Mercy Health — Lourdes Hospital recently concluded its 14th Annual Future Physicians Program. 

Upon completion of the program, participants Abigail (Abbie) Young, Cassidy Lounsbury and David Hilbrecht attended a reception, where they each received a $500 Dr. Lisa Chaney Lasher Future Physicians Scholarship. The scholarship is named for Dr. Lasher, and OB/GYN who cared for Lourdes Hospital patients for over 20 years and served on the Lourdes Foundation Board. Dr. Lasher was very active in the medical community and worked with several organizations that helped cancer patients and cancer research before her death in 2018.

They submitted essays on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their decision to pursue medicine and on their experience in the Future Physicians Program. David received an additional scholarship for his winning essay.

Lourdes Hospital’s six-week Future Physicians summer program gives undergraduate pre-medicine students to opportunity to shadow physicians, advanced practice clinicians and other providers. Students get an up-close look at different aspects of the medical field before enrolling in medical school. 

This year, Abbie, Cassidy and David shadowed providers in Labor and Delivery, OBGYN, the Emergency Department, Hospital Medicine, Operating Room, Endoscopy, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Radiology and Pathology.

In addition, they completed hands off tasks including

  • Restocking linens
  • Delivering and collecting food trays
  • Opening or cutting food as requested 
  • Answering phones
  • Filing
  • Answering call lights
  • Sanitizing equipment after a patient completes physical therapy

David is a junior at Western Kentucky University and is determining his future plans. Cassidy is a graduate of Southern Illinois University and will be attending the University of Tennessee Health Science Center School of Medicine in August. Abigail (Abbie) is a graduate of Southern Illinois University, where she completed Pre-Physician Associate studies. She’s taking a gap year and working as a medical scribe to continue gaining experience while applying to PA programs.

Applications for the 2022 Future Physicians Program will be available in February.