexible class schedules have been helpful in juggling school, her job at a grocery store and social life. “It’s close to home. It’s close to work. And the timeframes for the classes, I can arrange to fit around my job.”

After NVCC, MacBurney plans to earn a bachelor’s degree and continue on to medical school.