Lewis
Associates e-Newsletter
Volume 9 Issue 1
January 2010
Published by Lewis Associates. Dr. Cynthia Lewis, PhD., Editor
Email imaclewis@lewisassoc.com
with your comments. Enjoy!
Happy New Year!
December is when family and friends reconnect, and January is the time for "New" beginnings. The holidays generally provide a backdrop for well-wishing and happiness. It is also deep in the heart of the medical, dental, pharmacy (etc.) school interview season.
When I asked my applicants one year what one activity they most appreciated that I help them with, a strong response came back: "INTERVIEWING!" So, our question this month will be about preparing for interviews, and what is the "hardest" question to answer.
Dr. Lewis, Marcia and our two newest staff (Samson and Delilah, our outdoor kitties) at Lewis Associates wish you a joyous holiday season and the best of the New Year in this new decade of 2010!
Newsflash: The Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants is sponsoring a FREE Online Admissions Summit on April 28, 2010, including chats, webinars and articles. Stay Tuned!
Getting into medical, dental, pharmacy and the other health professions schools is getting HARDER!
As usually happens in an economic downturn, more people are attracted to stable careers like the health professions…competition is fierce!
How are YOU going to stand out from thousands of applicants?
Warning about student-run websites from Cornell Medical School Admissions
staff:
"PLEASE do not encourage students to get information from web sites administered
by other students. From time to time, I look up the studentdoctor.net site
(for interview ratings) and I am appalled at the amount of misinformation there.
Most of the information given there will hurt students more than help them."
Sick of rumors and false reports? Lewis Associates website has factual information that you can trust.
What's inside:
Welcome to Success Stories Newsletter!
How to Communicate With Us
Changes in Services
Your journey to a health profession
Are You Ready for the Class of 2010?
Testimonials
Track Record
Be Competitive
Getting Started
News:
• How can I get involved in health care change in California?
• NIH authorizes use of first human embryonic stem cells under new policy
• STDs increasing among young women; more prevention urged
• Primary care physicians spending longer time with patients
• Geriatric Consult - Blood pressure control essential for elderly patients
• About 1 in 10 physician jobs are unfilled, hospitals say
• Medicare, Medicaid spent $54 billion too much in 2009, White House says
• Quality of care low on hospital boards' priority list
• Obesity costs could quadruple by 2018
• Video games may have potential health benefits
Useful Links
• Minority Health and Health Disparities International Research Training Program
• ReformsKool: What’s Hot in Health Care Reform
Alumni Update
• Misty Rydelski, MD, Entering Class of 1987, Albany Medical College, Internal Medicine Residency at UC Irvine
• Stephen Carter, MD, Entering Class of 1986, Jefferson University, Surgery Residency at Penn State University Hospital and University Rochester
• Julia K. (Roberts) Hudson, MD, Entering Class of 1986, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Anesthesiology Residency at University of Kansas
• John Rogers, MS, MD, Entering Class of 1987, Chicago (Rosalind Franklin) Medical School
• Linda Murray, MD, Entering Class of 2004, Michigan State (allopathic) University School of MedicineSuccess Story of the Month
• Dr. Heriberto (Ed) Gutierrez, MD, Entering Class of 1986, UC San Diego, Residency in Internal Medicine at UC Davis, Cardiology Fellow at Kaiser Permanente LAQuestion of the Month
• Dr. Lewis' answer to this month's question on Facebook. The interview scares me. How do I become more confident?
Nearly one in ten Americans ages 20 to 24 is unemployed. But, health
care jobs remain an economic bright spot. The U.S. Department of
Labor expects the health sector to add more than 1.4 million workers over
the next ten years. Students in college and even high school can start
preparing now for a rewarding health career.
Are you ready?
Our Track Record
Entering Class of 2009...96%
acceptance
Entering Class of 2008...96%
acceptance
Entering Class of 2007...97% acceptance
Entering Class of 2006...89% acceptance
Entering Class of 2005...100% acceptance
Entering Class of 2004...100% acceptance
We have restructured our Advising package so you can become competitive during the entire application process!
Our one year package addresses ALL preparation and application activities, no matter when they occur for you. We advise all applicants to begin preparation for their application process at least 18 months prior to expected matriculation . But, real preparation to become a strong, competitive applicant starts when you enter college (and even before!) So, get started NOW!
If you are interested in personalized advising from “The Best in the Business,” (quote by Dr. Patrick Linson, Harvard Medical School Alum who is the only Native American Radiation Oncologist on the planet!), call Lewis Associates today to schedule YOUR personal assessment. Dr. Lewis invests in you, so you may live up to your potential to be the best applicant you can be!
Phone: 805-226-9669 |
|
| Mailing Address: 1885 Laguna del Campo, Templeton, CA 93465 | |
Lewis Associates absorbs Long Distance Charges
All phone conferences are made from our office to you. Marcia, our Administrative Assistant, calls YOU at your appointment time.
Changes in Services
- New Services: PHARMCAS and SOPHAS personal statement.
- New Service: Resume development.
- New preparation and application package: Ultimate Commitment package covers ALL advising.
Where are you in
your journey to a health profession?
In high school? Yes, we advise high school students,
particularly, those interested in BA-MD programs!
Just starting college? This is a scary time. Everything
is new…how do I meet all those new expectations?
Moving into your difficult upper division sciences as a college junior?
Possibly, the "dreaded organic chemistry"…
Re-entering as an "older" non-traditional student?
Re-establishing academic discipline…
We help prepare those of you submitting applications for medical
and dental Residency programs, too!
Whatever niche you fit, we advise students just like you.
Are
you REALLY ready to apply for the Class of 2011 or 2012?
How do you know?
Use our Personal Assessment--and you will be given
your individual strategy and path to your future! Then, if you use
our advising, we help implement your strategy! And if you start the ultimate Commitement Package within 6 months, we subtract your Personal Assesment Fee from the total. If it were easy to
do, all applicants would be accepted...and, that is not
the case.
Many whom we advise may not yet be ready, and need to develop some
aspect of their background to become competitive. Best to apply
when you are ready, be competitive, and do it ONLY ONCE!
Let's work together to make that one-time application successful…contacting
us earlier
is better so we can develop your strategy and address all those difficult
problems…months or years prior to application.
Why not set yourself up for success, rather than toy with the proposition
of failure?
Testimonials
Gail Ruth, Todd Ruth's mother, Entering Class of 2010, Jefferson University Medical School
Just a short note here to let you know how appreciative we are of all the wonderful help you gave to our son, Todd. He just received his first 2 acceptances from his top choices, so we couldn't be more pleased.! You were instrumental in guiding him as to which courses to take and gave him invaluable help with his essays. Thanks once again for all your help and guidance.
David and Maureen Lee, Eric Lee's parents, Entering Class of 2009, Saint Louis University School of Medicine
June, 2009: "Dr. Lewis, We just wanted to drop you a quick note to say thank you for all of your strategic guidance, wise counsel, encouragement, and mentoring to our son Eric on his journey to get into medical school. That is quite a process!! Eric definitely took the "road less traveled", majoring in philosophy, but he worked really hard to get his science prerequisites under his belt. He benefited so much from your experience, insight, and when needed, "tough love". You kept him on track, and we thank you. We think he will be an excellent physician. Perhaps some day we will meet. Again with gratitude, David and Maureen Lee."
Michael Nevarez, Entering Class of 2006, Harvard University
School of Medicine, his first choice school
"Dr. Lewis was a wonderful guide and mentor as I embarked on a
medical career a number of years after graduating from Cal Poly (graduated
2001, applied to med school in 2006). She gave an honest assessment of
the strengths and weaknesses of my profile, and more importantly provided specific
and personalized ways
in which I could address my application and the process going forward. Her advice
and experience was invaluable and I am very happy to have worked with her."
Margaret Jolley, Entering Class of 2008,
UC San Diego School of Medicine, her first choice school
"I never would've made it without my weekly conference
with the calm, experienced Dr. Lewis. She kept me sane. I am so grateful
for her guidance, for her editing help, and for the confidence she instilled
in me. She is a genuinely caring committed Mentor who takes pride in
helping our dreams happen. I have urged every fellow student I know to
call her. Let her help you, too!"
Austin Yoder, Entering Class of 2009, Accepted to Uniformed
Services University for Health Sciences, Philadelphia Osteopathic-GA,
West Virginia
Osteopathic, Tennessee Osteopathic, and Kansas City Osteopathic
"I am utterly grateful to Dr. Lewis for all her help, guidance and mentorship
through the application process. I owe a great deal of my success to date to
her team."
Ariel Chairez,
Entering Class 2004, Scholarship Awardee, University of Wisconsin Medical
School
"Dr. Lewis, I would like to thank you for all of your help.
Without
your guidance, I would not have been accepted
into medical school this year. I am extremely happy to have been accepted
to one of the top medical schools in the country, and to have received
a scholarship
of $130,000. For any student who questions the value of your services,
I can say that you have saved me $130,000 in tuition! Thank
you."
John Fiszer (Lawyer), Entering Class of 2005, University
Of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine
Dr. Lewis' note: John was an Assistant State's Prosecuting Attorney in Chicago,
Illinois, when he contacted me in 2004. Finishing his 4th year of medical
school, he said: "I am really enjoying med school, and I am thankful to
Dr. Lewis for her help. Her methodical, disciplined approach to the med school
application process, as well as her insight into the transition to med school
were right on target."
Ali Warrick, Entering Class 2011 Advisee
"Dear
Dr. Lewis,
I appreciate your help in
my transfer process to UC Berkeley. You have been an integral part
of the transition, and I would like to thank you for your time and
efforts. I know that your work is very thorough and well thought
out. In addition, I believe that you really care about your students,
and believe in each student's "right fit" in a school.
You lead many people toward a brighter future, and I would like to
say, 'Thank You!' for your contribution toward my academic goals.
This process has been much more enjoyable with your
guidance. Thank you for being so good at what you do."
S, Entering Class 2008, accepted with full scholarship
to Mayo Medical School
"I cannot thank Dr. Lewis enough for her support and
invaluable advice. When I came to her, I was apprehensive
about the formidable task of applying to medical school especially with
my past academic and personal hardships. She helped me see that overcoming
these difficulties was a testament to my strength, dedication, and diligence.
One of the most surprising outcomes of our relationship was that she
was effective in helping me develop a more positive self-image
and conquer many of my insecurities. Without her guidance and letter
of evaluation, I would not have been able to earn an acceptance to Mayo
Medical School, which granted me a merit scholarship that covers
almost all of my tuition. I truly appreciate all of her help. She went
above and beyond her role as an Advisor by becoming a Mentor to me. She
is absolutely the best in the business!"
Be Competitive
In order to be a competitive Class of 2011 or 2012 applicant, you need to submit a quality
application as evaluated by your clinical, service and other experiences
and your GPA-MCAT/DAT/GRE, etc. profile in a timely fashion. This
requires a well thought-out strategy to carry you through the difficult
year-long application process. If you use Dr. Lewis' advising, we
begin preparation early in the year BEFORE submission of your application!
EARLY is always better, removes much of the pressure, and allows
time to solve unforeseen problems and challenges.
What are your chances?
If you want to change your career, or reach your present career goal,
but do not know how to begin, or how to jump over all those hurdles,
Lewis Associates will advise you and implement strategies to change
your life. Dr. Lewis is thorough and professional.
Getting Started
Read on
our website about
getting your Personal
Assessment done,
then phone or email us
to get started! Dr. Lewis spends, on average,
7 hours developing an effective strategy of taking you
from where you are to where you want to be. Added Benefit: We will subtract the cost of your Personal Assesment from an Ultimate Commitment Package if you choose it within 6 months.
You may be like our other Lewis Associates Advisees -- highly
motivated and intelligent -- but needing focus, guidance and
specific technical expertise. Dr. Lewis solves problems for
her Advisees and finds opportunities for them. Or, you may
wish to use hourly advising to solve one specific problem.
Dr. Lewis is a trained Biologist, having taught and directed her own
research programs for many years at two universities. She earned two
postdoctoral fellowships (one at NIH), received the 1990 NACADA
Outstanding Institutional Advising Program in the U.S. and directed
her own Health Careers Opportunity Program grant for 6 years,
bringing $1 million to her university while
helping hundreds of disadvantaged students enter health professions.
If you are serious about making your dreams to become a
physician, dentist, physician assistant, veterinarian, optometrist,
podiatrist, naturopathic physician, or pharmacist a reality--Dr.
Lewis can help you. We have made the difference
for more than 800 alumni now training or practicing in medicine over
the last 23 years.
Dr. Lewis teaches Professionalism, Leadership, and Quality,
and sets high standards for her Advisees.
Lewis Associates will save you money and heartache on your
preparation and application process.
Contact the Health Career experts! For
more information email imaclewis@lewisassoc.com.
Call 805-226-9669 to set up your first appointment.
news
How can I get involved in health care change in California?
http://cahpsalobbyday2010.eventbrite.com/ CAHPSA Student Lobby Day for Single Payer, Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 8:30 AM - Monday, January 11, 2010 at 5:00 PM (PT), Sacramento, CA
NIH authorizes use of first human embryonic stem cells under new policy
Obama administration approves the first human embryonic stem cells for experiments by federally funded scientists under a new policy designed to dramatically expand government support for one of the most promising but also most contentious fields of biomedical research.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/02/AR2009120201955.html?wpisrc=newsletter
STDs increasing among young women; more prevention urged
Blacks also continue to be disproportionately affected by STDs, with higher rates than any other racial or ethnic group, a CDC report found.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/12/07/prsb1207.htm
Primary care physicians spending longer time with patients
But wait times for emergency care have increased, study says. More patients and fewer hospitals are among the reasons.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/12/07/prsc1207.htm
Geriatric Consult - Blood pressure control essential for elderly patients
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/12/07/prca1207.htm
About 1 in 10 physician jobs are unfilled, hospitals say
Despite the recession, hospitals are still seeing a doctor shortage, a survey by one physician placement company finds.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/12/07/bisc1207.htm
Medicare, Medicaid spent $54 billion too much in 2009, White House says
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/11/30/gvsc1202.htm
Quality of care low on hospital boards' priority list
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/11/30/prse1203.htm
Obesity costs could quadruple by 2018
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/11/30/gvsd1204.htm
Video games may have potential health benefits
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/11/30/prsf1204.htm
Minority Health and Health Disparities International Research Training Program
http://ncmhd.nih.gov/our_programs/mhirt.asp
ReformsKool: What’s Hot in Health Care Reform
Weekly Digest of AMSA' Health Care for All Campaign.
http://www.amsa.org/AMSA/Homepage/Publications/Newsletters/ReformsKool.aspx
Find these and other useful links on Lewisassoc.com's Links Page.
 From left to right : Dr. Rydelski & Dr. Carter Misty Rydelski, MD Entering Class of 1987, Albany Medical College, Internal Medicine Residency at UC Irvine; practices Internal Medicine in Anaheim, CA. Stephen Carter, MD Entering Class of 1986, Jefferson University, Surgery Residency at Penn State University Hospital, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Strong Memorial Hospital, University Rochester; practices General Surgery in Chambersburg, PA
|
 Dr. Lewis and Dr. Julie K. Roberts Hudson Julia K. (Roberts) Hudson, MD Entering Class of 1986, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Anesthesiology Residency at University of Kansas; currently Assistant Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs at Vanderbilt University and Associate Professor of Clinical Anesthesiology, Medical Education and Administration. |
 Left to right: Todd Gary, PhD; Heriberto (Ed) Gutierrez, MD; Dr. Lewis; John Rogers, MS, MD John Rogers, MS, MD Entering Class of 1987, Chicago (Rosaling Franklin) Medical School. Dr. Rogers did his MS at San Diego State University 85-87, then attended Chicago (now Rosalind Franklin) Medical School; currently practices cardiology at Scripps Clinic in San Diego, and is President of the Research Associates at Pt. Loma Nazarene University. |
 Dr. Murray with her 2 daughters Linda Murray, MD Entering Class of 2004, Michigan State (allopthic) University School of Medicine Dr. Murray will enter a Family Medicine Residency January 10, 2010 in Lansing, Michigan. She has 2 great daughters, too. |
Watch for Success Stories coming for some of these alumni!
success story
Dr. Heriberto (Ed) Gutierrez, MD, Entering Class of 1986, UC San Diego, Residency in Internal Medicine at UC Davis, Cardiology Fellow at Kaiser Permanente LA
 |
Dr. Heriberto |
I first met Dr. Lewis back in 1982 when she taught Zoology at Point Loma College (now Point Loma Nazarene University). She helped me appreciate the rigorous nature of biology. It was in her class that I realized that a career in science requires a serious commitment. Although there is often a mass of facts that needs to be memorized for a test, there are also biological processes underlying these facts that can be understood. Admittedly, this can be difficult to see while studying for a mid-term exam, but these details do come together to make a body/organism work.
After graduating from UCSD School of Medicine, I found that caring for cardiac patients was the most interesting and rewarding to me. From managing a seriously ill patient to seeing them at a follow-up office visit doing well is very gratifying. I, then, completed my Fellowship at Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles. There are so many avenues of interest within the field. For those who are inclined toward the basic sciences, the mechanisms of atherosclerosis and stent restenosis (re-narrowing of arteries after coronary stents are deployed) are actively funded areas of research. For those who are interested in the “big picture”, the epidemic of obesity and concomitant diabetes are keeping the cardiac epidemiologist busy. Research is also being done investigating cardiac disease within different ethnic populations. My personal interests are with cardiac imaging, particularly echocardiography and cardiac nuclear imaging. This way, I am still using some of the concepts I learned in my pre-med physics course (wave theory and radioactivity are especially prominent in medical imaging). For the more hands-on personality type, cardiac interventions are going beyond cardiac stenting. Now interventional cardiologists are placing stents into the carotid, renal, and other peripheral arteries. There are also emerging techniques to repair cardiac valves with catheters alone, obviating the need for open-heart surgery.
I recall Dr. Lewis stating in the middle of a Zoology lecture “an egg is awesome in its potential.” The same can be said about any student with an ambitious career goal. The serious student is awesome in her/his potential!
Email to Dr. Lewis if you wish to communicate about medical schools or other issues or to contact those profiled in Success Stories: imaclewis@lewisassoc.com
question of the month...see Facebook, Advising Tips tab (link)
By
Dr. Cynthia Lewis, PhD
The interview scares me. How do I become more confident??
We will feature an important question each month. Please submit one that interests you for Dr. Lewis to answer. Send your questions to imaclewis@lewisassoc.com with 'Newsletter Question' in the subject line.
The Association of International
Graduate Admissions Consultants' (AIGAC) Stamp of Excellence is issued based
on education, professional experience as a graduate admissions consultant, and
commitment to the AIGAC's principles of good practices. AIGAC exists to define
and promote professional excellence in serving graduate and professional school
applicants worldwide.
lewis associates advising services
Lewis Associates specializes in personal, effective and professional
premedical advising and placement for traditional and non-traditional
applicants. Often, non-traditional students are older than 21 years
of age, career changers, international applicants or second-round applicants
for admission to health professions school.
Lewis Associates' services meet the needs of all types of students from
pre-applicants to applicants, including hourly advising support for
specific needs. Click
here.
contact
"It's never too late to be who you might have been."
If this is how YOU feel, then, maybe Lewis Associates is the place
for you. Lewis Associates provides Mentoring and Coaching through
the rigorous and often circuitous pre-health preparation and application
process. Other consultants may support programs like Law and Business
or graduate school -- not Lewis Associates. We are the experts in
Health Professions based on 26 years of a successful
track record.
Call or email today to set your first appointment!
805.226.9669 imaclewis@lewisassoc.com
Copyright 2009, Lewis Associates. All rights reserved. Please do not repost on any website without direct permission from Lewis Associates.
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