Many of you are wondering how to stay involved in pre-health pursuits while social distancing. Please remember that this is a time of uncertainty and disruption for everyone, so it may be hard to start a new volunteering position or other formal activity since folks in charge of organizations may not have time to bring new people on. Many in-person volunteer and clinical activities will also be suspended to try to maintain social distancing. I know many of you are looking for ways to stay active and involved, so here are a few ideas to get you started. I’d love to hear other ideas you may have!

Pre-Health
Connect With Us
In 2018, 100 percent of the students who applied to dental school from St. Olaf were accepted to one or more programs. Among them were (from left) Nicole Nothongkham ’18, Annika Johnson ’18, and Simon Broccard ’18.
The Piper Center supports all pre-health students and graduates on a variety of career paths as they develop into future healthcare professionals. We work holistically with students at all stages of their career exploration, encouraging self-reflection and stressing the importance of intellectual development, personal integrity, and professionalism. Through individual coaching appointments, workshops, and opportunities to explore interests, skills, and goals, Oles build a strong foundation for a competitive application and a meaningful future career.
77%
Acceptance rate to medical schools (MD & DO) in the past 3 years (2017-2019)
91%
Overall acceptance rate to dental schools in the past two years (2018-2019)
35
MD and DO schools where Oles matriculated in the past two years (2018-2019)
Internships and Research in Pre-Health

The 2019 Health Scholars at Mayo Clinic.

Nursing at St. Olaf
The St. Olaf College Nursing Program takes a holistic approach to the field of nursing; integrating development of the whole person, a commitment to lifelong learning, and service to others. Ole nurses are well prepared for professional practice and/or graduate school to earn advanced degrees.
After four years of study, students are eligible to complete the RN licensure examination offered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at St. Olaf College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
(Image on the right) Ole nursing majors using the new nursing department simulation for class.
Coaching and Resources
St. Olaf has a range of pre-health internships from structured shadowing during interim to cohort summer internships at hospitals. The Piper Center has collaborated with organizations from a small private business to a destination medical center to encourage students to explore a range of medical settings.
Please stop by the Piper Center anytime during business hours to have an initial conversation with a Peer Advisor. When you are ready to go further and meet with our Pre-Health career coach, Katie Hughes, please schedule an appointment through Handshake. To meet with Kevin Crisp, Chair of Health Professions Committee, please stop by the Piper Center during his drop-in hours Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3-5 p.m.
Piper Center Events
Katie Hughes (she, her, hers)
Associate Director, Career Development and Coaching, Pre-Health and Pre-Law
Kevin Crisp
Professor of Biology; Chair of Health Professions Committee
Regents Hall (Natural Science) 220
P507-786-3981
Office Hours: appts:go.stolaf.edu/crisp, F12-1 at the Cage
View Profile →Alumni in the Spotlight

The Pain Managers
The patient was a young man, an assistant at a school for troubled youth. One day, a situation at the school got out of hand. A student attacked him, crushing his left hand and breaking his fingers.
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A perfect place to prepare for dental school
Annika Johnson ’18 came to St. Olaf College knowing that with just 66 schools of dentistry in the nation, the application process is extremely competitive — even more so, in many ways, than medical school.
Explore
Opportunities That Have A Real Impact: Rockswold Health Scholars Program
Neurosurgeon Gaylan Rockswold ’62 created a program that gives current St. Olaf students hands-on medical and research experience — and an incredible mentor.
Watch Now
St. Olaf announces 2018 Alumni Award winners
St. Olaf College recently announced its 2018 Alumni Award winners: Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Wendy Helgemo ’91, Alumni Achievement Award recipient Craig Hella Johnson ’84, and Outstanding Service Award recipient Jon Hallberg ’88. Jon Hallberg ’88 is the medical director of the University of Minnesota Physicians Mill City Clinic and associate professor of family medicine and community health. He recently ended a 21-year tenure as medical director of the Minnesota Twins Employee Assistance Program and has been the regular medical commentator on Minnesota Public Radio’s regional “All Things Considered” since 2003.
Watch Now
Exploring a career in international medicine

St. Olaf opens new, high-tech space for nursing program

Health is Life
