JLIC Young Professionals Successfully Host MedConnect Healthcare & Law Panel for Undergraduate Students
The JLIC West Young Professionals, under the leadership of Directors Dr. Avraham Rod and Dr. Daniella Orner Najibi, recently hosted their MedConnect Healthcare & Law Panel, bringing together graduate students and professionals to mentor undergraduate students interested in healthcare and legal careers. The event, held on Sunday, May 4th at the OU Building, provided a valuable platform for knowledge sharing and community building.
Diverse Professional Representation
The panel featured an impressive array of graduate students from various disciplines and institutions:
- Dental: Representatives from USC Dental and UCLA Dental
- Law: Students from Loyola Law, Pepperdine, UCLA, and USC
- Medicine: A resident physician graduate from UCSF Medical School
- Physician Assistant: Students from Western University and SCU
- Neuroscience: A USC graduate student pursuing a master’s degree
While some invited panelists from occupational therapy, nursing, social work, and podiatry were unable to attend, the event showcased a wide spectrum of healthcare and legal paths for the undergraduate attendees to explore.
Format and Discussion Topics
The event was structured to maximize engagement and learning. Two undergraduate pre-health students and two pre-law students led the initial questions, with the health panel presenting first, followed by the law students. Later, the floor opened for audience questions, creating an interactive environment for all attendees.
Discussions covered critical topics for observant Jewish students pursuing graduate education:
- Navigating Jewish identity on graduate school campuses
- Managing rigorous academic workloads while observing Shabbat
- Scheduling strategies for residency programs and clinical rotations
- Arranging time off for Jewish holidays in graduate school settings
- Maintaining religious grounding amid academic pressures
Supporting Students at Every Educational Stage
This event highlighted JLIC’s commitment to supporting Jewish students throughout their entire educational journey. Many of the undergraduate attendees had initially connected with JLIC directors at Santa Monica College (SMC), demonstrating the organization’s continuous presence in students’ lives as they progress academically.
“It’s really nice to see how each student has grown and we’re excited to support them in this next chapter in their life,” noted one of the event organizers, emphasizing JLIC’s role in providing consistent support across different educational stages.
Building a Supportive Professional Community
Perhaps most remarkable was the enthusiasm and gratitude expressed by the graduate student panelists themselves. They viewed the event not merely as a service obligation but as a meaningful opportunity to mentor the next generation of Jewish professionals.
“They felt like they were helping the next generation,” observed an organizer. “They enjoyed being mentors… It’s nice to see that there’s camaraderie. They care. They want to help.”
When asked about maintaining religious identity during graduate studies, panelists specifically credited JLIC’s ongoing campus presence. A USC dental student noted that the Najibis “come on campus… they have events, learning … they’re the ones that give us that outlet,” highlighting JLIC’s vital role in sustaining Jewish identity during the demanding graduate school years.
A Successful Community Gathering
The event attracted 30-40 undergraduate students plus ten graduate panelists, with some parents also in attendance. A full dinner featuring burger bar, desserts, and refreshments complemented the informative discussions.
The enthusiastic response from both undergraduate attendees and graduate panelists demonstrated the value of creating these intergenerational connections within the Jewish community. By facilitating these relationships, JLIC continues to strengthen the pipeline of observant Jewish professionals and provide crucial support at every stage of students’ educational and professional development.
Reach out to any of our Directors to learn more about JLIC and to support our programming.
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