Michigan State University

College of Osteopathic Medicine

Future DOcs

Started in 2011 to introduce students at Detroit’s Benjamin Carson High School to careers in medicine, the Future DOcs program has grown to include the Macomb and Lansing regions.

Future DOcs exposes high school students interested in pursuing a career as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine or Physician Assistant to osteopathic manipulative medicine, CPR, first aid, anatomy, biochemistry, clinical skills and leadership. “It’s a mini medical school experience” says Dr. Katherine Ruger, College of Osteopathic Medicine Senior Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Executive Chief of Staff.

The program relies on help from College of Osteopathic Medicine students, alumni and faculty who volunteer to serve as Future DOcs mentors.

What Past Participants are Saying

“The Future DOcs program had a great impact on my future medical path since I received a in depth view of what it takes to become a physician. I really have no close family, or relatives that are in this field and it opened my eyes about how much I want it. There are key principles that I learned in the program that being a physician needs to be caring, compassionate, accepting, and be there for those families in need."

“I have a better understanding of all the different medical career paths I could take. By hearing from the medical students and following along in the PowerPoint's, I now realize how to achieve my goal. I also feel like I have learned so many new skills and concepts about medicine. This program opened my eyes to so many new ideas that I cannot imagine my education without it.”

“The impact that Future DOcs program has had on me has been great. I feel more comfortable in my health-care skills and it has helped me realize what branches of medicine I do and do not want to (preferably) go into. I've meet some amazing mentors whom have inspired me dearly. I feel as though this program has taught me many useful lessons that I can reflect on in both my health-care career and in my personal life. I look forward to more experiences like this in the future.”

Detroit Future DOcs

  • Open for 10th, 11th and 12th graders in Detroit area high schools.
  • For students with an interest in the medical field.
  • Program runs Saturday mornings, February-March.
  • The application for 2025 will be open from Nov. 1 - Jan. 3.  Apply here.

Lansing Future DOcs

  • Open to 10th, 11th, and 12th graders who attend Lansing and surrounding area high schools.
  • For students with an interest in the medical field.
  • Program runs Saturday mornings, October-November.
  • The application for 2025 will be open from Aug. 1 - Sept. 9.
  • Application closed

Macomb Future DOcs

  • Open to 11th and 12th graders from surrounding Macomb area communities.
  • For students with an interest in the medical field.
  • Program runs Saturday mornings, February-March.
  • The application for 2025 will be open from Nov. 1 - Jan. 3. Apply here.

Contact

For more information about the Future DOcs programs please contact Ashley Carmichael at MSUCOM.Pathways@msu.edu.