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Excellence and Expertise

Physician Spotlight: Dr. David DeLaet

Excellence and Expertise

Physician Spotlight: Dr. David DeLaet

Dr. David DeLaet

Dr. DeLaet is the chair of the Mallory Wilson Center Board of Directors and medical director for Miami’s PA program. He graduated from Miami in 1991 and continued on to medical school at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine located in Cincinnati, OH. He then went on to complete a combined residency in Internal Medicine/Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, becoming certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Pediatrics. Dr. DeLaet then earned a Master of Public Health from the Columbia University School of Public Health in 2001. He has served clinically as a primary care doctor for patients of all ages. His academic focus has been on the transition of adolescents and young adults with special health care needs from the pediatric-oriented to the adult-oriented medical home.


What have you found to be the most rewarding part of medicine?

I have been able to take care of many multigenerational families throughout my years in clinical practice. It has been a very rewarding and educational experience being able to care for these families. I have been able to get a view of how family dynamics and support structures at home can impact an individual's ability to prioritize their health.

What have you found to be the most rewarding part of academic medicine?

I have found it very rewarding to teach students while they are in their residency. I have been able to see my former residents flourish in their careers and it has been very rewarding to know that I was able to help guide them through their journey.

How long have you been involved in MWC?

I have been the chair of MWC Board of Directors for 2 years and a member of the board for 5 years. 

At the time of publication, Dr. DeLaet has been involved with the MWC Board of Directors for 6 years, and is now serving as the Chair Emeritus.

What have you enjoyed most as being the chair of the MWC Board of Directors?

Throughout the years of being a part of the MWC, I have been able to meet many students. I have thoroughly enjoyed serving as a mentor to many of these students and getting to help them in their journey. I have also gotten to know Tailyn and Dr. Carlin very well and work with them closely. They have done great things with the MWC that have been very beneficial to many students.

How is the Biomedical Sciences program structured?

The Master of Medical Science in Biomedical Science Program at Miami University consists of two available tracks:  the General Focus Track and the Leadership Track.  The General Focus Track is a 32-credit hour, 12-month program that spans 3 semesters. The fall semester is a 10-credit hour curriculum and the spring semester a 9-credit hour curriculum, both consisting of classes in the departments of biology, chemistry, microbiology, and gerontology/public health. The summer semester includes 13-credit hours taking through the Physician Associate Studies program in which students are exposed to a rigorous pre-health course load.  The Leadership Track is a 47-credit hour program delivered over 24 months and 8 semesters (2 Winter Semesters of one course each), with graduates receiving not only a MMSc. in BMS but also a Business Management Certificate from the Farmer School of Business.  

Both tracks offer either a May or August start date.

What do you think sets Miami’s Biomedical Sciences program apart from others?

The MMSc. in BMS program at Miami University offers students considerable flexibility to fit their individual academic and professional goals.  Students have options regarding start date, course selection, and track of study.  These choices are made with the support of program directors who advise students on an individual basis to assure that they are in line with the student's both immediate and long-term academic/professional objectives and envisioned timeline.  The program also includes a mandated 100-hour clinical shadowing/volunteer component.  This portion is developed by the assistant program director in collaboration with students to assure that each student is exposed to a wide variety of both clinical and non-clinical professions and disciplines that support the comprehensive care of individuals and families.  Included in the curriculum is a Capstone course that encompasses both the classroom and experiential learning elements of the program and blends in professional development content to prepare graduates for either continued academic pursuits in healthcare professional school or employment in other careers in the field of biomedical science.

 

What would you recommend premedical and pre-health students do in their undergraduate career to make themselves stand out?

Students must obviously first work diligently to assure success in the classroom.  As concerns extracurricular activities, undergraduate students wishing to pursue a career in medicine should most importantly pursue opportunities about which they are passionate.  It is more critical to select several pursuits and explore them in depth rather than having many activities in which the student has only superficially engaged.  Allowing extracurriculars to shape your understanding of careers in healthcare, to demonstrate your acquisition and development of competencies such as reliability and dependability, and to reveal your narrative for wanting to work in healthcare are much more important than "checking the boxes" for a long list of activities.