March 3, 2016

Summer Medical And Dental Education Program
655 K Street, NW, Suite 100
Washington, DC 20001
smdep@aamc.org

Dear Selection Committee,

As a student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill that has strived to combat the minuscule representation of minorities in the professional fields, I feel that I am an excellent candidate for the intern position available for The Summer Medical and Dental Education Program. As a first generation student, I have experienced a rocky road but have overcome those limitations. Thus, I am confident that this program will strengthen my abilities as a student and future medical professional.

Specifically, I am interested in the program site at Duke University. This prestigious university houses an excellent medical school, and I am interested in interacting with professionals who have extensive experience in the medical field. I am aware that there are a number of clinical rotations, and I am curious to observe any differences in patient care from UNC. I’ve interacted and shadowed various physicians at UNC, but I am intrigued to view the differing practice.

Although just a first-year undergraduate student, I have realized how essential it is to aid others that may have had similar struggles that I did. This is why I have started to focus on programs that relate to this issue in some manner. Las Guapitas, a mentoring program that I joined last fall, concentrates on exposing Latino middle school youth to STEAM fields.

When I joined, the current leads of the program saw potential and recruited me to be a part of the executive board. Las Guapitas has not only taught me leadership and the essence of teamwork but to also recognize the importance of sharing what I have learned along this journey to others who may be enduring a similar one. I now understand how essential it is to increase representation in professional fields given that every individual has promise, just differing obstacles. My belief is that we have to start at the root; the branches may be more difficult to reach.

I am certain that The Summer Medical and Dental Education Program will enhance my current skills and enrich my knowledge. As of now, I have taken beginners courses in the sciences and mathematics. However, I feel that is still essential to learn how to navigate these efficiently and successfully. If helped in this aspect, my ability to reach my ultimate goal of becoming a physician will be strengthened.

Furthermore, I look forward to the possibility of joining this program. I am positive it will allow my fascination for healthcare to grow and prosper.

Thank you for your time and your consideration.

Sincerely,

Ana Sofia Ocegueda

B.S. Psychology
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
sofiaa@live.unc.edu

The Summer Medical and Dental Education Program desires to increase the representation of minorities in the medical field by providing a program that enriches and prepares students. This program takes place in various locations; the one I am particularly interested in is at Duke University. The program lasts from June 4th to July 16th, which provides an extra time window for anything else I desire to do.

Daily work may include clinical exposure, academic enrichment, career development, or health policy seminars. Individual advising will also be available, as well as financial planning workshops. Pre-medical sciences, math, writing, and learning skills will be addressed, as well as methods for studying.

In order to be eligible for this program, applicants must have a grade point average that is at least 2.5. Applicants must be a current freshman or sophomore in college, and be a U.S. citizen or hold a permanent resident visa. It is important to note that SMDEP makes decisions on a “first come, first served basis”, so applying as early as possible is incredibly advantageous.
While these are the requirements, there are also considerations that may improve the chance of getting into the program. Applicants that identify with a group that is racially or ethnically underrepresented in medicine have priority because this speaks to the mission of this program. Economically or educationally disadvantaged students are additionally taken more into consideration. Outstanding applicants also tend to exhibit an interest in issues affecting underserved communities.

Financially, this program greatly benefits me. I am provided with a $600 stipend, as well as free housing on Duke campus. Meals are mostly covered as well. If I decide to apply to this program but at a different location, I could additionally be provided with $200 to cover travel expenses.
As a pre-med student, SMDEP has various advantages that I appreciate. If I apply to the Duke University location, it would be convenient because it is only 5 minutes away from home. (I’m sure my mom would appreciate this too.) Additionally, it would prepare me for the unknown. Trying to reach my career goal is challenging as a first generation student and I need all the guidance I can get. There is an incredible amount of information I have yet to uncover, and I presume SMDEP will guide me to learn about the essential details. This program would not only provide me with clinical exposure but also assistance in subjects I need to excel in for medical school. I also particularly enjoy the length of the program. It allows me to include any other activity I may want to strive for, like a part time job or the continuation of my research I do here at UNC.

The deadline for this program is March 1st, but I plan to apply next year due to previously made plans and the decreased likelihood of getting accepted this current year. However, I believe it would provide an immense amount of guidance, as well as experience, so it is a program I wouldn’t want to disregard.

Sofia Ocegueda
514 Paul Hardin Dr.
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
sofiaa@live.unc.edu

February 3, 2016

My name is Sofia Ocegueda, and I am a first-year undergraduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Reading the Journal of the American Medical Association, I have realized how my most recent article, Taking the Meat Out of a Meatless Argument: The Debate Over Veganism, is quite compatible with your prestigious journal. I invite you to ponder on this question:

Does the love for animals negatively affect our health? In other words, does leaving animals out of our diet deprive us of the nutrients we need to be at our best health? In the past decade, veganism, a diet that prohibits any consumption of animal-related products, has risen. This piece will review the research necessary to let you decide if veganism is worth the adverse health effects.

Veganism is a diet that has been practiced worldwide and centered around two main reasons, as found by British researchers. The first is the more compelling one, you could say. The love for animals and concern for animal rights has led to a population that shames bacon like no other and questions the origins of every brownie made. But let us not leave out the essentials. While vegans are saving the lives of numerous animals, is their health equally wholesome? Is the majority of the vegan population actually risking their health for this immense love? On the other hand, the second reason why one turns vegan leans towards a health concern. That is, one adopts veganism as the healthiest option out there. Animal rights? Yes, that’s a benefit too, but it isn’t the main concern. The recent obsession with health has led to various individuals clinging to tofu and crying over spilled [soy]milk. Are these individuals as healthy as we imagine them to be?

The choice to become vegan might seem easier than it seems; there is no perfect diet without the attention it requires. No matter the diet preference, the body will still require the same nutrients one hundred percent of the time. Researchers have additionally looked at the nutrient deficiency in children with vegan diets. Recently parents have started this diet and have included their children as well. Let it be noted that adults and children have different nutritional needs and that restrictive diets require extra care when it comes to implementing them for children.

In the complete article, numerous points will be brought up to let you decide whether veganism is indeed as nutritious as proclaimed. A study released in 2015 will address the difference in nutrition levels between vegans and vegetarians, and how they live up to the recommended level. Additionally, we will explore the consequences of a restrictive diet on a child, and will specifically describe the case study of a young boy with Keratomalacia, a rare disease caused by largely restrictive diets. Has the topic of veganism brought new perspectives? Could a healthy option, in fact, bring malnutrition? Do not limit your questions because I am sure this article will answer more. Please consider publishing my article, for it will uncover some of the precautions needed to be taken while practicing this trending diet.

Thank you for your time,

Sofia Ocegueda

Colev, M., Engel, H., Mayers, M., Markowitz, M., & Cahill, L. (2004). Vegan diet and vitamin A deficiency.Clinical Pediatrics, 43(1), 107-9.

This article focuses on the effect of vegan diets on children, and how certain nutrients may be insufficient in their diets. It incorporates the importance of the parents’ role, and how they are the main figures in the children’s lives, which further means they are the main influence in their diets. Furthermore this article highlights the importance of education of parents regarding restrictive diets, and how they can reach healthy eating habit goals without breaking their beliefs. If they are not following the recommended diet guidelines, then they are at risk of running health risks such as not getting the essential amount of nutrients.Izmirli, Serdar, and Clive J.C. Phillips. “The Relationship between Student Consumption of Animal Products and Attitudes to Animals in Europe and Asia.” British Food Journal 113.3 (2011): 436-50. Emerald Insight. Web.

Izmirli, Serdar, and Clive J.C. Phillips. “The Relationship between Student Consumption of Animal Products and Attitudes to Animals in Europe and Asia.” British Food Journal 113.3 (2011): 436-50. Emerald Insight. Web.

The article highlights the relationship between the attitudes of young adults and consumption of animals. This study was completed throughout countries of Europe and Asia, and inquired the reasons behind the decision of becoming vegan or vegetarian. Two prominent reasons were the support of animal rights and the concern of personal health. It should be noted that there was a distinction between reasons of vegetarians and vegans, and that vegans were more towards concern of animal rights. This article exhibits the reasoning behind the decision of becoming vegan.

Messina, V, Mangels, AR. Considerations in Planning Vegan Diets Children. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2001;101(6):661–669.

This article highlights the case of a young boy who was diagnosed with Keratomalacia, a rare disease that is associated with bizarre diets, along with other factors. Other than gaining information about the disease, the study also underlines the importance of parents being educated in nutrition, and how restrictive diets require extra attention to fulfill essential nutrients. This case study, although rare, demonstrates a potential consequence of not providing a nutritious diet for their children.

Radnitz, Cynthia, Bonnie Beezhold, and Julie DiMatteo. “Investigation of Lifestyle Choices of Individuals following a Vegan Diet for Health and Ethical Reasons.” Appetite 90 (2015): 31-36. Science Direct. Web.

The study looked into the health of vegans, particularly how much of a nutritional value their diet had. First, researchers inquired about the reason for their diet. The researchers further investigated their diets, and calculated the nutritional value, whether the reason was of ethical or health concerns. It was hypothesized that individuals who leaned towards making healthy choices were typically those with higher nutrition in their diets. However individuals whose purpose was related to ethical concerns reported a longer time being on their diets and as well as taking a higher level of nutrient supplements. Individuals who were concerned about health simply reported eating more fruit and less sweets.

Waldmann, A., Koschizke, J. W., Leitzmann, C., & Hahn, A. (2003). Dietary intakes and lifestyle factors of a vegan population in germany: Results from the german vegan study.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 57(8), 947-55.

This article focused on a study conducted in Germany that examined adults with vegan diets, regarding their nutrient levels. Although there were lower BMIs as well as higher energy intakes, there were some nutrients that were under the recommended level. Participants of a subgroup who consumed a small number of animal products were able to gain these nutrients at an appropriate level. Furthermore, vegan diets require additional supplements to fulfill the favorable vitamin and mineral intakes.