The third UTRGV school of Medicine Academic House Swearing in Ceremony was held last week, incoming students from across the department were into their academic houses.
Medical Director of Student Health and Wellness, Dr. Cristel Escalona explains what inspired the theme of this event.
“So it is very much so like harry potter, we sort each of the students into particular houses and its basically to kind of give students a sense of community. Because one of things I can tell you as a former student is that you kind of shuffle.”
The academic house structure is comprised of over four houses: Blackwell, Maimonides, Osler and Galen. These houses function as a supportive family and bring a competitive extracurricular environment for students.
Two-year medical student and Director of Minority Advancement in Medicine Jewel Udenwagu tells us what makes UTRGV special to her.
“I think what makes UTRGV really special is that our class sizes are small, our school is small, we are like a family. If you want to go somewhere where you feel like you belong, and you feel like you are going to have someone in your corner this is the place to be.”
Escalona tells us how the ceremony is not meant to bring stress to students, but instead give a comfortable environment.
“Yeah medical school is ridiculously stressful, so this is something that’s not supposed to be stressful for students in any shape or form.”
With 60 institutions across the country adopting the 16-year-old tradition, the school of medicine is looking forward to the newly sworn in students continuing their term.
Story by: Jerry Galindo
