Future medical students take 'Second Look' at Whiddon College of Medicine
Posted on March 9, 2026 by Marketing and Communications
On Feb. 28, the Whiddon College of Medicine Office of Admissions hosted its inaugural Second Look Saturday. The event provided accepted students with the opportunity to visit campus, explore the College more deeply, and gain a clearer understanding of the opportunities that await them as future medical students.
Upon arrival, students were greeted by SouthPaw, Miss Pawla, and current medical students.
The day began with a welcome from Interim Dean of the College of Medicine, Franklin
Trimm, M.D., and Executive Vice President and Provost, Andi Kent, Ph.D. Students then
attended a series of informative presentations from the Office of Student Affairs,
the Division of Medical Education, the Office of Accreditation & Planning, and the
Office of Health Advancement. A special breakout session was also offered for families,
recognizing the important role they play in each student’s journey.
“Medical school is a big decision and affects families, not just the student,” one attendee shared. “I’m very thankful that you took time for (my husband) and thought about him.”
Students had the opportunity to connect with one another over lunch, sponsored by the Dean’s Office, fostering early camaraderie among members of the incoming class. In the afternoon, attendees visited the Simulation Lab and the Health Demonstration Kitchen. In the Simulation Lab, Laura Boatright, M.D., and her team guided students through hands-on activities that showcased the types of clinical simulation scenarios they may encounter during their training. At the Health Demonstration Kitchen, David Weber, Ph.D., and Robert Israel, M.D., shared the kitchen’s mission and demonstrated its role in promoting nutrition education and preventive care. Students also enjoyed sampling healthy dishes prepared on-site.
The day concluded with a trolley tour of the University’s campus, giving attendees
a broader look at their future academic home.
“Our inaugural event was a highlight of the admissions cycle,” said Natalie Bauer, Ph.D., assistant dean of admissions “Meeting our potential matriculants in person allowed us to connect with them directly, provide important resources, and showcase what makes the Whiddon College of Medicine such a special place to train future physicians.”
The event's success would not have been possible without the help of the student Admissions Ambassadors: Allee Alexander, David Blackburn, Ashlyn Conner, Ben Estrada, Jayne Freeman, Mary Liz Hill, Connor Holm, Lauren Musachia, Kelly Nguyen, Charles Ogles, MacKay Pfeiffer, Anna Claire Potier, Abigail Remick, Bea Richardson, Matthew Streitman, Israel Valenzuela, and Caroline Weisenfeld. The Ambassadors were essential to helping the day run smoothly and provided valuable insight into the student experience.
Approximately one-third of the incoming M1 class attended Second Look Saturday, and feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive.
“The event offered everything I could have hoped for!” one incoming student shared. “I got to connect with other future students and current medical students, learn extensively about clinical and research experiences, and hear about the many ways I will be supported at Whiddon COM. This alone would have made for an invigorating experience, so the opportunity to tour the Simulation Lab, campus, and the teaching kitchen made me especially excited for matriculation."
