Select internship sparks public health career goals

MIDDLETOWN — Middlesex Community College student John “Jack” Howell of Durham recently participated in a nationwide academic enrichment experience focused on improving access to information and resources in health professions.

The Summer Health Professions Education Program accepts only 80 students from across the country, according to a news release.

Howell, a liberal arts and sciences major, enrolled in a combined physiology, biochemistry and organic chemistry course conducted virtually with instructors from the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Kentucky, the news release said.

He learned how each scientific discipline applies to conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. Howell’s favorite activity was virtually shadowing physicians.

“I gained confidence in taking upper-level coursework and valuable insight into entrance exams and applications. Most importantly, this program sparked my passion for public health and reducing health disparities,” Howell said in a prepared statement. He was accepted for transfer to UConn, Trinity College and Northeastern University.

“I am interested in combining aspects of public health, such as health policy, with a career in medicine, especially psychiatry,” he said.

Even though the summer program was online, he bonded with the other students through teambased learning and social activities.

At Middlesex Community College in Middletown, he was a classroom assistant for two semesters and tutored biology, chemistry and English in the Academic Success Center for four semesters. He also helped at the technology showcase, an annual conference where Middlesex faculty, staff and students share ideas and tools through presentations and demonstrations, the release said.

The MxCC Honors Program also allowed him to take two philosophy courses at Wesleyan University last year.

“It is important for MxCC to encourage students like Jack to apply to specialized programs, such as SHPEP, so that they can build stronger networks and get specialized training, and so that our students can come back and make a positive impact on those around them,” Eva Jones, an English professor at MxCC, said in the statement.

“When I started at MxCC, I was not planning on entering science or health care, but [former] biology professor Cheryl Eckert’s ability to connect scientific processes with human health inspired my passion for it,” Howell said.

For information, visit shpep.org or mxcc.edu.

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