HU Pre-Health Program Inducts 76 New Students

Hampton, Va – On Friday Jan. 15, the Hampton University Pre-Health program inducted 76 new students into the program. The graduate and undergraduate students who received their white coats are pursuing careers in medicine, dentistry, physical therapy and physician’s assistants.

“At Hampton University, we are committed to the development of well-informed premedical students who will enter the health professions workforce and one day take care of us,” said Dr. Michael Druitt, program director.

The keynote speaker for the evening was Dr. Bert W. Holmes, Jr. Dr. Holmes presently serves as University Physician & Physician Liaison – Administrative section at the Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute.

Dr. Holmes, a retired Brigadier General, brings a spirit of excellence in leadership to Hampton University. During his 30 years serving in the military, Dr. Holmes became the first African-American state surgeon in the National Guard, senior flight surgeon and the first African-American assistant adjutant general. He retired as a highly decorated brigadier general in the Virginia Army National Guard. Dr. Holmes received his

medical degree and specialty training in urology from the Howard University School of Medicine. Dr. Holmes was also instrumental in helping to establish the Medical Science post-bac program in 2001. He mentioned in his speech that this stemmed from a conversation with Dr. Harvey on addressing the disparity of low medical school enrollment for minorities.

“Parents, family members and friends really enjoy this annual event because for them, it is a signal that their child is making a huge career decision that may eventually impact an entire generation,” said Druitt.