Sitting with his knees bent and hands dropped between them, Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs Gilbert Omenn spoke to a handful of primarily Medical first-year students last night about their future profession.
"Our faculty and students are doing great science," Omenn said. "I hope they have as much enthusiasm as I did then and now."
Omenn came to the University last fall as its first EVPMA, a position created to oversee the Medical School, University Hospitals and a $1 billion annual budget.
In tune with the title of the lecture, "What Will Medical Practice Roles Become for TodayÕs Medical Students?," Omenn discussed topics ranging from community involvement to doctor and patient use of computers in treatment and administration.
Medical first-year student Tom Gaffey, one of the organizers of the event, said he was happy that Medical students got a chance to meet with Omenn.
"We wanted to give him this opportunity to voice his vision for the medical community and the Medical School," Gaffey said.
Gaffey said a good relationship between the EVPMA and Medical students is necessary, especially while the University's medical community faces $200 million in budget cuts in the next three years.
"The relationship should be one in which there is an open door should questions or concerns come up," Gaffey said. "I think the students are a key part to an academic medical center."
Omenn began his lecture by asking the students how many years into the future they believe medicine will still be practiced.
"I think medicine has a wonderful array of pathways," Omenn said. "There really are glimpses into the future."
Several students answered Omenn's question with responses into the year 10,000.
"I think we're all curious to see what the state of the medical field will be when we get out," said Medical first-year student Justin Strote.
One ideal Omenn tried to convey to students is to avoid "tunnel vision" by staying active members in their communities.
"Sample some of the cultural events and other events here at the University," Omenn suggested to students. "I'm very eager for our faculty, staff and students to be more involved with the community.
"We are in 32 communities now ... we want people to think of us not just as a big fortress on a hill."
Medical first-year student Rich Dopp said he attended the lecture to meet Omenn.
"It sounded interesting, but moreover I wanted to get a chance to meet Dr. Omenn," Dopp said.
Omenn also addressed the trials of funding in medical facilities.
"There are ups and downs in a path like this, but I'm still optimistic about funding," Omenn said.
Omenn concluded his lecture by encouraging students to "be skeptical, be open-minded, think outside the box, challenge your professors, challenge your classmates."
"You have just as much to offer subjects as do your professors," Omenn said.
Omenn reminded students to take advantage of both psychological counseling and psychiatric services, just as they would advise patients to do.
Dopp said he felt the timing of the lecture was appropriate, not only for the first-year students, but for Omenn.
"I can imagine the list (of things to do) he had on his desk when he got in - it's an opportune time for both parties," Dopp said.