Levi Lutz '14

Levi 2015

Name: Levi Lutz                               

Graduating Class: 2014

Major/Minor: Biology, Management Minor


Your Story:  My Name is Levi Lutz, and I am a recent graduate from the class of 2014. I grew up in Elk River, MN, where I attended Elk River High School. Following high school I knew that I wanted to attend a small, private, liberal arts college in Minnesota. I chose to attend Gustavus particularly due to past family ties, their exemplary academics (most notably their science program), and their strong sense of community on campus.

Throughout my freshman year I contemplated pursuing numerous pre-professional health programs including Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant studies, and nursing. My sophomore year I chose to take Human Anatomy & Physiology I, which immediately peaked my interest in medicine. Following the Fall term I chose to participate in the January Interim Pre-Health career exploration; upon doing so I cemented the notion to pursue medicine, and the pre-med path. Over the next two years I took the required science classes, and continued to expose myself to medicine (osteopathic medicine specifically) through shadowing opportunities, volunteering, and job experience (Health Service Department Student employee). However, I continued to pursue another passion in the classroom by taking a variety of business classes, to fulfill a management minor.

Since graduation I have been employed by Emergency Care Consultants (ECC) in the Twin Cities area as an Emergency Department Medical Scribe, working at both Abbott Northwestern Hospital, in Minneapolis, and West Health in Plymouth, MN. During my time at Gustavus I also served as a HHMI Biology/Chemistry Peer Mentor, and Human Anatomy Physiology Tutor, both of which I feel validated my passion for medicine.

Top Five Activities/Experiences: (in no particular order)

  1. Serving as a student worker in the Gustavus Health Service Department. This opportunity gave me incredible insight into daily clinical medicine, not to mention the staff there is unparalleled on campus! (May be biased in this assumption, but nonetheless)
  2. Men’s Ice Hockey, in addition to participating in the numerous intramural sports leagues on campus.
  3. Emergency Department Volunteer, Mayo hospital, Mankato.
  4. Participating in the Big Partner Little Partner Program, both as a Big Partner and as the Parent Communication Coordinator.
  5. January Interim Pre-Health Career Exploration, Mayo Clinic Health Systems, Mankato.

Advice:

  1. It is very important to be well rounded, as the pre-medicine path is only one aspect of your life during college. While on the Hill never say no to an opportunity to experience something new and interesting (provided your academics are in check). Take advantage of the numerous clubs/groups/organizations that Gustavus has to offer whether it be academic, athletic, social, or extracurricular in nature.
  1. Gain exposure and immerse yourself in a variety of health care careers/settings, as well as branches of medicine (especially osteopathic medicine if this is what you plan to pursue). This can be accomplished through shadowing experiences, volunteering, or working as a CNA/Scribe/EMT (I highly suggest scribing). Doing this will allow you to first and foremost add depth to your understanding of medicine. It will also help you respect and appreciate other health care professionals/support staff once you begin to affiliate with them. Lastly and most importantly this will help confirm your passion/motivation to become a physician.
  1. When preparing for the MCAT, it is important to take practice tests to one gauge your progress (identify weak points), and secondly to gain a feeling for what the actual exam day will be like. I highly recommend buying a few old MCAT practice tests from the AAMC site (e-MCAT) and completing them under “test-like” conditions.

 

Future Plans:  I will be entering Des Moines University – College of Osteopathic Medicine, starting the Fall of 2015.

                                                                                                                                                              Updated 7/23/2015 HB