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When students arrive at the 黑料视频 Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, the pace is fast, the expectations are high and the learning curve can feel overwhelming. For many first-year students, one of the earliest sources of reassurance comes not from faculty, but from peers just a few steps ahead of them serving as Medical Education Associates, or MEAs.

For Rebekah Clark, now a medical education associate herself, those early interactions left a lasting impression.

鈥淲e had a couple MEAs my very first year that really loved osteopathic medicine, and they really engaged with the OMM department,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey kind of were this break between faculty and student to where I felt more comfortable sometimes approaching them.鈥�

That sense of approachability is central to the MEA experience. Positioned between faculty and students, MEAs serve as mentors, teachers and trusted guides, roles they once relied on themselves.

The MEA program offers students a dedicated year to focus on teaching and academic leadership. Medical Education Associate Brianna O鈥橬eill explained how the program fits into the broader medical school journey.

鈥淲e do our first three years of medical school. So we have two years of didactics and then we have a year of clinicals, and then we do this program in between our third and fourth year of medical school,鈥� she said.

For many MEAs, the decision to apply is deeply personal. Megan Adams, a current medical education associate, remembers just how much MEAs meant to her when she was starting out.

鈥淚 utilized the MEAs a lot my first year of medical school, and they helped me a lot, specifically in preparation for clinical skills and OMM,鈥� Adams said. Now, she is intentional about creating the same supportive environment for others. 鈥淚n the classroom, I hope to create a safe and interactive learning space where students can feel okay to make mistakes and recognize it as a learning opportunity.鈥�

That desire to give back is echoed throughout the program. Tristan Armstrong, also a Medical Education Associate, described the MEAs from his first year as essential to his success.

鈥淎 few more MEAs from my first year were truly my rock when it came to content, when it came to just needing someone to talk to,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 just want to pay that forward. I know how significant and how important this position is to students.鈥�

While mentorship is at the heart of the MEA role, the experience extends far beyond the classroom. For Megan Trout, a former medical education associate, the year provided opportunities she might not have otherwise had.

鈥淏eing in the classroom isn't the only thing that you do as an MEA,鈥� Trout said. 鈥淭here are other requirements like scholarly projects, committees to participate in, and clinical time amongst others. Throughout my year, I was able to develop and hone my skills on labor and delivery and in the operating room. During this additional time, I was able to participate in over 170 deliveries.鈥�

For former MEAs, the benefits of the program become especially clear during the transition to residency. Ryan Laire said the experience gave him confidence heading into his fourth year.

鈥淔or me, when I did start all my audition rotations, at the beginning of my fourth year, I felt really, really prepared,鈥� he said. Laire also emphasized the long-term value of teaching experience. 鈥淭here's going to be someone who has the answers you're looking for. And when you take that time to be with the faculty in a more faculty-driven role, you get to see a lot and learn a lot. And I think it's really invaluable.鈥�

Teaching, MEAs say, is preparation for any medical career. O鈥橬eill noted, 鈥淎ny residency program is built in teaching. So, having this teaching experience is going to help me in any residency that I choose.鈥�

Armstrong agrees, especially as he looks toward the future.

鈥淚 would like to end up at a teaching hospital,鈥� he said. 鈥淪o I just want to continue the mentality that I have here with first- and second-years to future generation physicians.鈥�

In addition to the many educational benefits participating as an MEA offers, the program also provides financial benefits to students, such as a two-year tuition waiver, stipend, and scholarship for continuing education such as conference attendance.

Second year students in good academic and professional standing are eligible to apply for the competitive program. Only 12 students are chosen annually.

For Trout, the MEA year marked a turning point鈥攂oth professionally and personally.

鈥淚 have always just had a love and a passion for teaching and mentoring,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t's really a full circle moment to see how excited and new and fresh they are coming in as first years, and then also to reflect on my own journey and see how far I have come, because I know that I was in their shoes just four years ago.鈥�

That sense of growth stayed with her long after the year ended.

鈥淭his past year gave me the opportunity to hone my skills, settle into my leadership and teaching style and allowed me to be more comfortable and confident in the way that I present myself to the world,鈥� Trout said.