COMPANIONS REUNITE AT CLINICAL CAMPUS SHOWCASE
Congratulations to the COM Student Doctors of the Month for October!
Brienne Paradis, OMS-I was an EMT and MA before coming to UNE COM. In her first-year, Student Doctor Paradis has been active in the Emergency Medical Club, Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Club, and the Student Osteopathic Surgical Association (SOSA). One nomination stated, "“Brie selflessly shares her high yield notes to the class even though it takes a lot of effort to make those! Students like Brie promotes a collaborative atmosphere rather than competition!”
Samuel Frykenberg, OMS-II has a variety of interests that include composing music, short stories, and rock climbing. He also loves to teach and volunteer. One nomination stated, “Sam is a genuinely kind person who tries to brighten everyone’s day... I have found him with fresh warm banana bread during exam week on multiple occasions."
students to have other medical students normalize their experience as well as offer friendly advice and anecdotes of what their first year of medical school was like. Useful tips such as the best studying locations, ways to study, volunteer opportunities and other relevant knowledge was universally untapped. The COMpanion program matched companions and gave first-year students a safe space to ask questions.
At the Clinical Campus Showcase on campus, where second-year students interact with students from clinical rotation sites, three "generations” of COMpanions met-up, capturing a picture of the encounter. Seth Butler, OMS-III, his COMpanion, Pat Taggart OMS-II, and his COMpanion, Brandon Gibson OMS-I have stayed in touch despite what Student Doctor Butler calls the “rigor of medical school.” He is now living in NH for third-year rotations, but they have continued their connection. Of the experience, Student Doctor Butler writes, "It really has been a nice and helpful way to not only provide advice through all four years of school, but also to stay in touch with what’s new and changing on campus and in each other’s lives."
Seth Butler, OMS-III (middle), his COMpanion, Pat Taggart OMS-II (right), and his COMpanion, Brandon Gibson OMS-I (left)
COM students throughout the years have often commented on the feeling of community that exists at UNE COM. This is partially because fostering community happens at every level: in the classroom, in group study sessions, C&O activities, interactions between faculty, staff and students, and programming through various departments within COM. While most of what transpires seems to occur almost fluidly, there is a lot of planning and strategy behind it.
One example is the COMpanion Program through the COM Office of Recruitment, Student & Alumni Services. The program pairs first-year students with a second-year COMpanion to act as a resource, mentor and guide through the incoming class’ first year of medical school. The pairings occur in time for Orientation in order to make the initial connection in person during a very stressful, anxiety-producing transition. The program grew out of a need for first-year