The Minnesota’s Future Doctors “Alligator” Cohort have created a survival guide for your summer 2008 program

Thoughts from all of the Alligators:

1.  The Director of the Program, Jo Peterson, labels each group of Minnesota’s Future Doctors with an animal name. They follow the alphabet. We are the Alligators, the Bandicoots are the 2007-2008 academic year group. You are the new 2008 summer group, the Coyotes. The Dingoes will start in September 2008.

2.  During your first few days together, have one person send around a contact list. Everyone should put their personal cell phone number and their personal email on that list. Each Future Doc should load all Coyote Future Doc’s cell phone numbers into their own contact area of their cell phone. It will be very helpful throughout the summer.

3.  The handbook that Jo provides is very long, but very useful. Read it.

4.  Don’t procrastinate on any assignments. Study for your exams this summer.

5. Believe in yourself. You can do this.

6. Be a professional. You will be meeting world class physicians and touring amazing facilities. You want to put your best foot forward at all times.

7. Take time to get to know your fellow Coyotes. You will find new, long lasting friendships this summer. Don’t run home all the time. Spend weekends and evenings together having fun.

8.  You will have free time. Bring video games, cards, DVDs, and board games to the summer program. Stick around and bond with each other.

Survival Tips From Alligator: Charles Vang

       Jo’s Expectations: Jo expects you all to do your best. You are here so that you can find help to develop your passions and ideas as well as making yourself a better candidate for medical school. 

       However tough things may be, keep pushing. Ask for help if needed.

       Food locations with Flex Dine: There is a Starbucks and a convenience store in the Student Union that takes the Flex dine, in addition to the cafeteria. On the second floor, there is a Jumba Juice, if you are a fan.

       Ordering food with Flex Dine: I remember ordering from Davanni's Pizza. The pizza is delicious and reasonably priced for the size of the pizza. The hoagies are somewhat good, but that depends on your preference. They do deliver to the dorms. You can also check with the dorm office to find a listing of the businesses that take Flex Dine. They also having cooking utensils if needed.

       Simon Delivers: Make sure to get the orders in on time. Once you know how to order Simon Delivers, you should be good. It may be a good idea to bring a fridge to store food. Also, have only one person be the sign-up person (take orders each day and upload the order into the computer system) so as to reduce confusion.

       Fun places to go off campus: Walk along the trail that parallels the Mississippi River

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       Fun things to do on campus: There is a game room in the basement of Comstock Hall, but the pool table is lacking pockets. There is a large television, though, so movie nights are good.

       Parking and transportation: If someone drives, get them to help send you places when things are planned. Carpooling is a good idea, and you all get compensation for transportation from the program. Share it... Parking can be expensive if you leave the car in the ramp parking lot.

       Shadowing defined: you basically have an arranged physician that you follow for one or two hours. The setting of the healthcare facility will determine what you see on your visit. It is enjoyable, and if you are feeling uncomfortable in a situation, do not feel obligated to stay in the room. It is a great experience. Send thank you cards soon after the visit. Do not put this off!

       Electronic Portfolio: the show and tell was good. I especially liked the making of the portfolios. There are a lot of things that can go in there, and you can just keep working. Organize your portfolios from the beginning to help you navigate it later.

       Clothes and events: Bring what ever clothes you would bring during your stay at school. Bring some sandals, shorts, t-shirts, professional attire (shoes, shirt, suit, etc), and a hoddie or sweater.

       Biology class: I felt that the class was beneficial. There were a few things that I did not know, but Dr. Dan covered it well. The review was also very nice. If there is an integration of the Chemistry related topics, that would be great, also. This would put things on a more understandable level.

       Ask Dr. Dan, the bio/chem instructor, to hold office hours. Office hours are a good idea for those who need extra help or want clarification.

       Bring your Biology and Chemistry books to campus so that you have a reference of some sort to consult when you need it.

       Job: #1.  Jo will give some of you jobs. They are important to the running of the program. Gift Captain: Jo will give you nice water bottles or pens to give to speakers and tour guides throughout the program. Someone should be in charge of these, have them in their dorm room, and bring them with to various events and tours. Each Future Doc should take turns giving the gift to a presenter or tour guide. Giving these gifts is a great way to show your appreciation to health care professionals who have volunteered their time to help you.

       Job #2. Thank you Card Captain. One of the Future Docs must be in charge of having a large volume of Thank You Cards and stamps. You must send thank you cards. All speakers comment on receiving them. They should be signed by all of the Future Docs and sent one day after you have a speaker or tour guide volunteer his or her time with you. They are a definite yes.

       Jobs #3 and #4.  Captains for Simon Delivers.  You will be ordering your evening meals (pre made or groceries) from Simon Delivers. This grocery store company will deliver bins of food to Jo’s office every afternoon. You need to walk to Jo’s office and get the food from her. She has a cart in her office for this purpose. Every morning, someone must return the cart to Jo’s office. There should be two Simon Delivers Order Captains:  Weeks 1 to 3 and Weeks 4 to 6. NO food is delivered on the weekends. So, Fridays can be a larger order. The Simon Delivers Order Captain should have a sign up sheet outside his or her door. Each Future Doc should put his or her list of food/pre made meals/groceries on the list. Only the Order Captain should actually place the order online each night and hit the send button. Jo pays for the food and delivery costs each day. Making meals together is a great way to bond and learn about each others’ cultures. 

       Job #5. A Mobile Phone Tree Captain. Jo will call one person if there is a last minute change of plans for the schedule. The Mobile Phone Tree Captain should then call two other future docs, etc. etc. etc. And, the Mobile Phone Tree captain can post notes to the other future docs to let them know about sudden changes. This occurs when a physician/speaker is called away to deal with health emergencies.

From Alligator: Evelyn Fuentes

Hello! Congratulations on being accepted into the MN Future Docs Program. Take advantage of all the opportunities and resources you are given this summer. Although it is important to study for classes and other activities, I believe the most important thing to do during this first summer is to get to know your peers. Remember, these are people you will be spending three summers with, possibly attending medical school with, and working with in the future. You will be surprised at how much you all have in common; you will become a family by the end of the summer. Congratulations again and good luck to you all!

From Alligator:  Jordan Sang

Hey Coyotes!

I just wanted to congratulate you guys for getting here. I promise it is an experience you will never forget even if you decide that medicine isn’t for you. I will admit arriving at the U of M and receiving your binder filled with the summer plans is a little overwhelming. DON’T WORRY!

They best way to make the most of your summer is to get to know your fellow Coyotes. Get out and be social with everyone. The support system that you guys will form is so crucial. If you guys get lost, over sleep, or miss an assignment just ask your friends for help because after all you all are in the same boat. 

One last thing: Jo is an amazing person, so don’t be afraid to talk to her, ask her questions or just joke around. She will support and look out for you; all you need to do in return is be respectful and meet her half way.

Be attentive during speakers, don’t be late, and get your assignments in early.  Good Luck! I hope you will enjoy the summer as much as we did.

From Alligator: Georgette McCauley

Welcome Coyote! I hope that your coming unto this program becomes the best experience of your life. I have a few pieces of advice:

1)  Listen well to discussions in class and take every home work assignments serious! Try your best not to procrastinate

2)  Represent yourself well in public (be professional)

3)   Support each other and don't treat this experience as a competition. All of you can make it to med school together. There is a place for all of you.

4)  Be respectful of each other inside and outside of class. You’re together for a long time.

5) Embrace one another's abilities and be eager to learn together.

6)  Most importantly, believe in yourself!

From Alligator: Veronica Nelson

Initially, I was nervous about interacting with others in the group. But I found we all had similar hearts for why we were there.

I also got to know communities in the Twin Cities, of my own Native American culture and of other's, which has given me valuable connections and make me feel part of a large family.  So I would recommend being open to learning, about others and about yourself as well as about the sciences, admissions tests and medical schools. 

I have become a stronger person by the support those in this program have given me."

That's what I've got to say.  (Corny maybe? I mean it anyway.)

10 Survival Tips from Thuy Nguyen-Tran

10. Stay organized. Throughout the summer, you will receive handouts and brochures with valuable information, so it is helpful to keep them in labeled folders or a binder as a handy reference.

9. Keep contact information together. You will receive business cards throughout the summer and make sure you keep contact information from people you meet in case you have questions in the future. Also, don’t forget to get contact info from your peers so you can keep in touch.

8. Remember your “please” and “thank you”. It is important that you are polite and act professionally. You will meet a lot of people who have volunteered their time and energy for the program, so it important that your courteous manner reflects your appreciation. Also, don’t forget thank you cards!

7. Remember to be on time.

6. Be prepared. Don’t forget to bring paper and pens to take notes. Also, if you have biology or chemistry textbooks or a laptop, they can be helpful for the classes and case studies.

5. Have fun with your fellow Future Doctors! Since you are in the Twin Cities, there are so many things you can do, from Twins games to trips to the Mall of America. Also, cooking meals together, studying together, having a round of musical chairs (just to name a few things) are good ways to bond and have fun.

4. Keep up with your electronic portfolio. It will be a good resource for you and is a good way to keep things like job experiences organized. Also,

the reflections you write will help you organize your thoughts and will always be fun to read in the future.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you are unsure of something, ask for clarification.

2. Keep an open mind and be like a sponge, ready to absorb and learn new things.

1. Enjoy the experience! You will learn so much and have awesome experiences.

From Alligator:  Wanda Vue

Hello Coyotes! One thing I learned from my first year that I want to share with you all is learning to be an active listener because from that you can begin to understand your purpose in the program. Listen to others and listen to yourself.

You need an official Coyote buddy. At times, you may oversleep, miss a class due to a family obligation, or misplace a piece of information. You should have an official buddy who is aware of when you will be gone. This person must remind Jo when you are absent or will be late. This person must also pick up an extra set of materials for you if you aren’t at a specific event.

Most of all have fun because that is where you create your most cherished memories.  Enjoy!