West Reading Avenues Fall 2021 - 13

have opportunities to share in learning
and growth.
Restifo noted that diversity will benefit
students out in the community and in
their patient interactions.
" If we only have students who look, think
and act alike, that's not going to help
when they're taking care of patients who
don't all look, think and act alike, " she said.
" To have a broadness of perspective when
it comes to understanding a patient's
social situation, first language, or some
other part of their life and background,
it provides a different kind of doctorpatient
connection. "
Students' backgrounds and life
experiences are of such importance that
they play a large role in the College of
Medicine's admissions process.
Between 12,000 and about 16,700 students
apply to the College of Medicine each
year, according to Linda Berardi-Demo,
EdD, associate dean of admissions and
enrollment. An admissions committee
decides on a rolling basis from September
to April which applicants will be invited
to interview with a faculty member and
a current student, and after that, who
will be offered admission.
Berardi-Demo said the admissions
committee whittles over 10,000
applicants down to an MD Program class
of about 300 students using a process
called holistic review, which looks at all
aspects of a student's path to medical
school, assessing their background and
experiences, alongside their past academic
performance.
" Learning about students' backgrounds
allows us to better understand their
motivation for applying to medical school,
and how they match our mission and
values, " Berardi-Demo explained. " We
call it 'word and deed,' looking at what
people say is important to them, matching
it to the work they've actually done,
and considering that along with their
academic capabilities. "
The admissions committee looks for
students who've shown commitment to
service and to providing compassionate
clinical care. Berardi-Demo said the
committee considers students who are
determined to provide quality care and
advocacy to patients from all walks of life,
especially patients from underserved and
historically marginalized communities.
The College's current values derive in
part from those of its legacy institutions -
Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania,
the first medical school in the world for
women, and Hahnemann University, a
homeopathic institution which admitted
non-mainstream students.
According to Berardi-Demo,
the
MD Program class of 2025 includes
not only students from racial and
ethnic backgrounds historically
underrepresented in medicine, but also
non-traditional students, first-generation
college students, parents, veterans and
more. The College has been graduating an
ethnically and racially diverse population
of physicians and scientists since the
19th century, and Berardi-Demo said
that legacy has a ripple effect today.
" I hope when the community of West
Reading meets our students, there's a
kid out there who says, 'That medical
student looks like me. I never thought of
it before, but I could go to this medical
college and make a difference in my
community,' " Berardi-Demo said.
Alexis Price-Moyer, MD Program Class
of 2025, grew up in West Reading and
said the tight-knit community is ready to
bring medical students into the fold. She's
confident the new campus will benefit
future physicians and the community
alike.
" Having a medical college here will
absolutely change the lives of those
that may not be as fortunate to see a
physician due to cost, and it gives the
younger population a clear view that they
have the option to pursue a career in
medicine, " Price-Moyer said. " It touches
my heart that I will be able to give back
to a community that I love and have a
deep connection to. "
With the MD Program Class of 2025
just beginning this next step on their
path to becoming physicians, Restifo
expressed gratitude for the community's
support. " It's daunting to start medical
school, and for the students to have been
embraced by the community the way
they have been, is a fantastic help. "
visitwestreading.org 11
http://www.visitwestreading.org
West Reading Avenues Fall 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of West Reading Avenues Fall 2021
