For Jenna Slaughter, the path to UC was encouraged by Charles Collins, MD, professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, and former associate dean of diversity in the College of Medicine. She had completed her undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania and was living in New York when she met Collins at a recruitment fair.
"I was really impressed with some of the things he shared with me about the University of Cincinnati, said Slaughter. "One that stood out was the MMI or the multiple mini interview. At that time in 2010, UC was one of only a couple of schools doing that unique interview process. He really encouraged me that they were looking holistically at applicants and that was something I knew would be important for me in finding a fit.
Slaughter, 28, knew medical school would be a challenge.
"I told him how I had struggled previously academically, and he told me he did not necessarily see that as a negative as long as I had learned from that and improved. He felt that students that had struggled previously were often stronger and he knew they werent going to quit and they would find a way to make it through medical school versus students who had never encountered any challenges.
Slaughter proved Collins right in many regards. She is going into a pediatrics residency program at Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her new community will be only two hours from her family in Detroit.
"Now, looking back on it after having gone through all the pain and struggles to get through medical school, I try to remember the good times, said Slaughter. "I think about the time spent studying with my classmates, especially in the anatomy lab where you just have to spend hours down there together and learning is hands on, as well as the hours I spent in small groups studying with classmates on the weekends.
"Those are some of the people I grew closest with during the past four years, said Slaughter. "It has allowed me to get to know people I probably wouldnt have otherwise.
Funny memories are also part of Slaughters UC experience
"I wasnt a big anatomy fan, not because it freaked me out, said Slaughter, noting students use human cadavers to learn gross anatomy. "I just felt like I was always hungry down there. You are there three or four hours and you cant eat and I would want a snack. I was always cold down there, but it was lot more fun after you did the dissection and you could go back and quiz your partner.
"But I quickly knew after the first few months of anatomy that I didnt want to be a surgeon, said Slaughter.
Student organizations such as the UC chapter of the Student National Medical Association were also part of Slaughters experience at UC. SNMA aims to boost the number of physicians providing quality care to communities of color in the United States.
"For me, I found a lot of good support at UC, said Slaughter. "When you look for it you can definitely find it. Dr. Mia Mallory (associate dean of diversity and inclusion) and Dr. Chris Lewis (assistant dean of diversity inclusion) have been really supportive of me throughout my time here, the ups and downs, and helping me navigate the application for residency.
Other mentors such as Jennifer Huggins, MD, associate professor of pediatrics and fellowship program director for rheumatology at Cincinnati Childrens, were also supportive, said Slaughter.
"They have seen things in me that I didnt even believe about myself, she said. "They encouraged me when I didnt have that foresight and wasnt able to stay positive.
