Howard Payne University junior Hannah Justice of Brownwood has been accepted into the Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP). She is the first HPU student to be accepted into this prestigious medical school prep program.
“I am so excited about this opportunity,” said Justice. “Throughout this journey, God has shown me how faithful He is to provide for my needs by opening doors that I didn’t know existed and by aligning my passions with His will.”
According to the JAMP website, the program was created by the Texas Legislature to support and encourage highly qualified students pursuing medical education. It provides students with educational and clinical learning opportunities to better equip them as they pursue careers in medicine.
Justice heard about JAMP from one of her professors, Dr. Kristen Hutchins, associate professor of biology and JAMP faculty director at HPU.
“I am thrilled that Hannah, who also was recently accepted to HPU’s new Biomedical Science Program, will begin as a JAMP student in the program’s 2017 cohort,” said Dr. Hutchins. “Hannah has actively sought out exposure to the field through medical internships in our community, excelled in her courses and has been involved in campus student organizations all while continuing to walk with the Lord. I couldn’t be more proud of her accomplishments.”
The JAMP application process is identical to a traditional medical school application that is completed the third or fourth year of college. For JAMP, applicants apply between their first and second years of college. Then, applicants who meet the initial qualifications are invited for an interview. After the interview, prospective JAMP students are notified as to whether they have been chosen to be in the program.
“Most pre-med students do not go through an application process like this until later in their time at college, so it was a little nerve-racking at times to go through it as an underclassman,” said Justice. “I wanted my application to be the best it could be. I am thankful that I have such wonderful professors who have mentored me and helped me prepare.”
Justice will participate in an internship this summer at the Texas A&M College of Medicine. She will have the opportunity to participate in clinical and clerkship settings, take medical school classes in basic sciences and prepare to take the MCAT. She will also participate in an internship the following summer. During her next year at HPU, she will apply to all 10 of the medical schools in Texas, a JAMP requirement; take the MCAT; and then interview with each medical school in Texas. Pending her MCAT score, she will be matched to one of the medical schools. Once she graduates from HPU, she will attend medical school for four years and then participate in a residency program for three to five years to become board certified in a specialty of her choosing.
“It’s hard to decide which specialty to go into until you experience clinical observations of each,” said Justice. “I am considering hematology/oncology or infectious disease, and want to serve in the medical mission field.”
Dr. Hutchins shared her final thoughts about Justice and the JAMP program.
“We’re excited to see Hannah progress through JAMP as she prepares at HPU for medical school,” said Dr. Hutchins. “It is an excellent opportunity that we are happy to be part of here at HPU.”
For more information about JAMP, contact Dr. Kristen Hutchins in HPU’s School of Science and Mathematics at 325-649-8158 or khutchins@hputx.edu.
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Cutline: HPU junior Hannah Justice has been accepted into the prestigious Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP).