FSU sophomores Keerti Dantuluri and Joseph Hernandez were among the first accepted into the medical honors program. Both are excited about the potential for one day being admitted to the FSU College of Medicine. 

“I thought this program would help me to stay focused to achieve my goals of becoming a doctor and helping underdeveloped countries,’’ Dantuluri said. “During the first year, this program has helped me to already start planning to work towards going to medical school.  I was able to seek advice from the College of Medicine on numerous occasions to help me with my class schedules and finding volunteer activities.

“Being in the program definitely makes it more likely that I will choose to pursue an M.D. because I am continually reminded of my future goals by having that connection with the medical school.’’

In addition to being able to seek advice from College of Medicine faculty and staff, participants have priority access to the honors medical seminar series in which various faculty members lecture on health-care-related topics. The seminar introduces undergraduate students to topics they would explore further when and if they go on to attend medical school.

“Getting into this program was the reason that I decided to attend Florida State University,’’ Hernandez said. “It gives you a glimpse of what the medical school at Florida State University is like by giving us a tour of the College of Medicine and a brief explanation on what they offer.  It also allows you to develop personal relationships with the people in the College of Medicine.’’

Honors Medical Scholars (front row, L-R): Faculty advisor Myra Hurt, Judy Lin, Amanda Abraira, Georgia Christakis, Robyn Rachesky, Keerti Dantuluri, and faculty advisor Dr. Robert Campbell; (back row, L-R): Ryan Dickert, Joseph Hernandez, Laura Irastorza, Allyson West, Joshua Williams and John Turner.