New Biomed Program Pushes Red Knights to Excel

New Biomed Since Benilde-St. Margaret’s opened its doors decades ago, course offerings have continued to shift as the world evolves. Program Pushes Red Knights One of the most recent additions is a biomedical track that was developed to boost students who are looking to pursue careers in the field of medicine after graduation. What started as a club at BSM less than 10 years ago is now a full-blown program consisting of three courses designed to help to Excel students reimagine excellence: Biomed I, Biomed II: AP Seminar, and Biomed III: AP Research. Adding to the growth of the program was the completion of new state-of-the-art science classrooms which opened in 2019 with the completion of phase I of the Imagine. Innovate. Inspire. capital campaign. Now, students have access to science and medical equipment that allows them to engage in realworld research and experimentation — all things that give Red Knights an edge upon graduation. Senior high teachers Mark Peterson and Jennifer Roushar have been integral in the advancement of the program. Roushar has been teaching Red Knights for 22 years and currently instructs students in Honors Biology and Biomed I. In her class, students get hands-on experience through dissections, suturing, and running experiments. “The outcome of Biomed I is for students to start thinking like doctors and understand that the human body is all tied together,” Roushar said.

Peterson’s favorite part about his role as instructor is learning alongside his students and watching them dig into their curiosities. Biomed III, which Peterson teaches, focuses on gaps in knowledge and going through the research procedure – working with the institutional review board (IRB), collaborating with experts, analyzing data, coming to a conclusion, then presenting – just as biomedical scientists would outside the walls of BSM.

Aidan Traverse ’22 has made his way through Biomed I and II and is currently enrolled in Biomed III. He enjoyed carrying out the dissections on a pig brain and cat in Ms. Roushar’s class, but he also appreciated the emphasis on critical thinking and the ability to conduct his own research in Biomed II and III with Mr. Peterson. “I’d love to pursue a career in medicine, and I feel that biomed has more than prepared me for that career path. Learning how to conduct research, implement problem solving skills, and understand human anatomy will be extremely helpful when applying to, and working my way through, medical school,” Traverse shared.

This has been proven by BSM’s most recent graduating class which had multiple Red Knights who completed the biomedical track and were subsequently admitted to prestigious medical programs.

This fall, Sophie Coleman ‘21 joined two other BSM alums in the highly selective seven-year B.A. to M.D. program at the University of Minnesota, where she is studying human physiology. Only 10 students in the nation were selected for this program. When asked how BSM’s program helped prepare her for this important step, Sophie replied, “BSM’s biomed program helped unlock my passion for medicine. Those classes gave me opportunities to think outside of the box and explore subjects in which I had a personal interest. Not only did I gain technical skills, but I have an expanded idea of the field that will allow me to navigate my courses and future profession better. As I start my classes at the U of M, the foundational knowledge and support I received will help me along my journey to become a doctor.”

Though numerous Red Knights participating in biomed courses have a future in medicine in mind, the program is also beneficial for students with other goals. Lindsey Layton ‘22 aspires to work for the FBI, yet she has found that biomedical classes have enriched her education in terms of collaborating with colleagues and asking important questions.

Whether it’s studying foundational theories, conducting new research, or being encouraged to engage with realworld issues, the biomed track at BSM allows students the opportunity to explore the field of medicine and hone critical, transferable skills. Interest in these courses continues to grow each year. More than 70 students signed up for Biomed I this fall, the largest group to date.

As Red Knights continue to raise the bar and engage in the biomedical science field, BSM continues to push for educational opportunities that open doors for students to explore their passions and reach their full potential.