Ten students participated in a residential Pre-Health Plunge Program this summer that provided foundational human anatomy and physiology content, introduced them to campus support services and offered opportunities to build rapport with a cohort of peers.
Funded through a gift from AllOne Charities, the 10-day program historically has demonstrated positive results, said Valerie A. Myers, professor and dean of nursing and health sciences.
“Data from last year showed that students who participated in the Pre-Health Plunge Program outperformed other pre-nursing and health sciences students when comparing their grades in BIO115 (Human Anatomy & Physiology I) and BIO103 (Human Anatomy & Physiology Survey), and overall semester GPA. I am hopeful that we see similar results this year,” she said.
Pre-Health Plunge Program participants join mentor Dhwani J. Patel, a nursing student and 2021 health science graduate. From left: Eleana G. Falkner, of Canton, Ohio, pre-dental hygiene; Molly E. Heintzelman, of Selinsgrove, nursing; Madelyn C. Scott, of York, pre-nursing; Kamryn R. Hoover, of Sidman, pre-dental hygiene; Alexis M. Yuhas, of Wyoming, pre-radiography; Patel; Giada L. Festa, of Taylor, pre-surgical technology; Solomon J. Chripczuk, of Boiling Springs, nursing; Emily P. Shaulis, of Carlisle, pre-nursing; Noah A. Marbert, of Olyphant, pre-radiography; and Melanie Thoman, of Dover, pre-dental hygiene.
Peer mentor Dhwani J. Patel, a nursing student and 2021 health science graduate, supervised and engaged with students during the evenings and weekends, helping them feel comfortable at Penn College and in the Williamsport area.
“After the students had a long day of workshops, we planned and participated in fun activities with them so they could relax, get to know each other and enjoy their time outside of the classroom,” Patel said. “Along with helping them become familiar with campus, I was also there to answer any questions they had, help them study, share tips on how to succeed in college and provide information about the resources available to them. I wanted to be someone they could come back to if they were unsure about something or needed help adjusting to college.”
The Pre-Health Plunge Program offers multiple benefits, Patel added, giving students a head start and helping to make the transition into college easier.
“Another major benefit I noticed was the connections the students made with each other,” she said. “I watched students form friendships, create study groups and build connections with classmates who could support each other throughout the program and beyond. By the time the program ended, some students had already made plans to continue helping and supporting one another once classes started.”
Being introduced to faculty and staff across campus equips students with resources that will help them succeed, Patel said.
“I would definitely encourage students who have the opportunity to participate in the Pre-Health Plunge Program to take advantage of it,” she said. “From my experience as a mentor, I saw how much the students gained from those 10 days, both academically and personally. It was more than just preparing them for their courses; it helped them build friendships, find a support system and feel more comfortable starting college.”
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