Lewis Associates e-Newsletter
Volume 13 Issue 9
September 2013
Published by Lewis Associates. Dr. Cynthia Lewis, PhD., Editor
Email imaclewis@lewisassoc.com with your comments. Enjoy!

“Back to College” – for most pre-health students, this is what September signifies. If you prepared appropriately for fall classes, you should do well. If you are taking some difficult math or sciences in fall, you should have gotten your textbook and syllabus in advance, and read the first 5 or so chapters, doing as many problems as possible, and noting all your questions so you can ask your teacher inside or outside of class. Hopefully, most of your questions will be answered by your teachers during lecture.

Being Pro-Active is better than being Re-Active after earning a C or lower on the first exam!

Watch for new videos to be posted each month on our Facebook page, including helpful hints for the application process.

Do you really want to be competitive?

1. Plan ... ahead!

2. Address your weaknesses. What are they?

• Science GPA?
• Test (MCAT, DAT) scores, or do you need to take the test for the first time?
• Clinical experiences? How meaningful are they?
• Service? What did you do to help others?
• No close relationships with faculty?

And, how long will it take to really improve? One term? 2 years? Be realistic!

So, whatever quest you have, or issue you want to discuss, Dr. Lewis is the best person to use for personal and academic advice. She's been doing it for 27 years, and "has heard it all". Why don't you let her help you?

imaclewis@lewisassoc.com

This month's question on Dr. Lewis' Facebook page is: "I’ve heard multiple people say that admissions committees look at applicant’s Facebook. Is this true?"

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
Your journey to a health profession
Are You Ready for the Class of 2015 or 2016?
Testimonials
Track Record
Be Competitive
What Are Your Chances?
Getting Started

News:
• 5 Key Trends in Healthcare for 2013
• How Obamacare Will Impact Reproductive Health
• The Truth About Dishonesty
• Highlight Compassion in Your Medical School Application
• Medical Trainees Need More Than Simple Role Modeling to Be Prepared for Professional and Ethical Decisions
• Preparation for Medical School: Reflections on the MCAT Exam, Premedical Education, and the Medical School Application Process
• Rethinking medical school curriculum
• Medical students need to study human behavior as well as science
• Obama approves student loan reform legislation
• Community dynamic critical for medical students
• Medicare pioneer ACOs save money but lose physicians
• IOM: Target inefficient Medicare doctors, not regions
• Physicians’ Fear of Malpractice Suits Linked to More Diagnostic Testing
• Residency applicants face potentially illegal questions
• International Medical Graduates have a strong advocate in the AMA
• Gender Weeding: The Ethical Debate
• Medicare SGR reform bill passes key House committee
• Retail clinic convenience charms new audience: parents
• Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture
• Teaching tomorrow's doctors to be good stewards of health care resources
• Should Hospital Residency Programs Be Expanded to Increase the Number of Doctors?

Useful Links
• MCAT and Medical School Admissions
• NIH LifeWorks Health & Science Career Finder

Success Story of the Month
• Christine, Entering Class of 2013, Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Question of the Month
• Dr. Lewis' answer to this month's question: "I’ve heard multiple people say that admissions committees look at applicant’s Facebook. Is this true?"
See our Facebook page, Notes tab.

Our Services

Contact

Welcome to Lewis Associates!

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 2012...100% acceptance
Entering Class of 2011...100% acceptance
Entering Class of 2010...86% acceptance
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

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!

How to Communicate With Us

Email: imaclewis@lewisassoc.com

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.

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 2015 or 2016?
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! 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, mother of Todd Ruth, 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, parents of Eric Lee, 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, 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 2015 or 2016 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.

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 26 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.

news

5 Key Trends in Healthcare for 2013
It has been a fascinating first half of the year in the healthcare industry. The industry continues to evolve, due in part to several key issues impacting healthcare delivery today. Below we present what we believe are the five biggest issues facing hospitals and healthcare systems, surgery centers and physician practices this year.
http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-management-administration/5-key-trends-in-healthcare-for-2013.html

How Obamacare Will Impact Reproductive Health
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/803528?src=emailthis

The Truth About Dishonesty
Students know that they aren’t supposed to lie, cheat, or steal. Or do they?
http://www.graduateadvisorinsider.com/2013/07/the-truth-about-dishonesty/

Highlight Compassion in Your Medical School Application
Top-notch medical school admissions committees look for multi-dimensional people to enroll in their programs.
http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/medical-school-admissions-doctor/2013/08/13/highlight-compassion-in-your-medical-school-application

Medical Trainees Need More Than Simple Role Modeling to Be Prepared for Professional and Ethical Decisions
http://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/Fulltext/2013/08000/Medical_Trainees_Need_More_Than_Simple_Role.5.aspx

Preparation for Medical School: Reflections on the MCAT Exam, Premedical Education, and the Medical School Application Process
This issue of Academic Medicine presents one commentary and four articles1–5 that discuss the research leading to the changes that will be made in the 2015 version of the MCAT exam.
http://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/toc/2013/05000

Rethinking medical school curriculum
Hofstra North Shore-LIJ develops innovative curriculum
http://www.liherald.com/stories/Rethinking-medical-school,48885?content_source=&category_id=5&search_filter=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=&sub_type=&town_id=

Medical students need to study human behavior as well as science
The changes coming with the 2015 MCAT exam represent an important shift in the way doctors are assessed and prepared for tomorrow. It is recognized that these changes may bring challenges for aspiring doctors, especially those who have taken non-traditional paths to medical school.
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-07-16/news/bs-ed-medical-doctors-20130716_1_medical-students-exam-medical-schools

Obama approves student loan reform legislation
Congress adopted a bipartisan bill July 31 that would lower federal loan interest rates for medical students and other undergraduate and graduate students.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ams/pub/amawire/2013-august-14/2013-august-14-medical_student.shtml?P=S&C=A&G=T&M=T&I=T&W=T&Y=T&S=F

Community dynamic critical for medical students
A recent editorial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) stresses the importance of medical students maintaining relationships with their classmates.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ams/pub/amawire/2013-july-31/2013-july-31-medical_student.shtml?P=S&C=A&G=T&M=T&I=T&W=T&Y=T&S=F

Medicare pioneer ACOs save money but lose physicians
The accountable care organizations generate nearly $33 million in savings, but long-term viability of the pioneer program is questioned as groups seek lower-risk models.
http://www.amednews.com/article/20130729/government/130729933/1/?utm_source=nwltr&utm_medium=heds-htm&utm_campaign=20130729

IOM: Target inefficient Medicare doctors, not regions
An Institute of Medicine panel finds that geography itself is not responsible for high cost growth in certain areas.
http://www.amednews.com/article/20130805/government/130809986/4/?utm_source=nwltr&utm_medium=heds-htm&utm_campaign=20130805

Physicians’ Fear of Malpractice Suits Linked to More Diagnostic Testing
Medicare patients receive more diagnostic tests and ED referrals when treated by physicians who worry more about malpractice liability, regardless of whether states have adopted common malpractice tort reforms.
http://www.hschange.org/CONTENT/1370/

Residency applicants face potentially illegal questions
Each year, thousands of fourth-year medical students travel the country to be interviewed for a capped number of residency slots. A new study published in Academic Medicine suggests there may be an added pressure during these interviews—potentially illegal questions.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ams/pub/amawire/2013-august-07/2013-august-07-medical_student.shtml?P=S&C=A&G=T&M=T&I=T&W=T&Y=T&S=F

International Medical Graduates have a strong advocate in the AMA
Comprising one-quarter of all practicing U.S. physicians, international medical graduates (IMG) form an integral part of the American medical profession and fill important gaps in care delivery, including primary care and underserved populations.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ams/pub/amawire/2013-august-21/2013-august-21.shtml?P=S&C=A&G=T&M=T&I=T&W=T&Y=T&S=F

Gender Weeding: The Ethical Debate
ESHRE Task Force on Ethics and Law 20 - Sex Selection for Non-medical Reasons
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/805306?nlid=31817_905&src=wnl_edit_medp_obgy&uac=19462PX&spon=16

Medicare SGR reform bill passes key House committee
The House Energy and Commerce panel adopts a bipartisan Medicare payment overhaul, but physicians want additional changes on care quality incentives and pay accuracy.
http://www.amednews.com/article/20130812/government/130819977/1/?utm_source=nwltr&utm_medium=heds-htm&utm_campaign=20130812

Retail clinic convenience charms new audience: parents
Having a long-standing relationship with a physician doesn't mean parents will take their children to the doctor's office.
http://www.amednews.com/article/20130812/business/130819982/2/?utm_source=nwltr&utm_medium=heds-htm&utm_campaign=20130812

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture
The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out.
http://www.amednews.com/article/20130812/government/130819968/4/?utm_source=nwltr&utm_medium=heds-htm&utm_campaign=20130812

Teaching tomorrow's doctors to be good stewards of health care resources
Physicians have a key leadership role to play in helping contain the increasing cost of health care in the United States.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ams/pub/meded/2013-august/2013-august.shtml

Should Hospital Residency Programs Be Expanded to Increase the Number of Doctors?
The drumbeat for training additional doctors started a few years ago, amid predictions of soaring demand for health care in the U.S.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324563004578525454050176758.html

links

MCAT and Medical School Admissions
Research to Support the Design of the MCAT 2015 Exam
https://www.aamc.org/students/download/349196/data/ammcatcompilation.pdf

NIH LifeWorks Health & Science Career Finder
The Career Finder sifts through 260 possibilities and creates a list of jobs for you to explore based on your interests and skills.
https://science.education.nih.gov/Lifeworks.nsf/CareerFinder.htm

Find these and other useful links on Lewisassoc.com's Links Page.

Christine Christine, Entering Class of 2013, Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine My service work at San Diego State University initiated my interest in medicine. I was a tour guide, an orientation leader, and a member in the University Relations Board. Although these extracurricular activities had nothing to do with medicine, they all had a common theme: supporting others—the main ingredient of a medical career. To develop my medical interest, I discovered Osteopathy through online research and joined SDSU SOMA. A semester later, I became President. After I shadowed 3 Osteopathic physicians, I knew I wanted their philosophy in my practice. I did well in all my required courses, became a Hospice volunteer, where I offered emotional support, companionship and respite care to patients with terminal illnesses, journeyed to Honduras to help those without access to medical care, and became a peer mentor, where I facilitated a class of college students placed on academic probation. Three years later, I cannot believe I will be starting my first year of medical school this fall at DMU. But, it wasn’t simple. Becoming a pre-med really intimidated me. With all the tough prerequisite courses, the volunteering, and the daunting MCAT, I was scared. However, I was fortunate to meet Dr. Lewis. She made the goal of getting into medical school tangible. She kept me on track by keeping up with my progress class-by-class, supported my volunteer endeavors, gave me an unlimited amount of resources, prepared a plan when there were setbacks, and most importantly, she took the time to get to know me so she could help me achieve my goals in the most effective manner. The MCAT was the my biggest challenge. After doing poorly the first time and feeling discouraged, Dr. Lewis immediately got me back on my feet. She gave me resources to help me in the Verbal section, introduced me to Biofeedback, and tracked my progress weekly. Because of that, my second MCAT score and my confidence level really improved. I was really blessed to have her in my pre-medical journey, and I wouldn’t be where I am without her expertise. THANK YOU X 1,000,000,000,000 Dr. Lewis and Marcia!!

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, Notes tab
By Dr. Cynthia Lewis, PhD

"I’ve heard multiple people say that admissions committees look at applicant’s Facebook. Is this true?"

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.

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.

"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

Please feel free to forward this newsletter to any friends, classmates, or colleagues you feel would find its contents beneficial.