ScribeAmerica is extremely excited to have a partnership with Ross University School of Medicine and with the America University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. Through this partnership, we are able to offer ScribeAmerica employees who are in good standing with the company and who are accepted at either Ross University School of Medicine or American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine $9500 off their first-semester tuition. We took some time to talk with Milena Garcia who is the National Associate Director at Ross University School of Medicine, to learn some more about Ross, attending Medical School in the Caribbean, and also some tips/tricks for those who are looking to go to Medical School.
When did you start working at Ross?
I started working at Ross University as an Associate Director of Admissions in November 2005, then in 2019, I started supporting American University of the Caribbean as well, and the Access and inclusion in Medicine initiative at Ross University School of Medicine.
What is your current role at Ross and what do you love most about your job?
I’m currently a National Associate Director, working with Admissions and Strategic Accounts. The best thing about my job is seeing the applicants go through their journeys, knowing that at the end of four years, they will have achieved their goal to become competent physicians. As a Latina myself, I have a particular interest in diversity and inclusion, and increasing representation in the medical industry.
What are some of the differences and similarities of attending a Caribbean school vs a school in the US?
One of the great advantages of Caribbean medical schools such as Ross University School of Medicine (Ross Med) and American University of the Caribbean (AUC) is that they take a holistic approach to admissions, considering an applicant as a whole person rather than a set of grades and scores. Each institution’s admission selection committee considers each applicant’s undergraduate performance, knowledge of the medical profession, interpersonal skills, motivation, personal character, and clinical experience in addition to GPA and Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®) scores. Just like in the U.S., medical students at Ross Med and AUC must concentrate on their medical studies—but they also need restful downtime and opportunities to do something enjoyable away from classrooms and textbooks. Our students can take advantage of the beautiful islands of Barbados and Sint Maarten which offer many enjoyable things to do, and a tropical climate in which to do them. While both Ross Med and AUC utilize U.S.-modeled curricula in their MD programs, the culturally diverse settings and patient interactions challenge them to adopt a global mindset in their practice of medicine. This allows them to effectively navigate and understand the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of their patients, promote equity in healthcare, and enhance the quality of care they provide.
What would you say to students who think that a Caribbean Medical School isn't as valuable as a US school?
Many students choose Ross Med and AUC because they offer the opportunity to pursue their careers in medicine. While there can be a stigma associated with Caribbean medical schools, both Ross Med and AUC are accredited by independent and autonomous accrediting bodies that only certify medical schools that are operating at the highest levels of industry standards. Ross Med is accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions (CAAM-HP). CAAM-HP is recognized by the U.S. National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA) as being comparable to Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) standards. Because of this, Ross Med students enjoy some of the same privileges as students enrolled in medical schools in the United States and Canada. Ross Med students may qualify for federal student loans through the U.S. Department of Education. They may register with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) to begin the United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE®) process. Ross Med students may also move on to medical residencies accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), the residency authority in the U.S. AUC, is accredited by The Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM, www.accredmed.org), which is the accreditor used by the country of Sint Maarten. The NCFMEA has determined that the ACCM’s accreditation standards are comparable to those set by the LCME. The ACCM is also recognized by the international authority on medical school standards, the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME). Similarly to Ross Med, AUC also have the same privileges as students at medical schools in the U.S. and Canada. They may qualify for federal student loans through the U.S. Department of Education, register with the ECFMG to take the USMLE®, and may also move on to medical residencies accredited by the ACGME. Accreditation is crucial. Graduates of non-accredited Caribbean medical schools cannot obtain residencies, nor can they take the licensure exams—meaning they cannot practice medicine in the U.S. or Canada, where all medical schools must be LCME accredited.
What advice can you give to pre-health students who are interested in going to medical school?
An important way of preparing for medical school is to be a conscientious undergraduate student. Learning good study strategies and developing good study habits early will help your medical education later on. The amount of material to memorize in medical school may strain your undergraduate study habits, however, and your studying will need to evolve and improve along with the difficulty of the material. One of the most important things to know before medical school is to keep an open mind, and be flexible to new study approaches. Figure out what works best for you, and always try to improve. Wherever you choose to apply, it’s also important that you become familiar with school application requirements and begin preparing as soon as possible. Early preparation and staying on top of deadlines can help facilitate a seamless transition from undergraduate to medical student.
What are the perks of attending a school like Ross or AUC?
From your first semester at Ross Med, you'll engage in hands-on training and experiences that apply your classroom learning to real-world practice. Students receive training in a variety of healthcare environments where you'll have the opportunity to grow in both patient care and medical service skills. Our students receive a rigorous, U.S.-modeled medical education with opportunities for early hands-on experiences in the Barbados community before returning to the U.S. for clinical rotations and residency. Early exposures include participation in mobile and pop-up clinics, home visits, mental health facilities, primary school and pediatric clinics, and more. Through these early exposures, students shadow and work alongside licensed physicians while training to be culturally competent, global-minded physicians. At AUC, you don’t have to choose between a high-quality education and a supportive culture. You get both. Our institution in Sint Maarten is designed to help students develop into practice-ready physicians with small incoming class sizes*, a supportive faculty, early clinical-based teaching experiences, and curriculum modeled on U.S. med schools. We also know that medical students face a variety of issues with transitioning to the rigor of coursework and transitioning to the island. That is why we foster a culture of academic and wellness support to ensure our students have the tools they need to thrive in our program. Our Wellness Counseling Center offers various counseling methods tailored to meet the diverse needs of our students, while our academic supports offer personalized assistance to support students throughout the MD program, USMLE®s, and onward through residency application and
preparation. Ross Med and AUC also have three start dates per year in January, May, and September, allowing students to start their medical education when they’re ready instead of waiting for a fall intake.
*Based on average incoming classes from 2022-23 academic year.
How did Ross come to learn about ScribeAmerica?
As a recruiter, it's part of my job to know where our applicants come from. In the recent past, I’ve seen many premed students that are being encouraged by their advisors to take a gap year to develop themselves and their application for medical school. Working as a scribe is one of their choices, because it gives them hands-on experience and possibly a letter of recommendation from the providers they work with. I have known of ScribeAmerica for a while and have encountered premed students in the past who have worked as scribes. I don't remember how I first learned about ScribeAmerica specifically, but it is likely that I may have encountered your representative during a pre-health student fair hosted by one of the undergraduate institutions I’ve visited.
Why did Ross and AUC choose ScribeAmerica to partner with?
Ross Med and AUC chose to partner with ScribeAmerica because it shares our dedication to paving the way for aspiring physicians in their journey towards a medical career. This collaboration will help us continue to address the physician shortage in the U.S. and Canada and allow us to further cultivate a diverse pool of globally minded physicians, contributing to the workforce and addressing healthcare needs in their communities.
Why is clinical experience important when applying to medical school?
Clinical experience is crucial when applying to medical school as it provides aspiring students with a firsthand understanding of patient care and the healthcare environment. This not only demonstrates a genuine commitment to the field, but also helps applicants develop essential skills in communication, empathy, and teamwork – qualities highly valued in the medical profession. Some medical school admissions committees may prioritize candidates with meaningful clinical exposure, as it showcases a practical foundation that can contribute to success in medical school and beyond.
What is something you feel ScribeAmerica offers its employees that benefits them for Medical School?
ScribeAmerica offers its employees the opportunity to gain valuable firsthand experience that could significantly benefit students preparing for medical school. Becoming a scribe often involves shadowing healthcare professionals, documenting patient encounters, and gaining exposure to various medical specialties. This immersive experience allows students to develop a deep understanding of medical terminology, clinical workflows, and the intricacies of patient care, which will prepare them for the clinical exposures they will encounter throughout medical school and residency. Additionally, medical scribes often witness the application of medical knowledge in real-world scenarios, enhancing their clinical insight and communication skills. The exposure to diverse medical cases and the opportunity to work closely with physicians contribute to a well-rounded preparation for the challenges and demands of medical school.
If you would like to learn more more about Ross University School of Medicine and the partnership with ScribeAmerica, please watch our recorded webinar which can be found here. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at applicant@scribeamerica.com
