On Valentine’s Day, the freshman class and their family members spent the day together on the LLU campus. They took classes in neuroscience, biochemistry, and physiology, which was a stimulating experience for the family members, as the classes aren’t made easier for a general audience. They also heard from students who went on mission trips around the world.
Parents of medical students also attended a session titled “The Medical Education Journey Has Just Started: What Lies Ahead and What Families Should Know” in which Tamara L. Thomas ’87 discussed what medical school would be like for the students and their families. She went on to share statistics that promised a bright future for medical students and data that shows LLU students test above average in clinical skills and match into residencies at a higher rate than most medical school graduates.
In the afternoon, students led their families on tours of the anatomy lab, clinical skills education center, and the simulation center, where they got to do ear exams, listen for heart sounds in high-tech mannequins, and even stick their fingers into a prostate exam simulator — an experience that raised eyebrows and led to plenty of humorous comments.
The day finished with the freshman dedication at the University Church. Dr. Thomas and Tamara M. Shankel ’88 handed each student a Bible, and then the class took their Physican’s Oath, in which they promised before God to carry on the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ.