First class in Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences program graduated this spring

The first cohort of the Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences program graduated in May. The program is designed to prepare students for application to graduate programs in the health care field, including medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy and allied health.

“We are very proud of these students,” said Ahmad Galaleldeen, PhD, program director and professor in the Department of Health Sciences, noting that the 14 graduates have chosen a variety of paths, including applying to medical, nursing and PA schools, as well as graduate-level programs in imaging sciences and biomedical sciences.

The program offers a broad health sciences curriculum as well as networking opportunities and mentorship, said Guillermo Nunez, MLS (ASCP)^CM, an assistant professor/clinical in the Department of Health Sciences.

“Our goal is to prepare these students to put together strong, competitive graduate school applications for whatever career in the health sciences they might choose,” Nunez said. “Most of the students were able to shadow health care providers. Some worked in labs, doing research, some shadowed PAs and doctors at the Saturday clinic. They are all doing great things.”

Graduate Thien Ngoc Bui said the program gave her the academic courses she needs to apply to medical school, while providing exposure to the administrative and clinical aspects of health care and giving her the opportunity to conduct a grant-funded community service learning project.

“During my two years at UT Health San Antonio, I had a chance to take the EMT-Basic program and earn experience in emergency medicine,” Bui said. “I was lucky enough to have a shadowing day with a hospitalist from University Hospital, who is also a clinical preceptor at the Long School of Medicine. I also got outpatient clinic experiences from our practicum course. All of these have given me the confidence to move forward and pursue higher education in medical school.” 

Graduate Raghad Said discovered her career path while in the program. She will begin the PhD in Integrated Biomedical Sciences program in UT Health San Antonio’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences this fall.

“I initially pursued acceptance into the BSMS program because I was unsure what career to pursue or where my interests lay,” Said said. “Everything health care and biomedical-related was interesting to me, and the abundance of options left me overwhelmed. The courses we took during the first year of the program, the networking opportunities I received, and the continuous advice and guidance from my professors led me to find my calling.”

 The BS in Medical Sciences program application for fall 2024 is open until July 31.