Future physicians learn advocacy skills at state capitol event
Students from Belmont University's Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine stepped beyond the classroom last Tuesday to engage in the legislative process during Doctors’ Day on the Hill at the Tennessee State Capitol.
A strong contingent of 40 students and four faculty members represented Belmont at the state capitol, where they engaged with legislators, attended committee meetings and joined physicians from across Tennessee to discuss pressing healthcare policy issues.
Doctors’ Day on the Hill provides a valuable platform for physicians to connect directly with lawmakers and advocate for their patients. For Belmont's medical students, still in their first year of the program, the experience offered an early introduction to the intersection of medicine and policy.
"Advocacy is a crucial component of being a complete physician," said Dr. Kevin Smith, associate professor of internal medicine and physiology at the Frist College of Medicine. "Our students are learning early in their careers that medicine extends beyond the clinical setting. By participating in Doctors’ Day on the Hill, they're developing the skills to effectively advocate for their patients and the medical profession.
Students attended a lunch with healthcare professionals from throughout Tennessee and participated in a legislative reception later that afternoon. "They were engaging and respectful and represented Belmont and the Frist College of Medicine exceptionally," Smith noted. "Legislators and experienced physicians alike noticed the enthusiasm and energy that our medical students brought to this important event."
As Nashville's newest medical school, Belmont’s medical school welcomed its first class in 2024. The institution’s participation in advocacy events like Doctors’ Day on the Hill reflects its commitment to training well-rounded physicians prepared to address healthcare challenges through both clinical practice and policy engagement.