Virgin Islands high school students interested in pursuing medical careers can learn more about the opportunities offered by the joint program conducted by the University of the Virgin Islands and the Boston University School of Medicine at a lecture on Thursday, Jan. 24. The lecture, offered from noon to 1 p.m. on UVI's St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses, will feature Dr. John Polk, assistant dean for Students and Minority Affairs at BU's School of Medicine. Dr. Polk will discuss details of BU's early medical school selection program. He will also be available for individual student interviews.

UVI is among 12 undergraduate institutions participating in the BU Early Medical School Selection Program (EMSSP). Students accepted into the program remain at their undergraduate institutions through their junior year and pursue programs of study that will best prepare them to spend their senior year at Boston University. The students are also required to enroll in at least one six-week summer course at Boston University during each of two summers prior to spending their senior year at Boston University.

UVI has participated in the program for more than 10 years and has had more than 25 participating students. At least 17 of these students have gone on to earn medical degrees through the program and to pursue successful careers. Another seven UVI students are currently attending Boston University Medical School. Malorie Callender and Shandelle Norford are UVI seniors in the program studying at Boston University this year.

Dr. Polk's lecture will take place in Chase Auditorium (B-110) on UVI's St. Thomas campus, with a video conference link to the Theatre (EC-401) on the St. Croix campus.

Students may arrange for interviews with Dr. Polk on Jan. 24 by contacting Dr. Sandra Romano no later than Jan. 23. Dr. Romano is the liaison for the EMSSP and UVI's Pre-Health Profession advisor. Her office (which offers many health profession resources) is located in room 212 of UVI's MacLean Marine Science Center on the St. Thomas campus. Contact her at sromano@uvi.edu or 693-1389.