Spring Break
YouTube video earns student medical scholarship
Meghan Kruger
Issue date: 3/6/09 Section: News
A UConn senior was recently named one of 10 winners of the first AspiringDocs.org video contest sponsored by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Benjamin Gruenbaum, an 8th-semester psychology major, received a $1,000 scholarship to be used toward his medical school application and registration fees.
AspiringDocs.org is an outreach effort to increase diversity in the medical field, according to the AAMC Web Site.
Gruenbaum said he was shocked and honored when he found out he was one of the contest winners.
"I couldn't believe it," he said. "There were a lot of worthy candidates."
AAMC said the goal of the contest was to "turn students' dreams of a career in medicine into a reality by assisting with the costs of preparing for and applying to medical school."
Applicants were asked to submit a two minute video explaining why they wanted to become a doctor.
"It was a really hard question for me to answer," Gruenbaum said. "You would think after 4 years of wanting to do this it would be easy to answer, but it's not."
Gruenbaum drew on life experiences, such as volunteering as an EMT in the Middle East, when making his video. He said the human interaction that comes with being a physician was one of the primary reasons he wanted to get into the field.
"There is no greater gift in the world than to help others to the best of my ability," Gruenbaum said in his video entry.
Potential candidates were e-mailed about the contest around Thanksgiving.
"I thought, 'what do I have to lose?'" Gruenbaum said.
He received news that he was one of the winners in late February. All 10 winning videos can be seen on the AAMC's YouTube site. Gruenbaum's video was also featured on UConn President Michael Hogan's blog.
Along with his academic achievements, Gruenbaum is also involved on campus. He has been a Community Assistant for three years, an FYE mentor, athletic tutor and a supplemental instruction leader for general psychology classes. He is also an active member of the Jewish Students Association on campus.
Gruenbaum plans to attend medical school in the fall and is waiting to hear back from the schools he has applied to. He credits his success to the support he has received from many people in his life.
"I've been very blessed to be surrounded by great people here at UConn and at home. My advisors, friends, and family have all been really supportive," he said.
As for his future career in medicine, Greenbaum hopes to provide compassionate, trustworthy care.
"I just really want to connect with my patients," Gruenbaum said. "I want them to know that they can trust their doctor."
AspiringDocs.org is an outreach effort to increase diversity in the medical field, according to the AAMC Web Site.
Gruenbaum said he was shocked and honored when he found out he was one of the contest winners.
"I couldn't believe it," he said. "There were a lot of worthy candidates."
AAMC said the goal of the contest was to "turn students' dreams of a career in medicine into a reality by assisting with the costs of preparing for and applying to medical school."
Applicants were asked to submit a two minute video explaining why they wanted to become a doctor.
"It was a really hard question for me to answer," Gruenbaum said. "You would think after 4 years of wanting to do this it would be easy to answer, but it's not."
Gruenbaum drew on life experiences, such as volunteering as an EMT in the Middle East, when making his video. He said the human interaction that comes with being a physician was one of the primary reasons he wanted to get into the field.
"There is no greater gift in the world than to help others to the best of my ability," Gruenbaum said in his video entry.
Potential candidates were e-mailed about the contest around Thanksgiving.
"I thought, 'what do I have to lose?'" Gruenbaum said.
He received news that he was one of the winners in late February. All 10 winning videos can be seen on the AAMC's YouTube site. Gruenbaum's video was also featured on UConn President Michael Hogan's blog.
Along with his academic achievements, Gruenbaum is also involved on campus. He has been a Community Assistant for three years, an FYE mentor, athletic tutor and a supplemental instruction leader for general psychology classes. He is also an active member of the Jewish Students Association on campus.
Gruenbaum plans to attend medical school in the fall and is waiting to hear back from the schools he has applied to. He credits his success to the support he has received from many people in his life.
"I've been very blessed to be surrounded by great people here at UConn and at home. My advisors, friends, and family have all been really supportive," he said.
As for his future career in medicine, Greenbaum hopes to provide compassionate, trustworthy care.
"I just really want to connect with my patients," Gruenbaum said. "I want them to know that they can trust their doctor."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
ask a nurse
posted 3/09/09 @ 11:59 AM EST
Excellent job for the person who achieved this great award and scholarship. We must reward our youth for the efforts so they understand the value of you work hard you get rewarded for it. (Continued…)
emr
posted 3/22/09 @ 9:50 AM EST
It is nice to see the youth of today getting rewarded for there hard work and dedication. These days we do have to impress standards and morals to our youths as this is what society is lacking in a major way in our current times. (Continued…)
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