From classroom to clinic: Students explore roles in oncology

On Monday, Nov. 11, Essentia Health welcomed a group of cancer biology students from The College of St. Scholastica for a unique and enriching event designed to bridge academic knowledge with real-world application. The gathering was organized in partnership with the oncology department to give students an opportunity for one-on-one interactions with experienced clinicians and researchers.

The event featured a round-robin panel format, which allowed students to engage directly with seven panelists from Essentia’s oncology department. This setup fostered an intimate atmosphere where meaningful discussions could flourish, deviating from the traditional lecture-style presentations. Each student had the chance to select their top three panelists to meet with, spending 15 minutes in small group conversations that encouraged in-depth exchanges about cancer biology and its practical applications.

Reflecting on the unique nature of the event, Jenean O’Brien, PhD, associate professor of biology at St. Scholastica, expressed her excitement, noting, “This class is cross-listed so that biology and biochemistry majors can take the course as an elective option; additionally honors program students can take the course. It counts as an experiential learning course and civic scholarship and engagement course, which is required for honors students who are pursuing a civic studies minor. What’s really exciting for me is that these students get to meet panelists from their future fields, including nursing, physical therapy, social work, pharmacy and clinical research. The interviews provide personalized insight and help students forge connections that can shape their future careers.”

Rotating through diverse perspectives

As students rotated through the panelists, they gained diverse perspectives on integrating their academic coursework with real-world clinical scenarios. This event not only highlighted the vital work being done in the field of cancer biology but also provided students with invaluable networking opportunities to help them as they embark on their future careers in healthcare. Beyond the panel, students meet the experiential requirements by volunteering 30-40 hours during the semester at either Essentia in an oncology-related department or at Moments Hospice.

The successful collaboration between Essentia Health and The College of St. Scholastica exemplified the strong commitment of both institutions to support student learning and professional development, making the day a memorable chapter in the students’ educational journey.